We both eyed the crowd, watching as couples danced within feet of us. A few members of the town council gave me a nod, but to Ryan Prescott, head coach of the West Texas Tornadoes, they gave a wave—especially the wives.
I tapped my foot to the music, hoping he’d get the hint. Now or never. If I stood here like a lump on somebody’s head, I was going to go stir-crazy, which would lead to me saying Adios, amigo to my newfound confidence.
“Coach Ryan,” Mrs. Cogburn called as the song ended. She wore her rhinestone cowboy getup: cowboy boots, denim skirt, and Western shirt, all trimmed in turquoise rhinestones and fringe. Her husband wore the same costume as his wife only with jeans and chaps instead of the flouncy skirt. As they approached, I could see it playing out before me. Mrs. Mayor would dance with Ryan while I would dance with the mayor. Cogburn was harmless, but ever since I’d discovered the mayor and his wife making out in the alley behind Milagro, I’d never quite looked him in the eye.
“Won’t you ask me to dance?” She smiled coquettishly.
Ryan shot an apologetic look my way. “Mrs. Cogburn,” he began as he took her hand, “would you do me the honor of this dance?”
At that moment, a miracle happened. Patti Perez, like a Goth angel of mercy, appeared at the edge of the crowd. She waved, and it was enough to help me hatch an escape plan.
“Oh, heavens, I forgot to give Patti Senora Mari’s order this afternoon.” I gave all three an apologetic shrug. “I’ll be right back.”
Ryan’s gaze narrowed. “What was her order, Josie? Can’t wait to hear it.”
I glared right back, but kept my smile on tight. “Chickens. In fact, she wanted me to tell you that she wanted to order some new hatchlings as all her chickens are dead.”
“Chickens, huh?” Ryan game me a knowing glance. “Fits, wouldn’t you say?” He had me dead to rights.
“I’ll be back soon.” I smiled sweetly. “Promise.”
Mayor Cogburn didn’t appear to be too disappointed. “Josie,” the mayor called as I turned away.
“Yes, sir.” I had my excuse all prepared.
“It’s too bad your uncle’s big day was tarnished by another senseless death.”
With the blood rushing to my face, I was never so glad for the glare of the bright desert sun. “Even so, he brought the whole thing off without a hitch, sir.”
“Except for the death of that chili cook.” Mrs. Mayor searched our faces. “What was his name?”
“Caused quite a stir, from what I heard,” said the mayor, watching me closely.
“No one could have bounced back after a slam like that except Eddie,” Ryan interjected. He and my uncle worked together recruiting players for his team. Eddie had played ball for West Texas in his younger days, a real football hero.
Ryan met the mayor’s eye without flinching “Eddie’s got grit. He’ll give you and the council everything he’s got and never complain.”
I smiled my thanks, and Ryan answered with a slight nod.
Patti had started moving in our direction, which wouldn’t do at all.
“Be right back, folks.”
I caught my best friend by the arm at the opposite side of the dance floor and pulled her aside. “Save my bacon.”
“Hello to you too.” My Goth best friend wore her usual black, but she’d joined in the fiesta spirit by wearing bright pink lipstick and a matching fuchsia choker.
“Keep walking so I don’t have to dance with old Cogburn.”
“Why not? You like kissing up to important people.”
“Do not. I try to promote our business in the community by being decent and kind to folks, which is what we should do anyway.” I can sound preachy without too much effort.
“Come on, I’ve got something to show you.”
“Okay.” I stole a glance at Ryan, slow-dancing on the other side of the dance floor with Mrs. Cogburn. Perhaps sensing my gaze, he lifted his eyes to mine and mouthed, “You owe me.”
I placed my hands over my heart and responded, “I’ll be back.” I turned to Patti. “But if anyone asks, I’m ordering chickens from you for Senora Mari.”
“They come in dozens.” She raised a pierced brow in challenge.
“Fine, Simon Legree, let me think on it some more.”
“Don’t wait, I’d hate to escort you back over to the mayor’s table.”
“Show me what?” We had walked away from the dance floor, through the crowd, and close to the gazebo.
“What do you think?” She nodded at the bass player—a tattooed young man with ripped jeans, a tee that read Finger Lickin’ Good, and a black felt cowboy hat like that villain in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, starring Clint Eastwood.
“Dangerous.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” She smiled at him in a dreamy way.
“No. More. Musicians. Remember?” Her last encounter with a musician had ended up with the country singer dead and her sleeping on the best cot the county jail had to offer until I’d proven her innocent.
She sighed. “Hmm. Did I say that? I don’t remember.”
A sheriff’s department SUV came into view at the end of the block. It slowly parted the tourists and came to a halt on the opposite side of the street.
“I think someone wants to talk to you.”
Chapter 14
Another Break-In
Detective Lightfoot lowered his window and waited.
“Maybe he has an update on the murder,” I said for her ears only. “If that’s the case, I’m moving up the need-to-know ladder, Goth Girl.”
She chuckled. “You go for it, Jos. Hate to tell you, but there’s not a whole heck of a lot of difference in the view from the bottom to the top in this flea-bitten town.” Patti sauntered over to Lightfoot’s SUV and leaned in the window. “Nice wheels, Detective.”
“What’s up?” I asked, yanking her backwards.
He hesitated. “Ms. Perez.” Lightfoot and Patti had dated once or twice, but it fizzled after their first attempt at small talk. Not his specialty.
“I get the picture.”
