Burn You Twice - Mary Burton Page 0,81
open book.”
That she doubted. “I understand someone painted a few unkind words on the sidewalk outside his residence.”
“I heard something about that,” he said easily. “Are you here because of the graffiti?”
“I have bigger fish to fry.”
“You going to prove Elijah set the Beau-T-Shop fire?”
“I have no jurisdiction here.”
He laughed. “When did not having the authority ever stop you?”
“Never.” She reached for a sugar packet, shook it, but did not bother to tear it open. “Why are you so against him, Dan? One thing to not like a guy but another to set up a citizens’ action committee against him.”
“You of all people should understand. He nearly burned you alive. He is a danger, and he will end up killing someone. It’s a matter of time.”
“I know why I should have a beef, but why you?”
“Maybe I don’t like the idea of his kind of trouble. He doesn’t belong here. The Halperns have lost their business, and if I lost the diner, I would be screwed.”
“Why would he come after you?”
“Because my stuff burns as good as the next guy’s.”
“You set up your citizens’ group long before the Halpern fire. There has to be more to what’s motivating you.”
“Do I need a personal reason?”
“No, but I’d bet you have one. Tell me why.”
Dan sighed. “We went to high school together.”
“Spit it out.”
“Someone set my truck on fire in high school.”
“Are you saying it was Elijah?”
“Yes!”
“But Elijah was never arrested or charged with that crime.”
“But he did it. I know he did.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I was a little rough on Elijah in high school. I gave him a hard time. It was all fun and games, but he must have taken it personally.”
Joan remembered that Tucker used to tease her when she worked at the diner. If it wasn’t her Philly accent, it was the way she dressed or her plans to go to graduate school. He went out of his way to point out that she was an outsider. His teasing had quickly stopped being funny, and though she was good at ignoring him, someone less stable might have reacted differently.
“Your teasing is the reason Elijah set fire to your truck?”
“Yeah.”
“Maybe you made someone else angry? You do have a gift for finding someone’s weakness and pressing.”
“You never seemed to mind.”
“We’re not talking about me.”
“I knew from the beginning that Elijah was off. He was never like regular kids in high school. It was a matter of time before Elijah caused trouble then, and it’s the same now,” Tucker said. “The cops don’t seem to be willing to do anything.”
“The police don’t have any evidence that he set the fire. Our judicial system is a little fussy about that.”
“I don’t need proof to make my case.”
The underlying threat was clear, but she did not challenge it. “Did you know Lana Long?”
“Sure. Nice gal. Came in here from time to time.”
She tore open the sugar packet and slowly poured it into her cup. “Did she date anyone that you know of?”
“I don’t track the love lives of my customers.”
Joan cocked her head. “Dan, you pay attention to everything.”
He shrugged and pulled the dish towel tossed over his shoulder to wipe his hands. “Lana came in last week. It was a slow time of day.”
“And?”
“She was dressed in tight jeans and had her hair done up. She was a handsome woman and didn’t mind showing off her goods.”
“And?”
“Ordered pancakes. Said she was celebrating, according to Nora.”
“Nora?”
“Nora O’Neil. The waitress serving Lana’s table.”
“What did Lana tell Nora?”
“She said she was getting married.”
“I don’t suppose there was a name attached to that statement?”
“Nora asked, but Lana didn’t say. Nora said she was sporting a big engagement ring on her ring finger.”
“When was this?”
“Last week. Friday, maybe.”
There had been no mention of a ring on Lana’s body. “But she didn’t say who gave it to her?”
“Whoever it was had money.” He sniffed. “You should ask Darren.”
“Darren Halpern. He owns the beauty shop with his wife.”
“That’s right.”
“Why Darren?”
“He joined Lana at her booth table just as she was finishing up. They chatted. Looked like a boss talking to an employee. Aboveboard.”
“Was it?”
He shrugged. “You’ll have to ask him.”
Joan leaned forward, catching a lingering scent of bacon on his white T-shirt. “Between us girls, Dan, how’s the Halperns’ marriage?”
“It’s seen better times. They’ve shared a few silent and stony breakfasts.”
“Lana’s name ever come up in conjunction with either of them?”
“Not in front of me.” His eyes narrowed. “Do you think she had something to