Harlan had followed them from a distance and waited a full minute before entering the diner. He was glad to see the light crowd as he took a seat at the counter. The Danville detective and the female he recognized as a uniform cop from Newberg were laughing. A couple of old men were sitting nearby—nothing to worry about. The sole waitress finished with the cops and came over to greet Harlan.
“Good morning. What can I bring ya?” Her cheerfulness was wasted on him.
“Just coffee. Black.” Harlan feigned a thick southern accent and did his best to avoid eye contact. He made sure to touch nothing. Looking toward the back of the restaurant, he shook his head in apparent disgust.
What the hell are you two talkin’ about? he thought, wondering how the two cops had met.
Harlan had kept an eye on the Danville detective all morning, and the man had done everything Harlan had expected of him. Right after the call, the detective had headed out to the house with a couple of cops in uniform. Before too long, they’d discovered the body and arrested the obvious killer—the man who, years ago in a courtroom, identified Harlan as the one he’d seen fleeing the scene of a murder. All had gone according to plan, and that score was now nearly settled. Harlan had intended to leave Danville by nightfall and head north for good.
Now this bitch cop shows up, he thought. Harlan almost laughed at the thought of all the trouble the cop must have gone through to somehow end up here in Illinois. Impressive, but all for nothin’.
“Here you go, sir. Will that be all?”
Harlan remained pleasant and kept up his “southern charm.” “Yes, ma’am. I believe it will.”
The waitress walked away, and Harlan resisted the urge to sip the coffee.
Remember, he told himself, they’re cops. They’ll be packin’. Hang back six feet or so. Spread it out even and be quick. Harlan stood. For a moment he fumbled in his pocket, until he fixed his grip. Then he walked toward the booth shared by Detective Seale and the officer from Newberg. He pasted a corny smile on his face, doing his best to appear clumsy and disarming.