The Stranger She Chose to Trust
Chapter 2 - A Familiar Story
Julian straightened.
“Look, I don't know who you think you are—”
“Gabriel Mercer.”
Nora felt the change before she understood it. Julian's shoulders stiffened. His eyes moved to the three men behind the booth, then back to Gabriel.
Of course he knew the name.
Everyone who worked at the Bellweather knew the name of its new owner. Nora had never seen his photograph. She had chosen the booth because it was occupied, because there were witnesses, because it was the first place she reached.
Now she wished she had chosen someone Julian could not punish through her wages.
Gabriel seemed to read her sudden hesitation.
“Would you like a member of staff to sit with you?”
Nora nodded.
He asked one of the men to find the duty supervisor. The other two remained behind the booth. Nobody touched Julian or blocked the public exit.
Julian tried his smile again.
“Mr. Mercer. I'm the evening floor manager. This really is personal.”
“Then you won't mind giving her some space.”
“She gets anxious.”
Nora stared at his outstretched hand.
He had used that sentence before. At the staff entrance. In front of a taxi driver. Once to her sister, when he answered Nora's phone without asking.
“She gets anxious,” he repeated, as if repetition could turn her fear into permission.
A woman in a charcoal suit arrived. Nora recognized Mara, the duty supervisor, and finally let go of Gabriel's jacket.
Mara sat at the far end of the booth, leaving space between them.
“Would you rather talk somewhere quieter?” she asked.
“Not alone.”
“I'll stay.”
Julian reached into his pocket.
Nora flinched.
He produced a phone with a cracked green case.
“See? I'm just trying to give this back.”
It was hers.
Gabriel looked at the phone and then at Nora.
“Did you ask him to keep it?”
“No.”
Julian's jaw tightened.
“You left it in my office.”
“You took it when I tried to call my sister.”
The words came out before Nora could swallow them.
For the first time that evening, Julian stopped smiling completely.
