Serendipity (Southern Comfort) Read Free Page B

footsies with the prosecution, he’ll leave me alone.  If it was his neck on the chopping block, I’d be standing over him with the axe, but I’m not about to do anything to hurt my father.”
    “Why don’t you tell him that?”
    “That would mean speaking directly to the man, which I haven’t done in over a year and a half.”  Since her mother had disappeared. 
    Ava pressed her fingers to the pain that had begun to bang against her head like a nasty neighbor at the door.  “I’m sorry, Katie.  I never should have dumped this on you in the first place, but I felt it only fair you understood who you worked for.  The severance package I offered still stands. I understand if you want to quit.” 
    “You keep saying that, Dr. Martinez, and I’m afraid you and I will have words.”
    “Well I certainly wouldn’t want to be subjected to this if I had a choice.”  Ava threw her hand away from her aching head. “And for the last time, will you please stop calling me Dr. Martinez?”
    “Not between nine a.m. to five p.m.  Outside business hours: Ava.”
    Ava’s eyes rolled.  “Lord save me from propriety.”
    “You’ve just uttered a blasphemy against the Southern Ladies’ Sacred Code of Conduct . I’m covering my ears.  “Uh-oh.” Her fingers flew to her lips instead.  “Looks like Mrs. Phillips and her poodles just pulled in.  The goon got out.  He’s leaning against his car.”
    Shit.  Ava ducked out of sight.  “Quick, tell me what’s happening.” 
    “Is the black or the white poodle Muffin?”
    “Uh, the black one, I think.”
    “Well, Muffin is currently trying to choke herself off her leash.  She looks like she wants to take a bite out of the goon’s leg.”
    “Tell me he didn’t pull a knife.” 
    “No, but he looks pissed.”  Katie glared at Ava .  “Now look what you’ve made me say.”
    “Oh, hush it, Katie.  Update.”
    “Mrs. Phillips is trying to control Muffin, and the white one – what’s its name?  Biscuit?   Well, the white one just had an accident all over the front of her dress.  That dog always has been nervous.  Oh, the goon looked directly at Mrs. Phillips.  That should be enough to scare that awful perm right out of her hair.”  Katie allowed a moment of contemplation.  “Maybe not such a bad thing.” 
    She reached out a hand toward Ava.  “Get up.  She’s coming, and she looks upset.  You might want to go into the back.  My people skills are better than yours.”
    “Don’t you mean your ass-kissing skills?”
    “There’s that language again.  Run along now, before I’m forced to get out my soap.”
    Ava couldn’t make it in time.  She’d only gotten as far as the counter when the spectacle at the front door stopped her.  Despite Mrs. Phillips’ considerable bulk, the woman could haul ass.  Slap a saddle on her and she could have taken the Derby.  The door flew open and she shot in, one poodle clutched to her breast, the other snapping and yanking against the tangle of hot pink leash around the woman’s feet. 
    Eyes wide and white as a nervous mare’s flew up to meet Ava’s.  “Dr. Martinez, I’m sure you weren’t aware of it, but there’s an unsavory character lurking around in your parking lot.”
    Unsavory was apparently Southern Lady lingo for scary-looking sonofabitch.
    “Oh, bless your heart. Here, let me help you with that leash.” Katie rushed over to assist.
    “Thank you, Katie.” Mrs. Phillips patted her hair back into the style Ava thought of as a drain clog. 
    “As I was saying, there’s a criminal element loitering outside.  And to think, you pretty young ladies here alone.  The police need to chase that riff-raff off.  I’ll just dial 911 from my cellular.” 
    She started to reach for her purse and Ava shouted “No!”
    The poodle at her breast let out a yip when the woman’s hand leapt to her heart instead.  “Oh, Biscuit.  My poor baby.  Mommy didn’t mean to strike