Page 70 of Mystery in the Mountains

“Are you okay, sugar? You seem ’bout million miles away.”

“Yeah . . . Sorry, just having a spacey moment. What did you need?”

“Well,” she said, waving them over like she was about to give them some good dish.

And if Asher loved anything, he loved some good gossip. Who doesn’t? And Betty always had the best town gossip.

“I know you were asking about that suit that was pokin’ his nose around the Hollow last week. Well, I just heard from Norma, who heard from Gus down at the gas station, that he was trying to stay at the motel.”

“What motel?” said Sunny.

Asher looked at her.

“The scuzzy one on the edge of town?” Sunny finally asked.

“That’s the one. He apparently wanted to stay there, but since Dale’s disappearance last fall, it’s been empty.”

“What on earth was a guy like that going to do staying at a dumpy motel?” asked Asher.

“That is my point exactly. It sure is strange, isn’t it?” she said to Sunny. “Are you sure you’re feeling okay? Did you to eat yet?”

“No, I’m fine. So, he was trying to stay in a gross motel?” Sunny asked, trying to feign interest.

“Yeah, I mean, why on earth would a man like that stay in a motel with plastic sheets? Ya know . . . even if it was just for hookers and blow, I feel like a man like that would go to a different establishment.”

“Yeah . . . that’s weird,” Sunny said absentmindedly.

“For sure,” Asher added.

He was starting to get concerned.

“Ya know . . . I’m actually not feeling that great. Can you take me home?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

“Are you getting sick?” Betty reached over the counter and felt her head. “Let me get you some soup to go. Give me one second.”

Betty disappeared into the kitchen, and Sunny just kept her eyes forward.

Asher put his hand on her back, and she jumped. “Sorry, Sunshine, we’ll go in a minute.”

“Hey, Peanut,” Asher called out. “I think we are headed home. I’ll see you later.”

Ruby looked up from her homework, smiled, and waved. “Bye!”

Betty came out of the kitchen carrying a back full of way more than soup.

“Here, I got you each a bowl of soup,” she said, handing Asher two big bags of food. He eyed the two bags because clearly there was more food here. “I went ahead and threw in some meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Oh, and some rolls.”

“Aunt Betty?—”

“And a pie,” she said, handing Sunshine a pie before she could say no.

Asher chuckled and took the bag from her. “Thanks, Betty.”

“My pleasure. I hope you feel better, sweet pea.”

“I’m sure I will . . . It’s just a headache,” Sunny said through a tight smile.

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