Page 18 of Dark Obsession

“I wouldn’t say no to a salad. Soltero and Alberti just started patrol, so we could clock out for an hour.”

“Good point.” Lucia tapped the door frame a couple of times. “We’ll meet you there. Watch your speed.”

“Oh my God.” He started to put the window up, then leaned out and called, “I’m not paying for lunch!”

The lunch rush at Margie’s was just kicking off when they arrived. Margie herself—today wearing bright blue eye shadow and a red-orange lipstick that made Demetrius think of clay pots—brought menus, silverware, and the usual iced tea for all three of them as they settled into the last booth against the side wall, Demetrius and Cody’s usual spot.

“Is this an informal questioning or a friendly lunch?” Margie asked, standing close to Demetrius’s side of the booth and peering at Lucia and Gayle over the tops of her reading glasses.

Demetrius’s ducked his head to hide his grin and released the grip he had on his knees.

“Just a lunch between friends, Margie,” Lucia replied.

“Mm hmm.” Margie didn’t appear convinced. “What can I get for everybody?”

They ordered, and Margie took the menus then headed for the kitchen.

“Why do I feel like the bad guys?” Gayle said. “Aren’t we the town protectors?”

“You’ll get used to it.” Lucia focused on Demetrius. “Tell us about last night.”

He explained about their client and how they checked out the abandoned house in Stone Hill she was suspicious about. Lucia’s expression shifted, flashing quickly from attentive to surprised before changing back.

“She should be telling the sheriff’s department,” Lucia interrupted.

Demetrius raised his eyebrows. “Really? Should she call the main phone number or 911?”

Lucia’s brows came together. “Fine. Continue.”

By the end of his explanation, Lucia was pinching the bridge of her nose, and Gayle could only stare and shake her head.

“So many broken laws,” Gayle muttered, sitting back as Margie delivered their food.

“Everything good here?” Margie looked at Demetrius.

“Everything’s fine, Margie, thank you.”

She tipped him a wink before shifting her attention to the deputies. “Anyone need anything else?”

They didn’t, and Margie left to greet some new arrivals.

“I didn’t know your mom worked here,” Lucia grumbled.

“She’s just protective,” Demetrius said.

Gayle was still shaking her head as she cut up her grilled chicken salad. Demetrius heard her say under her breath, “So many broken laws.”

“All right, fine, so many broken laws. What should we have done instead?”

“Called it in,” Lucia said.

“To who?”

“To the sheriff’s department.”

Demetrius crossed his arms. “Is everyone who works there qualified to respond to these kinds of cases?”

Gayle snorted then caught the glare Lucia aimed her way and took a bite of her salad.