"Because someone is coming."
"Who?"
She whispered four words.
"People who owe you."
The call ended.
Daniel stared at the phone.
He didn't know what she meant.
At 8:29, the gray-suited man returned.
Robert Gaines.
This time, he wasn't alone.
Two security officers stood behind him.
Daniel looked outside.
The parking lot was still empty.
Then he heard engines.
Multiple engines.
One after another.
Daniel stepped toward the window.
And froze.
A black SUV turned into the parking lot.
Then another.
Then another.
Within thirty seconds, the Blue Lantern was surrounded.
Eight black SUVs.
All identical.
All with tinted windows.
Robert Gaines slowly turned toward Daniel.
"Who are they?"
Daniel shook his head.
"I don't know."
The first SUV stopped directly in front of the diner.
The driver's door opened.
A man in a dark suit stepped out.
Then he looked through the window.
Straight at Daniel.
And smiled.
The man entered alone.
He was perhaps sixty.
Silver hair.
Black coat.
No tie.
He walked like someone who had never needed permission to enter a room.
Daniel remained behind the counter.
"Can I help you?"
The man looked around.
He studied the booths.
The cracked tile.
The faded photographs.
Finally, he looked at Daniel.
"You are Daniel Carter."
"Yes."
"My name is Samuel Bennett."
Daniel's stomach tightened.
"Bennett?"
"Maria Bennett is my granddaughter."
Daniel looked toward the parking lot.
"Then those vehicles—"
"Are mine."
Robert Gaines stepped forward.
"Mr. Bennett, this property is currently under foreclosure proceedings."
Samuel didn't look at him.
"I know."
"This is a private matter."
Samuel finally turned.
"No."
His voice was calm.
"It isn't."
Robert frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Samuel removed a document from his coat.
He placed it on the counter.
"Your bank purchased this loan from another institution nine months ago."
Robert nodded.
"So?"
"That institution sold it to my company."
Daniel looked confused.
Robert's face changed.
"What company?"
Samuel smiled faintly.
"Bennett Capital."
Robert went pale.
Daniel had heard the name.
Everyone had.
Bennett Capital owned shipping terminals, hotels, warehouses, commercial properties, and investment companies across three states.
Samuel Bennett was worth hundreds of millions.
Daniel looked at him.
"Why are you here?"
Samuel didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he asked:
"What did you charge Maria last night?"
Daniel frowned.
"Nothing."
"And her children?"
"Nothing."