Treachery on Tap Read online

  Star came over and sat with Piper and me. “I am so excited. I had another vision into the fog the other night when the arrest happened. I could feel a spirit presence that was angry at someone acting badly. I wrote a song about it and want to play it for you tonight.”

  I laughed. “An Irish ballad about a Potter's Mill chicken spirit. That’s not something you hear every day.”

  Star gushed. “No it isn’t. But The Grumpy Chicken is not your normal pub. I knew that when I opened up next door. And I’m glad I did. It’s the perfect place for a new age store. That reminds me Ginger, we should talk about marketing and merchandising at some point. There lots of people interested in this place now. And the paranormal. We might be able to generate some business together.”

  I hesitated. “I don’t know Star. That sounds like it’s out of my league. I’m a simple pub owner.”

  Dad’s voice boomed. He had a way of walking up at the right time. “Correction. You’re the manager, I’m still the owner as long as I’m breathing.”

  I sniped at him. “I see the sensitive, considerate dad is never going to happen, is it?”

  Piper patted my hand on the table. “That’s about as good as it gets with him.”

  I smiled at her. “I know, but I can still hope!”

  Dad went on. “Star, I have some ideas. But I need to know more about those visions of yours. You poor lil lass.”

  I interrupted. “Dad, Star has to play a concert. We have plenty of time to talk business later.”

  Dog broke his silence. “Yeah, I think we need some more drinks.”

  Guardrail tilted his head. “You buying?”

  “Heck, no! This is Digger’s round. I lost my shirt on bets with this one. No one wants to cut me some slack even though a ghost was involved. It’s just a technicality the ghost wasn’t a hit man”

  Digger chuckled. “Dog, you never want to pay on a debt. That is one of your weaker excuses. The murderer was Cecil. You lost. Now pay up.”

  “I’ll pay up as long as you buy the next round.” Dog held up his empty mug.

  Digger mumbled. “Alright. But pay up first.” Dog threw a twenty on the table and Digger rose to head to the bar.

  I let them go this time. If I told them betting was not allowed in the bar, they still would gamble. It was a waste of breath. And besides, the boys were acting normal again and I was taking all the normal I could get.

  The only abnormal thing I allowed tonight was the removal of about a third of the dining room tables. As requested by Star, we made a large empty space in front of our makeshift stage to serve as a dance floor. I was curious to see if anyone would use it.

  To my amazement, once Star starting playing her guitar the first two dancers hit the floor – Edith and Lily. We all just stared at the odd sight of the two spinster sisters dancing with each other. And no one was bold enough to tell them they did not know how to dance. After a minute or so, I saw a few couples join them on the floor and before long, the dance floor was full. In fact, it was too small for all the people. Seems Star knew her audience when she asked for the dance floor.

  Star’s music was loud, but it was not rock concert deafening and I could hear Dixie’s loud, sturdy voice over the music. She was waving the bar’s land line phone. I was not happy to see that and assumed the worst. I went over to the bar and answered.

  “Hello. Ginger? This is Jacob. I know it’s been a long time, but I am selling a new line of liquors and your town is in my territory. I was hoping to make a sales call if you would be willing to give me an appointment.”

  I paused. “Jacob, the divorce went about as smooth as something like that can go. But I’m not sure I want to do business with my ex-husband.”

  “Oh come on! What have you got to lose. I can sell you some of the good stuff at a price no one else can match. It will be worth your time. And why is it so loud there?”

  “We’re having a concert. Star from next door is playing. It’s not a good time. Can we talk tomorrow, when it’s not so hectic.”

  “Sure. I’ll call you back tomorrow.” Then Jacob hung up.

  I looked over to Dixie. “You’re not going to believe this. Jacob wants to make a sales call to us.”

  Dixie laughed and looked over Dad’s way. “You better not even let Tom know, he doesn’t like your ex at all.”

  “Why can’t things be normal for just one night?”

  Dixie threw her hands in the air. “This is a normal night. You can’t let one little phone call upset you. Here, look at this.” She opened the register drawer. It was full.

  “Wow. We’re having a good night.”

  Dixie pinched my cheek. “See. Relax and have some fun.”

  “One, don’t pinch my cheek ever again. That hurts more than I remembered. And two, if I get grumpy like the chicken again, show me that drawer once more. I’ve been so worried about our bills with the slow days we had. This will help.”

  “There ya go. Want me to make ya a drink?”

  “Nah. I think I might just go help Bones on the grill. He’s been working pretty hard back there and he could use some help. Besides, it feels normal to me when I work the grill.”

  Dixie laughed. “No one can accuse you of living the glamorous life.”

  I smiled back. “No, they can’t. But it’s the life I want and love.” I headed off to help Bones and be normal. For at least a little while.

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  The Grumpy Chicken Irish Pub Series

  A Frosty Mug of Murder

  Treachery on Tap

  Old School Diner Cozy Mysteries

  Murder at Stake

  Murder Well Done

  A Side Order of Deception

  Murder, Basted and Barbecued

  THE CURIOSITY SHOP Cozy Mysteries

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Spectacles

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Dice

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Dagger

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Looking Glass

  THE WE’RE NOT DEAD Yet Club

  Fetch a Pail of Murder

  Wedding Bells and Death Knells

  Murder or Bust

  Pinched, Pilfered and a Pitchfork

  A Hot Spot of Murder

  WITCHY WOMEN OF COVEN Grove Series

  THE WITCHING ON THE Wall

  A Witching Well of Magic

  Witching the Night Away

  Witching There’s Another Way

  Witching Your Life Away

  Witching You Wouldn’t Go

  Witching for a Miracle

  TEASEN & PLEASEN HAIR Salon Series

  A Hair Raising Blowout

  Wash, Rinse, Die

  Holiday Hooligans

  Color Me Dead

  False Nails & Tall Tales

  CAESAR’S CREEK SERIES

  A FROZEN SCOOP OF MURDER (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book One)

  Death by Chocolate Sundae (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Two)

  Soft Serve Secrets (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Three)

  Ice Cream You Scream (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Four)

  Double Dip Dilemma (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Five)

  Melted Memories (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Six)

  Triple Dip Debacle(Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Seven)

  Whipped Wedding Woes(Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Eight)

  A Sprinkle of Tropical Trouble(Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Nine)

  A Drizzle
of Deception(Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Ten)

  SWEET HOME MYSTERY Series

  Creamed at the Coffee Cabana (Sweet Home Mystery Series Book One)

  A Caffeinated Crunch (Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Two)

  A Frothy Fiasco (Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Three)

  Punked by the Pumpkin(Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Four)

  Peppermint Pandemonium(Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Five)

  Expresso Messo(Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Six)

  A Cuppa Cruise Conundrum(Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Seven)

  The Brewing Bride(Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Eight)

  WHISPERING PINES MYSTERY Series

  A Sinister Slice of Murder

  Sanctum of Shadows (Whispering Pines Mystery Series)

  Curse of the Bloodstone Arrow (Whispering Pines Mystery Series)

  Fright Night at the Haunted Inn (Whispering Pines Mystery Series)

  MAD RIVER MYSTERY SERIES

  A Wicked Whack

  A Prickly Predicament

  A Malevolent Menace