Page 69 of The Coffee Bar on Camellia Court

"Of course not, Juniper." Leonard's voice was firm. "I wouldn't do that to you or your business."

The tension in the hallway was palpable. Alex could see Juno's struggle playing out on her face, wanting to believe her father, not wanting to doubt Alex.

"If you're so sure," Alex pressed, "then empty your pockets."

Leonard's eyes narrowed, but he reached into his pockets and turned them inside out. Keys, a handkerchief, some loose change, and a pack of mints tumbled into his palm. "Satisfied?"

Alex wasn't. He'dseenit, plain as day. But if Leonard had taken something, where was it now?

Juno looked troubled. "Alex, are you absolutely sure about what you saw?"

"Yes." He met her eyes, willing her to believe him. "He had his hand inside her bag."

Juno's jaw tightened, and Alex could see her weighing her options. Finally, she sighed. "I need to check this out. I can't just ignore an accusation like this. You two wait right here."

She turned and headed back into the main area of the coffee shop. Alex and Leonard stayed put, a tense silence between them. Juno approached the woman's table, her professional smile firmly in place.

"Mrs. Harrison? I'm so sorry to bother you, but I need to ask you something." Her voice was pitched low, discreet. "Could you please check your bag to make sure nothing is missing? There was a... concern."

Mrs. Harrison looked surprised but obliged, opening her tote and rifling through it. "My wallet is here," she said, pulling it out. "And my keys." She continued her search, producing a tablet, a small makeup bag, and a paperback novel. "Everything seems to be in order."

"You're sure?" Juno pressed gently. "Nothing else that might have been taken?"

Mrs. Harrison gave her a puzzled look. "No, dear. Everything's accounted for."

Juno's shoulders sagged with relief, but her eyes held a hint of embarrassment. "I'm so sorry to have bothered you. Please consider your order on the house today."

"That's not necessary," Mrs. Harrison protested, but Juno insisted.

When she returned to where Alex and Leonard waited, her expression had hardened.

Leonard shrugged, a ghost of smugness crossing his features. "Like I said, I didn't take anything."

Alex felt a swell of frustration. "I know what I saw."

"Apparently not," Leonard countered. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do." He headed back toward the utility closet, his posture radiating vindication.

Juno watched him go, then turned to Alex. "Come with me."

She led him through the kitchen, past a startled Trevor, and out the back door into the alley behind the coffee shop. The afternoon heat hit them like a wall as the door swung shut behind them.

Juno whirled to face him, her eyes flashing. "What was that about?"

"I told you—"

"No, Alex. I want to know why you're so determined to think the worst of my father." Her voice trembled slightly. "Do you have any idea how humiliating that was? Having to ask Mrs. Harrison to check her bag like that? She's been coming to my shop for years."

"I'm sorry about that," Alex said, genuinely meaning it. "But I know what I saw, Juno. He had his hand in her bag."

"He picked it up to hand it to her!"

"No." Alex shook his head emphatically. "He took something. I don't know where he hid it, but he took something."

Juno crossed her arms. "Why? Why would he do that? He's got a stable job, a place to stay. What would be the point of risking all that to steal from my customers?"

Alex didn't have a good answer, just the certainty of what he'd witnessed. "I don't know. But people with addiction problems don't always make rational choices."

"Why is it so impossible for you to believe that my father has changed? Why doesn't he deserve a second chance?"

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