Desperado

Chapter One

The Rivers Edge

My eyes found the golden letters written into the building. I didn't want to come back here. Not after July 11th. Not even after seeing him again. July 11th I came back to ensure the deal was going well and I watched some of the crimes they did. At least the first time. And then things happened that day.

I never wanted to come back here especially not with orders from my father. Unlike my mother and sister, they have no idea I'm helping my father. To inform him of anything in the town that we could use for the Lodge Industries.

I sigh before following the two women upstairs. Great... a new town and now I'm the new girl. I wish my dad wasn't stupid enough to get caught though. I do have a feeling it wasn't on his doing. I watched his every move. Nothing told me that he had a hand in this. He was too... slick for his own good.

It took me two years to track most of the money's movement too. He covers his tracks pretty well. If you're wondering, yes I do believe my father was set up. And I just have to find out by whom. Maybe this small shit show of a town will tell me. Riverdale. God, I didn't want to come back here. I especially don't want to see him again. He doesn't even know I'm back in town. I haven't told him yet.

"Ms. Hermione!" I look at the happy man confused. Who in the sam hell is this? "Welcome home!"

"Smithers!" My mom's voice sounds over joyed to see this Smithers fellow.

I look to my sister confused but she was too busy admiring the interior designs. Oh, what the hell it's beautiful. Maybe I'll grow to love it here. Maybe.

"Oh, you are a sight for sore eyes."

"How was the ride?"

"No traffic, thank God. Smithers, I'd like to introduce you to my daughters, Veronica and Katie."

"It's a pleasure, misses."

I force out a smile looking to him. Well, he may just be the kindest face here.

"Hi," Roni says.

"I'll get the bags."

"Would you?" He walks past us before I look around.

The white interior was amazing. Clean and tidy just like my mother. I nearly want to snort at that thought.

"Oh, and would you like some menus, ma'am. So you can order in?"

We turn around and I watch my mom. "Oh, no. I have been craving one of Pop Tate's cheeseburgers since noon. Is his Chock'lit Shoppe still open?" She asks.

I mentally answer a yes though the milkshakes there for me is to die for.

"What is a Chock'lit Shoppe and why does it sell burgers?" Roni asks sounding confused and the daddy's girl she has always been.

I shake my head hearing her say this.

+++++++

I follow my sister looking to my phone. "I called in an order, for Lodge?"

"Three burgers and a milkshake, yeah, almost ready, but you gotta wait," Pops says looking to me confused.

We met briefly when meeting FP. Very brief. I nod to him as he walks away signaling him to leave it. Probably wondering if I was meeting him or not. I wasn't but he doesn't need to know that.

"Hi."

"Hey." A ginger responses to my sister basically staring at her.

"How are the onion rings here?"