Free Body Bags & Blarney by J.D. Shaw Page B

elbowed
Vivienne.
    “Well, I’m glad
we didn’t throw the necklace away like someone suggested.” Vivienne gently
poked Kathy back.
    “Oh, poo.”
Kathy frowned. “That ratty thing couldn’t have been worth more than a few
dollars.”
    “Family
heirlooms don’t always have a price tag on them.” Vivienne reminded her.
    “Mine do.”
Kathy quipped.
    There was
swirl of cold wind as the front door opened with the return of the bodyguard.
He carried in his arms a few bottles of something that looked like champagne.
There was a gasp from the crowd as the big man set the bottles down by the
punchbowl of mock sangria.
    “Compliments
of Johnny Guido to all of Cayuga Cove’s loveliest ladies.” Johnny spoke up from
the crowd. “Please enjoy.” He lowered his sunglasses a tad and winked as
several of the women clapped in appreciation.
    “I thought
this was a dry event?” Vivienne asked Kathy.
    “It is.” Kathy
fumed. “Excuse me a moment.” She hurried over to where Johnny was posing for
pictures with some of the guests.
    “That’s not
good.” Stephanie spoke quietly as the pop of a cork pierced the growing murmur
of the crowd.
    “Not at all.”
Vivienne agreed.
    “While I
appreciate the thoughtful gesture, I’m afraid that we can’t have any alcohol as
we have many underage guests here tonight.” Kathy explained in the most polite
voice she could muster.
    “Oh, I’m sure
we can make an exception tonight.” Johnny smiled broadly at her. “It’ll be our
little secret.”
    Kathy kept a
smile on her face. “As much as I would love to have my guests enjoy the
champagne, it’s not appropriate and there are underage patrons.”
    “Oh, come on.”
Johnny pressed on as he poured a glass of the bubbly for Alexis and handed it
to her. “I’d hate to think that Cayuga Cove doesn’t like to party.”
    “Please, if
you are going to push this I am going to have to ask you to leave now.” Kathy
walked over and grabbed the bottle out of Johnny’s hand.
    The bodyguard
lunged forward and snagged her in his grip. “Ma’am, you are too close to Mr.
Guido. You need to back away now.”
    Vivienne gave
her glass to Stephanie. “Hold this for me.” She started to push her way through
the crowd which was tightening a circle to see what the ruckus was all about.
    “This is my
store.” Kathy fumed. “Let me go.”
    “Johnny, what
are you doing?” Alexis’ eyes went wide in shock.
    “It’s okay,
babe.” Johnny reached out and gave her a swat on her rear. “I’ve got this.”
    “You heard the
lady, let her go.” A deep voice called out above the gasps and murmurs of the
crowd.
    Vivienne
noticed a tall man in a brown leather bomber jacket stepping into the center of
the circle where the bodyguard was holding Kathy in place. She continued to
push her way through the ladies. “Excuse me, let me through please.”
    “I said let
her go.” The tall stranger repeated.
    Vivienne
finally made it through the crowd and got a good look at the man issuing a
challenge to the bodyguard. He had a long mane of light brown hair that
cascaded down to his thick neck. He was a good head taller than the bodyguard
as he stood before him, easily the same six foot-five height that Joshua
possessed. His green eyes seemed to glow from within as he reached out toward
Kathy. “I’m not going to ask again.”
    The bodyguard
released Kathy who took a stumble backwards in shock. Vivienne rushed forward
and helped steady her friend. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
    Kathy shook
her head. “No, I’m fine.” She looked around at the room which was suddenly
deadly quiet. “I just want them to leave.”
    “You heard the
lovely lady. She would like you gentlemen to hit the road.” The tall stranger
spoke in a voice that had a rough around the edges quality, authoritative yet
somehow comforting at the same time.
    The burly
bodyguard suddenly stepped in to face the stranger.
    “If you don’t
do what he says, I am going to call