A Cry in the Dark (Carly Moore #1) - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,85
we better tell Max. I know he doesn’t know about the funeral yet.”
Ruth told him, and within minutes, Max had declared that the tavern would be closed from two thirty until six on Friday so the town could attend the funeral and pay their respects. Afterward, the mourners would be welcomed back at the bar for a post-funeral celebration of life. He tasked Ruth and me with spreading the word to the customers, knowing it would shoot through the town like wildfire. He also told us to be sure to bring around the jar he’d put on the counter to collect funds to help cover Seth’s funeral expenses. I almost told him that Wyatt had covered it, but the last thing I wanted to do was stand between the two brothers. Still, I felt awkward.
The dinner shift was busy again tonight but less so than the night before. While the patrons weren’t overly friendly, they weren’t as openly hostile as they’d been.
Jerry came in early—within minutes of my arrival at the tavern. He sat in my section and ordered the Wednesday special and a coffee. I also brought him out two tiny pieces of pie, telling him they had been cut too small to serve to anyone else, when in truth, Tiny had cut a piece in half.
Jerry mumbled his thanks, refusing to meet my gaze, and I couldn’t help thinking that he was scared of me. Did he think I’d killed Seth? For some reason, that bothered me more than when I’d wondered if Max and Wyatt might suspect me.
By nine, I’d already made more tip money than the night before, and I was about to take a break when I saw Dwight stroll into the bar with a small group of friends.
“You know him?” I asked Max while standing behind the bar.
“Dwight Henderson,” Max said, keeping his gaze on the man. “Known as Dewey to his friends. He’s bad news walkin’.”
“He’s working at Mobley Funeral Home. He told Hank his daddy’s fallen ill and he got a job closer to home to take care of him.”
“You don’t say.” He turned to look at me with an amused grin. “How do you know more about this town than I do?”
I flashed him a tight smile. “Friends in low places.”
He turned serious. “You took Hank by to see Seth at the funeral home.”
“That too.” I paused, then said, “Dwight was crude with me and acted disgusting to both of us. I kicked him out of the room while Hank was paying his respects to Seth, and I may have threatened his job. His boss told Hank that he didn’t have to worry about seeing Dwight again, and now I’m worried we got him fired.” I paused. “Does he come in here very often?”
Max’s jaw hardened. “Before Monday night, I hadn’t seen that man step foot in here in over a year. So no, I don’t think the fact he’s here tonight is a coincidence.”
We both watched as he and his two friends, who looked just as seedy, sat at a table in my section.
“I’ll get Ruth to cover their table for you,” he said.
“She’s on her break.” Franklin had brought her dinner, and they were sitting in his truck out back.
Max tossed the towel on the counter and started walking to the end of the counter. “Carly, cover the bar.”
I grabbed his arm and tried to stop him. “Max. Don’t.”
He gave me a hard look. “No one comes in here and treats my staff disrespectfully.”
“He hasn’t even said anything to me yet.”
“And I aim to keep it that way,” he said, pulling free.
“Max!” I whisper-hissed, but he ignored me and sauntered over to the table.
“I’m here to see your new waitress, Drummond,” Dwight said, leaning back in his chair. “Where is she?”
“Takin’ a break. What can I get you gentlemen?”
“What you can get me,” Dwight said in a loud voice, “is your smart-mouthed new waitress. I want to give her my order.”
He sounded drunk and we hadn’t even served him a drink yet.
“Well,” Max drawled, propping his hands on his hips in a nonchalant pose. “Ruth’s definitely got a smart mouth on ’er, but I wouldn’t exactly call her new. And like I said, she’s takin’ a break, so lucky you gets me and my handsome mug instead.”
A dark smile spread across Dwight’s face. “I ain’t talkin’ about Ruth, and I ain’t talkin’ about Lula either.” He turned his gaze on me. “I’ll just wait here for your new girl