Chapter 10: A Coffee Shop Conspiracy
The scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloped Adam as he stepped into the corner café, a small, independently owned shop just a few blocks from the convention center. Wooden beams and vintage posters gave the place a homey charm, but Adam wasn't here for the ambiance. He needed caffeine—and a quiet place to think.
He ordered a black coffee and found a seat by the window. Outside, the city bustled with morning energy. Street vendors shouted, taxis honked, and pedestrians hurried along the sidewalks. Adam's phone buzzed as he pulled it from his pocket.
Adam smirked. "Yeah, because all the world's great conspiracies unravel over overpriced coffee."
He took a sip of his coffee, wincing at the bitterness. "Alright, strategy. Chambers is the key, but he's untouchable. Sophie might know more, but she's already suspicious of me. And then there's Trench Coat Guy—assuming he's not just some lunatic."
"And those would be...?"
Adam glanced around the café. Most of the patrons were engrossed in their own conversations or reading newspapers. A man at the next table, however, kept glancing in Adam's direction.
"Speaking of leverage," Adam muttered.
"Guy to my left. Dark jacket, thick glasses. He's been looking over here since I sat down."
Adam sipped his coffee, pretending to read the menu on the table. The man fidgeted with a notebook, scribbling something before quickly closing it. Adam's curiosity piqued.
"Okay, let's test this."
He stood, grabbing his coffee, and walked toward the counter. Through the corner of his eye, he saw the man hesitate, then follow. Adam smirked.
"Now what?" Adam whispered.
Adam exited the café, turning down a quieter side street. He walked slowly, pretending to check his phone, and listened for the man's footsteps behind him.
Halfway down the block, Adam spun around. "Can I help you?"
The man froze, caught off guard. "Uh... I was just—"
"Following me," Adam finished.
The man's face flushed. "No, I wasn't—"
"Don't bother denying it," Adam said, stepping closer. "Who sent you? Chambers? Or are you working for someone else?"
The man hesitated, then sighed. "Look, I'm not here to hurt you. I'm... like you."
Adam frowned. "Like me? Care to explain?"
The man pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to Adam. The card was plain white, with a single name printed on it: Julian Kane.
"Who's Julian Kane?" Adam asked.
"That's me," the man said. "And I know what you're involved in. Chambers, the tech, the note you got yesterday—I know it all."
Adam's pulse quickened. "How?"
Julian glanced around nervously. "Not here. Too many ears. Meet me tonight at the old train depot on 14th Street. We'll talk there."
Before Adam could respond, Julian turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
Adam stared at the business card, his mind racing.
"You're telling me," Adam muttered.
"Or it could be the break I've been waiting for."
Adam pocketed the card and headed back to his motel. Tonight, he'd either get answers—or land himself in even deeper trouble.
End of Chapter 10