Best Friends (New Species #15)(33)

“Where do you think we store our meat? The fridge. We couldn’t serve our famous bacon cheeseburgers since everything went bad. Joel had to toss everything inside and order new. But we’re good to go now. Do you want to try one of those burgers? They’re delicious.”

“No. I’d like to talk to the other waitress.” He turned his head, seeming to watch Mary.

“She’s super shy,” Mel lied. “She doesn’t like to talk to strangers. I’m the one who handles those. No offense, mister, but we’re a small town with lots of quirks. What do you want to talk to her about? You can ask me instead.”

He jerked his head back her way.

She sighed when he said nothing, guessing the answer. “She’s the last person to ask about the New Species. I can promise you that she’s never talked to one. I think you’re supposed to call the NSO if you want an interview with them. Shouldn’t you know that if it’s your job?”

His mouth firmed into a tight scowl. “There wasn’t a problem here a few days ago?”

Fear whipped through her. Had someone blabbed? “Just the fridge going down, mister. It was a mess clearing out all that rotten food. That was a problem. Now it’s fixed, and we got a new food delivery. Are you going to order something to eat or do you need a few more minutes?”

“I had a tip from a man who called me to say there may have been a shooting in this diner.”

“A shooting?” She gasped, maybe a bit too much. “Definitely not! That would be the talk of the town if something like that happened. Small town. Hello, there’s no secrets.” She was glad she’d worn a long-sleeve shirt that hid her bandaged arm. “The only thing that’s happened recently is Mitzy over there breaking her ankle falling out of a truck.” She motioned down the counter.

He seemed to continue to watch her, but Mel wasn’t sure with those dark sunglasses hiding his eyes.

“Give me a yell when you’re ready to order, mister.”

Mel fled, making the rounds to refill drinks and take more orders from incoming customers. She watched as the stranger approached Mitzy. She wanted to get closer to eavesdrop, to see if he was grilling her about the New Species, but she didn’t dare.

He only stayed with Mitzy for a few minutes before he limped out of the diner, leaving a dollar next to his half-finished coffee.

She approached Mitzy. “What did that guy say to you?”

The older woman had an amused glint in her eyes. “He was a reporter, wasn’t he?”

“I think so. He was nosey about the New Species. I shut him down.”

“He wanted to know how I hurt my ankle and why the diner was closed. Then the old fool asked if I’d heard about anyone being shot! I laughed in his face. He must work for one of those gossip rags. They’re really reaching now. I told him we’re hiring at animal control if he wants a real job.”

Mel forced a smile. “I wouldn’t wish that on you. He was kind of rude.”

“No shit.” Mitzy pulled out cash. “Can you be a dear?”

Mel nodded and took the money to the register, rang up Mitzy’s lunch bill, and brought her change. “You take it easy. I hope you find someone to replace Boomer soon.”

“Me too. Sheriff Cooper said he’d find us a volunteer while I’m out of commission. I’m kind of afraid who he’ll dig up, since you know how he is.”

Mel laughed. “I sure do. Someone will do something to get into trouble and he’ll give them a choice of jail or community service. You’ll get your help soon. No one wants to sit in one of those tiny cells.”

She went back to work after collecting the tip Mitzy left…but her gaze kept returning to the windows of the diner. The old reporter didn’t return. She hoped he’d left town. Part of her wondered if she should alert Sheriff Cooper about him, but then more customers came in, it got too busy, and the time flew by. Before she knew it, her shift ended and Tina, her replacement, walked in.

Mel removed her apron and clocked out in the kitchen. Mary already waited at the back door, avoiding the woman who’d slept with her ex-boyfriend. They walked out to their cars together.

“Didn’t you want to say hi to Tina?” she teased.

Mary shot her a middle finger.

“Do you want to come over tonight? We can watch a movie. I really would enjoy the company.”

Mary unlocked her car door and opened it. “I can’t tonight. My parents came home. Do you want to have dinner with us?”

Mel wasn’t in the mood to listen to her best friend’s parents recount all their latest RV adventures. They usually had a ton of pictures and videos of where they’d visited. It could get boring after an hour or two. “I’ll pass.”

“Lucky you. At least they’re only home for two days this time to do laundry and check up on me. Otherwise known as grill me about my life and remind me that they want grandkids before they die. Like at twenty-six I’m about to become an old maid and my ovaries are going to dry up.”

“Where are they going next?”

“I’ll find out tonight. I get the whole retirement thing, and being able to travel and living what they consider ‘grand adventures.’ It’s just not my thing, though. I can’t imagine being locked up in a small RV for weeks or months at a time. The bathroom is a nightmare. You can sit on the toilet to pee with the sink practically in your lap to brush your teeth, while taking a shower at the same time. They act like that’s a good thing.” Mary shuddered.