Page 84 of Wicked Pickle

“Maybe she’s in the bathroom,” I suggest.

Vicki comes around. “She left. Are you two beating each other up over that slip of a thing? That girl wouldn’t hold up to a gust of wind.”

Merrick jumps over the bar and heads for the door. I’m tempted to follow him, but there’s a line for drinks, and it seems Vicki’s not working again. Jake is pulling beer like there’s no tomorrow.

Fine. I take a handful of orders and line up the mugs to pull the draughts.

He’s back in no time. “She’s gone,” he says. “Her green Bug isn’t out there.”

I shut off the tap. “Well, hell. Wonder what spooked her.”

“No fucking telling.”

“Next time,” I tell him.

He moves the full mugs to the bar side. “If there is one.”

Interesting. Seems maybe both of us have the bug.

“You think Grammy put a hex on us during the wedding?” I ask.

“You were the only one there,” he says. “I’m fine. It’s fine.”

But the way he slams glassware around tells me he’s anything but.

CHAPTER 27

SYMPHONY

I’m practically pacing my room, wondering how Marietta is faring at the Leaky Skull. That girl has gone off the rails.

I text Jenna, asking for advice.

Me: Marietta went to the bar alone.

Jenna: Diesel’s bar?

Me: Yeah.

Jenna: Is she going to show her boobs again?

Me: I hope not. We caused a lot of trouble.

Jenna: Should we go get her?

Me: Diesel told me to stand by, but that was half an hour ago.

Jenna: I think we should go.

Me: Okay, give me five, then I’ll come get you.

I’m looking for a pair of shoes when there’s a knock on my door.

I peer through the keyhole.

Thank God. It’s Marietta.

I fumble with the locks and wrench the door open.

---