Girl, Forgotten (Andrea Oliver 2)

None of which mattered because all that Andrea needed was a telephone.

She walked toward the counter. She let herself look at Nardo. His arms were splayed across the back of the booth. A large plate of spaghetti was on the table. While Andrea watched, he lifted a stein of beer as if to toast her.

Ricky had kept his plate warm. She had known he was coming.

“You okay, hon?” Ricky’s jaw worked her chewing gum. She was slicing fruit for the breakfast rush. The bangles on her wrists tapped against the counter. She was like her own percussion section. The knife hit the cutting board, then her gum popped, then the bangles clicked, then the knife hit the cutting board.

“I’m good.” Andrea positioned herself at the counter so she could keep an eye on Nardo. The mirror behind the bar gave her a full view of the restaurant. The cash register was on her left. Ricky was at a diagonal across the counter on Andrea’s right. Star was in her periphery. The woman had taken no notice of Andrea’s entrance. The counter was empty in front of her. She had not moved since Andrea had walked through the door.

“Heard about the fire, hon.” Ricky was keeping one eye on Andrea as she sliced a cantaloupe. Their discussion at Ricky’s house had not ended well. She was clearly still on guard. “I can fix you a sandwich. We’re out of pasta.”

Andrea noticed the sign taped to the cash register—

PHONE IS NOT FOR CUSTOMER USE.

“Hon?” Ricky asked.

Andrea had to swallow before she could speak. “No thanks. Can I have some tequila?”

“Looks like you need it.” Ricky let the knife clatter onto the cutting board. Without asking for a brand, she grabbed the Milagro Silver off the bottom shelf. “I could smell the smoke from my place. Damn, that house has been around for yonks. Hard to believe it’s gone. Everybody’s okay, right?”

“Yes.” Andrea could see the sweat from her hands had dripped onto the counter. She had to get Ricky back on her side. “I’m not supposed to tell anybody—”

Ricky perked up as she filled a shot glass to the rim.

“The judge’s husband—”

“Franklin.”

“Right.” Andrea leaned forward, kept her voice low. “He wasn’t doing well to begin with, but after the fire …”

Ricky gave a slow nod to say that she understood. “It’s sad the amount of tragedy that family has had to put up with over the years. Is Judith okay?”

“She’s sad. It might help if she heard from you.”

Ricky nodded again. “I’ll make some food. People always need food.”

“I’m sure the judge will be grateful.” Andrea reached into her back pocket and pulled out her phone. She tried to look as if she’d just remembered it was broken. “Crap.”

“Crap is right.” Ricky placed the tequila in front of Andrea. “You stick that thing in a microwave?”

“It got damaged during the fire.” Andrea felt her voice growing thin. She cleared her throat. “I know you’ve got a sign, but can I use your phone?”

“The sign’s for tourists.” Ricky reached under the cash register. She lifted up the phone and plopped it down on the counter.

Andrea stared at the ancient-looking machine. A cord ran out the back. The receiver was connected by a springy cord. The number keys were on the base. Andrea’s plan had been to take the cordless phone into the back hall for privacy. The corded landline wasn’t going anywhere.

“You okay, hon?” Ricky was back to the cutting board. She gave Nardo a telling glance.

“Yeah, rough day.” Andrea looked at the mirror. Nardo was watching. Ricky was watching. Only Star seemed to not care.

Andrea picked up the phone. She told Ricky, “I forgot to say the call is long distance, but I can give you cash.”

“That’s cool.” Ricky grabbed a handful of strawberries. “Just make it quick.”

Andrea dialed the only number she had ever memorized. The phone rang once before it was answered.

“Darling?” Laura sounded like she hadn’t gone back to sleep. “What is it?”