Ms. Craig would not have made such a suggestion if the dish had not just been served, untouched.
Raegan looked over and to her surprise, it was Mitchel and Katie.
She was stunned that he would dine with Katie.
As their eyes met, Katie glanced back. She didn’t need to say anything. Her presence next to Mitchel felt like a declaration of triumph.
Raegan felt her heart sink gradually. Only last night, she was whispering self-encouragements to keep fighting. Yet now, not even a full day later, her grip on hope was slipping.
Raegan stopped Ms. Craig with a shake of her head. “Let’s not bother them. We can come back another time.”
Ms. Craig realized it was somewhat awkward to ask others to share their meal, so she dropped the idea.
They ordered some other dishes instead and began chatting.
Suddenly, a waitress arrived at Raegan’s table with a steaming pot of seafood stew and smiled. “Ladies, this is from the lady over there. Please enjoy. It was portioned out before being served, so it’s perfectly hygienic.”
Ms. Craig, taken aback, said, “Would you thank the lady for us?”
The waitress nodded and moved away.
Unable to see Katie’s face, Ms. Craig turned around and smiled in gratitude.
“People are kind these days, yet we shouldn’t accept food from others so freely,” Ms. Craig said, nudging the stew aside without wanting to seem dismissive.
Raegan gave the stew a try, spooning a taste into her mouth. The flavors burst, usually a sign of exquisite cooking, but all Raegan tasted was a bitterness. It didn’t taste good, not good at all.
Raegan glanced up to see Katie’s beaming face, which only added to her irritation.
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Ms. Craig mused, “The Dixon Group didn’t need to say much, did they? Their actions are broadcasting their position loud and clear.”
Confused, Raegan queried, “What did you mean?”
Ms. Craig, munching on some lettuce, responded casually, “I did some digging. Turns out, any company linked with the Dixon Group is hitting snags. Our private investigations reveal it’s much like the issues ‘Crescent’ had at the start.”
Raegan leaned in and asked softly, “Could you elaborate?”
Ms. Craig replied, “Actually, the postponed delivery of products from Crescent was no biggie for companies like us because our intent wasn’t to make things difficult for Crescent in the first place. We were looking for solutions. Now, it seems the companies that were toughest on Crescent at the start are the ones that are stuck. They’re completely immobilized and unable to do a thing.”
In a hushed tone, Ms. Craig confided, “The word is the Dixon Group’s making amends for Crescent. That’s why you’re seeing this shift.”
Raegan felt a jumble of thoughts and abruptly rose. “Excuse me, I need to make a call.”
“Of course,” Ms. Craig acknowledged.
Raegan found a secluded spot upstairs to dial Matteo.