Free The Miss Fortune Series: Undercover Bubba (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Miss Chance meets Miss Fortune Book 3) by Sam Cheever Page A

probably knew about it before you did.”
    The muscle in Carter’s jaw was so tight I found myself listening for his teeth to break. Finally, he lifted his hands. “I can’t prove it. But I know you four were in that church yesterday. Celia’s screaming bloody murder and I promised her I’d get to the bottom of it. I’m trying really hard not to arrest you but you’re not making it easy. If I were you, I’d find some way to replace that sculpture. Anonymously.” He turned away and stalked back to his truck, clearly unhappy.
    Pain speared my finger and I realized with a start that I’d been gnawing my nail like a dog on a bone. “Do you think we fooled him?”
    Four incredulous gazes swung my way. I shrugged. “It’s possible he believed us.” I really didn’t want to go to prison over the molestation of Mary Magdalene. I knew pedophiles didn’t fare well in prison. I had no idea what religious sculpture molesters suffered there, but I was pretty sure it wasn’t good.
    Besides, orange made me look washed-out. And jumpsuits made my butt look big.

 
     
     
    CHAPTER NINE
     
    The Heberts could usually be found at their place of business, Hebert Swamp City Airboats . Cal parked in the lot in front of the long, glass-fronted building and we climbed out.
    Ida Belle gave Gertie the stink eye. “Behave yourself in here.”
    Gertie hefted her purse up to her shoulder with a glare. “One little episode with a float and I’m branded for life.”
    Shaking her head, Ida Belle turned to Cal. “You might want to let us do the talking. We know the Heberts.”
    “And they know us ,” Fortune agreed. “You just stand there and look like muscle. Maybe they’ll underestimate you.”
    My intrepid PI didn’t look happy about it, but Fortune’s suggestion was a good one. If the Heberts ignored Cal he’d be free to observe them without restriction. I grabbed his big hand, squeezing it. “That’s not a bad idea, actually. Just melt into the woodwork and watch their reactions when we accuse them of taking Brother Mike.”
    “They’re not exactly hard to read,” Fortune added.
    Cal smiled. “I can do that.”
    My knees knocked together a little under the force of that smile. “Great.”
    Little Hebert was behind the sales counter, shuffling pieces of paper that I assumed were sales receipts. He looked up when the bell over the door dinged and his smile dimmed when he saw it was just us. “Look what floated up the Bayou like a bad smell.”
    Behind him, Mannie chuckled stupidly.
    Fortune and Ida Belle led the procession to the counter. Gertie and I followed close behind. As promised, Cal hung back, looking tough and silent.
    Ida Belle inclined her head at the diminutive mobster. “Little. How are you?”
    He shook a thick stack of receipts. “Business is booming, thanks to that great idea you four gave me about the Fourth of July boat show. We picked up all sorts of new clients at the thing.” He slapped the receipts into a drawer and slammed it shut, frowning. “But I have to take exception to the trauma you put poor Mannie over there through.” Little shook his head. “After dealing with you four and your micro aggressions, he’s having trouble finding his safe place.”
    Mannie nodded his big head, tugging on a perfectly knotted silk tie. “I ain’t been able to sleep or eat since.”
    We stared at the massive bodyguard like he’d lost his mind. Finally Gertie asked, “You mean the dog? That wasn’t our fault. We told you to stay at the house.”
    Mannie frowned, shaking his head. “Nah. I ain’t afraid o’ no dog. It was that torture you threatened me with at the house.”
    We exchanged a long look and then I realized what he was referring to. “You mean the bikini wax?”
    Mannie grimaced, one big hand sliding protectively over the threatened area. “Pullin’ hairs out o’ people’s private parts. That ain’t human.”
    “I’m guessing you’d drop into the fetal position over menstrual