“I will,” Nikki promised. “Have you eaten dinner yet?”
“Not yet. I'll grab something at the diner and—” Hawk paused when he saw Chief Daily walk into his office. “Hey, Pop just walked in. I better go. Call me later, okay?”
“I will,” Nikki said and ended the call. Stuffing the cell phone back down into her purse, she checked the rear-view mirror. Lidia switched her car’s headlights on. “Good idea,” Nikki said, turning hers on, as well. “So, the FBI might be watching me...” she said and shook her head.
Nikki turned into a paved parking lot in front of a long, green, vintage railway dining car illuminated with bright lights. A larger restaurant had been built onto the back, offering a spacious room. Nikki stared at the dining car, allowing her mind to wander back in time and enjoy the sights and sounds of passengers who must have eaten in it as they raced along tracks, going here and there. Just the sight of history's timepiece was comforting, even though the modern addition polluted its back like an ugly wart.
Sitting in silence while Lidia found a place to park, Nikki took her eyes away from the dining car and studied the vehicles in the parking lot. Most vehicles plates were local to the state. But one vehicle, a black sedan parked on the far-left side of the parking lot, stood out like a sore thumb. “Hmm... seems like the mayor might have sent other dinner guests here tonight, too.”
Spotting Lidia and Tori approaching, Nikki got out of her SUV and locked it.
“Talk about taking me back in time,” Lidia said, walking up and staring at the dining car with bright eyes. “My, Herbert would love this.”
“It's beautiful,” Tori agreed.
“Girls,” Nikki said, allowing her voice to come out easy but firm, “I'm not sure I want to eat here.”
“Why not?” Tori asked. Lidia folded her arms and studied Nikki's face.
“Listen, we passed a burger place down the road. What say we all ride down there together and grab a burger?”
“You're up to something,” Lidia told Nikki as her mind prepared for the worst.
Nikki sighed. “I think I'm being watched by the FBI,” she whispered. Gently grabbing Lidia and Tori's arms with her hands, she pulled them closer to her SUV. “See that black car?” she asked and tossed a cautious thumb over her shoulder.
Lidia and Tori spotted the black sedan. “Oh dear,” Lidia fretted.
“Why would the FBI be watching you?” Tori asked, feeling her mind walking into detective mode. Sure, she thought, Nikki was the real detective, but she would help as much as possible.
Nikki explained what Hawk had told her. “An Agent Ringston asked Hawk where I was. Chief Daily spilled the beans. On top of that, when we left the hospital, I saw a man dressed in a black suit, standing on the side of the road, talking on a phone. As soon as I passed him, he faded back into the woods.” Nikki drew in a controlled breath and pushed her bangs away from her eyes. “I want us all to drive away together. I need to see if we'll be followed.”
Lidia glanced at Tori. The young woman was obviously ready to charge into battle with Nikki, although Nikki didn't seem in any rush to brandish her sword. “Okay, honey. We'll do as you ask. But I'm not sure what this will accomplish. Maybe the FBI is watching you because you need protection?”
“I wish that were true,” Nikki gently disagreed. “Will you drive?”
“Sure,” Lidia replied, “and don't worry, this old woman will stand by you.”
Nikki reached out and hugged Lidia. “I'm so blessed to have you two as my new family.”
Tori opened her mouth to speak, but she saw a man walk out of the dining car, glance toward Nikki, and walk back inside. “A man wearing a black suit just came outside,” she whispered.
“Let's go. Act casual,” Nikki told Lidia and Tori. “Tori, you sit up front with Lidia.
Nikki climbed into the back seat while Lidia and Tori climbed into the front. As soon as Lidia was buckled in, Nikki reached forward with the SUV keys in her right hand. “Let me scoot up the seat a little...and... there we are,” Lidia said as she adjusted the driver's seat and then took the keys from Nikki. “Let's roll, girls.”
Tori kept watch for the man wearing the black suit. “Coast is clear.”
“Easy now. Drive out past the sedan,” Nikki told Lidia. Reaching down into her purse, she fished out her cell phone. With skilled hands, she activated the camera and then rolled down her window. As soon as the SUV was in position, she aimed her cell phone at the license plate and captured a clear picture. “Bingo. Let's go.”
Chapter Three
Lidia hung a right and drove back down the road. With darkness fully enveloping them, she felt as if she were driving into a strange nightmare over which she had no control. “I'm a little scared,” she confessed.
Tori reached out and rubbed Lidia's hand with care. “As long as we're together, we'll be okay,” she assured her.
Nikki turned around in her seat and studied the dark road. It wasn’t long before a pair of headlights appeared. “Here he comes,” she told Lidia and Tori.
“Oh dear,” Lidia said, gripping the steering wheel.
“It's all right,” Nikki promised watching the headlights on the approaching car move closer. Turning back around in her seat, Nikki called Hawk.
“Kinda busy,” Hawk answered. “I'm on my way to a rental cabin out on Snow Melt Lane. Someone reported that one of the escaped convicts is holed up there.”
“I'll call you back,” Nikki told Hawk, hearing Chief Daily grumble something. “What did Chief Daily say?”
“Pop hates my driving. He told me to slow down,” Hawk replied, zooming down a back-country road. “You called for a reason. Let's have it.”
“I'm being followed by a black sedan that I thought was an FBI cruiser, but when I did a search for the license plate online, the car belongs to North Hill Prison. Any ideas?”
“A few, but I'm sure you're already writing down the facts,” Hawk told Nikki.
“The warden of the North Hill Prison must be in town. The black sedan must belong to him. I bet he was waiting at the restaurant to have a little chat with me, along with that Agent Ringston, who I'm guessing, has left town.”
“Yep,” Hawk agreed. “Ringston charged out of here like a man on fire when Pop told him your location.”
Nikki glanced over her shoulder. The black sedan was now dangerously close. “Hawk, I...”
“What?” Hawk asked.
A sudden thought crashed into Nikki's mind. “Why would an escaped convict hide in an empty rental cabin after he robbed the bank, and with the border so close?” she asked.
“Yeah, I'm kinda wondering that myself,” Hawk replied. “This guy is playing a dangerous game of poker.”
“Maybe,” Nikki said biting down on her lower lip. “Hawk, do me a favor.”
“Make it quick. I'm almost to the cabin. Pop and I are going solo with no marching band.”
“Oh dear,” Nikki worried. “Hawk, if you get yourself killed, I will kill you.”
Hawk smiled. “I think living long enough to see your sweet face is better than being killed twice. Now, what's the favor?”
“Later with the favor. Right now, you... stay alive on me, please,” Nikki begged.
“Will do,” Hawk promised. “Uh, you know, I love you...just in case something does happen, you know,” he said quickly and ended the call.
Tears streamed from Nikki's eyes. “What is it?” Tori asked, alarmed.
“The convict who robbed the bank back home? Hawk and Chief Daily think he’s hiding in a rental cabin. They're going after him now,” Nikki said, lowering her cell phone as her tears dropped from her worried eyes. “Lord, please protect them.”
“I'm sure Hawk and the chief will be fine,” Lidia tried to comfort Nikki. Deep down, she was worried, too. The escaped convicts were dangerous, desperate men, with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
“I hope so,” Nikki replied. Drawing in a deep breath, she glanced over her shoulder. �
��Okay, Lidia, whenever you see the burger place, swing in. We're going to have company.”
Lidia nodded. In the distance, she saw a white, glowing sign shaped like a hamburger. When she arrived at the sign, she pulled into a small parking lot surrounded by lush, beautiful trees. A brown wooden building with red stripes and a white roof sat in the middle of the parking lot. “I see the open sign flashing, but only one car,” Lidia said, easing up to the front of the building.
“With the prison break, most people seem to be staying closer to town,” Nikki commented. “Everyone act casual. Let me do the talking.”
Cautiously, Nikki got out of the SUV just as the black sedan pulled up next to her. A large, fat, angry-looking man wearing a dark blue suit crawled out of the driver's seat and glared at Nikki. “Nikki Bates?” he demanded.
Nikki watched Agent Ringston get out of the passenger's seat. Unlike the fat man, Agent Ringston was fit, tall, and intelligent-looking. His black hair was neatly combed back and his face steady and composed. Looking back at the fat man, Nikki studied his thin brown hair and mustache. She quickly observed that he and Agent Ringston were both in their early to mid-fifties and complete opposites—or were they? “If I were a cop, I would write you a ticket for tailgating,” Nikki replied in a sharp tone as a cool wind grabbed at her long hair. Lidia and Tori eased their way over to her side as Agent Ringston walked over to Warden Wayberry. “We thought you ladies were having dinner back in town. When you left, we became worried,” he explained in a fake voice that gave Nikki the creeps.
“The restaurant was far too crowded,” Nikki explained. “We wanted a nice, quiet place to talk. That's not a crime, is it, Agent Ringston?”
Agent Ringston glared at Nikki the way a snake stares at an innocent rabbit before striking. “No, it isn't,” he said without asking her how she knew his identity.
“I wasn't aware the FBI was interested in my dining preferences,” Nikki continued. “I'm just a little confused as to why the warden of North Hill Prison is tagging along as your shadow?”
Warden Wayberry slammed the driver's side door shut. “Listen and listen carefully,” he snapped. “Twenty-four dangerous men escaped from my prison. I'm in no mood to deal with you, Nancy Drew. Yeah, I know all about you, Ms. Reporter. Now here is what you're going to do. You're going to eat a nice little dinner, get a good night’s sleep, and go back home and make pretty little chocolates for that little store of yours. Are we clear?”
Agent Ringston quickly stepped in. It was obvious he wasn't pleased with Warden Wayberry's temperamental outburst. “Ms. Bates, what Warden Wayberry is meaning to imply is that, due to your reputation, we have concerns that you may be planning to undermine the present media blackout that is in place and resort to reporting illegal and false information to a thirsty public.”
Nikki fought the urge to roll her eyes. It wasn't any surprise to her that Agent Ringston spoke with a poisonous, bureaucratic tongue lined with sharp edges. “Agent Ringston, I was at home when I received a call from Lidia after her husband was assaulted by one of Warden Wayberry's men, I mean, escaped convicts.” Nikki paused and quickly glanced at Warden Wayberry's face. The man snarled up his face into a furious, tight ball. “I simply came to this town to show support for my friend and nothing else. I have no interest in chasing after fool's gold.”
Agent Ringston nodded as he folded his arms together. “Are you implying that there might be more to this...dangerous...situation than we are aware of, Ms. Bates?”
“No,” Nikki flashed a brilliant smile, “all I'm implying is that when the vinegar smells like a rose, beware of what you get. Now don't go worrying your little minds. I will be up and away from this town when my dear friend's husband is discharged from the hospital. I'm a writer now. Oh, didn't Chief Daily tell you that? I'm retired from reporting. I'm writing mystery novels now.”
Agent Ringston unfolded his arms and smiled a fake smile. “I'm glad to hear that, but I do think it would be wise if I remain here while you ladies eat.”
“Of course,” Nikki said and then added, “Warden Wayberry, why aren't you at the prison? And Agent Ringston, it was so nice of you to drive down here so quickly just to offer me protection.” Smiling, Nikki grabbed Lidia's and Tori's hands and walked them into the building.
Chapter Four
“What was that all about?” Lidia asked Nikki as they stepped into a brown and white lobby lined with booths nestled against oversized windows. A large wooden clown with a cheesy smile stood near the front, pointing to the menu board. A well-scratched wooden counter was stuffed with two old cash registers manned by a very bored teenage girl.
“Reaction,” Nikki explained, walking up to the front counter.
Tori glanced over her shoulder at the wooden clown and shivered. “Clowns give me the creeps.”
“Me, too,” Lidia agreed.
Nikki glanced back at the clown. The large clown was creepy, but not as creepy as Agent Ringston. “I'm starved. Let's have a good dinner, on me.”
A girl with short blond hair with blue highlights greeted Nikki. “Can I take your order?” the girl asked as she chewed on a piece of gum and played with the stud in her eyebrow.
Nikki glanced at Lidia. Lidia rolled her eyes. From the appearance of the wrinkled brown and white uniform the girl was wearing, along with all her piercings, Nikki knew it was best just to place a simple order rather than offer a motherly lecture. “Yes, we'll have three double cheeseburger meals,” Nikki told the girl.
“No mayonnaise on mine…or onion,” Tori quickly added.
“Same with my meal,” Lidia told the girl.
“Me, too,” Nikki finished. “Three cheeseburger meals, no mayonnaise or onions.”
“Just like the three stooges,” the girl mumbled under her breath.
An old man with a pleasant face walked out from the kitchen wearing a white apron over a well-pressed work uniform. His short gray hair was neatly combed, and his eyes were lit up with life. “Hello!” He smiled at Nikki, Lidia and Tori. “Welcome to Smile for a Burger. My name is Eric. I'm the owner. This is my granddaughter, Melissa, who is still learning how to greet customers.”
Tori watched Melissa rudely roll her eyes. “Three double cheeseburger meals, minus the mayo and onions, Grandfather,” she said.
“I heard the nice lady place her order.” Eric smiled at his granddaughter. He was a patient and loving man, struggling against the horrible parental upbringing that had transformed a sweet, innocent girl into a rude, selfish brat. “Ladies, what would you like to drink with your meal?”
“Soda is fine,” Tori told Eric.
“Same with me,” Lidia added.
“Me, too.” Nikki smiled. There was something special about Eric that brought a sense of calmness and security to her worried chest.
“Fine. You ladies go sit down, and we will bring your food out when it's ready. Dinner is on the house.”
“Oh, no, we can pay,” Nikki insisted.
Eric glanced at his granddaughter. “We’d like to treat ‘the three stooges’ to dinner and take the cost out of our pay, wouldn't we, Melissa?”
Melissa's eyes grew wide. She pouted. “That's not fair. I was only—”
“Being vulgar,” Eric corrected his granddaughter with a firm but loving voice. “Next time we will greet customers the proper way, correct?”
Melissa rolled her eyes again. “Yes, Grandfather, I will greet every last customer with a big, cheesy, smile.”
“Good girl,” Eric smiled.
Nikki winked at Eric and walked Lidia and Tori to a booth next to the front window. Sitting down with her back against the wall, she could see her SUV, and Agent Ringston and Warden Wayberry were standing next to the black sedan. The two men were talking. Agent Wayberry was smoking a cigarette. “What are you thinking?” Lidia asked Nikki, sitting down next to Tori.
“The prison break was planned.” Nikki opened the thought box in her mind and peered in.
“We're all ears,”
Lidia told Nikki. Tori nodded and scooted closer to the table.
“If Hawk gets harmed, I'll make it my life's mission to destroy those men,” Nikki promised. “Hawk is in danger because of them.”
“Honey, let's focus on the prison break. Worrying about Hawk will not do you any good.” Lidia rubbed Nikki’s hand. “How was the prison break planned?”
“Twenty-four deadly men all escape at one time...how?” Nikki asked. “I believe certain convicts were assigned tasks to distract the authorities, while the rest of them gathered in one location.”
Tori stared at Nikki. “Kinda like sending all the mice toward one location using bait, right?”
“Yes.” Nikki nodded. “The convict who robbed the bank back home could have easily slipped into Canada. Why is he holding out in a rental cabin? The people behind this prison break need the authorities spread out all over the state to strain their resources and manpower while they go forward with whatever they want to accomplish.”
“Oh dear,” Lidia lowered her voice, “Warden Wayberry and Agent Ringston, they're responsible, aren't they?”
Nikki leaned forward. “I was a little confused as to why Agent Ringston was in our hometown.”
“The bank back home was robbed,” Tori reminded Nikki.
“Yes,” Nikki replied, “that was the most logical reason. I believe Agent Ringston was in our town to collect the convict who robbed our bank. But somehow he found out I was a resident of the town and quickly exited through the stage door. An FBI Agent wouldn't dismiss a bank robbery conducted by a dangerous criminal just to chase down a nosy reporter unless—”
“Unless you're in the diamond mine,” Lidia whispered as her eyes grew wide.
Nikki nodded. “Exactly,” she whispered back.
Tori understood. “This is headquarters, right?”
“Whatever those two rats are up to, this little town is where their plan is going to go to full steam,” Nikki told Tori. “The town is under tight watch. But my guess is, come tomorrow, an all-clear sign will be given and the authorities will move on, leaving open fields to run in.”
Gold Flake Chocolate Murder (A Maple Hills Cozy Mystery Book 6) Page 2