Page 61 of Love vs The Ooze Monster!
He was touched. “I’ve always wanted a fire engine or two.”
“I’m shocked.” She deadpanned.
The whole idea was growing on Boyd. “This could work. If we got vinegar into the fire truck’s holding tank, we could…
“Boss!” Charlie came jogging up the driveway. His gray hair was askew under his hat, like he’d been running his hands through it in agitation.
His sudden appearance reminded Mabel that she was annoyed over her new outfit. “There you are, Charlie! Explain how you thought this dress was red?” She gestured to her skirt. “Anyone can see…”
Charlie cut her off. “Sorry, Miss Mabel. But, we got a big problem.”
Boyd was instantly focused. “Who’s dead?”
“Mick. Found him stabbed behind the warehouse twenty minutes ago.”
“The young man with the bad mustache?” Mabel gasped. “Oh no! Who would have hurt him?”
“Rico.” Boyd muttered. Rico couldn’t aim a gun to save his life, but helovedknife work.
Charlie nodded. “That’d be my guess. Not sure why he’d target that poor kid, though.”
“He wanted into the warehouse.” Boyd frowned. “Why? He had to know I wasn’t there.”
Charlie held up an orange petal. “We found this near the body. Is this the flower you told the boys to look out for?”
Mabel drew in a horrified breath.
Boyd’s eyes widened, as realization dawned. “Rico was after the beer! Christ, did the men take it to Wheeler’s Lost Pond, yet?”
“Yeah, they drove it up there for the Pioneer Picnic today.”
Mabel looked up at Boyd, worry on her face. “You don’t think Rico would try and recreate Norris’ recipe, do you? Because, if he has access to enough of those flowers, the ooze creature will head right for them. And that’s thebestcase scenario. Worst case: He contaminates the beer, infects half the town, and then there aremultipleooze monsters skulking around!”
“Shit.” Boyd muttered in disappointment. “We’re not gonna have time to get my fire truck.”
Chapter Eighteen
Sockdolager: Doing something decisive, unexpected, or that leaves a real humdinger of an impression
It was a sockdolager of a ride.
Boyd was a fast driver and the Rolls Royce’s engine was tuned for maximum power. They drove at full speed down a dirt road off Highway 99. The bumps nearly tossed Mabel into the car’s roof. She braced herself and glanced over at her fiancé.
“Boyd, please don’t kill us.”
He slanted her a grin. “I’m not dying until after our honeymoon. I can guarantee you that. And you sure as hell aren’t, either. I’ve changed my mind about the costumes, again. I got big plans.”
“Am I dressed as a lady firefighter and posed on your new truck?”
“Better. You’re dressed up as a lady gangster.”
“A lady gangster?” She repeated. “Let me guess… I’m naked except for a fedora and pinstriped suit jacket?”
“And black stockings. It’s gonna be amazing.”
Mabel considered that. “Okay.” She agreed. “I like that one.”
His laugh was a thing of beauty.
