Part 10 (1/2)

I texted both Layla and Bel the address to where I was headed. Layla had told me not to talk to CarGuy without backup, but after a little bit more research, I discovered that CarGuy worked at a pizza place not too far from my current location.

Calling ahead, I ordered one personal-sized pizza for pickup, telling myself that the only reason I was headed to this particular pizza place was because I was hungry and their reviews were good. I didnt fool myself, but it was worth a shot.

More importantly, when Id ordered the pizza, Id asked if Dan Woods, the real name of CarGuy, was working today. The bored teenager on the phone told me that yes, Dan was working, so I proceeded to drive straight over.

I parked outside, wondering if it had been a bad idea not to take someone with me. Layla would have come, but she had a store full of customers, and I couldnt pull her away for something so small. Bel was busy with her brides and likely couldnt get away.

As for Madrina”well, n.o.body ever knew where she was, popping in and our lives whenever she felt like it. The only sure way to get her to swing by for a visit was to bake a pan of brownies, and I didnt have time to stop home and whip up a batch. I was on my own, no way around it.

The smell of pizza permeated the air as I locked my car. I sniffed the marinara goodness, the freshly baked crust, the melted cheese. Another bonus”the place was busy.

Okay, maybe not busy, but there were at least five other people here, and I was willing to bet that Dan Woods wouldnt try any funny business with other people around at his work.

I made my way towards the entrance, scanning the tables on the patio outside. It was a perfect day for a day date. Pizza and a walk sounded excellent with the right person, I thought as I watched a cute, young couple holding hands.

I tore myself away from people-watching and let my nose lead me to the counter. Rosie, picking up a personal pizza.

Will anyone be joining you today? The bored teen from the phone asked. Or are you alone?

Isnt that a little rude?

Im just wondering how many utensils I should”

Im all by myself, okay? I said. All alone. Are you happy?

The teens eyes widened. Oh, lady. Sorry. You know, its cool to eat alone these days.

Just give me my pizza, please. I hissed. And Ill still tip you well.

He handed over the pizza and utensils.

I pulled out an extra five bucks, and gingerly placed it on top of the first fiver. I could really make this interaction worth your while if you could tell me where I might find Dan Woods.

The teen raised his eyebrows at the two fives on the table. Whats that supposed to buy me?

I exhaled loudly. Fine. Is this better?

The teen watched as I pulled one of the fives back and replaced it with a ten. Really, youre going to take back five bucks?

Fine! But this is it. I set the other five back. This information is not worth twenty dollars, but Im feeling generous. Where is Dan?

Hes out on a delivery, but if you eat your pizza at the table over there, you cant miss him when he comes back in. Ill send him over to you.

Thanks, I said. Now, do you have some extra parmesan?

Chapter 16.

Twenty minutes, half of a personal pan pizza, and too many packets of parmesan cheese later, the ding of the doorbell sounded, and the teen at the counter gave me a sly nod. A man waltzed in, a balding, forty-something-year-old who looked a bit like a gerbil with his puffy cheeks, round stomach, and twitchy features.

The teen at the counter lowered his voice and held a quick exchange with Dan that ended in both of them staring straight at me.

I gave an awkward smile and a wave, then busied myself folding up the leftover pizza into a take home box.

I didnt have long to wait until the sound of footsteps approached my table.

You wanted to see me? Dan huffed. He sat down without an invitation. You gonna eat that?

He pointed at my take home bag, so I shook my head and shoved it at him. Youre Dan Woods?

Dan made me wait until hed taken the pizza out of the bag, set it on a plate, and refilled his soda before he looked up. Then he looked right back down, unfolded a napkin on his lap, set a fork, knife, and a spoon next to his water gla.s.s, and then lightly mopped the grease off the top of his pizza.

Are you Dan Woods? I tried again. He was preparing to eat like this was a gourmet meal. That was not a trick question.

Ya, what do you want? He picked up the pizza and ate almost one whole slice without pausing for air.

I scrunched my nose, wondering why hed gone through all that preparation if he was just going to eat his food like a garbage disposal. Have you worked with Hank the Handyman?

At the mention of Hank, Mr. Woods dropped his pizza straight onto his plate. Ever so slowly, his face grew to a shade of red that was more vibrant than the marinara sauce on his pizza. Then it just kept on going. Red to violet. Violet to pink. Pink to white, and on and on until we came to a full circle, and landed back on a purplish-red. What about Hank?

I was just wondering about your experiences with Hanks services because”

Thankfully I didnt have to come up with a lame excuse as to why I was asking because Dan took over. Hanks services? You want me to talk about Hanks services? That man is a crook. Hes a dirty little liar who steals peoples money. He fixes something just good enough so that it breaks the second they get home, and then theyve gotta go back out looking to spend more money with him. Talk about unethical. It makes me sick.

I feigned concern. Im really sorry to hear about that. What happened?

Here I am, driving around in my old Volvo. The thing has worked for me perfectly for the last eighteen years. Two hundred and fifty thousand miles, and Ive never once had a problem. He snorted in derision. Then one day, out of the blue, it broke down. Left me on the side of the road. Right on Main Street in town. I mean, is there a worse place? I swear, people are never going to trust me to deliver their pizza again.

Im sure people understand, I said. Its not your fault you had car trouble. It happens to us all.

Yeah, but Ive never been late for a delivery before. Not until that day.

You were late?

He bit his lip. No, I wasnt late, but I was real close. Ive never been that close before. I pride myself on getting there ten minutes early. Thats why Ive earned the name Delivery Dan. Not anyone can be a Delivery Dan; it takes a real skill set thats pretty rare.

Id say, I murmured.

This time, I was only three minutes early. Almost late. Dan rocked back and forth as if the situation had nearly traumatized him.

I dont understand what any of this has to do with Hank.

Hank? Dans neck started to glow purple. That phony.

Was he even there? I was seriously beginning to worry about this mans mental state. Here was Delivery Dan fuming like a nut while kind-hearted, goofy Jo sat behind bars. Why couldnt the chief see how wrong this whole situation was?