I didn’t ask any questions. When the car stopped in front of my house, I opened the door, got out, and headed home.

“Assistant Rogers, working late and just getting back?”

Madam Walker’s voice cut through the night.

My scalp went tight. Every hair on my body stood on end, and my first instinct was to hurry up and get inside.

But reason slammed down just as hard. She was someone I couldn’t afford to offend. I had no choice but to ...