Riddle (5 page)

Chapter 8

Grace stretched lazily before either her alarm or the wake-up call came. The sky outside the window was beginning to lighten. Heavy gray clouds hung low in the sky and threatened another day of rain. The phone jangled beside the bed and Grace answered the automated call telling her it was 5:30 AM. Swinging her legs out of bed she switched off the alarm on her phone before it could buzz.

Within half an hour she was washed, brushed, and dressed. After debating and deciding against having a cup of packaged hotel coffee she went down to the lobby. A young man had taken Sandy’s place and he merely nodded as she crossed to the front door.

The sky had lightened a little more and while the clouds still threatened rain it was dry at the moment. Traffic was light as she dashed across the road to the restaurant parking lot. The service station had not opened yet and she couldn’t see any sign of her car. There were a few cars in the restaurant lot as she hurried up the steps and into the lobby. The scent of fresh brewed coffee and warm toast hit her at once and she regretted her earlier decision to skip the coffee.

An older woman stood at the hostess station and looked up with a smile as she entered.

“Just one?” she asked as she pulled a menu from the stack at her side.

Grace returned the smile. “Actually I’m supposed to start work today.”

The woman’s eyes flicked over Grace and she nodded briefly. Still smiling, she extended her hand. “Welcome. I have to say I’m glad to meet you; these early hours are killing me.” As they shook hands she continued. “I have some paperwork for you to fill out. Then I’ll show you what you’ll be doing. Have you ever worked in a restaurant before?”

“A very long time ago,” Grace admitted as she sat down at the table and began looking through the forms.

The smile slipped slightly but she regained her composure quickly. “Well get started on these papers and I’ll let Jack know you’re here.” She cast a quick glance at the front as she hurried to the kitchen.

Grace pulled her driver’s license and social security card out of her wallet and began filling out the employment forms. She was halfway through the first form when she noticed an older couple standing at the hostess station. Looking toward the kitchen she didn’t see the woman who had greeted her. After a couple of minutes she got up and went to greet the couple. “The hostess will be back to seat you in a moment.”

Just then Jack came up beside her, the hostess trailing him. “I’m so sorry,” she apologized, pulling two menus from the stack. As she led the couple to a table she shot Grace a look of gratitude and mouthed a thank you.

Jack chuckled as he led Grace back to the table so she could complete her paperwork. “I told you I needed someone.” He slid into the seat across from Grace. “The mornings can be hectic or quiet. There doesn’t seem to be a pattern.”  He pulled the application across and glanced at it quickly. “Mostly you’ll be the hostess and helping out serving and prepping the dining room for the next day.” Grinning at her he continued. “Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?”

Returning his grin Grace said, “It sounds like a job and I need one. I can also serve if you need me to. I really appreciate you going out on a limb for me. And I promise I won’t leave you in the lurch.”

With that he stood up. “I appreciate that Grace. Let’s get you started so we can give old Molly a break.”

With that Grace’s first day at the diner started; a day that turned out to be very interesting before it was over.

Chapter 9

While Grace was being indoctrinated into the world of Riddle dining, Kort was getting ready for his job interview and his meeting with his parole officer. Although he knew the job was guaranteed he took special care with his appearance. Studying himself in the bathroom mirror he laughed aloud. The pale blue button down shirt tucked neatly into the khaki pants were a far cry from the jeans and tee shirts he’d worn when he stood before that mirror so many years earlier. Grinning ruefully he wished he had taken the time to get his hair trimmed. It was too late for that now, so he combed it carefully.

As he left his room he picked up several copies of his resume. There wasn’t much there but it did show the limited construction experience he had gained while incarcerated as well as his scholastic achievements which by anyone’s standards were pretty impressive.

His mother was in the kitchen when Kort came downstairs and it gave him a small thrill of pleasure when her eyes widened. “Well you look very…” she hesitated.

“Different?” Kort prodded. “Grown up?”

“You look very nice and very grown up.” The older woman seemed to struggle for something else to say before asking if he was certain he didn’t want some breakfast.

“No, I’ll grab something at the diner. Is it okay if I take the truck again ma’am?”

Agnes stammered as she told him he should feel free to use the truck as he needed. “Just keep the tank filled and keep it maintained. When you have a couple of paychecks we can talk about insurance and whether you would like to buy it from me.” She hesitated a moment before asking softly, “Would you like to borrow one of your father’s neck ties?”

Kort concealed his surprise before asking, “Do you think I need one?”

Turning back to the kitchen sink Agnes shrugged. “It’s your choice. They are in his closet upstairs if you would like to use one. Just return it when you come back.”

The atmosphere in the kitchen had grown cooler again and as usual Kort wondered what he had said or done to cause that change. “I appreciate the offer ma’am. I think I will borrow one.” He saw Agnes’s head nod slightly though, whether in approval or agreement, he could not say.

When he opened Henry Eriksen’s closet door he was stunned to see all his clothes hung exactly as they had when the man had lived. Suits, pants, shirts were all neatly sorted by color. On the inside of the closet door ties were arranged on specially carved racks. Beside them hung racks of belts and Kort flinched when he saw them. One thick black one made of well worn leather with a large silver buckle hung apart from the others. This was not a belt his father had worn. This belt had a special purpose. Breathing deeply Kort allowed the heady scent of leather to fill his head. Then he reached out and touched the belt almost defiantly. It was just a black belt hanging in a closet, never worn by its late owner. It had no life of its own and could no longer mete out punishment.

Suddenly Agnes was at his side and Kort jumped guiltily. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked from Kort’s hand on the belt to his eyes. “Did you find one?” Her voice was strangely hoarse.

Kort surprised himself by answering in a steady voice. “I’m not sure which one would look best.”

They seemed to stand measuring one another for a moment before Agnes reached past him and selected a dark blue tie with narrow beige stripes. “I’d suggest this one. It goes with the shirt and the pants.” She held it out to him.

He accepted the tie from her hand suddenly noticing the age spots scattered across skin that used to be smooth and white. “Thank you, ma’am.”

She nodded briefly. “Well I’ll leave you to it.” Closing the closet door she turned to leave. As she reached the bedroom door she stopped. Without turning around she said softly, “Leave the past lay Kort. You can’t change it. Mistakes were made on all sides.” Before he could reply she seemed to evaporate into the hall, her steps soundless on the new thick carpet she’d had installed using her late husband’s insurance money.

Kort stood mutely, the tie dangling from his fingers. “What the hell?” He started at the sound of his voice. There was no time to try to make sense of what had just happened so he slipped on the tie and found he had no trouble knotting it, something he had never mastered as a teen. There was no sign of Agnes when he went downstairs and he did not seek her out. He didn’t have time for questions or discussions either. He wasn’t even certain what the questions would be. Grabbing the keys from the dish in the hall he went out to the garage and, tossing his resumes on the seat beside him, he started the engine.

As he drove toward the diner he was surprised at his calmness. Of course there was no reason to be edgy about meeting Norma for breakfast. But shouldn’t he be nervous about seeing Chad and starting a job; shouldn’t he feel jumpy about seeing his PO? He looked at his hands steady on the steering wheel and wondered when he had become the person he now was. As he reached the part of the road where Butch had pulled him over the day before he glanced in his rearview mirror certain he would see that red and blue flashing bar. But there were no flashing lights and no police car.

Arriving at the diner he saw Norma waiting in her car. He pulled in next to her and returned her smile. “Good morning stranger,” Norma’s smile widened showing her dimples. “You really have grown up. Not too shabby at all.”

He held the diner door for her and laughed. “Gee thanks. That’s a backhanded compliment.”

Norma started to respond when she saw Kort’s smile widen as the hostess stepped forward. “Well hello again.”

Grace chuckled, “We seem to keep meeting in the same place.” She pulled two menus from the stack. “Just the two of you? Would like a booth or just the counter?”

Kort turned to ask Norma which she preferred but stopped when he saw the bright red in her cheeks. Looking back at Grace he said a booth would be great. They followed her to the back of the diner where it was less crowded. “Is this okay for you?” Grace grinned at Kort and he noticed how her smile was slightly crooked, making her look impish. He hadn’t realized how tiny she was the day before; she didn’t even reach his shoulder.

Looking at Norma he saw her color had returned to normal and she nodded, “This is great. Thanks.”

As Grace placed their menus on the table she told them Ashlee would be their server. “Can I get you started with coffee or juice?”

Norma responded before Kort could open his mouth. “We’ll just wait for Ashlee.” Her voice was sweet but something about her dark eyes was less than friendly.

If Grace noticed she gave no indication. But Kort did notice. He wondered what Norma had against the girl or if their paths had somehow crossed in the brief time Grace had been in Riddle. “Actually I would like a cup of coffee. Thanks Grace.”

Norma’s head turned sharply as Grace nodded and headed off to fill his request.

Frowning Kort leaned toward Norma. “What’s wrong?”

Stiffening slightly Norma responded. “Nothing is wrong. Why?”

“It looks like she pissed you off.”

The color rose in her cheeks again. “Who?”

Kort leaned back again. “Come on Norma. We’ve known each other too long for this.”

Norma looked down at her hands clenched tightly together on the table. “I don’t know. She just rubbed me the wrong way.” Taking a deep breath she pulled herself together and smiled up at Kort. “Maybe she just reminds me of someone. I don’t know. Can we forget about it?”

Kort studied her closely. He was well aware she had a crush on him in high school but he had not considered she might still feel something for him. “Sure,” he agreed. “Let’s forget it.”

Grace set the coffee down in front of Kort. “There you go. Ashlee will be right with you.” Smiling at Norma she again asked if she could get her anything.

Offering a wide smile Norma said in her sweetest voice, “Thanks, no. I’m still thinking about what I want.”

With a nod at Norma and a smile at Kort, Grace returned to the hostess station just as Ashlee came to take their order. When that business was completed Norma asked Kort about his plans for the day.

As Kort talked about his interview with Chad he pushed Norma’s odd reaction to the back of his mind.

“I heard Chad had his own construction business,” Norma said. “I don’t think I have even seen him around town in a couple of years. He must stay pretty busy.”

Between bites of his bacon and eggs Kort again wondered if Chad realized who he had hired. “I guess if he hasn’t been told who I am he will be really surprised.”

“I don’t think Chad ever thought you were guilty Kort.” Norma studied Kort’s face once again marveling at how much he had grown but still seeing the teenager who had left years before. “A lot of us were on your side.”

For a moment Kort stared into his coffee cup watching the swirl of cream as the dark brew lightened. Looking up at Norma he smiled wryly. “Do you know how many people came to see me on visitor days?” He held his hand and made a round “o” with this thumb and pointer finger. “You know how many wrote to me?” He pointed at Norma. “One. You.” Looking away quickly he took a sip of his coffee before continuing. “Being incarcerated is a very unique experience. You’re locked up with a lot of other men but you are totally isolated. Even if you buddy up with another inmate or a group you have to watch your back. After a while whatever life you had on the outside becomes a fading memory.”

“Kort I am so sorry. I always meant to…”

He held up his hand to stop her. “I’m not telling you to make you feel sorry for me or make you feel guilty. I appreciated the letters, I really did.” He shrugged. “Life went on for everyone here. That’s normal. If I went away to college or moved away it would have been the same.” Grinning wryly he continued. “In a way that’s what I did. I just didn’t get to come home for holidays or school breaks.”

“That’s not funny. And I do feel guilty. You know I have always cared about you Kort. In high school I always hoped we might, well…” Norma hesitated. “But you and Desiree were together and I knew I could never compete with her.”

Wiping his mouth Kort leaned back from the table. “We were all very young Norma. Who knows what might have happened if things were different.”

Norma bit her lip nervously then looked out the window. “Things are different now.”

“They certainly are,” Kort agreed. “We’re grown up and Desiree is gone. Somewhere in this world the man who did kill her is walking around free and we will probably never know who he is.”

Before Norma could respond Ashlee brought them the check. “Can I get you anything else?”

As Kort reached for his wallet, Norma pulled out hers. “No way. This is my treat. You can get it next time.”

Kort protested but gave in, chuckling as Norma handed her credit card to the server. Ashlee hurried away and Norma asked what was so funny.

He pointed to her cell phone on the table and nodded in the direction Ashlee had gone. “I’m making a list of things I need to get so I can move into current times.”

Norma laughed. “You haven’t missed anything believe me.” She picked up the cell phone and handed it to him. “This thing is a pain in the neck sometimes. It’s nice if I get lost going somewhere but it’s creepy to think my every move can be tracked.”

Nodding, Kort handed the phone back to her. “My PO will probably love that.”

After Ashlee returned Norma’s card they headed for the exit. Grace was standing at the hostess podium and smiled broadly at Kort. “Have a good day! It was nice to see you again.”

“Same here. See you later.” As Kort walked Norma to her car she asked softly, “What’s the deal with her?”

“Grace? What do you mean?” Rather than being annoyed with Norma he found her jealousy somehow exciting.

“How do you know her?” Norma unlocked her car and standing close to him she looked into his eyes.

He kissed her lightly on the forehead. “We met here yesterday when she was applying for the job. That’s all. Chill out.”

Norma’s heart raced. Staring at his lips she considered kissing him back and finally let her lips graze the corner of his mouth. “Good luck today. Call me later.”

The soft scent of her perfume filled his head. “I would if I had your number.” His voice had grown husky and the timber made goosebumps rise on Norma’s arms. Digging around in her purse she pulled her out business cards and handed him one. “Get a cell phone. Then I can call you.”

“The house number hasn’t changed.” He shoved the card into his wallet.

Norma shook her head. “I don’t want to talk to your mother. She never liked me before and I doubt that has changed very much.” Wrinkling her nose she said “Oh Norma. How nice of you to call,” she said in a funny high voice.

Kort shook his head and gave her a quick hug. “I’d better get going. I’ll talk to you later.”

“You better!” she called after him. Watching him climb into his truck she felt a shiver of excitement. She was wondering if there was a chance for them as Grace came dashing out of the diner and headed across the parking lot toward the service station. A small frown creased her forehead as she got into her car. “She’s nobody,” she muttered under her breath. But as she drove past the station she strained to see where the young woman had gone. “She’s nothing.”