Demon Hunting In the Deep South by Lexi George Read Free Book Online Page A

“You got a what?”
    “A dog stalker. His name is Sylvester Snippet. He’s a vet in Stapleton, and he’s trying to murder my dog.”
    “I know I’m gonna be sorry I asked,” the sheriff said, “but why is a vet trying to kill your dog?”
    “That Snippet feller called me a Chunky Monkey and asked me didn’t I want to eat his banana.”
    The sheriff choked. “Are you saying your dog bit the vet because he said something rude to you?”
    “Took off two of his fingers,” Mullet Woman said. “That Snippet’s a lucky son of a gun. Frodo was going for his banana.” She waved her hand, indicating the Chihuahua. “There’s my baby. Smile for the sheriff, Precious.”
    Frodo peeled his lips back, revealing a double row of foam-flecked, razor-sharp teeth.
    “God almighty, that’s a dog? It’s got teeth like an alligator.” The sheriff seemed to notice Ansgar for the first time. For a big, supernaturally handsome guy, Ansgar had a way of fading into the woodwork when he wanted to. “Who are you?” Whitsun asked.
    “I am Ansgar.”
    “Are you with this woman?”
    “No.”
    “Don’t I wish.” Mullet Woman gave a wistful sigh and shook her head. “My hootie says, Hey, baby, you know what I like, but my head says, Are you nuts, Nikki? The last guy took you to the cleaners. My hootie can talk all it wants. From now on, I’m listening to my head. Frodo and I have sworn off men but good.”
    The poor sheriff looked a little glassy eyed. “Uh huh,” he said. “Seeing as you live in Hannah, you’ll need to speak to the Chief of Police. His name’s Carl Davis. He’s a good man. He’ll take your complaint.”
    “Will he give me a restraining order?”
    “No, he can’t do that. But he’ll talk to this Snippet if he comes around and tell him to leave you and your dog alone.”
    “But that won’t do no good! I’ve done talked to the man till I’m blue in the face.” Mullet Woman’s round face creased in distress. “I offered to pay his medical bills and everything. But nothing doing. I’m telling you, the man ain’t right. He won’t stop until my Precious is dead. You got to do something.”
    “I can’t give you a restraining order, Ms. Eubanks. You’ll have to file a motion in court for that. You can do it yourself or hire a lawyer to draw up the papers for you.”
    “But that could take months.” Mullet Woman seemed to wilt. “I don’t know nothing about that legal stuff, and I ain’t got no money for a lawyer. I quit my job as cashier at the Gas ’N Gulp and moved here because I’m afraid for Frodo’s life.”
    “I’m sorry, ma’am, but that’s the law.”
    “Well, the law stinks.” Evie surprised herself by speaking up. But she couldn’t keep still any longer. She turned to Mullet Woman. “You looking for a job?”
    Mullet Woman nodded. “Yeah, but I’m new in town and you know how that is.”
    No, she didn’t. Evie had never lived anywhere but Hannah.
    “My friend Addy runs the flower shop on Main Street,” Evie said. “ Flowers by Adara. Do you know it?”
    “Yeah.” Mullet Woman’s blue eyes glistened with tears. “South of the funeral home and over the river bridge, ain’t it?”
    “That’s the one. You come in first thing tomorrow morning. I know for a fact Addy’s looking for somebody to drive the delivery van. You can drive, right?”
    “Are you kidding? If it’s got wheels, I can drive it. Fix it, too. My daddy was a grease monkey.” Mullet Woman grinned and pumped Evie’s hand up and down. “You’re an angel, Miss. A purentee angel. The good Lord put you here to help me, I just know it. What’s your name?”
    “Evie Douglass.”
    “Evie. That’s a real pretty name.” Mullet Woman glanced at Ansgar. “You got man troubles of your own, Miss Evie? Is that why you’re here?”
    “No, nothing like that.” Embarrassed, Evie hesitated. The reality of her situation was too awful to contemplate, much less say aloud. She drew a deep breath and