Donna's expression changed so quickly that Caleb knew he'd struck a nerve. For a moment, she looked genuinely frightened. Then she straightened her shoulders and laughed.
"I don't know what nonsense that old woman told you, but you're trespassing."
Caleb remained outside the doorway.
"I'm not going inside. I just want to ask a question."
"Then ask your lawyer."
Donna reached for the door.
Before she could close it, a young waitress named Hannah Price stepped outside carrying a trash bag. She'd worked at the diner for eighteen months and had quietly witnessed Donna's treatment of Margaret and Owen.
"Caleb," Hannah whispered, "can I talk to you?"
Donna turned sharply.
"Get back to work."
Hannah hesitated, then continued toward the dumpster.
Caleb followed at a distance.
Behind the building, Hannah lowered her voice.
"Donna's been acting strange since you left."
"How?"
"She had contractors working in the kitchen overnight. They moved the freezer away from the wall."
Caleb stared at her.
"Did they remove anything?"
"I couldn't see. But Donna told everyone to stay out of the kitchen until morning."
"Was her father there?"
Hannah nodded.
"Richard came in after midnight."
Caleb felt a chill.
Richard rarely visited the diner anymore. He claimed his health prevented him from managing daily operations.
"What were they carrying?"
"Two cardboard boxes and an old metal case."
Caleb thanked her, but Hannah caught his sleeve.
"There's more. Donna told customers you stole money from the register."
He stared.
"That's a lie."
"I know. But she's telling people you were fired for theft."
The accusation could destroy his chances of finding another restaurant job.
Caleb took a slow breath.
"Can you write down exactly what you heard?"
Hannah nodded.
"I already did."
She pulled a folded note from her pocket.
Caleb thanked her again.
Then Donna appeared at the back door.
"Hannah! You're finished here."
Hannah's face turned pale.
"What?"
"You're fired."
Caleb stepped forward.
"She didn't do anything wrong."
Donna pointed toward the street.
"Both of you get off my property."
Caleb took Hannah's arm and guided her away before the confrontation escalated.
They walked toward his truck in silence.
Finally, Hannah stopped.
"I have two kids," she whispered. "I can't lose my job."
Caleb looked at her.
"I'm sorry."
She shook her head.
"You're not the one who fired me."
Then she reached into her apron pocket.
"I didn't tell Donna I found this."
She handed Caleb a small brass label.
It was scratched and covered with grease.
The numbers were clearly visible.
214.
Caleb stared.
"Where did you find it?"
Hannah swallowed.
"Inside the freezer wall."