"We're not going very far, just across the street. Connie's has the best breakfast around, and the coffee is black and strong. It's probably the only redeeming quality about this shit hole." She shrugged in an unapologetic manner, filtering her thoughts and opinions had never been one of her strong suits. With that, Eve crossed the road without a glance in either direction. The road was deserted as always, there had been no need to look.<br/><br/>A bell tinkled as Eve pushed open the door to Connie's, the usual costumers putting down their day old newspapers long enough to see who had come through the door. A plump, older woman with graying hair looked up from washing a table; a grin spreading across her wrinkled face as her green eyes fell on Eve. "Well if it isn't the famous journalist Eve Ryan. How have you been, sugar? Want your daddy's usual table? He already came in and got his breakfast." The diner smelled like grease and coffee. There was something comforting about the smell, something warm and inviting.<br/><br/>"That would be great, Mrs. Connie." Eve followed Mrs. Connie to the middle booth by the window, sliding into the cracking vinyl before answering the woman's first question's with a soft smile. "I've been good. Busy, but good. I can't complain. I make good money doing something I'm passionate about. It's really all I could ask for in life."<br/><br/>"Oh that just warms my heart to hear, sugar! Your daddy brags about you every chance he gets! He and Karen have a whole scrapbook devoted to the articles you've written. They were sorry you couldn't be here for the wedding." Mrs. Connie had yet to even glance in Robert's direction, too caught up in pestering Eve about her life to even notice him.<br/><br/>Eve decided to get comfortable, knowing Mrs. Connie would ask questions until she had enough gossip to tell the whole damn town. "Yeah, I was sorry, too. I thought I was going to get back from Cairo in time, but no such luck. Protests and such delayed my flights leaving me stuck in the airport for a good four or five days."<br/><br/>"Mhmm. How about you and that boy? You two still engaged?" She knew the answer, but asked the question anyway.<br/><br/>"Uh, no. After losing the baby we just couldn't seem to get back on track. It was a mutual decision, so there were not hurt feelings. Being friends is better for us, anyway."<br/><br/>Connie nodded in a motherly manner, placing a hand on her chest. Her eyes said it all, full of pity. Eve couldn't tell if her pity was genuine or manufactured, but she told herself she didn't care nor did she want it. Before Eve could open her mouth to ask for coffee to change the subject, a herd of police officer's lead by her father came rushing out of the police station. As quickly as possible they piled into outdated squad cars, their lights coming to life as the peeled out of the parking lot.<br/><br/>"That's our cue to bounce, PI. Let's go, let's go! Mrs. Connie, we'll be back in 40 minutes tops. Can we have an All Star Springs waiting for us both for then?" Connie nodded and scribbled the order on a notepad, ushering the two out of the diner. Eve glanced back at Robert as they crossed the street towards her car, "Rule number one, the police all hate you here. Don't undermine them, and keep your head down; respect them despite the fact that they don't respect you. Rule number two, number one is your only rule. I'll basically be your babysitter while you're here, so I hope you like my company." She shot him a wicked grin as she slid into the leather interior of the glossy black Challenger that was waiting for her in the parking lot.