But seeing her ex had been difficult. Not because she missed him, or their marriage, but because there wasn’t a day that passed that she didn’t think of her sweet baby girl.
Her heart ached with a pain that never left her. But now wasn’t the time to let the sorrow take hold. That would happen, like it always did, late at night, when sleep didn’t come. She shoved down the myriad of emotions and forced herself to focus on the problem at hand.
Where was she going and who would be waiting for her when she got there?
An hour later, she swung into the parking lot. Her jaw dropped open as she stared at the sign over the front door.
ALPHA MEAT PACKING COMPANY
What the hell? What is this place?
Fewer than twenty cars filled the lot. The front-facing windows were covered with reflective glass, and the front door was locked, so she pressed the doorbell.I miss my weapon.
“Good morning,” answered a woman. “Your name?”
“Providence Reynolds.”
A buzzer sounded and the door clicked. She pulled it open and crossed the threshold. The woman behind the reception counter stood. “Welcome to Alpha Meat Packing. Can I see your ID, please?”
There was nothing in reception that provided a clue as to where she was. No brochures, no business cards on the counter, no nothing.
“Not until I get some information,” Providence replied.
A man walked around the corner. Average height, ebony skin, clean shaven. An expensive-looking suit hung perfectly on his fit physique. “Good morning, Ms. Reynolds. I’m Luther Warschak.”
As he extended his hand, he offered a relaxed smile.
She shook his hand. “Mr. Warschak, call me Providence.”
“And I prefer Luther.” Addressing the receptionist, he said, “We’ll be in my office. I’m expecting another visitor. Tell Felipe to bring Providence’s laptop to the conference room. And to wait for us.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied.
He gestured for Providence to walk with him.
“I’m not budging until I know what I’m walking into.”
“A conversation.” Again, he motioned with his hand. “One I think you’ll be interested in hearing about.”
She didn’t move.
“As you know, your target, Dakota Luck, has become a primary suspect in a murder he didn’t commit, and you’re his alibi. We are short on time and we have a lot of ground to cover. How ‘bout a coffee? Or would you rather grab the one you bought this morning at the coffee shop?”
“You had eyes on me?”
“Ever since you’ve been tracking my number one.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’re about to find out.”
Providence had a choice. She joined him, or she walked. Her career at the FBI had been replaced with this one, of which she knew nothing about.
Time for answers, so she took that first step.
“Thank you for making the right decision,” he said. As Luther led her down a short hallway, he stopped in front of the break room. “The coffee is decent. Care for a cup?”
Her stomach was churning. No need to add more acid. “I’m good, thanks.”
