Shadows in the fog

Elias Mercer stood outside The Gilded Lily, staring at the flickering neon sign as if it might whisper its secrets to him. The night was colder than before, the fog rolling in from the harbor thick enough to choke the streets. He pulled his coat tighter around himself, his mind churning through possibilities.

Adrian Holt had vanished without a trace. That much was clear. But people didn't just disappear. Someone had to have seen something—they just weren't talking.

He checked his watch. 2:15 AM. The bar was still open, but the crowd had thinned. Good. That meant fewer distractions. He pushed open the door, the scent of stale whiskey and old smoke greeting him like an old acquaintance.

Will, the bartender, looked up from wiping a glass. "Back again so soon?"

Elias slid onto a stool. "You know me, Will. I like answers."

Will smirked. "That why you're always so damn tired?"

Elias ignored the jab and leaned in. "That woman in the red dress. She was watching me earlier. Who is she?"

Will hesitated, then nodded toward the corner booth. "Her name's Evelyn Drake. She's here almost every night. Likes to watch, doesn't like to talk. If anyone knows what happened to Holt, it's probably her."

Elias turned his gaze toward the corner. Evelyn met his eyes with a knowing smirk. She raised her glass in a silent toast.

This was going to be interesting.