“It’s going to be another nice day,” I comment, as he pulls his truck up to the diner to drop me off. My SUV is still parked in the same spot I left it yesterday.
It’s still mostly dark, but the moon and stars are clearly visible against the cloudless sky.
I lean over the console and slide my hand along his neck, pulling him down for a kiss.
“Thank you.”
“No problem,” he mumbles against my mouth before I reluctantly let him go. “I’ll drop your key off after I’ve fed Zeus.”
Since I was running a little late, after he joined me in the shower for the kind of exercise I’m going to feel for days to come, he offered to go feed Zeus. Poor cat has been home alone since yesterday morning and I feel a little guilty, despite the extra dry food I always put out.
“Appreciate it.”
“Small price to pay for that kind of wake-up call.”
He grins lasciviously and I roll my eyes but can’t help grin as well, as I get out of the truck.
I’ve noticed him smiling more these past few days. More easily. I’ve been wondering if perhaps that dreadful nightmare and subsequent talk Christmas night has somehow provided some release. He seems more relaxed and less guarded.
I open the door to the diner, closing it behind me right away as I flip on a few of the lights. We don’t open for another half hour, but I’m always early to help Jason with prep. He usually parks in the back and comes in through the back entrance, but the kitchen lights are still off.
My phone rings in my pocket as I’m hanging up my coat. It’s Jason.
“Morning.”
“Hey, Robin, I’m running a bit late. My car isn’t starting and Kay just jumped in the shower. She’ll drive me when she’s done. Can you crank up the griddle? That way it’s ready to go when I get in. Pull the eggs from the cooler as well?”
“Not to worry, I’ve got this. I bet you, between Donna and I, we can even manage to fry a couple of eggs,” I tease him. Donna should be here at six.
“Just don’t poison the customers,” he fires back, chuckling before hanging up.
I shake my head and grab my apron, tying it around my waist. I slide my phone in my pocket and head for the kitchen first, flipping on the lights in there.
I fire up the griddle so we won’t have to wait for it to heat once the orders come in, and head for the cooler to pull out the eggs and bacon. Then I dive into the pantry to grab the vegetables and potatoes.
I’m just rinsing the peppers under the tap when I hear something. Shutting off the faucet, I listen carefully.
There it is again, a slight shuffle. It sounds like it’s coming from the hallway to the bathrooms.
Maybe Donna is early.
I wipe my hands on my apron and head out of the kitchen to say good morning, but the hallway is dark and empty.
Except for a faint strip of light coming out from under the office door.
“Donna?” I call out, simultaneously opening the door.
I barely step a foot inside when a hand clamps around my wrist, yanking me into the dim room, the door slamming shut behind me. I can just stay standing and swing around.
“Mike?” I’m stunned finding Shirley’s husband, who immediately shines a penlight in my eyes. Anger hits me immediately as I pull my arm free from his hold. “What the hell are you doing here? How did you get in here?”
“I need to find her. I need to talk to her.”
His hands are waving with frantic urgency. The light is no longer blinding me, but his behavior is concerning and fear starts to penetrate my initial burst of anger.
“Whatever you’re looking for you won’t find it here. You should leave, Mike. Jason will be here any minute.”
His wild eyes come to rest on me, and I know I have to get out of here.
“Where is she, Robin? Where is my wife? Did you know she’s out to ruin me? I’m facing jail time because of her!” His voice grows more irate with every word, and I fish around my apron pocket for my phone.
“You need to leave,” I repeat, but I already know he won’t listen. He can’t hear anything.
I curse my iPhone and wish I had my old Nokia so it would be easy to blindly punch in numbers. I try to free my phone from my pocket inconspicuously but he notices right away. Even as he takes a threatening step toward me I try to unlock my screen, but to no avail.
He slaps the phone out of my hand before backhanding me in the face.
I barely hang onto the edge of the desk and gasp as the pain vibrates through my skull. Eyes blurred by the sting of tears and fueled a surge of rage, I grab on to the first thing I can find and throw my arm back as I swing around. He curses loudly as I catch him in the face. When he grabs for his cheek I aim for his crotch, my fist still clutching the stapler. When he howls, bending over, I don’t hesitate and dart past him into the hallway.
I aim for the door, but don’t get farther than the coffee station when a fist closes in my hair. I’m jerked back hard and can’t keep my footing. I hit my head on the edge of the counter before I land hard, ears ringing and seeing stars.
A sharp kick lands in my ribs and I instinctively curl into a fetal position as a heavy body lands on mine. Blows land on my head and my back, when I hear a loud crash followed by an inhuman roar.
The next moment the heavy weight is lifted off me.
Gray
All I hear is the roaring of my blood and the thuds of my fists.
I just got out
