Page 63 of Sleigh My Heart

“Shit, no. North Dakota. It was fuckin’ freezing. Good thing I brought my fur-lined underwear.”

Michelle started to chuckle until she realized the woman was serious. “That’s good thinking.”

A second guy clanked his glass on the bar. Trudy didn’t move. The guy did it again. Biker Mama rolled her eyes and mumbled, “I’m coming.” She sauntered off to get them their drinks.

Michelle picked up her bottle and weaseled her way through the crowd of people at the bar. Trudy glanced her way and frowned.

“Hi guys, remember me?” Michelle leaned in between the men.

Bill frowned, Ernie smiled, and Trudy grumbled.

Nice to see at least one of them welcomed her presence. “Hello, all. How’s your evening going?”

“Officer Swenson. You’re looking lovely tonight.” Ernie lifted his beer in welcome.

“I need to get some more pull-tabs,” Bill said to Trudy, who snagged the twenty dollars from the bar, before counting out the tabs and setting them in front of Bill.

“Are you winning tonight?”

Bill grunted.

Michelle pulled a ten from her pocket. Couldn’t hurt. Either these guys would open up or she might win a couple bucks.

When she peeled open the last tab, she shrugged. “Oh well. Not my lucky night.”

“It’s certainly not mine,” the guy behind her mumbled.

She turned to find Junior, his cap pulled low. How did she miss him?

“You checking my alibi?”

“I haven’t yet, but can now. Trudy, was Junior here two nights ago?”

His stony stare told her he wasn’t going to answer.

She turned to Bill and Ernie. “Did you see Junior here Wednesday night?”

“For sure. He’s here most nights.”

“I wouldn’t think your parole officer would be in favor of you hanging out in a bar.” Surely, he had rehab and therapy in prison.

He lifted his glass. “Sprite.”

“No vodka? Gin?”

He held it out to her. She sniffed, keeping her eyes on him. Vodka didn’t have an odor.

She watched Junior’s expression as she raised the glass to her lips. He couldn’t have expected her to take a drink. She did. Sprite.

“Good thing. I’m off duty and wouldn’t want to bring you in. Paperwork.” She cringed.

“So, have any of you lovely gentlemen seen Cliff Garmen tonight?” she asked to all of them. Trudy grumbled a “no” and moved down the bar. Bill and Ernie both shook their heads. She turned to Junior.

“Not since you asked me last…” He checked his watch. “Which was eleven hours ago.”

“Couldn’t hurt to ask.” She took a sip of her beer and turned to watch the room. It was jumping in here tonight. Besides the regulars, there were a few college-age kids in the back corner playing darts. A couple didn’t look old enough to shave more or less drink. Michelle never would have guessed that Trudy’s bar would be so popular.

She leaned back. “Hey, Trudy.”