“What was she doing in town?”
“Ahhh,guess you didn’t know.” Mrs. Berkovich’s eyes sparked, sensing gossip like stink on pig. “Said she was lookin’ for houses.”
God himself could have walked through the door and I wouldn’t have been more surprised.
“Looking for houses?Here?”
“Yep. Mentioned she tried to call you a few times, no answer. Asked how you’ve been doin.’ I figured she’d paid you a visit after that.”
No, Patricia Jagger knew better than to knock on my front door. Although, I realized then that her increased—unanswered—calls must have been because of her pending visit.
Should’ve changed my damn number.
“Well, lock up your husband.” I said. “Have a good evening, Mrs. Berkovich.”
I turned back to the counter, feeling the woman’s eyes burning a hole into my back. Jagger family drama. Add it to the list of crap I had to deal with that day.
A shoulder nudged into my arm. I took a step back, cocked a brow and watched Louis Smith, the town’s plumber, shoot me a glance sharp enough to cut glass.
Food. I just wanted some damn food.
I maneuvered my way to the only open stool in the middle of the counter.
“Seat’s taken.”
I tilted my head to the side, my patience officially obliterated.
“Is it?”
“That’s right,” Bob Powell, a local farmer, sipped his coffee without gracing me a glance.
“By who, Mr. Powell?”
“Ain’t none of your business,Detective.”
I stepped forward, nudging two truckers out of the way.
“You got something to say to me, Bobby?”
“Yeah, son, I do.” The old man turned on his stool, coffeein one hand, the other sliding to his lap. I kept my eye on it. “I got a problem with you busting Cowboy Billy’s nose last night at Frank’s.”
“Do ya now? You’re gonna have a bigger problem if one fingernail touches the gun you’ve got on your belt.”
He sneered, pulled his hand away. “Billy wasn’t causin’ no harm, Jagg.”
“He was drunk and bullying an innocent bystander.”
“Innocent bystander? Is that right? Was innocent bystanding what that white witch was doing when she put a bullet in Pastor Griggs’ son’s face?”
I leaned forward. “Bite your tongue old man.”
“Ah, look who’s finally decided to respect women.” He chuckled. “Figured after what your mama?—”
The moment I lunged forward, two arms wrapped around my waist and heaved me off my feet.
Colson’s deep voice vibrated in my ear. “Say one more word, Jagg, and I’ll throw you through these windows. I’m not fucking kidding.”
I was pulled through the front door, where a crowd had gathered on the sidewalk.
