She downloaded the old technical summary.
Read the publicly available fragment.
Then read it again.
The architecture looked familiar.
Too familiar.
Alexandra’s stomach tightened.
Across town, Henry arrived at the warehouse seventeen minutes late.
Clinton Marshall waited beside the time clock.
Arms folded.
Smile ready.
“Carter.”
Henry knew immediately.
“My office.”
“I texted.”
“My office.”
Henry followed.
The room smelled like cheap coffee and printer toner.
Clinton sat.
Henry remained standing.
Power ritual.
Henry had watched it for three years.
“You're late.”
“Highway 47 flooded.”
“You're late.”
“I sent pictures.”
Clinton slid a folder across the desk.
“We're downsizing.”
Henry stared.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Two days ago you asked me to train the new forklift operator.”
“Circumstances change.”
Henry opened the folder.
Voluntary resignation.
He looked up.
“You're firing me.”
“I’m offering you a choice.”
“Sign and leave clean.”
“Or?”
Clinton smiled.
“We document attendance failures.”
“Productivity problems.”
“Disciplinary issues.”
“You leave for cause.”
Henry’s jaw tightened.
“None of that's true.”
“Truth depends on paperwork.”
Henry looked at the resignation.
Bonnie.
Rent.
Two hundred seventeen dollars.
Clinton leaned back.
“You should be grateful.”
“Most people don't get options.”
Henry signed.
He walked out carrying his tool bag.
No box.
Nothing worth packing.
Three years of work reduced to one signature.
He sat inside his pickup.
Hands shaking.
Phone rang.
Bonnie.
He forced himself to answer brightly.
“Hey, kiddo.”
“When are you coming home?”
“Soon.”
“Mrs. Jenkins made oatmeal.”
“Eat it.”
“It has raisins.”
“Survive.”
“Dad?”
“Yeah?”
“You sound weird.”
Henry closed his eyes.
“Just tired.”
“Okay.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too.”
He hung up.
Then the landlord text arrived.
Noon. After that, locks change.
Henry looked at the clock.
9:18.
He drove home.
Every mile felt shorter than he wanted.
He parked in the driveway and sat.
Maybe sell tools.
Maybe pawn the truck.
Maybe call Bonnie’s grandparents.
Maybe—
A black luxury sedan stopped behind him.
Henry looked in the mirror.
Alexandra stepped out.
Daylight changed her completely.
Last night she had looked stranded.
Today she looked dangerous in another way.
Tailored coat.
Controlled posture.
Leather portfolio.
Henry climbed out.
“How did you find me?”
“You left a business card.”
“I thought I stopped doing that.”
“Apparently not.”
Bonnie opened the front door.
“Dad?”
Henry turned.
“Inside.”
She looked at Alexandra.
“Who’s she?”
“Inside, Bonnie.”
Alexandra softened instantly.
“Hi.”
Bonnie waved.
Then disappeared halfway behind the door instead of obeying.
Henry faced Alexandra.
“What do you want?”
“To hire you.”
He stared.
“No.”
“You haven't heard the job.”
“Doesn't matter.”