Read Online Hide and Snake Murder by Jessie Chandler. - Free Book Online Page A

We’ll let you know if Houdini finds your friend.” She put the lid back on the cart.
    â€œThanks much for the help, Gabby.” I said.
    â€œYou’re welcome.” She finished reattaching the cover, and gave me an impromptu hug, held just a little too long to be simply friendly. She whispered, her breath warm against my skin, “If you’re ever in town, I’d love to get together.” Her meaning was crystal clear. A shiver ran down my spine. Thankfully, she stepped away, tucking a stray wisp of hair behind her ear, her eyes hot on mine. The temptation was palpable.
    I broke eye contact. No, Shay. You’re not that person anymore. But I wasn’t dead either.
    The moment passed, and Baz and Coop obliviously echoed their thanks. After another lingering gaze, Gabby motored off.
    I forced my attention to our current situation, letting any thoughts of Gabby slip away. We snuck in the back door of the Jardin Royal, and Coop and Baz decided to hang at a table in the bar while I talked to the front desk.
    I waited while an older couple checked in.
    The clerk greeted me with a smile. I said, “Can you tell me Edwina Quartermaine’s room?”
    The front desk attendants all wore black and yellow uniforms, and it reminded me of worker bees buzzing about. After keying in Eddy’s name, he drawled, “I can’t give you that information.”
    I was beginning to feel like swatting him. “Can you call the room and let her know she has a visitor?” I tried to keep my voice even.
    The attendant stared intently at a computer monitor hidden behind the ledge of the glossy teak counter. Finally he said, “I can ring you through.”
    Jeez.
    He handed me the receiver.
    No answer. It was becoming the story of my life.
    I left another message. “Thanks.” I handed the phone back and turned away from the desk. I headed through the turn-of-the-century lobby toward the bar. Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm and swung me around.
    â€œShay! You’re a sight for these sore eyes.”
    My heart stilled, then began to pound wildly in my chest. “Eddy!” I threw my arms around her.
    After a rib-crushing hug, Eddy released me. “I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m glad you’re here.” She reached up and patted my cheek.
    Her dark-brown eyes looked sunken, and her ever-ready smile was absent. Salt and pepper hair shaved close to her scalp framed the smooth cocoa-colored skin on her face.
    She said, “We’ve been walking the streets. That boy is nowhere to be found. I think I plumb near wore Agnes out.” If Eddy was on a mission, watch out. I could hardly keep up with her myself when she was going full-steam-ahead.
    Then I noticed Agnes behind Eddy. Talk about opposites. She was thin and taller than I was, even with her slightly stooped shoulders. She was as pale as Eddy was dark. Eddy’s extra bit of padding made her huggable, whereas an Agnes embrace felt as if I was squeezing a pliable beanpole.
    Agnes said, “Eddy sure did wear me out. First finding that all-night card game and then dragging me through the nastiest corners of the French Quarter. We’re lucky you didn’t get us killed when you kept waking up the street people asking if they’d seen Rocky.”
    Eddy glared at her. “Did you have a better idea? No. If it’s been up to you, we’d still be sitting at that poker table.”
    â€œI was on a streak—”
    â€œLosing streak.”
    â€œNot until those last hands—”
    â€œThat’s right. That’s when I kicked your skinny butt.”
    â€œYou didn’t do any butt kicking, you old bat. That prissy man on your right took my last chip.”
    Eddy inhaled and was about to unleash another insult.
    â€œLADIES!” I shouted. Agnes and Eddy were good pals, but picked at each other about anything and everything. It didn’t really matter what the subject was, they