Even the best resources were at times tossed away. Wallace wouldn’t hesitate to find him self another accountant. Finding one as talented as Mr. Raspberry might take some time though. “That’s why,” Dakota offered, “when we’re done I would rush home, pack up my little family and disappear.”
Raspberry shot him a look. “How am I supposed to do that? You can’t give me witness protection.”
Dakota shrugged. “True. But that nest egg you’ve been building all these years should take care of you and your family quite nicely for the rest of your lives. You’re a man of above-average intelligence, I’m certain you’ll find the perfect place to become invisible.”
Raspberry had no rebuttal for Dakota’s suggestions.
Downtown Chicago came into view. They were close now. Dakota checked his wristwatch. Right on time.
“This is insane. You’ll never get away with this.”
“I guess we’ll know soon enough.” The subject had grown boring.
“If he doesn’t have you exterminated like a bug,” Raspberry warned, “you’ll spend the rest of your life in prison.”
Dakota had to laugh at that one. “I don’t think your boss is going to call the police.”
“He…he…” Raspberry’s face turned as red as the succulent fruit his forefathers had no doubt grown, earning the surname. “He has friends in high places in law enforcement.”
“An official investigation is the last thing your boss would want,” Dakota countered. “I’m certain you’re aware of the extent to which he goes in order to cover his illegal activities.” Raspberry was a master at fixing the books. Wallace had experts all around him, shielding his every move. He wouldn’t like this one little bit, but unless he could resolve it without involving the police, he would take it like a loss in the stock market. This was the risk one took when gambling with the highest stakes.
“Who are you?” Raspberry braked at a light and dared to meet Dakota’s eyes.
Dakota could tell him that he was an Equalizer and that he was here to equalize the situation, but he wouldn’t. “I’m the man who’s giving you a chance to do the right thing, Darnell.”
“It’s probably the last thing I’ll do,” he mumbled.
Possibly. That, too, was the chance a man took when he chose the dark side.
Dakota knew this from experience.
Problem was, once a man crossed that line, finding his way back was not a straight or an easy path. The line was blurred, the way obscured.
And nothing ever looked the same through the haze that lingered after that waltz on the dark side.
Not even in the bright light of day.
Chapter Two
Colby Agency
6:45 a.m.
Lucky Malone stopped on the sidewalk and peered up at the gleaming building before her. Her pulse scrambled with the pounding in her chest.
She really worked here.
A smile spread across her lips.
The Colby Agency.
Her life was perfect now.
Absolutely perfect.
“You’ll get over that soon enough.”
Lucky turned to the man who’d spoken. Lucas Camp. The Lucas Camp. She recaptured the breath that had rushed from her lungs at the sound of his voice and her lips stretched back into that big smile without any prompting. “Good morning, Mr. Camp.” Good grief, she must look like a total idiot standing out here staring up at the building this way.
His wise gray eyes glittered with mirth but his lips never even twitched. “Good morning, Ms. Malone.” He gave her a quick once-over and nodded in approval. “You look fully prepared to launch into your second week on the job with Victoria.”
“I’m looking forward to the challenge, sir.”
For one long moment he studied her, as if assessing the comment.
Fear banded around her chest. “I mean the opportunity. I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
This time Mr. Camp smiled. “I know what you mean.” He touched a hand to her elbow. “Come along and let’s see if Mildred has a pot of her famous coffee brewed already. Maybe Simon or Ian showed up with donuts.”
“That would be nice.” Lucky had to work extra hard to keep those donuts and pastries she loved from showing on her hips. There was nothing in the world like a warm, gooey, sweet donut with coffee.
She entered the lobby with Mr. Camp. Flashing a smile for security as she passed, she boarded the waiting elevator car. Mr. Camp stepped in right behind her and selected the fourth floor, then propped against the wall as the car bumped into motion.
A knot of fear abruptly twisted in Lucky’s stomach.
She would never, not in a bazillion years, be able to make a pot of coffee the way Mildred did. Lucky bit her lip. Maybe she could buy the coffee across the street at Maggie’s Coffee House and then pretend she’d made it.
Mildred Ballard, Victoria’s personal assistant, single-handedly kept the office running smoothly. She knew the assignments of every investigator on staff. Not to mention their birthdays, anniversaries and kids’ names. She worked magic with travel arrangements. And her coffee was famous.
Lucky would never be that good at any of those things.
Anxiety inched its way up her spine.
She wanted to keep this job.
If she proved good enough, maybe one day she would be a Colby agent. That was her ultimate goal. Meanwhile, she was starting out as Mildred’s backup.
The elevator doors slid open to an empty lobby on the fourth floor. Other than the top echelon of investigators, most of the staff didn’t arrive until seven-thirty—unless there was a special meeting.
As Lucky walked side by side with Lucas Camp along the main corridor, the realization that he had arrived at the office without Victoria took primacy above all the other thoughts whirling around in Lucky’s head.
“Mrs. Colby-Camp isn’t coming into the office today?” Lucky wouldn’t have to be so worried about making a mistake while shadowing Mildred if that were the case.
“She’s having breakfast with a friend this morning,” Mr. Camp said as he held open the staff lounge door. The fragrant smell of coffee greeted them.
Lucky nodded. “Oh.”
Being the consummate gentleman, Mr. Camp poured Lucky then himself a cup of Mildred’s amazing coffee. “You know, Lucky,” he said, his expression thoughtful, “I could use a small
