Down Home and Deadly

specials.
    I mentally congratulated myself on doing such a good job. So far I hadn’t dropped anything or switched any orders. Although I did fumble a plate when I glanced over toward Marco ’s section where Harvey had seated Bob and Wilma. I wasn’t sure what the etiquette was when seeing your ex-boss after you’d just found out he’d had an unusual past. Knowing he’d been a hippie in another life, I could easily envision him with a long braid and headband, à la Willie Nelson. I resisted the urge to flash him and Wilma a peace sign.
    Just as I made up my mind to go over and say hello, Bob jumped up and shook his finger in Marco ’s face. I couldn’t hear the words, but even from a distance it was obvious this wasn’t a friendly conversation.
    I hurried over just as Marco backed up a couple of steps, his dark eyes wide in his ashen face. “I did not kill him. Why would you say that?” By now people at other tables were craning their necks to see what was going on. I stepped between them.
    “Hi , Bob.” I nodded toward Wilma. “And Wilma.” She gave me a weak smile and waggled her fingers toward me. “Something wrong?” I turned toward Marco . “Why don’t you go on and put their order in?” I pointed toward his order pad. “Maybe you can discuss this after they finish eating and there aren’t quite so many people here.”
    Bob looked around the crowded room, his face reddening. He sat down quickly. Marco headed toward the kitchen.
    “Is Lisa doing any better?”
    “At least she isn’t in jail.” Wilma answered for Bob who had his head down. “But now the police just won’t leave her alone.” She looked over toward the table where Seth and Ricky were enjoying their free pie after their lunch. “They act like they think she killed J.D.”
    “But she didn’t!” Bob jerked his head up and slapped his hand on the table. “ Marco was the one who had a big fight with him. If he lets my little girl take the rap for something he did, I’ll . . . I’ll . . . ”
    “Bob. Stop.” Wilma put her hand over his. “Jenna knows Lisa didn’t kill him. And if Marco did, well, John or those other policemen will find out.”
    “So why would you think Marco did it?” I couldn’t imagine the soft-spoken foreign student killing anyone. Or even getting angry with anyone.
    “You know they worked together at the club. J.D. caught him stealing from the cash register , and Lisa fired him.”
    “Lisa fired Marco for stealing?” Why wouldn’t Gail have told me that?
    “Yes.” Bob worried the napkin wrapped around his silverware. “So maybe Marco hated him.” He glanced up at me. “And maybe he hates Lisa , too.” He sounded shocked at the thought that anyone could hate his darling daughter.
    “Now, Bob.” Wilma patted Bob’s hand. “Everyone loves Lisa.” I guess Mama was right when she said there’s no love like a mother’s love.
    He flashed his wife a look that said a father’s love was just as strong, but maybe not quite so blind. “Anyway, just because it was her gun, they think she did it.” He shook his head. “She told the police someone stole her gun a few days before the murder , but they act like they don’t believe her.” He took out each piece of his silverware and laid it on the table as if his hands couldn’t keep still.
    “Well, she doesn’t know exactly when it was stolen, does she?” I asked.
    He frowned. “She kept it at work in the desk drawer. It’s not like she pulled it out all the time.” His eyes brightened. “Maybe Marco stole it when he took the money.”
    “Do you know anyone who didn’t like J.D? Anyone besides Marco who had had an argument with him?” I just couldn’t believe Marco would kill anyone, but if I had learned anything , it was that you can’t tell a murderer by the way he look s . Or act s .
    “Well.” Bob and Wilma exchanged a look. “ Harvey . . . ” He froze.
    “ Harvey ? Harvey what?”
    Wilma cleared her throat and looked over my shoulder.
    I glanced back. Harvey was walking up behind me. “Hey, Harvey , what’s up?” I slid my pad and pen into my pocket and turned to face him.
    “Jenna, aren’t you supposed to be working? This isn’t even one of your tables. People are starting to complain.” His glare included me and Bob. “We’ve always prided ourselves on good service. I’d hate to think that now that we’ve sold , that’s all a thing of the past.”
    “Oh my goodness.” I’d let my curiosity get me