Page 13 of Their Haunted Hearts (Detectives Kane and Alton #27)
Twelve
The first thing that Jenna needed to do when she entered the Triple Z Roadhouse was to look on the board just inside the door where the truckers listed their destinations and offered rides to people.
If Darlene had been trying to get a ride to Blackwater but never made it, there would be a chance her name could still be on the board.
She went down the list and found four or more drivers heading for Blackwater in the next twelve hours.
Darlene’s name was listed against the one due to leave at six that morning and someone had written “no-show” beside it.
“That’s her. Look, his check-in time was ten last night. He must have had a sleepover.”
“It’s unusual for them to leave a name on the board.” Kane indicated to the scrubbed-out areas against the time slots. “Maybe he left it there to tell her he’d left. Most of them are on a tight schedule and wouldn’t have time to wait around.”
Considering what Kane had said, Jenna went into the restaurant.
The smell of dirty cooking oil and onions greeted her, mixed with a weak aroma of coffee.
She made her way through the tables, feeling rather than seeing the eyes turn toward her.
Conversations halted and the sound of silverware ceased for a moment before starting again as if everyone had taken a breath and waited to see if she planned to arrest anyone.
She approached the counter to speak to the server.
“Is it normal for the drivers to leave the entry on the board if the passenger didn’t show? ”
“Yeah, but it doesn’t happen often. Most people are waiting for the drivers to come in for their meals before they leave. None of the drivers waste time waiting for someone to show.” She smiled at Jenna. “Is there anything I can get for you, Sheriff?”
“Two donuts and two to-go coffees, thank you.” Kane leaned around Jenna.
“Do you know who was serving last night? We’re looking for a young woman by the name of Darlene.
She wrote her name on the board looking for a ride into Blackwater.
It says she was a no-show. We need to know if she was speaking to anyone last night. ”
“Yeah, Alice took an extra shift last night. One of our girls called in sick.” The server smiled. “She’s on a break. I’ll get her for you.” She handed over the coffee and donuts.
Jenna smiled. “Thanks.”
“That’s fortunate.” Kane dropped bills on the counter and added the fixings to the cups. “Do you want a donut?”
Jenna shook her head. “Nope, I don’t want to become a stereotype. They’re all yours.”
When Alice came out from the back carrying a cup of coffee and a sandwich, Jenna led her to a quiet booth and they sat down facing each other.
“We’re looking for a young woman around twenty with long dark hair.
She was dropped here by a driver from Butte and wrote her name on the list for a ride to Blackwater.
She never made it, so we need to find out who she was in contact with while she was here. Do you recall seeing her?”
“Yeah, I remember her.” Alice took a bite of her sandwich and chewed slowly before washing it down with a sip of coffee.
“She drew the attention of some of the cowboys and they were giving her a hard time. Then some guy came over and told them to back off. He purchased burgers and fries for both of them and sat over there in the booth. I figured he was just being kind because he was a lot older than she was, but not old enough to be her father.”
Glad to get a lead, Jenna nodded. “Can you describe him?”
“I really didn’t take that much notice.” She sighed. “I was busy and very tired. He was tall and broad. He wore a dark coat and his hat was pulled down over his eyes. I saw him walking away from the counter and he moved easy, so not old. I’m not sure but I believe his hair was dark.”
“Did they leave together?” Kane leaned forward, donuts forgotten.
“I can’t say.” Alice shrugged. “I carried a pile of dirty dishes out to the kitchen and when I returned, they’d gone. I’m sure I’ve seen that guy in here before. He comes in late for a burger and fries. I figure he’s a driver. Maybe she got a ride with him?”
Jenna glanced at Kane. “Did you happen to notice his shoes?”
“No.” Alice laughed. “If he comes by again, I’ll be sure to look for you.”
“So, you can’t describe him, but you’d know him if he came by again?” Kane raised an eyebrow. “That seems a little strange.”
“I’m attracted to tall, broad men, so he caught my eye.” Alice smiled coyly. “I didn’t get close enough to get a good look at him. Next time I will.”
“Well, maybe you shouldn’t get too close, if he comes by again.” Kane’s mouth turned down. “We found the young woman dead this morning.”
“Oh, that’s not good.” Alice stared at Jenna. “Do you figure he’ll come back to hunt down more girls? Am I in danger?”
Jenna handed her a card. “Not unless you get into his vehicle. Be sure to call me, day or night, if he comes in again. We’ll be here right away.”
“Not a problem.” Alice slipped the card into the top pocket of her uniform. “Sorry I couldn’t be more help.” She reached for her sandwich.
Jenna stood and led the way back to the Beast. “Hmm, not much to go on but it’s something.”
“It’s a start. He’s in town if he killed the victim in the haunted house.
” Kane slid behind the wheel and patted Duke on the head.
“I wasn’t expecting another murder so soon.
This guy is escalating fast. It seems to me the moment we stepped back into the office, the murder and mayhem starts again.
I’m starting to wonder if we attract these monsters. ”
Jenna shook her head. “No, it’s a coincidence.
They had a rash of murders in Helena while we were away.
Carter told me they were working there most of the year.
It’s just our turn again, is all.” She cleared her throat.
“They come out of the woodwork at Halloween. This must be a perfect setting for their murders and beating us is their ultimate fantasy—I blame the books. They believe now they can anticipate our every move.”
“Maybe.” Kane flicked her a glance. “That won’t stop us. We have a great team. We’ll catch him.”
A shiver slid down Jenna’s spine. “Or die trying.”