Free The Hitwoman Hunts a Ghost by JB Lynn

worth trying on God.
    “Crowbar.”
    “An accountant kept a crowbar in his office?”
    The mobster chuckled, “Naah. He kept it in his car. Ira just waited for the other guy to come out to the parking lot and he hit him upside his head.
    “In a parking lot?” That sounded like a definite violation of Rule Number One: Don’t Get Caught.
    “Guy is numbers smart, not street smart.”
    I nodded, storing that tidbit of information away. I’d have to use his lack of street smarts to my advantage.
    “Dead guy left behind a wife and sick kid.” Delveccio shook his head. “Such a waste. And now Ira is cutting a deal on his murder rap to testify against my organization.”
    “Does he have anything on you?” I asked.
    “Do you think I’d be looking for the redhead and settling for you if he didn’t?”
    Chastised, I nodded and looked away.
    “So here’s the thing. Ya gotta do it before Monday morning.”
    I jerked my head up. “You’re kidding.”
    “The D.A. comes back from his vacation then. It’s when he gives his statement and once they have that...”
    “But he already made a deal.”
    “My sources tell me he made the deal to cooperate with them about our organization, but since the D.A. was away, he hasn’t spilled the beans yet.”
    “Why would they wait for him to get back?” I asked. “Surely there’s more than one District Attorney who could take his statement.”
    Remaining silent, Delveccio raised his eyebrows and nodded slowly.
    I frowned, confused. “I don’t—”
    “The D.A.’s on the take, you moron,” God whispered, saving me from looking like a fool in front of the mob boss.
    I paused, considering his theory. It seemed plausible.
    “You don’t what?” Delveccio asked.
    “I don’t know about the schedule,” I said carefully. “There isn’t much time to plan and execute.”
    “I don’t care about your plan,” Delveccio informed me. “Just make sure you execute.” His tone convinced me that there wasn’t any room for discussion of the topic.
    “Yes, sir.” My stomach roiled nervously as I wondered what I’d gotten myself into.
    “Go visit your niece,” the mobster ordered. “And make sure that lizard visits my grandson too.”
    I nodded and stood as God railed, “Are you pimping me out to treat comatose kids now?”
     

 

Chapter Nine
     
    I heard Katie’s screams from all the way down the corridor.
    My heart stuttered.
    “Oh no.” Even the lizard sounded worried.
    I broke into a full-out run, racing toward the sound of her cries. I practically mowed down a nurse in my haste, terrified that I wouldn’t get to her in time.
    Vinnie was nowhere in sight which meant that her room had been left unguarded.
    “Nooooo!” Katie wailed.
    “Save her!” God urged.
    Adrenaline pumping through me, I barreled into the room. The man was leaning over the bed, his back to the door so he never saw me coming.  I plowed into him full force. It wasn’t the most efficient tackle, but it did the job. We both ended up on the ground.
    “Get away!” I screamed as he lifted his head from the tile. “Get away from her or I’ll kill you.” I scrambled around looking for a weapon.
    “Hey!” he protested.
    “Kill ’em! Kill ’em!” God shouted.
    Jumping to my feet, I grabbed a visitor’s chair. Hefting it overhead, I brandished it over him. “One move and you’re a dead man.”
    “Margaret! Stop this right now!”
    My grip on the chair wavered. I knew that voice. I turned in its direction and found Aunt Susan staring at me aghast.
    “What are you doing?” she asked, appalled.
    “Katie...” I started to explain, shifting my gaze to my niece who was sitting up in her bed, watching me intently. She didn’t look hurt. I’d gotten here in time. The instant relief made my start to shake. I lowered the chair slightly.
    “Katie doesn’t want to eat her vegetables.” Susan pushed past me, bending over the victim of my linebacker-wanna-be tackle. “Why on Earth would you