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Valerie left the seminary and headed out into the cold air. She could feel it. They were on the cusp of a breakthrough. She just hoped it would be enough to save her unit.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
"Is this the place, Glen?" Valerie asked, looking through the windscreen of Sheriff Carter's truck.
"Yeah," he said, putting the car into park. He pointed to an old diner across from them. "Can't say I've ever eaten here, but it seems popular enough in Templeton."
Templeton was like a thousand other Kansas towns. Its outskirts were populated by periodic farmhouses, a couple of junkyards, and even an old yard store claiming to house "the biggest Christmas Tree in Kansas". Even the small town's library was more like a mobile home than a brick-and-mortar building.
But it was the pink, neon lit Rockafella's Diner that Valerie was interested in. The killer's first victim, Greta Young, had lived there.
As Valerie and the sheriff left his truck, the sound of two car doors closing behind them sounded. It was Will and Charlie.
Will looked a little more disheveled than usual to Valerie, pulling up his collar to the wind. His hair was ruffled by the winter breeze. She could see that the pain in his arm was taking a toll on him, but she didn't say anything.
"Have we gone back in time?" Charlie asked, pointing to the 1950s themed diner.
"Can ... can we get out of this blasted wind?" Will asked, not replying to Charlie's joke.
Valerie nodded and led the way. The four investigators walked across a parking lot, their footsteps deadened by the unpleasant sound of traffic nearby.
As they entered the diner, Valerie was met by a scene of classic 1950s Americana. The walls were lined with pictures and posters of actors, singers, and other celebrities from that era. A jukebox played in the corner, and the smell of fresh-cooked burgers wafted through the air. Waitresses dressed in poodle skirts and bobby socks moved between tables taking orders and serving food to customers. The atmosphere was bright and cheerful despite the fact that it was late evening.
Valerie felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her as she looked around the diner. She had never been to one like this before, but it reminded her of an old movie she watched as a child.
"This place looks amazing," Charlie said, his eyes wide with awe as he looked around. "It's like stepping back in time."
"I know," Valerie smiled at him before turning to Will who seemed to be uncomfortable with their surroundings. "Are you okay?" She asked him cautiously as she placed her hand on his shoulder for support.
Will nodded reluctantly before sighing heavily. "Yes, I'm fine," he muttered quietly before following Valerie over to a booth near the front window where they could all sit together comfortably while looking out at the gray morning sky outside.
A waitress, chewing gum and trying every bit to play the part, stood over them with a notepad in hand.
"What can I get ya?" she asked.
Valerie pulled out her badge and flipped it open. "Could we speak with your manager, please?"
The girl looked nervous and nodded before heading back behind the counter. She whispered something to a man cleaning glasses. He gave a cursory glance to Valerie and then disappeared through a set of swing doors into a back room.
"I feel like we just asked to speak with a mafia boss," Charlie said.
"Don't joke," Sheriff Carter said. "I've met a few business owners in my time who think they are exactly that."
Valerie didn't say anything, she only considered her watch.10:17 AM.She was expecting Heinlein to call for an update.
Just as another 50s rock and roll hit started up on the jukebox, the doors behind the counter opened again. This time, a woman in her fifties with thick rimmed glasses and a splash of pink dye in her hair appeared.
Valerie stood up. "Would you be the manager?"
"Yes, I am," she said. "Dolores Clayton, nice to meet you." She shook Valerie's hand.
"Agent Law. These are my colleagues with the FBI and Sheriff Carter with Kerry County Sheriff's Department."
The woman smirked. "How many police officers does it take to change a light bulb?"
"I'm glad you find this funny, Dolores," Valerie said. "But we're here to talk about what happened to Greta."
Dolores rolled her eyes.
