Chapter 54 - Chapter 54: The Man Who Vanished

The diner sat on the edge of the old port district. Brick exterior. Faded awning. Neon sign flickered. Coffee sign. Elena parked three blocks away. Walked the rest. Checked the address on her phone. Matched the street number. Pushed the glass door open. Bell chimed. Counter lined with vinyl stools. Booths along the window. He sat in the back corner. Dark jacket. Hands wrapped around a ceramic mug. No coat on the seat beside him. Just a manila folder. Flat. Edges worn. Tape peeling at the seam. She walked over. Sat across from him. Booth vinyl cracked. Table surface scratched. She set her keys on the edge. Didn't speak.