Chapter 1 - THE GLASS HE WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO DRINK
The first thing Casey Vane did after receiving Clara Hayes's silent warning was smile.
Not a friendly smile.
Not a grateful one.
It was the smile of a man who had just realized someone at his table was lying.
He lifted his crystal glass.
Clara's heart stopped.
Please don't.
Her fingers moved beneath her tray.
The same warning.
Thumb tucked inside her palm.
Fingers closed over it.
Casey noticed.
Then he did something unexpected.
He raised the glass toward the two men sitting beside him.
"To loyalty."
The man on his right, Anthony Russo, smiled.
"Always, boss."
Casey didn't drink.
Instead, he slowly placed the glass back on the table.
"Anthony."
"Yes?"
"Did you choose the scotch?"
Anthony hesitated.
"Richard recommended it."
Casey's eyes shifted toward the restaurant manager standing near the entrance.
Richard immediately looked away.
Clara felt her stomach tighten.
She knew what she'd seen.
Five minutes earlier, while collecting empty plates near the service corridor, she'd watched Richard hand a tiny glass vial to Anthony.
Anthony had leaned over Casey's chair while pretending to straighten a napkin.
Something clear had fallen into the drink.
Clara couldn't identify the substance.
But she knew it wasn't supposed to be there.
Casey looked toward her.
"Miss?"
She froze.
"Yes, sir?"
"Bring me a fresh glass."
Anthony's smile disappeared.
"Boss, there's nothing wrong with that one."
Casey didn't look at him.
"I didn't ask."
Clara nodded and reached for the tray.
Then Richard appeared.
"I'll handle that, Mr. Vane."
Casey's expression turned cold.
"No."
The room seemed to grow smaller.
"She will."
Clara carefully lifted the untouched glass with a napkin and placed it on her tray.
Anthony's hand twitched toward his jacket.
Casey noticed.
"Don't."
One word.
Quiet.
Absolute.
Anthony slowly lowered his hand.
Casey turned toward his other security man.
"Michael, contact the police. I want this glass examined."
Anthony stood abruptly.
"This is ridiculous."
"Sit down."
"I've protected you for eight years!"
Casey's voice remained calm.
"Then you should have nothing to worry about."
Clara backed toward the service door.
Richard blocked her path.
"Give me that tray."
She shook her head.
"Mr. Vane asked me to—"
"I don't care what he asked."
Richard reached for the glass.
Clara pulled the tray away.
And for the first time that evening, she raised her voice.
"Don't touch it!"
The restaurant went silent.
Casey stood.
Richard stepped backward.
"What's going on?" Casey asked.
Clara's hands were shaking.
She looked at Richard.
Then Anthony.
Then the crystal glass.
"I saw him put something in your drink."
Richard laughed sharply.
"She's lying!"
Casey didn't move.
"Who?"
Clara swallowed.
"Anthony."
For one terrible second, she thought nobody would believe her.
Then Casey turned toward his trusted bodyguard.
"Explain."
Anthony's face went pale.
"I didn't do anything."
Clara gripped the tray.
"I saw Richard give you the vial."
Casey's eyes narrowed.
Richard moved toward the kitchen.
Michael stepped into his path.
"Stay here."
Anthony suddenly looked toward Clara.
His expression changed.
Not anger.
Recognition.
He stared at the tiny silver locket hanging beneath her uniform collar.
A locket shaped like a crescent moon.
Then he whispered something that made her blood run cold.
"You're Nora Hayes's daughter."
Clara stopped breathing.
"How do you know my mother?"
Anthony's face collapsed.
May you like
He looked toward Casey.
Then whispered, "Boss, the girl was supposed to die last year."
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