Dream Phantom

Chapter Three

King's Diner was a throwback to the fifties with its kitschy décor. Elvis records lined the bright pink walls which matched the dark pink pleather booths. Dani's stomach turned when she caught a whiff of bacon and eggs mingled with hot coffee. She ran a hand over her stomach as her eyes glossed over the packed establishment.

Dolores, an older waitress, patted her gray hair and winked at Jax, "I see you two are here on Dani's day off. Can't get enough of us, can you?"

A group of truckers sitting by a jukebox hollered at Dolores for more coffee. She turned to them, a hand on her hip, "Alright boys. Hold your britches. I'll be there in a second. Didn't your mamas ever tell you good things come to those that wait?"

"No," one of the truckers shouted. "I never heard that before."

"Well, it's true," Dolores smiled, "and I'm a good thing so you should wait."

"It's okay, Dolores. We'll just choose a booth," Dani said. She noticed a few of her regulars and looked back at Dolores, "I had a craving for some peanut butter banana pancakes."

Dolores lifted an eyebrow, her eyes on Jax, "If he was my husband, I'd be having a different kind of craving, honey."

Jax grinned, "Thank you, Dolores."

Dani lightly poked her elbow into Jax's side, "Don't encourage her."

"Our coffee? " one of the truck drivers shouted.

"I'm coming, handsome," Dolores cried back over her shoulder. She winked at Dani, "Men always want my attention. I guess that's my lot in life."

"Somehow I'm sure she doesn't mind," Jax muttered. His cell phone rang and he quickly answered, "Did you get the autopsy report done? Alright, I'll keep that in mind. No, I haven't talked to Roberto. Okay, thanks. I'll see you later."

"What's wrong?" Dani asked, noticing the lines of worry stretch across her husband's forehead.

"Nothing, I just got a call from the new medical examiner. He said they're still looking at the victim we found this morning and asked if I'd seen Roberto. Apparently, he was acting weird earlier."

"Weird? How so?"

"Who knows? Dr. Wilcox is pretty weird as well but maybe he's right. Roberto has been acting strange lately."

The door behind them opened and Dani moved aside as an unfamiliar customer sauntered in. He was wearing thick-framed glasses and had a satchel overflowing with art supplies hanging from his shoulder. In his hand was a  book entitled, "Modern Art and You." He bumped into Dani and quickly held out a hand to stop her from losing her balance. Dani inwardly groaned when his hand touched her shoulder.

"Watch where you're going," Jax said, removing his hand.

"Sorry about that," the brown-haired man said. "I was a little too into my book."

Jax motioned for him to continue forward and he walked past them and slid into a booth.

"People can be so rude these days," Jax muttered. "You okay, Panda Eyes?"

Dani sighed, "Of course I am." She rubbed her shoulder that the stranger had touched and quickly followed Jax to a booth.

"Isn't this nice?" Jax sighed. "You coming here but not having to work?"