Semua Bab Drengr: Bab 21 - Bab 30

Becky walked up to the table with my bill and the card machine in her hand. “We’re basically closed, Blake.”“I’m waiting for Charlotte,” I said and handed my card over. Becky smiled but didn’t say a word as I put my pin in. Her face was an open book and I could read every thought she had. Even if that hadn’t been one of my skills, I would have known what she was thinking.Charlotte was cashing up and Becky grabbed her bag from behind the counter. She and Rosie walked past me to the door and she whispered to her friend. “I told you they’re a couple.”Charlotte finished up behind the counter and sat down across from me with fresh coffee. She looked worried and her thumb nail looked chewed on. “What the hell is going on, Blake?”“Apparently Andrew called the Dubuque police on Thursday morning to run my plates. He must have memorized them when he saw us drive away from your house,” I told her. “Max basically just needs to verify my whereabouts over the weekend.”“You were in California a

Harris opened his window and looked at me. His eyes were red-rimmed and he looked tired. “I’m going for my jog now. You’re welcome to follow.”I took the seven-mile track as the car cruised behind me slowly, following me. I smiled to myself all the way through Peosta and back down the main road heading to Epworth. Harris had parked his car at that intersection and I shook my head.I turned right on Lone Pine Road and headed home. I whistled for the dogs as I stood on the porch and went inside. I had to stick to my routine which meant I would have to go to the diner for breakfast. Harris and Michaelson would have heard that I eat breakfast there every day during the week.I parked my truck in front of the diner at exactly seven-thirty a.m. like I normally would. I sat in the truck and waited for Harris to park his car. He got out when I did and followed me into the diner. I sat down at my table and he sat down at the only other empty table near the end of the counter. He could barely s

“You’ll need to tell me some stuff,” Charlotte said and emptied her wine glass. “You know, random stuff. People ask questions and I do have friends that are going to ask me what you’re really like.”“Okay. I have an older brother, Jack. Our parents are dead, so it’s just me and him. I don’t really have a preference in food, it’s just fuel for your body to keep working adequately,” I said and she snorted.“Fuel for your body? And you don’t see how saying stuff like that makes people think you’re weird?”“Fine. I prefer meat,” I said to her. “I prefer silence to music, reading to watching television. I try to jog every day and I love my bike.”“When’s your birthday?” she asked me and narrowed her eyes. “The real birthday.”“It’s just a date,” I said to her.“Tell me!” She said seriously and scooped a dollop of mashed potatoes onto her fork and looked at me.“You wouldn’t,” I said as she smiled.“Then tell me,” she countered.“Okay, fine, it’s today,” I said.“Really? It’s your birthday

“Morning, Blake,” Peter Gunston said and sat down opposite me.“Peter.” I wondered what he wanted and if he was going to say something about the self-defense class at my barn. He was the principal of Western Dubuque High School. He stood at five foot nine inches and leaned towards overweight.“Kids are all abuzz about that class you did,” he said and I smiled. “Would you consider—” I interrupted him right there.“Sorry, Peter. I travel too much for my own work to commit to anything right now,” I said to him. His face fell as he stood up and got his takeaway coffee from Rosie and left the diner without saying another word. I looked at my watch and wondered when Charlotte would be back.“Hello, Jericho.” I stiffened as her hand moved from one shoulder to the other as she walked past me and sat down at the table. I looked at her and her smile didn’t do anything for me.“What are you doing here?” I asked her as Nick walked in and sat down next to her.“Hey, buddy.”“Nick.” I glared at the

Robert Gold was six feet on the dot. He was in good shape and although he was spoiled, he was funny and a much better person than his father.Robert’s first wife, Claudia, had been a one-time model, but she married Robert before she made it big. He traveled a lot and she started sleeping with her driver. Robert hadn’t known about the affair and his father contacted us to eliminate her.I had taken her out in their house at 2 a.m. while Robert was away on one of his many business trips. The official reports showed that she committed suicide by slitting both her wrists in the bathtub after swallowing half a bottle of sleeping pills that they found next to her on the bathroom floor.I hadn’t known Claudia personally and killing her had been easy. They had only been married for three months at that time. I had called Robert to give my condolences and had gone to the funeral to support him. Fast forward five years later and Robert’s father was ready to get rid of wife number two.Lydia Gol