IYKYK
I don't remember the first time I discovered one on a roadtrip in Texas, but I remember stopping at one when I was on a site-visit with a team of non-Texans. One team member simply took pictures of the rows of gas pumps, and then entered to photograph the massive interior. I know exactly how many and where each Buc-ee's is located on the road to Houston when we visit our son and his family. Yes, I plan the trip around them.
Founded in Texas in 1982, Buc-ee's offers freshly prepared barbecue sandwiches (once written up in a gourmet magazine), homemade fudge, and its famous Beaver Nuggets-sweet, crunchy caramel-coated corn puffs. Not hungry? How about some Texas-themed souvenirs or clothing, home decorations or outdoor gear. What makes Buc-ee's special is its ability to turn a routine bathroom break into a memorable experience. There are now some in other states, and when I enter one, I'm at home!
New Book by Joanne H. Watson, Just in Time for the Holidays!
Available in paperback here.
WANT TO GET AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF MY BOOKS?
I'LL BE AT THESE EVENTS
October 9; 1 - 5 pm, Kroger Supermarket, 7100 Independence Parkway, Plano, TX
December 5; 9 am - 4 pm, Hebron High School Gift Galleria; 4211 Plano Parkway, Carrollton, TX
BOOK GIVEAWAY
Step into a world of gaslit streets, hidden secrets, and classic investigation. Atmospheric Victorian and historical mysteries for readers who love Sherlock Holmes. FREE downloads of almost 30 books! Get your copies here.
BEGINS OCTOBER 15.
The Magnate's Mysterious Disappearance
The story to date: American detective Hannah Brown travels to London seeking Sherlock Holmes's assistance in investigating the disappearance of wealthy shipping magnate George Vincent. Vincent vanished aboard his own ship, the Majestic Belle, while traveling with his private secretary, James Simmons. Millions of dollars are also missing, and Simmons is suspected of murder and embezzlement. Holmes enlists Dr. Watson and his wife Mary to assist Hannah. Their investigation uncovers suspicious financial transactions and passage booked to India under the name Steven Harmon, a wealthy young man associated with Vincent's daughter, Claire. Holmes traces a clean-shaven American to the Black Rose Inn, where his Baker Street Irregulars maintain surveillance. When the suspect meets another man, known as Mr. Fox, at an abandoned waterfront warehouse, Holmes, Watson, and Hannah follow. Their attempt to overhear the conversation goes awry, sending the suspects fleeing into the night. Inspector Lestrade joins the pursuit as Holmes prepares to search the warehouse for clues.
Part V
The heavy air smelled of saltwater and decay as we neared our goal. The warehouse's towering silhouette loomed ominously against the moonlit sky, its boarded-up windows creaking in the breeze. We approached with caution, our footsteps muffled by the sound of crashing waves.
Wiggins motioned for us to halt, his finger pressed against his lips. An even smaller figure stepped from the shadows. I recognized him as Percy, another of the Irregulars. Barely above a whisper, he said, "'E's still in there. Another went in, too. Terry's found where you can 'ears 'em."
"Show us," Holmes said and slipped a coin into the boy's hand.
He turned to the American, his eyes flickering with determination and caution. "Are you ready? There's no turning back once we move forward."
Reaching into her coat, she pulled out the truncheon. "I will not falter."
Following her example, I took the revolver out of my pocket and nodded briefly at my friend. Holmes took out his from his jacket as well.
Percy led us around the back of the warehouse, where a small gap in the crumbling brickwork revealed a hidden vantage point. Terry, a third Irregular, crouched near the opening. He glanced up as we approached, his eyes widening with excitement.
"They're talkin', Mr. Holmes," Terry whispered eagerly. "Sounds like they're plannin' somethin'."
"What can you tell us?" he asked.
"Beside Harmon, the one you asked us to follow, is one 'e's been callin' 'Mr. Fox.' They're talkin' 'bout leavin' England."
"India?" I asked.
He shook his head. "They didn't say."
Holmes turned his attention to Miss Brown. "If they are indeed planning to leave the country, time is of the essence. We must act swiftly and decisively."
Her grip tightened on the truncheon, her knuckles cracking from the tension that coiled within her. "Do we go in now?"
"We have no authority to hold them," he murmured with a shake of his head. "Besides, there's something more than just their escape at play. You two keep listening."
He crawled away from the opening and motioned Terry to follow him. We diverted our attention from the warehouse scene. He quietly gave the boys more coins, and they hastily departed, making minimal noise.
When he returned, he said, "They've gone to fetch the police."
"The police?" Miss Brown's exclamation made a hissing sound. "They'll muck up everything."
"We need the police to arrest them."
"They may get away before they come. I'm going in. The police can arrest them once we've captured them."
Holmes' reply came out in a whispered hiss. "We'll spoil everything if we go in now. We must wait."
She straightened as if preparing to arrest the men singlehandedly. With her first step, however, her foot kicked a brick that had fallen from the opening in the wall, sending several bricks through the hole to clatter onto the warehouse floor.
The noise made us all freeze and silenced the voices coming from inside the building. Before I could get a full breath, running footsteps echoed through the warehouse.
"Quickly, if we're to catch them," Holmes said.
No longer concerned with stealth, our footfalls resounded through the side street as we slid along the slick, uneven pavement toward the two men's retreating treads. A sense of urgency spurred us onward.
Moonlight pierced the clouds, casting long shadows that danced in the dark streets. At the warehouse's entrance, we glimpsed two figures vanishing into the shadows cast by crumbling buildings.
Without a moment's hesitation, Holmes broke into a sprint, his long strides closing the distance between us and our quarry. The American and I followed suit, my heart pounding in unison with each footfall. We trailed him, half a block back, until the men made a turn.
As my friend reached the corner, a voice called out, "Halt!" A piercing whistle split the deadened night, followed by the crack of a gunshot.
Startled, Holmes skidded to a stop, his eyes scanning the darkened streets for the source of the noise. She and I pulled up beside him, our breaths coming in rapid pants. The sound of our quarry's footsteps continued, despite a clattering of boots in pursuit. Holmes tugged us to one side, and we huddled together, hidden in the darkened doorway of a dilapidated building.
"Stay close," Holmes whispered urgently, his voice barely audible above the commotion. "We must follow them, but at a safe distance."
When we stepped from the shadows, a familiar voice spoke behind us. "I should have known it was you."
"Inspector Lestrade," Holmes said. "How good of you to respond to my summons. We have been following a murderer and must apprehend him before it's too late."
"I've got my best man, Tompkins, in pursuit. If he can't catch 'em, no one can. Now, tell me about this murder."
Holmes quickly summarized the details of our investigation and concluded with, "I do have someone watching the hotel, should Simmons return there, but I think he's too clever for that." He glanced back toward the warehouse. "In the meantime, in their rush to leave, they might have left clues of their future plans."
To Be Continued....
This story first appeared in Sherlock Holmes and the Great Lady Detectives, an anthology published by Belanger Books. You can read the whole story as well as another twelve tales featuring true and fictional lady detectives of the time for free on Kindle Unlimited (or purchase a copy) here. Now also in audiobooks!
See you in November!
Liese
Those links again:
The Secret History of Spies: here.
Victorian Mysteries by Gaslight: here.
Sherlock Holmes and the Great Lady Detectives: here.
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