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“At least we can say this investigation won’t be lacking drama, that’s for damn sure.” Teddi joked dryly before heading inside.
Vera’s eyes burned as she stared into the red of his taillights until they were pinpoints.
Reaching for the door handle, another vehicle caught her eye. A black pickup with chrome runners was backed up into the furthest spot in the half-full lot. A copse of overgrown tree limbs hung over the cab, and a man’s arm rested on the open window frame. Even though the shadows shielded his eyes, she could feel it was her that he watched. Something sinister blinked back from his shaded corner, its gnarled fingers skittering over the speckled gravel like a hand reaching to grab her.
She took a step back as if she could get out of its menacing reach. This was the second time she caught someone watching them and the unease inside her grew like a weed. When he made no move to get out of the vehicle or drive away, she stepped inside.
The squeak of sneakers on the checkerboard floor was the first thing that hit her. That and the smell of fried food. Pie stands of varying sizes decorated the long counter that split the room between the seating area and the kitchen. The red leather of the booths was well-worn, complimenting the classic flooring that ran throughout. Vera was surprised no one was rolling around on roller skates or slurping milkshakes with cherries on top.
“Welcome to Sylen Spread. Just take a seat wherever you want.” A woman hollered from behind the counter.
Making their way to a spot in the corner by the window, the few customers who watched their interaction with the Sheriff nodded politely but minded their business. As much as minding their business included eyeing them up and down and leaning over to whisper to their companions. The hushed tones were louder than the sizzle of the kitchen grill.
“Tough crowd,” Teddi grumbled as she flipped open an oversized menu. “Is it considered a balanced meal if I eat a dessert and a side salad too?"
“No comment,” Vera replied dryly.
“You're right, it is. I need the calories or I will waste away and all my training will have been for nothing.” Vera had noticed the generous muscles of her thighs she didn’t have before. Teddi hadn’t been into weight training when they were together but it had done her well since. She caught herself staring at the way her jeans pulled around the curves of her ass more than once.
"Did you see any CCTV cameras anywhere in town?"
Teddi twisted her lips to the side. "I haven't."
"No stoplights and no CCTV cameras on a single building or street. The whole town is dark."
“Hi, do you ladies know what you want?” A woman in a pale blue apron appeared next to their table. Light strawberry blonde hair pulled back in a bun with small features and a soft bone structure. There was no mistaking the similarities she and Lily shared. Vera expected her mother to be showing signs of stress from the way she talked about taking over the financial and parental duties. This woman was nearly beaming as she stood with her order pad in hand. Nails painted a bright red that rivaled the seat leather, she appeared well put together.
“We're still deciding." She began to retreat. "Sorry, you wouldn’t happen to be Lily’s mom, would you?” At the mention of her daughter’s name, her smile faltered.
“Yes, I’m Nora. Why? How do you know Lily?”
“Oh, we knew her boyfriend. Well, ex-boyfriend, Alex.”
Every trace of genuine friendliness fell from her face. What was just seconds ago a vibrant woman became a brittle thing, the lift of her mouth more of a ventriloquist trick. “Is that so? What are you folks doing all the way in Sylen when he lives in Fort Collins?”
Teddi spoke up, resting her hands on the menu as she gave Nora her full attention. “We’re just looking into his passing. Lily didn’t know, did you?”
Those shining red nails came to rest on her chest above a rush of blood causing a flush to creep up her throat. “I had no idea, my god. What happened?”
“We’re not quite sure at this point, it’s a bit up in the air. Did you know Alex very well, Mrs. Howe?”
“It’s Ms. Good, please. And no,” she rolled the edge of the pages against the flat of her thumb. “I didn’t know Alex well. Lily never brought him home to meet me. I did hear some very troubling things, though.”
“The phone calls and texts, you mean?” Vera asked.
The pages thrummed down her thumb once more, the sound like an off-beat timekeeper. “Yes, it was horrible. Poor Lily had a lot of problems leaving the house once it all started. He just wouldn’t stop, wouldn’t leave her be. We’re lucky we live here or I don’t know what would have happened.”
“So you never saw him after their break-up?” Nora shook her head. “That’s so strange because we heard he was coming back here to see Lily right before he disappeared.”
“I never saw the boy, I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright, I’m sorry for Lily’s distress, no one knew about that until much later.” Vera meant it. She was still trying to figure out how to piece the parts of Alex together with the boy she knew. She'd been gone for so long and Alex did a lot of growing in that time. So much so she was beginning to feel as if she may not have known him at all.
“Don’t worry, honey." She gave a small smile. "It’s alright, Lily is fine now.”
Teddi stared at her with laser focus. “Well, do you think we could order some food, Nora? Then we’ll get out of your hair.”
The woman laughed and waved her hand. “Don’t be silly. Please, stay as long as you like. It’s not as if we get many visitors here. We’ll finally get a genuine opinion on the food.” Nora took their orders and returned to the counter full of pies, both of them watching her.
