I don’t have many dates, but I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to end them with a gunfight

Hi, Penina,

I’m trying to do this right.

The email comes from Gabe at 6 p.m., long after everyone else has left for the day. Penina had stayed late to do some research. Martin hasn’t complained about how much time she’s spent on extracurricular activities lately, but she doesn’t want to take advantage, so she waits until five before she returns to Moish Garfinkel.

She’s on edge, but she’s determined not to let it control her. It’s only been a few days since she was racing through an alleyway, terrified for her life. Her hand trembles against her mouse, and she forces it to remain steady.

Someone had wanted them dead. It wasn’t just about the artifacts themselves — what benefit would there be to killing Gabe before he’d found them? It had been about hurting them, stopping them from investigating more.

Why?

She focuses on Gabe’s email again. I’m going to go through Hillel and his wife — that’s the conventional way, right? I’m not great at it, but Hillel’s conventional enough for both of us. However, I did want to apologize directly for what happened on Sunday. I don’t have many dates, but I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to end them with a gunfight.

Penina smothers a smile, the warmth from the bulk of the night returning. It had been a nice date before the terror and violence.