I recalled the man I'd seen as I left the area the last time – the man with the black licorice stick and the black stains around his mouth.
Then Ricky looked up. His eyes suddenly narrowed again, and he turned and hurried off in the opposite direction without a word. I wondered what that was all about, until I started walking with Thor towards my car.
It was then that I saw the same DEA guy that I'd seen at the precinct house and at the Bistro. He stood waiting for me at my car.
As I approached, he nodded briefly. "Aren’t you the woman I saw waiting for Chief Hayes the other day? What are you doing down here?"
When I hesitated, he went on. "It’s dangerous for anybody, but especially for someone like you. These people don't have a lot of patience. Some become violent at the least provocation."
His deep blue eyes locked with mine and I saw visible irritation there. "You aren’t down here buying, are you?"
With as much dignity as I could muster, I looked him
right in the eye. "I am not a druggie."
"Good. Then there's no reason for you to be in a place like this."
I tried to smile. "I’m sure you’re right. I did take a chance. I don’t plan to come back down here." I knew that I probably should listen to him. A DEA officer would know about the real danger on the streets. I didn’t envy him.
"Glad to hear it. Hope I don't see you again."
I tugged lightly on Thor’s leash to give him the sign it was time to leave. The DEA man walked away and got in his own car, and then drove off.
I had to smile. Ricky Thomas had sure high-tailed it when he saw the officer drive up. If just one agent put that much fear into him, then maybe drugs could be eradicated after all.
As I drove away, I saw that the streets were empty except for one man who stood in the doorway of the pawn shop. I guessed that he must be the shop owner. I wondered how these shops did enough legal business to stay afloat.
It began to dawn on me that cheap hot dogs and pawned jewelry weren't all they were selling.
Chapter Fourteen
The next morning, as I started measuring out the Arabica and the Columbian at Roasted Love, I saw Ronald Larch walk in. Jacob and I exchanged glances. Apparently, Larch had cooled off and was back as a customer. As the coffee house filled with the usual morning crowd, Lily walked past me.
"Hey, Laila – did you notice that Larch has a friend with him this morning?" she asked, handing me her stack of orders.
I looked again at the campaign manager, who now sat in his favorite spot near the window. And this time I noticed the woman who was sitting with him.
The slender frame and long blonde hair were unmistakable. She was the same mysterious woman I'd spotted at John's funeral.
She turned towards the counter and gave me the opportunity to get a good look. Her eyes were a shade of turquoise, but when she spotted me looking at her our eyes locked.
I saw her lean across the table to speak to Larch. Whatever she told him, his response was to shrug his shoulders. Then his mouth curved into a smile as he looked at her with what seemed to be genuine affection.
But the pretty blonde didn't stay around. She quickly got up and left, while Larch stayed at the table.
Now my curiosity was in overdrive. I'd recognized her and it sure seemed that she'd recognized me. But most intriguing of all, she and Larch apparently had a very cozy relationship with each other.
"Hey, Lily," I asked, "Do you know who that woman was with Larch?"
"I know her name is Linda Henson, but not much else," Lily said, as she grabbed a coffee pot and started filling a few white ceramic mugs. "I guess she’s one friend Larch manages to keep."
But I wanted more. "I’ve never seen her in here before. How do you know who she is?"
"We went to the same high school. She was always ‘the most this' and 'the most that,’ if you get my drift. She was real popular and managed to get herself elected Homecoming Queen." Lily picked up a couple of cappuccinos and scooped up two cheese scones. "I haven’t seen her in here recently. She used to come in sometimes, but not often."
I shook my head. "I don’t remember her at all," I said. Except for seeing her at the cemetery.
The rest of my shift moved at a fast pace. The crowds didn't slow down until around one in the afternoon. Finally, I took a break and went outside, intending to take a short walk down the alley behind the coffee house to get a minute of fresh air.