"Alright, Holly. I'm in. But we're doing this my way."
As he walked into the local diner, a familiar face caught his eye. It was Holly Johnson, an old acquaintance from his military days. They had parted ways amicably, but Jack hadn't seen her in years.
Reacher's gut told him to bail, but Holly's desperation was palpable. He agreed to listen, and over a cup of coffee, she explained her situation.
It turned out that Holly had been involved in a shady deal with some powerful people in town. They had promised her a share of the profits, but now they were threatening to cut her out. Jack recognized the players: corrupt businessmen, crooked cops, and a few shady characters with ties to organized crime.
"I'm not getting involved, Holly," Jack said, trying to sound firm.
But Holly's eyes locked onto his, and he saw a glimmer of determination there. "You have to, Jack. You're the only one I trust."