That evening at Maple Brew Café, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air. It was a quiet morning, and the few customers sitting at the wooden tables spoke in low voices while jazz music played faintly in the background.
Detective Nora Kane sat near the window, stirring her cup absently. Her partner, Detective Marcus Hall, sat across from her, sipping his black coffee. Both were still dressed in their uniforms. They had taken a short break from the precinct, hoping to breathe before their next case.
"This place smells like peace," Marcus said, looking around. "You can tell it's run by someone who cares."
Nora gave a faint smile. "That's because it is. My mother owns it."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Really? So this is your family business?"
"Yeah," she said quietly. "She's been running it for about ten years now. It keeps her busy."
Marcus nodded, taking another sip. "Makes sense. She's doing well. The place looks nice."
Nora smiled again, but her attention drifted toward the counter. Her mother, Mrs. Ellen Kane, stood behind it, wiping a coffee mug with a white cloth. Her hair was streaked with gray but still thick and tied neatly in a bun. She wore a pale blue apron and had the same calm eyes as her daughter.
Near the corner table, Robert, Nora's stepfather, sat on a chair as his left hand rested on the dog's head, and he stroked it slowly while staring at the morning paper.
"Your stepdad looks peaceful," Marcus said softly, following Nora's gaze.
"He's been better," she said. "He had a bad night yesterday. Sometimes he gets restless."
Marcus nodded, glancing at the dog. "That's a good boy, though. Always by his side."
Nora smiled faintly. "Yeah. That dog's his shadow. Keeps him calm."
Mrs. Kane finished wiping the mug and glanced toward the window. Her eyes scanned the street as if searching for someone. Her lips pressed together, and she sighed quietly.
Nora noticed. She frowned and leaned slightly in her chair. "She's doing that again."
"Doing what?" Marcus asked.
"Looking out like that. She only does that when she's waiting for someone."
Marcus tilted his head. "Maybe a customer?"
Nora shook her head. "No. It's something else."
She stood up, walked to the counter, and leaned slightly forward. "Mom?"
Mrs. Kane turned, startled for a moment, then smiled. "Oh, sweetheart. You're still here?"
"Yes, Mom. Who are you waiting for?"
Mrs. Kane hesitated and looked back out the window before replying. "I was waiting for that young man who walks the dog. The one that helps your stepfather sometimes."
Nora frowned. "You mean the one that comes every evening?"
Her mother nodded. "Yes. He usually stops by around this time. He takes the dog for a walk and brings him back after a while. But today, he's late."
Nora crossed her arms. "You're sure he said he'd come today?"
"Yes, he never misses a day," Mrs. Kane said softly. She looked genuinely worried.
Robert suddenly turned slightly toward them. "He's a good kid," he said in a calm but slow voice. "Always polite. Always smiling. Doesn't talk much, but he's kind."
Nora gave him a small smile. "He helps you a lot, doesn't he?"
Robert nodded. "Yeah. He takes Max for walks. Sometimes he even fixes small things for Ellen here when the café gets busy. Says he doesn't like seeing people tired."
Marcus walked over and joined them. "That's nice of him. What's his name?"
Mrs. Kane hesitated, as if thinking. "Ethan. Ethan Voss, I think. Quiet boy. Always wears a dark hoodie and keeps to himself."
Nora's eyebrows rose slightly. "Ethan Voss?"
Her partner noticed the small change in her expression. "You know him?"
She shook her head slowly. "Not personally. But the name sounds familiar."
Marcus shrugged. "Could be a coincidence."
Mrs. Kane smiled faintly, trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe he's busy at work today. Everyone does sometimes."
Robert chuckled softly. "I told you he was too nice for this world. Always walking that dog even when it's raining. The boy could use a break."
Mrs. Kane nodded. "Still, it's not like him to be late."
Nora placed a hand gently on her mother's shoulder. "It's okay, Mom. He'll show up. Maybe he got stuck at work or something."
Her mother smiled, though faintly. "Maybe."
Marcus looked at his watch. "We should get going soon. We've got a briefing at the precinct in thirty minutes."
Nora nodded. "Yeah." She turned back to her mother. "Mom, we'll drop by later in the morning. Don't stress about the dog walker, okay?"
Mrs. Kane sighed. "Alright, honey. I'll try not to."
Robert looked up and gave Nora a crooked smile. "Tell your boss not to overwork you again, okay? You look tired."
Nora laughed softly. "I'll try, Dad."
Marcus waved at the couple. "See you both later."
They walked out of the café and headed toward the police van parked by the curb. Marcus got in first, followed by Nora. She glanced back through the window one more time as Marcus started the engine.
Inside the café, her mother was still behind the counter, serving a customer. Robert had turned his chair slightly toward the window again, waiting, the dog resting quietly at his feet.
The city outside was alive with movement. People walked by with coffee cups in their hands, cars honked distantly, and sunlight bounced off glass windows across the street.
Just as Marcus pulled out of the parking space, a figure appeared at the corner of the street.
It was Ethan Voss.
He looked slightly disheveled, wearing his office wear. His hair was messy, and he was breathing fast as if he had run a long distance. He pushed the door open quickly and stumbled inside the café.
Mrs. Kane looked up in surprise.
Ethan's lips moved quickly. His expression was filled with apology. He bowed his head slightly, his hands moving as if trying to explain why he was late.
Mrs. Kane smiled kindly and shook her head, probably telling him it was fine.
From the van, Nora could see the scene clearly through the café window. She couldn't hear what he was saying, but she could read his lips moving fast. His face looked pale and tired. Something about him didn't sit right with her.
Marcus noticed her staring. "Something wrong?"
She kept her eyes on the café window. Ethan was still bowing slightly, then turning toward Robert, who smiled faintly and reached out to pat the dog.
"Nothing," Nora said quietly. "Just thought I recognized someone."
Marcus shrugged and drove off into the city.
Behind them, Ethan straightened up inside the café, his expression unreadable.
The coffee shop door slowly closed behind him, muffling the city noise.