Who'll Kill Agnes? Read Free Page A

Donovan, “is why they built Burger Paradise in this part of town.”
    “Well, it is close to downtown and the police station,” said Metson.
    “That’s another thing. It’s close to us and it’s across the creek where the bad part of town begins, but them teenagers, for as long as I can remember, have always preferred hanging out and eating there, right under our noses, so to speak.”
    “Those burgers are damn good, better than Lottaburger.”
    “Hell, anything’s better than Lottaburger. Little kids like to go to that place with all them Chirpy Meals and that playland. But soon as they get away from their parents, they head straight to Burger Paradise.”
    “And Burger Giant,” added Metson as Donovan drove a few blocks south, turned left again, recrossed Magnolia Creek on a larger bridge and headed for Burger Giant.
    “Yeah, but you ever notice? The kids just like to park there for their drinks, fries, or onion rings. Damn good onion rings.”
    “They are pretty good,” agreed the younger officer.
    “Yeah, upscale families seem to gravitate to Burger Giant as the kids get a little older. But, I tell you, if you want a true hamburger, then the best place in town, maybe the whole damn county, is the Cracked Cup Diner over on the south side.”
    “Yeah, they’re good but the only people you ever see in there are old-timers, truck drivers, and policemen like us.”
    “Don’t make sense, does it?” said Donovan. “You’d think everybody would head for The Cup, instead of those other places. Of course them Paradise Burgers are almost as good and who’d want to go to The Cup if teenagers hung out there? But Lottaburger and Burger Giant don’t make sense. Those chain restaurants just don’t know how to fix a real burger.”
    “Maybe it’s prestige. Maybe it ain’t so prestigious to go to The Cup. Hey, you ever been to the Deli-Coffee Shop downtown?”
    “That sissy food? Who would go to a place like that anyway?”
    Metson, who rather liked the deli but decided not to say so to his new boss, said carefully, “Oh, the younger businessmen and women, I suppose. Health food, you know.”
    “Damn crazy, if you ask me. This is a burger town and the best is at The Cup and at Paradise. People are just losing their values, all there is to it. Starting little kids out at Lottaburger and then when kids get a little sense they head for Paradise and Burger Giant’s onion rings, but they get grown up and what have they learned? Damn near nothing! A fancy deli with soup and salad. Yuk!”
    Metson smiled but said nothing.
    After circling Burger Giant, they headed northwest toward Candy Crick Park, which bordered the southern shores of Candy Crick Lake, a favorite spot for teenage couples to make out. First, however, they passed through the trailer park where most of the crime in Magnolia Creek either occurred or originated.
    Donovan drove slowly past one of the trailers in particular. A shabby little wooden fence surrounded a weedy yard in front of the decrepit trailer.
    “Isn’t that where the Tuckers live?” asked Metson.
    “Yeah, half the crime in Magnolia would disappear if we could get rid of that family,” grumbled Donovan.
    “Well, maybe at least get rid of ole man Tucker. He’s the rabble-rouser.”
    “Hmmph. Them boys of his are going to be just like him. And them girls are just as spunky.”
    “Yeah,” Metson agreed referring to the girls, “but spunky don’t necessarily mean committing any crimes.”
    “Maybe,” said Donovan, “but I’m just dreading when those kids get to be teenagers and older.”
    “I think that one of the girls is a teenager already.”
    “Oh lordy. But are those kids going to follow their old man or are they going to heed their mama?”
    “I hear tell that Miz Tucker came from a pretty nice family. How’d she hook up with a Tucker in the first place?”
    “Well, Daryl, I don’t go in none for gossip but since you’re on the force now, you need to know a