Chapter 5
Thomas did not ask me to believe him immediately.
That helped.
He gave me his card.
His lawyer’s card.
A copy of everything in the folder.
And the sealed DNA test.
“You can choose,” he said.
“I don’t know what to choose.”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t.”
His face folded.
“You’re right. I don’t.”
That made me trust him more than any perfect answer could have.
Maya sat beside me until my shift was officially over.
Arthur Langley had left after paying the bill.
A very large bill.
Thomas had made him settle it in front of everyone.
Arthur also left the cash he threw.
I did not take it.
Maya swept it into a separate envelope and wrote Evidence on it.
She had watched too many crime shows.
She was also right.
My manager, Peter, finally came back to the office.
He looked ashamed.
Too late.
“Emily, I’m sorry about what happened.”
I looked at him.
“Which part?”
He blinked.
“The customer.”
“You watched.”
His face reddened.
“I was trying to de-escalate.”
“No. You were trying to keep his reservation.”
Maya muttered, “Accurate.”
Peter ignored her.
“We can comp your meal tonight.”
I stared at him.
“I work here. I don’t need you to comp a meal. I need you to protect your staff.”
He had no answer.
Thomas stood.
“I would like a copy of the security footage.”
Peter straightened.
“I can’t give customer footage to a stranger.”
Thomas handed him another card.
“My attorney will request it. The man who threw money at your employee is Arthur Langley. The fact that your staff member was ordered to kneel while management watched may become relevant.”
Peter’s mouth went dry.
“I’ll preserve it.”
“Good,” Thomas said.
Then he turned to me.
“Would you like me to walk you home?”
I almost said no automatically.
Then stopped.
“I don’t know you.”
He nodded.
“That is true.”
Maya said, “I’ll walk her.”
Thomas looked relieved, not insulted.
“Thank you.”
I watched him leave through the back hallway.
May you like
The man who said he was my father.
The stranger who had picked up money from the floor with more tenderness than anyone had shown me in years.
