Chapter 8

Hotel exterior, sidewalk, 11: 17 A.M.

Darcy and Aaron slowly walk towards the café next to the hotel. Aaron opens the door making the door chime ring and gestures for Darcy to get in. She flinches first ((Not used to politeness LOL)) but thanks him before walking in. 

They expected to be overwhelmed by scent of coffee and cake but, to be honest, this place stinks as hell. Besides, it's too quiet despite outside. 

They walk past arcades and get to the other side where tables and chairs are set. Along with a counter, decorated with cups and cake stands. There's only one employee attending.

The waitress, one elbow rested on the counter, stops filing her nails and turns to them. "Hello, welcome to 'Arcadian brothers' can I offer you some coffee?" She says with a bright smile. Her curly hair is pinned back, wearing a pink apron with dark stripes that match her skin.

"Coffee would be nice…" Darcy smiles, resting her elbow on the counter. Her fingers playing with the metal cap of her cane. "But that's not what we are here for."

"Sorry our Arcades are out of order right now."

Darcy blows a raspberry. "Do we look like we are here to play, lady?" She snickers playfully. The waitress raises a brow, annoyed. "No but looks like you are here for a fight!" She rolls up her sleeves, revealing muscly arms. Darcy's face falls and Aaron panics.

"Woo wooo stop right there! We are detectives!" Aaron holds the badge in front of her, waving his free hand. Darcy is staying still in shock. The waitress' eyes widen, shocked, then she giggles nervously. "Sorry for that. H-how can I help you?" 

Darcy takes out her wallet to find Dallas' pic, brows knitted. "You are lucky we aren't looking for trouble." Such a big lie, she is afraid of her. "And we aren't racists." She pulls out the picture, showing it to her. "Have you seen this guy?" 

The waitress squints, trying to remember. "Oh I had, he was here this morning."

As they speak; Aaron finds his way towards lemon slot, looking at it with amusement.

 "When exactly?" 

"I… im not sure, around seven?" 

Aaron touches the joystick carefully, the machine reels and three lemons appear on the screen. Coins are thrown at him and he almost dodges all of them. She said it's out of order but…

"Was he alone?" 

 "Yes. He was here to see a young girl. Just hit puberty. She had a letter."

Aaron kneels, picking a coin to take a close look at them.

Darcy rubs her chin, thinking. "A letter…What did she look like?" "She had a hat and sunglasses but by her eyebrows were blonde. 5' 2."

"Didn't you notice him returning to the hotel?" They both turn to Aaron as he stands up shoving the coin in his pocket. "VERY GOOd question Park!" Darcy point at him with her cane, proud he mentioned that.

"Did he go to the left?" The waitress thinks for a few seconds then nods. "yeah, because I remember him leaning into the machines as he walked towards the door."

"Leaning?" Darcy squints. Her eyes narrow, staring blankely. The waitress' eyes widen not having any clue. "Is everything alright?"

Darcy shakes her head, coming back to senses. Then smiles and drags a stool closer to sit on. "Yeah; just checking. Can we have the coffee now?"

Street, Café exterior, 12:23

"Ma'am, I think she was hiding something." Aaron pouts, raising a brow. "The arcades worked perfectly. And full of coins. She expected costumers."

Darcy shushes him. A man walks past them to get in the café and Darcy stops him. "Excuse me sir, what time is it?"

He flinches first and then replies "12:24" before rushing in.

"Thanks!" She smiles. "I heard there's fancy diner nearby. Shall we go have lunch?" Darcy pushes Aaron who has no clue what she is saying. She leads him to the alley behind café. "Ma'am I could've told you the time."

"That man, young park. He didn't even take glance at his wrist watch." She jabs a finger, folding the other in front of her chest. "They were supposed to meet in the café at 12:20. ...or 30. Not sure. The barista had to send us away before his arrival."

She takes a paper cup out of her coat's hidden pocket. "You want to eavesdrop with that? Classic!" Aaron's eyes widen in amusement. Darcy's brows raise. "Actually I wanted to inhale the scent of this pure Arabic coffee but good point!" Her nose is in the empty cup. 

---

Café, kitchen, 12:27

"What took you so long?" The waitress folding arms in front of her chest, tapping foot on the ground. The man places his suitcase on the counter, loosening his tie. "I'm only 7 minutes late." 

Behind café, alley

"Thought cops shot you to death." 

"Don't be so grumpy now~"

"They're arguing." Darcy mouths Aaron. They are slouched, ears close to the paper cup Darcy is holding against the wall. "Cops were here. They knew about that dead man."

"We don't have anything to worry about. plus, there's no evidence against us."

"Are they related?"

Darcy panics, almost dropping the cup. She shoots a glare at Aaron who is laughing over the way she startled. "Anything useful?"

"They said Dallas is dead. But they are not to blame. Just terrified." Darcy rests her cane on her shoulder. Aaron raises brows, pupils shrink in shock. "So he is..." Darcy closes her eyes, not able to accept him being murdered. They both fall into an awkward silence before she breaks it.

"shall we go have lunch now?" 

"Definitely."