Page 62 of Waylaid in Whittier

Sharky greeted them first. “That was fast.”

“The old jalopy has some get-up-and-go.” Elvira made the introductions. “This is my beau Sharky and his friend, Millie Armati, the ship’s cruise director.”

Wanda shook their hands. “I’ve never been on a big ship. Elvira has been telling me about her last cruise and how she met you.”

“It was an interesting adventure,” Millie said. “I’m sorry to hear about your attack. How are you feeling?”

“I have a rip-roaring headache, but other than that, I’ll be okay. I have exceptionally keen reflexes, if I say so myself. Which probably saved me from a more serious injury.”

“You do seem fast on your feet, like you could definitely defend herself.” Elvira patted her stomach. “I don’t know if you guys are hungry, but we’re starving and I’m buying. The bar’s late-night menu has really good food.”

“If you’re buying, we’re eating,” Sharky held the door. “After you, ladies.”

They stepped inside and found the place jam-packed. The only empty seats were at the bar.

“I guess we’ll have to sit at the bar,” Sharky said.

The bartender Millie and Sharky had met during their previous visit greeted them and brought them drinks. He returned a short time later and jotted down their orders.

While they waited for their food, Wanda and Elvira told them about swinging by the RV and catching Carter Morley trying to open Elvira’s door.

“I found a story about a man named Gold Morley,” Millie said. “Any chance he’s related to Carter Morley?”

“Yeah. Carter is Gold Morley’s grandson.”

“That’s what I thought, or at least suspected.” Millie noticed the bartender looking their way. “Who is the guy who waited on us?”

“Lyle Gardner. He owns this bar,” Wanda said. “He’s been around for a long time. Why?”

“He keeps looking our way.”

“Maybe he thinks we need more drinks while we wait for our food.” Sharky lifted his hand and signaled for him to come over.

Instead of Lyle, another bartender made his way over. “Can I get you something?”

“Another round of Diet Cokes for the gals and I’ll take another root beer,” he said.

“You got it.”

The food arrived a short time later, delivered by Lyle this time. “Burgers for three and a salad for this young lady.” Lyle placed the salad in front of Millie. “Can I get you anything else?”

“Thank you. This’ll do it.”

He turned to go and then swung back around. “Wanda. I didn’t recognize you at first.”

“Hey, Lyle.”

“I thought you were in the hospital.”

“I was. I got out earlier today.”

Lyle tipped his head in Elvira’s direction. “I see you two worked out your issues.”

“We did,” Elvira said. “Wanda is dropping the charges. She knows it wasn’t me who attacked her.”

“I think investigators are taking a closer look at someone else,” he said.

Millie’s heart skipped a beat. “Who?”

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