Ava arrived at the coffee shop on Oxford Street minutes before 5 pm, her eyes scanning the bustling café for Marcus. He materialized from the crowd, his imposing frame and sharp features making him almost invisible in the sea of suits and shoppers.
"This way," he said, gesturing to a quiet corner table near the rear of the café. Ava followed, her senses on high alert as they sat down.
What do you want to tell me, Mr. Thompson?" Ava asked, her pen poised over her notebook.
Marcus leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're digging into some deep stuff, Miss Morales. Stuff that could get you hurt. You need to be careful."
Ava's heart quickened as she sensed the gravity of Marcus's words. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, Pastor Certain isn't who you think he is," Marcus said, his eyes darting around the café. "He's got a web of influence, connections that go way beyond the church. You're poking at a hornet's nest, Miss Morales. You need to watch your back."
Suddenly, a shadow fell across their table, and Ava's head jerked up to face a tall, imposing figure – one of the Inner Circle, the onetime addict, hovering over them.
"Time to go, Miss Morales," Marcus said, his voice firm. "Our conversation's over."
As Ava gathered her things, the addict's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze sending a shiver down her spine. "You shouldn't be here," he hissed, his voice barely audible. "You shouldn't be asking questions."
Ava knew she'd stumbled into something much darker than she'd initially suspected. She was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost...