Stranger Danger (Lucy McGuffin, Psychic Amateur Detective 4)

Sarah makes a disappointed face. “I guess I’ll have to wait until then.” She pulls her purse from behind the counter. “You’re really okay with me leaving for the day?”

“How many times have you covered for me? Yes. Go. Have fun. Or whatever.”

The next hour goes by quickly. I try to concentrate on taking orders, all the while thinking of how I’m going to find Jefferson Pike’s murderer, when Anita Tremble walks into the café. Paco sits up at attention.

“I thought you were in jail,” I say.

“I’m not the one who takes photos they’re not supposed to.”

Oh? She wants attitude. I’ll give her attitude. “How does it feel to know that you’re responsible for milking innocent people out of their hard-earned money?”

Her face falls. “I won’t pretend I’m innocent. I knew about the scam. But this was my first time. That’s why I’m out on bail.”

At least she doesn’t have the gall to lie to me about it. “What are you doing here?” I ask.

“Trying to get breakfast. I spent the night in jail, and I’m hungry.” She still has that mousy look about her, but in the clear daylight, I notice how young she is. Pretty, too.

“How old are you?” I ask.

“Twenty-five.”

“Look, it’s none of my business what you do with your life, but if this really was your first sting operation, maybe you can turn things around.”

“My attorney says that since I don’t have a record and that my involvement was m

inimal, I might get off with probation. But Archie won’t be that lucky.” Her voice goes shaky with emotion. “The FBI is coming to town to question him about a bunch of stuff he and Jefferson were into. He’s not a bad person. Not really. He just got involved with the wrong man.”

“Jefferson Pike.”

Anita nods. “He was bad news. I see that now.”

It occurs to me that Anita could be a terrific source of information. I need to find out exactly what she knows. There’s no one in line behind her, and Betty Jean does seem to have the swing of things. “It sounds like you’ve been through a lot. Can I buy you breakfast?”

She perks up. “Really? That’s so sweet of you.” She orders a breakfast sandwich and a coffee, and I throw in a banana walnut muffin on the side.

I hand her the coffee and pour one of my own. “Do you mind if I join you?”

“Sure, why not?”

Betty Jean is busy refilling napkin holders. I tap her on the shoulder. “I know I just got here, but I need to take a break. Do you think you can handle the counter for a few minutes?”

“Put the order in the computer, let Jill cook it up, then serve it. Piece of cake.”

“Sarah showed you how to use the computer?”

“Why is it you millennials think you’re the only ones who can do technology? Of course I can use the computer.”

“Okay, thanks. Holler if you need me.” I bend down to whisper to Paco, “Stay here and keep an eye on her.” He wags his tail.

Under Paco’s direction, I leave Betty Jean to “do” technology and follow Anita to the dining area.

Even though there are empty tables near the window that faces the gulf, she gravitates to the back of the café. Poor kid. She probably doesn’t want anyone to notice her. Not that I blame her. This is a small town. Who knows how many people Jefferson Pike swindled? If I were her, I’d want to get out of Whispering Bay as fast as I could.

I wait till she’s had a sip of her coffee before saying, “You know that Archie is claiming that the real J.W. Quicksilver is the one who killed Jefferson?”

“Talk about ironic,” she says.

“I know,” I say, playing along to get her trust. “Completely crazy! How did it happen? I mean, did he just show up and say, ‘I’m the real J.W. Quicksilver’ or what?”