"I hope not. I always want people in those situations to make changes that end in them making an honest living now." Karma knew that even good people got into trouble. I didn't want to assume just because they were busy that they'd do something so heinous. Frank skillfully balanced stacks of dirty dishes on one arm while deftly wiping down a table with the other.
"True," Carol said. "But we can't afford to rule anyone out at this point."
"Speaking of ruling people out," Beth said, eyes narrowing as she studied the family. "I've heard whispers that Mr. Burns has a bit of a gambling problem. Specifically, with the vampires."
"Vampires?" I asked. I'd had all the dealings I wanted to have with them when my brother had gotten mixed up with their gambling.
"Right, vampires," Beth said, unfazed by my reaction. "Apparently, Mr. Burns owes them quite a bit of money. Desperate times could lead to desperate measures."
I forced a smile even though I was starting to feel like we were in way over our heads. "What about Maggie?"
"She's something of an enigma around here. Keeps to herself, doesn't say much."
"Maybe she's just shy?" I watched the petite brunette as she took orders from a large family that looked like they could eat their weight in pancakes.
We finally got to the hostess, and, sure enough, she had called my name. She didn’t look the least bit happy as she grabbed our menus and led us through the restaurant, but I didn’t exactly blame her. This place wasn’t used to this many people. She probably felt like she was drowning.
When she dropped our menus on a table, we settled into a booth near the back of the restaurant, perfectly positioned for optimal people-watching. Even though we hadn’t planned to sit here for our operation, we couldn’t have planned it better. If there was something to be seen here, we’d see it.
With our prime booth secured, Carol leaned forward conspiratorially. "Time to put your karma powers to good use. Let's see who deserves a helping of good or bad fortune."
"Here goes nothing." I cast my gaze around the busy restaurant and settled on Mr. Burns first, as he bustled past our table carrying a tray laden with plates of steaming food. He looked harried, sweat beading on his forehead as he tried to navigate the crowded space.
"Okay," I said, focusing my energy on him. "Show me what you've got, Mr. Burns." The familiar tingling sensation of my powers activating coursed through me, and within seconds, I knew that he was due for some bad karma.
On cue, Mr. Burns stumbled, the tray tilting precariously in his hands. Before he could regain his balance, the entire contents of the tray went crashing to the floor, plates shattering andfood splattering everywhere, including all over him. He let out a string of curses that would have made a sailor blush.
"Oops," I winced, feeling a little guilty despite knowing it was his own bad karma at work. "Looks like he deserved that one."
Carol's eyes narrowed as she observed the spectacle. "What could he have done to warrant such a mess?"
"Your guess is as good as mine." I shrugged, taking a sip of my coffee to hide my unease. The bitter liquid scalded my tongue, but I swallowed it down anyway. "Maybe it has something to do with the gambling rumors."
"Or maybe," Daniel said as he forked a piece of pancake into his mouth. "He's just a jerk who treats his employees poorly. Broken dishes doesn't seem like the right karmic punishment for a burned down restaurant."
"Either way," I said, my curiosity piqued. "We've got a lead to follow. Let's keep observing and see what else we can uncover."
As we ate and observed the bustling restaurant, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more going on beneath the surface than met the eye. The smell of maple syrup wafting through the air suddenly seemed cloying, like a sticky web ensnaring us all.
"Nothing is ever simple when it comes to karma." I watched as Mr. Burns tried to placate an irate customer who'd been splashed by falling food. "But I guess that's what keeps life interesting, right?"
"Emma, your turn again." Carol nodded toward Mrs. Burns at the cash register. The chime of coins and crinkle of bills mingled with the sizzling of eggs frying on the griddle behind her.
"Okay, here goes." I squared my shoulders and focused on Mrs. Burns. She was in the process of giving change back to a customer, her fingers deftly counting out coins like a seasoned pro. "Karma, do your thing."
The coins slipped from Mrs. Burns' grasp, scattering across the counter like a metallic rainstorm. One particularly rebellious quarter made a beeline for the floor vent, disappearing into the dark abyss with a satisfied clink. Mrs. Burns' face turned an impressive shade of puce.
"She must have done something to deserve that." I took a sip of my coffee to hide my smirk.
Daniel nodded. "But again, that doesn't seem like the kind of karma she'd get for a curse."
He wasn't wrong.
"Okay, last one." Carol pointed toward Frank, the former troublemaker son who was mopping up a spill near the kitchen entrance. "What do you think, Emma? Does he deserve some good or bad karma?"
"Let's find out." I eyed Frank and his mop. He seemed to be doing a decent job, but there was a sullen air about him that made me wonder what skeletons might be lurking in his closet. "Karma, work your magic."
Just as the words left my mouth, Frank took a step backward, his foot making contact with the wet floor he'd just finished mopping. In an instant, he was airborne, flailing wildly as he crashed to the ground with a resounding thud. The mop clattered to the floor beside him, mocking his misfortune.
