“With the discovery of this body, we have to ask ourselves, ‘Is this the work of a copycat? Or did the police arrest and convict the wrong man?’”
Me: What’s this I’m seeing about a John the Baptist copycat?
Dahlia: Don’t worry, Mom. I’m being safe.
Me: I’m serious. The original went after prostitutes.
Dahlia: I’m not a prostitute.
Me: I know that, but who knows if a serial killer will care?
Dahlia: I promise I’ll be safe and lock my door at night.
Me: You’re not locking your door at night?!
Dahlia: Kidding! Like Declan would ever let me leave my door unlocked at any time.
Me: Does that mean he’s been sleeping over?
Dahlia: New subject. How’s the double dick going?
Me: Nice try, but I got the hint. I’ll talk to you later. Love you, babe. Please be safe.
Dahlia: I will. Love you too.
That woman is going to put me in an early grave just from worrying about her.
The channel changes to sports analysts debating football plays and who is the better quarterback. I turn to find Benny setting the remote down on the wood between us.
I give him a questioning look, to which he answers, “Got tired of hearing that shit.” Then he goes back to nursing his drink.
Odd how he always seems to be drinking but never actually shows signs of being drunk…
Spotting a few empty glasses, I make my rounds refilling drinks and closing out checks. I’m resetting the balls on one of the pool tables when Griffin and Knox finally come out of the stockroom. Their eyes immediately find me, and I freeze. One set of forest greens; the other set golden brown. Each filled with a heat that causes a stirring in my stomach.
If I thought I was drenched before, I was so wrong.
My motto is to expect the worst and hope for the best. I expected them to yell or throw a couple of punches, and I hoped they would shake hands and call it good. Whatever they discussed in there, it didn’t dampen the heat in their eyes. If anything, they look more determined.
My gulp is audible, and I squeeze my legs together, drawing their attention to the apex of my thighs.
Our moment is broken when Camden exits the kitchen with a tray full of food. Griffin takes a direct route to the kitchen while Knox strides right by me for his office. With both of them gone and the lunch rush over, I return to my safe space behind the bar.
Benny lifts his glass to his lips, pausing before taking a drink. “You’re in deep shit.”
A sigh mixed with a laugh escapes me. “And don’t I know it.”
I’m learning quicklythat when The Wandering Raven is busy, it’sbusy. But when it’s slow, it’s dead.
When everything slowed down, Griffin disappeared down the hall behind Knox. Benny asked for a refill one time, then I got everything ready for the nighttime rush. But now, it’s crickets.
When I took this job, I was hoping I’d be able to get insider information from some of the locals. I’m well aware of how loose-lipped drunk people can be. Benny clearly isn’t drunk, but he’ll have to do.
Bending to rest my elbows on the bartop, I sigh. “Tell me something about yourself, Benny.”
He raises a brow.
Letting out another sigh, I shrug my shoulders. “I’m bored.”
