She paused to listen, ‘One Fine Day’, by the Chiffons was playing on whatever sound system the Hound provided. The Owl’s Nest usually featured light classical music or Celtic melodies. The differences were on far ends of the spectrum. Indeed, this grand, old building served very different purposes in its time, both shops serving a community in their own, special way...
~~~
“There’s Louie’s Little Mardi Gras,” Winnie pointed out. “And someone’s pulling out of a spot right in front, lass.” “I’m on it,” Alexa said, whipping into the spot a red, Ford F-150 had just abandoned....Alexa made her way toward the bar, Slater followed, Winnie waited near the door. The bartender was an older man, most likely in his mid-seventies, yet he appeared healthy and vital. He was on the short side, thin, except for a small paunch around his black, half-bistro apron. His gray hair was full and thick, and a jester mask tattoo peeked out from the rolled, short sleeves of his white shirt. He was all-in with the Mardi Gras theme. Slater leaned in close to Alexa. “I think that’s Louie Santorini. If it is, man, he looks old. He was considerably younger than me. Makes me wonder if I’m dead by now.” Alexa felt it was best to leave that comment alone. “What can I get ya?” Louie hollered over the racket. Quickly, Alexa pulled her cellphone from her purse. Earlier, she’d downloaded a photo of Logan Reeves when she went to her room to change clothes. She didn’t want to take the time to explain to Slater what she was doing or how she was doing it. Bringing the photo up, she held the phone out to Louie. “Has this man ever been in here?” Alexa yelled. Louie pointed to the cellphone. “That’s the guy whose been on the news. The one who kidnapped that cop from the jewelry shop.” Alexa nodded her confirmation. “Are you a cop?” Louie returned his attention to the photo on the cellphone. “It’s like this, I try to pay attention to who comes in here, but this guy, could be any guy. He looks pretty average to me. Nothin’ special about him.” He glanced at his watch. “Hoboy, it’s almost time for karaoke. Look, I’ll tell you the same as I tell the others, I’ll keep an eye out.” He shrugged. “That’s all I can do, right?” Several men sat down at the bar. Louie held up a hand. “Excuse me.” He hurried over to take their orders.
Alexa shooed Slater toward the door, then waved at Winnie to step out of the bar. When they were on the sidewalk, she said, “He’s got a cellar, and I want to get a look at it.” “Why?” Winnie asked. “I can’t believe Louie would have anything to do with Cliff’s disappearance.” “People aren’t always who you think they are, Winnie. You heard what the man said, Slater, he doesn’t allow anyone in the basement. Why not? Furthermore, that bar is jam-packed with Mardi Gras beads. It’s a lead and I want to see it through.” Her eyes met Slater’s. “Isn’t that what you’d do, Detective Slater?” “I would. What do you have in mind?” Slater asked. The conversation came to a stop when a small group of young women approached. Alexa, Winnie, and Slater waited until they entered the bar and closed the door.
Then Alexa said, “I want to get a look at that basement. I know it sounds crazy, but if we don’t look, and he’s down there—” She took in a deep breath. Slater cupped her shoulder. “You’re right. It’s worth checking out. If nothing else, it will eliminate this lead.” “Good. At least, I know I’m thinking along the right lines. I’m going to need a distraction,” Alexa said. She raised an eyebrow at her dear, Irish, sidekick. Winnie chuckled. “You leave that to me, lass. Now c’mon, let’s get this goin’. It’s past me bedtime, if ya don’t mind me sayin’.” Winnie marched across the sidewalk and opened the door to hear Louie announce, “Good evening, folks! It’s time for a Little Mardi Gras magic, karaoke style!” The crowd exploded with hoots and applause. Some swung their Mardi Gras beads over their heads like lassos. A devilish, wide, smile stretched across her face, Winne said, “Karaoke. This is gonna be like takin’ candy from a baby. But be warned, I might be a little late comin’ in tomorrow.” With a wink and nod, she went inside the bar. Slater turned to Alexa. “Should we be worried about this?” Alexa opened the door. “Absolutely. Now, follow me.” With Slater on her heels, Alexa slowly made her way along the wall, searching for a doorway or a hallway, or an inlet with a door that may have a sign posted with a warning, NO ENTRY. If she came upon such a sign, that’s the exact door she intended to enter. The masks on the walls seemingly followed her every move. The jesters’ roguish smirks sending a rebuking caveat…we’re gonna tell! They were hauntingly hard to ignore.
“Okay, who will be first for our karaoke entertainment tonight?” Louie bade the rowdy crowd. Alexa’s attention jolted toward the stage when she heard Winnie’s Irish lilt. “I think you and I could get this party started quite nicely, Louis Santorini.” She boldly stepped onto the stage holding a bottle of beer in the air. She was wearing layers and layers of Mardi Gras beads. The mound around her neck was so thick, Alexa feared the tiny woman would face plant. Louie smiled at the wild Irish rose. “Shame on you, Wynona Mulaney. You broke my heart years ago. I would’ve married you in a heartbeat.” Winnie waved a flippant hand. “Ah, Que Sera, Sera, Santorini. I wasn’t one to be tied down, but I still like me fun. So, let’s show this crowd a good time, then.” The room burst with applause and hoots of encouragement. Slater leaned in close to Alexa. “What is Winnie doing?” Alexa chuckled. “Exactly what I asked her to do. She’s causing a distraction, not that it’s a hard thing to do for Winnie. Now, let’s find that basement and hope it’s not somewhere behind the bar.” That was the moment the karaoke machine started playing, ‘I Got You, Babe’. Alexa came to a complete halt. Bobby. Slater bumped into her, almost knocking her forward to the floor. Swiftly, he grabbed Alexa by the arm to steady her. “What’s wrong?” She shook away the thought. “Um…nothing…let’s go.” In the short distance, beyond the throng of patrons, she could see a lit hallway. Alexa figured it was the restroom area, and with any luck, at the end of that hallway would be the door that led to the basement. She picked up her pace, carefully wriggling her way through the tables and bargoers standing to watch Louie and Winnie swaying to and fro while belting out a sad rendition of, ‘I Got You, Babe’! Finally, Alexa stepped into the hallway, and it was as she thought, restrooms. As Alexa hoped, there was a door at the very end of the corridor marked, NO ENTRY. The hall was empty. Alexa rushed to the door and tried the knob. It was locked. Quickly, she rummaged through her purse until she came up with a bobby pin. Holding the pin up, she said, “Good thing I’m always armed.” Slater grinned. “Somehow, I’m not surprised.” Alexa slipped the pin into the tiny hole and jiggled it around until she felt a click. Her lips curled, she twisted the knob, and the door opened. Handing him the bobby pin, Alexa turned to Slater. “You’re the lookout. I’m going down there.” Slater grabbed her arm. “No way. It may not be safe. I should go.” “I can’t let you do that—” “You can, and you will.” Alexa wriggled from his grip. “Listen. This is time travel. I don’t know all the rules, but I do know this: we cannot change history. It’s a firm, non-negotiable rule, as per Saint Peter, himself.
~~~
When you're working an investigation with an angel, it just might get confusing, especially, as to what year it is! Or where you might be at any given time... But, Alexa is in the best place to help--with Alexa Owl’s lucrative divorce settlement, a former pub was purchased, and then transformed into the Owl’s Nest Couturier Shoppe.
Alexa had chosen to agree to help an angel who was working hard to get into Saint Peter’s prestigious Guardian Angel Squad. So sometimes Alexa is in the present in her home or back in time when her home was a bar... Yeah, it gets confusing... And there are a couple of rules to follow: Don't meet anybody you know in that time, if you are there from another time... Duh! And don't do anything that will change history! St. Peter declares that a no-no! LOL
Most authors both highly desire or highly hate book reviews... So when a new book reviewer turns out to provide only bad reviews, she is a thorn for two NY Best-selling Authors. So, as these two meet, one writer declares he's going to do something about it... And as he's talking to another writer friend, he brings up the idea of getting rid of her...and dares his friend to do what needs to be done... Only to get a Double Dog Dare Back!
But no matter how you cut it or whodunit...there is soon a murder to be solved... And Alexa is working with Detective Slater, an angel working to solve enough cases to be permanently placed on St. Peter's Squad! And this one just might make it happen...
Prepare for fun. Prepare for tracking clues that will take Alexa and Slater back and forth across time to determine exactly what has happened!
One character I really enjoyed is Winnie who in present time works with Alexa in her shop, but who was also a teen with Bobby Slater when he was young and restless, often visiting the pub. Her Irish accent is done perfectly and provides an interesting focal point as relocations occur between decades! And is able to carry on a relationship with Bobby that is both fun and informative to his present goal...
Detective Bobby Starr. The ornery angel always showed up at an inconvenient time. He was always sporting the same look: a double-breasted, grey suit, cuffed trousers, pristine white shirt, red and black striped tie, and that finishing touch, a grey fedora. Oh yeah, he was also wearing that bad boy grin of his. More often than not, he came off as a wayward angel, and perhaps that’s exactly what he was. Regardless, he was determined to do whatever was necessary to get into Saint Peter’s prestigious Guardian Angel Squad. To date, he was but one requirement away from that objective.
So here's the issue, I had with this book...if Bobbie gains his desired goal to be on the Squad, does that mean that Alexa Owl would no longer be an amateur detective who is out there helping to solve crimes (and thus continuing this wonderful series)? I sure hope not, and yet, I would feel bad if Bobbie didn't make the Squad just because I've an avid fan of the Owl's Nest Mysteries... Sigh... Hope the author can figure out how to keep this fun series around for a while longer! Don't you?
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