“Yeah, I’m kidding. I’m Boba Fett.” Chet placed a replica of a Star Wars laser kind of gun on the counter.
Jack hated to admit he wasn’t a Star Wars geek, but he still knew a few things. He snapped his fingers repeatedly. “He’s ... he’s ... no, wait, let me get this one. He’s the bounty hunter.”
“And a Mandalorian.”
Whatever you say.“Should I call you Boba or Chet?”
“Take your pick.”
“Okay, um ... Boba.” No, wait. He couldn’t have a serious conversation like this. “I mean, Chet. Who is Mark Hamill or Luke Skywalker?”
“The owner. The owner and his wife founded this place probably thirty years ago. It started out western-styled, and eventually they added more pop culture, then shifted to the Star Wars theme.”
“After that actor moved here, I’m guessing.”
“Yep.”
“And where are they now?”
“They come in now and again.”
“They own it, but they aren’t hands on when running it?”
“She is. Oh, she’s here to make sure the stuff is arranged just so. They collect all this Stars Wars stuff at shows they attend.”
“Who is she?”
“Princess Leia?”
“Um ... yeah, who is she really?” Jack could discover that information himself, but he found this conversation fascinating and it got Chet talking.
“Mabel Porcella. Dirk is her husband.”
“Dirk, who goes by Luke here at the bar. So, is there a Darth Vader?”
Chet laughed again. “We could go on and on, ya know? But I have a feeling you didn’t come here to talk about the Star Wars collections or names.”
“I came here to talk about Blevins.”
Chet stilled. His face might have paled a few shades, but it was too dark inside for Jack to be sure.
“Just tell me about the guy who took his place.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Well, I could just wait around until Billy Dee gets here and find out then.”
Someone pushed through the door and entered the bar.
Chet leaned forward and relayed the information in such low tones, Jack almost didn’t hear him. “Tonight at ten-thirty, the guy who took Blevins’s place will be here. You can ask him yourself when you see him. Why so interested?”
I’m following up on all information connected to two murders. Jack suspected Chet had probably figured that out, but he kept it to himself. He shrugged.
“There’s something more, and this might be the best part,” Chet said.
“I’m listening.”
The news Chet shared definitely intrigued him.
“Thanks for the information.” Jack left a big tip as he bid his new friend goodbye and headed through the back, amazed at just how many collectibles could be displayed on one wall.
He pushed through the exit door and found himself in a back alley facing the back entrance to the museum.