Read Online Harmful Intent: A Veronica "Ronnie" Ingels/Dawson Hughes Novel by Nike N. Chillemi - Free Book Online Page B

too, just like him."
    Keeping low, I did a modified sideways crab-walk toward the prom dresses displayed in the front of the store. "She's not in a deputy's uniform," I whispered.
    "Where you gonna find a uniform for a belly like that? They say she's havin' twins," Bertha whispered back.
    Deputy Watts took the veil off, thanked Cassidy and walked toward the front door. When the deputy got to the prom dresses, Bertha bent and examined the hem of one of them with her back turned. Watts nodded to me.
    I stood tall and threw her my most confident smile. The only thing is I could swear the wig changed position on my head.
    The deputy left and I tried to set the wig straight.
    Cassidy approached us. "May I help you?"
    Bertha nearly leapt in front of me. "I want to look at weddin' dresses."
    "Cassidy glanced at the rack. You're in prom dresses. You're not going to wear white?"
    "Well, it's my second weddin'. I'm not gonna wear a prom dress, but I was lookin' at colors, is all."
    "I see." Cassidy stared at me for a moment, then motioned toward a display of mother-of-the-bride dresses. "We have a few reprise weddin' gowns over here."
    We followed her and she showed us a scoop neck, ankle-length, white-satin gown with tulip sleeves. It was A-line with a pink sash circling the waist and there were tiny pink flowers at the hem. I couldn't keep from gasping. It was perfect for Bertha.
    Bertha hesitated and then gently touched the fabric as if it had been spun by fairies. "Do you have it in my size?"
    Cassidy bestowed a benevolent smile. "Of course. We'd order it custom, just for you."
    "Can you get it with a yeller sash and teeny yeller flowers?"
    "I'd have to phone the manufacturer, but in all probability we can."
    "I think Hoot will be tickled pink... um, I mean tickled yeller, by this dress."
    Cassidy stepped closer and peered intently at me. "Can I show you something? Perhaps a matron of honor dress?"
    I shook my head vehemently in the negative while turning the wedding ring on my finger round and round. My left shoulder jerked involuntarily and I immediately smoothed my hair to make sure the wig hadn't fallen to the side again.
    Bertha managed to drag herself away from the dress, finally. And when we were safely back in the Smart Car, she sighed. "Too good to be true. I could never buy that gown from that woman, even though I love it. Not after what she done to you, Ronnie."
    I grinned. "Not to worry. You're in the company of an ace private eye. I memorized the manufacturer's name on the tags. Shangri La Bridal Gowns. There has to be another bridal store in Abilene, and if there isn't, we'll go to Fort Worth.
    "Hon, Hoot hasn't even proposed to me yet and here we are fixin' to get a weddin' gown."
    "Well, what's taking that man so long?" I made a hard left out of the parking lot.
    "Ronnie, we've only been on but one date."
    "Yeah, but you know he's gonna pop the question. Right?"
    She blushed crimson. "When I saw he'd all but took off his shaggy beard, I knew in my heart he was fixin' to marry me."
    *****
     
    Abilene, TX
    Day Six, Afternoon
    Deputy Sergeant Dawson Hughes
     
    My office décor could easily be termed retro law enforcement . Most likely, the desk had been recycled and the file cabinets definitely had seen better days. I leaned back in my swivel chair and it squeaked.
    Phone to my ear, I gazed out my office window as the Abilene rookie detective's faltering voice half justified, half apologized for messing up.
    "Listen, everyone has his first case as lead detective. All that counts in the end is you catch the killer." I meant every word.
    "I had the victim's New York City PI wife as my main suspect, but I've backed off that. Only problem is now I have nothin'."
    "I hear you. We haven't come up with anythin' either. If we had, we would've passed the info on to you."
    "Well, deputy, I appreciate that."
    Deputy Watts leaned through my open door. "Sorry, Hughes, I'll come back in five."
    I motioned for her to enter and sit.