Chapter 3

Mercedes grasped the jail cell bars and lowered her voice. “What did the cops arrest Cool Bones for?”

“You gotta guess.”

“Drug trafficking?”

“Nope.”

“Destroying private property? He and the Jazz Boys pulled a rockstar move and trashed a hotel suite while they were on the road.”

“Nope, but that would have been a lot more fun.”

“Hit and run.”

“Not even close,” Elvira said.

“I’m tired of guessing. Just tell me.”

“Murder.”

Mercedes’ mind whirled. Cool Bones. Salt of the earth. Easygoing, laid back, gentle soul who was the best tenant, the best neighbor she could’ve ever asked for. “You’re kidding.”

“I wish I was. Dernice didn’t have the details. After we got hauled away, they tracked down the Jazz Boys. Apparently, some woman claims she has proof that he murdered a bookie or runner years ago.”

“Linked to illegal gambling?” Mercedes asked. “So, this was some sort of cold case murder?”

“From what the band members told Dernice, it happened a couple of decades ago.” Elvira continued. “I guess the chick was able to get the attention of investigators. They dug up the guy’s body and have some sort of evidence linking Cool Bones to the death.”

Mercedes let out a low whistle. “I think it’s a setup. No way did Cool Bones kill someone.”

Elvira grimaced.

“You think he might have?”

“He’s not as squeaky clean as he seems. Remember when I had the hots for him?”

“How can I forget? You were so hot for him, you painted his portrait.”

“I like to check out potential mates, if you know what I mean. I did a background check on Cool Bones,” Elvira said.

“And?”

She pointed her thumbs down. “He has a rap sheet.”

“For what?”

“Petty theft, illegal gambling. There may have been something else, but I can’t remember it off the top of my head.”

“So the bookie thing might be legit,” Mercedes said. “I mean, nobody is perfect.”

“The cops must have something on him to arrest him after all this time.”

“True.” Mercedes mulled over Elvira’s bombshell announcement. Was Cool Bones a killer? Decades of being on the lam was a long time. But why would the woman come forward now—after all these years? Perhaps the “witness” had an axe to grind.

“Fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” Elvira said. “Seems like it wasn’t an issue until Cool Bones and his band became famous.”

“Something isn’t adding up.”

“There’s not much we can do to help him while we’re in the slammer. If you’re not going to make your allotted call, can I have it?”

“To call who?”

“Dernice. I need to remind her to check on Snitch. She’s been doing better, but I think she’s gonna be freaked out if I don’t come home tonight.”

Elvira had recently acquired a parrot for the sole purpose of having the bird spy on people, being her eyes and ears when she wasn’t around. Snitch, although fulfilling her duty by tattling on everyone and anyone, was high maintenance. Finnicky, moody, and demanding. In other words, Snitch kept Elvira hopping.

To everyone’s surprise, the woman had become attached to the parrot and catered to her every whim. She’d even started taking Snitch with her to some of her security jobs.

“You can have my call,” Mercedes said.

“Thanks.” Elvira ran to the front and flagged the guard down. She briefly explained the situation.

Their initial answer was ‘no’, but Elvira continued nagging. After some back and forth, he and another guard, a woman, relented and escorted her out.

Mercedes returned to her cot and flopped down. She thought about poor Cool Bones. Being in jail for alleged assault was nothing compared to being charged with murder. Had her tenant taken someone’s life? It seemed so out of character.

Maybe he’d been a different person back then. Bookies lived a stressful life. Losing money, dealing with shady individuals, struggling to stay off the authorities’ radar. If Cool Bones had, in fact, been working as a bookie. So far, there was no confirmation of the fact.

Clank. Clank.

Mercedes rolled over, watching Elvira return to her cell. “Did you talk to Dernice?”

“Yeah. She’s gonna keep an eye on Snitch. Thanks for letting me have your call.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I told her to track Sam down to see if he can pull some strings and get us before the judge tomorrow. Snitch might be okay tonight, but I don’t want her plucking her feathers out again.”

“Ma told me Gunner keeps asking about Snitch.”

“She’s been yakking about him too. I’m not sure what all bird dating entails. It’s something I need to work on. But I won’t be doing anything stuck in this jail cell.”

“The sooner we can get out of here, the better,” Mercedes said.

“Cropped,” who had apparently been eavesdropping, sauntered over. “You got someone who can spring us?”

“There is no us,” Mercedes said. “I have a friend who might be able to get me and my neighbor out.”

“Neighbor?” Cropped arched her eyebrow, eyeing Elvira with interest. “Did you assault someone too?”

“No. I was defending Mercedes. The cop didn’t like me arguing her case and decided to lock me up for verbally resisting arrest.”

Mercedes wrinkled her nose. “Is there such a thing? Verbally resisting arrest?”

“Who knows? Cops do whatever they want.” Elvira leaned her head against the bars. “I had hoped to never see the inside of a jail cell again, but here we are. Although I must admit, it seems a little nicer than my previous incarceration at this location.”

“When were you in jail?” Mercedes answered her own question. “Never mind. I remember now. It was the time you trespassed at Montgomery Hall.”

“Let me tell you…I learned my lesson. I’ll never try sneaking onto Tori Montgomery’s property again. It was bad enough when her dog almost took my leg off, but that was nothing compared to her security guards tackling me, almost knocking me unconscious.”

“You’re lucky they didn’t shoot you. It would have been justified.”

“It was a dumb move. Trying to break into her place was a big mistake.”

“What other time were you in jail?” Mercedes asked.

“Back a couple of years ago when I took the security job over at Darbylane Museum. A Piece of Renaissance artwork worth millions went missing. I made a stupid joke about swapping it out with one of my pieces. Next thing I know, everyone was pointing their fingers at me.”

“You’re right. I think Ma was questioned about the theft, if I remember correctly.” Mercedes blew air through thinned lips. “I’m sorry you’re here. I know you were only trying to help.”

“At first, I was thinking poor Mercedes wouldn’t survive in a jail cell and then I remembered.” Elvira inspected her fingernails. “You’ve had the pleasure of three hots and a cot before.”

“Not by choice,” Mercedes sighed. “I have to say, this one takes the cake. I did not throw a beer bottle at that cop.”

“You hit a cop with a beer bottle?” Cropped sneered. “They’re gonna throw the book at you.”

“I didn’t do it.”

“Yeah, and I didn’t sell a few grams of cocaine to an undercover cop. It’s a bum rap. I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“Tell me about it.” Mercedes pressed her fingers to her temples. She was developing a major migraine. “I think I’m going to get some rest.”

Elvira tapped the metal bars. “Me too. I’m hoping we’ll be out of this place by noon tomorrow.”

Mercedes had her doubts. With a little luck, maybe Sam could pull a rabbit…or two…out of his hat and get both of them released. As far as Cool Bones was concerned, something told her he would need all the help he could get.