Fortune Cookie Magic - The Offspring One
They went into an adjacent alley where they wouldn’t be noticed and since the sun was barely rising, it was dark. They hadn’t thought to bring any tools. Nevertheless, Joe and Chad, managed to rip a sheet of plywood from a doorjamb. Unfortunately, there was a steel door behind with a functioning lock.
Gail looked up at Joe, raised an eyebrow and asked, “What now bro-in-law?”
With a twinkle in his eye, he took Gail by the shoulders. “Gail, I love ya, but let a man do his work without sniping at him. Alright?”
“Sure, Joey. I was just trying to be helpful.”
“You wanna be helpful? Here’s the keys. Go back to my SUV and grab a flathead and Phillips screwdriver in my glove box. Oh, and while you’re there bring the flashlight from the console. We’re going to need a back up flashlight.”
While Joe and Chad wrestled with the plywood covering on the window to the left of the locked door, Nikolas and Cornell took the one to the right.
As Gail started away, Jill said, “Hold on Gail. I’ll go with you.”
“How did you do that?” Gail questioned, after recovering from her shock.
Also surprised, Jill answered, “I’m not sure I did anything, but my babies were kicking up a storm. Still are.”
They stepped over the threshold and entered the phantom restaurant. Since it was dawn, some light filtered in. There was enough to get around, but not to observe. Gail flipped on the flashlight and shone it around the large room, empty except for the table-less booths that lined the side walls. A thick layer of dust pervaded the room. The Chinese symbols and murals on the walls were missing—actually painted over with murals depicting Italian scenes. Gail remembered now that the proprietor of the coffee shop across the street had said after several failed restaurants Eddie Chang’s became Luigi’s for many years until the owner died last year and the restaurant closed.’ Luigi’s was obviously a restaurante Italiano.
Gail turned to Jill. “Do you think you could find your way to the side door where the gang is? I want to look around the kitchen.”
“Okay, but don’t get lost.” Jill headed off in the direction of the alley. About forty feet away, Jill turned back to Gail. She smiled and waved, then continued.
As she rested her fist on each hip, she flashed a teasing smile. “Don’t suppose you’d like to see what’s inside, would you?”
If looks could kill, Jill would be holding her throat, gasping for breath.
Trying to retain a modicum of composure, Joe restrained himself. “How the hell did you get in there?” Well, he’d tried.
“Does it matter?” said Lyle, stepping up to Jill. “Where’s my wife?”
“She’s looking around with Joe’s flashlight."
Lyle turned, looked at everyone and said, “Let’s go.”
