Granny Apples 05 - Ghost in the Guacamole by Sue Ann Jaffarian

don’t end up looking like those guys.”
    Emma looked down at the skeletons dressed in wedding finery but did not relay Granny’s words to Phil.

• CHAPTER FIVE •

    â€œW HEN we’re done here,” said Phil as they made their way from the parking lot to Olvera Street, “let’s play tourist and check out Union Station across the way. As often as I’ve taken the train up from San Diego, I’ve never taken the time to look around the station, and it’s a beauty. In fact, if we don’t feel like Mexican food or lingering at Roble, there’s supposed to be a great restaurant inside the station called Traxx.”
    â€œYou’re on,” Emma told him, linking her arm through his as they walked. “After all, who knows what will happen today, but Rikki is going to be disappointed either way.”
    Phil glanced at her. “How do you figure?”
    â€œIf I don’t contact Felix,” Emma explained, “she’ll be disappointed. If I do and tell her he wants her to sell the family business, she won’t be happy either. It’s a no-win in either circumstance.”
    â€œGood point.” Phil pulled his cell phone out of his pocket.
    â€œWho are you calling?” she asked.
    â€œI’m looking up Traxx. With those odds, we might as well make lunch reservations with them.”
    Emma laughed. “Put the phone away and let’s just wing it. You know how spirits have a way of surprising us.”
    â€œSpeaking of surprising spirits, where’s Granny this morning?”
    â€œShe went on ahead to the restaurant to see if Felix is there.”
    Unlike the day before, Olvera Street was very quiet. Most of the kiosks and storefronts were still closed, locked, and shuttered, especially the smaller ones. A few people milled about getting their businesses ready for the day. Some were sweeping the street, others setting up displays. The quiet held a peaceful old world charm that belied the fact that the bustling downtown of Los Angeles was just a short distance away.
    â€œHere we are,” announced Emma when they reached the restaurant.
    Restaurante Roble, like many other businesses, was getting ready to start its day. Carlos and another young man, both dressed in their waiter’s slacks but wearing white T-shirts, were rolling up security gates and cleaning off the patio tables. Nearby a stack of crisp white tablecloths waited to be placed on the tables along with the usual condiments.
    Emma approached Carlos. “Hi, Carlos. I was here yesterday.”
    He glanced at her, then Phil. Without stopping his work, he said, “I remember.”
    â€œI have an appointment this morning with Rikki but I’m a few minutes early. Is she here yet?”
    â€œYeah, she’s inside.” Carlos stopped working. “Do you want me to go get her?”
    â€œNo, that’s okay,” Emma told him. “If it’s all right, I’ll go inside and find her myself.”
    With a shrug that said he didn’t care either way, Carlos went back to his work. “Doesn’t matter to me. She’s probably with Chef Lupe.” In Spanish he said something to the guy working with him, who studied Emma before giving her a friendly nod and tight-lipped smile from under a thin wispy mustache. He seemed around the same age as Carlos.
    Once inside the restaurant, Emma whispered to Phil, “What did Carlos just say to that guy? I caught Lucy’s name.”
    Phil leaned close and whispered back, “He called you the nice lady who made Lucy go loco yesterday.”
    â€œThat’s all he said? Seemed like more.”
    â€œWell,” continued Phil, suppressing a grin, “let’s just say he doesn’t like Lucy very much and leave it at that.”
    Emma nudged Phil. “Something tells me you’re going to be very useful today.”
    Phil grinned at her. “You mean I’m not most other