Chapter 1 — Liam Confronted in the Commercial Kitchen
Liam stood by the stainless-steel prep table in the center of the commercial kitchen.
He finished stacking the last of the heavy round metal trays onto the lower shelf.
His shift ended twenty minutes ago.
The kitchen was otherwise quiet, save for the hum of the walk-in refrigerator.
Footsteps echoed sharply against the tiled floor.
Bianca walked up behind him in her crisp white button-down shirt.
She gestured toward the empty upper storage tier.
“You’re not done yet, Liam,” Bianca said, her voice cutting through the hum of the equipment.
“Finish the top shelf as well.”
Liam wiped his hands on a clean kitchen towel.
“I finished all my assigned side-work and logged my closing checklist,” Liam said.
“This top shelf wasn’t on my schedule for today.”
Bianca crossed her arms over her chest.
“You volunteered to help out with extra inventory,” she said firmly.
“You stay until the section is completely clear.”
The heavy double doors swung open behind them.
Aiden stepped into the kitchen wearing a tailored dark suit.
He looked around the empty prep line with a critical eye.
“Why is someone still on the clock past closing time?” Aiden asked, addressing the room.
Bianca turned toward him with a practiced, professional smile.
“Liam just volunteered to stay late and finish organizing the storage racks,” Bianca explained smoothly.
Liam let out a sharp breath.
He shook his head and pointed a finger directly at the ceiling.
“I didn’t volunteer for anything,” Liam said, raising his voice slightly.
“Go check yesterday’s recording on that security camera.”
Bianca’s smile faltered instantly.
“What did you say?” Bianca asked, her tone sharpening.
“You asked me to stay late again,” Liam said, locking eyes with Aiden.
“Just like last week. Check the footage from yesterday afternoon. It records audio and video.”
Aiden looked from Liam to Bianca, his expression hardening.
“Is that true, Bianca?” Aiden asked.
Bianca swallowed hard, her eyes darting toward the overhead dome lens of the camera.
“He’s exaggerating,” Bianca said, her voice dropping a register.
“Let’s go look at the monitors right now,” Aiden ordered.
Bianca hesitated for a split second before following Aiden out of the kitchen toward the security room.