“That guy…”
I stiffen. “Have you seen him here before?”
“No.”
“Since that night?”
“No.”
“That car?”
She hesitates. “I don’t really scope out the parking lot, and it was late. I don’t even remember what it looked like.”
"I don't even know if that was his car or a rental or something along those lines, but…" I bring up the app to show her the make and model.
“If I happen to see it, I’ll let you know, or… should I call the police?”
“No. Don’t call the police but do let me know. Only if it’s that same guy, though. Do you think you would recognize him?”
“I think so.”
I rub the back of my neck. “Did he see you?”
“Yes. I stared him down.”
Shit.
I force a smile. “Great, you’ll recognize him then. Good.”
Only… he’ll recognize her too. I hate that he’s infiltrating my life. He’s learning who my friends are, where they live, and he’s going to use them against me. I just know it.
What I don’t know is what he wants from me.
Too bad I never spent any time with the Thunder Crows. It’s not as if I can try to see if one of them would rat him out and tell me what’s going on. I’m on my own.
The doors open, and the regular trail in, and I get to work. Holly is the chef on the weekends, and she only grunted at me earlier during the tour. She works fast, though, and I try my best to make my customers happy.
Around eleven or so, it finally slows down, and Cherise comes over to the counter where I’m standing.
“You good?” she asks.
“I’m good. Hungry, though.”
"You get a bite to eat. Ask Holly for something. Be quick about it, though. I'll cover for you, and then you me?"
“You got it.” I head to the back. “Hey, Holly, I was told you could hook me up with lunch.”
She grunts. “What do you want?”
“Whatever you want to make.”
She eyes me for a long moment, and I hope I didn't insult her somehow. She finally nods. "Salad or sandwich."
“I can eat a sandwich a lot faster than a salad, but… actually, I wouldn’t mind a salad.”
She nods and gets to work, and the salad is so large and overflowing, filled with all kinds of extras. It’s absolutely divine with a raspberry vinaigrette, and I only eat what I can in five minutes before moving it to the side.
“Don’t let anyone touch this!” I say. “I’m gonna pop in here every so often to nab a bite or two whenever I get the chance.”