Charlie opened the envelope.
Inside was enough money to cover Emily's medication for several months.
She cried.
Not because of the money.
Because someone had noticed.
---
Richard Hayes arrived at the Copper Skillet at noon.
He came in a dark suit.
Two lawyers followed.
Greg Tanner nearly tripped over himself trying to greet him.
Mr. Hayes.
Richard ignored him.
His eyes moved across the diner.
Then stopped at Charlie.
You.
Charlie stood straight.
Yes?
My son tells me you attacked him.
Charlie almost laughed.
He attacked an elderly customer.
Richard's jaw tightened.
My son says otherwise.
Then he's lying.
One of the lawyers stepped forward.
Miss Henderson, perhaps you should be careful.
Charlie looked at him.
About what?
Your employment.
Greg immediately looked nervous.
Then the front door opened.
Hassan entered.
He wore his vest.
He walked with his cane.
But he looked nothing like the fragile man from the night before.
Richard turned.
Hassan.
Haven't seen you in years.
Longer than that.
Richard's face hardened.
You remember me?
Unfortunately.
The lawyers exchanged glances.
Richard said quietly, "I thought you were finished."
Hassan smiled.
Most people do.
Richard stepped closer.
My son made a mistake.
Yes.
He was drunk.
Also yes.
Then this should end here.
Hassan looked at him.
It can.
Richard exhaled.
Good.
But only if your son apologizes.
Richard's face changed.
My son doesn't apologize.
Then he hasn't learned anything.
Richard turned toward the door.
Enjoy your little victory.
Hassan watched him leave.
Charlie asked, "What was that about?"
Hassan didn't answer immediately.
Then he said:
Richard Hayes was once a good man.
Once?
People change.
How?
Money.
He looked through the window.
Fear.
Charlie noticed something else.
Marcus stood outside.
Watching the road.
Hassan's eyes followed him.
What are you worried about?
Hassan's voice became quiet.
That Richard isn't the person I should be worried about.
---
That evening, Marcus showed Hassan a photograph.
It had been taken from across the street.
Charlie was visible beside the diner.
Hassan was visible behind her.
And the motorcycles filled the parking lot.
Marcus pointed toward a dark SUV in the background.
That vehicle followed the riders for six miles.
Hassan studied the image.
Plate?
Covered.
Professional?
Marcus nodded.
Hassan leaned back.
Why photograph us?
That's what we're trying to determine.
Charlie listened from behind the counter.
Could it be because of Bradley?
Marcus looked at her.
Maybe.
Hassan shook his head.
No.
Charlie frowned.
Why not?
Because Bradley wanted attention.
Hassan tapped the photograph.
Whoever took this didn't want attention.
He pointed at the SUV.
They wanted information.
A cold feeling settled over Charlie.
Information about what?
Hassan looked at her.
About who would come if I called.
Charlie didn't understand.
Then Hassan's expression softened.
And now they know.
---
Hassan asked Charlie to meet him outside after closing.
They sat beneath the broken neon sign.
The rain had stopped.
The highway was quiet.
Why do you ride? Charlie asked.
Hassan looked at his motorcycle.
Because roads remember.
She laughed softly.
Roads remember?
Every mile takes something from you.
That sounds depressing.
Depends what you leave behind.
He told her about his youth.
He had been twenty when he bought his first motorcycle.
He had believed the road would solve everything.
It didn't.
Instead, it taught him responsibility.
Brotherhood.
Loss.
Forgiveness.
I buried friends, he said.
Charlie listened.
Too many.
Did you ever want to quit?
Every year.
What stopped you?
Hassan smiled.
The people who stayed.
Charlie looked down.
I don't really have people like that.
Hassan looked at her.
You do now.
She smiled.
You're seventy-six.
And?
You're not exactly my age.
I've never let age interfere with friendship.
She laughed.
For the first time in months, Charlie felt something loosen inside her chest.
Then headlights appeared.
A black sedan stopped across the street.
Hassan's expression changed.
Go inside.
Why?
Now.
Charlie obeyed.
The sedan remained there for almost ten minutes.
Then it drove away.
Hassan watched until it disappeared.
He pulled out his phone.
Marcus.
Yeah?
We have a problem.
What kind?
Someone is watching Charlie.
---
Two days later, Bradley returned.
This time he came alone.