Simon Says Die

for the lunch crowd yet, and no one answered the door when she knocked. She’d been a waitress in more than her share of restaurants to earn her way through college. If this place was typical, there were probably at least a couple of staff members inside getting the restaurant ready to open. Which meant the service entrance was probably unlocked so the staff could easily come and go.
    She headed around the side and found the service door. As she’d expected, it was unlocked. She stepped inside, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit interior. The smell of roasted peanuts and stale beer hit her nostrils.
    â€œWe’re closed,” a tall man said, standing in the narrow hallway, blocking her way. He wore faded jeans and a black T-shirt with the restaurant’s name on it. “We’re not open for another hour. And it’s customary to use the front door.” He pointed toward the front of the restaurant.
    Madison gave him her best smile. “Sorry to bother you. I’m Madison McKinley. I have urgent business with the owner. Is Mr. MacGuffin around?”
    â€œIs he expecting you?”
    â€œI didn’t get a chance to call ahead, but it’s very important.”
    â€œIf you’re a salesman, he’s not buying.”
    â€œI’m part owner of this restaurant, and I need to talk to Mr. MacGuffin.”
    His eyes widened. “Part owner? Well, that’s a new one. Come on. I’d like to see his face when you tell him that.”
    Madison frowned at his retreating back, and followed him as he weaved his way through the tables to another door at the end of the hallway. He entered a large, cluttered office and ushered her inside. An older man was sitting behind the desk that took up a good portion of the room. Papers littered nearly every inch of the wooden surface. More papers were piled in stacks on the floor.
    â€œBoss, this lady wants to talk to you, says she’s part owner.”
    MacGuffin looked just as surprised as the other man had. But his look of surprise smoothed into a smile as he held out his hand. “Joshua MacGuffin.”
    She shook his hand. “Madison McKinley.”
    The look on his face didn’t change when he heard her last name. Madison took that as a bad sign.
    â€œHave a seat.” He motioned to the chair in front of his desk. “Close the door, please, Todd.” He smiled at the man in the doorway.
    Todd didn’t look happy to be left out of the discussion, but he didn’t argue. He closed the door with a solid click.
    Mr. MacGuffin leaned forward. “Well, now. Since I’m the sole owner of this establishment, I’d be very interested in knowing why you believe you have a stake in the place. I do hope someone hasn’t rooked you out of some money, young lady.”
    Madison was fairly certain how this would end, even before it began. But after being such a bad judge of character with Damon, she no longer trusted her instincts. So even though this man’s kind face and gentle way of speaking reminded her of her father, and she sensed he was telling the truth, she plunged ahead with her questions.
    â€œMy husband, Damon, bought half of this restaurant for two hundred thousand dollars. I’ve got the paperwork right here.” She took a sheaf of papers out of her purse and placed it on the desk.
    MacGuffin studied the contract, pushing his thick glasses up on his nose before turning the top page. He scratched his balding head, his lips moving as he read. When he looked up at her again, he was no longer smiling. He grabbed a piece of paper from one of the piles on his desk and set it down in front of her. “This is my signature here.” He pointed to the bottom of the paper, then flipped to the signature page on the contract she’d brought. “And this is supposedly my signature on your paper.” He looked at her over the top of his glasses. “I’m no handwriting expert, but—”
    â€œThey aren’t the same.”
    He smoothed his fingers across one of the pages. “What did you say your husband’s name was?”
    â€œDamon McKinley.”
    â€œCan’t say I’ve ever met him. Name doesn’t sound familiar. But I’m sure my lawyer will be interested in meeting him.”
    Madison pulled the sheaf of papers toward her. “Damon died in a car accident.”
    Sympathy immediately flooded Mr. MacGuffin’s eyes. “My