The Border: The Complete Series Read Online Free Page B

otherwise you come out looking a bit weird.”
    “Well...” The stranger turned and watched as Joe shuffled over to the door marked 'Gentlemen' and disappeared inside. “Yeah, I guess that's a good point.” Sighing, he looked down at his glass. “Yeah. I definitely talk too much.”
    “Can I give you some advice?” Mel asked, glancing at him. “I guess if you're new in town, you don't know, but... Just let Joe be, okay? Leave him alone.”
    “I am letting him be,” the stranger replied. “Just thought I'd make a little conversation, that's all.” He glanced over his shoulder, taking a look around the empty bar. There were a couple of booths over on the far side, with neon signs above them, and someone sometime had thought to hang some flashing, multi-colored fairy-lights from the ceiling. “I've gotta admit,” he added with a sigh, “I figured this place'd be a little more rockin', you know? I've never seen a place so lit up, but with so few people inside.”
    “It's December 11 th ,” she told him. “Bowley tends to be a little quiet on December 11 th .”
    “Is that right?” He paused. “Any reason?”
    She finished counting the money and then closed the register, clearly feeling a little uncomfortable. “It's an anniversary,” she said after a moment. “One people round here don't really like to think about.”
    He raised a quizzical eyebrow.
    Glancing at the bathroom door, Mel seemed keen to make sure that Joe didn't come back too soon and overhear the conversation.
    “I don't wanna step on any toes,” the stranger continued. “If there's something I oughta keep away from, though, I'd sure like to know what it is so I can do a better job than I've been doing so far. 'Cause right now I feel like I just stepped right in the middle of the salad.”
    She paused. “It doesn't matter. Just -”
    Before she could finish, her phone rang and she grabbed it so fast, it was clear she was grateful for the interruption.
    “Mel at the Monument,” she said, flashing a smile at the stranger before turning away. “Hey, how are you doing?”
    The stranger watched the back of her head as she took a couple of steps away.
    “Yeah, I spoke to him,” she continued. “No, sorry, he said there's nothing going at the moment.” She paused. “I don't have a clue, to be honest. I don't think there are many jobs going anywhere. Maybe you could try -” Another pause, and this time she sounded a little more stressed when she spoke again. “No, I told you, I asked him and there's nothing. Katie, I think -” She sighed. “Katie, I didn't promise anything, except that I'd ask. I asked and he said no. I wish I could do more for you, but -”
    She looked down at her phone.
    “Well screw you too,” she muttered.
    “Something wrong?” the stranger asked.
    “Just someone looking for a job,” she replied, turning to him as she set her phone next to the register. “It's not the best time to be out of work.”
    “Not many options in a town like this, huh?”
    “That's an understatement,” she replied. “Sorry, I shouldn't have... I mean, I'm just a little on edge, 'cause -”
    “December 11 th ?” the stranger suggested.
    “Exactly.”
    “So what happened here on December 11 th ?” he asked, picking up a cardboard bar-mat and starting to tear little pieces away. “If you don't mind me asking, that is.”
    “It was a long time ago.”
    “So why's everyone still jumpy about it?”
    She paused. “Someone died. That's all.”
    “Oh.” His eyes widened as he began to make a little pile from the torn pieces of cardboard. “Someone died , huh? Doesn't get much worse than that.”
    “Yeah,” Mel said, glancing at the bathroom door as if she was worried about Joe overhearing them. “People don't exactly feel like doing much on the anniversary. That's all.”
    “Except yer man right here,” the stranger replied, glancing at Joe's glass.
    “It's different for him.”
    “It is?”
    “He...” Another