Hide and Snake Murder by Jessie Chandler. Read Free Book Online

for them to return.
    I left Coop and Baz in the coffee shop and scooted upstairs to my place. I stuffed a change of clothes and some toiletries in a backpack and ran back down the steps. After some belly rubs and Dawg tongue, we drove first to Coop’s apartment and then to Baz’s house for travel necessities and boogerless pants.
    As we drove from point A to point B, Coop called Delta and made reservations to New Orleans for the three of us, paying with my credit card.
    After driving in circles to make sure Baz’s new friends weren’t skulking behind us, we killed time at the Mall of America’s MagiQuest, the world’s largest live action role-playing game. Not my first choice of distraction, but Coop liked the place, and it effectively kept us out of sight until we had to be to the airport. I amused myself by periodically whacking Baz in the back of his head with my wand as we progressed through the game.
    At noon we hung up our wands and drove to the airport. It took only a few minutes to pull into the long drive leading into the Lindbergh Terminal, now generically known as Terminal 1.
    I pulled into the long-term parking ramp, followed the spiral to the third floor, and parked. We actually helped Baz out of the back end of the truck instead of watching him flounder his way to solid ground this time, and then we hiked into the terminal to endure security lines and await our flight.
    Just before takeoff, I tried Eddy one more time. To my surprise, she answered. Relief flooded my veins.
    â€œEddy! Am I ever glad to hear your voice.”
    â€œThe feeling’s mutual. Coop told you about Rocky?”
    â€œYeah. We’re coming down.”
    There was a pause. “I don’t know that you need—”
    â€œThere is a need. We’re at the airport, at the gate.” Before she could respond, I plunged ahead. “In fact, there’s a little problem up here that might be headed your way. I need you to change hotels.”
    â€œChange hotels? Why? What if Rocky comes back and we’re not here?”
    How much could I share without wigging her out completely? The full explanation needed to happen in person. I pulled a deep breath. “The short version is that Baz is in trouble again.” I chewed on my lip a moment, then asked, “Do you guys have a stuffed green toy snake with you?”
    â€œWhy, yes. Agnes gave it to Rocky before we left. He loves it.” I could practically hear the gears turning in her brain. In my mind’s eye, I saw Eddy’s brow furrow and one eye narrow in suspicion. “Why?”
    â€œBaz took the snake from one of the jobs he was doing, and they want it back. Bad.”
    â€œThat Basil.” Eddy said. “I thought he learned something from that last mess he thieved himself into.” She harrumphed. “Rocky had the snake wrapped around him when we saw him last. I imagine he’ll still have it. Unless … ”
    My stomach clenched. “Don’t even go there, Eddy. He’s fine.” I hoped I was right. “Anyway, do you think you can find another place to stay that’s close to where you are now?”
    â€œYou bet. I’ll go down and talk to the nice bartender. He knows everything, and he makes a darned fine Hurricane.”
    â€œAnd let the front desk know where you’re going so they can get a hold of you if Rocky comes back. Eddy, I really wish you’d get a cell phone.”
    â€œPshaw. Those things give me the hives. I’ll call you on your fancy phone when I find out where we’re going and leave you a message if you don’t answer.”
    We disconnected, and by then it was boarding time.

    In Louisiana, Coop flagged a taxi, and we crammed ourselves along with our bags into the back seat, with Baz between us. I checked my voicemail, but there were no messages. I pressed myself against the door and watched Coop do the same on the other side. If the driver