Missing in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law #5)(21)

“That sucks.”

“Was anyone else with them,” Mildred asked, “or did anyone else talk to them?”

Dee shook her head. “They was alone. Sat right here at the counter and had a cup of coffee and slice of pie. Said they were on their way home after working out of town for a bit and needed a little pick-me-up to make the last hour’s drive.”

“Did they look worried or anything?” Mildred asked.

“Can’t say as they did. We chatted a bit about the weather and how striped bass was biting. The guy said he planned on spending the next couple days fishing. She joked that he was gonna spend at least one painting the living room. Seemed normal…you know, a nice couple. What kind of work do they do?”

Because she couldn’t see any reason to lie, Jadyn decided the truth was probably easiest. “They’re both FBI agents,” Jadyn said.

Dee’s eyes widened. “No shit? Wow, I would never have figured them for feds. They wasn’t stiff or rude or anything like the others.”

“They are both very nice and not at all rude unless someone pushes them to it,” Mildred said. “Which is why we can’t figure out what happened.”

“Maybe some of the bad guys they was chasing came after them,” Dee said. “I see that sorta thing all the time in movies.”

“It’s a possibility,” Jadyn agreed, “although not a pleasant one.”

Dee shook her head. “Ain’t no pleasant possibility when a woman’s gone missing, unlessin’ she runned off herself.”

“True,” Jadyn agreed.

“So they left here and everything was normal?” Mildred asked. “I mean, I’m sorta glad they had a good moment before all the trouble, but at the same time…”

“You ain’t got no answers,” Dee said. “Kinda crappy, if you ask me.”

“What about other customers?” Jadyn asked. “Anyone been around lately that you didn’t know or that looked out of place?”

Dee shook her head. “I can’t recall anyone I didn’t know coming in for weeks. Last time I can think of was when a fishing tournament was going on. That was about a month ago, though.”

“Well then,” Mildred said, “I guess that’s that.”

Dee gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m really sorry I can’t help. Your niece was really nice and left a big tip. I sure hope they find her soon.”

“Damn it, Marty!” an angry male voice sounded from the kitchen. “I told you that ham sandwich was mine. I don’t get paid to fix your supper.”

“I didn’t touch your sandwich,” another man said. “I don’t even like ham.”

Jadyn glanced over at Mildred and held in a groan.

“Well, it didn’t disappear in thin air,” the first man continued, “and I know I didn’t eat it.”

“Maybe you forgot. Your mind has been going downhill ever since you turned fifty.”

Dee looked over the serving counter. “If you two are going to fight like five-year-olds, take it out back. No one else should have to listen to that mess.”

Dee turned back around. “Do you ladies want anything to eat? I’m kinda hoping not since I just sent the cooks out back, but we do have some incredible apple pie.”

Helena the Batgirl’s head popped over the counter. “I want pie.”

“No, thank you,” Mildred said. “We’re on a diet.”

Dee sighed. “It’s the state I live in.”

“Excuse me,” a man’s voice sounded behind them.

They turned around to find the three biker guys standing behind them. Instantly, Jadyn’s pulse clicked up a notch.

“We couldn’t help overhearing your conversation,” the guy said. “What kind of car was your cousin driving?”

“It was a black Cadillac DTS,” Jadyn replied.

The man looked back at his two buddies, who both nodded. “I think we saw that car on the side of the highway maybe thirty miles toward Mudbug.”

Jadyn’s pulse quickened. “What time?”

“About eleven. They had a flat and the man had the trunk open. I figure to change it. There was someone else in the car. We stopped and asked if they needed help, but he said he was good and thanked us, so we went on.”

Jadyn pulled a snapshot of Raissa and Zach from her pocket. “Was this the couple you saw?”

The man looked at the photo and nodded. “It was dark but I’m pretty sure that was the guy I saw. We were on our way to visit a buddy in Mudbug but didn’t head back until tonight, so I don’t know how long they were there.”

“Did you see any other vehicles on the highway?” Jadyn asked.

“No, sorry. That stretch of the highway usually isn’t busy that late at night. We didn’t see any other cars but your cousin’s. You said the woman’s missing?”

Jadyn nodded. “Someone ran over her husband, and we can only assume they kidnapped her.”

The man shook his head. “That’s bad news. We got a couple buddies in Mudbug and some other towns nearby. Not all of ’em are into the legal sort of business, if you know what I mean, but I’ll ask around and see if they’ve heard anything.”