Ava's gaze followed Pastor Certain's, her eyes locking onto a tall, imposing figure standing in the doorway. Marcus Thompson, the former gang member, approached the desk, his movements fluid and deliberate.
"I think we've covered enough ground for today, Miss Morales," Pastor Certain said, his voice smooth as silk. "Marcus, would you kindly escort our guest out?"
As Ava packed her notebook and pen, she sensed a subtle shift in the dynamics between the two men. Marcus's eyes seemed to hold a hidden message, a warning, even, but she couldn't quite decipher the code.
The interview had barely scratched the surface, and Ava knew she needed to dig deeper. As she walked out of the office, flanked by Marcus, she asked, "Can I get a statement from you, Mr. Thompson? Just a few words on your experience with the church?"
Marcus halted, his eyes scanning the hallway before responding, "I'll give you a statement, Miss Morales. But not here, not now. Meet me at the coffee shop on Oxford Street at 5 pm. Come alone."
Ava's instincts told her to be cautious, but her journalistic curiosity got the better of her. She agreed to the meeting and watched as Marcus disappeared into the crowd, leaving her to wonder what secrets he might reveal.