Maggie Lee (Book 7): The Hitwoman and the 7 Cops by JB Lynn Read Free Book Online

him haughtily.
    “And I’m sure the world’s a better place.” Mike turned to me. “We’ll be in touch. If you hear from your father, let us know?”
    “Of course,” I answered automatically.
    He shook his head, signaling he didn’t believe me, before leading his cousin away.
    “I’m starving,” Armani announced as they made their exit. “I’m craving a fried bologna, grape jelly and pickles on white bread sandwich.”
    I fought the urge to retch. “Where do you come up with this stuff?”
    “My friend Robyn Gleason made it for me once. Do you think your aunts have bologna?”
    “The kitchen really is closed. It’s a crime scene,” I told her.
    “Really? What happened?”
    “Long story. I haven’t gone to see Katie yet today. Do you want to grab a bite in the hospital cafeteria?”
    “I love cafeterias. They always have tapioca pudding and lots of condiments.”
    Trying not to think about what disgusting food combination Armani was dreaming up, I headed into the B&B. “I’ve got to check on the cat and get my car keys.”
    “I could drive,” she offered.
    Accepting a ride from my semi-psychic, semi-handicapped, one hundred percent crazy friend seemed like asking for trouble, so I ignored her offer and headed inside.
    I could hear Susan and Leslie arguing upstairs, so I quietly scurried down to the basement. I almost tripped as I reached the bottom of the stairs because of the sight I beheld. Piss, bandaged paws and all, was curled in a ball on the floor. DeeDee had wrapped herself around her and God was on top of the cat’s head, massaging her bad ear with his little feet.
    I didn’t ask how he’d gotten out of his enclosure.
    “She’s sleeping,” he whispered.
    Nodding, I grabbed my keys, and tiptoed back upstairs, convinced Piss was in good hands… or paws.
    On the ride to Apple Blossom Estates Premium Care Facility, I filled Armani in on all of the day’s excitement, minus Loretta’s concern that it was her ex, Leo, who’d injured Templeton and the fact that Ms. Whitehat needed me to save a cop.
    When I was done, Armani let out a low whistle. “So maybe you don’t want my warning.”
    “Warning?” I was thinking I could have used a warning before the day had started, but since some of her predictions had come true, I figured I should hear what she had to say. Sighing heavily, I said, “Hit me with it.”
    “Thrusts.”
    “I don’t suppose you have any idea what that means?”
    “Sorry, Chiquita. No clue.”
    We rode in silence for a few minutes. I don’t know what she was thinking about, but I was trying to decipher what thrusts could possibly mean.
    My thought process was interrupted when she asked, “So the hero cop showed up again?”
    That’s what she, and to be fair, half the city, calls Patrick Mulligan. All because of some heroic deed he’d performed when he’d been on his way to kill someone.
    “He took Piss to the vet.”
    “He’s got it so bad for you,” she teased.
    “No, he doesn’t.” Even as I voiced the denial, my cheeks warmed as I remembered some of our more intimate interactions. “And if that’s the case, why were you flirting with him and why did he wink at you?”
    “Nothing wrong with a man who knows how to flirt a little.” She laughed softly. “Maybe you should take some private lessons from him.”
    I didn’t respond and she chuckled again. “Boy, you have it bad for him.”
    Thankfully, we arrived at the hospital and I was able to hop out of the car and avoid her. “I don’t want you to tell Katie what happened to Templeton. She likes him.”
    “Oh yeah?”
    Realizing that Armani was struggling to keep up with me as I crossed the parking lot, I slowed my pace. “He does magic tricks and shit for her.”
    “And yet you don’t like the guy?’
    “He has his faults.” Like hanging out with mobsters and hocking stuff.
    We walked through the entrance of the hospital. I gave a familiar wave to the woman at the reception desk and