When we finally said goodbye on the sidewalk, Rachel hugged me with an uncharacteristic intensity. “I love you, Mom,” she said, her voice a little too loud, a little too bright. For a fleeting, painful moment, I almost believed it was true.
I got into my car and waited until their vehicle disappeared around the corner. I was about to start the engine when I heard a light tap on the driver’s side window. It was Victor, the quiet, professional waiter who had served us all night. His face wore a grave expression that immediately set my heart pounding.
I rolled down the window. “Yes, Victor?”
“Mrs. Helen,” he said in a low voice, looking around nervously as if he feared being overheard. “Forgive me for intruding, but there’s something I… I need to tell you.”
“What is it?”
He hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with what he was about to do. “When you stepped out to answer the phone,” he began, swallowing hard. “I saw something. I was serving the next table, and… I saw your daughter put something in your glass. A white powder, from a small vial she took from her purse. Her husband was looking around, as if on watch, to make sure no one saw.”
My blood ran cold. Even though I had already suspected something, hearing the confirmation from a witness was devastating. It was a truth so monstrous I could barely comprehend it. “Are you absolutely sure about this?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Victor nodded, his gaze direct and firm. “Absolutely, ma’am. I’ve been working here for fifteen years. I’ve never meddled in a customer’s life, but I couldn’t stay silent about this. I wouldn’t be able to sleep.”
“Did you tell anyone else?”
“No, ma’am. I came straight to you. I thought… well, that you should know.”
I took a deep breath, trying to force my thoughts into some semblance of order. “Victor, thank you for your honesty. Would you mind if I kept the glass to have it checked?”
“I already took care of that,” he replied, pulling a sealed plastic evidence bag from his pocket. Inside was my juice glass. “I was going to suggest the same. If you want to have it tested, well, the proof is right here.”
I took the bag with trembling hands. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You don’t have to, Mrs. Helen. Just be careful. People who do these kinds of things are dangerous.”