Chapter 7 - The Envelope Under Table NineCaleb ordered everyone to search the café.
Marcus said nothing, but his eyes followed the movement of each suited man.
Mia watched him carefully.
She knew that look.
She had seen it when customers complained, when money went missing from the tip jar, when Marcus blamed the newest employee before checking the register.
It was the look of a man calculating who else could take the fall.
Then Mia remembered something.
“Table nine,” she said.
Everyone turned to her.
“What about it?” Caleb asked.
“There’s a loose panel under the booth. Marcus told us never to clean there because the wood was broken.”
Marcus stood abruptly. “She’s lying.”
Mia almost laughed. “You say that too fast.”
Caleb nodded to one of his men.
They crossed the room and lifted the seat cushion. Underneath was a narrow wooden panel, almost invisible unless someone knew where to look.
The man pried it open.
Inside was a metal box.
Marcus closed his eyes.
Caleb opened the box on the counter. Inside were USB drives, folded papers, a burner phone, and stacks of cash wrapped in black bands.
Mia felt sick.
“How long?” Adrian asked.
Marcus did not answer.
Caleb picked up one USB drive. “This could be enough.”
“No,” Adrian said. “Not enough. He has partners.”
Marcus looked up sharply.
Adrian smiled without warmth. “You think I did not know?”
For the first time, Marcus looked truly trapped.
Then the burner phone inside the box began to ring.
Everyone stared at it.
Caleb reached for it, but Adrian lifted one hand.
“No,” he said. “Let Mia answer.”
Mia’s heart jumped.
“Me?”
Adrian looked at her. “He doesn’t know your voice.”
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The phone kept ringing.
Mia picked it up.
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