Chapter 5 - The Empty Chair at Table NineThree weeks later, Clare returned to the restaurant.
Clare sat beside his bed.
Adrien waited outside.
When she finally emerged, it was nearly dawn.
“He’s okay.”
Adrien exhaled.
“The doctor said his treatment needs adjusting.”
“Then we’ll get the best—”
Clare raised one finger.
“Careful.”
Adrien stopped.
She almost smiled.
“You really hate accepting help.”
“I hate owing people.”
“You don’t owe me.”
“That’s easy for rich people to say.”
“Then let me phrase it differently.”
He gestured toward the waiting-room chair.
“Sit.”
She sat reluctantly.
Adrien remained standing.
“When you protected Lily, did you make her sign a contract?”
“No.”
“Did you ask whether she could repay you?”
“No.”
“Did you check her bank account first?”
“Obviously not.”
“Then why are you putting conditions on my helping Noah?”
Clare stared at him.
“That is annoyingly logical.”
“I’ve been told that.”
“By who?”
“My attorneys.”
She laughed before she could stop herself.
Adrien stared.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re looking at me strangely.”
“I’ve never heard you laugh.”
“You’ve known me four days.”
“It seems significant.”
“Don’t make it weird.”
The elevator opened.
Lily hurried toward them.
“Noah?”
“Stable.”
Lily hugged Clare.
Then she hugged Adrien.
He stiffened.
Lily stepped back.
“You’re terrible at that.”
“At what?”
“Hugging.”
“I wasn’t prepared.”
“Do you need written notice?”
“Yes.”
Clare laughed again.
Lily looked between them.
“Oh.”
Clare immediately said, “No.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You made a face.”
“What face?”
“That face.”
Adrien looked confused.
“What face?”
“Stay out of it,” both women said.
For the first time since the restaurant, the three of them laughed.
Then Maya arrived.
Her expression erased the moment.
“We found something.”
Adrien stood.
“What?”
“Marcus didn’t get access alone.”
Clare’s face tightened.
“Victor?”
Maya shook her head.
“Victor ignored Clare’s warning, but someone else approved the temporary staff credentials.”
“Who?”
“One of the restaurant’s investors. Daniel Crest.”
Adrien knew the name.
His expression darkened.
Lily noticed.
“You know him.”
“Yes.”
“Business?”
“Former business.”
Maya continued.
“Crest gave Marcus access knowing exactly who would be at table nine.”
Clare looked at Adrien.
“What are you going to do?”
“Turn the evidence over.”
She studied him.
“Only that?”
Adrien understood the question.
“Only that.”
Maya looked surprised.
Adrien glanced at Clare.
“She asked me not to become the problem while solving one.”
Clare nodded.
“Good.”
Maya handed Adrien a folder.
“There’s something else.”
“What?”
“Victor contacted a tabloid. He wants money for an interview about Clare.”
Clare stood.
“What?”
“He’s claiming you staged the whole thing to get close to Adrien.”
“That’s insane.”
“He has debts.”
Clare laughed bitterly.
“So now I’m the liar.”
Adrien took the folder.
“No.”
His voice was calm.
“You’re not.”
Clare looked at him.
“What can you do?”
“I could bury the story.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“Legally.”
“Better.”
“Or you can tell your own story.”
Clare hesitated.
“I don’t want fame.”
“Then don’t take it.”
“What do you mean?”
Adrien handed the folder back to Maya.
“You don’t owe strangers an explanation.”
Clare stared at him.
That was the first gift Adrien Voss offered her that had nothing to do with money.
A choice.
“I want Victor’s employees protected.”
Adrien nodded.
“And I want the truth about what happened released through the restaurant’s official statement. Nothing about Noah.”
“Done.”
“And my name?”
“Only if you approve it.”
Clare looked at Lily.
Lily smiled.
“Your choice.”
Clare nodded.
“Then use my name.”
May you like
Adrien asked, “Why?”
“Because maybe the next waitress who sees something wrong should know she’s allowed to speak.”
