“I’ll say. It’s a big hit back in New Jersey.” Gah! “Or so I hear.” Some habits die hard, like bringing up your roots. “Any news on the death of your friend? That was pretty brutal.”
She gives a sly wink. “Nope. Nothing that I’ve heard.” She shudders. “It was pretty brutal, though, wasn’t it?” She stares off blankly into the room for a moment, and I can tell she’s gone to a dark place. I feel pretty bad about bringing her there, too.
“Carol? Can I ask how you knew Holly? What kind of a person was she?”
Her whole body bucks with a laugh. “Holly was a pistol of a woman. A real peach if you can read between the fuzzy lines. She was born with an axe to grind and found a new victim to sharpen it on every time she turned around. We were sorority sisters way back when.”
“Sorority sisters?”
She nods. “Back at Benton. She was as big a hit with people back then as she was right up until the present.”
“So you were sorority sisters? You must have been good friends.”
“Oh, we were very good friends, especially in the beginning. I got along really well with her family, too. And she got along with my family for the most part.” She ticks her head to the side as if reliving a bad memory.
And I bet she is—like that fling Holly had with her brother.
“Did you stay close?”
Her eyes close a notch just as someone starts belting out “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
“Nobody stayed close to Holly. She didn’t allow for it. But—you could say we were pretty tight right up until the end.”
The scene between her and Holly going at it last night flits through my mind. I wonder what they were arguing about?
“Well, it sounds as if you were great friends right up until her final moments.” I bounce my shoulders as if to say my interrogation ends here. And it just might.
“We quibbled”—she offers—“but what good friends don’t?” She sways with the music as the room ignites with random whistles and applause. “Any news on the mayor? I bet he’s the prime suspect.”
“I wouldn’t know. But I’m sure the sheriff’s department is looking into it. I just can’t imagine him being angry enough to do something so violent right then and there—at the tree lighting no less. I mean, he was practically hosting the event. And he was dressed as Santa. If he did do it, and God forbid some tiny tot witnessed the event, I’m sure it would have scarred them for life.”
Her gaze drops to the floor. “I guess you’re right. Who knows—maybe he didn’t do it?” She shrugs as if she was indifferent. “Holly Wright had an enemy tucked in every corner of the state. It wouldn’t surprise me if there were a handful there last night.” She cocks her head to the side. “Actually, I know of one—Kaila Clark.” Her expression sours as she says the woman’s name. “She’s the one that works at the library. Holly was her higher-up. I don’t know what those two women had against one another, but they were having a rather angry disagreement before the tree lighting. Kaila—I can tell she’s the quiet type that lets things simmer. But I bet when she blows up, things can get explosive.”
Someone calls her name from behind.
“Make yourself at home, Bowie. In fact, have a drink on me.” She lets out an ear-piercing whistle and gets the bartender’s attention before pointing my way. “Go on.” She offers me a pat to the back. “After you loosen up, get up there and belt out a few Christmas carols. ’Tis the season!” she trills as she takes off.
I glance back to the bar where I spot Stephanie next to Enzo, and Tilly with her arm draped over Dom.
’Tis the season to get embroiled in folly whenever the mob is concerned.
My feet carry me that way, and in no time flat I am wedged between the two inebriated couples. Good thing I drove us here in my handy dandy Honda, Wanda. Not that she has a reputation for being all that reliable, but then again, I’d take unreliability over the type of danger my sister is flirting with.
“I’ve got what I came for, girls,” I tell them. “Let’s head on out. I’d like to hit that donut drive-thru we passed on the way over.”
A dark laugh rumbles from the crook next to my sister. “I’m glad you like it, sweetheart. That’s one of the places I’ve got my eye on.”
Steph nods. “Enzo is thinking of snapping up a few properties right here in Scooter Springs. Mostly, he’s looking for a place to call home. He’s thinking seriously about the Boogie Bungalow.”
Tilly leans in. “Dom is looking into fine dining—a place called the Hideaway right down the street.” She gives a quick glance around. “Apparently, it boasts of a full basement that’s been transformed into an exclusive access underground club.”
“Sounds like a horror movie in the making.” I shoot a look to the two gangsters in our midst. “I get it. Your daddies rule the roost down in Leeds, and you want to reign up north in Scooter Springs. Believe me, I understand how important it is for the next generation to spread their wings and make their pestilence known. You’re looking to get established. But what I don’t get is why two men from feuding families are here scouting out the place as if you were friends.” I gasp as I look to the two handsome henchmen in our midst. “Wait a minute. You’re friends! Ha!” I laugh openly at the two of them. “You just broke every rule in the family Bible. Unless, of course, you’re going to break from tradition and start something together.” But knowing mobsters the way I do, that is never going to happen.
Enzo dips his chin as he looks to Dom. “Yeah, I grew up with
