Madge bellows to one of the deputies, asking to cover for her before she comes back on and says, “Sure. But your coffee is way better.”
“I know. But I think there’s a clue to Tina’s death at the diner. See you in five.” I do the Brittany thing and hang up quick before Madge can ask me any more questions.
After I pat my dog and tell him to be good, I flip the BACK IN TEN MINUTES sign and lock up. When I turn to head for the diner, Dylan is walking toward me on the sidewalk. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do, seeing as we’re supposed to be broken up, so I lift a hand and smile as I walk toward him.
He nods and then quickly passes by me without a word, leaving a big empty hole in my gut. Is this what it’ll be like if we break up for real? Us passing by each other and being polite for the rest of our lives?
I can’t stand the thought, so I stop and turn around.
And nearly bump into his chest. I cross my arms and say, “That was just weird.”
“I know. Sorry.” He rubs the back of his neck and looks at the ground. “I wanted to tell you I think we’re close to solving Tina’s murder. But I can’t quite make an arrest yet.”
That he won’t look at me doesn’t bode well. “Was Beth right about it being a woman?” Please, please, please say yes. I can’t stand the thought of my dad going to jail.
He finally meets my gaze. “Can’t say.”
I try to smile, but I can’t. “A gal’s gotta try, right?”
He nods. “I better go before people start talking. Enjoy your coffee.”
I blink at him. “How’d you know I was going for—”
“Hi, guys!” Madge joins us on the sidewalk. “What’d I miss?”
That explains it. Madge and her big matchmaking mouth. “Nothing, Madge. Bye, Dylan.” I grab Madge’s arm and tug her along with me the rest of the way to the diner.
When we arrive out front, Madge says, “That didn’t look like nothing.”
“And yet it wasn’t. Let’s sit by the window. That’s where Brittany said my dad and Tina ate lunch last.” We go inside and are instantly assaulted by the overpowering aroma of grease and coffee. It’s why I don’t frequent this establishment often.
“Fine. But for the record, you and Dylan are pathetic.” Madge throws up her hands. “I’m done.”
If only that were true. “Perfect. Now sit, please.” I hold out a hand toward the empty booth by the window and grab a sticky menu.
Madge slides into the booth. “I gave you both the perfect opportunity to—”
“Really?” I toss the menu aside and sit across from her. “Is this your way of giving up on us and being done? We’re here to investigate a clue, remember? So please, let’s keep our eyes on the prize.”
“Okay, Miss Stubborn.” Madge grins as she peruses the menu. “Since you invited me, you can add a piece of chocolate mousse pie with my coffee, please. Unless you’d rather skip it and just tell me what’s going on with you two.”
“Pie it is.” I stand to place our order at the counter since it’ll take twenty minutes to get service in the nearly empty diner.
Old Man Jacob, who has worked here since I was in high school, takes my order and then slowly shuffles toward the pass-through. He holds up two fingers and calls out, “Joes and a Bullwinkle.”
I return to our booth and say, “It’ll be right out.”
Madge leans closer like she has a secret. “They must have a new cook. I don’t know who Joe is. And heaven knows what a Bullwinkle is. Maybe Jacob is losing his hearing?”
I smile. “It’s diner talk. Joe is short for coffee, and what kind of an animal is Bullwinkle?”
Madge frowns. “You mean from cartoons? That moose?”
I tap my nose. “Get it? Chocolate mousse pie?”
“Oh! That’s pretty clever.” Madge laughs. “But my break is nearly up, so what are we looking for?”
I swivel in my seat. “Ben said they’ve added something new.” I study the space with its ancient Formica-topped tables, aluminum chairs with cracked red cushions, and the same old jukebox in the corner. Everything seems as it’s always been.
“Sawyer, look!” Madge points to the ceiling. “They’ve added security cameras.”
Sure enough. The round kind with 360-degree views. I glance toward the kitchen, and there’re two cameras back there as well. “If anyone poisoned Tina’s food, it should all be recorded.”
Madge slowly nods. “That should be really good for your father, right?”
“Or really, really bad.”
Is that why Ben told me about the cameras? To prepare me for the worst?
Chapter 17
Madge and I are walking back to my store when I remember I promised John at the golf course a pot of jambalaya. And I also need to return Brittany’s books to the high school. “I’m going to take the afternoon off and run a few errands. Try to think of something other than murder for a while.”
“Good idea.” Madge stops and lays a hand on my arm. “But don’t give up hope. I’m sure your father is innocent. Those cameras at the diner most likely proved that, or I doubt Ben would’ve told you about them.”
That makes sense. Maybe. “Did you find anything in Dylan’s notes about what Tina did before she met my dad at the café?”
“Nope.” Madge shakes her head. “There’s nothing until she showed up at the diner.”
“Okay.” I blow out a long breath. “Hit me up if you hear anything else.”
“Will do.” Madge changes direction and scurries across the park.
I dig the keys out of my pocket and unlock my store’s front door. Cooper is waiting for me just inside, so I grab his leash, lock the store up for the day, and then set out for my house. I’ll make the jambalaya and let it simmer while I take the books to the high school. It might
