Chapter 10 - The Pawn Shop on 5th
|
Within thirty minutes, three state trooper vehicles and David’s truck converged on a dimly lit street in the industrial quarter of the city.
5th Street was notorious for its shuttered factories, auto body shops, and Gold Standard Pawn—a late-night business known for asking zero questions about high-value items.
We pulled up across the street, keeping the headlights off.
Through the pawn shop’s iron-barred front window, I could see Evan standing at the glass counter. He was still wearing his wedding tuxedo jacket, waving his hands frantically as he argued with an older man holding a magnifying glass over Mark's physical bonds.
"Stay in the vehicle, ma'am," Trooper Miller said as he unclipped his holster. "We'll handle this."
Four troopers stepped out into the rain, drawing their weapons and moving quickly toward the pawn shop entrance.
Inside, Evan must have spotted the flashing lights in the reflection of the glass counter. He grabbed the leather envelope containing the bonds, pushed the pawn shop clerk violently backward, and ran toward the shop's rear emergency exit.
"He's going out the back!" David yelled, throwing his truck into drive and speeding down the alleyway alongside the building.
We rounded the corner just in time to see the heavy steel rear door burst open. Evan stumbled out into the pouring rain, holding the envelope tight against his chest.
May you like
David slammed on the brakes, blocking the alley exit.
Evan froze in the headlights' glare like a trapped deer. Rain soaked through his expensive suit, plastering his styled hair to his forehead. He looked wild, beaten, and completely insane.
