except Clint, about her interactions with Dweeb, the story would have traveled through town at warp speed. To her immense relief there was no mention of that embarrassing episode all morning. Instead, locals and tourists alike gushed with comments about her performance. Jasmine received several offers of payment to guide a group tour up the mountain trails to see the view of The Rushing River. Miss Jade politely declined, explaining that such a trek would be extremely dangerous for amateurs. During the morning, Jasmine caught occasional glimpses of Mick. She ignored him because of a mixture of reasons she simply hadn't had time to sort out. Loneshark didn't approach her. He could see how obviously overwhelmed Miss Jade was with her regular workload and an ever changing complimentary crowd vying for her attention.
By the time Jasmine could extricate herself from the console and surrounding admirers, she was slightly late for lunch. When Miss Jade entered The Pancake Palace she noticed Mick had already staked out a corner booth and was engrossed in one of Clint's books, its plot enhanced by a cup of coffee and a cigarette. Clint was noticeably absent. Jasmine responded to the usual round of greetings with smiles and nods, took a deep decisive breath, and marched straight to Mick's table. Loneshark looked up without expression. "If you'll put that cigarette out, I'll sit with you, Mick," Jasmine proposed in a neutral tone, neither harsh nor honeyed.
Mick smiled invitingly. "Jasmine, you are always welcome company." Jasmine beamed and started to sit across from Mick but stopped when Loneshark quietly added, "You are not, however, welcome to set conditions on that company."
Miss Jade glared at the detective and hissed under her breath, "All right! You be that way!" She turned and stormed across the room to the opposite corner and planted herself as far away from Mick as the interior space allowed. Detective Mick Loneshark was left to forlornly ponder the eternal question: How can a round building have corners?
Chief Max Mountain slowly rose and forced his huge bulk across the room, accompanied by his junior officer. Max stopped at Mick's booth, leaned down, and whispered jovially, "You must have said the wrong thing, Mick."
"Was it that obvious?"
"Well, I am a trained observer."
"I believe I observed you annihilating a fourth helping of Sadie's meatloaf."
"Didn't Clint tell you my nickname in high school was Food Giant?"
"No."
Food Giant smiled. "I'm going to let my young partner here take me on a ride through the mountains. I always find the experience to be good for the digestion."
"Enjoy your ride, Max."
"Thanks, Mick." Mountain embarked on his arduous journey to The Palace's curved exit.
