A Cross to Bear by M.J. Lovestone Read Free Book Online Page B

sister is gone, and I’m stuck in this shit hole, you’re going to have to fend for yourself.”
    Gabby listened on the edge of her seat. He had never talked this way before.
    “We tried to hide you from it, tried to keep you out of it . . .”
    “Dad, what are you talking about?”
    He suddenly bent at the waist and gave a moan of discomfort. His hands shot to his head, and he cried out.
    “Dad!”
    “Two plus two is four, wolves, wolves at the door. One slips by the fire, ahh!”
    Gabby got up to get help, but her father grabbed her arm with an iron grip. “You’ve got to be careful,” he said, panting. “You’ve got to find your strength.”
    “Are you all right?” she asked, giving him a fierce hug.
    “I’ll be all right until I ain’t. How is your sister doing?”
    Gabby slowly moved out of the hug and regarded her father.
    He was smiling pleasantly.
    “Dad? I just told you about Maggy.”
    He furled his brow in thought. “Did you?” He looked concerned. “Damn it, but that medication isn’t worth a shit. Bunch of drug pushers, they are. You know who brings most of the drugs into this country?”
    Gabby sat in her chair once more and sighed. “The CIA.”
    “No, the C—that’s right, Gabs,” he said with a grin. “How’s your sister? I haven’t seen her since Carter had liver pills.”
    “No one knows who Carter is anymore, Dad.”
    “Of course not. Have you seen the TV lately? Bunch of horse shit. No one wants to know nothing.”
    “Do you remember what I said about Maggy, Dad?”
    “Maggy?” he said, looking perplexed. “Are you a nurse? Do you work here? I need my dinner.”
    “It’s me, Gabriella.”
    “This is awkward,” he said. “I’ve a feeling I should know you.”
    “You do know me, Dad . I’m your youngest daughter. Your eldest daughter, Maggy, died recently. The funeral is tomorrow. Would you like to come?”
    “Maggy?” he said, looking to the jack of spades on the table. He blinked back tears. “Poor Maggy.”
    “I’m sorry, Dad.”
    Her father sniffled and scooped up the playing cards. He shuffled without saying a word and began to deal the game once more.
    “Do you want to go to the funeral?” Gabby asked again.
    “I don’t like funerals. I don’t even plan on going to my own,” said her father.
    “This one is for Maggy, your daughter.”
    He stopped dealing out the cards and looked to her. “But you’re Maggy.”
    “I’m Gabby . . .” She couldn’t take it anymore. Tears blurred her vision, and she quietly excused herself and went out into the hall.

Chapter 13
    Gabby picked up her father for the funeral the next day at eleven in the morning. Nurse Phillips went with them, partially to look after General Cross, but also because she had known and loved Maggy as well.
    The day turned out to be sunny rather than overcast—a testament, Gabby decided, to her sister’s cheery disposition. Even on the day that Maggy was laid to rest, she refused to let it darken the world. The birds chirped, and heat bugs sang. A faint breeze left black dresses flowing in the sunshine.
    Gabby was there to pay respects to her sister, but she was also there to sniff out any of the “clients” from the strip joint who might be there as well. The police didn’t have any leads on Maggy’s possible killer, so Gabby figured she might as well keep her eyes open.
    General Nicholas Cross was there in his best blues. He even wore a sidearm, though Jamya had ensured Gabby that it wasn’t loaded. A few of his old pals were there as well, friends of the family whom Gabby had known her entire life. Her aunt Emily from her mother’s side was there, and so too was her cousin Martin. A half-dozen strippers had showed up as well. They had, however, come dressed for the occasion. All but one, the most flamboyant of the bunch, Jemma Stone. She showed a little too much cleavage and wore a black skirt hiked up so far that her ass end popped out the bottom whenever she moved.
    And