"Thank you, son..." she whispered, her voice trembling with profound gratitude.
Stepping back from the register, the fragile, distressed posture of the old woman suddenly transformed. She reached into her handbag and pulled out a heavy-duty, encrypted satellite flip phone.
Flipping it open, she pressed a single speed-dial key and brought the receiver to her ear.
Tears of relief flowed down her cheeks, but her voice carried a clear, undeniable authority that commanded the entire room:
"I found the young man."
She paused, looking warmly at Lucas before casting a cold glance toward the red-faced manager.
"Please come to Carter's Bakery."
Chapter IV: The Fleet on the Avenue
Carter scoffed, shaking his head with mocking laughter. "Calling your family to pay the tab? Too late! Both of you have thirty seconds before I call private security to clear the storefront—"
SCREECH.