Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“We can spill outside,” Ophelia said, tapping her lip thoughtfully. “We could block off the street and set up tables all the way down.”
May could already see it in her head. “That’s a great idea. We’ll get tablecloths and maybe string some lights across the front.”
“If the whole town’s coming,” Ophelia said, “use the whole town.”
“I love that,” Amka said, happiness radiating from her.
Janet hustled over just then with her hair twisted into a bun and a pencil tucked behind her ear like always. “Hi, ladies.” She didn’t bother with menus. “I’m thinking y’all want the chicken sandwich with fries.”
“Sounds good,” May said.
“I’d like that,” Amka agreed.
Ophelia glanced up. “I was kind of craving a salad, Janet.”
Janet leaned in, lowering her voice like she was delivering classified information. “You don’t want the salad today. Trust me. You want the chicken sandwich.”
Ophelia didn’t argue long. “All right. That’ll be fine, and I’ll take a Pepsi.”
“Coffee for me,” May said.
“I’m good with water,” Amka added.
Janet waved at a group just sitting themselves at a far table. “I’ll let Gus know.” Gus and Janet had owned the place longer than most of the buildings on Main Street had been standing. People ate what Gus told them to eat, and it was always the right call.
When Janet left, Ophelia plopped her elbows onto the table and pointed at May. “All right. Talk.”
The booth felt warmer suddenly, closer, and May knew there was no getting out of it now. She tried very hard not to blush. “All right, so last night—”
“I knew it,” Ophelia said, clapping her palm lightly against the table. “Sorry.”
“You knew what?” May asked, even though her face was already warm.
“Well,” Ophelia said, leaning back and folding her arms, “you and Ace didn’t come to the tavern last night. Everybody else did. After the tourists were found. So…” She let the rest hang there between them.
From the kitchen came the sizzle of meat hitting hot oil. A bell dinged near the counter. The Green Plate felt normal, busy, and alive. Meanwhile her friends were staring at her like she’d just confessed to arson.
May exhaled. “Ace and I—”
“Yay,” Amka said under her breath.
“Oh, thank God,” Ophelia said. “It’s about time.”
“That took forever,” Amka added, shaking her head.
“I know,” Ophelia agreed. “Forever.”
“Shut up, both of you,” May said, though she was laughing now. She tucked her hair behind her ear and sobered. “Now, seriously.”
They both straightened, instantly attentive.
“What now?” Amka asked.
Ophelia reached for her drink. “What do you want?”
May traced a small circle on the tabletop with her fingertip. “I’m not sure.” The booth felt smaller all of a sudden. “I mean,” she went on, “Ace acts mellow most of the time. Mischievous. But he’s got an edge.”
Amka coughed into her hand. “An edge? You’re talking to me about an edge? I’m marrying Christian.”
“Okay, that’s fair,” May conceded. “But it’s different. Ace made some comment about wanting a chance. The guy stood there barefoot in his kitchen like he didn’t have a care in the world.” She shrugged. “But he hasn’t called all day.”
“Well,” Ophelia said calmly, “it’s just after lunch.”
“I know.” May drew in a breath.
Amka tore her napkin apart. “He went to see Smitty this morning. I don’t even know if I’m supposed to tell you that.”
“He did?” Ophelia asked.
Amka’s cheek creased. “Christian saw him.”
May blinked. “So he’s trying.”
“Yeah,” Amka said. “He’s trying really hard to get his head on straight.”
“That’s good,” Ophelia said.
It felt good to talk this out. “It is,” May agreed quietly.
“Now if we could just get him cleared of this murder rap,” Ophelia said.
May looked up immediately. “Speaking of which, what do you know?”
“Not much.” Irritation flickered through Ophelia’s blue eyes. “It’s not a federal case, so I don’t have a lot of pull. The troopers are keeping me out of it.”
“I’m sorry,” May said.
“Yeah, well, they’re being real buttheads. Brock’s trying to be involved as much as he can, but they’re keeping him out too. One, because there’s technically no such thing as a sheriff in Alaska the way he operates, and two, because the main suspect is his brother.”
May had hoped the real killer would’ve been caught by now.
“However,” Ophelia continued, settling her napkin properly on her lap, “the autopsy report came in, as did the search results from Ace’s cabin and truck.”
May held her breath.
“Nothing ties him to the death,” Ophelia said clearly.
The noise of the diner faded for half a second.
“Is anybody tied to it?” May asked.
“No.” Ophelia pressed her lips together briefly. “All the kids from Montana were cleared. I checked the files when nobody knew I was looking. They’re clean. They headed home this morning.”
How frustrating. “So who killed that poor woman?” May asked.
“I don’t know. We’ve got so many tourists coming in and out,” Ophelia said. “It’s hard to say.”
“Let’s not forget the locals,” May added. “Or the people who live up in the mountains and only come down during summer.”