Dude, I can't believe I killed Hitler! Samantha took a quick look around the small diner to see if anyone overheard Deanna. There were six other people present- a mother and her two young children, a couple in their seventies, and a brown- uniformed delivery driver- but only the mother glanced in their direction. Samantha gave a sheepish smile and shrugged. She frowned and turned away. Inside voice, Samantha said to her sister, but Deanna only grinned, still hyped on the case they just finished.
Or maybe she was excited about the slice of pie sitting on the table before her. It was something called Razzleberry Delight, a multi- layered fruit- filled, cream- topped dessert that looked like a diabetics worst nightmare. The other customers were all eating a slice of pie too, from traditional favorites like apple and coconut cream to more... interesting creations like candied bacon and jalapeno or cotton candy and butterscotch swirl. Sky- High Pies obviously served the best pies within a thousand miles- at least, that's what their slogan claimed. Samantha had opted for a safer choice - pecan- and she had to admit that it was damn good. Maybe the best she'd ever had. Everyone seemed to be enjoying their desserts, especially Deanna, who was already on her second piece of what Samantha thought of as death in a pie tin.
After dealing with the Thule in Columbus, Deanna had insisted they celebrate their victory over the Nazi necromancers by visiting the Sky- High Pies, and while Samantha had been reluctant to come at first, she was glad they had, if for no other reason than it was nice to do something normal after their last case. They continued eating in silence for some time. Deanna put down the last forkful of Razzleberry Delight into her mouth, closing her eyes and sighing. Samantha asked. A few pieces of her pie were still left, but she wasn't sure she could finish them. If she couldn't get them down, Deanna would. Without opening her eyes, Deanna held up a finger. She finished chewing, swallowing, then opened her eyes and smiled.
Best. Pie. Ever. Better than Biggerson's? Deanna's smile fell away and her expression became reflective. That's a tough one. She thought for a moment, and then said, Sky- High Pies is better. Deanna looked down at the remaining pie on Samantha's plate. Without asking, she began eating. Samantha smiled. Their lives were often chaotic- if not downright insane- and it was little thing's like Deanna's love for pie that helped counter some of the craziness. It was such a small, normal thing, but that is what made it so comforting, especially after a case like the last one. It was important that they paused to appreciate everyday pleasures, like a good piece of pie. You know what would go good after this pie? Deanna asked.
More pie? Samantha asked. Deanna grinned. You're not wrong, but I was thinking a cup of coffee. There's a little diner about thirty miles from here called Josephine's, which is supposed to have the best coffee in the state. Maybe we could swing by there and- Samantha's phone buzzed, cutting Deanna off. She had an email alert. Samantha had set up search engines to alert her whenever a news item fitting the right parameters were posted somewhere. This message was one such alert. Deanna's expression became serious. Time to get back to work. What is it? Another case? Maybe, Samantha said. It's a news story from Bridge Valley Indiana. Samantha went on to tell Deanna about how several days ago a truck driver came across the scene of a mutilation murder involving three people who acted like animals, and who'd taken their victims heart.
The local sheriff aspects that it is some kind of cult, Samantha said. The sheriff's a idiot, Samantha said. If you're talking about people who steal hearts, we're talking about werewolves. And it sounds like it may be a pack. Sure does, Samantha said. She flipped her phone into the pocket of her jeans. Looks like that coffee is going to have to wait. How far from here is Bridge Valley? I don't know. A few hours, I guess, Samantha said. Deanna stood. Well if we're hitting the road, I'm getting some pie to go.