Chapter 3 - What Daniel Saw
Daniel Mercer had worked at the restaurant for eleven months.
He noticed Evan because wealthy customers usually tried not to look desperate.
Evan was desperate.
Near the service station, he pulled a small folded packet from his pocket and offered it to another server.
“Put this in the older woman’s drink.”
The server stepped back.
“No.”
“It’s a supplement.”
“Then give it to her yourself.”
Evan glanced toward Margaret’s table.
He lowered his voice.
“She needs help sleeping.”
The server threatened to call the manager.
Evan walked away.
Daniel later saw him standing alone beside the drink tray.
His hand hovered over Margaret’s glass.
By the time Daniel reached him, Evan had stepped back.
Something pale dissolved beneath the amber surface.
Daniel did not know what it was.
He only knew Evan carried the glass himself and placed it in front of Margaret.
“Special order,” he said.
Daniel watched Margaret lift it once.
She took only a small taste before returning it to the table.
When Claire and Evan prepared to leave, Daniel made his decision.
He approached Margaret and warned her.
He expected panic.
Instead, she became exact.
She requested a sealed container, witnesses, the manager, and chain-of-custody signatures across the lid.
Daniel stared at her.
“What did you do before you retired?”
“Forensic toxicology.”
His face changed.
May you like
Margaret looked toward the glass.
“And someone at this table forgot.”
