Rubbed Out (A Memphis BBQ Mystery) Read Online Free PDF Page B

is like, since they think they’re so smart.” The snarl became even more pronounced. And before Lulu could blink, he’d stormed off.
    Back in the Graces’ tent, Pink became more relaxed. “Here I am, thinking I’m simply going to check in with my friends. Next thing I know, I’m having to break up a fight that one of those good friends is involved in. Let me have a nip of sweet tea if you don’t mind.” He listened for a second. “At least it’s all quiet over there now.”
    Cherry snorted. “Only because that loudmouth isn’t at the booth. Guess he’ll get it all out of his system and come back. I don’t think Reuben trusts his team to be able to cook worth a flip, and I’m sure he’ll be back soon to supervise.”
    Flo walked into the booth, minus Coco and Ella Beth.“Lulu, I spotted Derrick coming into the park and the girls wanted him to walk around with them for a few minutes. I hope that’s okay.”
    “They probably aren’t wanting to spend too much more time here today,” said Lulu. “So a few minutes with Derrick before I take them home sounds like a good plan. And thanks so much, Flo, for walking the girls around.”
    Flo said, “Pink, is your presence here due to wanting to visit with the Graces or more of an official capacity? I wasn’t sure what to think when I heard all that ruckus next door. That’s why I hightailed it out of here with the girls.”
    Pink explained to a wide-eyed Flo what had happened.
    “Y’all,” Flo said, “that booth is officially trouble. I hope that’s the end of the worst of it, though. Maybe now things will calm down a little.”
    Pink frowned at the Graces’ wrists. “Are y’all planning on staying all night? I see you’ve got team wristbands on so you can stay after the gates are closed. Because I’m wondering if those folks next door might get riled up again later…after they have more to drink.”
    The Graces glanced at one another. Flo said, “I hate bringing this up, but my allergies are getting to me or something. My head is positively pounding and I need to get some sleep. Or I need somebody to run home for me and pick up my headache medicine and bring it to me, if I’ve got to stay.”
    Cherry said quickly, “I’m planning on staying to make sure the grill temperatures stay consistent. I can do that by myself. The only thing I wanted to do this afternoon was to visit one of my girlfriends real quick—she and her husband have a booth that’s not too far away. But that won’t take me long.”
    Evelyn hesitated. “I can stay here overnight if you need me to, Cherry. Not that I can cook, but I can lift and I could help you out if the people next door start creating any problems.”
    “No, that doesn’t really make any sense,” said Flo to Evelyn. “I knew going in that I was going to be here twenty-four hours a day with this barbeque. Don’t worry about it, honey. A little headache won’t take me down.”
    “How about,” asked Lulu slowly as she figured it out, “if Flo leaves now with the girls? Ella Beth and Coco have got to be getting tired of walking. Flo could take them to Aunt Pat’s or back to the house and then she can go home and sleep until right before they close the gates for the night. I can stay and help Cherry out—not officially, of course. I won’t be cooking, but just making sure everything is okay. Then I’ll leave when they close the gates and Flo can spend the night here with Cherry.”
    Flo glanced at her watch. “That would give me plenty of time to sleep or rest my eyes. I’ll go ahead and help you round the girls up now, Lulu.”
    Lulu had to stop herself from giving seasoning tips or for actually helping Cherry cook. Instead, she steppedmore into a hostess role like she had at the restaurant—visiting with the invited guests that came to the Graces’ booth. Once Cherry had cooked up a bunch of barbeque, she hurried off to visit with her friend in the other booth while Lulu helped entertain the