Then Margaret noticed that his phone was vibrating.
Marcus took it from his pocket.
He looked at the screen and immediately became serious.
The message was from his younger brother, Daniel.
"Mom needs the medication today. The pharmacy said the payment hasn't gone through."
Marcus closed his eyes briefly.
He had transferred money to his mother the previous evening.
Something had gone wrong.
He quickly typed a response.
"I'll take care of it. Don't worry."
Margaret noticed his expression.
"Is everything all right?"
Marcus put the phone away.
"Yes, ma'am. Just a family matter."
"Would you like a few minutes?"
"No, thank you. I can manage."
He returned to work.
Margaret watched him disappear into the restaurant.
There was something about the young man's behavior that reminded her of Robert.
He had been hardworking, honest, and reluctant to ask for help.
She wondered whether Marcus was hiding more than he wanted to admit.
CHAPTER 4: THE MAN IN THE WHITE SHIRT
Approximately twenty minutes later, a middle-aged man entered the outdoor dining area.
His name was Richard Collins.
He was the regional operations manager of Willow Creek.
Richard was in his late forties, with carefully styled brown hair and an expensive watch. He wore a white polo shirt and dark trousers.
He was known for being confident, demanding, and extremely protective of his position.
He had been managing the restaurant for three years.
During that period, the restaurant's reported profits had increased.
The regional office praised his performance.
But employees had a different opinion.
They believed Richard cared more about financial reports than people.
He frequently changed schedules without notice.
He demanded unpaid overtime during busy periods.
He also discouraged employees from speaking directly with senior management.
When Richard entered the patio, he immediately noticed Margaret.
He recognized her face.
His expression changed.
He quickly approached her table.
"Mrs. Whitmore! What a surprise!"
Margaret looked up calmly.
"Good afternoon, Richard."
Richard extended his hand.
"I wasn't informed that you would be visiting today."
"That's because I didn't announce my visit."
He laughed nervously.
"Of course. Well, it's wonderful to have you here. Is everything satisfactory?"
"So far."
"Excellent. Please let me know if you need anything."
Margaret looked directly at him.
"I may need a few answers."
Richard's smile weakened.
"Certainly. Anything."
Margaret gestured toward the empty chair.
"Please sit down."
Richard hesitated.
Then he sat.
Across the patio, Marcus noticed the interaction.
He recognized Richard immediately.
He also noticed that the manager appeared unusually nervous.
Marcus looked at his phone.
Another message had arrived.
This time, it was from a former employee named Kevin.
"Did she arrive?"
Marcus stared at the message.
He typed:
"Yes."
Kevin replied:
"Then be careful. Richard knows about the documents."
Marcus's heart began beating faster.
He looked toward Margaret's table.
He suddenly understood why the elderly woman had been asking questions.
She was not simply interested in restaurant service.
She was investigating something.
And he had become involved without realizing it.
CHAPTER 5: THE WARNING
Marcus walked toward the service station and checked his phone again.
Kevin had sent another message.
"Do not let Richard take your phone."
Marcus frowned.
He typed:
"What are you talking about?"
The reply arrived quickly.
"The recording. Keep the original file."
Marcus looked at the screen.
He had almost forgotten about the recording.
Two weeks earlier, he had accidentally recorded a conversation between Richard and the restaurant's accountant.