Page 86 of The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

“I was on patrol as usual, not thinking much about that when I spotted her hauling her tin can through the swamp at top speed.”

“Her tin can?” Molly asks.

“Her butt,” I say, eager for Jesse to continue.

“I came to a stop and she streaked past with,” he takes a big breath, “a behemoth on her tail.”

“The crocogator was chasing her?” I say, barely above a whisper.

He nods.

“That’s not real,” Molly says.

When we’re both quiet, she says, “It is?” She looks as pale as I must’ve been moments ago.

“Did you?—?”

“I’m not sure what I could’ve done. That thing was moving fast. Must’ve been at least fourteen feet long. Maybe more.”

“And albino,” Roxanne adds.

He nods.

I glance at my letter on the table. “If my mother got wind, there’d be a prison break. She insisted the crocogator was real.” The Tokens and treasure too. But I didn’t believe it because she, of all people, would’ve gotten her hands on it.

He chuckles. “Let’s hope not.”

Pen poised above her notebook, Molly asks, “Where was this?”

He answers, “Over by Bladecrook.”

“So nearly out of town.” Molly taps her pen on her chin.

“Sounds like the crocogator was running Ambrette out of town,” Roxanne says.

“Good riddance,” I say, hoping that’s the last we hear from my cousin.

Just then, Maddock enters, concern splashed across his features, likely at the Deputy Sherriff’s vehicle outside.

Before he can ask questions, I say, “Everything is fine.”

Jesse winces. “Not for Ambrette.”

We fill him in while Molly and Roxanne slink away, likely scoping out a scoop. After Jesse leaves, I ask, “Did Ambrette really call you Macksie?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Is Maddo okay?”

“That’s for friends only.”

“I’m your friend.”

“My girlfriend ... but what would you think about fiancée?”

I beam a smile. “That sounds like it might be fun.”

He winks. “Stay tuned.” Lowering onto the booth where I was writing, he asks, “What are you working on?”

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