'Til Death Do Us Part - Part 15

Buck walked through the door of the diner. He held the door open for the rest of the gang as they passed by the chrome lined doors and onto the white and black checkered floor.

“Welcome to Anna's,” a woman in her forties greeted them. “The name's Penny. Just the four of ya'll?”

“Yes,” Sarah said.

Penny led them to an empty booth with red cushioned seats. Buck sat down and scooted into the seat next to the window. He felt the pleather cushion jiggle as Shirley Sue sat down next to him and nestled against him. Penny scribbled down their orders and meandered back to the kitchen. Buck wrapped his arm around Shirley Sue, and Roger scrunched up his face like he smelled something rancid at the display of affection.

Buck ignored his brother and looked out the window. He observed the menacing dark clouds overhead. “Guess we should've brought an umbrella.”

“I reckon so,” Roger said.

“After breakfast,” Sarah began, “Roger and I will head on over to the police station and see if we can find any cases with a similar M.O. You two, head on down to the festival and keep an eye out for anything suspicious. The one witness we have said he saw Johnson wandering off with a slender woman with dark hair and a large hat.”

As they waited for their food, Sarah excused herself. Buck looked back out the window at the passers-by. A woman with dark hair cut into a bob walked into view carrying a black umbrella. Her face was shaded, but as she walked past the diner her eyes connected with Buck's. She smiled at him and waved. He found himself smiling back at her and waving.

Shirley Sue looked up and saw the woman blow Buck a kiss. She scowled as her eyes followed the woman out of view. “Who was that?” she asked.

“I don't know, just someone being friendly,” Buck replied.

“Friendly? She blew you a kiss!” Shirley Sue said, sitting up and pulling away from Buck as she crossed her arms.

“Ya,” Roger said, “She was just being friendly. Everyone around here is real friendly, just like our pal Officer Brady,” he said, chuckling.

Shirley Sue glared at Roger.

“I've never seen her before Shirley Sue,” Buck said, wrapping his arm around her. “She waved at me so I waved back. She must have mistaken me for someone else.”

Shirley Sue sighed and cuddled back up to Buck. “You're probably right. A case of mistaken identity.”