Free Death Before Decaf by Caroline Fardig Page B

snob?”
    “I guess.” Hot as he was, I could not handle dating someone who would only watch boring, artistic films.
    “I like movies that are well written, well acted, and well executed. They don’t have to be Oscar flicks, as long as I don’t feel like I’ve wasted two hours of my life afterward.”
    “So what’s your favorite movie?”
    He grinned. “My answer should probably be something like
Citizen Kane
or a Fellini film, but my favorite movie has always been
Die Hard
.”
    “Really?” Extra points for the film professor who could admit that his favorite movie was
Die Hard
.
    “All guys like action movies.” Leaning closer, he added, “And speaking of action, I hear that some major action happened at Java Jive after I left last night.”
    I sighed. I really didn’t want to talk about Dave’s murder with anyone—well, except for Pete. Plus, I didn’t even know if I was supposed to talk about it, since I was a “person of interest” or whatever.
    “I wouldn’t call it action. One of the staff passed away. It was sad, really.”
    Seth frowned. “Right, of course. Very sad. How did the rest of the staff take it? Was he close with anyone?”
    “I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to any of the staff yet.”
    “How about Pete? How is he doing with all of this?”
    He sure did ask a lot of questions. “Pete’s known the guy for years, so he’s understandably upset.”
    “Understandably. Is Pete particularly close with any of the rest of the staff?”
    Shrugging, I replied, “I don’t know. I’m new.”
    “Hopefully he has some kind of relationship built with them. In my experience, college kids can be tough to deal with under circumstances like this. Are you good with teenagers?”
    I sighed. “Not at all. I wasn’t even good with teenagers when I was a teenager.”
    He laughed. “You may have your work cut out for you, then. Hey, if you need anyone to help you talk with them, I’d be happy to. I can talk to college students like it’s my job.”
    I hesitated for a moment while that sank in. Oh, it was a joke. “Ha, ha. It
is
your job.”
    “I’m also very witty.” He winked at me. “So did you get the okay to open tomorrow?”
    “Yeah, we’ll be open tomorrow.”
    Seth motioned for the waitress and ordered another round of drinks. I really didn’t want another, but after the craziness of the past twenty-four hours, I needed something to take the edge off.
    “I’m glad. I didn’t know where to go to eat today, plus I didn’t get to see my girlfriend.”
    Smiling, I agreed, “I missed Gertie today, too. She’s like a grandmother to me. When I was in college, I probably ate dinner at her house three nights a week. That woman can cook.”
    “She baked me some cookies last week. Best I ever had.”
    “I’m so jealous. Wait. Were they…”
    We both said at the same time, “Pineapple chocolate chip!”
    “My favorite. Weird combo, but it works,” I said.
    He nodded. “I was shocked when she handed them to me. She talks tough, but deep down she’s nothing but a sweet old lady.”
    “I won’t tell her you said that. She’d slap you into next week.”
    Our second round of drinks arrived. Seth took a long pull from his beer and said, “Gertie said that Java Jive hasn’t been doing too well business-wise. And that you’re supposed to be their savior.”
    Grimacing, I replied, “Something like that. There’s a lot of pressure on my shoulders, but I think it shouldn’t be too difficult to make a few changes and become profitable again.”
    “Please don’t change the Reuben sandwich. It’s my favorite.”
    “Don’t worry. I won’t. It’s my favorite, too.”
    “Do you have a handle on why business has declined? Do you think it’s the staff or simply a shift of customers to a competitor?”
    “I thought you were a film professor, not an economics professor.” Enough with the questions!
    Seth laughed easily. “Sorry. The economy plays a role in both film