I saw her enter the diner and search for a place to sit and I knew I had found my mark. My funds were running low as usual and I needed a way to increase them. She would fit the bill nicely. Every thing about her screamed victim, from the top of her white coif hair to the end of her baggy hose. She was perfect. Most elderly women keep large sums of money on them just in case, and I know just how to relieve them of some.

She shuffled to the nearest table and sat down and placed her purse on the edge. Somebody needed to tell these ladies that a purse sitting on top of a table in a diner is just begging to be grabbed.  It would be so easy to walk by, grab the purse and be gone before she knew what hit her.  After all, that is how I made my living and I have perfected it to an art. But the diner was beginning to fill up with the lunch crowd, so I had to rely on my second method, charm.

I could easily pass for thirty even though I was closer to forty. Some say I resemble a younger George Clooney. I wouldn’t call myself handsome but I wouldn’t fall into the ugly category either.  I was what the ladies called ruggedly handsome but I do have a killer smile. A smile that got me out of many of mishaps.

I walked over to her chair. Smiling, I asked, "Is this seat taken?"

She grabbed her purse and looked up at me. "Why, no. It is not."

"Mind if I sit down?" I grabbed the chair and sat down before she could answer. "This place is filing up fast.  The food must be really good." I flashed her a big smile. That’s right, just keep guarding my money.

She shook her head. "I wouldn’t know. This is the first time I have been here."

This was getting better by the minute.  A stranger in a strange town.  After I relieve her of her money, the police wouldn’t have a clue if she was telling the truth or not.

I extended my hand and smiled, "I’m Alec, by the way."

She tentatively shook my hand. "Emma."

I flashed her another smile, "You live around here?"

Before she could answer, the waitress came over. "What can I get you?"

Emma quickly glanced at me before ordering. "I’ll have the eggs over easy, bacon, toast, orange juice, and coffee, no sugar, no cream."

The waitress turned to me. "What can I get you?" she repeated in the same board tone.

I was getting a little annoyed by the intrusion but I couldn’t blow it, not yet. Not since my funds had nearly dried up.  I smiled at the waitress and ordered a muffin and another coffee before focusing on Emma.

"You never did answer my question, Emma." I asked once the waitress left.

She cleared her throat. "I’m just passing through."

I suppressed a shudder of excitement. It couldn’t have been better if I had written the scenario myself.  Elderly woman traveling alone in a new town.  I had hit the big time.

"What brings you out this way?"  Keep it simple.  A lot of small talk. Woman like that no matter what their age.

"I needed a change of scenery. The last two weeks have been quite rotten for me."

Before I had the chance to respond an announcement came on the diner ‘s T.V.

"The Roadside Killer had claimed yet another victim.  William Boyd, age 69, was found shot to death early this morning. His body was found along the highway making him the fourth victim of the killer the press has dubbed the "Roadside Killer."  Each victim was shot once and robbed, before being left along the roadside in plain sight.  Yet, the police have no description of the elusive killer.  More news at nine."

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Emma shudder.  I saw my chance. "Use to be you were able to drive without worrying about being the victim of a crime."

Emma nodded and eyed me. "Nowadays you have to be careful" she said. "But I still like to help people whenever I can.  It’s the decent thing to do.  You can’t let people like that stop the good in the world."

I nodded and took a sip of my coffee.  I’ll have her hooked in no time. "It’s not safe to drive alone anymore.  They say the Roadside Killer doesn’t discriminate in his choice of victims. Young, old, male or female.  It doesn’t matter to him.  He’ll shoot them anyway."

An awkward silence followed, when the waitress refilled their coffee. For a moment all you could hear was the clanking of her fork and knife on her plate. Thinking I might have gone too far, I put on my most humble face and retched up the charm. "I’m sorry, Emma. I didn’t mean to upset you, after all, you were kind enough to let me share your table." I picked up my cup and my muffin and stood up. "I’ll find somewhere else to sit."

Emma touched my arm. "No, I’m not upset.  Won’t you please stay.  After driving by myself it’s nice to talk to someone who is as charming as you."

Gotcha. "Where are you heading?" I asked sitting down again.

" California."

"What a surprise! I was heading there myself before my car broke down. Now, I am stuck here." I gave her one of my smiles and took a bite of my muffin.

"Is your car in the shop?" asked Emma.

"It was."

"Oh?"

I nodded. "The mechanic said something about a carburetor.  I must confess I know nothing about cars except it was going to cost more to get it fixed then what I paid for it."  I flashed her a brilliant smile. "So I sold it to the mechanic for nine hundred dollars, that was three days ago."

"How were you planning to get to California, then?"

Uh on.  She was smart.  I have to keep my lies straight with this one.  I shrugged, "I checked with the guy at Greyhound and it would cost almost half of that just to get there. So, I was waiting for a truck driver heading that way.  No luck so far."

Emma nodded.  She had finished her breakfast and was sipping her coffee. "Excuse me, I need to visit the lady’s room."

I stood. "By all means."

Emma hurried down the hallway.

"Excuse me, Ma’am"

Emma turned to the waitress who had followed her down the hall. "Yes, can I help you?"

"Well," said the waitress. "It’s just that, that man you’ve been sitting with has been hanging around the diner for a few days now.  He’s sort of creepy, that’s all.  I just wanted you to be careful." She shrugged. "You can’t be too careful these days, you know, with the roadside killer and all."

Emma smiled and patted the waitress’s hand. "It’s sweet of you to warn me but I’m a lot strong than I appear.  Don’t worry about me."

***

Alec stood when Emma returned. "Such manners. You don’t see that much any more."

I flashed her a smile. "My daddy always told me to treat the ladies’ nice." It never hurt to evoke some down home wisdom.   Any minute now she will be asking me to drive with her. I was reeling her in.

Emma glanced at me then quickly adverted her eyes. "I have been thinking, since I am heading the same way, you could drive with me."

Hooked! Now, I’m going in for the kill. "It would be my pleasure to drive with a woman as charming as yourself."

Emma smiled and blushed.  Not quit a killer smile but a smile just the same.  The waitress came with the bills.  Emma quickly grabbed both bills and pulled a wad of cash out of her purse. I watched her pay for both meals and gave the waitress a healthy tip before stuffing the money back in her bag.

"You shouldn’t have done that, Emma, I could have paid." Especially since that is my money your wasting, I added silently.

"You can get it next time," said Emma. "My car is just outside,"

I pulled out Emma’s chair with a smile and helped her up, pouring on the charm.  My smile has never failed me before and with the cold cash she had tucked in her bag I didn’t want it to fail me now.

"You two be careful and don’t pick up any strangers. The police just found another body.  Another victim of the Roadside Killer," the waitress said handing Emma her change.

"We’ll be careful," I said smiling at both woman.  I am always careful. I’ll be long gone to the police could track my whereabouts.

***

She walked in the door and immediately saw her mark.  He was sitting alone with his back against the wall.  He looked the part of a smooth talking ladies’ man.  Chatting up the ladies.  She slowly shuffled to the table and set her purse on the edge.  She found that worked better. Although, she ran the risk of someone snatching it before it served it purpose, but she’s been lucky so far.

She smiled at the waitress and ordered her usual, eggs over easy, bacon, toast, juice and coffee. She would attract another victim as soon as she flashed around a little cash.  Another diner, another victim. Someone always wants to take advantage of an old lady.  She smiled as a reporter told yet another story of the Roadside Killer, then frowned.  She liked him.  He was quit charming and he had a killer smile. Too bad he lied about the nine hundred dollars.  But he wasn’t going to need any anymore, anyway.