Page 3 (1/2)

Withinthe shoulder and Quint reduced the car’s speed to h the center of town Block buildings, sos, s stood ens displayed in their dusty storefront s

In all there weren’tthe street, and aon the corner A large sign above its long s aptly identified the place as the Corner Café In big, bold letters painted on the glass, it advertised HOME-COOKED MEALS

Knowing that it was unlikely there would be anything edible at the ranch, Quint decided to grab so to eat now and save hi slot in front of an adjacent building and pulled into it

There were only five other customers in the restaurant when Quint walked in Out of habit born of his previous training, he let his glance touch each of the their faces toa sandwich, while a rear table was occupied by three men dressed in cowboy hats, pearl-snapped shirts, and faded jeans Two of the his arrival with idle glances, while the third was busyshort work of a cream pie

All the stools along the short counter were eirl in a waitress’ apron was perched on it, an opened textbook on the counter in front of her along with a spiral notebook

Quint opted for one of the tables closer to the front of the café, pulling out a chair that gave him a view of both the door and his fellow customers As Quint took his seat, the waitress threw hilance, reluctantly pushed the book back a notch, and slid sideways off the stool, giving Quint a gliether at the nape of her neck with a tortoiseshell clasp Under the glow of the fluorescent lights, it was the sae his opinion when she approached his table, an attractive girl, on the young side, not over seventeen

She placed a glass of water on the table and looked hi hier in town For the first tiht brown color of her eyes, neither hazel nor golden, but a startling tan

“Would you like so over the menu?” There was an autoe

“I’ll take coffee and tonight’s special”

“You ave hih ketchup on Tub’s ood” There wasn’t a trace of malice or derision in her stateood-natured warning

Quint couldn’t help sest then?”

She responded with a wide-lipped ser and fries”

“Sold”

“I’ll be right back with your coffee,” she said, and moved away from the table

When she returned, Quint used the opportunity to ask some questions and pick up any infors around here?”