When he brought the appetizers to Vera and her friends, Garner noticed there was a new, and distinctly odd, vibe in the little group. He expertly placed each item, an antipasto platter, bruschetta, arugula salad, tomato crostini, in front of the correct diner, then he stepped back to survey the table generally, to see that everything was okay and respond to any further requests. Vera was smiling a thank you up at him, but the others hardly seemed to register his presence.
Garner remained where he was for several seconds. Two of Vera’s friends were glancing in the direction of the man at table twelve. The third, though he had started eating, had the air of deliberately hiding his actions. There was an unpleasant feel to all three. The sensation of this was so palpable that for a moment Gar
