“Sammy might hear about this at daycare today. Should I keep her home?”
“I don’t want her life to change because mine has. Let’s send her today and see what happens. I can’t imagine the other kids’ parents know who I am.”
Miranda chuckled. “Everyone knows who you are. You’re a local celeb from the days when you and Juanita did those TV commercials. I’ll be even more vigilant to keep Sammy safe.”
“I know you will.”
When Sammy returned, Dakota kissed the top of her head. “Have a fun day at school, Sammy Lynn.”
Dakota took off before they saw the graffiti on his truck. On the way to the auto body shop, he made a call.
“I turn on the news this morning and see a story about a dead body in the Potomac,” Luther barked, “and your name is mentioned because of some video that’s been trending since Saturday. It’s too early in the day for a damn headache, Dakota. You want to tell me what the hell is going on?”
“We need to talk, in person. Meet me at Precision Auto Body.”
“I’m on my way to the Pentagon.”
“Trust me, this can’t wait.”
“Ah, hell. Give me the address.”
Dakota finished the drive in silence, unable to shake the anger that had burrowed into him like a tick.
His relationship with Luther Warschak spanned decades. In addition to being Dakota’s late dad’s best friend, Luther was Dakota’s godfather. Luther and his wife rarely missed Dakota’s high school football games. They’d been there for his graduations from high school and from Harvard. Luther had been there when Dakota buried his beloved dad, when Sammy was born, and six months later, when Beth went missing.
Their relationship had changed when Luther shared his greatest secret. Luther Warschak ran ALPHA, a top-secret government organization that had been formed decades earlier to hunt down the country’s most violent criminals and eliminate them…for good. When Luther needed Dakota’s help, Dakota stepped up and offered an assist to the man who had supported him his entire life.
As Dakota parked at the auto body shop, his phone rang with a call from Marcus. “Hey, Marcus.”
“I saw the video. How are we handling your security going forward?”
“Business as usual.”
“Not loving that idea. What about your six?”
“Marcus, I’ve got this.”
“You want me to put a detail on Sammy and Miranda?”
Silence.
“Dakota?”
“Sammy is at daycare on Mondays and Thursdays. Assign someone on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I’ll tell Miranda.”
“Got it. If you need anything else, let me know.”
“Hey, Marcus. Thanks.”
“You betcha.” Marcus hung up.
Luther pulled into the lot, made his way over to Dakota’s truck, and stopped short. Always dressed in tailored suits, he kept his afro cropped and his face clean shaven. As Luther eyed the graffiti, Dakota exited his truck.
“Dammit. This isn’t good,” Luther said before glancing around. “I don’t like you hanging outside like this.”
“I’ve got my vest on and I’m carrying. Whoever did this isn’t going to take me out in broad daylight. This is a psychological move designed to scare me. I’m not scared.”
“I’ll be waiting in my vehicle. Do you have a rental car lined up?”
