Schizogenesis [chapter 17]

Dora and Ming were about to leave the diner when a knock sounded on the locked front door.

“Who could it be?” Ming said.

“Don’t know,” Dora said. “Stay here.” As she drew near the glass door, she saw Frank Lanier and opened up.

“Hi, Sheriff, everything alright?”

“Good question,” he said. “Have you seen Tina?”

“She came in earlier. She’s worried sick about Dave and the boys. I’m worried about Ed, too. Have you seen him?”

“Those damn government men. They’re not telling me anything. Probably shouldn’t mention this, but there’s one watching the diner now. Be careful.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“Don’t press me, now. I’m stuck in the middle here. Ed’s okay for the moment. You know I’ll do what I can to watch out for him, but it may be out of my hands.”

“I appreciate that, Sheriff.”

She saw him glance toward the back office, but he didn’t voice his suspicions. Dora thanked him again and let him out.

Ming stood just inside the office door, and they looked at each other.

“I know. I heard,” Ming said.

“What do we do?”