Page 17 of Hollow Code
"You can stow the rifle under the rear seat." She waved her hand before reaching into the center box and pulling out a handgun. She tucked it into her waistband, tugging her jacket down over it.
Gideon climbed out, slinging his backpack over one shoulder.
"Leave the pack," she said.
"Negatory. Wherever I go, it goes."
She stared at him for a second. "Fine." She jerked her chin toward the diner. "Anything I should know?"
"Just follow my lead."
"Right."
They came around the side of the building and through the front door. The smell of bitter coffee hit her first. God, she hated that smell. Hated the taste of that shit even more.
Then came the bacon grease followed by vanilla and cinnamon. Those scents she could get behind.
The place was small—or, as her dad would say—intimate. Her old man lived for a good greasy spoon. His favorite thing to do on a Sunday morning had been to drive to The Soggy Beaver where he’d order a cheese and bacon omelet, maple French toast, crispy hash browns, a side of bacon, and sausage. To top it off, he’d steal one of her pancakes. It amazed her that her father wasn’t overweight.
This place, which appeared nameless, had a handful of booths, a counter with stools, and a hostess station near the entrance manned by a blonde woman whose smile arrived before the rest of her.
"Well, well." The woman's gaze landed on Gideon and then slid to Zadie with the kind of assessment that had nothing to do with hospitality. "You're back awful quick, sugar. And you brought company."
"This is my girlfriend," Gideon said.
Zadie hadn’t expected that, but she smiled as big as the hostess’ southern accent and leaned into Gideon's side. She placed her hand on his chest. "I’m Felicity."
"And this is Praline, the hostess I was telling you about." Gideon looped his arm around Zadie’s waist.
"I was just telling your man this morning about our pie baking contest this Friday." Praline tilted her head. "You bake?"
Zadie glanced up at Gideon. "Honey, you didn't mention anything about that. You know how much I love pie."
Gideon leaned in and touched his lips to her cheek. The stubble scratched. "And I love to eat your pie," he said, his voice low enough that it could've been intimate if it weren't so clearly a performance. Gideon turned back to Praline. "Has anyone come in asking for me?"
"No. Why?" Praline's smile stayed, but she shifted her weight from side to side, and her right eye twitched. She also shifted her gaze, glancing for a nanosecond over Gideon’s shoulder toward the door that led to the parking lot.
That said a lot.
"Felicity was on the internet this morning in our hotel room and learned that a couple of buddies I work with are in the area. I wouldn’t want to miss them."
"Haven't seen anyone new." Praline's fingers moved to the collar of her shirt, and her gaze drifted toward the front window.
Zadie continued to focus on Praline and her body language. Something didn’t add up. Zadie had spent her career reading people through screens. The tells there were different because they came in how people strung words together. How they paused before answering. Or how quickly they responded.
But Praline’s tells weren’t all that subtle. The tightness in her jaw that she tried to loosen by licking her lips or just moving her mouth when not speaking. The way she shifted her weight to her back foot, as if she were ready to move, even though she had nowhere to go.
It all indicated nervousness.
The low rumble of a V8 engine rolled through the air. Zadie glanced over her shoulder. A truck pulled into the lot—dark, clean, tinted windows.
"Babe." Zadie squeezed Gideon's arm. "I think your friends are here. Maybe we should surprise them."
Gideon turned, and Zadie felt every muscle in his body go rigid. His arm dropped from her waist, and his hand moved to the strap of his backpack.
"I think that’s an excellent idea, sweetheart." He turned to Praline. "Can we hide in your kitchen? Give my buddies a chance to get settled and then come out and give them a good old surprise."
Praline's mouth opened, but nothing came out. She just nodded.
