INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
The coffee shop buzzes with the chatter of patrons. ROBIN sits at a small table, sipping his coffee. He scans the room until his gaze fixes on approaching SARAH and STEVE,
ROBIN
(standing and extending his hand)
Sarah! It's great to see you again. And you must be Steve.
STEVE
(shaking hands)
Nice to meet you, Robin. Sarah's mentioned you a few times. How are you dealing with… everything?
ROBIN
(sighs)
It's been... difficult. But I'm getting there.
They all sit down. Robin gets his phone out and slides it across the table, A photo of HARDY appears on the screen.
ROBIN
Do either of you recognize this man?
Sarah studies the picture, shaking her head
SARAH
No, I've never seen him before.
Steve leans in closer, squinting at the image.
STEVE
(attentively)
Wait. There's something familiar about him. I've definitely seen this face somewhere.
SARAH
Who’s this?
Robin takes the phone back.
Robin
This is Hardy, he co-owned a property with Simi.
A pregnant pause. Sarah and Steve exchange a quick, almost imperceptible glance.
SARAH
(getting up)
Excuse me for a moment. I need to use the restroom.
INT. COFFEE SHOP - HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Sarah makes her way down the narrow hallway toward the restroom. As she turns a corner, she collides with a Scruffy-looking MAN.
MAN
(whispering urgently)
Stay away from that man. He's a homewrecker.
Sarah steps back, startled.
SARAH
What? Who are you?
The man walks away briskly, disappearing around another corner. Confused and slightly shaken, Sarah gathers herself and returns to the coffee shop.
INT. COFFEE SHOP - TABLE - MOMENTS LATER
Sarah returns to the table where Robin and Steve are deep in conversation.
STEVE
(nodding)
There's something about that guy that's so familiar.
Sarah sits down, forcing a smile.
SARAH
(smoothly)
Sorry for the wait. Did I miss anything?
ROBIN
(shaking his head)
Not much. Just piecing together what we know.
in the background, the MYSTERIOUS MAN sits at another table, inconspicuously watching them over the rim of his coffee cup.
FADE OUT.