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The parking lot at Scooter’s had more cars than I’d expected. A good half of them were work trucks and vans. It was no surprise Malcolm catered to the blue-collar working crowd. Then again, most of Lone County fit that description. Louise’s Lone County Sheriff’s cruiser stuck out like a sore thumb.
Louise was in the same booth as the night before, only her long, dark hair was pulled back into a low bun, and she was wearing her light brown uniform. A plate with a half-eaten sandwich and the remnants of fries sat on the table in front of her, along with a half-empty glass of what looked like iced tea.
She gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry I started without you, but I never know if I’ll get a call.”
“Understood. I remember all too well,” I said as I slid into the seat opposite her, then glanced down at the plate of burger and fries in front of me. “This looks good.”
“Best in the county, everyone says so.”
I lifted a brow. “It’s Lone County. Is it really that hard to be the best here?”
She shook her head, her dark brown eyes dancing. “Just try the damn thing.”
I picked up the burger took a bite, unable to stop my moan. My life might have been in the shitter, but I appreciated good food when I tasted it.
“See?” Her eyes lit up with vindication. “Told you.”
“So you come here a lot?” I asked despite the fact my mouth was half full.
“Often enough for the daytime waitresses to know me.” Her eyes were locked on something past me, and I turned to see a waitress heading over to our table.
The waitress stopped next to us, her hand on her hip. She looked like she couldn’t be a day over twenty. Her bright blond hair hung to her shoulders in bouncy curls and her blue eyes shone with friendliness. “How’s that club sandwich, Deputy Martin?” she asked in a sweet voice.
“Delicious as always, Kylie. My compliments to Petey.”
Kylie beamed. She’d been pretty before, but now she was radiant. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was part of the reason all the men spread around the dining room were here for lunch.
She turned to me. “Deputy Martin ordered your food for you, but we didn’t know what you wanted to drink.”
Everything in me screamed to order a beer, because it would be the perfect accompaniment to a juicy burger and fries, but I was working a case. And Louise was here. And—
“Iced tea would be great,” I said. “Unsweet.”
“Coming right up,” she said as she turned and flounced away.
“She’s cute,” I said as I picked up a fry.
Louise flashed me a grin. “The patrons love her, but Malcolm’s very protective of her. If any of them try anything inappropriate, he’s on them like a tick to a coon dog.”
“They’re in a relationship?” I asked in surprise. She was young enough to be his daughter.
“I don’t know. He’s protective of all of his staff—he doesn’t allow any bullshit—but especially so with her.”
“There has to be a story there,” I said, my gaze following her as she walked behind the bar to fill a glass with ice. I let my gaze linger behind the bar, looking for Malcolm. I found him, pulling a beer, and his gaze was directly on me. Shame burned into me from our interaction last night, but I was still curious about his visit to the police station earlier. Our eyes locked for a second before my shame won out. I jerked my gaze away and stuffed a fry in my mouth.
“I’m sure there is,” Louise said, “but one mystery at a time. Starting with your sudden fascination with a stolen van,” she leaned closer and lowered her voice, “and your statement that TJ Peterman’s daughter was kidnapped.”
I swallowed the fry in my mouth.
She held my gaze. “I double checked, and we haven’t heard anything about a kidnapping.”
My heart slammed into my throat as I practically vaulted across the table in panic. “You didn’t directly ask anyone, did you?”
I needed to stay under the radar. Sure, I wanted the sheriff’s department to be working Ava’s kidnapping—hell, I wanted the FBI to be working her case—but they weren’t. So I was. If Chief Larson caught wind, he could try to make me stop.
“No, I just checked what cases were open, but even if I hadn’t, I would have heard about it if there was an investigation. Kidnappings aren’t all that common around here. Especially ones involving kids.” Her face blanched. “Shit, Harper. Sorry.”
I waved her off, relief flooding through me. “The girl’s mother was my sister’s best friend.”
