Page 24 of A Touch of Murder (Touched #1)

Barret walked into Chubby's, the local burger joint, and waited until the line at the counter had cleared.

He smiled at the teenager working. "Hi, I was hoping to speak to you and your other co-workers for a second.

I'm trying to find out if anyone has seen either of these men around town.

" He showed her the printed images of Maggie's drawings.

The girl frowned as she looked at them. "No, I don't think I've seen them." She turned and called to the girl working drive-thru, "Lisa, can you come look at these? You too, Warren." She looked at the tall teen behind the grill.

Barret waited patiently for the teens to finish what they were doing, then showed them the photos. "Have you seen them anywhere around town?"

Warren shook his head. "But I'm always back there. I don't pay attention to people up front." He turned and walked back to the grill.

Lisa reached for the pictures. "Can I?"

"Sure." Barret let her take them.

She stared at them for several moments, then handed one back. "I've never seen him, but this other guy comes in here sometimes."

"You're sure?" Barret prayed she was remembering correctly.

"Yeah, he comes in and always orders four chili dogs and two orders of chili fries. It's the same order every time. Why? Who is he?" Lisa handed him back the photo.

"Is your manager around? I need to speak to you about him, and they'll need to cover your area while we talk." Barret looked for any sign of an adult behind the counter.

"Sure, let me get her. She's in the office." Lisa hurried away.

A moment later, Lisa and an older woman walked up to him. Lisa quickly handed her headset to the other girl. "She says I can take a break."

"What's this about, Officer?" the manager asked.

"We're going around town asking people if they've seen either of these men." He showed the manager the photos.

"I haven't." She shook her head.

"But I have," Lisa told her manager.

"I'd like to sit down and talk to Lisa for a few minutes, if that's okay?" Barret hoped she didn't cause problems.

"That's fine. I'll watch the front counter while Abby covers drive-thru for you." The manager went to help the next customer.

"Let's go sit." Barret led Lisa to one of the tables. "How old are you, Lisa?"

"Just turned eighteen."

"Good, that means I don't have to get your parents involved to question you." He was glad he didn't have to waste more time. "So, you said you've seen him several times?"

"Yeah, he comes in every few weeks. I don't know who he is or anything, but I remember him because he always orders the same thing.

I guess he's been doing that for a year or so.

I started here in my sophomore year, and I'm a senior now, but I don't remember him when I first started.

He's always grungy looking. Like dirty. He's got really bad teeth too.

He smiles and it makes me kinda sick. Like he's not just missing teeth, but some are half there. You know what I mean?" Lisa told him.

"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. That's good information. Our other witness just noticed the missing teeth. Anything else you remember about him?" Barret wished he could bring Lisa into the station where it was quieter and there weren't a bunch of people watching them.

"Um, he wears a Cubs hat. You know, the baseball team.

I noticed it because it's my dad's favorite team.

The hat's dirty and worn. Looks like grease on it.

You know, the kind mechanics get all over their hands and uniforms. The black kind, not the food kind.

" She looked like she was thinking. "He tries to flirt, but I ignore him.

He kind of creeps me out. What's he wanted for? "

"We just need to question him about some things," Barret told her, not wanting to freak her out. "How often does he come in?"

"Not a lot. Maybe once or twice a month.

Maybe he comes in when I'm not here. I only work from three to ten most days after school.

Sometimes on weekends." She shrugged. "You could talk to the morning and night crew.

I've never seen him in drive-thru. He always comes to the counter.

Pays in cash, not credit card. I remember that because he always has crumpled bills that I have to straighten to put in the drawer. "

"You mostly work Monday through Friday?" Barret asked.

"Only weekends when they're shorthanded."

"So, you'd probably seen him on a weekday, in the afternoon after school is out, right?"

"Yeah, but like I said, he could come in when I'm not here." She looked down at the pictures again. "Never have seen the old guy."

"Any idea what the one guy might drive?"

"No, but I've never paid attention. Like I said, he creeps me out a bit. I don't want him to think I'm interested." She frowned. "Does this have to do with Trina?"

"We aren't sure yet. We're just trying to find out who he is for now.

" Barret wanted to tell the girl that she should stay as far away from the man as she could.

"For now, if you see him come in, I want you to act casual.

Take his order like always, then the moment he's gone, call 911 and let us know he was here.

Don't act like you've talked to anyone about him or let on that the police are looking to talk to him. "

"I remember something else about him. He's missing half of his little finger.

It's like short. Like half of it got cut off a long time ago.

It's not new. I mean, it's all healed and everything, but it looks funny when he's reaching for his money or taking his food.

It's hard not to notice it." Lisa rubbed her own finger.

"Which hand?" Barret asked, wondering how Adam had missed that.

"Um, it would be his right hand." She glanced at the counter and nodded. "Yeah, his right one."

"And the last time you saw him in here was…?"

"Um…" She frowned. "I guess about two weeks ago, maybe three. It's been a while." She shook her head. "I'm not good with time. It might be more than that. Sorry."

"It's okay. You had no reason to remember him or when he was here. You see a lot of customers every day. Did you ever see him talking to anyone? Maybe a friend that lives in the area?"

"No, he's always alone. Always gets the order to go. I figured since he orders four dogs and two fries, he's buying for him and someone else. Most men order two dogs. They aren't really big." Lisa looked up at Barret. "Is he dangerous?"

"He may be. We aren't sure yet, but I'd do your job, serve him, and let him be on his way if I were you.

Call us as soon as it's safe to do so. Don't engage him in conversation or talk to him without others around.

You should be safe here at work, but if you see him while you're out, get somewhere around people quickly just in case. "

"Same with this guy?" She tapped the older man's photo.

"Yes, same with him. If you see him, call us and let us know right away. We need to speak to both men." He pocketed the photos. "Thanks for speaking with me. Is there anyone else working today who might have seen these two?"

Lisa looked around and pointed to a young man who was emptying the trash. "That Mike. He's our custodian. Helps clean in here and around the lot. You could ask him. He's got a good memory."

"Thanks, Lisa. That's all I need for now.

I'll come in if I think of any more questions.

" Barret stood. As Lisa walked back behind the counter, Barret headed over to speak with Mike.

He knew him from his sister's bakery. Mike loved Becky's donuts and would often come in and order a dozen. "Hey, Mike, you got a second?"

Mike's face lit up. "Barret. You bring me any donuts?" He walked over and slapped Barret on the arm.

Mike was probably around thirty and had down syndrome. He lived with his mother in an apartment in town, not far from Becky's Bakery. "Not today, sorry. I haven't been in to see Becky in a few days. Sure does sounds good though."

"It does. Might have to go in on the way home." Mike met his gaze. "Is Lisa in trouble?"

"No, nothing like that. She was helping me. I'm hoping you might be able to do the same." Barret pulled the pictures out again. "Have you seen either of these men around here?"

Mike gave each picture a hard look, then jammed his finger at the one of the older man. "This one. Not here, but at the hardware store. I was there with Mom, and he shoved his way in front of us in line. Said he was in a hurry. He was rude. Not nice at all."

"When was this?" Barret hoped Mike remembered anything that might place the man in town the night Trina died.

"Not sure. While back. Mom might know. She was getting a new burner for the stove. You know those coiled round things." He used his finger to draw the coil.

"Yes, I know. I had to replace mine not too long ago," Barret told him. "So, you're not sure when? This week, last week, longer?"

"I think longer, but not really sure." Mike frowned. "He was really rude. Swore at Mr. Swenson because he thought something was too expensive."

"That helps me a lot, Mike. Thank you. And you haven't seen the other man around?" He held up the younger man's picture.

Mike shook his head. "Don't remember him."

"Okay, thank you. That's all I need. I might drop by and say hi to your mom and see if she remembers when you two saw that man. I'll tell her we talked."

"She picks me up here at seven, but she'll be home after that," Mike told him.

Barret glanced at his watch, seeing it was already after five.

He sighed. Another day gone. At least he had a few more witnesses putting both men in the area.

That was something. He said his goodbyes to Mike, then headed back out to his car.

He rolled down his windows but didn't start the car yet.

He pulled out his phone and called his sister.

"Brother," Becky answered.

"Sister," Barret responded. "How's the day going?"

"Good. It's been busy. How about your day? Any luck finding the killer?"