St. Louis Chapter 23 part 1

I'm happy to announce that 'Under Siege on the Rockin' A' is finally published. You can find it on Amazon.com. You probably don't recognize the title, it's the story about Soni's ranch set in Texas.

It's early Friday morning. McKenzie and Logan have known each other 10 days.


Ending of Previous Post:

"You need to get back to bed." Logan grinned. "Or are you cuddling beside me on the couch and falling asleep again?"

"I don't cuddle beside you. I sit beside you. There's a difference."

"I'm sure there is but I just don't see it in this case," he teased."

McKenzie turned sharply. "I'm going to bed."

Logan laughed as he tapped his right arm. "Good night. If you struggle sleeping, my arm's available."

"Whatever!"

TODAY'S POST:

ST. LOUIS CHAPTER 23 PART 1

When McKenzie walked into the room the following morning, Logan glanced up from his phone. "How'd you sleep?"

"Fine. What are you doing?"

"I got a text from my first sergeant. One of my young private's got into some trouble last night and he wants to know how I want to handle it."

"How many days have you been here?"

"Ten, why?"

"It's gone by fast, yet I feel like I've known you forever?"

"I guess you're right. Is that good or bad?"

"Not sure. Do you have coffee ready?"

Logan stood and shoved the phone into a pocket. "Of course. I'll get you a cup."

"You don't need to. I can. I can't cook, but I can pour coffee."

Arlo ran to the front door and barked while wagging his tail.

Laughing, Logan asked, "What does that mean?"

"He knows who's at the door and likes them. The bark is because he's so excited he can't contain himself."

"I'd better get to the door, so I'm ready." Logan opened the door before the knock sounded. "Good morning, Bill. There's a fresh pot of coffee ready."

McKenzie went over and hugged him. "Howdy. I've gotten to see you almost every day. I like that. What do I owe this visit to?"

"I just wanted to check and see what's on your agenda today. Is that okay?"

"Yes, but you could have done that by telephone." McKenzie cocked her head. "Am I right?"

"Yes, but Joanie's worried about your safety. She'll make me sleep on the couch if I don't physically check on you at least twice a day."

"I don't believe a word your saying. Try again."

"Joanie is worried about you, but..." Bill paused, "so am I." He hugged her again and then pointed toward Logan. "I need to make sure this guy is taking good care of you."

"I think it's more like I'm taking care of him."

Logan grinned and shook his head. "Bill, have you had breakfast? I'm about ready to fix it."

"Wait, its Friday." McKenzie's eyes widened. "We haven't been to the gym."

"I figured you weren't going. You've already had your coffee and you're in street clothes."

"But it's Friday. I always go to the gym on Friday."

Bill laughed. "This is priceless. When you woke up, did you forget it was Friday?"

McKenzie plopped down on the couch. "My whole life is screwed up. I used to have a schedule."

Patting her back, Bill offered, "I'm sure it'll get back normal. Once this case is solved, things will be fine."

"I hope you're right." McKenzie studied Logan. I doubt anything will ever be the same again.

"I'd like to know what you have planned for today." Bill accepted coffee from Logan. "Thank you, and your original question. I'm eating breakfast with your dad this morning. It's our monthly breakfast date."

"Say hello to him for me. Mac, what's on our schedule?"

"Since we're not going to the gym..." she hesitated, "can we go for a walk, maybe around a park or something? I need some exercise." She looked at Logan. "Did you..."

"Yes, the boys went on their run," interrupted Logan. He mixed eggs together. "Omelets okay?

McKenzie nodded. "Bill, about the walk?"

"I'll see what I can do. What else?

"I need to talk with Mrs. Whitmore. I should do it in person. Also about five or six this afternoon, I want to go back to that strip joint and speak with some of the staff. I want to see what Whitmore does besides sit and stare. I guess I'd better wait to talk with his wife until I meet with the staff members. I'll call his wife later this morning, update her, and set up a meeting for Monday."

"So I need to make arrangements for a walk and a trip to the strip joint." Bill took out this phone. "Any stops for groceries or anything?"

She pointed at Logan. "Talk with Betty Crocker. That's his department."

Logan studied McKenzie for a few moments. "Yes, a trip to the grocery store is in order. I think I'll fix something special for dinner. We can do that after the walk."

"What time for the walk?" asked Bill.

"I'm deferring to the chef. Logan?"

"Breakfast will be ready in maybe fifteen minutes. Another forty-five to eat and clean up. Say about an hour. Mac, will you be ready then?"

After she nodded, Bill asked, "Which park?"

"Is it possible to leave the city?"

Bill sighed. "Mac, what's on your mind?"

"I'd like to go to the Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center. It's in Kirkwood."

Bill eyed Logan. Once Logan nodded, Bill said, "I'll see what I can do." He made a phone call and then said, "It's a go." He put his phone away. "I'd better get to the restaurant." He hugged Mac. "Stay safe." He shook Logan's hand as he patted his arm.

When Bill started to say something, Logan said, "Don't worry, I got this."






Characters:

McKenzie 'Mac' Morgan a 27 year old private investigator
Major Logan Nelson 34 years old and an active duty soldier
Arlo McKenzie's black and tan dachshund
Megan Nelson Logan's younger sister - murdered
The Lou local name for St. Louis
Simon Knight and Sheila Logan's former Army buddy and a Lab technician. Sheila's his wife.
Fan name for the St. Louis Cardinals - a major league
baseball team.
Yadi What Cardinal fans call Tadier Molina - Cardinal's all-star catcher.
Edger McKenzie's black and tan rottweiler
George Whitney A former boyfriend of Megan, early suspect in her murger.
John Benson Man who murdered McKenzie's parents
Bill Abbot A D.A and McKenzie's God-Father; he was a high-
school friend of McKenzie's father. Joanie is his wife.
Jose Lopez his wife is Lucy Chicago Police Department undercover police
department.
Kate Hartford Megan Nelson's friend they taught middle school
together.
Donny Carlton A man Megan Nelson dated.
Mitch Gardner St. Louis Police Department detective who has
partnered with McKenzie's dad.
Ivan Smart A bad guy
Peter and Nancy Nelson Logan's parents
Sidney Parks works for the St. Louis Police Detective with the drug unit.
Mack and Helen Morgan McKenzie's parents - both deceased
Gus Piper McKenzie's abusive grandfather - deceased
Austin Bryant an old boyfriend - McKenzie broke up with him because he's a jerk.
Joshua Davis so far a nobody, but is a neighbor to Donny Carlton
Mark Young an acquaintance of McKenzie, a state trooper, and will become important much later in the novel