I know where you work.
I know where you sleep.
You are not safe.
She read it twice.
The words were printed. Centered. Clean. Deliberate. Large enough that there was no mistaking the message.
Not rushed. Not sloppy. Intentional.
Emma frowned.
Dramatic. Anonymous. Corporate passive-aggressive behavior taken to an extreme.
She refolded the paper and dropped it into her bag, shifting her focus back to the day ahead. She had more important things to worry about.
Like a hurricane on the horizon.
By mid-morning, she’d almost forgotten about it.
Morgan appeared in her office doorway around ten, holding two iced coffees and wearing a harried expression that meant she’d already dealt with at least three minor crises before breakfast.
“I’ve got good news and bad news,” she announced. “Good news: Javier arrived this morning. Turns out what he forgot was his phone charger, and he had a dead battery when his rental didn’t start. Had to walk out.”
Emma sighed in relief. Simple explanation.
“Bad news: vendor called,” Morgan said, setting one on Emma’s desk. “They’re pushing back the linen delivery again.”
Emma sighed. “How far?”
“Three days. Which puts us?—”
“Dangerously close to opening week.” Emma made a note. “I’ll call them. We might need a backup supplier.” She pushed her chair back, stood, and crossed to the break center to get her tote. “Let me grab my vendor notes.” She unzipped it and pulled out a folder. Something tumbled loose with it—a folded sheet drifted to the floor.
Morgan bent. “I’ve got it.” She unfolded it. Emma expected a laugh. Maybe an eye roll.
Instead, Morgan stilled. Color drained from her face.
“Emma… what is this?”
“Just a prank note.” Emma flicked a quick glance over. “I found it under my door this morning.”
Morgan’s head snapped up. “You found thisunder your door?”
Emma frowned. “Yes.”
“When?”
“Early this morning, around six-thirty. Why?”
Morgan looked back down at the note, reading it again—more slowly this time.
Her fingers tightened on the paper.
“Emma, this isn’t a joke.”
“I know it’s weird, but it’s probably?—”
