The coffee shop's ambiance faded into the background as Blake focused on the door, waiting for the moment when it would open and reveal the answers he so desperately sought. With each passing minute, the tension grew, a palpable force that seemed to press in from all sides.
Just when Blake thought he couldn't bear the suspense any longer, the bell above the door chimed once more. This time, as he looked up, he saw a familiar figure silhouetted against the bright sunlight outside. Dumphries had arrived.
The man who entered the café was a stark contrast to the casual patrons around him. Dumphries wore a long, dark overcoat that nearly brushed the floor, its high collar turned up to shield his neck. A wide-brimmed hat cast deep shadows over his face, and gloves covered his hands despite the mild spring weather. As he approached their table, Blake noticed the tinted glasses perched on Dumphries' nose, further obscuring his features.
