In the Blink of An Eye by Jerry Baggett (ebook reader for surface pro TXT) 📕

on him. He’d been granted TV privileges, and access to daily newspapers, keeping him informed of society’s changes.

While he didn’t need the money, he had needed a job in the area to accomplish his original purpose for being on the island. He was not a criminal, in spite of his record, and wanted to avoid trouble from the local law enforcement. He decided to use his real name and social on work applications. He doubted anyone would recognize the name and associate it with the twenty-five-year-old murder in San Francisco.

After his first day on the job, the owner seemed pleased, and offered him the job for as long as he wished to stay. He quickly found himself enjoying meeting and greeting diners, re-filling coffee, and socializing with the staff.

Grant Davis (Grant, his middle name) had worked at King Neptune’s Bar and Seafood, only three days when Samantha Brooks walked in with another woman, both in a nurse’s uniform. He’d studied her from a distance since finding her on the island, now feeling a strange familiarity, even though they’d never met. He decided at once, to develop a friendship. His primary interest in Samantha would soon be satisfied. Perhaps he’d be able to approach the other matter, the toy box, in storage somewhere, for so many years. That would take time. So what, he thought. He answered to no one, and time was no longer a critical issue.

Grant cleared away some of the dishes, as if he’d been doing it for ages. “Would you like more coffee or, perhaps some dessert?”

Samantha shook her head from side to side. The older woman pointed at her cup. “Please, you’re new, aren’t you?”

He refilled her cup, careful not to overfill into the saucer. “Yep, only been here a few days. A fellow could get used to this island. You ladies look like you’re in the medical profession. There must be a hospital on the island.”

Samantha smiled. “No, there’s no hospital but we serve the medical needs of our island very well. We work for Doctor Stephen Peyton, a medical doctor with a well-known practice here.”

Grant smiled inwardly. She seemed nice. He would have part of what he wanted from her before she left the restaurant.

Chapter 9

The night was young and she would be there until midnight. What if she left early? “Time to move,” Grant said to himself.

He had the night off work and would make the most of it, convinced Maria was his key to secrets buried inside The Jolly Fisherman’s Club. It doesn’t take a degree in psychology to understand a beautiful young woman’s vulnerability. She’d started to open up about her personal life somewhat. Given time, he felt she’d become a great source of information. That meant playing his cards right, holding them carefully and close to his vest. Big tips and a sympathetic ear couldn’t hurt and might even work miracles.

He found an open seat at the end of the bar and waited for Maria to recognize him as a regular. He’d been stopping by after work nearly every night. He picked up her signal. His usual? He signaled back by shaking his head up and down.

“Hi, Grant. You’re early tonight. You’ve been great company at the bar on quiet nights like last night. It won’t slow down for a couple more hours. Can you hang out that long? You know, you had a few too many last night.” She looked around, to see who might be near. “Maybe you can nurse your drinks. I don’t want you leaving here with too much to drink. Sometime I think the cops are watching for our customers to leave just so they can roust them for public intoxication.”

He smiled warmly. “I guess I should have waited a couple hours before coming in tonight, just another lonely old guy that enjoys your company. Are you sure you don’t have a break coming up? I don’t think I can handle another night like that. Maybe I can treat you to a bite to eat after your shift ends at midnight.”

She looked startled and leaned in closer. “You think I get off at midnight?”

“Yes, I’ve watched you put your bar apron away and leave every night at that time.”

She leaned in close again. “I leave the bar to work somewhere else, here in the club, you know, like upstairs.” She waited for his reaction.

A flash bulb exploded in his head. He should have considered that possibility. The prettier they are the more they’re taken advantage of. He felt guilty, using her for his own purposes.

“I’m sorry, Maria. I didn’t know. I could still be your friend. That isn’t important to me.” He wrote his cell number down and passed it to Maria from a closed hand, paid his bill and left the bar.

The doorman touched his arm as he approached the door. “Thanks for being a good customer, Grant. If you want time with an employee of the club it has to be arranged through me or whoever is here each evening. I know you’re a regular, so I thought you should know that.”

Grant held the man’s gaze for several seconds. “What about their time away from the club? Does that require your approval as well?”

“Yes, and, their time with customers away from the club costs you double the regular hourly rate. That’s their agreement while working here. You wouldn’t want Maria to get in trouble, would you?” He waited for Grant’s response. “The club treats the girls fairly and takes good care of any special problems they might have.”

Grant started to leave. He made that clear enough. He turned back. “Do you give out your number?” The doorman passed him a business card with a phone number, no other information.

Grant realized the situation had just become more difficult, just one more minor problem. He’d continue to develop the connection,