"Where ya' been?" Daisy asked.
Deke had phoned her first thing that morning to say he'd be coming in late.
"You're not sick, are you? You gotta doctor's appointment? I know when men get your age, the plumbing starts to go."
"No. I don't have a doctor's appointment. My plumbing's fine. Thank you. It's nothing like that. Just some business I need to take care of."
When he came in, he disappeared into his cubby. After about forty-five minutes, he came out onto the floor. The store was packed. Daisy Ann had no time to comment on her boss's reappearance.
"You're limping like a three-legged mule, Jake."
"Dang gout, Daisy Ann. Think it's gonna do me in."
"Whee-hah! POW! Kabluey! Aggghhh!"
The sound came from somewhere in the back of the store. Everyone at the front looked at Daisy Ann.
"Ernest, Russell, and Clyde Bodine," she said. "Need I say more?"
"One of these days that trio's gonna make their mama awful proud when she has to admit all three are State Penitentiary alumni," Booker mumbled.
Daisy Ann burst out laughing.
"Booker! Behave!"
"Me! Why don't you grab a rope and lasso them wild calves."
"I feel sorry for Nell. She looks like she's at the end of hers. Deke? Where are you going?"
"Business," he said. "If I'm not back, just lock up."
"But . . . you been having a lotta business lately. Can't you cut a gal some slack?"
It was no use. Deke was half-way to his truck.
"Looks like you're queen of the mountain," Booker said.
"Booker, will you just behave?"
YOU ARE READING
It's Murder at the Buy-Right
Mystery / ThrillerIt's murder at the Buy-Right, a small town grocery store, a cozy-mystery set in rural America. When a body is found behind the store in a dumpster, Daisy Ann, the cashier, is mortified. She sets out to find the killer before he strikes again.
