Page 9 of Nightshades
“It’s fine. I get the stereotype. A lot of women wear high heels in a professional setting, but I prefer comfort and the ability to actually chase and catch a suspect. I can’t do that in heels. The shows on TV are lying to you.” I lift my pant leg to show off my Converse. “I have them in a bunch of different colors to match all of my pantsuits.”
My stomach grumbles, interrupting this riveting conversation. “I haven’t had a chance to tour the town. Where is a good place to get breakfast?”
“Demi’s Diner,” the four men say in unison.
Jake lifts the coffee. “It’s where I got the coffee. You’ll love it there. Minus her husband. He is a pain in the ass, but you’ll get used to him.”
“I guess,” Waylon mumbles. “If you consider warts something to get used to. The guy gives me the creeps. I don’t know why. He is crazy about Demi, which, at the end of the day, is all we care about.”
“Loco.” Zig twirls his finger next to his head and whistles.
“He causes the hair on the back of my neck to stand up, and so does his friend, Rhett,” Jake says.
“Don’t forget about Holly, Fitz’s wife.” Jenkins snaps his fingers as if he is just remembering her.
“Are these people a problem?” I question with concern, double-checking that I have my gun attached to my hip.
“A problem? No. I don’t think so,” Zig states, running his hand over his short-cropped hair. “You’ll know what we mean when you meet them. Let’s head over now and introduce Sanchez to Demi. It’s time you know the lay of the land.”
I pat the deep pocket of my plum-colored trench coat to check and see if my money clip is there. I don’t typically carry a purse. It isn’t beneficial on the job, so I’ve learned to consolidate my needs the best I can.
“Let’s go, then.” Waylon is already out the door. “I want the smash burger.”
“It’s eight in the morning, Waylon.”
“So?” The big guy huffs. “Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served twenty-four-seven.”
“That actually sounds delicious. I’m in.” I hop off the desk and throw my trench coat on. I have my gun on my hip, and my badge is settled right next to it.
“You too? You eat dinner for breakfast? Hay, Dios mío.” Zig shakes his head. “Can’t believe there are two of you now.”
I roll my eyes, grinning as I follow Waylon outside the station. I think I’m going to like it here. They seem like a solid group of officers.
“Demi’s Diner isn’t far at all. It’s just down the street here. Oh, that ice cream shop to the left? You’ll love it. It’s all homemade. You’ll have to check it out sometime.” Jake points to a cute red brick building across the street.
The shop has an arched door with matching windows. Black iron tables and chairs are outside for people to enjoy the day while they snack on delicious ice cream.
I will definitely be stopping there after I get off work to celebrate getting through my first day.
Jake opens the diner’s door to allow me to enter first. It is packed. Waiters and waitresses are practically jogging from one side of the room to the other. A girl with bright pink hair finally looks up from her order pad and gives Jake the biggest smile.
“Sheriff! It’s good to see you again.” She leans against the hostess podium. “Waylon. Zig. Jenkins.” Her big blue eyes land on me, and nothing but kindness shines from them.
“Demi. This is our new lead detective, Lula Sanchez. Today is her first day, and I wanted to treat her to the best breakfast in town. Lula, this is Demi. She owns this diner.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”
“This is amazing! A detective! In our town? It feels like we are going in a good way, Jake. It’s so nice to meet you, Detective.”
To my surprise, she gives me a hug, standing on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around me.
I don’t typically do hugs. I’m not a touchy-feely person. I like to keep to myself. With all the bad I have seen, it ends up numbing the part of you that craves love and turns you into a person you don’t recognize.
There’s also a very dark part of myself that I haven’t shared with anyone. It’s a secret I plan to take to my grave. A symptom of being on the job.
I crave a thrill. I love being afraid. When I’m in the dark and I can’t see, my heart beats faster as fear begins to set in. My body comes to life. The unknown of what could happen to me, the random noises echoing in the shadows I can’t see, and goosebumps spread across my skin to warn me that danger is near.
I’m addicted to the terror.