Full Blast

“Not a flicker. None of them paid us the slightest interest.”

“You watch too many movies.”

“I lead a sad and lonely life.”

The coffee was rich and hot. Grimaldi leaned over and picked up a menu card, scanning it.

“House special is on the board,” the woman said, waving a finger at the chalked menu. “Ham, eggs, fried potatoes, spiced beans.”

“That’s on here, too. Same price,” Grimaldi said, indicating the menu. “What’s special about that one?”

The woman smiled. “It’s on the board.”

Grimaldi thought about that for a minute. “Okay, ma’am, you got me there. Two house specials.”

“Be a few minutes.”

She turned and vanished into the kitchen area, returning to check their mugs before moving from behind the counter. She went from table to table, talking freely to her customers, refilling coffee mugs. When she returned to her place behind the counter, she topped up their mugs.

“You fellers aren’t from hereabouts.”

“Does it show?”

“The suits give you away.”

“See,” Schwarz said. “I said we should have bought those big hats and the fringed shirts.”

“Fringed shirts?” The woman chuckled at the thought. “You boys must be from back east somewhere.”

“That we are, ma’am. The big, bad city of Washington.”

“Oh, my, I feel humbled in your presence,” she said, faint mockery in her tone.

“Long time since I humbled anyone,” Schwarz said.

“So what are you doing all the way out here?”

Schwarz slid his ID wallet out of his shirt pocket. He laid it on the counter so the woman could see the Justice Department shield and the encapsulated card with his details.

“Agent Tony Ryder,” she read, then studied Schwarz’s face. “The gun, I understand now. But you don’t fit your picture.”

Schwarz reached up to touch his cheek. He was still showing bruising from his encounter with Khariza’s people at the wood-chip mill outside Bucklow.

“Work gets a little rough at times,” he said by way of explanation.

“I guess so.”

“Actually he fell out of bed,” Grimaldi whispered.

“Yeah? Well, I hope she was worth it.”

Grimaldi laughed and even Schwarz cracked a grin.

“Ma’am, I just hope your cooking is half as smart as your sense of humor,” Grimaldi said.

“Why do you think I call it special?”

The food, when it came, was good. The Stony Man pair ate without pause, realizing just how hungry they were after their three-hour drive. The woman, whose name was Louise, kept their coffee mugs filled. By the time Schwarz and Grimaldi had finished, the diner was almost empty. The only customer remaining was the driver of the semi-trailer.

Louise collected empty plates and mugs, ferrying them into the kitchen. She wiped down the tables, then returned to her place and poured herself a mug of coffee.

“You fellers have anything to do with Fort Leverton?” she asked out of the blue.

“Should we?” Schwarz asked, easing his jacket off and draping it on the stool next to him.

“Oh, come on, guys. I’m just curious. You realize how tiring it gets in here listening to talk about cattle and trucks and guns? Jesus, a girl could die of boredom. You fellers come in all suited up, flashing Justice Department badges and guns. What am I supposed to think? Or maybe you’ve come to check me out.”

Grimaldi nearly made an inappropriate remark but checked himself.

“Besides,” Louise said, “what else would bring people like you all the way out here?”

“You have much contact with the base?”

Louise shook her head. “I get some customers from time to time. Not much. They have everything they need out there. Anyhow, the big muckety-muck, General Gardener, who runs the place, is no public-relations winner. I heard he told his soldier boys to stay away from town. Doesn’t like them mixing with us ordinary folk.”

“The base off-limits, then?”

“You could say that.” Louise smiled. “Don’t always work, though. Couple of local girls kind of managed to get Gardener soldiers to date them. Well, you know what kids are like. I can remember when I used to do stuff like that.”

“Couldn’t have been that long ago,” Grimaldi said.

“They teach you that kind of bull at Justice Department training school?”

“He was born under a maple tree,” Schwarz said. “He’s got syrup in his veins.”

“G-men with humor? Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Anything out of the ordinary been happening lately?”

Louise glanced at him, her eyes showing interest.

“Like what?”

“You tell me.”

“This is awkward, fellers. I promised someone I wouldn’t say anything in case it brought her trouble.”

“If things have gotten to this stage I’d say trouble was already in the frame,” Schwarz said. “You mind if I have some more of that coffee?” He watched as Louise topped up his mug. Her hand was shaking slightly. Schwarz reached out and placed his hand over hers. “Take it easy. Okay?”