No Sudden Movements
A white van with no markings. Two men searching windows with unknown intent. A friend who appears from nowhere looking like he hasn't slept in days, speaking in farewells, pressing something into Nathan's hands before vanishing into the laneways. Nathan came to Dandy Lane café expecting answers. Instead, he's been handed a mystery—and made a target of something he doesn't yet understand.
The note said noon. The note said sharp. The note said don't ask questions, don't tell anyone.
Nathan has followed instructions. He's sitting where he always sits, drinking coffee that's gone cold, watching the lunch crowd filter past. Waiting for Seth to explain why their friendship suddenly requires tradecraft.
Then the white van arrives. No logos. No scratches. Two men who move like people trained to move that way. One searches the café windows with systematic attention while the other watches. A phone call. Sudden urgency. They vanish.
Seth appears before Nathan can make sense of what he's witnessed. But this isn't the Seth he knows. This man is hunted. Haunted. Speaking words that sound like goodbye.
A padded yellow envelope. A warning to choose wisely. And then nothing—just an empty chair and a crowd of strangers who didn't notice anything unusual at all.
Nathan walked into the cafe with questions. He's leaving with something heavier. Something that's already drawing attention he can't afford.
The envelope sits against his chest. Its secrets can wait. Getting somewhere safe cannot.
