Page 39 of Petty Deadly Gorgeous

The restaurant itself reminded me of an old fifties style diner with its bright red booths and chairs and black and white checked floor and service counter with stools. They decorated the walls with cute sayings and memorabilia.

After five years of being partnered with Sean, I knew where to look for him. He always liked to sit in the back of restaurants so he could watch the entire place in case something happened, and he liked to be close to the bathrooms.

Sean waved me over, and I went to join him at a table near the back. As I slid into the booth, a young woman in a short black skirt and white blouse appeared and set a glass of water down for me.

Her legs were long, and she had on puffy socks, the kind most women prefer on cold days, and her blouse was unbuttoned at the top. “Welcome to The Salty Chef. I’m Maddie and I’ll be your server today.”

“Thank you, Maddie.” Sean smiled at her and leaned closer to her. “We’ll need a few minutes.”

“Sure thing.” She did this little curtsy and wandered off.

I noticed Sean’s eyes following her, and I laughed. “Easy old man. You’re probably old enough to be her granddad.”

He turned to me with a grimace on his face. “And?”

And? That was his response?

I turned to look behind me where Maddie refilled coffee for another couple and then back at Sean.

“Like ‘em young?”

“I like them legal.” He snapped defensively and picked up his menu.

I did the same, but my mind churned over one question. How well does anyone know anybody? Last night Anna, Jon, the sheriff and the other guy let me in to have a good time with them, but they didn’t know me. They didn’t know who I was on my own time.

It occurred to me then that wasn’t the first time they partied like that. They all were very comfortable with each other and, for God knows what reason, I felt like I belonged there as well.

“They have ribs.” Sean patted his small belly. “I think that’s what I want.”

Maddie strolled over to us. “Are you gentlemen ready?”

“I think we are, doll.” He gave her a wink. “I’ll have the half rack of ribs, with extra sauce on the side.”

She jotted it down on her little notepad and looked at me. “And for you, Detective Moody?”

I looked up at her curiously. “Have we met?”

She giggled and her cheeks pinked up. “No. You met my grandpa last night at Miss Anna’s.”

“Gotcha.” I smiled back. “I’ll have a burger and fries.”

“What would you like on it?” She glanced at Sean and her cheeks reddened further.

“Run it through the garden, kiddo.”

She let out another giggle and covered her mouth with the order pad. “I’m older than you think.”

“I’m sure you are.” I nodded and handed her both menus. “Thank you.”

She walked away slowly, swinging her hips, and Sean reached up to adjust his tie. I sat back and put my arm on the back of the booth and waited for him to get his head back in the game.

When he finally sat back, he looked over at me with a silly grin on his face. “So, I got nothing from anyone everywhere I went. How’d it go with Sheriff Lincoln?”

You dirty old man.

“Good. He said nothing stood out about the Bishop case and that he hadn’t seen the girls. Then he tossed another case at me for a missing girl.”

Sean chuffed out a breath. “Another one?”

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