Frost-Degree Murder: The Ice Cream Truck Mysteries by Virginia K. Bennett

Author:Virginia K. Bennett [Bennett, Virginia K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-10-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

The Diner

Katie packed her backpack with her laptop and a sweatshirt for later, remembering to include her phone and wallet as well. The walk down South Street was eerily quiet for a Friday night. There was no football game to get prepared for, and it was far too early for people to get ready for any parties, not that she could imagine going to one after the way the last one ended. She took the stroll slowly, enjoying every moment of solitude even though she was on a college campus.

The Green Plate Special sat in the middle of town, clearly a play on the ‘blue plate special’ in a college town full of green pride. When she entered, the counter was calling her name. The spinning stools brought her back to her childhood when she would visit a small diner with her grandmother in New Hampshire.

“Welcome to The Green Plate!” came a lively voice from behind the counter. Clearly, he had been notified of her arrival by the bell on the door as he was still ducked too low to see her.

“Thank you.” Katie took stool seat nearest the register.

When the voice finally emerged, the face of the college student it belonged to lit up. “You’re the ice cream lady.”

“I am the ice cream lady, but I go by Ice Cream Truck Katie.” She smiled a broad, toothy smile.

“I wanted to ask you about that truck. Do you live in it? I could have sworn I saw you walking around campus with a cat.”

She nodded. “The truck has a loft bed. I sleep in it. Sometimes I stay on site and other times I stay at campgrounds. Depends. My cat, Jaspurr, travels with me. When did you and I meet?”

“I’m sure you don’t recognize me, but I was painted from head to toe in green with the green shorts.”

“Ahhh, that’s right. You only shouted, so I didn’t get a chance to appreciate your sweet voice.”

He blushed as if caught off guard by the compliment. “So, what can I get for you?” He handed her a menu.

“I’m hoping some gossip, but I’ll start with dinner first.”

“What about a drink? We have egg cream and milk shakes as well as soda and root beer floats, though I’m sure you get enough ice cream. Maybe iced tea?”

“I’ll happily order an iced tea. Thank you.”

“Take a minute with the menu, and flag me down to order. After you order, we’ll spill the tea.” He winked.

She perused the menu, deciding she wanted to get something she couldn’t hodgepodge together in her truck and decided on fried chicken.

When he returned, she checked his nametag. “Ethan, I’d like to order the fried chicken. Do you have real mashed potatoes?”

“What kind of diner sells instant mashed potatoes? We also make our own gravy, and it’s delicious.”

Katie closed the menu. “Fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, please.”

“I’ll put your order in, and we’ll share some tea.” He didn’t have to go far to put the paper slip with her order in the metal spinner that alerted the line cook to the new request.

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