A bloodcurdling scream pierced the brief silence that ensued after the hit. It was followed by other screams. Several tables tumbled and dishes shattered to the ground as the diners ran helter-skelter in horror.

Zara had already fallen to the floor. And Scott was now crouching over her body. Meters away, the strange man lay on his side with his eyes wide open as if someone had stuck glue on his eyelids. His hat had been knocked off. Now, blood seeped out of the hole in his head. Soon, there was a red streak over his forehead.

"Somebody call 911!" a lady who was under a table shouted. No one...