Under Jackson Bridge: A thriller (Beyond the Bridge Book 1) by Susan Specht Oram

Author:Susan Specht Oram [Oram, Susan Specht]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SOS Communications
Published: 2024-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

33

Karina rings us up at Gigi’s Café. Her eyes are watery, and she stops to blow her nose.

I hand her my credit card and say, “You’re taking the news about Jack hard.”

She nods and tosses the tissue in the trash. “Yeah, I am. The subject of death hits me at unexpected times, you know? Plus, he was a really nice guy. He came in here all the time.”

I tilt my head. “How well did you know him? He mentioned he had a new girlfriend, but he wouldn’t say who it was. He said it was too early to tell.”

She bites her lip. “We’re just friends.”

Buzz shifts from side to side with his hands in his pockets, looking uncomfortable. There is a twenty-year age gap between Karina and Jack. I probably shouldn’t have been rude and probed about them going out.

Mr. Frackus bustles past, carrying a gray plastic tray for bussing tables. He clears tables with an efficiency that fits with the science teacher I knew in high school. There was no messing around in his class. He ruled with an iron hand. It amazes me that he is helping Karina at Gigi’s Café, but I guess he was a close friend of her grandmother’s. Karina’s younger cousin flitted off to a better job than part-time waitressing, so she needs the help.

Shane appears out of the back and takes off his apron. “Dishwasher is loaded. Want me to help people check out?”

Karina turns to her former high school boyfriend with a smile. “Thanks, I have a million things to do in the kitchen. Have at it.”

He says, “I can only stay another half hour. I’ve got class and can’t miss it.”

Small town gossip spreads fast, and I heard Karina’s cousin was going out with Shane, who is older and attending college. But I guess Lydia broke it off. There’s a current of tension with an undertone of potential love interest between Karina and Shane. But as far as I can tell, nothing is happening yet.

Karina says to him, “I’ll finish with Irena and Buzz, then you can take over.” She looks at me and says, “Would you like a receipt?”

A line of customers forms behind us. They talk in loud voices and shuffle their feet. The front door is open, and a breeze blows in. Now that the big reveal about Jack’s shirt is over, people are ready to pay and get on with their days.

I shake my head. If Jack is dead, Karina would be a role model for my daughter, as someone who is grieving a loved one’s death and getting on with life. “No need.”

Karina says, “Thanks for coming in. See you next time.”

She goes in the kitchen, and Buzz and I head for the door.

Mr. Rasmus, the head librarian, stops us and says, “I’m sorry to hear about Jack.”

I say, “Thanks. We’re devastated.”

We move on, and Ms. Pink reaches out and grasps my hand, holding on like it is a life ring. “I hope he’s somewhere warm and dry.

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