Greed in Paradise (Paradise Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Fab has a way with us older men.”
    “How the hell else could he hear me? Last visit, I told him I’d go to lunch, but only if he could hang on my every word without having to ask, ‘What?’”
    I reached for another cookie and shared it with Grover, who lifted his head.
    “That’s not allowed,” Tolbert said pointing at the cookie crumbs.
    “You know, I feel the same way when Fab feeds my cat, Jazz, bologna treats. And she ignores me every time.”
    “You both are the sassiest little things.” He shook his finger. “Did you know,” he said to me, “I barely mentioned that the church bus took a while to start one morning and the next day, one of Mr. Spoon’s employees showed up with a pickup full of tools and had it running pretty by the afternoon. How do you suppose that happened?” He looked at Fab.
    Pastor Tolbert Rich operated the Church of the Traveling Jesus, a school bus that had been renovated by one of Spoon’s guys, painted in patriotic colors. He picked up his parishioners on Sundays along the Keys, preached a feel good sermon, and served lunch. Far as I knew, every week he had a packed bus and no one said an unkind word.
    “Doesn’t matter, the important part is that it runs,” I said. “You’re not very good at accepting help. It will be character-building for those guys to help the nicest man in Pigeon Key.”
    Spoon hired recently-paroled felons, giving them a second chance. He had a high success rate; one guy in particular went into construction and I used him at Jake’s and for projects around my house. It was my lucky day when I discovered the man hadn’t overhyped his abilities and didn’t charge “screw you” rates.
    Tolbert looked at his watch. “I have to go to Tarpon Cove hospital before visiting hours end. Yesterday I arrived late and they wouldn’t let me in.”
    “You have to be kidding me. Did you whip out your preacher card?” I asked.
    He laughed. “I’m a rule follower. I turned and left and vowed to be on time today.”
    Fab sucked down the last of her water. “I’ll call Shirl. She’s a nurse-something there and I’ll tell her to be on the lookout. She owes me and will still owe me after this one.”
    I winked at Tolbert and put a finger to my lips so that he wouldn’t lecture Fab. She got her phone out of her pocket and walked off the porch.
    “Shh,” I whispered to Tolbert. “Shirl is one of my tenants and loves that she ‘owes’ Fab. She’ll be secretly thrilled to know there will be more requests in the future. Fab doesn’t need to know Shirl has a severe girl crush.”
    “She wouldn’t force someone to…” He looked worried.
    “If it makes you feel better, I’ve shot more people than she has during our friendship.”
    He looked shocked and at a loss for words.
    Fab interrupted, “Shirl’s on duty until ten tonight. Ask for her at the nurse’s station.”
    I stacked everything back onto the tray. “Where will the funeral for Gus be held?”
    “I’m going to talk to Violet about that, I’d like to officiate. I’ll let you know.”
    Fab hugged him. “We’ll be there.”
    I slipped Grover another cookie and accepted a dog hug.

 
     
     
Chapter 6
     
     
    We both looked at each other and said, “Tropical Slumber.”
    Fab flew into the driveway of the funeral home, which had once been a hot dog stand, renovated several times over the years making room for multiple additions and, most recently, a crematorium. She screeched to a halt on the red carpet; the parking lot was empty.
    “At least we won’t be interrupting a final send off.” I looked around. “I guess I won’t be grabbing a couple of those little sandwiches on the way out the door.”
    “They have a refrigerator full of funeral food.” Fab kept her finger on the bell.
    The front door pushed open and Raul stuck his head out. “Fabiana!” He smiled and pulled on a strand of her waist-length hair.
    Dickie and Raul were co-owners and couldn’t be more different