Demise in Denim by Duffy Brown Read Free Book Online Page A

empty space in the hallway. “Right over there is where Conway’s dining room set and living room furniture belong. I have customers waiting to see that furniture, money in hand, and I have a big fat hole in my roof. I’m not staying out of anything. I’ll try not to eat in the car, but if I happen to drive past Sisters and BW feels a fried chicken urge coming on, I can’t deny BW, now can I?”
    â€œYou take the bones out of the chicken?” Chantilly gave me a concerned frown.
    â€œOf course I take out the bones. How’d our mutual mac-and-cheese lover look?”
    â€œI’m just the delivery person. Pillsbury says if you get involved in this they’re going to lock you in a closet and throw away the key, and you should know you got a really dopey look on your face.”
    A customer left without buying anything as two more entered, looking at the sale rack in the front by the counter. Chantilly pulled me over to the jewelry display table and picked up a pearl brooch. “Who’s Dixon?” she asked, holding up the brooch as if to admire it.
    â€œYou’re going to rat me out?”
    â€œYou saved my behind when everyone thought I knocked off Simon . . . not that the jerk didn’t have it coming. So now I’m going to help you. If Pillsbury finds out what we’re up to, we’ll both be locked up in that closet.” She put down the brooch and picked up some black beaded earrings. “So who do you think pulled the trigger on Conway?”
    I picked up a matching bracelet to the earrings. “There’s a guy who knifed him after he was already dead, two sisters who don’t like him or Boone, and Boone’s brother who’s a complete jerk, though knocking off his own father seems a bit of a stretch.”
    Chantilly rolled her eyes, shook her head, and tried on a string of faux pearls that looked pretty decent considering they only cost ten bucks. “A lunatic, two women, and a ticked-off brother, is it? Walker is so screwed. Who’s Dixon?”
    â€œMason Dixon, VP over at the Plantation Club. Conway was the president, and Dixon wanted the position and he owed Conway money. I know what you’re thinking, thatdoing in Conway gets rid of the debt and he gets the presidency. The thing is there’s no tie to Boone, and Boone was framed for a reason.”
    â€œWalker must have found something important about this Dixon guy or he wouldn’t have told you to steer clear. I say we need to talk to Dixon.” Chantilly took a yellow scarf to the checkout counter and I started to write up the sale. “What do you think about me going to the Plantation Club and asking about a membership?”
    I snapped my pencil. “I think we’re headed for that closet.”
    â€œPillsbury’s at an accounting seminar in Atlanta; he won’t find out. The club doesn’t allow many of my particular skin tone in as members, and I have to be recommended. I dated the cook a few years back, but I don’t think that’s what they have in mind. While Dixon and everyone else is doing their best to be politically correct, that will give you a chance to poke around in his office.”
    â€œBoone and I tried that, and Dixon barged in on us. But it is a good idea. If I can find an IOU or something that proves Dixon owed Conway money, that might give the cops someone else to consider besides Boone.”
    â€œYou’re right, it is a mighty good idea.” A devilish smile tripped across Chantilly’s lips. “I’ll get off for an hour tomorrow afternoon. I’ll be obnoxious and irritating. I’ll wear something slutty.”
    â€œI wonder how big that closet is?”
    At six I closed up the Prissy Fox. I fed BW his daily hot dog, which was now low-fat so he’d keep his manly physique. I put two scoops of Canine Cuisine in his bowl, thenstraightened the shop for tomorrow. I hung up clothes left