Grady Lake by J. L. Hyde

Author:J. L. Hyde [Hyde, J.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J. L. Hyde

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

After getting acquainted with Nolan’s partner, Karli, and seating them at a two-top table as far away from the Spencers as possible, I overhear them inviting Dougie to join in for a drink after he clocks out. Since he never has plans, he quickly accepts the invite. I’ve requested that they don’t approach Brandi and Todd tonight with any questions and they both agree. They still aren’t sure they will even cover Sammie’s case; they just want to be prepared in case it becomes a media firestorm like Mal’s. Half of the public still seems convinced Sammie left of her own free will, despite her flip-flop being found in the lake and cell phone left behind in the cabin. I can’t believe that Malorie Rose Benard’s sister being the one to discover the only piece of evidence in the case of another missing girl isn’t headline news by now, but Sheriff Nelson is excellent at keeping things out of the news to protect us as long as he can. Sometimes it pays to live in a small town.

I don’t charge the Spencers for their wine or soup, assuming that’s what Lou would want. They leave a twenty-dollar tip, which I’m hesitant to accept, even though I know they have plenty of money. I make a few attempts at refusing the cash before Todd lifts up their empty wine bottle, puts the folded twenty under it, and shakes my hand. They both thank me repeatedly and, as they walk out the door, I can’t help but think of the devastating sorrow they must feel walking back into that cabin each night to see the empty bed where their daughter should be sleeping.

The rest of the shift goes by smoothly, and I even cut the server working the floor early and easily handle the whole place by myself. Lou went back to the lodge after the dinner rush and left two cooks to close down the back of house, while Brenda and Deb both had the night off. They went to Marquette to do “bullshit nonsense” according to Lou, which means they most likely went shopping and out to lunch at Big Boy. It cracks me up to think of how different Lou is from the other two and I smile, remembering that my mother was a perfect mix of all three.

Dougie, Nolan, and Karli cashed out about an hour ago and walked to the Moose Trap. I reminded my podcaster friends that anything Dougie told them while inebriated was off the record. I was quietly pleased to see Nolan taking a night off to enjoy himself, and including Dougie meant he genuinely enjoyed spending time with him. I never imagined being civil enough with a journalist to allow them to stick around, much less encourage them to hang out with my cousin.

Nearly an hour before closing time, Sheriff Nelson and Big Rich arrive together, looking solemn, which could only mean one thing—Rich told him about my suspicions that the Palmers had something to do with my sister’s case.

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