Jack Beale 00 - Dangerous Shoals

nodded, she poured, and Max asked for tea.
    “Are you ready to order now?” Beverly asked.
    “Sure. I’ll have two eggs, over easy, hash browns, bacon and toast,” replied Jack.
    “Just a blueberry muffin,” Max said.
    Surprised, Jack looked at her, “I thought you said you were hungry.”
    “I was. Now I only want a muffin and answers.”
    Beverly, still standing there, glanced over at Jack. Jack gave her a quick roll of his eyes. She took that as a signal to leave. “Be right back with your tea.”
    After a long silence, Max started in again. “So Jack, explain to me again why you didn’t tell me about your conversation with Tom.”
    “It didn’t seem like such a big deal, and remember that we didn’t see each other for a few days.”
    “I was busy.”
    “True, but you also weren’t exactly talking to me either.”
    “That’s not the point. You should have told me.”
    “Eggs over easy.” Beverly’s voice interrupted Max’s cross-examination as she placed a plate in front of Jack. He looked up, his eyes expressing thanks. “And here’s your muffin,” she said to Max before turning away.
    “Thanks,” said Max.
    Jack’s breakfast looked and smelled fantastic. Max’s stomach rumbled, reminding her how hungry she really was. As she broke her muffin in half, she wished that she had ordered more, but it was too late now. She would suffer in silence now and grab something at Ben’s later. Jack was wiping the last of the egg juice off his plate with his last bite of toast when Max finally said, “Jack, you do know that this conversation isn’t finished yet.”
    Before he could reply, she continued, “I know what I saw. Now, I have to get to work. Let’s go.”

CHAPTER 15
    “HELLO, THANK YOU for calling Ben’s. How may I help you?” Max was sure that someone was on the line, even though she heard only silence. Over the last few weeks at work she had received at least a dozen such calls. “Fine, be that way. Goodbye!” She tried to sound cheerful. These silent calls were beginning to bother her, but she didn’t want the mystery caller to know.
    As Max hung up, Patti breezed into the bar. “Who was that?”
    “No one. The line was silent, but I’m sure that someone was on the other end.”
    “Probably a wrong number.”
    “No. I don’t think so.”
    Concern entered Patti’s voice. “Why not?”
    “Because…” Max’s voice tailed off.
    “Max, are you all right?”
    “Yes. Yes, I’m fine.”
    “I don’t think so. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
    Max had no reply as she stood silently while Patti stared at her. Then tentatively she asked, “Has this happened before?”
    “Yes,” was the muted answer.
    “That’s weird.”
    “This wasn’t the first time either.”
    “Really.”
    “Yeah, and I think I’m the only one this has happened to.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I’ve asked everyone else. Have you received any of these calls?”
    “Nope.” Patti paused. A curtain of silence dropped over them. Finally, Patti spoke again. “Max, can I ask you something?”
    Max nodded.
    “I don’t know how to ask this.” Patti hesitated before continuing. “Do you think it could be Daniel?”
    Max looked at her. The question had taken her by surprise. She had had the same thought, but thought it too crazy so had never dared say anything as if the words would make it real. Silently, she kept staring at Patti.
    “Max, are you all right?”
    “Yes. Yes, I’m fine,” she stammered as she fought to regain her composure. “Why would you ask that?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe just a feeling.”
    Max went silent again. After a moment Patti asked again. “So?”
    “I don’t know. I did have that thought, but if it were him, wouldn’t he have said something and if he did, I’m not sure that I want to talk to him.”
    “Creepy.”
    “Yeah.” But before Max could reply, Peggy, the hostess, came around the corner and told Patti that she had a new table.
    Instantly the mood changed. Patti said, “Gotta go.”
    Then the printer behind the bar began to chatter and Max turned toward it, tore off the slip, and began to make the drinks that had just been ordered. The night had begun and the phone call and conversation with Patti were soon forgotten.

CHAPTER 16
    THE NEXT DAY , Max was on her way into Portsmouth to run some errands before work. Stopped at the light where Congress Street becomes Islington Street, she saw him, and this time it was for more than a