Page 2 of Killer Moonshine

“Listen, poorly produced moonshine can be contaminated, mainly from materials used in the construction of thestill. Stills employingautomotive radiatorsas condensers are particularly dangerous; in some cases,glycolproduced fromantifreezecan be a problem. But we don’t see those issues as much any longer.”

“As much?” she scoffed. “But you’re still seeing them.” He said nothing, just staring at the woman, realizing he wasn’t going to get his ‘yes’ today.

Another member of the panel began to read from a medical report.

“Contaminated moonshine can occur if proper materials and techniques are not used. The prolonged consumption of impure moonshine may causerenal disease, primarily from increased lead content. Radiators can contain lead and can result in blindness or lead poisoning. This may also cause saturnine gout, which damages the kidneys and joints. The use of cheap methanol can create serious health risks for drinkers.”

“Fascinating,” he frowned. “Madam Chairwoman, we have been at this all day, and I’m getting a bit hungry. Do you suppose we could break for dinner?”

“We’ll break for longer than that,” she said. “We cannot give an approval for a license to legalize moonshine in this state. Currently, there are only a handful of states that allow moonshine to be legally produced. Louisiana will not be one of them.”

“Although I respect your decision, it’s a foolish one,” he said, standing. “Whether you like it or not, moonshine is currently being created all over this state, and it will become legal soon enough due to high demand.” She stood from the dais, leaning toward the audience.

“And we will close down every single one of them and arrest the people responsible.”

Hugo placed his aviator sunglasses atop his nose, tilting his head toward the sun with a big smile. She didn’t rattle him at all, and he wanted the world to see that.

“What do you want to do, Mr. Hugo?” asked the man standing with him outside the government building.

“I want that bitch dead, but that’s too obvious. If anything happens to her, I’ll be the first person they come to and ask about it.”

“We can tell the boys to start making more stills,” said one of the men.

“No, that’s not it either. I think we need to do this the wrong way,” he said, taking a big puff of the cigar as he lit it.

“The wrong way, sir?”

“Yep. She wants the world to believe that stills are unsafe, contaminated, dirty. Well, we’re going to show what happens when they’re not regulated. We’ll show what happens if you don’t regulate them and allow them to be produced without proper equipment.”

“But, sir. We might kill dozens of people doing that,” said the man.

“That’s the point. People who rely on moonshine to make their living will be up in arms saying bad practices are hurting their business, and they want the industry regulated. If arresting the moonshiners isn’t working, she’ll be forced to do things differently. And we’re going to force her to do that.”

CHAPTER TWO

“Hey, don’t look now,” smirked Saint, “but I believe that’s Stephanie dancing with one of the Comeaux brothers.” Brax jerked his head toward the dance floor, frowning at the entire scene.

“Jesus, was she born with no common sense!” he growled. “Those guys are animals.”

“Yeah, well, it looks like Marilisa is dancing with one as well. I always hated those guys. Besides, they’re too old for them.”

“They’re the same age as we are,” mumbled Brax. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned, a pretty brunette smiling at him.

“Hi, Brax, wanna dance, baby?” she asked.

“Not now, Leanne.”

“Why not? You’re lookin’ miserable. A nice dance on the floor could make you real happy.”

“I said not now,” he growled.

She scoffed in his direction and walked away, sitting at a table with four other women. When the music was done, Marilisa and Stephanie sat with a few others from Belle Fleur. Although it didn’t make them happy, Saint and Brax were at least relieved that they weren’t there alone.

“I’m ready to leave,” said Saint.

“Yeah, me too.” As they wound their way through the throngs of people, the manager came running toward them.

“I’m glad I caught you,” he said. “I need your help. Someone is real sick inside, vomiting blood!”

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