Chapter 8

cardigan lumbered into the Merry Wives Diner and spotted sierra in a corner booth. he slid into the opposite bench and was grateful that the waitress showed up right behind him. "coffee--black--and migas."

sierra handed her menu over and ordered bacon waffles. after the waitress walked away, she picked up her mug for a sip and stared out the window, remaining silent. cardigan waited for his own coffee to arrive before getting into it. "talk to me, charles.

she began examining her fingernails. "james has been staying with me. he thought his life was in danger."

"apparently, he was right. why did you lie to me?"

she looked at him exasperated. "because his life was in danger, cardigan. didn't you hear me? he didn't want to be found."

"not good enough, charles. what was going on? who was after him? and why was he staying with you rather than in a motel?"

she looked away again. "we became involved." she shrugged. "it happens."

their food arrived. the migas were steaming on cardigan's plate, and he concentrated on his food. even sex and murder couldn't compete for his attention when it came to migas. when he looked up, he was surprised and impressed that sierra was attacking her waffles with similar gusto. he pointed a fork full of refired beans at her nearly empty plate. "i see this tragedy hasn't affected your appetite."

she licked maple syrup off her fork. "nothing ever does. especially when there's bacon."

he made a noise of approval, munching on a four tortilla. "i'm in listening mode, charles, so feel free to talk."

she sighed and signaled toward the waitress with her empty mug. "he was working a club in miami a couple of years back. he drank too much one night and hit a pedestrian, killing her. her family is associated with organized crime." she waited for her mug to be refilled before continuing. "he knew who she was and he ran, and has been running every since."

cardigan was staring hard at her. "you were trying to send me off to vegas. why?"

she gave him a weak smile. "no offense, cardigan, but you were attracting too much attention. we thought you'd enjoy a nice vacation hunting wild geese."

"not funny, charles." he drained his mug. "at any rate, i guess my case if over. i found him."

she shook her head. "not quite, cardigan. i need your help."

he gave her a dead stare. "with what, charles?"

"my dog is missing."