Chapter 16

“No. See, I’ve always been on the short side and thin, so I’ve taken about every martial arts class I could,” I explained.

“He’s really, really good,” Jimmy added.

“So I managed to stop them, only most of them got cut up in the process.” I hesitated and looked at the knife. “They wanted the cops to charge me with assault and carrying a concealed weapon even though there were three of them and they’d come at me with a baseball bat and brass knuckles.

“The judge was good, though, better than the one before, when I was in high school.” I sighed. “She chastised them for going after me, told them they got what they deserved, made them pay restitution for my cab ride back to town, my hospital visit, and distress, and then told me to get the knife declared an antique. In the end it was all good, but weird.”

“Jesus God,” Guy whispered, putting his finger up to touch the blade.

“Uh, don’t, honey,” I warned. “I keep it boning sharp, just like my granddad taught me.”