Free miss fortune mystery (ff) - bubba dub dub by sam cheever Page A

hit list,” Big told us.
    Alarm bloomed in my chest at his words. When a guy like Big Hebert said “hit list” he probably really meant hit list.
    Ida Belle glared back at him. “Don’t blame us for Mannie’s jail time. We tried to leave him safely at home. It wasn’t our fault he decided to show up and start shooting up the place.”
    Big’s face wobbled dangerously as he shook his head. It was like watching Jell-O in an earthquake. For a moment I thought he might put out an eye with a dancing cheek. Fortunately the flesh was too dense to allow for such pinpoint damage. “You were told Mannie was to be your bodyguard. He was to go where you go. Everywhere you go. You ladies didn’t do as you were told. I don’t like when that happens.” He sighed expansively. “I’m afraid there are going to have to be consequences.”
    Gertie’s hands started to flutter. Her eyes got round and she clutched her purse like it would keep her from sinking into the ground at her feet. Ida Belle and Fortune noticed and seemed worried about Gertie’s state. Ida Belle even went so far as to take a step toward Gertie.
    But Gertie blew before Ida Belle could stop her. “Jesus is your savior, Mr. Hebert.”
    The big man in the car narrowed eyes made small by all the flesh surrounding them. “What are you babbling about, old woman?”
    “He’s calling you to his service,” Gertie said. She slid a glance toward Ida Belle, her gaze widening.
    Ida Belle seemed to catch her meaning. “Yes. He’s calling you to the Sinful Catholic church,” Ida Belle said. “He has a special place in the front pew for you. There will be a collection made in your honor. You might want to go to the early service though. By the afternoon service the collection pickings are slim.”
    Big seemed to be considering this. “A collection, you say?”
    We all nodded.
    “How much would this collection include?”
    “A few hundred dollars,” Gertie said, nodding enthusiastically. “But the Lord might inspire more in your presence.”
    Big didn’t look fully convinced. “I don’t know. This Lord guy and I haven’t always seen eye to eye on stuff. You know?”
    “He’s a very forgiving guy,” I offered weakly.
    Big frowned. “I’ll give that some thought, but just so you know. That doesn’t absolve y’all from the sin of seriously pissing me off.”
    The ladies shrugged. I was impressed by their toughness. My heart was pounding so hard I thought I might pass out.
    “In fact, I’m giving you twenty-four hours to get rid of these Russians and then I’m going to make my own deal with them. And you ain’t gonna like the deal I make.”
    Alarm turned my stomach to acid, I stepped forward. I couldn’t let my new friends take the hit for my screw ups. “It’s my fault, Mr. Big. I brought the Russians here. I’ll take whatever consequences you think are necessary.”
    Ida Belle and Gertie frowned. Fortune stepped in front of me. “Ignore her. She’s got wind burn of the brain. We told you we would take care of the Russian problem, Big. That thing last night was a personal issue. I asked them to come bail me out of a tough spot. I didn’t think it was a good idea to bring Mannie to Deputy LeBlanc’s house. We were trying to protect him.” She shrugged and slid Mannie a slightly hostile look.
    A big truck slid to the curb behind the long black car and Big fixed me with a look. “Twenty-four hours, Miss Chance. Then you and your friends are gonna pay for ruining my week.”
    Carter climbed out of his truck as the Heberts drove away. His expression didn’t bode well for anyone who might have had a part in encouraging his dog to break down a wooden privacy fence the night before, and who’d just been seen conferring with the local mafia. “What was Big Hebert doing here?”
    Fortune grew pale, her gaze sliding guiltily around the neighborhood as if a useful lie was hiding behind a bush somewhere. I found it fascinating the way she lied so