River's Revenge in Hastings by Drennan Marjory

Author:Drennan, Marjory
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-10-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

The commuters have all left to board their trains. Only a few tables are occupied at Simple Fare. Kyle has been working nonstop. He’s shining chrome on the counter now.

“Take a break, Kyle,” Bonnie implores.

Kyle nods. He pours himself a Coke and sits at the table nearest Pepper. They have their own quiet conversation.

Bonnie notices Walter walking outside with a fishing rod. She catches up with him a few doors down. Walter is a familiar face in Hastings. He’s been walking the streets of the village for more than thirty years. He suffered a severe head injury while working for the cable company. Now in his fifties, he’s in great physical shape because he walks miles daily. He also has the sweetest smile for everyone he sees. He’s Hastings’s very own ambassador of goodwill.

Walter stops when Bonnie calls him. “It’s my best girl,” he greets her. Walter has no memory for names, so he uses this warm greeting for all the women in town.

“Hello, Walter. How was the fishing?” He looks confused. Bonnie points to the pole.

He shrugs. “The fish are still in the river. Good day for them.”

“You’re down there most days, aren’t you?” Bonnie must walk fast to keep up with Walter’s long stride.

“Most every day. Nice walk to the river.”

“You probably know lots of the regulars down there. My cousin told me boats had been stolen from the marina in Yonkers. Ever see anybody causing trouble?”

Walter stops. “Some people on the river aren’t nice. My best girl should keep away from them.”

“I agree there are bad people down there. A man was killed on Sunday. You need to take care of yourself too. We would be incredibly sad if anything happened to you.”

“Nothing happens to Old Walter.”

“Good. But finding out who killed that man is important to me. I’m going to keep looking.”

Walter shakes his head. “Old Water would be sad, too, if the bad people hurt my best girl.” Then he strides away quickly.

Bonnie rejoins Ruth behind the counter. Ruth washes her hands after cleaning the grill. “How was the play last night?” Bonnie asks.

“Which play did you see?” Maggie joins in.

“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. It was fabulous. The theater was intimate, and we all felt like we were in that hair-braiding salon with those women.”

“How did John like that?” Maggie asks with a smile.

Ruth laughs. “Watching John squirm as they talked about their men was part of the entertainment for me. He said he was squirming because the seats were too small.”

Bonnie smiles at the image. “I haven’t told you yet about my visit with Pauline.” Bonnie fills Ruth in on the details of last night.

“She told the aunts they were old and should move into a home?!” Ruth is part horrified, part furious.

“And she did it with a British accent,” Bonnie adds. “Even though we all know she grew up in the Bronx.”

“Are the Greats upset?” Ruth asks, referring to the aunts by their nickname.

“They were rattled by it,” Bonnie admits. “I’m taking them for a pedicure this morning.

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