Page 34 of Colton’s Inferno

“Hey, boys.” The server, Ruth, had worked at The Eatery since Aiden and Cal were children. “What can I get you to drink?”

“Water, for me,” he said. Pain drove into his forehead. Caffeine might help with the headache. “And a coffee.”

“I’ll take the same.”

“Do you know what you want to eat?” asked Ruth. “Or are you going to surprise us all and get something different?”

“I’ll take the usual,” said Aiden.

“That’s one grilled cheese, with bacon and tomato. Side of fries.”

Aiden smiled. “You know me too well.”

“You’re right,” Ruth said. “I do.” And then, “What about you, Callum.”

“Burger, no onion, and fries on the side.”

“I’ll have that out to you in a few minutes.” She nodded toward a door with an inset window. “Although the kitchen saw you coming. They might’ve started your food already.”

Once Ruth was gone, Aiden slipped off his sunglasses and set them on the table. He rubbed his forehead. It did nothing to help with the pain.

“Are you up for talking about the fire investigation?” Cal asked. “I’ve got a little bit of news.”

“What’s up?”

“I was able to get a serial number from the lock you found. I contacted the manufacturer to see what they can tell me.”

“And?”

Cal picked up the saltshaker and rolled it between his palms. “For now, nothing. It is a holiday weekend. I’ll hear from someone by Tuesday.” He set the shaker back next to the pepper. “We’ve also posted on social media looking for information.”

“Sounds like a lot of nothing to me,” he grumbled.

“Here you go.” Ruth placed two glasses of ice water onto the table. Next to the glasses, she set two mugs of steaming coffee. “I’ll be back with your food.”

“Thanks,” said Aiden.

After the server left again, Cal asked, “Are you sure that you’re okay?”

“It’s my head,” he said, taking a sip of a water. But that wasn’t the entire truth. “After you left this morning, I talked to Lucy and her grandfather. It’d be best if they left the ranch, but they don’t want to go.” He took another drink. “Is there anything that can be done?”

“Not unless they ask for the help.”

“What about, I don’t know, a patrol or something?”

“Considering what happened, I can send out deputies a few times a day.”

It didn’t seem like enough. Still, he said, “Thanks.”

Ruth returned carrying two plates. She set Aiden’s sandwich and Callum’s burger on the table. “How’s that look?”

“Perfect as always,” said Aiden, reaching for a bottle of ketchup that was hidden behind the menus. He squeezed a puddle of ketchup on the edge of his plate and plunked in a fry. The tangy sauce mixed perfectly with the salty French fry. “Tastes perfect, too.”

For several minutes, they ate in silence. With every bite, Aiden felt better. After finishing half of his sandwich, he said, “Sorry for the attitude earlier.”

“I appreciate your apology, and I understand your frustration. Unless the Harrises ask for help, there’s not a lot anyone can do. But we are investigating. There will be patrols. That’s a lot more than nothing,” Cal said. After a beat, he asked, “How did Lucy take the news?”

“Not good.” He wasn’t going to share anything about the panic attack. Still, he said, “It freaked her out to know that she’d been locked in the room on purpose.”