Pretty Is As Pretty Does: Possum Creek, #4

By Gen Griffin

Trish Shallowman just wants her divorce but Curtis, her soon to be ex-husband, has already proven that he's willing to kill to maintain the sanctity of their marriage.

Thanks to Curtis's sudden sense of homicidal devotion, Trish's grandfather is dead and Addison is in the hospital having a bullet dug out of his chest. Now David, the only guy Trish really trusts, is dividing his time between trying to keep Trish alive and figuring out what to do with the million dollars in stolen jewelry that Trish's grandfather kept hidden in his house for the last 30 years. Trish is pretty sure someone's body is going to wind up buried in the depths of the swamp before she actually makes it to her final divorce court date. She's just not sure whether the corpse in question will be hers or her ex's.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gen Griffin
• Release date: Nov 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516354122

Book preview

Also By Gen Griffin

The Possum Creek Series

Lord Have Mercy (Prequel Novella)

Hot Southern Mess

Hissy Fit

Hot Southern Nights

Pretty Is As Pretty Does

Give Me Some Sugar (Coming Soon)

After The Apocalypse

The Scavengers

Church of Chaos

False Idols

DEDICATION

To the readers.

Y'all will never know how much you mean to me.

Prologue

An Excerpt From Hot Southern Nights

(Possum Creek Book #3)

I'd almost decided to walk away. I stayed up all night last night waiting for Trish to come home. I thought I could talk some sense into her if I could just get her to listen to me. I waited for her in her bedroom. I slept in her bed. She never came home. She stayed out all fucking night and I almost gave up. I got back in my car and was going to drive home to figure out a new plan when my car hydroplaned and I ran off the road.

Trish? Addison narrowed his eyes at the motorist. He suddenly had a very, very bad feeling that he'd missed something important about this guy. You're Curtis?

Ha ha. It really took you this long to recognize me, Officer Fuck Buddy? Curtis shook off the hood to reveal his fat, jowly face and piggish blue eyes.

I thought I told you to get the hell out of my town, Addison said as warily eyed Trish's clearly enraged ex-husband.

Not without my wife, Curtis replied. He reached one hand into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a very large handgun. This nightmare has gone on long enough. Trish is coming home, whether she wants to or not. I'll kill blow her brains out before I'll let her marry another man.

Addison stared at the gun blankly. He was still trying to wrap his mind around what the hell was going on when the fat man pulled the trigger and shot Addison in the chest. Blood blossomed to the front of his shirt as he crumpled to the wet, muddy ground.

Chapter 1

You can't just take off after a homicidal maniac. Cal's exasperation was clear in his tone.

Worked out alright last time. David pulled open the glove box of Cal's truck. Where's your gun?

I don't carry it. Cal leaned against the passenger's side door-frame of his own truck.

What do you mean, you don't carry it? David continued to toss all the paperwork out of the storage console. The owners manual fell open on the floorboards, spilling out the neatly folded registration. Cal watched as his insurance card landed in a heap of crumpled brown napkins. Next came Gracie's spare tampons, a handful of broken pens, a grubby red disposable lighter and a fistful of loose sockets.

I mean that having a loaded weapon on a college campus is against the law, David. Cal sighed and shook his head at his best friend. I quit carrying it when I enrolled in classes at Callahan Community.

David slammed the glove box shut abruptly. Well, that's fucking useless.

Sorry. Cal rolled his eyes. Didn't know it was my job to keep weapons available at all times just in case you got a wild hair up your ass to go kill someone.

A wild hair up my ass? David's dark green eyes narrowed as his head snapped up. The only woman I've ever loved is hurt. Grover is dead. Addison may damn well be dead. I don't know because I don't have the balls to go back inside and sit in that fucking waiting room until we find out. I can't do it. I just can't.

David-.

No. Shut up. I don't want to hear you tell me how going back in there is the right thing to do. David jerked his thumb back towards the emergency room doors. I don't want to be in the room when that doctor walks back in and tells us that Addy didn't make it. I can't fucking cope with that today.

You don't know he's going to die, Cal nearly choked on the words.

Addison carries a .45 and the paramedics think he got shot in the chest with his own gun. If that's true then the odds aren't going to be real high in his favor. David closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. His chest was so tight that he felt like he was the one who had taken the bullet.

So what? You're leaving? Cal jammed his hands into the pockets of his blue jeans. Addy could be dying and you're running off?

No. David slammed his fist as hard as he could into the dashboard of Cal's truck. The plastic crumpled under the impact. I'm going to go hunt down and kill the motherfucking bastard who did this.

We don't know where Curtis is, Cal pointed out.

He's got Addison's truck. It stands out.

Frank's already put an APB out on the truck, Cal said. Come on. Let's just go back inside. Trish and Gracie are still in the waiting room. The girls are going to expect me to try and talk some sense into you.

Tell Trish-. David reached for the ignition of the truck and turned the key. The big engine roared to life.Tell Trish I'm sorry.

Goddammit David, you can't just-.

I have to, David said. I didn't take Curtis seriously. Now Trish's grandfather is dead and Addison has a bullet in his chest. I knew Curtis kept calling her. I knew he'd made threats. I told her not to worry about him. I promised her that I would protect her and take care of her. I've failed. I'm a complete fucking failure and there is only one way to make this right.

Nothing that has happened today has been your fault. Cal slammed his hands against the door-frame. You can't make this right. Grover is dead. Riding off into a stormy night with a gun and a death wish won't bring anyone back from the dead. Come back inside.

I can't. David tightened his grip on the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. I'm sorry, Cal. I can't do it. I can't sit in that sterile, cold, miserable waiting room for one more minute. I can't sit on my ass doing nothing for hours while the girls bawl their eyes out. I can't wait around in this hospital and make small talk about how bad the weather is with every single person who is going to turn up when they find out that Addy's been shot. I can't do it. Its not in me. Tell Momma and the girls and everyone else that I'm fucking sorry.

You can't just go kill Trish's ex-husband.

Yes, I can. David moved his hand onto the gearshift and popped the truck into reverse. Its the only goddamn thing I can do. Let go of the door, Cal.

Fuck. Cal started to sit down in the passenger's seat. If you're going after this nutcase, I'm going with you.

No, David said. Get out.

You can't order me out of my own truck. Technically, you're stealing my truck. Cal grabbed the door handle in his hand but he hesitated before he shut the door.

Get out of the truck, David said.

Why?

David sighed. Because one of us needs to be inside with the girls.

We both need to be inside with the girls. Your homicidal maniac might not be gone. What if he comes back?

He's not coming back.

What if he does?

Kill him, Calvin. David rolled his shoulders and closed his eyes. Kill the bastard.

Come back inside. Let the cops do their job and find Curtis. He probably hauled ass out of Callahan County the minute after he shot Addy. He ran, David. You won't find him. Cal still hadn't shut the door on the truck.

What cops? David asked. Ian's an idiot. Kerry's incompetent and Frank Chasson is old, fat and sitting in the same damned waiting room that you and I just walked out of. Addy's the only decent cop we've got.

The State police.

State police aren't going to come all the way down to Possum Creek.

Curtis probably left Possum Creek.

But what if he didn't? David countered.

We'll get him. Cal frowned at the doors of the hospital. Somehow.

I'm going after the bastard. You can't stop me and you're not coming with me.

Why can't I come with you?

Because someone has to handle the mess here. David gestured at the hospital room. If Addy's dead, then one of us needs to be here.

Cal took a deep breath and then sighed. You still don't have a gun.

I can get a gun.

Where?

I found Grover's stash the other night.

Addy's been looking for that.

I know. I was going to tell him. David choked on his own tongue and then looked away, blinking back tears. Dammit, I can't do this. Not today. Not ever. This isn't how its supposed to go. I'm the reckless one. I'm the one who pisses people off and takes stupid risks. I'm the one who doesn't care if I live or die. It should be me on that operating table. Not Addison.

David, we don't know what happened. Addy knew Curtis was dangerous. Trish told me that Addison had already pulled a gun on him. Addy told Curtis that he'd shoot him if he ever bothered her again. You know him. He damn well could have seen the car and decided to confront Curtis.

He doesn't think, David muttered. Not that he should have been afraid of Curtis. He was just a loudmouthed loser.

A loudmouthed loser with a gun and nothing left to lose. Cal scowled at David. Which is exactly why you shouldn't go after him. As much as I hate to say this, he took Addy out. What makes you think that you're going to fare any better?

Because I'm a bad ass son of a bitch. David tapped the accelerator lightly with the toe of his boot. Get out of the truck. That's Gracie's Mom's van pulling in right now. You know you can't leave Gracie alone with Jane May for more than five minutes. Especially not under this kind of stress.

Come back inside with me. Cal climbed out of the cab of the truck. He leaned heavily against the door. Its going to be a madhouse in there. As you've already pointed out so succinctly, Grover is dead and Addy's been shot. You're better at dealing with Jane May than I am.

We're at a hospital. Maybe you can talk one of then nurses into sedating her. Or committing her. Try for the second one.

David-.

Stop trying to stall, Cal. David let the truck ease backwards even though the passenger's side door was still open.

What the hell am I supposed to tell Trisha when she asks me why you're not staying with her? Cal snapped. She's going to want you here.

David shrugged. I don't know. Tell her I'm a bad guy and shitty fiance.

David-.

No, really. I failed her. Completely. Tell her I'm a piece of shit and that she doesn't have to worry about marrying me.

Jesus Christ, will you stop?

Not until I kill this son of a bitch, David said. Now shut the door or I'm going to hit you with it.

Don't do this.

Too late.

What am I going to tell Trish if you get yourself killed? Cal demanded.

David took a deep breath. If I die, take care of her.

Jesus-.

David slammed his foot down on the accelerator and the big Chevy shot backwards out of the parking space, narrowly missing Cal. The door slammed shut as David cut the wheels hard to the left and threw the transmission into drive. The tires screamed against the wet pavement as he peeled out of the hospital parking lot in the pouring rain.

Chapter 2

Want to tell me which one of the sluts in this town is responsible for getting my son killed? Jane May Malone stood in the middle of the hospital's waiting room and glared at Gracie.

Gracie sucked in a deep breath through gritted teeth. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she spoke with visible effort. "He's not dead, mother. He's in surgery."

He's been shot. Jane May's turquoise eyes were an exact mirror to her daughter's and the expression in them was equally hostile. Frank told me that the shooter was some girl's ex-husband. I didn't recognize her name, but I assume Addison was sleeping with her. I can't say I'm at all surprised. I wish I were. I wish I hadn't seen this day coming.

Can you at least try to pretend to care about whether he lives or dies? Gracie asked. It's not Trish's fault that Addison got shot.

Trish stood up from the hard plastic chair she'd been sitting in. The last thing she wanted was to insert herself in the middle of Gracie's argument with her mother, but making Gracie defend her seemed unfair.

I'm sorry that Addison got shot. You can blame me if you want to. You can hate me. But just for the record, I wasn't sleeping with him. Trish stared tiredly into Jane May's angry turquoise eyes. Gracie doesn't deserve to be yelled at for my mistakes.

You're Trish? Jane May looked Trish up and down for a long moment and then wrinkled her nose. You're fatter than the girls my son normally goes for.

Trish blinked at Jane May and then shrugged. Her broken arm was throbbing horribly and her pain killers had worn off more than an hour ago. Gee, thanks. Like I said, I'm not sleeping with him.

It wouldn't matter if you were, Gracie snapped. Addy is a good guy. He's going to stand up for any woman who is being mistreated by a man.

Just like you. Always trying to defend your brother. Even now. Jane May's graying blonde hair was frizzy and coming loose from its ponytail. Her bright eyes were bloodshot but dry. Jane May wouldn't be shedding any tears over her son's current condition. I never said I didn't care about your brother. No parent wants to bury their child.

And yet you're trying to find someone to blame him for getting shot? Gracie ran one hand through her own wavy blonde hair. It doesn't matter who Addison didn't or didn't sleep with. He's hurt. Why can't you just sit down in a chair and quietly starting saying your prayers like the rest of us have been doing for the last hour?

Have those prayers done you any good yet? Jane May asked skeptically.

He's not dead, Gracie retorted.

If he does die, I want you to know that I fully blame you for ruining my relationship with him, Jane May practically spat the words at Gracie. Thanks to your actions, your brother and I haven't spoken in months. The last time I talked to him, I was screaming at him.

And that would be my fault how? Gracie asked.

Addison still sees you as a sweet little girl who can do no wrong. I see you for what you are. She crossed her arms over her surprisingly thick mid-section. Jane May's scrub shirt was stretched tight over her stomach though it hung loose everywhere else on her.

"Which is what, mother?" Gracie's nose was still stopped up and her voice was hoarse from crying.

A manipulative little bitch, Jane May snapped. You have single-handedly ruined-.

Jane May! A short woman with broad shoulders and curly hair stepped in between Gracie and her mother. She was dressed in a pretty lilac summer dress with a crew neck and a long hemline. That's enough. Sit down and pull yourself together. You're hysterical and don't realize what you're saying.

Oh, I fully realize what I'm-.

Shut up, Jane May. The shorter woman held up one hand and made a shushing gesture. "For the love of God, shut up."

Jane May looked from Gracie to the short woman and then to Trish. She shook her head at the three of them. Gracie ruined my relationship with Addison. If he dies, I'll never forgive her. And as for the girl who got Addison shot, she fully deserves to be held responsible for her actions.

The short woman looked at Trish for a minute and then frowned back at Jane May. If the girl didn't pull the trigger, then she isn't responsible for the crime.

The man who shot my son did it because of her, Jane May pointed directly at Trish. She's just as much to blame as her husband.

"Ex-husband, Trish said tiredly. Curtis is my ex-husband. Or he will be if I live long enough to make it to my final court date."

Unless you're actually divorced, you're not free to move on. Involving my son in your marital problems-.

Addison is only involved in my marital problems in the sense that he stopped Curtis from killing me, Trish snapped. I'm sorry that he got hurt because he tried to help me.

Trish, it's not your fault. Gracie stepped up beside Trish. The blonde girl tried to put her arm around Trish's shoulders but Trish pulled away.

Actually Gracie, this whole mess is my fault. If I hadn't come to Possum Creek, Curtis wouldn't have come here either.

You moved because Curtis tried to kill you, Gracie reminded her.

I know. It would have been easier for everyone if I hadn't tried to save my own life. I thought I would be safe living in Possum Creek with my grandfather. Now Grover's dead, Addison's been shot and god only knows who else Curtis will hurt before this manhunt is over. Its a horrible, bloody mess and I'm willing to take responsibility for what has happened. Trish looked straight into Jane May's bright blue eyes. If you're going to blame someone, leave Gracie alone. You can go ahead and scream whatever nastiness you need to scream in my face if it will make your feel better.

Your grandfather died? The short woman sounded stunned. Who was your grandfather?

His name was Grover Shallowman, Trish explained. Curtis shot Addison and then came here and killed Grover, tried to kill me and then fled the hospital.

Jane May opened her mouth and then hesitated. You're right. You never should have come to this town.

Jane May, the girl was trying to save herself. The short woman stepped in between Jane May and Trish. She couldn't have known the situation would come to this. Addison was trying to protect her.

She just admitted that she knew her ex was dangerous, Jane May snapped. She put Addison in a bad position.

Addison is a grown man and an officer of the law, the short woman said. He can handle himself.

Obviously not, Jane May snapped. She pointed at the double doors that led back into the surgical suite. My son could be dead before the end of the day. I deserve answers.

You've gotten them, Gracie argued. Trish already told you everything that matters.

I think she's lying, though god only knows why she's bothering. Most of the girls in Callahan County have slept with Addison at one point or another.

Jane May! Loretta was glaring at Gracie's mother. The girl's grandfather was murdered last night. Don't you think she's been through enough without having to listen to your accusations?

You seem to have a lot of sympathy for everyone except me. Jane May adjusted her ponytail with one hand. My son is in critical condition right now. For all we know, he might be dead. You don't have anything better to do than yell at me to mind my manners?

You don't even like your son. I know what kind of a parent you've been to your children. You aren't going to get a drop of sympathy out of me. Why don't you go wait for the doctors somewhere else in this hospital? The short woman held her hands up in the air. Maybe you can find a more receptive audience for your 'poor, poor, pitiful me' act in the nurses break room or the cafeteria. No one here is buying it.

Go to hell. Jane May spun on one heel and stormed out of the waiting room just as Cal was walking back through the same door. Trish watched the doorway to see if David was going to come in after him, but Cal was alone. Her heart sunk in her chest.

Was the 'go to hell' for me or did one of y'all piss her off this time? Cal asked as he shook water out of his short, dark hair.

It was me, the short woman raised her hand. I probably will go to hell for the things I said to her, especially since her son is laying on a surgical table, but I get so tired of listening to that hateful mouth of hers.

She deserved it, Gracie said. Really.

It was incredibly unchristian of me, the short woman muttered. I'll have to toss an extra tithe into the offering plate this week.

Cal rolled his eyes. I don't think you can buy your way out of your sins, Momma.

Its the gesture that counts, Loretta Walker replied. She fluffed her short, curly hair with one hand and then pursed her lips. And you do the same thing. Don't tell me you don't.

I learned it from you. Cal walked over to his mother and gave her a quick hug. Trish felt stupid for not realizing who the short woman was before now. Standing next to one another, there was no denying the family resemblance between Cal and his mother.

Where is David? Gracie looked pointedly at Cal and then at the doorway behind him.

Cal sighed. You don't want to know.

Try me. Loretta cut into the conversation. Where is he?

He took off after Curtis, Cal explained.

Curtis?

My ex-husband, Trish supplied.

He says he's going to put a stop to Curtis before he can hurt anyone else, Cal acknowledged.

Lovely. Loretta sighed as she sat down in one of the waiting room chairs. David's playing the hero. Why am I not surprised?

Because you know David.

I'd normally say he should have left the situation for the cops to handle. Unfortunately, considering the sad state of our police department, I'm half-tempted to send you out after him, Calvin.

You don't think Kerry and Ian are up to challenge?

I don't think Kerry and Ian are up the challenge of fighting their way out of a wet paper bag, Loretta clarified. Ian's a nice boy but he's dumber than a pot of boiled rocks. And we won't even discuss Kerry.

Kerry's an idiot. Cal sat down in the seat next to his mother. Gracie immediately positioned herself in his lap. Cal tightened his grip around Gracie's waist and she cuddled into his chest, her long legs dangling down towards the floor.

Kerry is worse than an idiot. He's a malicious, conniving little twerp. Trish sat back down in her own seat before her knees could give out. "God, I will never forgive myself if David gets hurt going after Curtis.

Trish, no. You can't blame yourself. Gracie slid down off of Cal's lap and into the seat next to Trish. You've done all the right things.

My doing all the right things has gotten one person killed and landed your brother in the hospital. Trish blinked back tears as she stood up.

Sweetheart, you can't blame yourself for anything that anyone else does, Loretta spoke up calmly.

I should leave. Trish buried her face in her own hands as tears began streaming down her cheeks. It was everything she could do not to sob.

"Not a