Page 34 of A Seer and Present Danger

And, yes. I knew people reacted in a variety of ways when faced with this kind of sudden death. I’d been sad and afraid.

Shelly was apparently delighted about the whole thing. But Aggie seemed to handle death like she didn’t care about the dead person. Like she just wanted all the information she could get. Like she blamed him for dying without giving up his secrets.

I put my hands on hips and raised my eyebrows. “Ghouls, the both of you. We’re talking about a dead man.”

“Dead thief.” Aggie shrugged. “He got what he deserved.”

“We don’t really know that.” I didn’t like her tone and wanted to end the conversation. I tipped my chin toward the door. “We do know there’s a rush headed our way. Let’s get to it, ladies!”

A group of six pushed through the door. I already had menus ready for them, and Shelly hustled to get them seated.

Behind that group was a steady stream of twos and fours that kept us busy for another couple hours.

I wasn’t watching the door, but I was the only one on the floor when the man walked in.

The man who had sat in the booth yesterday.

The man in the futures I’d seen.

Mr. Stalker.

“How many tonight?” I asked, even though I knew he was alone.

He was just as good looking as last time, though he’d brushed his hair, slicking it back. I missed the messier look.

“One. Booth, if you’ve got it.”

I could take him to the booth Shelly would look after, but I wanted to keep tabs on him this time, so I offered the one near the door. “This okay?”

“Works for me.”

He looked like a good guy, he felt like a good guy, but according to Aggie, there was that whole stalker thing he had going.

I was usually a good judge of people. Why did he mess up my intuition?

You want to like him, and you can’t, I thought. Total bummer.

“Coffee to start?”

“Do you have a minute, Piper?”

I was wearing my name tag, so it was no surprise he knew my name. Still, chills ran down my spine. Somehow it felt familiar. Like he’d noticed me before. Like he’d said my name before.

“It’s important,” he said. “About the crime.”

The diner was as quiet as it ever was. Buzz was in the kitchen and both Aggie and Shelly were outside on break. The five customers at tables were taking their time with their meals and no one needed a drink refill.

Two people at the counter were eating and scrolling on their phones.

There was no excuse for me to say no.

Plus, my curiosity was off the charts.

I sat across from him. “I’m listening. But if you know something about the crime, you should talk to the police.”

There. Jean would be happy I’d tried to stay out of it. Okay. Tried a little to stay out of it.

“I’ve been in touch,” he said. “This isn’t something the police can solve. Well, not Ordinary’s police.”