Page 77 of Deadly Misfortunes

“That works for me,” Damon said.

Gregory was sure it was because he wanted to be there to protect Sascha.

“South Padre Island it is. Ocean breezes, white sand, and aqua blue water. I’m all for it,” Gregory’s dad said. “Your mom will have suggested that they take the jet. We’ll book another so we can get there earlier too.”

“That sounds great to me,” Uncle Jimmy said. “Much better than a long drive.”

Gregory was relieved that everyone was fine with the change of plans. He felt much better about them going to the same location as Sascha and the other ladies while they celebrated the upcoming wedding.

17

When Saturday arrived, Gregory was glad he would be with Sascha and the others at the fairgrounds. He never thought he would be at a psychic booth with his fiancée while she told people’s fortunes—for real.

Sascha wore her usual colorful clothes, while he wore a T-shirt and jeans, the T-shirt featuring a crystal ball—courtesy of Sascha.

Red, Henry, Nick, and Omar were nearby, watching Sascha and Lucy’s booths. Then Red came over to the booth. “Hey, I’m going to take a walk out to the parking lot and check out the cars and then look over the fairground to make sure there is no one suspicious looking around.”

“Sounds good.” Gregory really didn’t believe he needed that many bodyguards around, but he was glad they were there for Sascha in particular.

The guy hadn’t recently targeted Gregory or contacted him or Sascha—she had a new phone number—no emails, no run-ins on the road. He was beginning to think whoever it was had given up his mad attempts to hurt him or Sascha. Though he supposed the guy could be just lying low, or maybe even having the extra bodyguards had scared him off.

Neither of his PIs had gotten back to him about the family member involved in the resistance efforts in France, nor had they learned anything about the family who had claimed he was their son when he was born.

At least three clowns had come through the area, entertaining kids by making animal balloons for small groups, while Sascha, Katrina, and Lucy worked at their booths.

Gregory and Prescott were talking about their bachelor party trip but were careful not to mention where they were going or even think about the location, in case the ladies could envision any of it.

His bodyguards weren’t shy about showing anyone who appeared dangerous that they could be even more dangerous. They were carrying Texas License to Carry cards, but they were also big guys, looking like they could put someone in the hospital without drawing a weapon.

They were talking to each other, then separated to watch the area better.

The clowns had moved off, and Prescott and Gregory were about ready to buy lunch for everyone. But this time, because the bodyguards were with them, Gregory would also make sure they had something to eat. They would take turns, though one would go with Gregory and Prescott to get the food, while Omar went with them and Henry and Nick stayed behind.

Gregory texted Red: See anything out your way?

Red texted back: Normal fair goings-on, a few crazily dressed people, but no one who looks dangerous.

Gregory texted: That’s good. We’re all getting ready to grab lunch. You can do the same when you have the time.

Red texted: Thanks, I will.

Then Gregory and Prescott ordered what they wanted: garlic parmesan bread cone filled with creamy Tex-Mex chicken spaghetti, green chiles, queso, and shredded cheese, all topped with pico de gallo, sour cream, and avocado.

The ladies all wanted crab and mozzarella arancini. Omar got a giant turkey leg.

Then they all returned to the booths with the food. Omar ate with Gregory and Sascha. When Omar finished his turkey leg, he relieved Henry, who took off to visit the food vendors; then Red arrived to relieve Nick. And then the switching of cousins began until everyone had eaten.

Before they left the fairgrounds, they all wanted to grab some desserts.

Sascha was in the middle of a reading when she suddenly gasped. Katrina was giving a reading next to her for another woman, and she glanced at her.

Gregory peeked into the curtain to see what was wrong. As soon as he did, someone fired off fireworks, though he didn’t see who it was because of the number of people there. It slammed into the base of Sascha’s booth, barely missing the people in line to speak with Katrina or Sascha.

Everyone screamed and ran for safety.

The missile was spinning, sending sparks everywhere and making everyone scatter. It caught the booth fabric on fire, but the fabric had flame retardant on it, so it quickly sizzled rather than erupt into flames. The tent over the booth had also been treated with fire retardant, as required for all booths with fabric coverings. Gregory grabbed the fire extinguisher Sascha kept under the table and ran around to put out the fire that blackened part of the fabric before it could grow into anything more sinister.

She immediately called the fairgrounds coordinator. “Hey, it’s Sascha. Someone shot off a fireworks missile, and it hit my booth. We put out the small amount of flames that started, which, because of the flame retardant on the fabric, only blackened a couple of areas, but we need it investigated right now.”