Chapter Forty
Wes noted how Angel gripped the seat as he drove. He wasn’t sure if she was tense because she couldn’t believe Southern Soul Café was on fire or because of his driving. He eased off the accelerator. His mind was racing with questions as to how this could have happened. Sundays were usually the busiest day for the restaurant.
“How could this have happened?” Angel’s comment mirrored his thoughts. ”Did they say if anyone was inside?”
Wes shook his head. “Serena arrived on the scene. She said the building was engulfed in flames and the firefighters were working hard to contain the blaze. I asked her if there was anyone in the restaurant, but she didn’t know yet.” Serena had called him, knowing his history with the place.
He knew Angel was probably thinking of all the history the owner had collected over the years. All the photos and souvenirs on the walls documented many of their grandfathers’ memories. Then there was the photo of Elisa, which he remembered from the day he’d met Angel for lunch. Knowing how much she cherished memories of her mother, he hoped Angel had a copy.
Wes pulled off the exit nearest to where the restaurant was located. From a distance, they could see smoke billowing. He dreaded what they would find as they approached the café and wondered if they would even be allowed to get close. Sure enough, as he rounded the corner, he came upon a police cruiser with flashing lights. The officer was diverting traffic away from the street where Southern Soul Café was located. Wes parked nearby. He and Angel walked as close to the café as they could. A crowd stood behind the yellow police tape. Wes could see several television vehicles with reporters and camera crews up and down the street.
Angel tapped him on his shoulder and told him, “I see Eddie’s daughter. I will go see if she can tell me anything.”
“Sure. I will catch up with you in a bit.”
Wes headed over to Serena, who was talking live. “We have confirmed from at least four employees that upon arriving to work this morning, they noticed smoke and called nine-one-one. As of now, the firefighters have been able to contain most of the fire. From what we have been allowed to see, it looks like most of the well-loved Charlotte-based restaurant has been lost. Stay tuned for more details.” Serena spotted him. “Hello, Wes. You burned some rubber getting here. Excuse my pun.”
“We were just here on Friday for the talent show. Southern Soul is a special hometown band. A lot of people enjoyed coming here for good Southern food and entertainment.”
“It’s a shame,” Serena said. “Hey, I saw your girlfriend singing. So she did inherit some skills from her mother. I wouldn’t normally admit it, but I felt the hair rise up on my skin. She has some powerful chops.”
“I didn’t know you were there, and I told you, we are just friends. She wasn’t a part of the competition, but she did sing with Southern Soul at the end of the show.” He looked around for Angel and saw her in the crowd, talking to a young woman.
Serena leaned over. “For someone who is not your girlfriend, you keep tabs on her pretty good. I’m just saying. I am a reporter, and I know what I see.”
Wes blushed. Knowing he had spent most of his Sunday with Angel, he wasn’t sure why he was denying Serena’s observations. Wes saw a familiar face emerge from the crowd and forgot about Serena’s meddling. “Hey, what’s he doing here?”
Serena replied, “Who?”
“Darnell. I mean, Detective Jackson.” Wes had a feeling this fire would unearth something a bit more sinister. “What’s homicide doing on the scene?”
Serena narrowed her eyes. “That’s my question. This fire has just become more interesting.”
Wes looked around. “Where’s the owner? Eddie. Have you seen him?”
Serena stared at Wes and opened her eyes wide. “No. I haven’t. Maybe he was in there. Makes sense that he would arrive early to open the place.”
Wes hoped it wasn’t so. Both Serena and he headed over to where Detective Jackson was standing. He had just stepped under the yellow police tape.
Wes called out, “Hey, Detective Jackson, any information about whether anyone was in the place?”
Serena stepped in front of Wes and jabbed him in his chest with her finger. “Mr. Cade, you are supposed to be off work.” She turned back to Darnell. “Well, any information, Detective Jackson?”
Darnell looked from Wes to Serena. “Sorry, you two. I can’t say anything right now. Once the firefighters clear out the place and say we can go in, you will know what I know.”
Wes spun around and searched through the crowd for Angel. He remembered she’d said she was going to talk to Eddie’s daughter. He needed to find her. This day could turn out even worse than they imagined.