Page 11 of Christmas Fudge Fatality
She nods. “She’s not as innocent as one might think. In fact, if I hadn’t been so sure that Scott had pushed her, I would have pegged Bonnie for it.”
“Why’s that?” I ask, inching back as if to get a better read on her.
Stacy looks out the window and stares vacantly for a moment as if looking straight into another dimension.
“Because Bonnie Dupre has a very big secret.”
Lainey leans in. “Well? Don’t keep us in suspense. What is it?”
Stacy looks from my sister to me. “That’s Bonnie’s story to tell. Let’s just say, luck isn’t always a lady. Bonnie Dupre is guilty as sin.”
Chapter 5
Bonnie Dupre asked Everett out for drinks again.
Normally, I would be incensed and say something likethe nerve. I was with him at the tree lot that evening, after all. But, quite frankly not only am I relived, but I’m urging Everett to hop to it. Little does Bonnie know that I’ll accidentally on purpose bump right into them before they can knock down their shot glasses.
“How did she get your number, anyway?” I ask as Everett escorts me through the dark snowy evening and into the shelter of the Red Satin Gentlemen’s Club. Red Satin is tucked in the armpit of the next town over, a seedy place called Leeds.
“Funny you should ask.” His dark brows twitch, making his blue eyes siren out all the more. “She said she simply asked Detective Fox while he was questioning her, and he happily obliged her with my number.”
“Noah! That stinker.” A dull laugh ripples through me. “Remind me to ream him out for it.”
“I already did. I let him know I’ve got an arsenal of great attorneys who would love to do a legal takedown for me. My number isn’t for sale. It’s not a freebie either.”
“Little did he know his plan to divert your attention away from me would backfire.” I wince. “I mean, that it would allow me to interrogate a suspect.” I give a little shrug. I feel terrible leading us into such awkward relationship territory. “I realize you’re a free agent, Everett.” My cheeks flush with heat. “I’m so sorry my heart and my head are so confused. Although, Noah’s dirty tactics aren’t helping his cause.”
A smile twitches on his lips, but he’s too stubborn to give it. “I always did say, give that boy enough rope and he’ll do the work himself.”
“Funny.” I make a face because it’s anything but. And as evidenced by the fact he gave Bonnie the ammo to call Everett, it happens to be true.
“Lemon.” Everett pulls me in, landing his gorgeous face just inches from mine. He takes a breath and his chest expands over mine. “Don’t ever feel pressured to make a decision. A thousand women could invite me to have a drink, but there’s only one I’d rather be with and that’s you. I’m not going anywhere.” He gently brushes the hair from my forehead. “You are beautiful inside and out—and you are definitely worth the wait.”
My heart seizes in my chest so fast and tight, I can hardly breathe.
“Thank you for that, Everett.” It comes out lower than a whisper. And without thinking, I hike up on my tiptoes and dot the scruff on his cheek with a quick kiss. “Let’s go catch a killer.”
Inside, the Red Satin Gentlemen’s Club is booming. The entire room is thick with bodies, it’s dimly lit, the raunchy music is a touch too loud, and as per its true intentions, there is a bevy of scantily clad beauties both on stage and roaming the floor with a tray in their hands.
Yes, it’s a strip club. Yes, it’s the very strip club where my sister, Meg, teaches the dancers their lusty thrust moves. The walls, the carpet, and even the bar are a dark shade of crimson. And because of those dark hues alone, it’s always given off the impression that we’ve walked right into a portal to hell.
Everett weaves us through the crowd, and, as expected, every female in this place is struggling to get a better look at the handsome judge who happens to be built like a linebacker.
As much as I didn’t like that Bonnie chose this dive as the venue to knock back beers—or Long Island Iced Tea or whatever else she’s hoping to slurp up, I encouraged Everett to have her meet in a place of her choosing. And she just so happened to request they meet in the underbelly of this fine establishment. Yes, the mobsters who run this inglorious place happen to have a full-fledged, fully illegal, gambling casino in the expansive area beneath it.
A thought hits me, and I pull Everett in by the hand.
“Hey? Stacy said that luck isn’t always a lady, and Bonnie asked to meet up with you downstairs at the casino.”
Everett tips his head to the side. “I’m guessing she’s a gambler.”
“Maybe she has an addiction?”
“And maybe she’s addicted to men as well,” a deep voice growls from somewhere near the floor and I spot Noel with his powder white face, pink nose, and black svelte ears sticking straight up.
Everett looks down near our feet. “He’s here, isn’t he? I can hear him.”
And the only reason Everett can hear him is because he happens to be holding my hand.