Chapter Thirty-Eight

Cafe Girls

Jennifer was very careful not to overdo that night, knowing she had to work the next day. She stepped out of Lunette's penthouse ready for work, disguising her cloak as a raincoat before stepping out into the street. Then she took a short walk through the park to wake herself up before Apparating closer to Kingler's Cafe, stepping in not long after Sally had opened up.

"Good morning, Jackie! Just early enough for a quick cup before you have to clock in!" Sally said with a smile.

Sally always called her Jackie when she was working. It was much easier, especially when Jenny was on the clock, since both of them ended up looking up when she didn't specify which one she was talking to. They even looked a great deal alike at times, Sally admitted to herself, although in recent years Jenny had cut her blonde hair short and appeared to be a few years older than Jennifer. Even the accents had strayed in different directions as Jenny began to pick up phrases and pronunciations from Mark, and it became more obvious that Jenny had been living in New York for awhile.

"Good morning, Sally! Do you know if my stuff arrived in my room?" Jennifer asked.

"Yes, but do you own a very strange bird? Because it looked a little big for the cage it was in," Sally asked.

"Oh, Radiance. Yes, sorry! I'd better go take care of her real quick and get my coffee during my first break," Jennifer said.

"Mind if I come up for a peek at it while we're not busy?" Sally asked.

"Sure, let's go on up!" Jennifer agreed.

"Carlos, Jenny, you have the floor," Sally said.

"No problem," Jenny said, cleaning the counter.

Sally and Jennifer went up the stairs and down the narrow hallway to the room with the window looking out on the street. The moment they stepped in, Radiance cried pitifully from her cage.

"Yes, I know, Radiance, but I simply couldn't have you fly all the way to New York. It would have been too risky," Jennifer explained to her familiar, opening the cage. "It might have looked a bit odd if any of the Muggles noticed you."

"A little?" Sally repeated with a short laugh, then watched in amazement as Jennifer pulled her out.

"I'm surprised you haven't met her before, but then, I do keep her up in the attic during the holidays, since she doesn't like a noisy house," Jennifer explained as the bird climbed onto her shoulder.

"Oh, then how does she like New York?" Sally asked.

"Probably not too well, but I can mute the noise a bit with my wand," Jennifer said, drawing out her wand long enough to do so, Radiance chirping gently at that. "This is Radiance, she's a Huang. Isn't she pretty?" she added, scratching under her neck. Radiance warbled in appreciation.

"Well, she's definitely got a pretty tail... and very bright eyes, too," Sally decided, and Radiance looked at her with interest.

"Radiance, this is Sally Kingler, she's a good friend. And she likes you," Jennifer said for good measure, trying to coax her on her stand. "But I really need to get to work now, Radiance... stop that..." Jennifer said, as Radiance fought to keep from being put on the stand. Every time Jennifer thought she had one of Radiance's legs on it, the other one came off. "Here, Sally, see if you can distract her with some of these dried berry treats," she asked desperately. Sally took the bag that Jennifer somehow managed to get out of her pocket while struggling with the bird. Then Sally held the treats up in her hand close enough that Radiance could smell them and then kept pulling it back as her long neck attempted to stretch out for them, finally being forced to get on the stand to reach them. "Oh, thank goodness! She can be so stubborn at times!" Jennifer said with relief.

"We'd better get back downstairs before the morning rush," Sally said with a chuckle. "I've never seen anything like her, Jackie."

"Yes, they're quite rare. A friend found her for me," Jennifer said, hanging up the Rogue Painting. "I suppose I could have sent her back for Severus to look after her for the week, but I rather think I'd be too lonely if I did. This year has been hard enough as it is," she said. The Rogue Painting gestured, making her smile.

"What did he say?" Sally asked.

"He's just reassuring me," Jennifer explained, walking back to the door. "He thinks I'm doing a good job."

"I'm sure you have been," Sally said.

"Thanks, but for some reason I doubt that's an unbiased opinion from either of you," Jennifer pointed out with a chuckle, locking up and following Sally to the stairs.

"Well, maybe not, but don't forget, I remember what you were like when you didn't have any memories at all. Working hard, soaking in knowledge, and doing what's right is all in your nature. It was plain enough to see without your self criticism getting in the way," Sally pointed out as they returned to the floor.

Leaf vacuums were hard at work outside, adding to the already noisy sounds of the city as customers began to stream in on their way to work. Being a bit too rusty to keep up with the tables, Jennifer was soon put to the task of preparing the carryout orders and helping the couriers sort out their bundles, managing a lone register assigned to handle those things. It was a bit chaotic until she got used to it, and she was quite relieved when Sally let her have a break and one of the other girls, Ruby, took over so she could have a cup of coffee back in the office.

"I swear, just when I think I've gotten used to the machines over here, it seems like they change again," Jennifer complained as Sally came in the office to use the computer to write up an order for their produce supplier.

"Oh, I know, I feel exactly the same way. I wouldn't keep up with it myself if it wasn't for Lucky always stepping in," Sally admitted, Jennifer smiling at that. "But since we have limited floor space here, she convinced me that upgrading our takeout order system was worth it, and to be honest, it really has helped make up costs and then some. Aurelius and I were able to hire some new girls to help up front and get Carlos some extra help in the back. Marlena, our new closer, is a witch as well."

"Oh, does Aurelius still help with hiring?" Jennifer asked with a smile.

"Yep, he says that having him doing the interviews is a lot safer than a background check, although he insists that we do those as well," Sally said with exasperation. Jennifer chuckled at that and finished her coffee. "Still, it's always good to know that the new hire isn't likely to rob us blind. I'm just not sure I can say the same about the customers." Jennifer frowned at that.

"What do you mean? Have you been having trouble with people walking out?" Jennifer asked.

"Oh, no, nothing like that, it's just... there's this one guy that's been coming in a lot lately, and he's always extra friendly to the girls in here," Sally said. "He's commented more than once how commendable it is that we're running the place with a mostly female staff. The way he says it, it gives me a funny feeling that he's up to something."

"Did you tell Aurelius about it?" Jennifer asked with a frown.

"No, it just started a couple of weeks ago. But the guy has been in here every day since. I thought I'd wait and get your opinion on him," Sally said.

"Gladly," Jennifer said with a smile, finishing her coffee and then going back to her station.

Not long after, there was enough of a lull that Jennifer was allowed to take over the bar so that everyone else could get a break in. Tony came in and made his way over to the bar. His once dark hair was almost completely grey now, but his dark eyes were as sharp as ever.

"Hey, Jackie! Great to see ya! I heard you were back for a few days," Tony said as Jennifer grabbed him a coffee.

"Great to see you, Tony," Jennifer smiled. "Breakfast usual or lunch usual?"

"Breakfast," Tony confirmed, and Jennifer nodded to Carlos, who was listening from behind the grill and nodded with a smile. "Sally said you're coming to the Thanksgiving Party this year," he added.

"I sure am! Along with the Professor, Quintin, Leu... and some of the other kids, too, although I'm not sure which ones at the moment," Jennifer admitted with a chuckle.

"Aw, that'll be nice," Tony said cheerfully. Jennifer handed him the creamer. "Thanks, sweetie."

"Anytime," Jennifer said with a smile. She wasn't surprised when he lingered after finishing his breakfast, chatting to the locals who came in for so long that he decided to order lunch as well.

Jennifer could tell that he was enjoying seeing her in there working again. Since he always sat at the stool at the end of the bar, he also kept her company for a while when she was putting together the delivery orders. Finally he left during the afternoon lull and Jennifer had her lunch. Then after a rush hour that involved more takeout than dining room, the evening crowd, as always, were only families around the neighborhood. Shifts changed, and Tamika took over Jennifer's station, while Sally and Jennifer took over the floor. Jenny Ghent watched the bar distractedly, her eyes often landing on the clock as the time for her shift to end drew near.

It was nice to wait tables now that it was only the neighborhood crowd. There were plenty of them that Jennifer knew well enough to recall their names, happily serving drinks and feeling the rust start to shake off as she got back into a routine between the refills and watching the plates come up on the bar to be taken out. They had nearly reached the lull between dinner and closing when the door opened to a man Jennifer didn't recognize, and when she came up to grab some dessert plates, Sally tugged her sleeve.

"That's the guy I was telling you about," Sally murmured to her.

Sally nodded towards a tall, young, muscular man who wore an ill-fitted suit with a jacket that looked too tight on him. His hair was shaved so close to his head that it was a bit difficult to tell what color it was... brown, perhaps.

"Yes, alright," Jennifer said.

"He would come in now. I hope he doesn't sit at the bar," Jenny said as she came over to pick up a tray herself. "I hope Mark comes over to pick me up."

"Feel free to step away long enough to text him," Sally whispered to her quietly. Jenny nodded at that, returning to her customer. Jennifer than took the desserts over to the table she was taking care of. The man stood in the doorway for as if debating where he wanted to sit, his eyes soon fixing on Jennifer as she bussed some dishes from one of the tables and quickly wiped it down. Sally went over to him with a smile. "I take it you want a table tonight?"

"Yes, how about over there?" he suggested, pointing at the one that Jennifer just cleaned.

"Sure," Sally said with a shrug, leading him over and helping with the place setting. "Coffee?"

"Yes, please," he replied, and Sally returned to the counter.

"I'll get it, Sally," Jennifer suggested, and Sally nodded. Jennifer got the coffee cup and went back over, noticing that his eyes followed her all the way to the table. "Good evening! Cream and sugar?"

"Looks like I have enough of that already," the man replied. "You're new here."

"Not at all, actually, it's simply that I only work here when I'm on holiday," Jennifer explained.

"Holiday?" he repeated.

"Yes, my husband and I are partial owners," she replied. "Do you need a few more minutes with the menu?"

"The special is fine. It's a special kind of night," he decided. "Did your husband give you that locket?"

"Oh, yes," Jennifer said with a smile, taking the menu. "To remind me that he's always looking out for me." She walked back to the counter and his eyes followed her as she put in the order with Carlos.

"Well?" Sally asked, prepping coffee filters as an excuse to linger.

"I don't know yet, he was focused on me at that moment," Jennifer explained. "We might have to wait until he gets used to me being here."

"How long will that take?" Sally asked.

"It's hard to say," Jennifer said. "Do you know what he does for a living?"

"No idea, but Jenny might know, he talks to her all of the time," Sally said. Jennifer went out with a round of plates and then followed it up by drink refills, walking over to the strange man last, refilling his coffee.

"Thank you, ah..."

"Jackie," Jennifer said.

"Really? You don't look like a Jackie," he said.

"Yes, it's a nickname. It's really Jennifer Snape, but I go by Jackie when I'm working since there's another Jennifer working here," Jennifer explained.

"Yeah, that makes sense," he said.

"Your food shouldn't be much longer," she replied. As she was walking back over to put the coffee pot away, Mark came in, frowning at the back of the man at the table before going over to the counter and sitting down.

"Jenny, if you can help Jennifer buss the tables real quick, you can go," Sally said.

"Thanks, Sally," Jenny said, while Sally went to tell Ruby and Ricardo on the kitchen staff that they could go as well.

"So what does that guy do for a living?" Jennifer whispered when they were clearing the far back corner.

"I don't know. He never talks about himself, he just asks a lot of questions," Jenny replied. Jennifer frowned.

"I don't like that. Typically, someone that forward also tends to talk about themselves," Jennifer said softly.

"Maybe he's just a private person?" Jenny asked.

"If he was, he also wouldn't be asking a lot of direct questions, because that would invite further conversation. At least that's always been my experience," Jennifer said, taking the plates back and washing her hands so that she could grab the man's order and take it to his table. "Here we are! Do you need anything else? Any sauces?"

"Ketchup and hot sauce," he requested.

"No problem," Jennifer said, fetching a condiment caddy and carrying it over. "All set now?"

"Yes, thanks. Might I ask where you're from? What I mean is, you don't sound like you're from around here," he explained.

"I'm from a few different places, actually. Where are you from?" Jennifer inquired. He blinked.

"Me?" he asked.

"Well you do have me at a disadvantage, since you know my name and I don't even know yours yet," Jennifer pointed out.

"Oh, sorry. Handel Marx," he replied.

"I see. Like the composer," Jennifer replied.

"Yes, my parents were into classical music," he said.

"Did you need more coffee?" Jennifer asked.

"Oh, sure," he said. Jennifer went back to make a fresh pot.

"Anything?" Sally asked, quietly.

"I don't know. He gave me a false name, and he thinks I'm flirting with him. Why do all men think I'm flirting just for asking what their name is?" Jennifer complained.

"They see what they want to see," Sally replied. Jennifer nodded in agreement, waiting for the pot to finish and then taking it back out to the floor and filled his cup.

"Be careful, it was just made so it's really hot," Jennifer informed him.

"Thanks. So you said you only work during holidays? Does that mean you're only going to be here this week?" he asked.

"Yes, just this week, and then I return to my regular job. What do you do for a living?" Jennifer asked. Again, he seemed rather surprised.

"Oh, um... internet sales," he explained.

"How fascinating. Well, enjoy your meal," Jennifer said, and then checked on the other two tables.

"Goodnight, Jackie," Jenny said as she came out of the back with her jacket, Mark getting up.

"Yes, goodnight you two. See you in the morning," Jennifer said with a smile.

"Goodnight, Jackie," Mark added, and the two of them made their way out. Jennifer went back to the counter to where Sally was bagging some takeout orders.

"Any luck?" Sally asked.

"Yes," Jennifer said, her expression unusually serious. "I think I'll wait until after he's gone to talk about it, though. Maybe during closing."

"Alright," Sally said. The two of them got back to work, taking care of last minute customers.

Jennifer didn't want to take her dinner break until after he was well away from the restaurant. Then she only grabbed a burger so that she could eat fast, making Sally nervous when Jennifer kept peeking out of the office door, scoping the cafe before going back to eating. It wasn't long until she was back out on the floor again, helping Sally finish up so they could start breaking things down. She even escorted the last of the customers out.

"Okay, so what's up, Jennifer?" Sally asked. Jennifer looked up to see Carlos and Marlena peering around the corner of the grill as well.

"His name is Billy Packer, a Muggle from Brooklyn, and he seems to be casing the place. He's thinking of robbing it," Jennifer said. Carlos and Marlena both walked over to stand with Sally as Jennifer stepped over. "Apparently he noticed that the restaurant is making constant improvements and is doing a decent amount of business. Also, he's noticed that the closing staff here are two women and he thinks it's a soft target."

"Yeah, normally it's Marlena and me, since we both live upstairs," Sally replied. "I figure it's safer for everyone that way."

"Do you want me to stay after I clean the grills just to be safe?" Carlos asked concernedly.

"No, it's quite alright, Carlos," Jennifer assured him. "Once you've left, we can pull the gate down and switch the Auror security on. He doesn't have a chance at getting past wizard security once it's on, so we'll be perfectly safe."

"So what you're saying is, the only way he can try to rob the place is if we're still open," Sally said uneasily.

"He could try, I suppose, but I doubt that'd go well either, especially if there's someone with magic here," Jennifer replied.

"Well, right now, it's just Marlena and Jenny, unless you or Lucky are working," Sally said.

"I wonder what sort of security Rel has in place when it comes to a possible Muggle robbery during open hours? I'll ask Vallid, she'll know," Jennifer decided, walking over to her coat to find her phone.

"Hey, if Vallid's here, can't she arrest him for even thinking of robbing the place?" Carlos asked.

"No, I'm afraid it's more complicated than that. You have to actually attempt to carry out a crime before a Truth Seeker can act on it," Jennifer explained, frowning as she tried to figure out the right button to push. "On top of that, he's a Muggle, so it'd be their jurisdiction to arrest him for an attempted robbery instead of ours," she explained, holding the phone up to her ear.

"While she's checking that, the rest of us should get back to cleaning up for the night," Sally pointed out.

"I won't be much longer," Carlos said, then went back to steaming the grills. It was only a couple of minutes later that Jennifer walked back over to Sally.

"Lunette says the security during the day is probably fine, but she's going to come over real quick to be safe," Jennifer replied. "I don't think anyone working here has anything to worry about, but if he's pestering Jenny, I would suggest that Mark pick her up every night for a while."

"Yes, alright," Sally said, and they began cleaning up again. "I'm so glad you're here this week, Jennifer, and not only because of the extra pair of hands."

"Me too! It's always good to come back for awhile," Jennifer agreed with a smile. When Sally let Carlos out the front door, a dragonfly suddenly buzzed its way in.

"Evenin' Judge," Sally said.

"Hola, buenos noches," Carlos said as he left. Sally locked the door again and noticed that Lunette was checking to see if there was any coffee left and got herself a cup.

"Hi, sorry if you were in the middle of something," Sally said.

"Oh, no, never worry about that, Sally. This place is at the top of my priority list at all times," Lunette assured her.

"I really don't understand why," Sally admitted.

"That's alright, you don't have to," Lunette said with a smile, then saw Jennifer come around the corner. "Heya, Jennifer! Thanks for calling me. I think Rel probably thought of everything, but I'd rather be sure," Lunette told them. "I especially want to make sure that he put on a charm that took into account Muggle weapons like guns and tasers and such."

"What's a taser?" Jennifer asked curiously.

"They're like a Lightning Glove, Jennifer, only its something they grasp in the hand instead of the glove itself causing the shock," Lunette explained.

"Oh. Those Lightning Gloves are illegal in Britain," Jennifer commented.

"Yes, well, they're not here. They're sometimes used in Law Enforcement, and so are tasers," Lunette explained. "I'll just make some quick adjustments."

"Lunette, do you suppose we can also add a charm to where people outside the building don't see employees leaving?" Jennifer asked. "Jenny's been a little worried about leaving by herself, so we were thinking of asking Mark to escort her home for a while. Yes well, I know, he's not all that much more protection, but at least he's another set of eyes."

"I think both are good ideas. Give me a few minutes," Lunette said. Jennifer went back to work helping Marlena with the dishes.

A little while later as they were finishing up in the back room, Lunette walked back over to them.

"Alright, everything's been upgraded, girls," Lunette told them with a smile. "Jennifer, I'll let Aurelius know about the changes, so don't worry about that part. As for you, Marlena, and Jenny, if he does decide to try something, let the security system take care of it. Don't pull out a wand if you can help it. And if for some reason you do need to use magic while in the restaurant, do me a favor and be as discreet as possible. I don't want a headache or the unwanted attention if the WIAB has to step in," she warned.

"Alright, Lunette, I'll tell Jenny in the morning," Jennifer said.

"Thanks. Who'd like to show me out so you guys can arm the place?" Lunette asked.

"I've got it," Sally said, and showed her out while Jennifer and Marlena hurried to put the last of the dishes away so that they could clock out.