Rumors and Red Flags
Two days later, Clara was back at her favorite part-time gig — manning the tiny bookshop that smelled like dust, paper, and peace. It was her sanctuary. No drama. No CEOs. Just her and her mismatched shelves.
So naturally, trouble found her anyway.
The bell above the door chimed, and she looked up—then nearly dropped the novel she was shelving.
Ethan Blackwood. In her bookshop.
She blinked twice. "Okay. Either I'm hallucinating, or you're very, very lost."
He ignored the jab, scanning the small store like the books themselves offended him. "You work here?"
"Congratulations, detective," she said sweetly. "What gave it away? The apron?"
"Miss Coleman is missing."
The words hit like ice water. "Mia? What do you mean missing?"
"She hasn't reported to work in two days. No calls. No trace." His voice was flat, but something taut hid beneath it—worry, maybe, though he'd die before admitting it. "You're her friend. You might know where she is."
Clara's heart thudded. "No—she texted me the day I came to your office. Said she'd explain something later. That's the last I heard."
Ethan's gaze sharpened, eyes narrowing slightly. "Did she mention anyone else? Anyone she was meeting?"
"No," Clara said. "Just… that weird file."
For a moment, he said nothing—just studied her, cold and unreadable. Then:
"If she contacts you, inform me immediately."
Clara folded her arms. "And if I don't?"
"Then you'll regret it."
Her jaw dropped. "Wow. You're terrible at comforting people."
He glanced around again, gaze flicking over the shelves and handwritten labels. The corners of his mouth twitched—maybe irritation, maybe amusement. "Your shift ends at six?"
She frowned. "Why?"
"You're coming with me."
"I'm sorry—what?"
"If your friend's disappearance is connected to that file," he said, already typing something into his phone, "then you're involved whether you like it or not."
Clara stared at him, half in disbelief, half in exasperation. "So your solution is to drag the random bookshop girl into your corporate mystery?"
He looked up, calm and unflinching. "Exactly."
Clara groaned, dropping her head into her hands. "I knew I should've called in sick today."