Ransom of Brownie

  As soon as Miz Adelia and Miz Demetrice were out of earshot, Bubba said to Brownie, “You know, not every kidnapper will turn out to be stupid as well as naïve. Just so you know, in case you happen to be kidnapped again.”

  “Bubba,” Brownie said just as Bubba was going to step inside the mansion. Bubba paused with his hand on the door handle. “Do you really think I could be kidnapped again?” Brownie asked hopefully.

  – THE END –

  A Word from the Author

  I hope that everyone who reads The Ransom of Brownie realizes my inspiration was The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry. I haven’t read it in many years, but I’d like to think that the author would be pleased by the amount of attention his stories still receive.

  I also need to acknowledge that part of Brownie’s utter fascination with junkyards used a few lines from Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

  I would like to add that I hope that Brownie’s pranks don’t inspire people to play their own tricks. I once took a how-to-trap-a-bird story out of a novel because I didn’t want someone to write me and tell me how well it worked. Likewise, I hope that if pranks are played, they’re done in good-naturedness and with the foreknowledge that the prankee will take it in stride. Never, ever, ever should anyone be physically injured either.

  Thanks to my readers who are so enthusiastic on Facebook, on my website, and on my blog. I wouldn’t be writing if it weren’t for you wonderful people. Your support is truly immeasurable.

  Thanks again to Mary E. Bates, freelance proofreader of ebooks, printed material, and websites. Her help is always appreciated, and she may be contacted at mbates16@columbus.rr.com.

  And finally thanks to my family, and in particular my husband and daughter, who put up with all kinds of nonsense when I’m writing a book.

  Any mistakes that have been made in the novel are my mistakes and mine alone.

  – Caren

  About the Author

  C.L. Bevill has lived in Virginia, Texas, Arizona, and Oregon. She once was in the U.S. Army and a graphic illustrator. She holds degrees in social psychology and counseling. She is the author of Bubba and the Dead Woman, Bubba and the 12 Deadly Days of Christmas, Bubba and the Missing Woman, Veiled Eyes, Disembodied Bones, and Shadow People, among others. Presently she lives with her husband and her daughter in Alabama and continues to constantly write. She can be reached at www.clbevill.com or you can read her blog at www.carwoo.blogspot.com

  Other Novels by C.L. Bevill

  ~

  Mysteries:

  Bubba and the Dead Woman

  Bubba and the 12 Deadly Days of Christmas

  Bubba and the Missing Woman

  Brownie and the Dame

  Bubba and the Mysterious Murder Note

  The Ransom of Brownie

  Bayou Moon

  Crimson Bayou

  Paranormal Suspense/Romance:

  Veiled Eyes (Lake People 1)

  Disembodied Bones (Lake People 2)

  Arcanorum: A Lake People Novel (Lake People 3)

  The Moon Trilogy:

  Black Moon (The Moon Trilogy 1)

  Amber Moon (The Moon Trilogy 2)

  Silver Moon (The Moon Trilogy 3)

  Cat Clan Novellas:

  Harvest Moon

  Blood Moon

  Crescent Moon

  Shadow People

  Sea of Dreams

  Mountains of Dreams (Dreams #2)

  Suspense:

  The Flight of the Scarlet Tanager

  Black Comedy:

  The Life and Death of Bayou Billy

  Missile Rats

  Chicklet:

  Dial ‘M’ For Mascara