Yolks on You Box Set

Chapter 7-2

When Dom walked through the door to Yolks on You on Saturday he went immediately for an empty table. It was already eleven; Kiko had been up for hours and was trying not to yawn so much in front of the customers. When he got a chance he crossed to Dom, standing in case anyone needed him.

“Hey,” he said. “Get any sleep?”

Dom did not look up from the notepad he was scribbling on. Kiko saw an open children’s placemat from Pasta la Vista sitting on the table; Dom was scribbling down the names of all the businesses on it. He’d written things by some of the names. Kiko could see excessive grief—killed own cow? next to the brewery and extra funding for poor and/or bibles next to the church.

“Dom?”

“More sleep than you, I think,” he said. “Slept ‘til eight. But I’ve been meaning to write this down for hours.”

“I really don’t think churchgoers would try to explode anyone.”

Dom looked up at that. He grinned.

“We’re not going to figure out what’s going on until we examine the individual motives. Money, like you said, but why?”

Now Kiko did slide into the seat opposite Dom. He regretted it immediately; it made him want to sleep. He tried to pull the notepad away but Dom would not let him. Tourists. When it came to it, Dom was just like the rest of them. He had to find something to entertain himself while visiting.

“The police are investigating. They don’t want anyone else getting mixed up in it. That’s generally dangerous, anyway.”

“You’re really not curious?” asked Dom, eyes meeting Kiko’s. “Chad was hurt. We were stalked last night. Something’s going on. It can’t hurt to try to put a few pieces of the puzzle together. And if we do find anything, we’ll go right to the cops.”

Kiko sighed, slouched in his seat. He was curious. He did want to get to the bottom of everything. He very much wanted to have a safe store again. And if that was what Dom was interested in, he wanted to be part of it. He pointed to the paper placemat.

“Pasta la Vista’s been wanting to renovate the top of the restaurant to seat more people. Right now it’s an apartment, but Noodlebeard has difficulties keeping it rented. He’d want the money for that.”

“Thanks,” said Dom, scribbling that down. “Any more town gossip?”

“I don’t keep up with all of it,” said Kiko, forcing himself to stand. “You could try discreetly asking when picking up boxes today. If you still feel like doing that.”

Dom’s phone buzzed; he pulled it to him and gave a little half-grunt, half-laugh.

“Alec’s pathetic. He must’ve had a hard time with the kids yesterday without me. He paid for my breakfast at the buffet that one hotel was hosting this morning. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many varieties of cheese offered at a buffet before.”

“He’s texting you again?” asked Kiko before he could stop himself.

“Yeah. Wants me to go to some deviled egg competition luncheon at the Dill Pickle. That bar we were at. Luncheon. Hah. Alec knows words like luncheon.”

“Have you been drinking?”

Dom waved a hand.

“No, no. Just tired. And I have a project.”

“Well,” said Kiko, “there’s a box of eggs at the Pickle if you want to grab it. You might be able to get some of your gossip there, too. Wish I could come along.”

“Don’t worry; I won’t run off with anyone else,” said Dom as he replied to Alec’s text. “It sounds like something mothers and grandmothers host.”

“Dill hosts it. But you’re right. His ex-wife started it. It just happens to be the only thing the Pickle does for the Eggstravaganza besides supply a box of eggs.” Kiko paused. “Yolks on You should have come up with it first. It’s supposedly very interesting to see the different kinds of deviled eggs. More than you can taste, I’ve heard.”

“I’ll taste a few extra for you. I think those people want to check out.”

Kiko left Dom to writing his list and went back to the counter, pulling up a smile as he went. As long as there were no more explosions here today, he might not lose a dangerous amount of business. And maybe tonight if he and Dom weren’t so busy…No. He almost laughed at himself. Expecting things always led to disappointment, and this weekend needed some good surprises, after all.

* * * *

“Is that egg from yesterday still in the plant?” asked Alec when he entered. Dom looked up from his notepad in time to see Alyssa and Gabe dash off deeper into Yolks on You. Alec was looking down at him, frowning.

“I think some kid must have found it.” As Dom folded up his menu and closed the notepad Alec frowned in the direction his children had run. “I thought you didn’t want them back in here. Drugs.”

“We’re only staying a few minutes. They know if they don’t find anything in five we’re going. Ten minutes isn’t enough time for anything to happen.”

Dom completely disagreed with that, but he didn’t care to argue with Alec where Kiko might see, so he just laughed. Alec glared at him.

“This place is bad luck.”

“Then why didn’t you just text me to meet you outside?” asked Dom, understanding after a moment. Alec was too intent on watching where his kids were. “You want the eggs.”

Alec shrugged, small smile on his face.

“Saw some kids at the hotel last night with good prizes—shirts, board game, chocolates. Parents said they got them here. Figured it was worth another brief stop.”

“I’m not surprised,” said Dom. “You’re greedy, and Kiko does a good job on things like this.”

Alec turned away from watching where Alyssa and Gabe were going. His gaze was accusatory.

“Is he why you’ve been late every night?”

Dom stood.

“You implying something, Alec?”

“They ask for you before bed, you know,” said Alec, but Dom didn’t care to be emotionally manipulated.

“Why? Because you’re still having nightmares about that cow so you can’t help them get a glass of water in the middle of the night?” He noticed Alec clench his hands to fists. “You’re their father, Alec. We’re over, remember? I can do what I please without having to consider what you want. It really is a good feeling. You get angry too easily.”

“You’re always the one who causes the fights. You’re too sensitive about everything.” Alec seemed like he was trying hard to keep his voice from rising.

“Shouldn’t we get going?” asked Dom, ignoring Alec, who turned and stalked off to collect his children. Dom watched as he located Gabe, then Alyssa, who was jumping up and down in an aisle of plush toys, clutching an egg in each hand.