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antibacterial."
    "Good. Thanks."
    She made to get up, but Ronnie halted her. "Get it and come right back. Remember, I'm watching."
    She returned to the spot where she had dropped her satchel, her soft drinks, and her sunflower seeds. She retrieved the plastic container of hand wash from her satchel. Then, getting Vern's attention, she mimicked holding a video camera up to her eye. At first he looked perplexed, but then Gladys nudged him in the ribs and whispered in his ear. Nodding vigorously, he hitched his chin in the direction of the magazine rack. Tiel remembered they'd been browsing there when the robbery commenced.
    She returned with the bottle of hand wash and handed it to Doc. "Shouldn't she have something beneath her?"
    "We've got some bed pads in the RV."
    "Gladys!" Vern exclaimed, obviously mortified by his wife's admission.
    "They would be perfect," Tiel said, remembering the disposable protective pads she'd seen on Uncle Pete's bed in the nursing home. They prevented the staff from having to change the bed linens each time a resident had an accident. "I'll go get them."
    "Like hell," Ronnie said, dashing that idea. "Not you.
    But the old man can go. She," he added, pointing the pistol at Gladys, "stays here."
    Gladys patted Vern's bony knee. "I'll be fine, honey."
    "You're sure? If anything happened to you…"
    "Nothing is going to happen to me. That boy's got more than me to worry about."
    Vern levered his rickety body up off the floor, dusted off the seat of his shorts, and moved to the door. "Well, I can't walk through glass."
    Ronnie nudged Donna again, who instantly began imploring him to spare her life. He instructed her to shut up and unlock the door, which she did.
    At the door Ronnie and the elderly man exchanged a
    meaningful look. "Don't worry, I'll be back," the old man assured him. "I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize my wife's life." And, although Ronnie Davison was fifty pounds heavier and half a foot taller, he issued him a warning. "If you harm her, I'll kill you."
    Ronnie pushed open the door and Vern slipped through. His attempt at a jog was unintentionally comical.
    Tiel watched his progress across the parking lot until he reached the gas pumps and climbed into the Winnebago.
    Doc was talking Sabra through another pain. When it passed, the girl relaxed and closed her eyes. Tiel looked at
    Doc, who was watching the girl. "What else would be helpful to you?"
    "Gloves."
    "I'll see what I can find."
    "Some vinegar."
    "Standard distilled vinegar?"
    "Hmm." After a brief pause, he remarked, "You're awfully cool under pressure."
    "Thanks." They continued to watch the girl, who, for the moment, seemed to be asleep. Tiel asked softly, "Is this going to end badly?"
    His lips compressed into a grim line. "Not if I can help it."
    "How bad—"
    "Hey, what are you two whispering about?"
    Tiel looked up at Ronnie. "Doc needs some gloves. I
    was about to ask Donna if the store stocks them."
    "Okay, go ahead."
    She left Sabra's side and moved to the counter. Donna was standing behind it, waiting to unlock the door when
    Vern returned. She regarded Tiel suspiciously. "What do you want?"
    "Donna, please remain calm. Hysteria will only worsen the situation. For the time being, we're all safe."
    "Safe? Ha! This is my third time."
    "To be robbed?"
    "My luck's bound to run out. First time, there were three of them. Came in pretty as you please, emptied the register, and locked me in the freezer. If the dairy delivery man hadn't come by, I'd've been a goner. Second time, this guy in a mask clubbed me good 'longside the head with the butt of his pistol. Had a concussion and couldn't work for six weeks on account of headaches. So dizzy I
    puked 'round the clock." Her narrow chest rose and fell on a deep sigh of resignation. "It's only a matter o' time.
    The odds'll catch up with me, and one of 'em'll kill me.
    Do you think he'd let us smoke?"
    "If you're so afraid, why don't you quit and get another job?"
    She looked at