Page 26 of Midnight

Gunner looked up as Asher approached. “Well?”

“They’ll tell him we’re here for an update.”

Gunner nodded and went back to scrolling.

Asher sat down at the table with him. “What are you doing?”

“Finding out everything I can about Pete Brandt. He’s dead, but the dead always leave secrets behind.”

“True that,” Asher said, then found a chair in a corner, pulled out his phone, and googled the number for the Yellow Rose Café. If there was one person in Crossroads who was up on all the gossip, it was Pearl Fallon, and he wanted to thank her for saving their dad’s life.

* * *

It was another cold day in Crossroads, but the dining room in the Yellow Rose was as cozy as being rocked in your grandma’s lap.

It was warm and bright, belying the gray skies and the bite from air so cold it made your face burn. The aromas coming out of the kitchen were a mixture of sweet and savory, and the coffee was abundant.

Normally, Pearl was in her element there, but the events of last night were still with her. The horror of what had happened to Jacob Kingston had rocked their world. It was the topic of conversation at every table, and while they all knew Pearl’s part in the drama, no one questioned her about it. They didn’t have to. They could see she was still wrapped in the shock of it.

When the phone rang at the Rose, one of the waitresses answered.

“Yellow Rose Café. This is Cheryl.”

“Cheryl, I’m Asher Kingston, Jacob’s oldest son. Will you give Pearl a message for me?”

She inhaled softly, then reached for a pen. “Yes, of course.”

“Ask her to call me when she has time. We’re trying to find a reason for what happened to Dad, and thought she might know something we don’t. This is my number,” he said, and repeated it for her as she wrote it down.

“Got it,” Cheryl said. “Jacob is well-loved and respected here. We’re all in shock. Do you have an update we could share?”

“Well, he came through surgery. He’s still in critical condition. They are keeping him sedated for healing purposes, and he’s in ICU. No visitors at this point except family.”

“Got it,” she said. “I’ll tell her to call you first chance she gets.”

“Yes, please do, and thank you,” Asher said, and disconnected.

Cheryl tore the note from the pad and raced into the kitchen.

“Pearl, Asher Kingston just called. When you get a chance, you need to call him. Jacob’s sons are at the hospital and know little to nothing about what happened other than he’d been shot.”

“Well, bless their hearts,” Pearl said. “Did you get his number?”

“Yes, ma’am. Right here,” Cheryl said, and held it up.

“My hands are a mess. Put it in the pocket of my apron,” Pearl said.

Cheryl nodded, folded the paper, and slipped it into the bib pocket of Pearl’s apron.

“Did he say anything about Jacob?” Pearl asked.

“Yes, ma’am. I asked. He’s out of surgery. Listed in critical condition in ICU, and sedated to aid in healing. No visitors except family allowed.”

Pearl absorbed the news as Cheryl went back to the dining room.

* * *

At the same time Pearl was getting Asher’s message, he was headed for the table where Dylan and Gunner were now sitting.