Page 23 of Waitress at the Shadow Ridge Inn
I walked around toward the front. Through the windows, I could see that the place was dark, except for the security lights that were always on.
My mind immediately went to bad places. Clearly, something terrible must have happened, and I didn’t know because I kept my phones powered down. All of them. The prepaid burners I used to call Angie and occasionally the police to see if there’d been any progress on my case and the one I’d given the inn the number for. My reasons for doing this were simple. One, I didn’t want anyone tracking me or my whereabouts. And two, there was nobody I wanted to talk to. The less involved with people I was, the better it was for everyone.
Except, possibly, in situations like this.
I made it to the front double doors and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the sign.
Closed for staff party.
I’d forgotten all about that, probably because I’d had no intention of going. I had a natural aversion to parties, particularly after what had happened the last time I attended one. And Halloween-themed parties? Forget it.
Of course, no one at the inn knew that. Nor would they.
I was walking back to my car when someone stepped out from the shadows. I had my finger on the trigger of the pepper spray, ready to let loose, when I realized who it was.
“Michelle! You startled me! What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.”
“Shouldn’t you be at the party?”
“Yes, and so should you. Rose didn’t think you’d show, so she sent Max and me to your place, but we passed you on the way and followed you back here.” She scanned my outfit and grinned. “You forgot, didn’t you?”
“I did,” I admitted. I didn’t tell her that had I remembered, I would have made myself scarce.
“No worries. We can head over now.”
I shook my head and looked down at my clothes. “Like this? I don’t think so.”
“Fine. We’ll go to your place first so you can change.”
“How about I meet you there?” I tried.
“No can do. Max dropped me off and took the car. The only way I’m getting there is if you take me.”
Gah.I sensed collusion. Again.
“Fine. I’ll drop you off, then go change.”
“You know Rose will just send Big Lou out for you then, right?”
Yes, she probably would. I envisioned hiding my car in the woods behind the manor house and spending the night in the trees until Lou and whoever else Rose dispatched gave up and went away. I’d mentioned that I got my back up when I felt pressured, hadn’t I?
“Why?” I said, my tone carrying more bite than usual. “Why can’t she—and everyone else around here for that matter—take no for an answer?”
Michelle’s eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “Why can’tyouloosen up and at least try to have a good time?”
“Because I already know I won’t,” I said, mimicking her stance.
“What’s the matter? Aren’t we good enough for you?”
That gave me pause. “What? No, of course you are. Why would you think that?”
“Because you go out of your way to avoid everyone. Every time we try to include you in something, you balk and find some excuse. I thought you were just shy at first, but that’s not it, is it?”
Shit. There was no graceful way out of this. “I’m just a private person, okay?”
Michelle snorted. “You mean, a solitudinarian.”
