Page 59 of A Rose of Steel
“I thought you said we were going to take care of Bumper’s baby?”
“Yeah, well, not like you thinking,” Boone said.
“Did any of you see what happened to Bumper’s inhaler?” I asked.
“Which one?” Boone asked.
“The one he had with him at the altar.”
“I didn’t,” Boone said.
“I didn’t either,” LaJay added.
“I did,” Piper said. “The best man had it. Chase. He put it in his pocket when we were waiting for the ambulance.”
“What happened to you?” Auntie Zanne said. She came up behind me and pulled me out of the conversation I was having with Piper, Boone and LaJay, and walked me out of their earshot.
“I had to question our suspects. And guess what I—”
“You just walked away when Rhett was trying to introduce you to his friend,” she said cutting me off. “I know I taught you better manners than that.”
“His friend?” I said, my dry mouth coming back.
“Not that kind of friend,” she said. “She—her name is Hailey Aaron in case you missed it—is from his hometown. Houston.”
“How do you know what kind of friend she is?” I asked.
“Why do you care?” she asked.
“I don’t.”
“Anyway, I think that was just their front. She’s working on that sting with him. I’d be willing to bet.”
I rolled my eyes.
“She asked me about Angel’s Grace.”
“So?”
“So that’s where I’ve got the Mighty Max stored and the information on that bogus scholarship Shane Blanchard wanted me to help him set up. But I know it’s all a front for his illegal activities.”
“You don’t know that,” I said, ready to change the subject. “You never told me what Miriam Colter said about the inhaler.”
“Look,” she said, distracted again. She’d spotted someone else. I figured I’d just have to wait to get home to try and question her on what, if anything, she found out.
“Look at what?”
“That’s Shane and Coach Buddy right there.”
“Right where?”
“There.” She pointed. “Now you want to tell me what they’re doing here?”
“I don’t know, but I bet you have a guess.”
“You bet I do. They probably came to see if Bumper is really dead.”
I didn’t want to chuckle at a funeral, but I felt one about to erupt.
