Death By Derby 8 (Josiah Reynolds Mysteries) by Abigail Keam Page B

happened. It was then that I realized Franklin would never believe the truth, so I lied and took the blame.
    It was better to let him think the worst of me and then move on . . . which he never did.
    But I deserved whatever Franklin hurled at me.
    I was wrong to go to Matt. I know that.
    As for Goetz, I’m not ready to go there yet.
    I’m still very confused.

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    M inor was tired as he climbed into his rented SUV. All he wanted to do was go to the hotel, take a hot shower, and have a steak. He turned around to look over his shoulder so he could back out, but then uttered a small cry. “Mary, Jesus, and Joseph!” he snarled. “You scared the bejeebies out of me.”
    “Aren’t you supposed to look in the back seat before you open your car door?” replied Asa.
    “What do you want?”
    “Let’s go somewhere we can talk.”
    “You carrying?”
    “The same as you, so that makes us even. If I had wanted to kill you, I would have done so by now.”
    “Just talk?”
    “Just talk.”
    “Where?”
    “Somewhere that we won’t be observed.”
    “I prefer some place public.”
    Asa pursed her lips. “I thought we had kissed and made-up.”
    “Yeah, right. A little sex between us doesn’t smooth out all the wrinkles.”
    “Don’t be such a drama queen. Let’s go.” Minor hesitated.
    “I insist, Minor.”
    Recognizing Asa’s steely tone of voice, Minor pulled out of the parking lot and headed for his hotel. He wondered if she wanted a replay of last week. If so, Minor was up for it. He enjoyed sex with Asa, but she could just as easily put a bullet through his skull. That’s what made her so exciting.
    One never knew with Asa.

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    “P ull over here,” insisted Asa.
    That was fine with Minor. They were on Short Street in the restaurant district. Lots of bright lights and people walking the street.
    “Let’s get out,” directed Asa.
    Minor parked the car, looking around. He got out and followed Asa to a bar where she sat in a café chair on the sidewalk.
    “Sit down, Minor,” she said, after ordering two drinks.
    Minor reluctantly sat in the chair opposite her. “Okay, I’m here. Let’s make this quick. I’m tired and want to go to my hotel.”
    Asa brushed his concerns aside. “I think it’s time that you answered some questions.”
    “It’s a little late for the truth, isn’t it?” Minor started to get out of his chair.
    “Sit back down, Minor.”
    “Why?”
    “See that man over there?” Asa nodded toward a large man dressed in black, holding a newspaper in front of him. “He’s got a gun pointed at you behind that paper. Now, he’s not going to kill you, but shoot you in the leg. It will hurt like hell and be a huge inconvenience. You surely don’t want that.”
    Minor eased back into his seat, staring at the man wearing black sunglasses.
    “A shot will surely cause a commotion, Asa.”
    “I’ll be walking away while people are trying to figure out why you are screaming for help as no one will hear the shot.” Asa leaned forward and whispered, “My friend’s gun has a silencer. If you try to run away, he will shoot. If you cause a scene, he will shoot.”
    Minor looked around. Beads of sweat were faintly visible on his forehead.
    “Don’t even think about running back to your car. It’s gone. Probably in your hotel parking lot by now, but out of your reach.”
    A waiter approached their table and served their drinks.
    Minor tried to get his attention, but failed. Resigned, Minor picked up his drink and took a sip. “Your guy?”
    “Yep.”
    “Well, it seems I’m a captive date. What do you want?”
    “I want to know why you turned on me.”
    “Ah, geez. Old history. Let it stay buried. We got a divorce, didn’t we?” Asa continued, “I trusted you. I believed in you.”
    “You trusted me? You didn’t trust me. That was the problem,” Minor answered heatedly. “You got this bug up your ass about a few lousy agents and went flapping your jaws to the Washington