Alden rattled off the names of the movies Wayne Vandershell listed in his credits, but Porter didn’t recognize any of them. “Why do you want to know about him anyway?” his friend asked.
“He got killed on Saturday,” Alden replied. “We’re trying to figure out why.”
“Geez.” Porter paused. “That really sucks. Way to bring me down, Knox.”
“Sorry. But I appreciate you. Holler if you think of anything else. And keep me updated.”
“Will do. I might just come to Comet Cove if you’re buying the beer.”
“I’ll buy the beer and write a friendly feature.”
“Sounds like a plan. Later.”
They clicked off just as Alden pulled into the parking lot that served Comet Cove’s small boardwalk. The promenade ran along the northeast side of the inlet to a park and pier facing the ocean.
He flashed back to a memorable ice cream with Roz at the Milky Way, just two doors down from where they were meeting for lunch. They needed to go back there. That was a very good day.
He headed out to the boardwalk. The clouds were starting to clear, and a beam of sunlight hit the causeway bridge to the west, glinting off the cars crossing over it. He admired the boats navigating the inlet and the red-and-white-striped lighthouse across the wide swath of water, a beacon for all.
The Beacon—The Courier-Beacon—was aptly named, he thought, as he walked into the diner to meet Roz. Together, maybe they could shed some light on this strange, dark death.
Chapter Seven
Roz had not timed her exit from her mother’s building well, and even with the help of the beach towel she kept in her car, she knew she looked like a drenched dog when she walked into the busy Doppler Diner. Her black pants were lightweight and drying, but her sage shirt still felt heavy and damp.
Alden’s face lit up when he saw her. He stood until she sat in the booth, which had a nice view of the inlet through the big windows. She didn’t know if his smile meant he was laughing or really happy to see her. Or both, which would be fine. And he did look fine in his dark jeans and collared short-sleeved gray shirt. The man had very nice arms.
“You could’ve gone the extra step and just put on your bathing suit,” he said.
Laughing at her then. Or maybe with her. “Ha ha. I got caught in the rain.”
“Either that or keel-hauled through the inlet. I like you like this. Very mermaid.”
Her long, reddish-brown hair was wavier when wet but also frizzier. Whatever. She’d deal with it later.
After a brief perusal of the menu, they ordered their go-tos—a hamburger for him, a Reuben for her. This place was classic diner all the way, from the chrome-heavy decor to the counter with barstools to the menu to the vintage jukebox. She loved the vibe. But the food probably wasn’t great for her cholesterol.
“Maybe we should try something healthier. Like that Virgo Veggieverse place in town,” she suggested as he sipped his coffee and she her iced tea.
Alden raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you think they’re trying a little too hard with the name?”
“I’ve seen the menu. It’s definitely a veggie-verse.”
“No meat at all?”
“Fake meat.”
“Ew.” He made a face that made her laugh. “And virginal, apparently.”
“Virgo, not virginal. Alluding to the constellation, maybe? But I get your point.”
“It’s pure. Unlike that beautiful burger I’m about to eat. So did Duke get back to you?”
“Oh, crap.” She dug into her slightly damp bag and pulled out her phone. “Nope.” She shot off another message. He wasn’t ignoring her, was he? She put the phone on the table so she could keep an eye on it. “I talked to my mom, though.” She explained about the permits for construction of a movie studio at a warehouse complex by the airport and her mom’s suggestion the Esquivels might own the land.
“So one of them could be Wayne’s partner in building the movie studio?”
“That’s what I’m hoping to find out this afternoon. Do you have anything?”
