Page 17 of Paco
He watched them turn onto the highway, and then he rode over to the diner. So far he hadn’t seen Misty.Maybe she just comes out at night.He’d find out where she was staying and go talk to her.
The diner had more people in it than when he’d been there the previous week, but it was earlier in the day and the weather was good. A few people looked like tourists who’d stopped for a bite to eat, and the rest of the customers were truckers. He scanned the room, hoping to see a woman with long hair and soulful eyes.
Misty’s not here. Fuck.
“Just one?” an older woman asked, a menu in her hand.
He jerked his head and followed her to a booth by the window. She gave him the menu. “Someone will be with you in a moment.”
A young woman of about twenty started coming over to him. She held a small notepad and had a pen tucked behind her ear. Behind her, he saw Holly wearing a large smile. Practically knocking down the young waitress, she rushed over to his table.
“I’ve got this one, Annie.”
“But it’s my table,” Paco heard her say in a low voice.
“I know him. I’ll give you one of my tables. That guy with the big gut. He’s a great tipper. Just unbutton your top a little and bend down real low.” She turned to Paco. “Hi, stranger. How’ve you been?”
“Fine.”
“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
From the way she looked at him, he knew she thought he’d come back to see her. “Just passing through.”
“You a salesman or something? Do you sell shoes or vacuums?”
“On a Harley?”What a dumbass.
She giggled and placed her hands behind her back, pushing out her chest. “What can I get you to eat?”
“Where can I find Misty?”
The smile vanished, her shoulders drooped, and her eyes narrowed. “What?”
“Where can I find Misty?”
“Are you fuckin’ serious? You came back here for someone likethat?”
“I didn’t ask for your damn opinion. Where is she?”
“How do I know? I don’t keep track ofthem. What’s your deal? Are you one of them guys who has a thing for dirty women?”
“Bring me a cup of coffee and some cream.” He turned away and looked out the window. Beyond the truck stop, he saw an RV park and wondered if that’s where she lived.
Holly slammed the coffee down and it spilled. He grabbed her wrist and squeezed it.
“What the hell? You’re hurting me.”
“You show me respect. We can do this the easy way or the hard way, but believe me, the hard way isn’t gonna be the way you wanna go with me.”
“I just can’t believe you’re interested in a girl like that. Besides, she’s gone.”
A sudden coldness hit at his core.Gone?“What the fuck does that mean?” He gripped her wrist tighter.
“I haven’t seen her in a couple of nights. I heard that she and two other skanks left with her boyfriend, Bobby. I have no idea where they went. People come and go from here all the time.” She blinked quickly. “You’re really hurting me.”
He slowly relaxed his fingers and she pulled away from him. Rubbing her wrist, she offered him a small smile. “I get off in an hour if you want somewhere to crash.”
He looked out the window. “I’m leaving. Bring the bill.” Sitting on a rusted chair in front of the diner was an older woman. She had her leg crossed over her thigh, and her hand kneaded her bare foot.
