Page 61 of Hidden Ascent

“I’ll go in and talk to him and let you know what he says.”

“No.”

“Then you can forget it.”

“Why are you being so hardline on this?”

“Because, despite what you think, there are times when you don’t know best.”

Her mouth opened and closed. She looked at Peter, but he was looking at the floor.

“Okay, we’ll do it your way. But I’m driving there with you.”

“Isla.”

“I promise I won’t get in your way. But I want to at least be there. That way, I won’t have to wait for you to come back.”

“Fine. But you’re staying in the car.”

“I’m glad you guys got that settled,” Peter said. “Jemi and I will be here doing our usual.”

* * *

Jay pulled to the curb and turned off the engine.

Isla noticed a homeless man tucked into a doorway. “You sure the car won’t get stolen in this part of town?”

“Not with you in it.” He smiled.

“I still think you should let me come in with you.”

He undid his seatbelt and turned so he faced her.

“Isla.” He took her hand and held it in both of his.

She frowned. “What?”

“There is no possible scenario where I would ever take you into that bar with me. Do you understand? And if you get out of this car, I will leave you here.”

She yanked her hand out of his and slapped his arm. “You don’t have to be sarcastic.”

He laughed as he got out of the car. “It’s the only way to keep me from shaking sense into you.”

She drummed her fingers on her leg while she watched him walk halfway down the block to a door with a neon sign over the top. He reached for the handle, then gave her one last grim look before entering.

She checked her watch, then set the timer for five minutes. That should give him enough time to find this guy and preoccupy himself so she could have a look for herself. She had promised to stay out of his way, but she’d said nothing agreeing to stay in the car. His leaving her here was a risk she was willing to take.

Today wasn’t about going undercover. It was about being covert and gathering information. Those were both things she was excellent at.

When her wrist buzzed, she got out of the car and dropped a twenty-dollar bill in the lap of the homeless man.

He picked it up and looked at her suspiciously. “What’s this for?”

“I was wondering if you knew who owns the bar down there.”

“You a cop?”

“Do I look like a cop?”

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