it over with the practiced ease of a gunslinger and held it out to her. “Take it for a spin.”
Tentatively, she lifted it from his hand. It was not as heavy as she’d expected but it had a nice solidity. It fit in her hand as if it were made for her: her fingers fell comfortably into the grooves on the grip. Turning sideways, she pointed it at the wall on the far side of the room, and stared down the sights.
She dropped the gun to her side and handed it back, grip first. “How much?”
His eyes narrowed. “You got cash?”
She nodded. She’d emptied her bank account on her way in this morning.
He turned the gun, studying it as if it would provide him with the figure. Finally, he glanced up at her. “I’d take four hundred for it.”
It was a good price.
“You’ll throw in some bullets?” she asked.
He gave a somber nod. “I reckon I could spare a few.”
Harper pulled out her wallet. “A few is all I need.”
Setting the gun down, he picked up a stack of forms and slid them across to her.
“Just got to do the paperwork first. Uncle Sam’s got his rules.”
Twenty minutes later, Harper walked out of the pawnshop with the gun tucked at the bottom of her shoulder bag, along with a small box of bullets and a shoulder holster similar to the ones detectives wore under their suit jackets. While they waited for her background check to go through, they’d both abandoned the myth that she wouldn’t be carrying the weapon illegally. He didn’t seem to mind. But when she’d packed everything up and was heading for the door, he’d stopped her.
“You asked what I would tell my girlfriend if someone was coming for her.” He gave her a measured look. “I’d tell her to go for the head or the heart. It’s the only way to know for sure you’ll stop him. Don’t pick up that Glock unless you’re ready to kill.”
It was nothing she hadn’t thought of already. Still, his words were sobering, and as she walked through the lunchtime crowds, she was overly aware of the gun in her purse. She felt convinced everyone must know it was there. It was so heavy and obvious. By the time she walked into the restaurant a few minutes later, nervous sweat beaded her brow.
The Public was a trendy lunch spot for local office workers, and the main dining room was packed. Harper couldn’t see Dells anywhere. When she gave his name to the guy at the door, he immediately directed her up the stairs.
The building was sleekly furnished with spare, dark wood tables and slim chairs. She spotted Dells at the far end of the room. His head was bent over his phone, his high forehead creased. The navy suit he wore looked like it would be soft to the touch. His crisp white shirt set off the tan he sure hadn’t gotten around Savannah lately.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said, when she reached the table.
“You’re forgiven.” He stood up, a smile spreading across his face. He looked as good as she remembered—all high cheekbones and sharp, knowing eyes. He took off his frameless glasses before holding out his hand to shake hers. “Sit down. Let’s have some food.”
“Good, I’m starving.” Harper sat across from him and dropped the bag to the floor. It hit with a heavy thud and she froze, her stomach flipping. But no bang followed.
Dells didn’t seem to notice. “I’ve got to admit, I did wonder if you’d show up.” As he spoke, he motioned for the waiter, who appeared at her shoulder seconds later to pour water into one glass and wine into another. “I hope white wine’s okay?”
She never drank wine during the day, but she nodded. “I had to come,” she said. “I need to know what happened. You disappeared for months.” She cocked her head, looking at him. “Wherever you been, it worked. You look good.”
It was true. He looked rested. She didn’t know exactly how old he was, but she guessed early forties. He had good bone structure—a clean jaw and narrow nose. With the suit, and styled hair, the whole picture was that of a successful business executive.
In other words, not her type at all. And yet she’d never forgotten that kiss.
“You look great, too.” He leaned forward, looking at her critically. “You also look tired. What’s been happening at the paper?”