Read Online Kiss of Noir by Clara Nipper - Free Book Online Page B

dust.
    The men clamored for the food as soon as I opened the door. There were indeed biscuits and coleslaw and mashers and superb chicken and plenty of everything. Plus sweet potato pie that was as rich and creamy as candy.
    After the meal, I chewed a toothpick and watched Cleo eat his pie with a knife.
    “Don’t you want a fork?” I asked. Cleo shook his head.
    “My man.” Drew groaned, stretching.

Chapter Thirteen
     
    That night, I thought long and hard about what to wear. Not for the women I would try to pick up, but for Payne. After half an hour and my bedroom littered with all the clothes I owned, I decided on jeans and a tight white T-shirt with black boots and a black belt. I shaved my head carefully, showered, and dressed, closing the bedroom door behind me so Sayan wouldn’t give me grief for the mess.
    “Hey, Sayan, how you doin’?” I found her reading in the living room.
    “You just saw me at supper, you know how I’m doing.”
    “Where’s Ellis?”
    “Still working, poor baby. His dinner is in the oven and I’m waiting for him. Where do you think you’re goin’?”
    “Uh…I’m gonna meet a friend and we’re going out. Can I use your car?”
    “You want to use my car to pick up perverts?”
    “No, no. Pick up women.” I laughed and stopped under Sayan’s glare. “I’m supposed to meet Payne Phillips at the shop. Then she’s gonna show me around town.”
    “Oh. Payne. Well, okay then. The keys are in my purse in the bedroom.”
    “Thanks. Say, why is it okay for Payne and not for me?”
    “’Cause she’s white and a fool. You’re black and you’re family.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    I got the keys and as I was at the front door, Sayan shouted, “Mind you fill up the tank when you’re through. And deodorize it too. And don’t mess with any of my stations or my mirrors. And I don’t have to tell you what will happen to you if there’s even one scratch or dent—”
    I gently shut the door against the rest.
    The car was a Lincoln and immaculate. Sayan had giddily informed me that she was going to trade it in for a station wagon in a few weeks. I would’ve preferred Ellis’s all-black Mercedes with smoked windows and rumbling bass, but this would do.
    I sat scrunched in the car and said, “Sorry, sister Sayan,” as I adjusted the seat and mirrors for my six-foot frame. On the road, I gripped the steering wheel and sped by the swamps at ninety miles per hour. I drove with the headlights on high beam to reassure myself.
    At the shop, it was dark. I parked in front and let myself in to get one of the beers Cleo kept in the fridge when I heard a rustling. A dark form suddenly emerged from the back room and was in silhouette from the lamp behind him. My heart raced until I recognized the fedora.
    “Cleo! Goddamn, you scared me!”
    “Nora?” Ellis said. “What in the hell are you doing here?”
    “Oh, Ellis. That’s you? You looked like Cleo in the dark.”
    “Now why would Cleo be here at this hour? Or you?” Ellis flipped on the light.
    I breathed, my hand to my chest. “Chill. I’m meeting Payne outside for a night. I came in for refreshment.” I walked to the fridge and helped myself to a couple of bottles. “Want one?”
    Ellis shook his head. “I get you.” He made a little dance move. “Going to the clubs?”
    I grinned my response and swallowed a third of the beer. “What are you doing here so late? Sayan is waiting for you. And why are you in the dark, man?”
    “Oh!” Ellis looked at his watch. “I gotta go. Just checking over accounts. No big. I had just turned everything out when I heard you. She and I have a date tonight.” Our eyes met and we smiled and said “mmm-hmm” in unison.
    “She’s a fine woman, bro, you couldn’t’ve done better,” I said.
    Ellis’s face went soft. “I know.” He put his hand on my head and shook it. “Lock up and set the alarm.”
    “I’ll follow you out. I can wait in the car.” I got another beer and said good