Page 5 of A Seer and Present Danger

“Should it be?”

I laughed. “Yes. We make it here. You’re gonna love it. Do you want to know which apples we use and how it’s made?”

“Shall I then explain to you the tea selection I have prepared to pair with the sauce?” He reached down to the seat next to him and pulled out a wooden box that held dozens of loose-leaf teas.

“Oops! I’m out of time!” I snatched the menu out of his hand. “So busy. Just so busy right now. I’ll bring that applesauce and water right out!”

He didn’t smile—he never smiled. But that glint in his eye held a hint of mischief.

Jean and Delaney strolled through the door. They shared similar face shapes, light freckles and blue eyes, but Delaney was a little taller and her build was more athletic than Jean’s. She also had on her police jacket, which meant she was on duty.

I pointed to an empty booth. “Be right with you.”

Little futures told me Delaney was getting her usual tuna melt, and Jean would finish off a pile of our special garlic tots.

I took care of three other tables, dropped off Than’s applesauce and water, then landed back at the Reed sisters.

“Annnd…what can I get you?”

“Tuna melt for me,” Delaney said.

“I’ll do the garlic tots.” Jean handed me the menus. “Big surprise, right?”

I winked. “Never saw it coming.”

“Thanks for the heads up about the fire,” Delaney said. “We have everyone on alert.”

“Sure. Happy to help. If I see anything else, I’ll let you know.”

I swung back toward the kitchen and slipped my order sheet onto the carousel.

Aggie was back from break, picking up orders on the pass-through. “The police are here now? Should I be worried?”

“Not unless you’re on the run from the law.” I gave her a big grin.

She narrowed her eyes, then forced a laugh. “No, of course not. I just didn’t know if there was something going on.”

“Well, there’s always something going on.” I picked up a blueberry crumble and milkshake. “But everything seems good to me.”

That got a small laugh out of her. “Everything always seems good to you.”

Futures flashed that table three needed ketchup and a man would be coming into the diner and would want to be seated in the back.

Aggie hustled off with her orders. I delivered mine, then grabbed the ketchup and dropped it off at table three who had just patted the bottom of the empty bottle over his hashbrowns.

I tootled to the booth in the back to clear it off, and nearly ran into Aggie.

“Oh,” I said. “Sorry!”

“No,” she said, “it’s fine. I need a quick trip to the ladies room. Cover me?”

“Sure.”

She beelined for the hallway, moving faster than I’d ever see her go.

I put my hands on my hips, checking the room. Nothing seemed amiss. Everyone looked content.

Then the door opened and a man walked through.