"I was passing by and wanted to come in for some One Star diner Chicken Fried Steak." Duval looked over at Yun. "I really want it with your country gravy over your mashed potatoes. Can we do that?"
Yun looked back at him and nodded. "Sure. That's a good idea." He gestured toward the kitchen. "I also have some sausage gravy I made this morning."
"What the-"
Seaton had to agree with Daryl. She was standing between Duval and Yun and she was completely confused.
Daryl was feeling the same confusion.
"Sausage gravy..." Duval sounded like he was pondering the question and then he turned back to look at Daryl. "What about you? How about some food. I'm starving."
Seaton didn't know what to think. She just stood there.
Yun was smiling. "Food is always good."
Duval reached out a hand and pointed to the table between himself and Daryl. "We can sit down, have a bite and talk this out."
Seaton knew that Daryl was cruel.
She also knew that he was more than a little crazy, but she didn't expect him to look down at the table in front of them and reach out a free hand to pull the chair out from the table.
Was he really that far out of his mind?
CADDO
Sam wished that he had binoculars so he could see what was happening in front of him, but when he saw Seaton turn to look at Duval beside her, he was glad he didn't have them.
Even from this distance, he could see the terror on her face.
He wrapped his arms around himself, gripping his arms tightly, waiting for the chance to hold her again.
He had to believe that it would happen.
He couldn’t lose her.
CHAPTER 13
SEATON
Daryl put his hand on the back of the chair and tugged it out far enough that he could sit in it. She felt her heart pound in her chest and wondered if she might lose whatever food she had in her stomach.
“I need a drink.”
The words that came out of her mouth turned everyone’s head toward her.
Daryl smiled then, shocking her even more. “Good idea, honey. Go get me a beer.”
A beer?
Daryl looked at the SWAT officer. “What about you, man?”
When Duval didn’t immediately reply, Daryl slapped his free hand on the top of the table. “Get the man a fucking beer!”
Seaton lurched toward the counter. They did sell alcohol in the diner, but it wasn’t something many people ordered. Most preferred pop, sweet tea, or shakes.
She reached behind the counter and slid open the top of the cooler. She knew that Daryl liked Budweiser. Coors, if Bud wasn’t available.
She took out two bottles of Budweiser, hoping that Duval wouldn’t care.
