“Fine. But know the moment I’ve cleared the area, I’ll return, because I don’t like anything about this.”
“Good.” Because neither did she. She simply couldn’t identify why.
CHAPTER 5
This time, as Todd drove back to the alley, he let his siren join his lights. It felt good to take out his frustration from that crazy exchange with the social worker by going a little faster on the mostly empty roads. The chances he’d locate the young man at this time of night were slim, but it was worth trying.
He should have finished the bad hospital vending machine coffee before leaving, though, as the night pressed fatigue back into him.
When he arrived back at the restaurant where his evening had started, the parking lot was empty of all but a couple of cars. The sign flickered to “Closed” as he parked.
A face peered out at him, and he approached the door, flashed his badge, and a minute later, the woman unlocked it. He should probably remind her to be more careful. She hadn’t given his badge a careful enough review to ensure he was a police officer.
“Detective Westmont, you never came for your meal.”
Then again, maybe she recognized him. He squinted at her, but he was too tired to remember her. “I ran into some trouble tonight.”
“Thought you’d say that. Can I get you some food?” She moved toward the bar as if expecting him to follow her.
“I won’t keep you. Just have a quick question.”
“I can get you a sandwich while I answer.” His stomach growled, and she patted one of the stools as she passed it. “Don’t worry. I’ll get you on your way, but without all that extra noise.”
“Thanks…” His mind finally kicked into gear. “Doris.”
“I wondered how long it would take.” She smiled at him good-naturedly, but he could see the fatigue in the way her shoulders drooped. “What brings you here so late?”
“I did come here earlier tonight, but a young man stopped me and called me to the alley.”
Her brow furrowed as she slid into the kitchen and started pulling things from a cooler he could see through the serving window. “The alley?”
“Yes, ma’am. He left as soon as I was in the alley, but I found a young girl in there. She’s still unconscious at Bryan Memorial West.”
“I didn’t notice an ambulance.” She slapped slices of bread together, placed the sandwich on a plate, and then poured some potato chips onto the empty space.
“There was a major accident north of Waverly. I transported her in my car. I’m going to examine the alley again, but I wondered if you noticed anyone or anything that didn’t fit or belong tonight.”
“That’s an interesting question.” She frowned as she exited the kitchen and returned to the bar. “It was quiet for a Friday night. Not a lot of activity.” She leaned against the bar as he picked up the sandwich and took a bite.
The ham and Swiss with stoneground mustard exploded in flavor in his mouth. Add the crunch of the lettuce and tomato, and he was going to be one happy man. He chewed then swallowed. “This hits the spot.”
She nodded, then filled a glass with ice and water before placing it before him. “I can’t think of anything that would matter. You’re sure a girl was left in the alley?”
“Yes.”
“What time were you here?”
“About eight thirty.”
“So you were already late to get your food.”
“Guess so.”
“The girl can’t have been there long because my busboy ran the trash out about 8:15.”
“What does he look like?” Maybe this was the young man who had called him into the alley. Though if that was the case, he should have stuck around. And he wouldn’t have known Todd was a police officer. He didn’t remember seeing the busboy on the occasions he ran in for food.
“He’s a typical spindly fifteen-year-old.”
