CHAPTER 2 — THE PHONE CALL
Outside, the old man stopped on the sidewalk.
Cars passed.
People hurried by.
The city moved as if nothing had happened.
Slowly, he reached into his coat pocket.
He pulled out a small black phone.
Then dialed a number from memory.
Inside the store, the employees watched through the glass.
Still laughing.
Still recording.
The call lasted less than a minute.
No shouting.
No threats.
No anger.
Just a calm conversation.
Then the old man ended the call.
He slipped the phone back into his pocket.
And turned toward the store.
The smile was gone.
Something else had replaced it.
Something cold.
Something powerful.
Something that made a few customers suddenly nervous.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
And suddenly...
Several black SUVs entered the parking lot.
The employees stopped laughing.
Nobody knew why.
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But everyone felt it.
Something was coming.
