Hours later I stepped into the café, grateful for the familiar smell of fresh coffee and the low hum of conversation that filled the small space. After the morning, I had had, I needed this—something normal, something grounding. My head was still spinning from all the dead-end calls, and I was starting to feel like I was chasing shadows in a fog. A strong cup of coffee was not going to solve all my problems, but at least it would clear some of the haze.
The line was not long, just a couple of people ahead of me, and I was content to wait, my mind half on the task at hand and half still replaying my conversation with Jacob. Chen Wei, Bruno, Daniel Wu… It all felt like puzzle pieces that were not fitting together yet. But I will get there. I had to.
As I shuffled forward in line, I glanced around the café, scanning the tables and booths. That is when I saw him. Eli Marks.
