Chapter 4 - The Waiter's Secret
The injured man screamed in agony and dropped instantly to his knees.
The tall man with the wrench swung the heavy weapon wildly at Eli's head.
Eli ducked smoothly and delivered a devastating, lightning-fast punch to the man's ribs.
The tall man collapsed onto the hardwood floor gasping desperately for air.
Maddie stared at the young waiter with her mouth hanging wide open.
Frank was clutching his chest, breathing heavily in absolute terror.
Eli casually adjusted his crisp white dress shirt and rolled up his sleeves.
"I strongly suggest you both leave this property before I get actually angry."
The two bruised men scrambled clumsily to their feet and ran out the front doors.
Maddie looked at the faint smears of blood on Eli's bruised knuckles.
"Who exactly are you?"
Eli picked up a clean white napkin and wiped his hands carefully.
"My full name is Elias Thorne."
"I serve fancy appetizers on the weekends to clear my head."
"During the week, I work as a private investigator specializing in corporate fraud."
Maddie shook her head in sheer disbelief.
"You are an actual financial detective?"
"I track missing, stolen, and hidden assets for very wealthy clients."
"It seems like you are currently missing some highly valuable assets of your own."
Frank groaned in pain and slumped heavily into one of the empty guest chairs.
"Those violent men are going to take my house, Maddie."
"Tyler promised me the bank loan was just a temporary formality."
Maddie looked down at the cheap burner phone still resting on the tablecloth.
"Can a financial detective track where this prepaid phone is communicating?"
Elias picked up the cheap plastic device and examined it closely.
"I certainly can, but I require a secure computer."
"The venue manager has a private office down the hall," Maddie suggested quickly.
Elias nodded sharply and tossed his bloodied napkin onto the silver tray.
"Let us go pay his office a very sudden visit."
Maddie gathered the heavy, expensive layers of her wedding dress into her arms.
They marched quickly down the quiet, carpeted hallway toward the administrative wing.
May you like
Maddie pushed the heavy oak office door wide open.
The venue manager was tied to his own desk chair with thick duct tape completely covering his mouth.
