Chapter 2 - THE COUNTDOWN

"Just a mistake," Evelyn breathed, shoving past Gilbert with a fresh pot of coffee. It was 8:53. Her pulse was a deafening drum in her ears. She approached Table Four from the blind side, sliding a fresh saucer beside Lorenzo. Beneath the porcelain, the crumpled napkin lay hidden. His dark, dead eyes flicked to her trembling wrist, then down to the scribbled warning. Evelyn didn't wait for the reaction. She turned on her heel, fighting the urge to sprint, and melted into the shadows of the service hallway.