Rogues & Rascals in Goose Pimple Junction (Goose Pimple Junction Mysteries Book 4) by Amy Metz Page A

anywhere. You’re the one leaping, sir, assuming I’m charging Jimmy Dean. He’s just here to answer some questions. If he’s done nothing wrong, we’ll have y’all on your way right quick.”
    “Okay.” Louis took out his checkbook from his coat pocket. “I understand you people need a little excitement in your lives. You don’t get to haul in many people and throw your authority around, do you? And my gosh, we must catch this vandal before another crime is committed, right?” Louis regarded the chief with pity. He put his checkbook on the edge of the desk and readied his pen to write. “Now that you’ve had your fun, how much to make this go away?”
    Johnny considered the man until he looked up from his checkbook and met his eyes. “This is about more than money, sir. And I would hardly call it art. Are you suggesting your son was merely demonstrating his artistic skills when he spray-painted all those cars?”
    “I’m suggesting you have no real proof. For all I know, this witness could have a grudge against my boy.”
    Johnny interrupted him. “Sir—”
    Louis held up his hand. “Let me finish, Chief.” He regarded him as a schoolteacher would a disruptive student. “I’m suggesting that there’s a conspiracy against my son and you simpletons will stop at nothing to frame him.” His voice rose. “I’m suggesting it will cost you and me a lot of money to pursue this, so why don’t we cut to the chase and let me rectify the situation while, of course, admitting no guilt on my son’s part.”
    “Because that’s not the way we handle things around here, sir. When a law is broken, we prosecute the perpetrator. This matter will most likely be settled with restitution being paid to the business owner. But that’s for a court to decide. Not me. Your son has to learn that he can’t go around doing whatever he pleases in this world and depend on his daddy to fix his problems. Furthermore, I’d like to ask your son about some other incidents of mischief that have occurred around town recently. I swore to uphold the law, and that’s what I intend to do. Are we standing on the same corner?” It was Johnny’s turn to look scathing.
    Louis twisted the point back into the pen before returning it and his checkbook to his inside coat pocket. “I understand perfectly what you’re saying, Chief.”
    “Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some questions for your son.” Johnny stood and started for the door.
    Louis shot up and followed the chief. “He’s a minor, and I demand to be present when you question him.”
    In a tired tone, Johnny said, “Follow me. But you’ll have to stand in the doorway. The room literally isn’t big enough for all of us.”

Mama always said . . . When your mom is mad at your dad, don’t let her brush your hair.

T he morning after the party, Caledonia was talking to Pickle when Phil walked into the kitchen and into the middle of their conversation.
    “. . . so if you’re not working today, I was wondering if you could watch Peanut for a little while.”
    Phil butted in. “Don’t you ever stay home, Cali? Where you running off to today?” He got the orange juice from the refrigerator.
    Caledonia waited for Pickle’s answer.
    “I guess so.” Pickle moped. “But you gotta tell him he has to mind me.”
    “Okay, darlin’. I’ll have a talk with him.” She turned to Phil and said coolly, “I’m meeting a new girl up at Miss Penny’s.”
    “What for?”
    “We got to talking last night, and I offered to take her to Miss Penny’s.” She muttered under her breath, “Like you want to know or care about what we’ll be doing.”
    “So you’re going shopping again. Wonderful.” He snatched the paper off the counter, threw it on the kitchen table, and dropped into a chair. “How are you gonna pay? Your looks?”
    “Did I say I was going to buy something? I said I was meeting a friend—”
    “Yeah, but since when have you ever stepped foot in a dress