Kamira jumped, grabbing the dashboard of the car in front of her. Turning, she looked Jack in the eye, screaming, “There will be no gun, Jack.”
Looking towards the heavens, she said, “God help us.”
Kamira started laughing. Looking at Jack, she asked, “Did my auntie convince the Governor to increase the budget for the Bellow sisters as consultants?”
Seeing Jack’s face, she said, “No way. Seriously? You are way over your head with this one, Jack.”
Terrance was laughing so hard, and he was having a hard time catching his breath.
Entering the Bellow estate, Kamira saw everyone seated around the table. The group included Vittoria DeLuca, Frank Gallucci, Henry the handyman, the Bellow sisters, Willie Mae, Billie, Keisha, and new little Clifton snug in Willie Mae’s arms.
The aromas of the Cajun cuisine reminded Kamira how hungry she was.
Willie Mae looked around the table at her family and friends, gently kissing baby Clifton’s head. Her life has a new meaning now. She beamed at everyone around the table and said grace.
During dinner, Terrance looked around that table, saying, “Kamira and are going on our honeymoon. Jack, we’re taking two weeks off. But there is one problem.”
Jack, frowning, said, “Two weeks? Hmm. What seems to be the problem?”
Terrance looked at Billie and Keisha, grinning. “Thing is, when I had to cancel the first-class reservations, I had to change the tickets to four economy seats, so Kamira and I thought it would be great if Billie, Keisha, and little Clifton could join us in Aruba.”
Billie and Keisha looked stunned.
Willie Mae, looking at her new grandson, said, “Baby Clifton is on the bottle. Billie, Keisha, you go on with Kamira and Terrance, the sisters, and I will care for little Clifton. It will give Henry time to finish up the kitchen at the department.”
Jack eyed Willie Mae, “Kitchen? Willie Mae, it is a break room.”
Willie Mae chuckled, “Well, if you intend on me keeping you supplied with beignets every morning, Jack, I will need a full-scale commercial kitchen so that the girls and I can keep the department fed.”
Before Jack could respond, his phone rang. Looking at the number, he frowned.
“Jack Thomas.” Listening, Kamira noticed his face turning whiter than a bedsheet.
“Thank you for calling, Warden.”
Everyone around the table was silent.
Kamira said, “Jack, what’s wrong?”
“That was the warden up at Parchman Prison. They found George Buchanan dead this afternoon in his cell. His throat slashed. The entire prison is in lockdown.”
The news stunned everyone at the table into silence—almost everyone.
Vittoria DeLuca shrugged her shoulders and said, “That’s too bad.”
Kamira glanced at Terrance and turned to glare at Vittoria DeLuca.
Vittoria DeLuca raised her glass of wine at Kamira and smiled.
About the Author
Kacie Clement, a writer of short fiction mysteries, has always been passionate about writing and storytelling. As part of her writing process, she loves to immerse herself in her current project, diving headfirst into the researching, writing and fine-tuning of the stories she finds are the worthiest of storytelling.
Kacie lives in the woods with her husband, her dog, Peeka, and an attack cat named Trip.
Kacie is addicted to fresh-baked cookies, coffee and fabric.
Also by Kacie Clement
The Cold Case Chronicles
Mississippi Moonshine: Book One
A Shooting, A Drug Deal, and a Trail of Ants: Book Two
The Last Goodbye: Book Three
The Gravedigger: Book Four
Coming September, 2021
Journey to Justice: Book Five
Arctic Eagle
Unleashed Betrayal
The Ignited Secrets Series
Shadow of Secrets: Book One
High Secrets: Book Two
Final Secrets: Book Three
The Whispering Cove Mysteries
Coming summer 2021
