Page 43 of Bennett

No thanks. She had enough nighttime issues as it was.

“Morning,” Belinda chirped, giving Laurel a quick once-over. “You look like someone stepped on your last nerve.”

“Close enough,” Laurel muttered, grabbing two menus. “Arthur and Nelson just came in and sat in your section. Want me to get them started with coffee so you can settle in?”

Belinda shook her head and smiled. “No, thanks, sugar. I’ve got it.”

Good.

She headed into the kitchen in time to find the cook wiping his hands on a dish towel and yawning like he hadn’t slept in a week.

“Morning, Laurel,” he grumbled as Belinda joined them, shoving an order on the rack.

Laurel scratched her temple. “Hey, either of you notice a note taped to the fridge in the breakroom?”

Belinda glanced over, brow furrowed. “What kind of note?”

“One printed in thick, black font,” she replied. “Says something about walking away before it’s too late.” She tried to sound casual, but the tension in her voice must’ve given her away.

Pete frowned. “That supposed to be some kind of joke?”

“If it is, it’s not very funny,” Belinda replied.

Laurel sighed. “So, neither of you put it there.”

“Nope,” Pete echoed Belinda. “And I worked an extra shift last night, and it wasn’t there.”

Laurel’s unease deepened. She nodded a thanks and ducked back into the breakroom.

Before she could second guess herself, she opened a text thread to Bennett and typed:

Found this taped up in the breakroom this morning. Also, something burned in the dumpster. Figured you’d want to know.

She attached the photo and hit send. No name. No “Hello.” No pleasantries.

Just facts.

Because this? This wasn’t just annoying vandalism anymore.

It was a threat.

She stood in the breakroom, one hand wrapped around her coffee mug she’d just filled while the other hovered over her phone.

The message had been sent a full thirty seconds ago.

Not that she was counting.

The screen lit up with a new text, and she tapped it open, bracing herself.

Is Annie okay? Anyone else see it?

Laurel exhaled, tension she hadn’t realized she was holding loosening just slightly. Of course, that would be his first question.

She typed back:

Pete and Belinda are here. Annie’s still at home. I haven’t told her yet. Was about to call.

She didn’t wait for his reply. Instead, she pulled up her aunt’s number and hit dial.

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