Page 55 of When She Dreams

“They are carrying guns under their jackets, aren’t they?”

“I certainly hope so. We might need backup.”

He parked the Packard, flashed the lights a couple of times, and took the pistol out from under his coat.

For the first time Maggie looked alarmed. “I didn’t know you brought your gun.”

“Didn’t want to show up empty-handed. It was either the pistol or cupcakes. I didn’t have time to bake.”

Maggie reached into her handbag and took out a notepad.

“Put that away,” he warned.

Reluctantly she dropped the notepad back into her bag. “It was a great line.”

“Thanks. I worked on it.”

She eyed the gun. “Your pistol is rather small, isn’t it?”

“Some men might be offended by that comment.”

“Really? I apologize. I never meant to insult you.”

He sighed. “A snub-nosed .38 fits better under a coat than a Colt revolver.”

“I see. That makes sense.”

“A small pistol can be just as scary as a big one at close quarters.”

Maggie slid a hand surreptitiously toward her handbag.

“Forget your notebook,” he said.

Another car pulled into the parking lot, headlights glaring. A couple got out and hurried toward the entrance of the club. When they were gone, a figure moved toward the Packard, slipping through the deep shadows cast by two nearby vehicles. A moment later a face appeared at the passenger side window. A woman in a wide-brimmed hat trimmed with netting rapped on the glass.

Maggie rolled down the window. “You’re Valerie, one of the dream guides.”

“Valerie Warren. I wasn’t sure if you would show. Did you bring the twenty-five bucks?”

“Yes,” Maggie said. “But I need to know what’s going on before I hand over the cash.”

Valerie glanced over her shoulder and then turned back. “I can’t stand around out in the open. Some of the other members of the Institute staff might show up here tonight. It’s not like any of us can afford the Paradise.”

“Get in back,” Sam said.

Valerie stared. “You’ve got a gun. Why do you have a gun? You’re a research assistant.”

“Don’t worry about the gun,” Maggie said quickly. “It’s a very small one. Please get into the back seat. No one will see you.”

Valerie glanced around. “Well, okay. I guess.”

She straightened away from the window and grasped the rear door handle.

Maggie leaned closer to Sam and lowered her voice to a stern whisper.

“Let me ask the questions,” she said. “You’ve already frightened her.”

“Sometimes a little fear can be helpful.”

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