Page 59 of Blood and Bonbons

He shook his head and returned to his station.

“Wait. Where is Griz?”

I didn’t get a reply.

“Charming coworkers,” Vena said. “I can see why you like working here, Ev.”

Ignoring her sarcasm, I said, “Griz is the chef. He might be in the walk-in cooler. You can meet him some other time.”

We went out to the main bar so I could explain the sections.

“It’s pretty straight-forward,” I said. “Upper and lower left. Upper and lower right. VIP up at the top.”

“I might need a refresher later.”

Rolling my eyes at her, we headed up to the spare office so she could fill out paperwork. She sat at the desk.

“Do you have a pen?” she asked.

“First rule about being a server: Always have tons of pens.”

“Or, have a best friend coworker who has tons of pens.” She held out her hand with a grin.

Tossing a pen at her, I settled into the guest chair and waited while she filled out the forms.

A low, murmured conversation coming from Shepard’s office caught my attention. Had it been in regular speaking tones, I might have ignored it. But between Shepard’s off behavior and the murders, I pressed my ear to the wall.

“What are you doing?” Vena asked.

I shushed her with a wave and said, “Impatiently waiting for you to fill out the papers. Army is going to open the doors soon.”

“I’d like him to be my drill sergeant.”

I returned my attention to the murmurs. I couldn’t hear much, but I picked up the words vampire, nest, killing, and attack. None of those words made me feel better.

“Done,” Vena said, piling the papers and handing the pen back.

“Let’s get these to Shepard and get your uniform.”

“Did you figure out what they’re talking about?” she asked.

I did not want to tell Vena that I’d heard Shepard say “vampire.” She’d be on him like a fairy on glitter.

“Not really, but we can talk later.”

Knocking on Shepard’s door, I waited for his “enter” before I opened it. Buzz was inside but quickly exited when we walked in.

I set the papers on Shepard’s desk. “We only need her uniform.”

He pointed to a neatly folded stack on the side table next to the printer. “That should be the right size. I’m going to put you both on upper next to Anchor tonight.”

“Sounds good.” I turned to Vena. “I’ll meet you by the bathrooms downstairs after you’re changed.”

She smirked at me but left without comment, closing the door behind her.

“Was there something else on your mind, Everly?” Shepard asked when I stayed behind.

“I heard you through the wall. You said ‘vampire.’ Is that who the police are saying is responsible for the murders?”

---