Chương 76: Coconut Custard Season (March) Part 3
"Even better. Excellent idea. Make it happen."
"Not so fast. Let's discuss payment."
Dante sipped his beer, listening as the two men haggled over price. Tree Killer really seemed to have it in for Lisa, for some reason. Finally the two men came to an understanding, and the booth seat shifted. Apparently Mercedes Man was reaching for his wallet.
"Pleasure doing business with you," Tree Killer said. "Hey! That's not the full amount!"
"You get half now and half when I see ashes."
"All right. That's fair. It's a deal."
Rick Santo, the police chief, rose through the ranks very quickly. He's excellent at what he does, and the town is grateful that Chief Santo was willing to take the promotion when our police chief died in a rescue attempt last April.
"So what do you think?" Dante asked the police chief.
"This is the part of my job that I hate," Rick sighed. "I can't do anything about this yet. Dennis Mowery was here not long ago and reported the part with the trees. He's having the geese patrol around the irrigation inlet, so it will be very hard for anyone to make a return trip for more damage. He figured out a way around that it looks like the irrigation is blocked but the trees are still getting water. He's also keeping a close eye on Lisa's place. He has enough kids that his own place should be fine for a while, and I wouldn't want to mess with Maggie.
Dante nodded.
"I got the impression that it's Lisa who is the real target here. That uncle of hers is a real piece of work."
Rick rolled his eyes.
"You don't know the half of it," he said. "Any idea who that other guy was? He sounded familiar."
"I saw his reflection in a mirror -- he looked familiar to me and I can't place him."
Rick sighed. "I really hate when I have to just let stuff unfold. Especially stuff like this -- it sounds like someone could get hurt. I'm not just thinking about Lisa here, but her protectors. I had to have a little talk with Fabian's sister -- she ran some surveyors off of Lisa's property by threatening them with an air rifle last fall."
"That's Adrianna for you," Dante laughed. "Funny -- none of those kids would hurt anyone, but they sure can make you think they would!"
"I know she meant well, and I know she was trying to be fierce for Lisa, but it's really not something that should be encouraged. If she threatens the wrong person with her toy, she could wind up dead."
Dante sighed.
"I hate seeing bad things happen to good people, and Lisa is as much good people as it's possible to be."
"I know," Rick said. "I agree with you. I went to school with her and I've always admired her. But it's important that her protectors stay safe, too. Can you tell me anything about what Tree Killer looked like? I think we both know Mercedes Man is Lisa's uncle."
"I saw him briefly. He looked kind of like a chimp."
"What?!" Rick burst out laughing.
"Seriously. Beady little eyes really close together and ears that stick out. He wore this really grungy blue baseball cap."
Rick froze, and his face went white.
"I know exactly who it is now," he said, "and this is a real problem. That's Carl Lange."
"The truck driver. I thought he looked familiar. He was harassing Lisa in the diner a few weeks ago and I chased him off. Why is it a problem?"
"Carl Lange is the fire chief's son."
"You're back, are you?" Adrianna signed, resigned. She was almost accustomed to Pablo showing up at least once or twice a week. At least she'd gotten to the point where she wasn't ruining loaves of bread any more. He seemed to think that if he showed up enough she'd forget about everything that had happened between them.
"I brought you flowers." He put them down on one of the counters in the restaurant kitchen.
"They're lovely."
"Such enthusiasm." He leaned against the door frame as he usually did.
"I'm not in a squealing mood. Look, I don't want to be nasty."
"Then don't."
"I think it's the only thing you understand. I'm not interested, Pablo Moreno. You betrayed me and I can't get past it."
"Have you tried? I think you just don't want to."
"Touche. Thing is, you're going about this all wrong." Adrianna looked at him with a faux-helpful expression on her face. "What would completely win me over would be for you to go back in time and find yourself someone else to attach yourself to. Like, maybe, Cindy." She spat the last out with a good deal of venom. Now Pablo exploded.
"It was a joke!" he said, furious. "A joke played by an ex-girlfriend at least five years before I met you. It was never intended to be serious. I was serious about you! What part of "I love you" don't you" understand?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Your brother never said those words until he met Lisa. I never said them until you. Yeah, we liked our fun, but once we met the right person it wasn't about fun any more. I'm sorry there were others before you. I'm sorry that the way you realized that hurt your feelings. I told you I love you, Adrianna, because I do." Pablo turned and with a casual flick of his hand sent the flowers flying. The door slammed as he left the restaurant.
"Pablo?" Lisa knocked on the office door. Pablo looked up impatiently, his eyes snapping "What?" even though he said nothing. Lisa backed up.
"Excuse me," she said. "I'm sorry to intrude."
"No, no," Pablo sighed. "I'm sorry. Not having a very good day. What can I do for you, Lisa?"
"I'm here to see if you're interested in my pie of the month. She had a box in her hands.
"Which is?"
"Coconut custard." Pablo grimaced.
"You don't like it?" He laughed
"Coconut is not my favorite thing," he confessed, "but I realize it's the customers that matter. Not my personal preferences." He got up from his desk. "I think I know just who to ask to taste this for me." He led her out into the restaurant. To Lisa's surprise, her aunt Mat was sitting at a table just finishing up her lunch.
"Could I interest you in some dessert, Mrs. Epperson?" Pablo asked, grinning at her.
"You are flirting with me again, you devil. Lisa! Hello! What are you doing here?"
"How do you feel about coconut?" Pablo asked her.
"If you are asking me to sample Lisa's coconut pie, I will sample as long as you cut an enormous slice for me afterward."
Pablo looked at Lisa.
"Sold," he said. "If I can get Mrs. Epperson to have dessert, I know I have a winner on my hands."
"Oh, stop, you rascal. You can get me to have dessert any time you're offering something Lisa made. How is it going, Lisa?"
"Rodney Weaver found me a really cute Jeep. I've had several appointments in Oxbow -- thank you again for the referrals, Pablo."
"You're welcome, Lisa. Talent like yours needs to be shared. What about Newtown?"
Lisa laughed.
"I thought I'd concentrate on expanding to the east before expanding to the north," she said. "I want to make sure I can handle the work before adding a new client.
"Very wise," Martha nodded. "Where's my pie, young man?" Pablo put the box down on a nearby table, supplied Martha with cutlery, then noticed another customer across the way signaling for his attention. Lisa cut a piece of pie for Martha and served her as Pablo returned, grinning.
"Cut another one, please, Lis," he told her. "I'll go see the bookkeeper to get your check for you. I'd like two, please. I think this one will go fast."
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