I bounce down the steps, tying my hair again right into a free ponytail as I’m going. The again room of my store is a little-known secret — one which I’ve managed to maintain quiet for essentially the most half. I’ve a couple of elite purchasers that pop in every now and then to choose up the most recent tactical gear and weaponry (the latest being the newly resurrected Fox Fitzpatrick). It’s not essentially the most reliable of black-market enterprise practices however if you’re in as a lot debt as I’m, you play to your strengths. My navy experience makes me a hell of much more trusting than the road gangs round right here.

I squeeze behind the counter of my store with a dusting fabric wrapped round my hand, able to assault my again room with out mercy.

The hairs arise on the again of my neck.

I pause, sensing the gradual, quiet motion smack dab in the midst of my very closed pawnshop.

“Hey, Ms. Fawn.”

I scan each reflective floor round me, sizing her up earlier than I even flip round. She’s petite like me however, additionally like me, not the sort you wish to fuck with. Tight denims, even tighter black shirt. Sporty hair the colour of spilled fruit juice on white carpet. And her eyes. Understanding, skilled.

Lethal.

I flip round and he or she grins at me. “We’re closed on Sundays,” I say.

“I do know.”

“Come again tomorrow.” I toss the cleansing fabric onto the counter between us.

“I’m not right here for…” she factors a finger and attracts a line throughout the closest shelf, “regardless of the hell these items is.”

“Then, what would you like?”

She wipes mud on her denims. “I’m on the lookout for your husband.”

This have to be Lilah Hart. My mind works within the background, calculating how briskly it will take for me to safe an inexpensive weapon. I’ll want 5 seconds minimal to get to the again room, however she may simply scale the counter in lower than three.

“I don’t have a husband.”

“The state of California appears to assume in any other case.”

I shrug. “We separated years in the past. I haven’t seen him since.”

Her little cartoony eyes squint at me. “Are you certain?”

“Fairly certain.”

“He flew into city early this morning,” she says. “He didn’t cease by?”

“Nope.”

“Bummer.” She heaves a tiny, defeated breath. “Any concept the place he’d go?”

“It’s a giant metropolis. Look, I don’t imply to be impolite, however I’ve some work to do and also you’re trespassing, so if there’s nothing else…”

Lilah’s lips twitch to the aspect however she doesn’t transfer. “Really, I didn’t simply come right here on the lookout for Bartholomew Carson. There’s a a lot larger fish I’m after.”

I level behind her. “In that case, I’ve an honest number of vintage fishing lures. Take your decide.”

Impatience coats her painted eyes, nevertheless it’s gone simply as quickly because it seems. “Caleb, the place is Fox Fitzpatrick?”

I tilt my head, feigning confusion. “He’s useless.”

She rolls her eyes. “Attempt once more, honey.”

“No, actually.” I chuckle. “Two years in the past. He was killed in motion abroad. I used to be there.”

Lilah inhales all the way in which to the underside of her lungs and takes a brief step nearer to the counter. She lays her fingers towards the glass, leaning over in an honest try at intimidating me. “I do know that’s bullshit, Caleb. I do know he’s alive. I do know your husband made contact with him in Colorado a couple of weeks in the past. Now, I’m drained and I’m cranky and I’m getting actually uninterested in this shit.”

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