It was a text from Graham.

*Where are you? My mother is waiting.*

I swiped the notification away.

I took the elevator down to the lobby.

The humidity of the Texas morning hit me as I walked out to the valet.

The air was thick and smelled of asphalt and exhaust.

I got into my car and drove toward the financial district.

The skyline of Dallas loomed ahead, glass towers reflecting the bright morning sun.

The offices of Apex Capital occupied the top three floors of the tallest tower.

I parked in the underground garage, in a space reserved for Vanguard Realty executive officers.

I took the private elevator to the thirty-fifth floor.

The doors slid open to reveal a sprawling lobby of white marble and dark mahogany.

A receptionist sat behind a curved glass desk.

“Good morning,” she said. “How can I help you?”

“I am here for the eleven o’clock meeting with Apex Capital and the Vanguard representative,” I said.

“Your name, please?”

“Jocelyn Ralston.”

The receptionist paused, her fingers hovering over her keyboard.

“One moment,” she said.