Casey Mayes - A Killer Column

Zach headed out the door to the parking garage, and Jenny and I followed. It appeared that we all had a lot to talk about.

“ WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?” I ASKED HIM AS SOON AS WE got out of sight.

Zach grinned. “I put a little righteous fear in him.” He broke his smile for a moment. “That’s okay with you, isn’t it? I know I said I wouldn’t interview any suspects, but he’s getting ready to leave town. I caught him checking out, so I made an executive decision.”

“You did great,” I said. “Did you have any luck with him?”

“You won’t believe it.”

Noticing that Jenny and I had started walking toward my car, Zach asked, “Are we going somewhere?”

“We’re heading over to the Brunswick Hotel,” I said.

“What’s Cary done now?”

“It’s not Cary,” I said. “Mindi just moved there, and we need to find out how she’s suddenly able to afford it.”

“Let’s go, then. We can talk on the way.”

Jenny said, “I’ve got a feeling we’re going to need more than the few minutes it’s going to take to drive over there. Why don’t we grab some hot dogs from the Grill and then get some dessert. Does anyone feel like pie?”

Zach smiled broadly at her. “I always feel like pie.” He turned to me. “Savannah, I knew there was a reason I liked her.”

After we ate our fill of hot dogs at the Grill, it was time for dessert.

“Just take a left out of the parking lot,” Jenny said. “I’ll tell you where to turn next.”

Six minutes later, we were in front of a diner that looked as though it had seen better days, say in the 1950s. The brick exterior had been painted white a decade ago if the peeling paint was any indication, and the “H” in the “Hot Food” sign was burned out. In other words, it was exactly my husband’s kind of dining establishment.

We got out and went inside, and Jenny grabbed a table by the window, smiling and greeting a few folks on her way inside.

“You should run for mayor,” I said. “Everywhere we go, you know somebody.”

“I like it here, and they like me,” she said.

A white man in his late fifties sporting a grizzled salt-and-pepper beard walked out wearing an apron that was clean, though tattered around the edges. “If it isn’t Jenny Blake herself,” he said as he smiled broadly at her.

“Hi, Clayton,” she said.

“Sherrie, get out here.”

A black woman who appeared to be around the same age came out, her cheeks dusted with flour. “Clayton, I can’t keep making pies if you don’t leave me to it, and then what are you going to sell?” Her expression lit up as she saw Jenny. “Jenny, it’s wonderful to see you. Where have you been hiding yourself, young lady?”

“I’ve been working,” she said. “I’d like you to meet my friends. This is Savannah Stone, and this is her husband, Zach.”

Clayton offered a hand to my husband. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Zach nodded, and then smiled broadly at Sherrie. “I hear you make the best pie in the world. That makes me an instant fan of yours.”

Sherrie looked pleased by the compliment, though she tried not to show it. “Jenny, have you been spreading lies about me again?”

“Nothing but the truth,” Jenny said.

“Well, it’s good to see you. Can I bring you something?”

“Some coffee would be nice,” she said, “and three slices of pie.”

Sherrie looked at Zach. “Any kind in particular?”

“What would you say if I told you I wanted to taste one of each?”

She laughed. “I’d say your eyes were too big for your stomach.”

“Then bring me a slice of your favorite,” Zach said.

“And how do you know you’ll like it?”

“If it’s good enough for you, I’m sure it will be perfect for me,” my husband replied.

Sherrie swatted at me with a rag that was flung over her shoulder. “Hold on to him, Savannah. He’s one of the good ones.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” I said.

After Sherrie was gone, a man tried to get Clayton’s attention at the register. “If you all will excuse me.”

“Of course,” Jenny said.

After they were gone, I asked, “Are they married?”

Jenny shook her head. “No, they grew up together, but nobody from either side of the tracks liked them being such good friends, so they drifted apart. Fifteen years ago, Sherrie lost her husband in a car wreck about the same time Clayton’s wife left him for another man, and the two of them decided it was high time they got to be the friends they were meant to be. They bought this place, and it’s been thriving ever since they opened it.” She looked around and said, “Judges eat here, right alongside trash collectors. The only rule they have is you take the next open seat if you’re waiting, no matter who’s around you. They pride themselves on serving the best pie in North Carolina, and offering it to anyone with the price of a slice on him.”

“That still doesn’t explain why they’re so fond of you,” I said.

“I helped them out once with a little situation, and they won’t let me forget it,” Jenny answered.

“You’re not going to leave it at that, are you?”

“I am,” Jenny said. “Look, here comes our order.”

Sherrie came out with a tray loaded down with six plates. “That’s too much,” Jenny said.

“Only one is for you,” she said as she slid a piece of peach pie in front of her. “Savannah, do you like apple?”

“I sure do,” I said, and she gave me a piece of pie with a flaky golden crust barely able to contain the golden apple slices inside.

Zach looked a little worried. “Sherrie, as much as I’d love to, I can’t eat that much.”

She laughed again, and Clayton smiled at the register. “I’m just having some fun with you, Zach. Take your pick, though.”

He studied the pie slices, and then finally settled for a slice of lemon meringue.

“That’s an excellent choice,” Sherrie said.

“What would you have said if I’d picked the sweet potato?”

Sherrie laughed. “The same. How do you know it’s not pumpkin?”

“Pumpkin is darker, and the texture is different. It’s easy enough if you know what you’re looking at.”

Sherrie nodded. “Not everybody can tell, though. You do like pie, don’t you?”

“I told you,” Zach said as he took his first bite. “Wow. This is unbelievable.”

“Glad you like it,” Sherrie said, and then looked at us. “Anything else for you ladies?”

“No, we’re good. Thanks.”

“Then I’ll give you some peace.”

She disappeared into the back after whispering something to Clayton, who laughed heartily. It was clear that they were indeed the best of friends.

“They’ll give us some space,” Jenny said as she took a bite of her pie. “The woman is magic.”

I tasted mine, amazed by the texture of the crust, the crisp edge to the apples, and the blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and some spices I didn’t recognize, giving the pie a whole different level of flavor. “Wow is right.”

“I told you she was good,” Jenny said as she took another bite. “What did you find out from Lassiter, Zach?” Jenny asked.

He finished a bite, and had another poised for his mouth. “You two go first.”

“So you can finish your pie?” I asked.

“Guilty as charged.”

I didn’t have a problem with that. As my husband kept eating, I began to bring him up-to-date on what Jenny and I uncovered so far.

Chapter 19

ITOOK A BITE OF MY PIE, AND THEN GOT STARTED. “OKAY, I’LL go. Probably the biggest thing we learned was that Kelsey and Brady have been dating for seven months. He’s the one who got her the job with Derrick.”