Chapter 13

Bells tinkled when Jake pushed the door open. Several heads turned as he walked in with big paper bags slung over his forearm but a man in the corner seemed especially interested. Yet none of them mattered. It was Luke he was looking for, but that particular blue-eyed man wasn’t there. Hmm, perhaps he was in the car already? Jake tried to calm himself. Wasting no more time, he turned to leave.

* * * *

Aaron wasn’t certain but he thought he knew the young man. Was he involved in some kind of vile business? Not a thief, no. A thief wouldn’t go carrying bags from boutiques—why would he have store bags if he indeed stole something? No. In fact, Aaron thought, this guy must be a victim. His trembling, his fearful eyes, those faint bruises on his ashen face couldn’t fool Aaron. This lad was in serious trouble.