“This proves nothing.
I hired a temporary worker.
He could have done anything without my knowledge.”
“You did not hire him,” Mara said.
Every face turned toward her.
The manager’s eyes narrowed.
“You have already caused enough damage tonight.”
Mara reached into her apron, then remembered she had left it in the locker room.
Her order pad was still in her back pocket.
She pulled it out and opened to the final page.
She had written the evening’s times there while pretending to total table checks.
8:37 — table six changed.
8:49 — second bodyguard receives message.
8:57 — bodyguard enters hall.
9:02 — man in Cubs jacket touches right side.
9:17 — glass.
The manager stared at the page.
Mara looked at Dominic.
“Your reservation was originally for table three.”
Dominic’s expression did not change, but his bodyguard turned toward the manager.
Mara continued.
“Table three faces the bar.
It also has a clear view of both exits.
Two hours before Mr.
Vale arrived, the manager moved him to table six.”
“Because table three had a broken chair,” the manager said quickly.
“No, it didn’t.
I served a couple there at seven.”
Denise finally raised her head.
“She did,” she said.
Her voice shook, but she kept going.
“I reset the table after they left.
There was nothing wrong with the chair.”
The manager pointed at her.
“Think carefully about what you are saying.”
Denise flinched.
Mara stepped between them.
“She is saying you lied.”
The manager’s face hardened.
“Both of you are fired.”
Dominic almost smiled.
“You are still giving orders,” he said.
“That is interesting.”
The private dining room door opened again.
Two uniformed building-security officers entered, followed by the general manager of the hotel that owned The Meridian’s space.
The hotel manager carried a sealed plastic evidence bag containing a phone.
The restaurant manager looked at the phone and finally released the chair.
Dominic’s bodyguard explained that the device had been taken from the gunman in the Cubs jacket.
Building security had secured him in an office until police arrived.
No one had beaten him.
No one had threatened him.
Dominic had insisted that every step be witnessed and recorded.
That surprised Mara more than anything else.
Dominic noticed her expression.
“Violence would make his story about me,” he said quietly.
“Evidence makes it about the people who hired him.”
