Chapter 1 - Don’t Drink That
The waiter’s hand trembled as he slid the crystal glass away from Margaret Vale’s fingers.
“Ma’am… please don’t drink that.”
Margaret remained seated beneath the warm chandelier light, one hand still hovering above the pale amber liquid.
Beyond the rain-speckled windows, blue and red police lights flickered across the dark city street.
The young waiter, Daniel, leaned closer while pretending to clear the table.
Margaret looked toward the gilded restaurant doors.
Her daughter, Claire, had already slipped into her white coat. Evan, Claire’s husband, stood beside her in an expensive charcoal suit, finishing a conversation with the host.
They were supposed to be leaving for a charity reception.
Only moments earlier, Claire had kissed Margaret’s cheek.
Evan had squeezed her shoulder.
“Finish your drink,” he said. “It’ll help you sleep.”
Now Daniel’s eyes were asking her not to move too quickly.
Margaret pulled her hand back.
“Bring me a sealed container. Quietly.”
Daniel nodded.
At the entrance, Claire noticed the police lights outside and stopped walking.
Evan turned toward the table.
His confident expression cracked.
Detective Lena Ortiz entered with two officers.
Margaret placed the sealed container on the white tablecloth.
“Test it before they change the story.”
Evan stepped forward.
Claire grabbed his arm.
Ortiz looked at both of them.
“Then nobody leaves until we know what’s in that glass.”
The restaurant fell silent.
Margaret stared at her daughter.
May you like
For one terrible second, Claire did not look frightened for her mother.
She looked frightened that the drink had not been finished.
