Checkered Crime: A Laurel London Mystery (22 page)
Read Checkered Crime: A Laurel London Mystery Online
Authors: Tonya Kappes
Hhmph.
She growled staring straight ahead as we and the entire town of Walnut Grove sat in the town square watching the public ceremony of Jimbo’s retirement.
After the whole gun-smuggling-mob thing at Porty Morty’s, Jimbo felt like it was time to retire, not making a happy marriage for him and Susie since she was going to have to keep her indiscretions even more on the down low, but I didn’t have a monkey in that circus so I kept my mouth shut.
I was also glad to know that Carmine was ill the day the Trigger and his cartel had taken over the warehouse. It would have been one more thing for me to worry about. Morty Shelton had been just an innocent bystander in the whole thing. He claimed Jennifer came in to talk to him about the festival and after getting through a few meetings with her, that was when she informed him they were going to be using his warehouse to smuggle the illegal arms and if he didn’t cooperate, people were going to die. Plus they were going to pay him handsomely for the use of the onetime smuggle. According to Morty, he wasn’t going to go through with it, but I wasn’t so sure since I had heard he was having money issues. Still, I didn’t say anything because it all seemed to be over and Porty Morty’s was back in business.
As far as my whole family history of sickness, well Ben Bassman assured me there was nothing to worry about because everyone was completely healthy in my family, other than death by gun shot.
Of course I wasn’t able to tell anyone about it, other than Trixie because she was in on it. Derek and Jax had no idea I was The Gorilla’s granddaughter. When Jax asked me about Trigger’s allegations that I was, I laughed it off. Trigger also demanded his ring back, but no one knew anything about a ring. Well…hardly anyone.
Not only was Jimbo retiring, Derek was starting his career as a deputy sheriff. Now with the sheriff’s job opening, I had to wonder who was going to fill it.
“Why can’t it be a peaceful day?” Gia asked and sat down next to me.
She pointed over to the camera crew that hadn’t left since Trigger went into custody. The world just couldn’t believe that little ole Walnut Grove, Kentucky was the scene for the mob to smuggle arms.
Come to think about it, it was perfect. No one would suspect a shipment to a port-a-let company where there was a river for transportation. Trigger had planned it all out for years. No doubt I had been on his radar since he met Johnny. His wheels had been turning.
“So what do you think they are going to do to Johnny?” Gia nudged me.
“I have no idea.” My attention turned to the camera crew when I saw them stop Jax Jackson.
He stopped and sat his suitcase on the ground. He was going to meet me at the ceremony and then after I was going to give him one last ride back to Louisville to catch his plane to New York.
The agency had cleared him to come back to work. I was going to miss looking at his handsome face and hot body, but I guess I would live.
“Too bad he’s leaving. He’s hot.” Gia nudged me again. “But I do have a new guy to fix you up with,” she chomped.
“No thanks.” I got up and walked over to see what Jax was saying to the reporter.
It looked like he was giving an interview or something. Derek walked up next to him. I had to laugh because he wanted his ten minutes of fame.
“What is next for the new deputy in town?” the reporter asked Derek and stuck the microphone into his face.
“I was hoping to get my new boss in his uniform.” he smiled, taking the camera off of Jax.
“Who is the new sheriff of Walnut Grove?” the reporter asked.
“The city would like to offer it to Jax Jackson if he’d like to stick around.” Derek stuck his hand out to him to make a good southern gentleman agreement.
“I…” Jax seemed to be speechless.
My heart nearly dropped into my toes when he looked at me with those deep hazel eyes. His mouth opened into a wide grin. He turned back to the camera.
“I appreciate that, but I think I’m going to stick around and open a private investigation service,” he said into the camera before he slid his eyes over to me.
“What was that?” Gia asked, craning her neck toward Jax Jackson who was still staring at me.
“I have no idea, but I don’t want him sticking around here,” I said.
“Laurel London. I think you might have a little crush on him.” Gia tugged on the gum in her mouth with her finger before she wrapped the gum around it a few times.
“I don’t think so.” I glared at him because he would be the first person to hold something over my head if things went south. “Besides. I have a new house to fix up.”
When I had gotten Trixie settled back into her house the day of the warehouse takedown, I had gone home where Ben Bassman was waiting for me with Trigger’s ring. He had taken it off Trigger’s hand when Trigger was knocked out on the warehouse floor from the walnut Trixie had thrown at him. Ben informed me that since I had both rings, I was now the legal recipient of my first installment of The Gorilla’s money. That installment was one million dollars with more installments to come.
After he had to pick me up off the floor and through my tears, I looked around the little efficiency. Henrietta and I needed more room, so I put her on her leash and marched over to Friendship Baptist Church. I gave Pastor Wilson a piece of my mind and told him I didn’t need his broken down efficiency.
I told Ben Bassman that I wanted to buy the orphanage house with my money only for him to tell me that I already owned it. The Gorilla had established the orphanage in Walnut Grove when I was a baby and it was to remain open until I turned eighteen. In fact, Ben Bassman paid all the bills on it on behalf of my grandfather, which kept it in good standing with the utilities and taxes. I also told him to put the house up for sale in Louisville because I wasn’t moving there. Walnut Grove had become my home.
Henrietta and I moved in the next day. Trixie put her little cottage up for sale when I begged her to come live with me and we’d move her chickens too. She agreed and over the past few days we had been spending a little of my money fixing the place up with new furniture. Of course we had to tell everyone in Walnut Grove that Trixie came into some inheritance and bought the place so we didn’t reveal that I was wealthy.
“Maybe he can give you a job because you are going to need one if you keep spending money on that dump you bought when you lost your mind.” Gia shook her head. “I’ve gotta go.” She made kissy noises when she saw Jax walking toward us.
“Shut up.” There was no way Jax Jackson and I were going to get together.
He said a couple of words to Gia and walked up next to me. His dark eyes set along with his strong jaw line. There was a determined look on his face. A look I had seen when he talked about Trigger Finger.
“A private investigation company?” I asked, breaking the tension between us.
“Yeah.” He shrugged. “Why not?”
“Oh-kay.” I wasn’t sold on the whole idea because I never knew Walnut Grove needed a private investigator. Unless Jimbo Warren was the first client when he gets wind of Susie’s little indiscretions.
“I want to open a private investigation company and work with the FBI on the side.” He stopped and rocked back on his heels when Pastor Wilson and Rita walked by.
He smiled at them, they smiled at him, they snarled at me.
“Still not friends?” Jax asked.
“Not so much. Past is in the past,” I added.
“Which brings me to my next bit of business.” Jax folded his arms and we looked on as the line was forming to congratulate Jimbo and Susie who were standing at the foot of the gazebo where the retirement ceremony had taken place. “You seem to have all sorts of criminal talents. And thinking like a crook is crucial in the P.I. business, so I’d like to give you a job helping me. Plus I bet you could use the money.”
“So you are telling me you want me to continue to help with cases?” I asked and avoided the whole money thing.
He nodded. “Not all cases, but if I need to pick your brain. You know this area and you might be able to help.”
“It’s going to have to take a back seat to my new cab business,” I stated.
“Cab business?” He asked with a sarcastic tone and then laughed in my face.
“Why not?” I folded my arms and shifted to my left to get a good look at him. “I was pretty damn good at it when it wasn’t legal.”
“Fine.” He put his hands in the air as if he was defeated. “So can I count on you if I need some information about locations, people and stuff?”
“Sure.” I stuck my hand out to shake on it.
Jax Jacksons stuck his hand out.
My heart quickened when his gaze softened.
Oh no.
I jerked away. His shit-eatin’ grin widened.
“See you around, Laurel.” He winked. “I look forward to working with you.”
“If I have time,” I quipped.
I couldn’t help but watch Jax Jackson walk away. Unfortunately, the pit in my stomach told me that going on the up and up was almost going to be impossible for me to do.
About The Author
Tonya has written over 15 novels and 4 novellas, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists including USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor, and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband, three teenage boys, two very spoiled schnauzers and one ex-stray cats in Northern Kentucky and grew up in Nicholasville. Now that her boys are teenagers, Tonya writes full time but can be found at all of her guys high school games with a pencil and paper in hand. Come on over and FAN Tonya on Goodreads.
Praise for Tonya Kappes
“Tonya Kappes continues to carve her place in the cozy mystery scene with the witty and endearing Ghostly Undertaking set in a small town that is as fun as it is unforgettable.”
New York Times bestseller Dianna Love
“Full of wit, humor and colorful characters, Tonya Kappes delivers a fun, fast-paced story that will leave you hooked!” Bestselling Author, Jane Porter
“Fun, fresh, and flirty, Carpe Bead ’Em is the perfect read on a hot summer day. Tonya Kappes’ voice shines in her debut novel.” Author Heather Webber
“I loved how Tonya Kappes was able to bring her characters to life.” Coffee Table Reviews
With laugh out loud scenes and can't put it down suspense A Charming Crime is the perfect read for summer you get a little bit of everything but romance. Forgetthehousework blog
Also by Tonya Kappes
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Beyond The Grave Series
Grandberry Falls Series
A Superstitious Christmas (novella)
A Divorced Diva Beading Mystery Series
Small Town Romance Short Story Series
Bluegrass Romance Series
Non-Fiction
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the permission in writing from the author or publisher.
Edition: June 2014
Copyright © by Tonya Kappes
All rights reserved