The Possum Hollow Hullabaloo (The Penelope Pembroke Cozy Mystery Series) by Judy Nickles Read Free Book Online Page A

them.”
    “No, you’re not.”
    In the rear-view mirror, Penelope caught sight of a flashing blue light and saw Parnell Garrett unfold his lanky frame from behind the wheel of his patrol car. “Any problem, Mrs. Pembroke? Mrs. Hargrove?”
    Mary Lynn spelled it out for him. He turned to the young social worker. “They’ll be fine here for the night,” he said.
    She didn’t back down. “I’m taking them with me.”
    “Why don’t you just call your supervisor and get the okay to leave them here?” Parnell asked.
    “I’ll get a court order, and while I’m at it, I’ll file charges against these two.”
    Penelope held up a hand to silence the retort she saw forming on Mary Lynn’s lips. “Then you just blessed do that,” she said in a neutral tone. “But you can’t do anything tonight, and you know it, so why don’t you be a good girl and get out of my way so I can go home?”
    Alana advanced on the car again. “I’m…”
    Parnell blocked her way. “Look, Miss, I’d suggest you just cool off and go back to Little Rock or wherever you’re based. You can’t block a private drive.” He glanced at her car. “And that’s what you’re doing.”
    She gave him a look of pure disgust and stomped back to her car.
    “Drama queen, isn’t she?” Parnell asked. When Penelope rolled down the back window, he put his head through to where the girls sat frozen with fear. “You know me,” he said. “Officer Garrett.”
    Ellie nodded.
    “What’s that behind your ear?” he asked, reaching toward Evie. She stopped wailing. “Well, looky here…a nickel!” He handed it to the little girl. “And I do believe…yep…” He showed Ellie another nickel plucked from somewhere near her head. She giggled. “Okay, you ladies have a nice evening. I’ll be around.” He ambled back to the police car and waved as he fitted himself back inside.
    ****
    Penelope called Shana on the way to the B&B and filled her in. “That’s all I know, and it’s not for public broadcast.”
    “I’m off the air.”
    “Right. I’ll let you know more when I know it.”
    “Thanks for calling, Penelope. I’m headed to Little Rock to meet Peter and Tabby. She’s in a school play about recycling. I think she’s a soda can.”
    “That should be interesting.”
    Shana laughed. “Peter says she’s excited.”
    “I’m home, and Daddy’s at the door waiting. Gotta run.” Penelope waved at her father as she drove into the garage, then hurried up the flagstone walk. “Sorry I’m late, Daddy.”
    “I was a little worried, honeychild. It’s dark.”
    “It’s been a day. I’ll fill you in over supper.”
    “I put in the casserole you left thawing in the refrigerator.”
    “Did you set the table?”
    Jake grinned. “Nag, nag, nag. The old folks home is looking better and better.”
    ****
    Bradley and Rosabel showed up in time for dessert. “Had a visit from that social worker,” he said. “Parnell filled me in.”
    “He showed up at Mary Lynn’s at the right time. Where does the state find people like that Mueller woman?”
    He shrugged. “If she turns up tomorrow with a court order, you can’t keep her from taking the girls.”
    “That stinks.” Penelope’s fork went spinning, and only Rosabel’s quick hand kept the open bottle of salad dressing from decorating the table.
    “I agree,” Bradley said, “but it’s the law.”
    “Then the law should be changed.”
    Bradley shrugged again. “And Jeremiah Hadden will try to beat her to the draw. You know that.”
    “You mean he’ll come looking for the girls? Parnell said he was long gone.”
    “Maybe long but not so far,” Jake said.
    “That’s possible, Pawpaw. Listen, Mother, I know you go back on Fridays when you don’t have anyone staying at the B&B, so I want you to tell George Harris for me to keep the doors locked and have recess in the gym if the girls come back to school, which I doubt.”
    “I’ll tell him. You don’t think their father would