"What's a tandem?"
If the first guy was dumb, this guy was dumber.I replied, "A bike for two."
"Why would we wantthat?"
"So you can ride offtogether. Easier to keep track."
"Of what?"
I let it hang for a beat. "Of each other. You seem the type to get lost."
The taller guy leaned over the counter, invading my space. "Maybeyouneed to get lost."
I didn't pull back. "Maybe. But I'm not gonna." Even as I said it, I felt the weight of the lie.
I wouldn't be here forever. Staying wasn't part of the plan. And yet, the thought of leaving – whether now or later on – wasn't sounding so terrific.
I could blame Dumb and Dumber. Or I could blame Maisie. Either way, leaving at all was sounding worse by the minute.
Probably I should blame myself, because somehow, this had become personal. I wasn't just guarding the shop. I was guardingher.
The taller guy smiled like he knew something I didn't. "We'll see about that." And with that brilliant exit line, he turned to leave.
Gumshoe lingered at the counter to ask, "You want some advice?"
Now, I did laugh. "From you?"
"No joke," he said. "You should move along before it gets ugly."
I wasn't worried – not for myself. Both of them screamed amateur hour, like small-time wannabees acting tough for fun.Or profit.
But Gumshoe was right about one thing. This wasn't a joke, not when it came to Maisie.
I wasn't done pushing.If somebody had to take the heat, it might as well be me. I gave Gumshoe a long, assessing look. "Ugly like your sunglasses? Or that ridiculous coat?"
His body stilled, but his mouth kept working like he wanted to say something smart. In the end, he muttered, "Oh, fuck off" and turned to follow his friend. With a jingle of the door, they were soon gone, leaving me staring after them.
Outside, the rain kept falling, steady and cold, like a clock ticking down. I'd been working here for barely a week. This was the first time I'd been left on my own –andthe first time they'd come in.
It couldn't be a coincidence.
But it wassomething.
I didn't know what.
But if they wanted trouble, they'd need to go through me first.
36
Storm Warnings, Gumshoe Edition
Griff
Closing time.This should've been the best part of the day.
Not for me.
And not now.