by Dave Derin
“Perfect. Well, in that case, let’s head out and grab a cup of coffee.” I picked up my briefcase from the floor next to the line of plastic chairs. “Or, better yet, are you hungry?”
“Actually, I’m starving,” the ivory-skinned lady admitted. “I could really go for some breakfast food right about now.”
“I know just the place.” I grinned, and then we exited the courthouse and headed toward my black beemer.
“Nice car,” Susanna gushed and flipped her mane of red curls over her shoulder.
“Yeah, she’s pretty nice most days,” I grinned at her. “Other days, she can be a real witch with a capital B, if ya’ know what I mean.”
The leggy redhead flung her head back and laughed at my cheesy joke, then we climbed into my car and cruised toward the Armadillo Cafe & Bakery in downtown Dallas. We pulled into the parking lot at 10:45 a.m., the perfect time to avoid the breakfast rush, and I snagged a spot close to the front door of the eclectic building.
The Armadillo was an old metal Johnny Rockets-style diner, but had been bought by some artists a few years ago and transformed into an amazing display of modern art and incredible local cuisine. Brightly colored metal yard art was stuck sporadically in the front yard and handcrafted stepping stones led the way to the bright red front door of the restaurant.
I led Susanna through the front entrance, and my senses were filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread, salty bacon, and sweet cinnamon rolls. Massive canvases covered in a variety of paint styles and color schemes were crammed on almost every empty space on the walls. We walked into the brightly lit, colorful foyer and were greeted by a perky, 30-something hostess with dark brown hair pulled back into a high ponytail.
“Table for two?” She asked with a smile, then grabbed two menus from beneath the hostess stand.
“Yes, please,” I replied with a grin, and we followed the young woman to a secluded table beneath a window. “This is perfect, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sir. Your server will be with you shortly,” the hostess gave me another smile, then placed two sets of napkin-wrapped silverware on the red-and-white plaid vinyl tablecloth in front of us.
“Are you sure I’m dressed appropriately?” Susanna asked after she’d glanced down at her bare tummy exposed by her white crop top.
“For sure,” I responded flippantly. “It’s a casual place. Don’t stress. Let’s just focus on the case. So, you mentioned earlier that you were scared of Cooper. Tell me what’s going on, Susanna.”
“Well,” she twisted her golden red hair nervously with both hands, then looked down at the table. “I guess they’re callin’ him my ex on the TV, but we only ever went on five dates. He seemed nice at first, then he just went crazy.”
“What do you mean, he went crazy?” I asked and watched her round, emerald green eyes grow wide.
“One night,” she began, “we were out at this bar in south Dallas, and he got drunk. I mean, he was really wasted and was grabbin’ on me all night and stuff. I don’t really drink too much, so I’d planned on driving us home. Anyway, some guy I’d never seen before walked in, and Cooper just lost his mind.”
“How so?” I questioned and leaned my elbows on the table.
“Well, he threw his beer bottle at the guy’s head, then just started screamin’ at him. I didn’t know what to do, I’ve never been around someone so violent, so I just left out the side door without sayin’ anything to anyone,” she explained, then buried her face in her hands.
“It was probably a good idea to get out of there,” I responded with a nod.
A petite waitress with short, curly brown hair bounced over to our table. She wore black non-slip sneakers, black capri pants, a white button-down shirt, and the restaurant’s signature yellow apron with the Armadillo Cafe logo on it. A small gold cross necklace hung around her delicate neck.
“Good mornin’ you two, my name is Perrin, and I’ll be takin’ care of y’all today. What can I get y’all started with to drink?” The amiable young woman asked as she pulled a pen and notepad out of the apron’s front pocket.
“I’ll just have water and a black coffee,” I responded, then looked to Susanna for her to place her order.
“Just water for me, please,” she said sweetly as she smiled up at the waitress.
“Sounds good, I’ll be right back with those drinks,” the brunette waitress responded cheerfully, then bounced over to the drink station and began to prepare our cups.
“Alright, back to Cooper,” I said to Susanna after the waitress was out of earshot.
“I mean, I don’t really know what else to tell you,” she said with an exasperated sigh. “We only went on five dates, we never even slept together, but he became obsessed and started stalkin’ me after I left him at the bar that night.”
“What did you do when he started stalking you?” I asked as I kept my green eyes locked on hers.
“I told him to leave me alone, of course, but he would show up at my car and would be waitin’ for me when I got off work,” the redhead said with a wavering voice, and then she looked vacantly out of the window to her right. “It was really scary, to be completely honest with you.”
“Yeah, that is really scary. I don’t like the way that guy treated you at all,” I said with narrowed eyes. “Are you worried he’s going to hurt you? Do you think he’s actually capable of doing something like that?”
“I don’t know,” she responded nervously. “His ugly mug is plastered all over the news, so I doubt he’s going to risk showin’ his face and gettin’ caught just to find me. At least, I hope he won’t risk it.”
The pixie-like waitress returned and dropped off our drinks, then asked what we’d like to order. My redheaded companion ordered biscuits and gravy, and I ordered scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon, and pancakes.
“Sounds good, folks,” the aproned waitress replied as she took our menus. “I’ll get this order in right now and will have your food out shortly.”
“Thank you,” Susanna and I said in unison, then she turned and gave me a captivating smile.
“I can’t thank you enough for helping me with my case,” the auburn-haired beauty said sincerely.
“You’re welcome, Susanna,” I replied, and ran my fingers through my thick hair. “We’re still waiting to receive the formal discovery, which is what they call the evidence in your case, but why do you think the FBI is so convinced you’re involved?”
“I honestly have no idea,” she shook her golden-red curls as tears formed at the corners of her green eyes. “I don’t even know how Cooper could be involved with something like this.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked, then leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms over my broad chest.
“Well, he talks a big game,” she said as she leaned forward and placed her elbows on the table. “But he’s really just a big ol’ scaredy cat who likes to sic his bigger, badder buddies on anyone who gets in his way.”
“I see,” I responded and nodded slowly. “And you have no idea how he got on the FBI’s radar? In the initial report, the agent-in-charge made it seem like they’d been watching this group for a while now.”
“Really?” Her eyes grew wide as she covered her pink lips with her hand. “But why? All they did was sit around that ol’ recording studio, really just a nasty garage, and smoke cigarettes, drink, and play music all day.”
“That’s what I need you to help me figure out, Susanna,” I said firmly. “If there’s anything you remember, any detail you may think is insignificant, I need you to tell me.”
“I-I, but I really don’t know anything, I swear,” she stammered, then grabbed a napkin from the table and dabbed at her eyes.
“I do believe you are innocent, and I intend to prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt,” I replied with conviction. “So, let’s get off the negative subject of your ex. I have another question for you that’s relevant to the case.”
“What’s that?” Susanna replied as sh
e continued to dab at the corners of her eyes.
“Well, our mutual acquaintance, Roland Dodge, mentioned something to me about an elderly woman wearing a bright green tracksuit. Do you remember anything about her?” I inquired and took another sip of the strong coffee.
“Oh, that guy was so forward and inappropriate,” Susanna said, and a scowl crossed her glossy pink lips. “But I do remember that little old lady. She was actually kinda funny.”
“What can you tell me about her?” I asked.
“Well, I’d gone back to the food prep area to tidy up a bit before we started the landing protocol, and Roland had followed me back there and cornered me,” she said scornfully.
“Do you remember seeing anyone else around you then?” I inquired after I’d taken a sip of coffee. “Anyone that can verify your story?”
“Well,” she looked down at the water glass she clutched between her hands and frowned. “I don’t really remember. Maybe one of the passengers toward the rear of the plane, but I was too busy trying to get rid of Roland to notice.”
“Sure,” I nodded, then looked over to see our waitress headed toward us with a tray of food balanced on her left hand. “Wow, that was fast.”
“Alright, we’ve got the biscuits and gravy over here,” the petite woman said and placed a plate of steaming white peppered gravy that smothered two large, flaky biscuits in front of Susanna, then placed the other two plates in front of me. “And then the bacon, scrambled eggs, and two pancakes for you. Okie dokie, can I get you two anything else?”
I looked down at my perfectly round, fluffy pancakes, three pieces of thick bacon, and scrambled eggs with cheese, then replied with a smile, “Everything looks great to me. Thank you so much.”
“And you, miss?” The waitress turned to Susanna, who had already shoved a large bite of gravy-covered biscuit into her mouth.
“Good,” my client mumbled with her mouth full of food, and gave the waitress a bashful smile and a thumbs up.
“Alright, well y’all just holler if you need me, okay?” the petite woman replied, then turned and pranced toward the kitchen.
I unwrapped my silverware, placed my napkin in my lap, and took a bite of the scrambled eggs. They were firm, without any runniness, just how I liked them. Strings of the dark orange cheddar cheese clung to each bite as I lifted the fork to my mouth.
“How’s your biscuits and gravy?” I asked after I took a sip of water to clear my throat.
“Divine,” she responded with a contented sigh and took another bite of her traditional Southern dish.
I finished the eggs quickly, then moved on to the bacon. It wasn’t quite as crispy as I preferred, but it was good all the same. I ate the three pieces of salty pork in a few ravenous bites, then pushed the plate to the left and slid the small round pancake plate toward me. I grabbed the little pitcher of maple syrup from the left side of the table and drizzled a tiny bit on. I knew from experience that this syrup was extra sweet and thick, so I only needed a small amount.
“I’m so sorry,” I said to Susanna as I cut my pancakes into small, manageable bites. “I was hungrier than I thought. I didn’t mean to leave you in silence while I stuffed my face.”
“Oh, I didn’t even notice,” the redhead’s bright green eyes twinkled as she let out a loud guffaw. “I was too busy stuffing my own face over here. I think this might be in the top five best biscuit and gravy recipes I’ve ever tasted.”
“Excellent, I’m glad you enjoyed it.” I grinned at her, then took a bite of my sticky pancakes, and savored the sweet, rich flavor of the authentic maple syrup. “So, tell me what you remember about the old lady.”
“Well, she was adorable,” the redhead giggled and tossed her shiny curls over her shoulder. “She was wearing this retro, bright green lounge suit. And I mean, neon green. Super 80s.”
“Okay,” I replied after I’d swallowed another delicious bite of my pancakes. “What else?”
“Hmm,” she pondered as she ran her slender fingers through her shimmering red hair. “Well, she came and--”
“She came and what?” I asked after she stopped speaking abruptly.
“Ugh, this is so embarrassing,” my client responded and buried her face in her pale hands.
“Hey, we have attorney client confidentiality. Anything you tell me stays between us,” I reassured her calmly.
“It’s not that,” she said and looked up at me with round, emerald eyes. “I’m embarrassed to tell you about it. I can’t believe I was so stupid.”
“Oh,” I responded and was surprised that she would be so concerned about my opinion of her. “Well, if it’s pertinent to the case, then my personal feelings about it are irrelevant, Susanna. Please tell me what happened. I promise this is a zero judgement zone.”
“Okay,” she said and exhaled loudly and nodded. “So, luckily that little white-haired lady in green banged on the door just as soon as Roland pulled me in the bathroom with him.”
“Roland told me some of the details, but I wanted to hear it from your mouth directly,” I said with a slow nod.
“Well nevermind, then,” she said, bobbed her head with a pretend attitude, stuck out her little pink tongue, then grinned playfully at me.
I laughed wholeheartedly at her lively antics, then continued my questions, “Tell me more about when you first arrived at the airport that day and boarded the plane. Did you notice anything unusual? Anyone lurking around that shouldn’t have been there?”
“Um, well,” Susanna’s eyes darted wildly around the small restaurant at the tables of dining couples and families, then she took a deep breath and looked into my dark green eyes. “I’m not sure.”
“What do you mean, you’re not sure?” I asked suspiciously and was wary of her avoidance behavior.
“It’s not that,” she leaned in close and whispered. “I’m just not comfortable talking about that here.”
“Okay, you were fine talking here a few minutes ago,” I stated and shrugged my shoulders. “What changed?”
“I-I, I just,” she stammered as her emerald eyes locked on two men in black leather vests who sat on the opposite side of the small restaurant.
“Susanna,” I startled her when I said her name sharply. “I understand if you aren’t comfortable sharing everything here right now, but you have to be honest with me if you want me to represent you. What’s going on with you?”
My willowy client grabbed a strand of her auburn hair and twisted it nervously around her thumb, then whispered, “I’m pretty sure I recognize those guys over there.”
“Okay?” I asked and raised an eyebrow at her. “Is that bad?”
“Yes,” she whispered harshly and stared down at the table. “They’re Cooper’s cronies. I don’t want to be here anymore.”
“Alright, we can leave right now,” I asserted calmly, then noticed our waitress had returned to the dining room from the kitchen area and waved her over to our table. “But I’m going to need you to come by the office on Monday so we can talk about the details in a more private setting. We have to get your testimony written down officially and get my paralegal up-to-speed.”
“Yes, sir?” The waitress asked when she’d reached the table and began to pick up our empty plates.
“I’ll go ahead and take the check whenever you have a minute,” I responded, then stacked my plates and silverware and handed them to her. “Thank you, I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome sir,” the petite waitress replied with a big grin. “I’ll be right back with your check.”
“This is on me,” I told Susanna as she reached into her purse.
“Oh, no,” she said and shook her head as she pulled out a white leather wallet with a gold emblem on the front pocket. “I couldn’t possibly allow that, Mr. Stone.”
“It’s John, remember? And you don’t really have a choice in the matter,” I said with a roguish grin.
She raised an arched eyebrow at me, and I shook my head at her slowly until she
put her wallet back into her brown canvas purse. “Fine, John, but when you win my case, and I know you will, you’re going to take the standard thirty percent. I insist.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked innocently, but knew exactly what she referred to.
“Oh, don’t play dumb,” she said sternly and crossed her arms under her generous bosom, which made her cleavage pop unexpectedly out of the low v-neck of her white, sunflower-print crop top.
“What?” I said in an intentional high-pitched voice, which made her giggle. I struggled to keep my eyes on her face and not her distracting breasts.
“I know all attorneys take at least a thirty percent cut, if not forty,” she replied and narrowed her large, cat-like eyes. “You’re takin’ the thirty percent, John.”
“Okay, okay,” I said and held up my hands in surrender. “If you insist, I’ll take the thirty percent. Gracious. I’ve never met a woman that was so insistent on giving away her money.”
“Well, you’ve never met a woman like me,” the gorgeous redhead said mysteriously, then leaned forward and flipped her long curly hair. One single curl fell in front of her left eye, and she brushed it back with the sweep of a finger.
“I guess you’re right,” I replied and leaned forward on my elbows.
“I meant to tell you earlier,” Susanna began and softly touched the lapel of my suit coat. “This is a really nice suit.”
“Thanks,” I replied and felt my face grow hot. It wasn’t often that a woman flustered me, but Susanna was my client, and was therefore forbidden fruit. I leaned back in my chair as the waitress returned to our table and handed me a black vinyl check holder. I pulled out my VISA and handed it to her without checking the total. They were always on point at the Armadillo.
“Well, thank you for brunch,” the redhead said quickly, then glanced across the room at the two men.
“You’re welcome,” I replied and fought the urge to let my gaze follow hers. “It was my pleasure. So what time did you want to meet on Monday?”
“Any time would be fine, I guess,” she said and looked down at her folded hands in her lap. “I’m on temporary leave from CUSA until the case is resolved, so I don’t really have any plans.”
