Chapter 12 - The Downtown Office
The rain had cleared by the following afternoon, leaving the Miami streets washed clean and shimmering under a brilliant blue sky.
Olivia stepped out of a yellow cab in front of a sleek glass-and-steel skyscraper in the heart of the financial district.
Her left arm remained snug inside its cast, supported by a dark sling that contrasted sharply with her professional cream-colored blouse.
She walked through the revolving glass doors and approached the polished granite reception desk.
"I'm here to see Mr. Pendelton," she told the receptionist. "My name is Olivia Bennett."
The receptionist checked her computer screen, gave a warm, welcoming smile, and buzzed her through the secure turnstiles.
"Take the private elevator to the thirty-fifth floor, Ms. Bennett. Mr. Pendelton's assistant will meet you as the doors open."
Olivia thanked her and walked toward the bank of elevators.
As the smooth car carried her upward at astonishing speed, she felt a familiar flutter of nerves in her stomach.
She had spent years cleaning offices like this one, emptying wastebaskets and wiping down glass tables after the executives had gone home.
Stepping onto the thirty-fifth floor as an invited guest of honor was an entirely surreal experience.
The elevator doors slid open silently.
A sharply dressed young woman with dark hair tied back in a neat bun was waiting.
"Ms. Bennett? Welcome. I'm Sarah, Mr. Pendelton's assistant. Right this way, please."
Olivia followed her down a sunlit corridor lined with contemporary artwork and massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the glittering expanse of Biscayne Bay.
They reached a set of heavy mahogany double doors.
Sarah pushed them open, revealing a spacious, elegant conference room.
Arthur Pendelton stood by the head of a long glass table, and seated next to him was Daniel Vance.
Daniel wore a crisp navy blazer and an open-collared white shirt.
When he saw Olivia enter, a warm smile broke across his handsome face, and he immediately stood up to greet her.
"Olivia," Daniel said, walking over to pull out a chair for her. "Thank you for coming."
"Thank you for having me, Captain... Daniel," Olivia corrected herself with a slight smile.
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As she took her seat, Arthur Pendelton cleared his throat and slid a thick leather-bound folder across the glass table toward her.
"Let's get down to business, shall we?" the lawyer said, adjusting his spectacles.
