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encounter with those who did the selling.
    She parked the SUV in front of a shop she recognized, not from its name but by what she saw in the front display window. Iron bars shielding reinforced glass. Warning signs that a guard dog was on the premises and that neither soliciting nor loitering would be tolerated.
    “A pawnshop?”
    A civilian would think that. The sign on the window even said so. But Olivia knew better.
    “I’ll be right back.”
    “Wait.” Jeffrey put his hand on her arm. “I don’t like this, Olivia.” He looked around at the dilapidated and deserted storefronts and the few pedestrians loitering in doorways. “This looks dangerous, even in daylight.”
    Unfortunately danger had already found them. He just didn’t know it yet. If he would only stay cool a few more minutes. They were almost out of here. She needed to get him out of this city. She needed to contact Hamilton as quickly as possible. Time was their enemy.
    More lies. “Don’t worry, Jeffrey. The man who owns this shop is a relative of the patient I was with last night. I just need to make sure he knows to stop in the hospital and check on his cousin. Family is very important during a crisis. I’ll only be a minute.”
    He reached for the door handle. “I’ll go with you then. I certainly don’t want you going into a place like this alone.”
    Damn. Not good. “Look, Jeffrey, this guy is skittish, as you might imagine.” The determination in those brown eyes told her that wasn’t going to be a good enough answer. “Bottom line—” she punted “—it comes down to doctor-patient privilege. I can’t really talk about the case in front of you. I’m certain you understand.”
    That he understood. But he still didn’t like it. He surveyed the street again. “I’d feel more comfortable if you didn’t go in. Wouldn’t a phone call suffice?”
    “I promised my patient I’d go see his relative personally. It’ll only take a moment.” She leaned forward and glanced first one way then the other. “Besides, I’m not so sure it would be a good idea to leave the vehicle unattended in this neighborhood.”
    A sigh hissed past his lips. “I suppose you’re right. But—” he looked directly at her “—for the record, I don’t like this.”
    She squeezed his hand. “I promise I’ll make up for putting you through this.”
    He shook his head in defeat though a smile toyed with the corner of his mouth. “All right, you win, but be careful. I’ll be watching the door. If any hooligans go in after you, I’m coming in.”
    “Good idea.” Olivia grabbed her handbag and climbed out. “I’ll be back in five minutes tops.” She noted the hooligans he referred to as she strode quickly to the shop entrance. Five, possibly six young men. If the city was open for business, so were they. Gang members probably, judging by their appearance. She’d parked almost directly in front of the entrance. She should be able to keep an eye on things out here and still do her business. She’d rather have taken Jeffrey inside with her, but she couldn’t do this with him there. He would definitely freak. She needed him far, far out of his comfort zone before she allowed him reason to give her trouble about her decisions.
    The owner looked up as the bell above the door jingled. Olivia took a moment to glance back at Jeffrey, then performed a final swift visual sweep of the street. The handful of characters keeping the sidewalk from being totally deserted looked exactly like trouble, but nothing she couldn’t handle.
    “This ain’t the Salvation Army.”
    Olivia turned to the shop owner who’d spoken. A comedian. Great. She walked to the counter. “I need to preview your arms.”
    He laughed and held out his tattooed limbs for her perusal. “Whatever gets you wet, honey. I have another limb that’s inked, too, if you’d like to see it.”
    “Your firearms,” she clarified. If he’d had any question about her seriousness, the lethal