Page 52 of Special Agent Lucifer

Their eyes caught, and they stared at each other for long seconds. Finally, Honey saw the anger fading to understanding, and she kept her own eyes non accusatory. After all, the truth was the truth, and it needed to be said. If there were to be any change, this strange girl had to accept that she’d behaved unacceptably.

Tansy’s shoulders sagged, and her body shrunk. But her voice held strength… the strength of admission. “You’re right. I did hate everything and everyone. It grew until I didn’t care who I hurt.” Seconds passed and she added, “No… the truth is I did care, and I liked hurting people.”

Carol’s loud gasp broke the tension, and Tansy reached back for her hand. “Not now, Mom. Never again. I promise. I don’t want to be like that anymore. It’s horrible.”

Honey moved to the other side of Tansy and put her arm around the girl’s shoulders. When she appeared startled at the gesture of affection, Honey smiled into her face. “I’m so glad you came to visit me today. I was feeling down with the world, and that vow has lifted me right out of my bad mood.”

Smiling, Anita appeared in the doorway. “Coffee’s ready everyone. I even defrosted the peanut butter cookies I kept hidden in the freezer. Come on in here and visit.”

When she looked her way, Honey caught her mother’s loving wink, and her heart lightened even more.

Chapter Thirty-five

A knock at Luke’s door had him throwing his phone down and jumping up from the ratty couch in his shoddy bachelor suite. He’d been trying to make up his mind whether to call Honey or not. He went to open the door and saw Matt lurking. “Hey, buddy, what’s up?”

Matt stepped into the dump and looked around. “Why are you living here? We pay you enough. You can afford better than this, Luke.”

“Nah. I like it here. It’s quiet and cheap. Fine for now.” He waved Matt inside and headed to the fridge for a couple of cold ones. Handing one to Matt, he asked, “What’s up?”

Matt took a long sip, put the beer on the table, and shoved his hands in his pockets. Taking a wide-legged stance, his obvious anxiety made Luke clench his teeth. When he spoke, Luke tensed.

“Are you willing to perform at a private house party?” Matt’s unexpected coaxing made Luke blink.

“What?” Lighter now, he spoke without thinking. “We’ve never been asked to do anything like that before. Where’s this coming from?”

“I guess the woman who’s holding this shindig wants a western music band and has ties with the Opry. They gave out our name along with a few other groups. Turns out, we’re the only ones available. It’s a date we’re booked to perform at Nudies, but the manager says we can do it as long as we announce that we play there nightly.”

“Yeah, I’m not really interested.” Luke hated the thought of having to be nice to a lot of people he didn’t know. Seeing the negative effect his reply had on Matt, he backed off. “But it’s up to the rest of you.”

Matt scratched his head, and then ran his fingers through the thick red beard, a habit he had when nervous. “See… the thing is, they’ll pay three times what we normally make, and I imagine there’ll be a lot of bigwigs from the industry attending… if what they told me is true.”

Luke paid attention to Matt’s expression and grinned. “Why didn’t you just say you want to take it? If you guys are sold, I’m easy.”

Matt laughed. “Right. Like you’re a pussy cat. Are you kidding me? You terrify the rest of us half the time. We didn’t want to pressure you in any way, but I understand Mrs. Jackson throws lavish events at her mansion, so we’d be fools not to accept.”

“Lori Jackson?”

“That’s the one.”

“Well, why didn’t you say so right off the bat. When’s this big do happening?”

“In two days.”

“Seriously? Who backed out at the last minute?”

Matt laughed. “Can’t pull anything over on you, can I? Yeah the King and Cowboys were booked but two of them came down with Covid.”

“Well then, I guess I need to go shopping for a new shirt.”

***

Once Matt left, Luke went for a drive and used the burner phone to check in with Bill Flint, his boss.

“Any news on the location of the warehouse?”

“Nope. Dale’s got the crew following all the vehicles coming and going but nothing exciting. Word on the street is that the shipment got delayed. Guess the rotten storms we’ve had lately have messed with the delivery schedule. But something’s gotta give, and we’ll be ready when it does.”

“You sound defeated, boss. I got news that should put a smile on that sour puss of yours. Lori Jackson hired our band to play at her party this weekend. Being inside the house, I’ll make goddamn sure to take advantage.”

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