Dinner and the news

The restaurant they had decided on was a steakhouse that had TV's on the walls showing sports programs on some and news channels on others. By the time Caleb and April arrived, the drinks and appetizers had already been served. The restaurant had been **** to add several chairs to their largest table to accommodate their party. It being a Tuesday it wasn't very busy. Upon arrival April tried to claim that she was on duty and would eat later but June insisted she eat with them. The waitress came by to take their order just after Caleb and April took their seats.

While they waited for their food, Caleb looked around the table and studied the dynamics of the group. Hazel and Tina were seated quite close and seemed engrossed in a hushed conversation. June was surreptitiously showing something on her phone to Amelia and Sonia. Amelia seemed intrigued, while Sonia only paid polite interest. Kathy and Chris kept whispering to each other, it seemed to him that Kathy was trying to talk her into something. Katie, who was seated on the other side, seemed to be agreeing with Kathy. April seemed to be cautiously scanning her surroundings and refrained from entering any of the conversations.

Since no one was paying any attention to him he looked around to find something to watch on the various TV's scattered about. He was catching the highlights of a recent baseball game when Katie pointed and said, "Look everyone, Caleb's on TV."

Suddenly everyone at the table turned to focus on the TV next to the bar. There was a picture of Caleb on the 6 o'clock news. The sound was too low to hear but the caption under the picture read 'Stretcher King living in our city'. The scene cut to the news desk and the male and female anchors spoke for a bit then the scene changed again.

It was Melissa Franklin introducing herself. The scene cut away to his brief interview from outside his house. Next they showed a picture of Kathy. Caleb noticed the lack of red tips in her hair and figured the picture was at least 6 months old. The picture of Katie was more recent as she was wearing the softball team coaches uniform.

"Caleb when did you talk to the news?" Hazel excitedly exclaimed.

He said, "She caught me right as I stepped outside to come here. And Mom, "He said to June, "She is even prettier in person. I told her you were a huge fan and if she wanted a follow up interview she had to call you. Maybe you could invite her to dinner in return."

"Oh my sweet boy, I'm going to have to do something special for you if she does." June said. She then whispered something to Amelia and Sonia. Amelia laughed and Sonia blushed, an interesting thing to see on her Caramel colored skin.

Kathy said timorously, "You told them about me?" The way she said it made Caleb think she was apprehensive about the announcement.

To reassure her he said, "Well yeah, I wanted the world to know you're my girlfriend. You're not changing your mind are you?"

"Not on your life!" She declared.

April noticed that they were attracting attention. The conversations around them got quieter. People began looking their way and whispering. Specifically they were looking at Caleb. She noted their waitress and an older woman, probably the manager, speaking and gesturing in their direction. When the waitress and possible manager began hurrying in their direction April subtly unbuttoned her jacket and put a hand near her holster.

She had twelve years of experience in the marshals witness protection program and she had a near spotless record. Caleb was probably safe, but she didn't like to take chances. The closer they got the closer her hand moved to her gun. She glanced at their hands. The waitress carried a notepad. The older woman's hands were empty.

Her attention was torn from them when Chris exclaimed, "Holy shit! Is that Brock the Jock?" Something in her tone set off alarm bells in Aprils head. Her gun cleared her holster as she grabbed Caleb one handed, kicked his chair out from underneath him, and shoved him under the table.

As she scanned the room for threats she took a second to glance at Chris. Her well trained mind noted the waitress and manager freeze but she had already dismissed them as non-threatening. Tracing Chris's line of sight she saw him, but it was just his picture on the news broadcast, the same one that was on the All Points Bulletin the police had out on him.

She holstered her gun as she raised her badge and said, "Sorry folks, I'm with the US Marshals, that was a false alarm. Please, return to your meals." It was all over before most people had a chance to react. She stepped over to deal with the manager, who looked visibly shaken.

When she returned to her seat she said, "Chris, do you know where I might find that piece of shit?"

Chris nonplussed responded with, "How do YOU know that piece of shit?"

Kathy added, "Yeah, and why is that piece of shit wanted by the police?"