Checkered Crime: A Laurel London Mystery by tonya kappes Page B

their brother had heard of the different mob names, most outrageous, and there were always reasons behind the name. Having the name Trigger Finger didn’t sound so good to me and truly made one thing come to my mind…a gun.
    “Let’s say he loves piranhas. We, the FBI, always know when he’s made a hit because his victims usually loose a finger or four to his family pets.”
    “Family pets?” I gulped, afraid to hear the answer.
    “A tank full of piranhas. So do you want to come clean with me now?” he asked. “According to Louie Pelfrey, you are your own little mob. When I asked about you, he told me to stay as far away from you as possible,” Jax said, following me close behind.
    “That’s because I have a little bit of a past.” I used my finger and thumb to create a little space between them. My finger looked good on my hand. I liked my fingers. All of them. I couldn’t scrape the image of a bunch of sharp fish teeth chomping on it.
    “A little? Should I refresh your memory? Conned a preacher. Classic.” He paused and pointed at the Walnut Grove Savings behind us. “Stole money from the bank. Federal offense. That is enough for me to arrest you right here.” His voice escalated as he read off the past I had been working hard to forget from his little notebook. “Listen, Laurel. Trigger Finger Tony eats girls like you as a snack. He wouldn’t hesitate to put a bullet through that pretty little head of yours and out of your gorgeous eyes. It wouldn’t cross his mind a second time if he killed you. One wrong move and you’re dead. Understand? Dead!”
    “You don’t know a thing about me. I’ve been working really hard to be on the level.” I made it around the bank and stomped up the steps, even though he called me pretty and referred to my eyes as gorgeous.
    “Oh, and are we back to robbing the bank tonight?” He continued to climb with me.
    “If you were really with the FBI, you’d know I live here numb nuts.” I got my keys out of my bag and opened the door. Henrietta ran under the couch.
    “Nice. Real mature, Laurel.” He stopped at the door and put a hand on each side, leaning into the efficiency. “So are you going to let me in?”
    “No!” I slammed the door in his face, not caring a bit if I chopped off a finger or two.

 
     
    Chapter Nine
     
    There wasn’t a need for me to set my alarm. My mind kept me up all night wondering if everything Jax had said was true. The FBI part, not my past. Hell, everyone in Walnut Grove groaned when they heard my name and would be more than happy to tell anyone that would listen about my past. I had become sort of like an Urban Legend around here. Flattering at times, but not this time.
    After dumping Henrietta a can of food in her bowl, I decided it was time to get ready and face the man Jax called Trigger Finger Tony.
    I threw the skinny jeans from last night on because they weren’t dirty and laundry wasn’t at the top of my list these days since I had to go to Trixie’s to wash and fold, plus I wasn’t good at it. I found a blue sweater and sneakers to throw on before I headed out the door.
    “Morning, Laurel.” Sally Bent had parked her car next to the Old Girl in the back of the bank parking lot. She was a teller and took every advantage to tell me she had a real job. “I heard you got a new car and that you just might have a new job. Sorry about Morty.”
    I couldn’t swear to it, but I think there was a twinkle of pleasure in her eyes. I knew she was referring to the prostituting thing Louie was spreading around.
    “Tell your brother to keep his mouth shut,” I said through my gritted teeth. “Because if he doesn’t,” I paused. “Well, you don’t want to know what Laurel London has up her sleeve.”
    Rarely did I refer to myself in third person but it seemed to have more of an effect when I did. Besides, scaring Sally Bent was one pleasure I did have at the orphanage after she would run and tattle on everyone.
    “I