Death Waxed Over - Tim Myers [72]
I grinned. “Good for you.” I took a slice of pizza and put it on one of the plates. “So, what are your plans now?”
“Well, as I told you when I first moved here, I was just getting set to enjoy my retirement when Gretel called. I believe I’m going to revert to my previous plan and start traveling.”
I took one of the Cokes and took a healthy swallow, then said, “Any place in particular you have in mind?”
“I’ve always wanted to visit the Florida Keys. There’s a place called Big Pine Key that has the smallest deer in the world. There’s just something about that idea that appeals to me.”
I nodded and said, “I’ve heard all about the key deer. One of my customers, an artist named Ruby Hall, used to live down there. She adored them.”
He ate a bite, then said, “It’s the first of many travels I have in mind.”
I took another bite, then asked, “Did you meet April when you picked up the pizza?”
“I did. If anything, you undersold her. She’s quite an impressive woman, isn’t she?”
I laughed. “That’s a good word to describe her. What did she say when you told her I wanted credit for the pizza?”
“At first she refused, but then I saw she was just kidding. She also asked me to remind you about your selection. So it really is true, isn’t it?”
“Scout’s honor,” I said, finishing off another piece of pizza. “That was great, but I’d better get back to work if we’re going to get out of here by midnight.”
Jubal pushed his own plate away. “I’m full, too. That was wonderful, though.”
“It’s good the next day for breakfast too,” I said.
“By all means, take it home with you, then.”
“I might just take you up on that,” I said as I retrieved my list and got back to work. I was getting a second wind, so I finished up in less than an hour.
Jubal was dozing in his chair, and I coughed twice to wake him up. He looked disoriented for a second, then said, “I must have drifted off. Sorry I haven’t been much help.”
“Hey, you got the pizza, remember?” I tapped my list and added, “It’s not going to be as much as I’d hoped. I can tell you that right now.”
If he was disappointed, he hid it well. “To be honest with you, Harrison, I’d give it to you if it meant getting me out of here any sooner. Whatever you pay me will be my mad money for the first part of my trip. I’m in excellent financial shape, so don’t worry about paying too much.”
“Man, I’ve heard of reverse salesmanship, but you take it to a new level.”
He smiled. “It’s not that. I’m just happy Hans won’t get his hands on this. I would ask one favor, though.”
“Anything,” I said as I gathered up my sheets.
“I’d like cash, if you don’t mind. I never got around to opening an account around here, and I’ll convert whatever you give me into traveler’s checks at the first opportunity.”
“I can do that. I’ll swing by the bank before I come here.” I wasn’t sure about the exact total, but even if I gave him what the supplies cost, I knew I had enough in my personal account. It wasn’t that I was all that well off, but I’d managed to save a little since taking over River’s Edge, and I’d be able to pay myself back as we needed the supplies for the candleshop.
I looked at the pizza box and said, “Are you sure you don’t want this?”
“Be my guest. I’d just have to throw out what’s left if you didn’t take it.”
I picked it up and said, “We don’t want that to happen, do we? I’ll see you tomorrow, Jubal.”
“Before noon, if you can make it.”
“I’ll do my best. I can’t imagine it being a problem, but if an emergency comes up, I’ll call you. We should be able to load everything here into the back of the truck.”
We left the shop together, and I wished him a pleasant evening. He’d picked up regular Cokes, and I was used to the caffeine-free variety. I’d had two as I’d worked, and I was so wired up I doubted I’d be getting to sleep anytime soon. I thought about driving around some before going back to my apartment, and I soon found myself driving to Becka Lane’s place. I’d heard she was out of