Shredded :Saga: [ON HOLD]

Chapter 24

Dean enters Guidry’s cafe and sits down at the counter. Elizabeth spots her new customer and puts a menu in front of him.

“Actually, I already know what I want.” He smirks at her, casually pushing the menu back to her.

“Let me guess – gumbo?” She cracked a laugh and went to write down the order.

Dean chuckled, “Was gonna be the gumbo till I saw…” He glances to the dessert case on his right, pointing at it then clicking his tongue, “ …pie.”

“Well, the special's pecan.”

“ 'Course it is. Let's do that.” Dean smiled and spun on the stool to take a look at the diner before turning back to watch Elizabeth walk into the kitchen. Dean looks at photographs pinned up behind the counter, including one of Benny with Elizabeth. He spaced out thinking of the possibilities Benny is with this girl, until she returned with a sarcastically sour face.

“Bad news.”

“You're out of pecan. Story of my life. Uh, that's all right. Maybe you can make it up to me. I'm actually looking for an old friend of mine. I heard he's kicking around these parts. His name's Roy.” Dean eyed her up, she didn’t seem like the lying type.

“Well, Roy works the night shift here. I mean, if we're talking about the same Roy.” She raised an eyebrow to him, expecting a last name.

“Uh, yeah, he, uh, putts around in a – a beat-up camper. Thing looks like a rolling death trap.” Dean watches Elizabeth carefully.

She began to laugh, ”Yeah, I thought I was the only one who gave him trouble over that piece of junk.”

“You wouldn't happen to know where he's parking that thing these days, would you?” He responds, releasing a sort of innocent chuckle.

“Well, he, uh, was parking it out back, but just called to tell me he's gone up the road to Mill Creek for a few days.”

Dean looked immediately puzzled, “Okay. Uh, did he say why?”

“Oh... fishing, I think. He really deserves a break. He's been working doubles for the last two weeks straight.” She smiled, showing admiration for her co worker.

“Um, listen, I, uh, I tell you what.” Dean pulled out a pen and pad, writing his number on it, “If he pops up before I can find him, you do me a favor and just have him give me a buzz. Or...” He slides the piece of paper over to Elizabeth, grinning, “...could just drop a dime yourself.”

“Sure thing...” She picked up the paper, eyeing up the info. “ ...Dean.”

He stood away from the counter, “And, uh, you are...?”

“Elizabeth.”

“Liz. All right. Take a rain check on that pie.” He smiled once more.

“Definitely.”

Dean raps his knuckles on the counter and leaves. Elizabeth watches him go and looks at the piece of paper.

Soon as Dean gets outside he goes to the side of the establishment and makes a call on his cell phone.

“Leave a message at the beep.” Benny’s voice makes a short cameo before the phone beeped.

“Benny. I got a body here in Carencro with two holes in it, and I just found out you went fishing. Do I need to tell you what this looks like?” He was evidently frustrated, handing up the phone quick as he had called.

“Surely I could help you find who you’re looking for.” Anna creeped out from around the corner, staring intently at Dean. “I can promise it’s not your friend, I’ve looked into him, he’s clean.”