Page 130 of Lethal Danger

Cora kept her sweet smile. “I only said hello to you and Flash.” She looked down at Flash, standing on leash next to Jazz. Then she lifted her gaze, and fine lines crossed her forehead. “Is something wrong, Jazz?”

Cora always was perceptive about people.

Though Jazz wasn’t exactly doing a brilliant job hiding her tension either. “Not really.” She tried to force a casual tone, but her own ears told her she’d failed. She took a breath. Better just rip off the bandage. “I need to put in my two weeks’ notice.”

Cora blinked. Then her eyes widened as she watched Jazz for agonizing seconds. “Do you mean notice of resignation?”

Something like guilt clogged Jazz’s throat. She shouldn’t have to feel guilty. People left jobs all the time. “Yes.” She swallowed. “You need two weeks, right?”

Cora tapped something on the keyboard of her open notebook computer that sat to her left. “I believe so. It’s never been a question before.”

Meaning Jazz was the first employee to ever leave PK-9. Great. Just went to show how much of a misfit she was. The only one who wasn’t accepted there, who’d never managed to be well-liked enough to be happy.

Cora’s eyebrows pinched together as she examined something on the screen. “Yes. Two weeks’ notice is required.” She brought her gaze back to Jazz. “Are you sure you want to leave?”

Jazz nodded, tightening her muscles against the sadness in Cora’s voice. “Yes.”

“I’m so sorry, Jazz.” Cora’s words socked Jazz right in the growing balloon of guilt in her belly. Cora didn’t have anything to apologize for. She’d been the most welcoming person at PK-9. If they’d all been as loving and accepting as her, Jazz probably would’ve been able to belong there.

“I thought there might be something troubling you. I should have tried to help.” Regret shaped Cora’s features. “Can I help you in some way now?”

This was harder than Jazz had thought it would be. She hadn’t meant to make Cora feel bad. But the problem wasn’t something Cora could fix. It wasn’t really something anyone could fix. Jazz just didn’t belong at PK-9. And didn’t even belong with her best friend anymore, apparently.

The memory of Nev turning away from her and leaving without another word fueled Jazz’s resolve. She finally had a better option than staying where she wasn’t wanted or wandering through life alone. She had Hawthorne and an uncle who loved her. She could travel with Hawthorne and keep in touch with Uncle Pierce, visiting him whenever she could. Especially at holidays and birthdays, like normal families did.

Yes, this was definitely the right decision. “You’re so sweet, Cora. Thank you. But I don’t need help. I’m okay.” Jazz managed a smile. “This is the best decision for me right now. I plan to travel soon and try other things.”

“Oh.” Sadness still sloped Cora’s mouth. “Well, I hope that goes well for you.” She looked at the computer screen again.

Probably the moment Jazz should make her escape. She didn’t want to risk caving under misplaced feelings of guilt and Cora’s kindness. “Thanks for taking care of it for me. I’d better get going.” She started to turn toward the doors.

“Jazz, wait.”

Jazz tensed and rotated back.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to double check to be sure. But in order to officially submit your two weeks’ notice, you’ll need to talk to Phoenix.”

“What?” Jazz’s stomach twisted.

“Yes, I’m afraid it’s in the contract you signed.”

“You’re kidding.” Jazz stalked around the desk, Flash following her sudden movement.

Cora leaned back in her chair so Jazz could see the contract she’d pulled up on the computer screen.

There it was in black and white. Any employee wishing to terminate employment needed to meet in person with Phoenix Gray before notice of resignation could be submitted. Jazz narrowed her eyes. Wasn’t that just like Phoenix to have one last trick up her sleeve. A secret hidden away to trap Jazz at the end.

Though a vague recollection started to surface in Jazz’s mind. That she might’ve noticed the clause but hadn’t cared when she signed. From Nev’s description of the work environment and her great love for all the agents at PK-9, Jazz had thought she’d stay forever.

She dropped her gaze to Flash, who was enjoying petting from Cora. As Jazz looked at the screen, instinctively checking to make sure the requirement was still listed there, her gaze caught on a notecard on top of a thick stack next to the computer.

Beautiful calligraphy filled the card. But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” – Isaiah 43:1

“Is that from the Bible?” Jazz stared at the words.

Cora took a second to answer, probably looking to see what Jazz was talking about. “Oh, yes. Those are my Scripture memory cards.”

Jazz turned her attention to Cora. “You’re memorizing that?”

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