Page 58 of Blood and Bonbons

I hurried to get us out the door before anything else could happen. Never in the history of ever had I been looking forward to a shift at Blur as much as I was that night.

My anticipation died when we approached the employee parking lot and saw Doc standing at the gate.

“They’re really taking these murders seriously,” Vena commented as the metal bar slid open for us.

Managing a smile at Doc, I didn’t comment.

“Are you going to be back here all night?” I called to him as soon as I was out of the car.

“That’s the plan.”

“If there’s trouble in the bar, who do I call?”

“Shepard. And pity any soul he has to deal with tonight.”

Inwardly cringing, I nodded and hurried inside with Vena.

Shepard was waiting for us by the time clock. After he handed Vena the paperwork, he set her up with the time clock, using her fingerprint. He wasn’t abrupt, but he wasn’t his usual self either. Tension radiated from him.

As soon as she was clocked in, he told me to give her the tour and have her fill out her paperwork in the spare office upstairs once I was finished.

I stared after him as he walked away. Vena elbowed me and waggled her eyebrows. I shook my head at her and quickly showed her the employee lockers.

“I’m glad they actually lock,” she said, carefully tucking her oversized handbag into the one beside mine. “With our door busted at home, I didn’t want to leave anything valuable behind.” The way she patted her purse made me cringe in disgust.

“When you say valuable…”

“Yep. Bedtime stories and ba-ba-black sheep can’t be left alone.”

“Just keep them in the locker. That sheep has to be five different health code violations.”

“Not sure why. It’s animal skin and oil. This would be a delicacy in some countries.”

“Please. For my sanity and appetite, stop.”

“Speaking of appetite.” She nodded at Anchor as he popped into the kitchen and grabbed a stack of clean plates. She winked at him before he left.

“Weren’t you ready to go on a rampage thirty minutes ago?” I asked.

“I’m distracting myself the best, most enjoyable way I know. Well, it’d be more enjoyable if I could sample some of the beefcakes in this place.”

I inwardly groaned, wondering again if it was a good idea to get Vena a job here. But I grudgingly admitted my options were slim compared to the vast and numerous ways Vena could get into trouble.

After giving Vena a quick tour of the kitchen and the food prep area, I grabbed her a server pager that would let her know our orders were ready and explained the order process. When I finished, I veered toward the back kitchen to introduce her to Gunther and Griz.

We walked in on Gunther shaking his head as Sierra tried to give him something that was fisted in her hand.

Not wanting to have anything to do with Sierra, yet curious about the exchange, I stopped near them.

“Vena, this is Sierra and Gunther.”

Sierra turned her lethal gaze to Vena. “Another pet for Shepard?”

“What’s in your hand?” I asked.

“Mind your own business.” She jammed her hand into her apron pocket and, with a huff, stalked away.

“Gunther, what was that about?” I asked.

---