Hide and Snake Murder Read Online Free PDF Page B

disgusting.”
    With a grimace of distaste, Coop said, “Let’s go,” and headed toward the truck. Dawg trotted along beside him.
    Baz said, “What about me?”
    I stopped and threw him a look over my shoulder. “Follow us in your car.” Duh.
    â€œForget it. They know what I drive now. Maybe I could ride with you and Dawg could ride in back of the truck.”
    No freaking way was Booger Pants going to get into my pickup. I told him so and added, “Besides, it’s illegal for dogs to ride in the bed in Minnesota unless they’re in a crate. So either you can hop in back, or you can follow us. Your choice. Snotnose.”
    Baz’s face turned into a pity-me mask. He even stuck his lower lip out. Shameless. He said, “Isn’t that illegal? To have a person ride in the bed of a truck?”
    â€œNope, there’s no law about that. Now come on or we’ll leave you here.”
    Baz hobbled after me, chattering about dumb laws that wouldn’t allow dogs to ride in an open pickup bed but would let people tempt death. He planted a foot on the bumper and attempted to heave himself over the tailgate.
    After the third failed attempt, he croaked, “Help me.”
    I gave him a shove on the upswing. He rolled over the tailgate and landed with a thump, his feet sticking up in the air.
    â€œI’d advise you to hang on, Baz.” I left him floundering like an upside down tortoise and got in the truck. Coop squinted at me. “This is going to turn out bad, Shay. I can feel it in my bones.”
    â€œMe too.” My foot hit the accelerator, and there was thud in the rear. Through the mirror, I saw that Baz was playing turtle again.
    â€œTake it easy, Shay.” Coop told me as he turned around and looked through the window. “You upended him.”
    â€œNot my fault, I told him to hang on. What the hell are we going to do now?”
    Dawg let out a low whine and sniffed my ear.
    Coop said, “We have got to get a hold of Eddy. And we need to go someplace Baz’s buddies won’t find us.”
    After a bit of driving and watching to make sure we weren’t being followed, I pulled into a Perkins off Highway 100 in Edina. The sky was cloudy and it looked like it might rain any second. Dawg forced his big body past me when I opened the door and immediately ran over to the edge of the parking lot to take a leak on the shrubs.
    I met Coop at the tailgate, and we watched Baz struggle to get out. Once he was safely on dry land, he said, “Thanks a lot for the hand, guys. And you didn’t have to drive so crazy, Shay. I think my butt is black and blue now on top of everything else.”
    â€œSorry, Baz. I did tell you to hold on.”
    He stomped toward the entrance.
    Coop looked at me and brushed a hand over the top of his head. “He’s making me crazy, and it’s been less than an hour.”
    â€œI know.” I took a deep breath. “The sooner we figure this out, the sooner we get rid of him. Go on in and order me a ham and cheese omelet, okay? Gonna try Eddy again and get Dawg settled back in the truck. If she doesn’t answer, I’m going to call the New Orleans cops.”
    Coop scowled but gave a reluctant nod and followed Baz into the restaurant.
    I pulled up recent calls and pressed the number for the Hotel St. Margaret. Another very Southern-sounding receptionist forwarded me to Eddy’s room. No answer. Where the heck were they?
    Dawg wandered over and sat on my foot. He leaned his heavy, solid body against my leg. It was one of our favorite positions. I scratched a spot behind his ears, and he gazed up at me with adoration. If only life were as easy as finding a convenient lift-the-leg spot and mooching treats.
    My brain felt like mush. Think, Shay . I needed the number for the NOPD. I’d switched to a smart phone recently, and the gadget never ceased to amaze me. At this moment, the device was