| Mystery and Crime Fiction posted March 13, 2025 | Chapters: |
...13 14 -15- 
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Bogart Style
A chapter in the book Trouble In Red
To Catch A Rat or Two
by Begin Again
Ending of Chapter 14 —
Meet Mickey O'Rourke
By Lori Mulligan
"What is it, little Miss Shortcake?" unable to hide his curiosity and attraction.
"I want you to kill Vito. It is the only way I know I'll be safe. I double-crossed him when we were lovers over the jewels, and he wants revenge. Saying yes is your only option. I want this done immediately and without a trace. What questions do you have for me?"
Meet Mickey O'Rourke
By Lori Mulligan
"What is it, little Miss Shortcake?" unable to hide his curiosity and attraction.
"I want you to kill Vito. It is the only way I know I'll be safe. I double-crossed him when we were lovers over the jewels, and he wants revenge. Saying yes is your only option. I want this done immediately and without a trace. What questions do you have for me?"
*****
Chapter 15
To Catch A Rat or Two
Chills ran up and down my spine!
Chapter 15
To Catch A Rat or Two
Chills ran up and down my spine!
I figured she'd ask for a way out. Maybe a little protection. Maybe a shot at getting those jewels back. But a hit job?
The dame wanted Vito dead, a new wrinkle I wasn't sure I wanted to iron out.
She leaned in, eyes smoldering. "You say no, and I find someone else."
I had no doubt she would.
I lit a Lucky Strike and took my time with the first drag. I watched the smoke twist and turn between us. "You don't want a killer, sweetheart. You want a solution."
She crossed her arms, the glow from the cigarette catching the red in her hair. "I don't see the difference."
I exhaled. "That's why you need me."
She leaned in, putting her best assets front and center. Then she kissed me. Slow. Like she had all the time in the world.
For a moment, I thought I could kill for more of that — but I knew I had a better plan.
By morning, the word on the street was Strawberry Shortcake was dead.
A private wake at McGinty's Bar. The jewels — her jewels — (if you asked her, but of course, you couldn't) were on display one last time before being buried with her. Anybody who wanted a piece of that fortune would be there.
Vito. The Mulligans. Mama. Joe. Every two-bit thug with a grudge and a dream. In other words, every crook in town.
Joe spread the word like a rat spreading the plague. By sundown, the trap was set.
*****
McGinty's smelled like sweat and regret. In honor of Shortcake, it was a shot and a beer night. I chuckled — if only they knew. I was calling the shots, and they were guzzling the beer.
It was a celebration they wouldn't soon forget.
A closed casket sat on the bar. A bouquet of roses — white for purity, red for the blood about to spill.
The case sat under the low light, jewels gleaming like a promise nobody could keep. The kind that gets men killed.
Vito walked in first, slick as oil. Mickey O'Rourke wasn't far behind, the old cop's face carved from stone. The Mulligans slipped in next, moving like sharks in a tidal pool.
I sat at the bar, watching. Nursing a drink. Waiting.
Vito stepped up to the case and tapped the glass. I could see the hunger in his eyes. He licked his lips and moaned, "Shame to bury all this."
I tapped my glass against the bar. "It sure is."
The doors slammed open, followed by badges, shotguns and cuffs.
Cops poured in like a flood.
Vito went for his gun. Bad move. A cop had him eating the counter before he could blink. The Mulligans tried to scatter, but there was nowhere to run.
Mickey just smiled and raised his hands. "Guess retirement's overrated."
Handcuffs snapped shut. Thugs screamed for their lawyers. The kind of music I could listen to all night, but not tonight.
We slipped out the back while the sirens howled.
Shortcake turned to me, breathless. "How did you — "
"You're not the only one who knows how to play the long game," I said, taking her hand and leading her down the alley. "Lay out the cheese, snap the trap. Game over."
A waiting car. Plane tickets. Morocco bound.
Onboard, she leaned in, voice low. "You saved my life."
I smirked. "Yeah, well. You owe me."
She gave me that slow, knowing smile and reached into her dress.
She dropped the jewels in my lap.
I smiled. "That's good for starters."
She leaned in, lips brushing my ear. "And what are you willing to do for the rest?"
I took a slow breath, her scent curling around me — something rich, something dangerous. Was it her perfume that made me dizzy, or was it just the thought of what she was asking? This dame was trouble.
This is Chapter 15 ...Your are invited to participate by messaging me or we might end it and start another story if anyone is interested. Thanks for having fun with this and I appreciate everyone who joined in. Thank you!
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