CHAPTER 2 One Phone Call Changed Everything
Leonard leaned close and whispered angrily that Ethan would lose his job the moment the ambulance arrived.
Ethan never removed his hand from the biker's shoulder.
"Then I'm done."
The biker slowly looked at the young waiter for the first time, studying the crooked name tag that simply read ETHAN. Something changed in his expression.
With trembling hands, he reached into his leather vest and pulled out a phone.
The crowd watched in complete silence.
When someone answered, the biker spoke calmly.
"It's Cross."
Leonard frowned.
The man in the white shirt near the entrance suddenly went pale.
The biker continued speaking while looking directly at Leonard.
"I'm outside Branch Forty-Two."
A short pause followed.
"I've seen enough."
Then he gave one final instruction.
"Terminate Leonard Price immediately."
Another pause.
"Promote the waiter. Effective today."
Nobody spoke.
Leonard laughed nervously, convinced it had to be some kind of joke.
Moments later, two black SUVs pulled into the parking lot.
Several men in dark suits stepped out and walked directly toward the biker.
The customers rushed to the windows.
The biker accepted one final sip of water before quietly introducing himself.
"My name is Thomas Cross."
May you like
He looked around the stunned crowd.
"I own this diner chain."
