She flushed. “Thanks.”
They finished getting the mess back on the tray; Zach picked it up and carried it to the kitchen. On his way back, he noticed a hallway with a time clock and bank of lockers. He deposited the tray by the sink, then returned to the dining room. The owner had just finished mopping up the mess.
“Sorry about that,” he said, sounding winded. “You were asking about Angel. Haven’t seen her since last week. Last day she worked was Friday. We’re closed Sunday, she didn’t come in Monday.”
“Did you try to reach her?”
“Fran tried the place she stays. They hadn’t seen her. So I hired somebody else.”
“What about her family?”
“Didn’t have any that I know of. You should talk to Fran. They’re friends.”
“You didn’t report her missing?”
“To the police?” He shook his head. “Nope. My employees come and go. And when they quit, it’s either by walking out during a rush or not showing up. That’s the business. And Angel—” He paused, as if collecting his thoughts. “—sweet girl. But a flake. Always seemed to be somewhere else. In her head, ya know?”
“Would you mind if we talked to Fran now?” Micki asked.
“No problem.” He waved the waitress over. “Detectives here want to ask you a few questions about Angel.”
“Okay,” she said, looking anxious.
“You overheard we’re looking for Angel.”
“Yes.” She wiped her hands on her apron. Zach noticed they shook.
“And that we found her ID on a dead drug dealer.” When she nodded, he went on. “We want to make certain she’s all right. Ever heard the name Martin Ritchie?”
She thought a moment, then shook her head.
“When’s the last time you saw Angel?”
“That last Friday she worked. We went to a party that night. Uptown, Tulane’s campus.”
“Tell me about that night.”
“There’s not much to tell. We went to the party, I met someone and when I came back, she was gone.”
“Did you ask where she went?”
She nodded. “Nobody knew. A couple people saw her leave.”
He glanced at Mick, she liked this as little as he did.
“I wasn’t really worried.”
“Why not?”
“Angel’s like that. One of those different drummer people. I thought maybe she was mad at me. I talked her into going, then left her. That wasn’t cool. Especially since it was her birthday.”
“Her birthday?”
She nodded, expression pinched with regret. “I feel real bad about it.”
The regret he’d picked up on. “Teddy said you tried her place?”
“She rents by the week. A place on Tulane. I called; they hadn’t seen her. They weren’t very nice.”
“What about a car?” Mick asked. “Or a cell phone?”
“She was saving for a car. And she didn’t have a cell.” The waitress lifted a shoulder. “Like I said, different drummer.”
“Was she going to school?”
Fran shook her head.
“What about family?”
“Don’t think so. She never mentioned anyone.”
“She have a locker or anything like that here?”
“Yeah, but . . . there’s nothing in it.”
“Mind if we take a look anyway?”
“If Teddy’s okay with it.”
He was, and moments later, Zach stared into the empty twelve-by-thirty locker.
Nothing. Not even a hum. He ran his hand around the inside, then over the door. Still nothing.
He turned back to Fran. He smiled. “By the way, the place Angel stayed, what’s the name?”
“Tulane Courtyard Lodge,” she said.
“Thanks, Fran.” He wrote down his contact information and handed it to her. “If you hear from Angel, would you call me?”
Chapter Fifteen
Tuesday, July 9
11:00 A.M.
Teddy insisted on sending them on their way with a breakfast sandwich and a half dozen take-out menus. The man knew how to market, that was for sure.
They sat in the Taurus. Micki unwrapped hers and took a big bite. She made a sound of pleasure, then took another. “The man’s a culinary genius,” she said around her mouthful. “I think I’m in love.”
Zach unwrapped his, lifted the bread. “You know why it tastes so good? Eggs, bacon and cheese. Not a sprout in sight.”
“The holy trinity of breakfast sandwiches. This ain’t California, partner. But I promise, it’s gonna be delicious.”
He took a bite and agreed it was. For several moments, they ate in silence.
Micki broke it. “How are you at taking constructive criticism?”
“That’s a trick question, isn’t it?”
She laughed. “Not at all. You want me to make a suggestion, I will. You don’t, I won’t.”
“Hit me, baby.”
“Back there? You didn’t have to do that.”
“What?”
“Smile. Be all helpful. They don’t need to like you, you’re the law.”
“Just bringing a bit of charm to the job.”