Read Online Diner Knock Out (A Rose Strickland Mystery Book 4) by Terri L. Austin - Free Book Online Page B

waiting at the door. Roxy flipped the sign and let them in.
    Saturdays were always slammed, and we stayed busy without any lag time. No screaming kids today, which was awesome. Ma spent most of her morning making lava cake. Every time the connecting door opened, the delicious, rich smell of dark chocolate spilled out of the kitchen.
    By closing time, Sugar showed up with her pinkish-red tresses twisted into an elaborate bun. Modeling a vintage cherry-print dress like she was on parade, she rolled her hips with every step. “Hey, Rose.” I waved as she sashayed toward Roxy.
    While they chatted, I slipped off to the small office and called Sullivan. I figured he’d be home, but he didn’t pick up. Next, I tried Sofia’s parents’ house. Franco answered, shouting over Olivia’s cries, “What?”
    “Can I speak to Sofia, please?”
    “She’s at work.” Then he slammed down the receiver.
    I scowled as I shoved the phone back in my pocket. That kid was starting to irritate me.
    Roxy walked in and grabbed the broom. Her eyes landed on me before bouncing away. “Rose, are we okay?”
    “Yeah, totally.” It was mostly true. 
    Her shoulders lowered a notch. “Good. What’s your big plan for finding this MMA guy?”
    Talking about Rob drained some of the tension out of me. “I need to check out the gym. Maybe talk to some of the other fighters.”
    “You should talk to his trainer too.”
    “Good idea.” I bumped her with my shoulder. “See, this is why I need you.”
    “And I want to help. Maybe Sugar could tag along for a couple of hours. We could all go together. It’d be fun.”
    “What do you mean? Like, help on the investigation?”
    “Well, yeah. You know how awesome I am at detective work, maybe Sugar has a knack for it too.”
    Doubtful. “Between your outfit and her body, no one will hear my questions.”
    She laughed. “Or we’ll be so distracting they’ll answer honestly for a change.”
    Roxy was my best friend, and I wanted her company. If I had to put up with Sugar for an afternoon, so be it. “Sounds good. My ultimate goal is to get into that fight club. I don’t even know how something like that works. Outside the movies, that is.”
    “If you figure it out, let me know. I love it when men get all physical and start pounding the shit out of each other.”
    I wrinkled my nose. “Really?”
    “Yeah, it’s primal. Hot.” She rubbed her thumb over the plastic broom handle. “Thanks. For letting Sugar come.”
    “No prob.”
    I grabbed the mop and bucket, following her out to the dining room. Together we cleaned in record time, while Sugar sat at the counter taking selfies.
    Before leaving, I poked my head in the kitchen. “Good luck with the cake, Ma.”
    “Don’t need luck, toots,” she said, keeping her back to me. “I’ve got skill. That Sally is going to wish she’d never heard of Byron Metzer.”
    When Ma’s competitive streak took over, she laid waste to anyone standing in her path. Sally Dawkins had better watch out.

    Roxy and I climbed into the front of my car, while Sugar wiggled her way into the back. I decided we should make tracks for the gym and I’d leave the dojo for later.
    “Sugar and I only have a couple of hours,” Roxy said, pulling down the visor to check herself in the mirror. “We’ve got some serious shopping to do.”
    “And I need to practice my routine.” Sugar tapped my shoulder. “You are coming, aren’t you, Rose?”
    “Coming to what?”
    Popping another piece of gum in her mouth, Roxy groaned. “I’ve been talking about it for two weeks. Sugar has a burlesque revue on Tuesday. Hottest ticket in town.”
    I glanced over at Roxy and a horrible memory rushed at me. Julie Swanson. My best friend from middle school. She spent the summer after our freshman year in Europe. That fall, she returned with bigger boobs, a chic haircut, and a semi-sexual encounter with a French waiter under her belt. Suddenly, I wasn’t cool enough to hang with