Elizabeth C. Main - Jane Serrano 02 - No Rest for the Wicked by Elizabeth C. Main Read Free Book Online Page A

up only with the snide remarks she often made about the general worthlessness of men. The same fa c ade that had allowed her to run a successful bridal shop in spite of three failed marriages also allowed her to keep her friends in the dark about the existence of ex-husbands who were lia ble to get themselves murdered.
    Her breath came gently, regularly. Fair enough. I wasn’t going to disturb my friend now, but tomorrow … that was another story. I pulled a soft pink throw over her and let myself out, locking the door behind me.              
    Once outside in the cool night air, I hesitated only an instant before pulling out my phone.
    I’d guessed right. Nick answered on the first ring. “ How’d it go? ”
    “ I didn’t wake you? We didn’t set anything up, so I was afraid — ”
    “ Figured you’d call tonight, one way or the other. ” His voice was warm, reassuring. “ So, everything okay? ”
    “ I think so. Alix is home, but— ”
    “ Complication? ”
    “ Well, sort of. They let her go and I brought her home. I’m just leaving her place now. ”
    “ No charges? ”
    “ No, nothing like that, ” I said slowly. “ Alix told me something personal . . . ”
    “ Let me guess. She didn’t give you permission to tell anyone , and now you’re wrestling that famous conscience of yours. ”
    “ How’d you know? ”
    Nick chuckled. “ Been observing your conscience at work for quite a while now, Ms. Straight and Narrow, and, believe me, I don’t want to put that baby into overdrive. It gets enough exercise on its own. ”
    “ Well, thanks a lot. You make me sound like a real prude. ”
    “ Oh, I wouldn’t go that far. ” His deepened voice and the way he drew out his words reassured me that he was teasing as he continued. “ Let’s just say nobody doubts that you most definitely have your principles. ”
    “ That’s better than being ‘Ms. Straight and Narrow , ’ anyway. It’s just that Alix explained why they picked her up, and I want to tell you about it, but I ’m not sure I should . ” I sighed in frustration. “ Guess you’re right about me. ”
    “ Relax. Like Mr. Rogers said on that kids’ show , ‘I like you just the way you are.’ Truth be told, can’t be too serious if they let her go home. ”
    “ I’ll tell you everything soon as I can. ”
    “ Great. If you think things are okay, let’s just call it good for now, okay? ”
    “ Thanks for understanding. Should’ve known I could count on you. ”
    “ For this and whatever else you need. I’m on your side, remember? Now, do you think you can get some sleep? ”
    “ Yes, at least I think so. I’ll be mulling things over, but, yes. Alix is already asleep, so that must mean she’s not worried. ” My voice was gaining conviction as I thought it through. “ I guess I just wanted to talk to you. ”
    “ That’s a plus. And I have something else I want to talk to you about, too, but not until you think Alix is all squared away. ”
    “ Alix and I aren’t done talking yet. That’s for darned sure, but now you have me curious. What do you have in mind? ”
    “ Meet me at Fourth and Main at nine tomorrow morning? ”
    “ There’s an SOS meeting at ten-thirty. ” I suddenly remembered my promise to explain Alix’s situation to Bianca before the meeting, but I couldn’t tell Bianca anything until I’d recei ved clearance from Alix anyway.
    “ We’ll be done by then. ”
    “ I don’t even know whether Alix will be up that early so, sure, I can meet you. Give me a hint. ”
    “ It’s something good. At least I think you’ll like it. ”
    “ C’mon. A better hint than that. ”
    “ Nope. This’ll give you something to ponder other than Alix when your head hits the pillow tonight. ”
    “ It’s already so late that I’m not sure how much pillow time I’ll put in pondering anything. Animal, vegetable, or mineral? ”
    “ Oh, a nimal. Most definitely animal. ”

Chapter 6
    Once home