69: Chapter 69 Broke Girls

Shaun Black frowned; he didn't want to be disturbed, so he turned and asked, "What?"

"That building across the street." The tall one gestured with her chin toward the window. "You've been staring at it ever since you came in. Are you a cop?"

Shaun Black said nothing.

The tall one shrugged. "Just asking. None of my business."

She took the coffee to the blonde woman's table and sat down.

The two of them drank coffee and chatted. Their voices weren't loud, but the diner was small, so Shaun Black could hear some of it.

"……Max, how much longer do you think we can hold out?" the blonde woman said.

"Who cares!" The tall one took a bite of cake. "We'll last as long as we can."

"But if we don't have the funds and we get kicked out, what then?"

"We'll find another place."

"But other places don't have the same foot traffic."

"Then we won't open."

"Max!"

"Alright, alright, I'll think of something."

Shaun Black listened to their conversation; he had already mostly guessed who they were, but right now, his mission was the priority.

So he withdrew his gaze and continued staring out the window.

It was completely dark outside now. The lights at the entrance of the clubhouse had turned on, casting a warm yellow glow that looked perfectly normal.

But Shaun Black knew that things inside were not normal.

He sat for another half hour, noting down three groups of people who went inside. Just as he was about to order another cup of coffee, an argument suddenly broke out in the diner.

"What do you mean by that?" a man's voice said, sounding very aggressive.

Shaun Black turned his head.

At a table near the back of the diner sat three men in work uniforms, looking like they had just gotten off a shift, with a few beer bottles on the table.

Standing next to the table opposite them was the blonde woman from earlier, holding a tray with a few empty glasses on it.

Her face was a little flushed, and her lips were pressed together, as if she were enduring something.

"I said, it's time for you to pay your bill." Her voice wasn't loud, but it was steady.

"We aren't finished yet." The man in the middle pointed to the beer on the table. "Look, isn't there still some left?"

"You've been sitting here for two hours. There are people waiting for tables outside."

"Let them wait." The man laughed and turned to look at his companions. "She doesn't own this place, so what's she in such a rush for?"

The other two laughed along with him, and the blonde woman's face flushed even redder.

"You……"

"What's going on?" The tall one walked over from the bar, still holding a coffee pot.

She glanced at the three men, then at the blonde woman. "Caroline, what's the matter?"

The blonde woman named Caroline lowered her voice. "They won't pay their bill and are hogging the table."

The tall one set the coffee pot down on the table and looked at the three men. "Gentlemen, time to pay up."

The man in the middle looked up at her and smiled. "Are you the owner?"

"You could say that."

"Then tell me, why should we leave when we haven't finished our drinks?"

The tall one glanced at the beer bottles on the table. Three bottles, all empty.

"You've finished them……" the tall one said.

"There's no beer in the bottle, but there is in our stomachs." The man patted his belly. "It hasn't digested yet."

The other two laughed again.

The tall one's expression didn't change, but Shaun Black noticed her hands were clenched tight.

"You've been here for two hours, ordered three of the cheapest beers, didn't leave a tip, and how much longer do you plan on squatting here?"

The man's smile stiffened. "Who are you calling a squatter?"

"You." The tall one said.

The man stood up.

He was half a head taller than the tall one and burly. Standing there, he loomed over her.

He said viciously, "Say that again?"

Caroline tugged at the tall one's sleeve. "Max, let it go……"

"I won't let it go." Max didn't back down, looking up at the man. "I said you're welching on the bill. Don't you understand? Do I need to say it in Spanish?"

The man's expression changed.

He reached out to push Max, but just as his hand was raised, it was grabbed by another hand.

Shaun Black was standing next to him; nobody knew when he had walked over.

"That's enough." Shaun Black's voice wasn't loud, but it was steady.

The man turned to look at him. "Who are you?"

Shaun Black didn't answer.

He let go of his hand and pulled his police badge from his pocket, flashing it briefly. "Police. You lot, pay the bill and get out."

The three men looked at the badge, their arrogance deflating by half.

The one in the middle wanted to say something, but the one next to him pulled him. "Let's go, don't cause trouble."

The man stared at Shaun Black for three seconds, then pulled a few bills from his pocket, slapped them on the table, and turned to walk out.

When he passed by Max, he paused, wanting to say something, but in the end, he didn't speak and pushed the door open to leave.

The diner quieted down.

The other customers looked over, whispered a few words, and then went back to eating.

In truth, Shaun Black didn't want to reveal his identity as a police officer, but if he didn't, it was likely he would have to use force, which would attract even more attention.

It was better this way, to resolve the problem quickly.

Perhaps it wouldn't draw any unwanted attention either.

Max stood where she was, watching the closed door, her chest still heaving.

Caroline let out a sigh of relief and looked at Shaun Black. "Thank you, Officer……"

"Don't mention it." Shaun Black put his badge away, didn't engage further, and sat back down in his seat.

He glanced out the window; the three men had already walked far away.

The two people were still at the clubhouse entrance across the street, quiet and still.

He picked up his now-cold coffee and took a sip.

Max walked over and stood by his table. "Are you a real cop?"

Shaun Black looked up at her and said, "Yes."

Max stared at him for two seconds. "Then why are you staring at the place across the street?"

Shaun Black didn't answer.

Max didn't press him.

She pulled a bill from her apron pocket and placed it on the table. "This meal is on me. Thanks for your help just now."

Shaun Black looked at the bill. "No need."

"There is a need." Max said. "Those guys aren't here for the first time. Every time they come, they drink two beers and sit all night, don't tip, and get handsy. If it weren't for you today……"

She didn't finish her sentence and turned to walk away.

Caroline was over there clearing tables, glancing at Shaun Black from time to time, whispering something to Max.

Max wiped glasses without looking up, occasionally replying with a word or two in a low voice that couldn't be heard clearly.

Shaun Black continued staring out the window. Another half hour passed, and there was no movement at the clubhouse entrance.

He checked the time; it was almost ten. He probably wouldn't get any more results tonight.

He stood up, placed the bill under his coffee cup, and walked out.

"Officer." Max called out to him from behind the bar.

Shaun Black turned back.

"Are you coming back tomorrow?"

Shaun Black paused. "Maybe."

Max nodded and lowered her head to continue wiping glasses. After thinking for a moment, she turned back and asked Shaun Black for his phone number.

Shaun Black didn't overthink it and handed her a business card directly.

Caroline smiled at him from the side; it was a very standard smile, the kind that looked like she had worked in a high-end restaurant before.

Shaun Black looked at the two of them, and finally had the time to check the information that had appeared in the golden book in his mind……