Chapter 2: The Name That Broke Him
Part 2 — continued below ⬇️
Christopher didn't answer.
He just stood there, gripping the edge of the counter like the floor had shifted beneath him.
The stranger didn't raise his voice.
He didn't need to.
"I'll ask again.
Victoria L.
Does that name mean anything to you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Christopher's voice came out thin.
"That's interesting." The stranger reached into his coat and placed a small photograph on the counter.
"Because she was my sister.
And this —" he tapped the photo — "was her dog."
The whole cafe went quiet.
I looked down at Benny.
My hands had started to shake.
"She left him to a shelter when she passed," the stranger said.
"She also left a few other things.
Documents.
Signed.
Notarized." He paused.
"And a letter.
Addressed to the city licensing board."
Christopher's jaw tightened.
"You can't come in here and —"
"I already did." The stranger turned to me gently.
"Please sit down.
You're still pale."
A waitress near the back had stopped moving entirely.
Two customers at the window table were watching with their coffees forgotten.
Christopher looked at the photograph one more time.
Then he looked at Benny.
Something behind his eyes cracked open — and it wasn't guilt.
It was fear.
---
What is in that letter — and what did Christopher do to Victoria?
The full truth is darker than anyone in that cafe expected.
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