Alex Kava Bundle - Alex Kava [205]
“Maggie?” Delaney waited for her to shake her head. “Maybe some fries for me.”
“You got it.”
“Thanks, Rita,” Delaney added as though they were old friends.
As soon as she left their table, Maggie gave Delaney’s shoulder a shove. “I thought you said you weren’t good at this stuff?”
“What stuff?”
“This flirting stuff. Usually Turner’s doing it, so I don’t get to see the real master at work.”
“I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.” But it was obvious from his grin that he was enjoying the attention.
“‘Thanks, Rita’?”
“That’s her name, Maggie. That’s why they wear those name tags, so we can all share a friendly meal.”
“Oh, right, only she never gets to know our names or sit down and eat with us. How friendly is that?”
“Hey, guys.” Turner slid into the last chair. “Lots of attorneys here this time.”
“Those two women are attorneys?” Delaney craned his neck to get a better look.
“You betcha.” He waved a piece of paper with their phone numbers before tucking it into his pocket. “And I never know when I might need an attorney.”
“Yeah, right. Like the three of you were talking legal matters.”
Maggie ignored their banter and simply asked, “What conference is this anyway?”
Both men stopped and stared at her as if waiting for the punch line.
“You’re serious?” Turner finally asked.
“Hey, I make the same presentation every time, whether I’m in Kansas City or Chicago or L.A.”
“You really don’t get into these things, do you?”
“It’s definitely not why I joined the FBI.” Suddenly she felt uncomfortable with both of them studying her as if she had slipped and said something wrong. “Besides, Cunningham keeps my name off the program roster, so it’s not like anyone is coming specifically to hear me and my words of wisdom.”
She had interrupted their jovial moods, reminding them why she was really here. Not because she longed to teach profiling to a bunch of cops, but to keep her out of the field, away from Albert Stucky. Rita returned, relieving Maggie once again, this time with a tray of drinks. Turner immediately raised his eyebrows at her when she placed the bottle of beer and a glass in front of him.
“Rita, you’re a mind reader.” He wasted no time using her name just as Delaney had, as if they, too, were old friends.
The pretty waitress blushed, and Maggie watched Delaney, searching for signs of rivalry. Instead, he seemed pleased to leave the flirting to his single friend.
“Your burger and fries should be ready in about ten minutes.”
“Oh my God! Rita, will you marry me?”
“Actually, you should thank your friends. They got the order in just before Carl closed the grill.” She smiled at Maggie and Delaney this time. “I’ll bring out the rest of the order as soon as it’s ready.” Then she hurried away.
Maggie couldn’t help thinking that Rita was a seasoned waitress who already knew which of her customers were the big tippers. Turner rewarded his waiters and waitresses with attention and familiarity, but it was Maggie or Delaney who remembered to leave a substantial tip.
“So, Turner,” Delaney said. “Why are there attorneys at this conference?”
“Mostly prosecutors. Sounds like they’re all here for that computer workshop. You know, the database thing the Bureau’s been setting up. Lots of D.A. offices are finally getting connected. At least in the bigger cities. And since they’re all sooooo very busy, and can never spare an experienced attorney, it looks like they’ve sent their fresh young things.” He sat back and surveyed the room.
Maggie and Delaney shook their heads at each other. Just as Maggie tipped back her glass, she saw a familiar figure in the long mirror that stretched behind the bar. She slammed her glass down and stood, sending the table rocking and her chair screeching. She looked over in the direction from where she thought the mirror had reflected the image.
“Maggie, what is it?”
Turner and Delaney stared at her as she stretched to see over the bar patrons. Was it her imagination?
“Maggie?”
She checked the mirror again. The figure in the black leather jacket was gone.
“What’s going on, Maggie?