Part 15 (1/2)
”It sounds like you're really familiar with the area,” he commented as he grabbed the metal door handle to let her enter the bar before him.
She didn't have to respond. It was like something out of that Eighties TV sitcom, Cheers. Cheers. Except, instead of everyone yelling out ”Norm,” they all yelled ”Audra.” Jesse blinked, taken aback at the warm welcome she received. Not that he didn't expect people to be excited to see her. But because they simply weren't the Except, instead of everyone yelling out ”Norm,” they all yelled ”Audra.” Jesse blinked, taken aback at the warm welcome she received. Not that he didn't expect people to be excited to see her. But because they simply weren't the kind kind of people he expected to be excited to see her. of people he expected to be excited to see her.
With most of the patrons in their mid-thirties, it was definitely not a party kind of place. Beer seemed to be the drink of choice, if the sea of frosty mugs was anything to go by. Instead of a guys' hangout, the bar appeared to cater to couples and groups. A dartboard, pool table and bank of television sets tuned to different sports completed the setting.
The green and blue interior showed a bit of age, as did the scarred hardwood floors. The tables and chairs all looked new, and the plants and flowers on each table were well cared for. Overall, it was friendly and welcoming.
And Audra fit right in. As she made her way to the bar, she greeted a few people by name, responded to questions here and there and fielded congratulations on her recent graduation. And, in typical Audra fas.h.i.+on, patted a few guys on the b.u.t.t.
”Audra, sweetie, I'm so glad you came,” the bartender cried out. The tall blonde looked as if she should be home baking cookies, not manning a bar. ”I was worrying, what with Drew being off gallivanting like a wild man.”
”So tell me, how often does Drew call in? Seeing as he's the owner and all into running the place himself?” Audra asked. She sounded a little persnickety, enough to make the bartender raise her carefully manicured brows.
”Let's see, he's been gone a little more than a week, right? He's called three, maybe four times.”
”Total?” Audra leaned her elbows on the bar and shook her head. ”I get more calls than that in a day from Natasha.”
”Ahhh, being left in charge is fun, huh? Congratulations on the promotion, by the way. We're all proud of you.”
If he hadn't been gawking at her, Jesse would have missed the faint blush that swept over Audra's high cheekbones.
”Thanks,” she murmured. Then she turned to gesture to Jesse in an obvious change of subject, ”This is my friend, Jesse. Treat him right, huh? He's a h.e.l.l of a kisser.”
Now it was Jesse who was probably blus.h.i.+ng. He muttered a h.e.l.lo to the laughing woman behind the bar and slid onto the empty stool.
Why were they here? Old home week? Was this a kinky twist on Audra's bad-girl-style dating? Something illegal? If her sister-in-law was involved, it stood to reason that her brother was, too.
”So,” Audra said, sliding onto a barstool and spinning so she faced the room. ”Have you got it ready? Is he here yet?”
There must be a pickup or drop-off scheduled tonight. Jesse looked around at the middle-cla.s.s clientele and frowned. It simply didn't compute.
The bartender tapped Audra's shoulder and nodded over to a gaggle of old guys huddled together around a small table with a cup of dice. Then the woman set a drink of what looked like scotch on the bar next to Audra's elbow.
”There ya go, tiger.”
Audra grinned and slid off her stool. She leaned over and brushed a kiss over Jesse's cheek and gave him a wink.
”I'll just be a second, okay? Go ahead and order a drink. It's on the house.”
With a kicky swing in her hips, Audra took the single drink, placed it on the serving tray and swayed across the room to a table where the trio of octogenarians held court.
The guy in the center had a smile as long as the Golden Gate. His wizened face showed delight beneath his sailor's cap.
”If it isn't sweet little Audra.”
”Sure enough. Nothing but the best for your birthday, Joe.”
And with that, she proceeded to sing the old guy ”Happy Birthday” in perfect tune as the entire bar watched, then chimed in after the first line.
Jesse stared. This was her important task? Life or death? He absently thanked the bartender when she set a beer in front of him.
”Old Joe's been coming in here for years,” she explained, her arms crossed over her chest and a wide grin on her face. ”Back when Aaron was alive-back before he got so sick and let everything fall apart-he was the first to serve up Joe's drink and sing to him for his birthday. His son, or now his daughter, have carried on that tradition for over twenty years. He'd be proud.”
From what little he'd gleaned from his investigation, Aaron Walker had been a hard-a.s.s who'd died after a long, rough bout with cancer. Before he'd gotten sick, the man had single-handedly raised his children in this bar. Audra had gone to live with her estranged mother, but she'd obviously retained a strong affection for her onetime home and what it represented.
Ironic that they were both so strongly influenced by their fathers.
Jesse gulped down a swig of beer. He'd always looked down on his father for blurring the lines on a case. And now? Now he was falling in love with a suspect who was, if connected with the crimes he was investigating, guilty enough to be serve time in prison.
When had he turned into a conjugal visit kind of guy?
10.
”THAT WAS sweet,” Jesse said as he escorted Audra from the bar to her car. sweet,” Jesse said as he escorted Audra from the bar to her car.
Audra snorted, but didn't deny the observation. Not that there was much to deny. They'd stayed for a drink and shared a basket of nachos while the patrons had regaled him with stories of Audra's younger years.
Instead of being embarra.s.sed, as he would have been, she'd just grinned. He'd never met anyone so comfortable with herself as she was. All aspects of her, not just the social mask she presented. Sure, occasionally she'd corrected someone's story. But only if they were making her sound too nice or goody-goody. Not that there had been too much of that. From the sound of the stories, Audra'd been a handful from infancy.
”They're a good bunch of people. I don't get over here too often, but it's always nice. I'm glad you had fun,” she said. They reached her car and she gave him a considering look, then dangled the keys from her finger. ”Wanna drive?”
”You don't mind other people driving your car?” Jesse frowned.
”Nah. Besides, we've already established we'd take turns leading. I led us here, you're in charge of the rest of our date.”
His frown faded and he caught the keys she tossed to him. He unlocked her door and settled her into the pa.s.senger seat before going around to the driver's side. Her car was a lot sportier than his old truck. Eight horse-power, it'd be a pleasure to handle.
Much like its owner.
Jesse slid into the car. He started the ignition and glanced over at her.
”It sounds like you were a h.e.l.lion growing up.” Which was in keeping with the reputation he'd uncovered in his investigation. ”And yet they all seem to love you.”
Which wasn't in keeping with that rep. For a woman who'd grown up with juvenile delinquent tendencies, a neglectful father and a drunken mother, she had some amazingly well-developed people skills.
”Hey, I'm a lovable kind of gal. Hadn't you noticed?” she said with a laugh and a vampy look.
”So you grew up in the bar?” Jesse headed toward the freeway, determined to solve this puzzle, or at least a portion of it, before they got back to Sacramento.
”Over it, really. Dad's apartment was upstairs. My brother lived there off and on for a while, too. Mostly off. Then my dad got sick and my mom was forced to take custody.”
Her tone was so matter-of-fact, Jesse almost misunderstood the words. A quick glanced showed no evidence of emotion on her face.
”Forced? You mean she won custody, right?”
”Nope. My parents weren't much for nurturing, if you know what I mean. My dad was a good guy, but he didn't know diddly about raising a kid, let alone a female kid. He'd had enough trouble with Drew, then I came along. He'd have preferred my mother raise me. You know, females belong together and all that jazz.”