Page 47 of Dodge

There was almost an audible click as his spine elongated and he felt himself growing tall. It was as if several hundred pounds of dead weight slid from his shoulders and the world opened and became lighter. The sense of freedom was intoxicating. He could do this. He could love someone and be loved back, working as equals together to build something special in this life. It was time to stop living half-truths and commit to himself so he could commit to someone else.

Fauna. Would she still have him? He needed to talk to her.

Shit, I hope it’s not too late!

“Brick, you gotta read this.”

Bruiser galumphed his bulk into the small area and placed his ever-present iPad on the table. A breaking news bulletin scrolled across the top of the screen. “Weatherman got a heads-up from his buddies at the news station. They found her this morning.”

Local woman’s body discovered near campground. Investigations underway.

“It’s Zelda. Remember, I dated her for a bit some years ago. Mean as a snake and drank like a fish. We broke up because of it. Says here there’s some mysterious circumstances ’bout her death. Not only that, the bartenders at Reaver’s said she was drunk as hell from two vodka tonics.” Bruiser’s huffing breath filled the room as the man panted from exertion. “That woman could drink six or seven vodka tonics chased by a dozen shooters and it not faze her. Hell, I watched her down a bottle of Jack Daniel’s like it was bottled water. Ain’t no way two drinks would make a dent in her. Somethin’s fishy, but I cain’t get no one at the sheriff’s office to tell me what’s goin’ on.”

Brick focused on the electronic device. “Reaver’s is over in Whittier. That ain’t far.” He picked up his phone and dialed. “Blue? Bet you know why I’m callin’.” His face grew tighter and tighter as his son spoke. “Yeah, I know you cain’t tell me everythin’. I respect that, but I’d appreciate you to give me somethin’.”

Brick listened a moment and then swore. “All right. Thank you. Bring yourself, Psalm, and the kids up to the Lair this weekend. Your mama wants to see you.”

He swiped the phone closed and turned to the two other men in the room. “Church tonight. Make it seven o’clock,” he said in a quiet voice.

Dodge’s nerves jumped to hyperalert. Brick could be loud. He could shout the rafters down in irritation. He could command a room with his booming voice. He could stop all conversation with a bark that was as bad as or worse than his bite. But when Brick got quiet, he got dangerous. That was the time when heads would roll. Literally.

Bruiser inhaled audibly. “Brick, just so you know, I didn’t love her or nothin’. She weren’t never my old lady. We just hung out a few times, you know?”

Brick looked up at the big man and asked, “Did that woman come under my roof?”

Bruiser nodded. “Couple of times is all.”

“You think it matters to me if she was there one time or one hundred times?”

Bruiser went silent, then said, “I’ll send out a group text.”

Brick turned his attention to Dodge. “Find Mallory.”

CHAPTER26

Damn coffee makeris taking its sweet time this morning, I thought as dark brown liquid sustenance dripped slowly into the carafe. My norm these days was pretty much running on fumes and sheer stubbornness. Customers packed my restaurant every night this week. Tables turned several times, and the people kept coming right up until closing. The intensity of running with a skeleton crew was getting harder to maintain. I’d hired two more servers since Mallory left and still had trouble keeping up. I had to get another full-time chef and soon.

The machine gurgled the last few drops and hissed to let me know it was done with its morning duties. I sat at my little apartment table and sipped a cup of the heavy Sumatra brew. The flavor rested on my tongue, dark, earthy, and slightly bitter. Just the kick I needed this morning.

Last night went longer than I’d expected. Macie asked to leave right after service to spend time with his boyfriend.

I finally met the elusive Dewey, Macie’s latest love interest. He didn’t look like a rich man; off-the-rack jeans, plain button-down shirt, and box-store loafers—nothing made him stand out. The waves in his sandy hair looked neat and styled but not one of those three-hundred-dollar cuts. His eyes were a nondescript blue, and he didn’t seem to want to be in the limelight.

That was hard to do in Macie’s orbit, as my friend had the kind of charisma that attracted anyone and everyone. Macie was a good-looking, vibrant man, and people flocked to his outgoing nature. My perfect front of house guy and barman. I was sure that much of the repeat business I’d had came from his exceptional management and people skills.

A frown tickled my face as I finished my first cup of coffee and poured my second. Dewey and Macie. Macie and Dewey. “Opposites attract,” as the saying went, but I just couldn’t see them together.

Whatever. I had paperwork to complete and a trip to the bank to make before heading out for the markets. Fresh produce was essential, and in this foodie habitat, I had plenty to choose from. So far, my menu was a hit, but I wanted to change it up and add weekly specials based on seasonal items. Darnell Farms was a mecca of vegetables and fruits, and I loaded up whenever I went to their place.

I mentally sketched out a recipe for a Lyonnaise-style potato medley. The itty-bitty ones that were pretty much bite-size. Red-skinned, Yukon gold, and purple for a nice color palette, seasoned with rosemary, olive oil, and sea salt, roasted first in butter and then baked with caramelized onions. Little parsley sprinkle on top for another color layer.

I bet Dodge would eat it up.

Shit, why did I have to think of him?

Probably because he still hadn’t come to my restaurant since his big confession. How did I feel about it? I really didn’t know.

“Love is never a sin.”

---