Page 83 of The House Beyond the Dunes

“Bourbon?” Something clicks behind her eyes. “Do you mean Kyle?”

Kyle. Finally, I have a first name. “That’s him. He comes in often enough for me to remember him, but he always pays cash. Not everyone wants to share their names, if you know what I mean. I guess that’s why I remember you. Because you were with Kyle.”

Jeanne sits straighter and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Can we get back to your mother?”

I’ve struck a nerve. If I were smart, I’d back off. But I sense with Jeanne it’s now or never. “I don’t suppose you know how I can find Kyle? Guy left behind a jacket. It’s currently stashed in lost and found, but it’s really nice and won’t last much longer.”

Jeanne’s eyes narrow. “I don’t know much about Kyle.”

I toss her a slight grin. “I get ya. A one and done. We’ve all been there.”

Her face reddens. “Are you here to talk about your mother or not?”

“Sure. I want to talk about her. Kyle have a last name?”

“I’m sure he does.” She taps a manicured finger on the desk. “But I don’t know it.”

“No worries. Didn’t mean to bring up a sore subject. Gosh, don’t know how I got so far off course. I can be too much of a talker. Drives my boss nuts.”

“It’s fine. I like to keep my private and professional lives separate.”

“Preaching to the choir.”

We settle into the details about my dear old mom. After making up a half hour’s worth of bull about a mother who’s been dead for fourteen years, Jeanne seems to relax. She appears excited about a trust fund client who might need extended care. I take Jeanne Williams’s card and leave her store.

I now at least have a first name for Bourbon. Kyle. Too bad there are like a billion of them in the world.

It takes me over an hour and a half to get to Joey’s, and when I push through the swinging door connecting the kitchen and bar, I have a half sandwich in hand and an apron wrapped around my waist.

Joey glares at me as he pulls the tap on a beer and fills a mug. “So, you think you can just waltz in here and expect me to give you work?”

I eat the last of the sandwich. Joey growls like a bear, but he just makes noise. I’ve been around enough to know the good guys from the bad, and he’s one of the good ones.

My grin spreads across my face and I wink. “You’re glad to see me, aren’t you, Joey? I can tell.”

His eyes narrow. “Really, how can you tell?”

“I read people really well.”

“And what do you know about me?”

“You’re a teddy bear.”

I grab a damp glass from the steamer and dry it off. Say what you want about me, but I’m good at this job. With me serving he’ll rake in an extra 20 percent tonight. I set the glass down and reach for another.

“Shit,” he mutters.

“Have you seen Nikki?” I ask.

“No.” Genuine worry darkens his gaze. “I thought if I gave her a chance and taught her bartending, she could make a different life. Can’t save everyone.”

“Who says?” I challenge.

“Says me. I learned that lesson the hard way, kid.”

“Stevie!” a man shouts.

As I turn, I see a regular at the end of the bar. Dave. Tax accountant. Trouble with the wife. Gin and tonic. I allow a sly grin. “Dave, my man. Can I get you another gin and tonic, baby?”

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