Andrés returned with a clean towel and a glass of water.
He placed both beside me.
"We've secured the recording," he said quietly. "And there's something else you should know."
Javier's head snapped toward him.
"What?"
The manager glanced at the bill.
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"Several additional items were ordered before Mrs. Morales arrived."
I looked up.
"Before I arrived?"
Andrés nodded.
"Our records show that the premium wine, the additional seafood platter, and two bottles intended for takeaway were ordered by your table approximately twenty minutes before your arrival."
Mercedes stiffened.
"That's ridiculous."
"The orders are timestamped, madam."
I remembered arriving ten minutes late because Javier had insisted I stop at an ATM, even though I'd told him I didn't need cash.
Suddenly, the timing made sense.
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Javier had not merely expected me to pay for dinner.
He had arranged the expense before I even sat down.
"How much?" I asked.
