Page 14 of Enforcing the Rules

It wasn’t much, but it was something.

CHAPTER FIVE

Kate—

When I got into town, it was late and the streets were pretty quiet, but I knew one place that would still be open.

I pulled into a spot and looked up at the sign. Connie’s Corner Café. There were wraparound windows that flanked both streets. It had a fifties diner atmosphere with booths done in turquoise vinyl padded seats and a jukebox that was always blaring the old hits. My mother had rented this space since I was a kid. It was a closed down diner and came with all the kitchen equipment. Mom was a good cook, and somehow, she’d made a success of the place, working long days and putting both her girls to work until we were old enough to rebel.

The bell over the door rang as I entered.

Patsy Cline crooned her hit, Crazy, from the jukebox in the corner.

Cora Lee stood at the counter filling sugar jars, and looked up when I entered. “Flip the sign to closed, will ya, doll?”

I did and took a stool in front of her. “How’s business, Cora Lee?”

“We had a busy day.”

The place was deserted, but I could hear my mother in the kitchen singing along with the song as she cleaned. Mom was a neat freak, a perfectionist, and the place was always spotless. Her demands were a hard row to hoe as a daughter. I could never live up to her expectations. Thus, the rebellion. My room was purposely always a mess, and we fought all the time, but I always knew she loved me.

I hadn’t told her anything about getting my bond agent license or even taking the training. Mom would blow a gasket. Besides, she already had enough worries where Chloe was concerned who’d taken my rebellion and doubled down on it. As far as Mom knew, I did the filing for Bill, and I wanted to keep it that way.

Cora Lee set a cup and saucer in front of me and filled it with steaming black coffee. I bent and inhaled the rich flavor. “Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”

“You look tired.” Her tight red curls stuck out from under the outlandish waitress cap. That and the hated pink uniform dress with the white apron Chloe and I had to wear were all part of the atmosphere, mother said.

“I am. Just got back from Pueblo.”

Cora Lee’s brows drew together. Nothing got past her. “Pueblo? As in where your father and Edina live?”

“Yep.”

Cora Lee glanced toward the back, then leaned forward. “What the hell were you doing there? Girl, your mother would have a conniption fit if she knew you were visiting them.”

“Not them. Just Edina and Bethany. Dad wasn’t there.” I took a sip of coffee and peered up at her, trying to be nonchalant. “You haven’t seen him, have you?”

“That old goat? Hell, no. Why would I?”

I shrugged. “Just wondered.”

Cora Lee’s fist landed on her hip. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“You can’t tell Mom,” I insisted quietly.

She leaned on her elbows. “Spill.”

“Edina told me Daddy lost his job about six months ago. She seems to think he’d done something nefarious that got him fired. Anyway, he’s been disappearing for days on end, then reappearing with a bunch of money. When the money runs out, he hits the road again. She thinks he’s gambling.”

“Really?”

“That’s not all.” I glanced at the kitchen as Patsy gave way to Elvis. I could hear mom scrubbing pots with her steel wool. “Dad got another DUI a while back. He killed two people.”

Cora Lee’s eyes bugged out. “What? Why haven’t I heard about this? Was it in the news?”

“It happened in Denver. Never made the news here. Anyway, he missed his court date, skipped out on his bail, and is hiding out.”

“And you’re going after him?”

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