Free One Lane Bridge: A Novel by Don Reid

known, she was the highest-tipped waitress they had at either location. She was attentive to a fault and kept her tables and the floor area spotless, even after a table with tots had trashed the chairs and the hardwood oak underfoot. Crystal dated no one in particular but always preferred the morning shift so she could have her evenings free for whatever nightlife she enjoyed. They rarely saw her out except at an occasional movie with a group of friends. College was not in her future, but it was easy to see that marriage to whomever she might choose was. She exuded personality and sweetness. If her hands were in the till, she was going to disappoint a lot of people, young and old.
    J. D. and Karlie sat in their back booth saying little to each other. The giant railroad-watch clock on the wall over the front door said it was 12:40 p.m. The uneasy silence between them made J. D. wonder if Karlie was having the same thoughts he was having … but neither of them was expressing them out loud. Their silence was broken at twelve forty-five when Bobby Caywood came in the front door and took a seat in the first booth on the right. Seconds later, J. D.’s cell phone rang.
    “How do you want to do this? I have the warrants in my pocket. I can stop them as they’re going out the front or back door and take them in your office, or you and Karlie can do it. Or we can all three do it together. It’s your call.”
    “Karlie and I will take care of it.”
    “Okay. I’ll stay here, and if anyone refuses to let you look in their purse or search their person, you just open the office door and I’ll come back with the warrants.”
    “I hope we won’t need to do it that way.”
    “Me, too. But don’t be surprised at whatever happens. You trap something, and it’s bound to fight back. There may be a scene. So be ready for that.”
    “I know. I’ll go tell them that we want to see them before they leave.”
    “No. Don’t do it yet. Wait till the last minute. Wait till they’re ready to go out the door. You don’t want to give anybody the chance to ditch the evidence. You’ve got to find it on them. Understand?”
    “Yes.”
    “Ask Karlie if she understands, and tell her to nod to me. It’s important we’re all on the same page here.”
    J. D. hung up the phone, leaned into the table, and related all this to his wife. She looked across the restaurant at Caywood and nodded her approval without a smile or any show of emotion. The chase was on.

    Katherine stopped at their booth to say good-bye.
    “You kids look a little haggard today. Up all night sparrin’ or sparkin’?”
    “A little of both,” J. D. managed. Karlie hung her head and said nothing. He knew she wasn’t going to be able to pull this off. Her heart was not in it. She loved Katherine like a favorite aunt. Maybe her way was best, after all. Just tell them outright what was going on and make it stop instead of trying to find out who the thief was. But it was too late now.
    “Katherine.” J. D. struggled with his breathing. Confronting someone with bad news was always harder than he thought it would be. Especially when it was someone he liked and respected. “Katherine, we need to see you in the office before you leave.” He got up and walked to the office door in the back.
    Katherine looked at Karlie, who was sliding out of the booth with her eyes averted. She looked from one to the other and said, “Sure,” and walked in front of Karlie, past J. D., who was holding the door.
    He looked toward the kitchen and saw Crystal gathering her sweater and purse from behind the counter. He figured Lottie must be somewhere in the kitchen.
    “Crystal. We need to see you in the office before you leave.”
    She looked up and, with the same pleasant smile she always carried, said, “All right.”
    Just then Lottie came out of the kitchen with her handbag and a Styrofoam sandwich container in her hand.
    “Lottie, can I see you in the office for a minute?”
    Without a