Page 12 of Shenanigans

I stared at him in stunned disbelief. “Gee, that’s all? Is this drug stronghold in Mexico or South America?”

“Pakistan.”

I screeched, “Pakistan?”

“No, no and no. Kandi won’t do it,” Jana stated firmly.

Harry shrugged. “If Kandi doesn’t agree, Samson will give the cops enough evidence to throw her in jail.”

“So, I rot in jail or I cooperate?”

“Yup.” Harry rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry.”

Christmas music suddenly spewed from my cellphone. Oh hell. The last thing I wanted to do was explain this mess to my mother. I powered the phone down.

“If you don’t answer her, she’ll show up at your house,” Jana pointed out.

“She’ll come either way.”

Harry eyed the police helicopter heading our way. “Didn’t take the cops long to figure out they’d been tricked. Time to get the hell outta here.”

“Go.” I climbed into the back of the hearse, opened the coffin and slipped inside.

Tinkerbell flipped out. Arf. Arf. Arf.

“Yes, it’s dark in here and no we won’t suffocate.”

Arf. Arf.

“Do you want to go home?”

Woof.

“Then I need you to be very quiet.”

With a whimper, Tinkerbell snuggled under my chin.

I was worried about her mom too. I was pretty sure the finger in the cage had the same neon green nail polish as Maria had been wearing. Had Tomas murdered her? God, I hoped not.

Chapter Four

“Police checkpoint. Keep the dog quiet,” Jana called out and brought the hearse to a stop.

“Bad men. No barking,”I told Tinkerbell.

Tinkerbell shivered.

I listened nervously as an officer asked, “What are you transporting?”

Duh. This was a hearse.

Her voice cool and calm Jana answered, “A body. Would you like to see my documentation?”

“Yes, ma’am, I would.” There was a short pause before the officer asked, “You’re taking Robert Henry from Desert Hills Mortuary to Garden of Memories Cemetery? Is he being interned in the mausoleum?”

“Garden of Memories Cemetery doesn’t have a mausoleum, sir.”

“Right. My mistake,” the officer said.

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