Sam’s mind wandered back to Big Pine Mountain. For months she’d been consumed with getting back at Douglas Rainford for divorcing her. Now, she couldn’t care less what the man did or didn’t do. He could marry a hundred women, divorce them, and she would wish him well. That part of her life was behind her. Still, she had to go through with the plan because she’d committed to the other Rainford “wives.” But once it was over and she took Alpha back to the mountain, she would get on with her life. She’d call her old boss, beg him for her old job if necessary, and settle down to crunch numbers for the rest of her life. Tears burned her eyes at the life that lay ahead of her. Angrily, she brushed them away.

Slick rinsed the coffeepot and proceeded to make fresh coffee. Sam watched her and half listened to the other Rainford “wives” as they spent the money they thought Douglas was going to give them. How shallow they are, she couldn’t help thinking, as she continued to listen as one described buying a chalet in Aspen, another debated Bentleys vs. Rolls Royces. Everyone, it seemed, was going to go to Paris to the fashion shows and buy one of everything from every single designer. Diamonds, one of the “wives” said. You can never have enough diamonds. On and on it went. They’ll all be paupers within a year, Sam thought. What would she do with her share? Assuming she accepted whatever it turned out to be. Did she even want it? What was six weeks of her life worth? What was a three-week courtship worth? What was a three-week honeymoon worth? She’d enjoyed the honeymoon. It was the months of humiliation and low self-esteem that followed Douglas’s rejection and the subsequent divorce that should have a price tag. Not to mention Douglas’s deceit.

Sam’s mind continued to wander. If she accepted a large settlement, she wouldn’t have to crunch numbers for the rest of her life. She could turn herself into a do-gooder, volunteer her time to worthy causes. And how rewarding would that be? On the other hand, she could open her own firm, hire other CPAs, and oversee the operation. She shook her head.

It was time to take Alpha outside. Besides, she needed some fresh air.

It was ten minutes to six when Pappy and Kyros entered the Russell Senate Office Building to find Senator Malcom Wyne waiting for them. They went through the new security checkpoints with the senator at their side.

The senator looked worried as he headed for the elevator. Though they had the car to themselves, he continued making small talk about the weather. Pappy answered in kind.