Unsolved Problems

Good Monday! Back to our story, Dead as a Girdle (DAAG). Ben is driving in his BMW with Corrine Hackle, who seems to have an agenda.

Chapter Six

“I suppose you’re heading me to Hillaker’s?” Ben looked at Corrine. Of course she would pick the most expensive restaurant in town.

Corrine waved him off with her hand. “I made reservations yesterday. The food is absolutely delicious.”

“And absolutely expensive,” he muttered.

She laughed. “Oh, you’re a successful businessman. You can afford it.”

That was the problem. “Let’s go back to Thorn’s. They have good food.”

“Thorn’s? That’s more of a family restaurant. Doesn’t your cousin own it, or someone like that?”

“They’re no relation, not even the same spelling.” Ben slowed the car. Should he turn around? The buildings were getting farther apart, and Hillaker’s was ahead on the right. He glanced in the rearview mirror. Only one car, an old green Honda, trailed far behind him.

Corrine folded her arms. “I want to eat at Hillaker’s—and I’ll pay for it.”

“Well, okay.” He pulled into the driveway. A red awning shaded the walkway up to the door. Two uniformed valets, their brass buttons gleaming in the sun, stood by the entrance. Ben by-passed them and drove to the back of the building.

“Hey!” Corrine’s sculptured eyebrows formed a V. “Where are you going? I’m not walking in these heels from the parking lot!”

Ben braked. “Valet parking?”

“Of course.” Corrine huffed out a breath. “I’ll pay for that, too. My company’s doing well. In fact, that’s something I want to discuss with you.”

She definitely had a scheme.

Ben pulled around to the front, and the two valets strode to his car, one on either side. Corrine exited the car as a valet held open her door. The other valet opened Ben’s door with a gloved hand. “Good evening, sir. Welcome to Hillaker’s.”

“Thanks.” He stood and looked out at the road. The old Honda slowly drove by.

Ben raised his eyebrows. That was Janelle Weaver! Did she live on a farm in the country?

Interesting. Janelle didn’t look like a farm girl.

* * *

Janelle drove a hundred feet then made a U-turn.

Hillaker’s Restaurant! The price of one meal would buy her and Dad three weeks of groceries.

She slowed down as she passed by again. Ben and Corrine entered the building with Corrine hanging on his arm.

What did she want with him?

On impulse, Janelle turned down a side street and parked the car. She got out and pulled on the jacket of her lavender suit. At least she was dressed for the part.

But what if they saw her?

Opening the glove compartment, she pulled out a pair of sunglasses. It wouldn’t do much to hide her identity, but at least it was something. What she really needed was a trench coat and a hat.

Yeah, add the sunglasses and she’d be totally unnoticeable.

* * *

Tomorrow we’ll see what happens. Until then, God bless!