Page 13 of Love vs The Ooze Monster!
Mrs. Patten’s neighborhood was the best in the small city, situated directly in the center of Volstead. The streets were clean. Friendly people waved from wide porches. Policemen strolled along without a passing thought to actually encountering any crimes.
It was the perfect place for a dishonest woman to establish an honest reputation.
She nodded politely at a shopkeeper, marveling at how easy it would be to rob the man. Mabel would never dream ofactuallyrobbing Mr. Albright, of course. His son played the violin, which was such a lovely instrument. Still, shecouldrob him, if she chose. There was some comfort in being a wolf among sheep.
Lew would be very proud of how well she blended in. He’d always been keen on the idea of Mabel establishing herself as a proper lady, which is why he kept her hidden from so many of his underworld acquaintances. To most everyone in Volstead, she was a perfectly respectable young woman with a flawless past. Her stepfather had believed in the power of misdirection.
Boyd pretended to be oblivious to all the suckers surrounding them. He saw them, though. She knew he did.
“I didn’t realize you lived with a man.” He said, instead.
Thatgot her attention. Mabel blinked up at him owlishly. “What?”
“The little weasel pressed up beside you on the sofa.”
“Norris? I don’tlivewith him. He just stays in the boardinghouse, too. I’m on the second floor. He’s on the third.”
“Too close.” Boyd glanced over his shoulder to scowl at the gaily-painted Victorian home. “He’s got a look about him.”
“A look?” Norris Sterno thought doing crossword puzzles was a humdinger of a time. She’d once been bored enough to break into his room and search around a bit, but she’d left even more bored than before she’d arrived. Aside from a surprisingly robust roll of cash, there had been nothing of interest.
“Yeah. Alook. I don’t trust him.” Boyd nodded like it all made perfect sense. “I think you should move out.”
“Mrs. Patten’s boardinghouse is the most respectable place in town.” This was the first time Mabel had ever lived away from home, so she’d been very careful about choosing her accommodations. A sterling reputation was invaluable when it came to evading the law. “And anyway, what business is it of yours? You fired me.”
His jaw tightened and he looked back to her in annoyance. “I didn’t fire you. I just asked what you would do in my place andyousaid you’d fire you.”
“You offered me two week’s severance. That’s usually what happens when someone is fired.”
“Only after you came up with the idea.” He retorted, like it made a huge difference. “I should know if I fired you or not, right? And Ididn’tfire you. I’m expecting you back at work on Monday.”
“Monday is the Pioneer Picnic. No one works during the Pioneer Picnic.”
All of Nevermore County was proud of their ancestors and liked to recognize their accomplishments with various events, holidays, and celebrations throughout the year. Volstead always shut down for them, out of respectful commemoration.
Boyd looked frustrated. “Come in tomorrow, then. You were going to anyway, to get the beer ready to sell to Walter Schmidt, out by Wheeler’s Lost Pond.”
That was true. Monday was a solemn occasion of appreciation for what their great founders had accomplished. …Also, it was a chance to sell beer by the barrelful. Mabel already had a buyer lined up for gallons of the stuff. Mr. Schmidt intended to instantly turn it around and make a fortune selling it to thirsty picnickers. Mabel intended to make a fortune selling it to Mr. Schmidt.
Or shehadintended that, anyway. Now, she had other plans.
“I have a job interview lined up for tomorrow.”
Boyd didn’t like that news. “With who?” He demanded.
“With Wilson Carmine, at the trucking depot. He was eager to meet with me, even on a Saturday…”
Boyd didn’t let her finish. “Carmine?” He echoed incredulously. “No! Fuck, no. You can’t…” He hesitated, realizing he’d just cursed in front of her. “I mean…heckno. He’s smuggling all kinds of… hecking… heck. Opium, for starters. His bum-heck organization wouldnotbe a good fit for a lady, Miss Harrison.”
Mabel refused to be dissuaded. “Mr. Carmine’s bootlegging syndicate is the third most successful one in town. That’s all I’ll focus on, obviously. He ships liquor all over the country.”
“I don’t care if he ships it to the mother-heckingmoon, stay away from that heck-wad.” Boyd brooded. “He’s got a look about him.”
Oh for goodness sake… “I intend to at least give him a chance, ‘look’ or not. I’m on a schedule. I need to get my inheritance.”
“The inheritance Sylvester’s trying to steal?”
“Yes! Well, he’s getting in the way of it, anyway. He’s just a temporary setback.” She hesitated. “And you can call me ‘Mabel,’ by the way. Seeing as how Idon’t work for you, anymore, the formality isn’t necessary.”
