Page 72 of Dark Roads

“Are you giving this young lady a hard time?”

The smile disappeared off Andy’s face. “No, sir.” He stared at his plate and mouthed,Fuck you. It was barely on his lips, but Vaughn must have caught something, because his fingers curled into Andy’s shoulder hard enough to make him flinch.

After a beat, Vaughn removed his hand and turned to Beth.

“Coffee when you get a chance, please.”

Vaughn was staring at her with those cold eyes, but she couldn’t make her mouth work. She wondered if she might faint. Hailey wasalive. He had photos of girls. Amber. He had spied on her, stalked her. Hailey thought he was the killer. Vaughn frowned, suspicious of her silence.

“Of course.” She led him over to a table, swallowing hard and trying to get her breath under control. She had to get herself together or he was going to realize that she was terrified of him. She grabbed the carafe and held her arm stiff to stop the shaking while she poured.

“Thompson said you didn’t hear the robbery.” He tore open a sugar packet, dumped it into his cup. “Must have been a lot of shouting. The victim got hit pretty hard.”

“Didn’t hear a thing. Want the usual eggs?”

“Sounds good.” He glanced back at the guys. None of them looked in his direction, but their voices were lowered,and she knew they could sense his attention. Andy scowled under his cap.

“You still hanging out with Jonny?” Vaughn looked back up at her.

“No,” she blurted, then she felt another jolt of fear. Had he been watching the diner? He might have seen Jonny go into the alley. “We had a falling-out.”

“Everything okay?”

“You’re right. He’s not the kind of guy I want to be involved with. We’re just really different. Anyway, you didn’t come in here to listen to my problems.”

“Hey, the police are here to serve, and you’re one of us now. I dropped by the campsite yesterday to check on you…” Another shiver went up her spine. He had been looking for her.

“I went into town for groceries. Probably just missed you.”

“Hm.”

She glanced over her shoulder. “Kitchen’s getting busy. I’d better get that order in.” She moved away before he could ask anything else.

While she served him and the other customers, she made sure to be in a rush each time she stopped at his table. After he was done eating, he asked for another coffee, but he must have gotten a radio call, because he tossed down some money and left before she could bring it.

She watched his white truck pull out of the parking lot, then made sure all her tables were taken care of and walked over to Andy. If Jonny wouldn’t tell her what she needed to know, then she was going to have to get creative. She dropped into the empty seat near Andy and slid their bill to him.

“I need to ask you something.”

He handed her a twenty, eyeing her from the side. “What’s up?”

“I want to buy some weed.”

“Just like that, huh? Vaughn’s got his eye on you.”

“I know.” She made a disgusted face. “He’s an asshole.”

Andy took the last gulp of his coffee. “Like I said. Not a good idea.”

“I’m going through a shitty time, okay? I need something to help me sleep, and I heard there’s a girl who sells. Emily. How can I find her?”

“You seem to know a lot.” He narrowed his eyes. “Why are you asking me?”

“I don’t know where she lives.”

He glanced at the other two guys. One gave him a shrug, and the other was texting.

“She works at the blueberry farm. She’s there every day—her grandparents own it.” Andy stood and grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair. She caught the scent of woodsmoke and thought about Jonny. She hoped Vaughn wasn’t out looking for him. Andy stayed behind while his friends pushed out the door. When she met his eyes, he looked worried.