Page 79 of Last Call

“I’m sure you had a Mr. Avery,” Carol replied.

“Mine was Mrs. Jansen,” Beth said. “Freshman Algebra.”

“Oh, Algebra,” Riley groaned. “Not my forte.”

“Is Algebra anyone’s forte?” Beth asked.

“See, youdohave your Ambushers?” Carol offered.

“Sure. One reason I fell in love with living here is how close you all are—your shared history. It’s endearing,” Riley said.

“Well, for what it’s worth, I think we needed an injection of newbies. You should share more of your stories,” Carol said.

“Maybe we should,” Riley said. “But it’s so much fun listening to yours.”

“Okay, I get it,” Carol said. “Ammunition. Say no more.”

“Now, come on. I gave youmyscoop. What is Fallon plotting?”

Riley sighed. “We’ll need another round.”

Fallon thanked the realtor and led Dave inside the main building on the property in Jeffersonville.

“What is this place?”

“Itwasa brewery. There are six cottages in the back that the owners rented.”

“Are you thinking about closing Murphy’s?” Dave asked.

“What? No!”

Dave looked around. “I don’t get it.”

Fallon leaned against a counter. “I’m not closing Murphy’s Law. I also don’t run Murphy’s. Carol’s been doing that for years. Hell, she’s better at it than I ever was. This? This is something different—something your mom suggested to me a few times.”

“Mom wanted you to open a brewery?”

“No.” Fallon chuckled. She didn’t intend to tell Dave that when she and Andi were together, Andi often remarked that the taste of second-hand beer was as unpleasant as the smell of second-hand smoke. “I still can’t believe Billie got her to like beer!”

“I don’t think she reallylikesit.”

“What are you talking about?” Fallon asked. “She drinks beer all the time.”

“Yeah, but she never finishes a bottle. And she hardly ever drinks them when Billie is around. I think they remind her of Billie.”

“She’s got itbad.”

Dave laughed. “It’s still kind of weird.”

“Your mom with Billie?”

“Nah. Mom drinking beer.”

Fallon laughed. “It is a little weird.”

“So, why do you want me to see a brewery?” Dave asked.

“Well, if I buy this place, it won’t be a brewery—exactly.”

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