Rossi and Blake got directions from Deputy Kelly before setting out for the truck stop. "It's called Johnson's," the deputy told them. "After the family that owns it. And, they serve a mean po' boy sandwich. A lot of the officers stop there when they are in the area."
As Rossi pulled the FBI's black SUV into the parking lot, they noticed several 18-wheelers parked at the back of the lot, while the rest was filled with passenger cars and SUVs.
"Popular place," Blake commented, getting out of their vehicle.
"Families as well as truckers," Rossi observed as they walked across the asphalt lot towards the door.
Once inside the truck stop, they headed toward the restaurant area and stopped at the cash register.
"Seat yourselves, folks," the middle-aged woman who was standing there told them. "Your waitress will be right over."
Rossi discretely showed her his badge.
"FBI?" her eyes widened. "What in heavens name are you looking for here?"
"Nothing to do with you, Betty," Blake replied, reading her nametag. "We are looking for someone who knows the highway around here. Also, some of the main access roads."
"This is about Sue Ann Harris and those other women, isn't it?" Betty asked. "When she didn't show up for work today, I called her house. Her parents told me what had happened. It's awful!"
"What can you tell us about Sue Ann?" Rossi followed up on her comment.
"Nice girl," Betty told them. "Dependable, hard-working, didn't waste time chasing men. Not like some of the girls I have had working here."
"If she didn't chase men, did any of the men chase her?" Blake asked. "She is a relatively attractive young woman."
"Some of the truckers did try," Betty admitted. "But, she had a way of putting them off without hurting their feelings, if you know what I mean. You can never be too careful. Besides, for all you know, these guys might very well have a wife and three kids back home."
"Did anyone ever not want to take 'No' for an answer?" Blake followed up.
"Not that I ever saw," Betty replied. "And, I keep an eye out for my girls, you can be sure of that."
"It sounds like you are a great person to work for," Rossi complimented her. "What about the other women – Did you know any of them?"
"They probably came in here at one time or another, most of the local people do," Betty told him. "Mary Sue is the only one I remember. That's because she, her husband and kids usually came in on Sunday, after church."
"Okay, that's a start," Rossi said thoughtfully. "Now, back to finding someone who can tell us about the highway?"
Betty studied him carefully. "Okay, but you have to realize these guys might not want to open up to a stranger," she warned him. "Try that table down there, third on the left. Those guys drive the road through here at least twice a week."
"Thanks!"
