She gives me a frank once-over and turns to Whisper. “Hey there, buddy! Do you want a treat?”

While she rummages in the bag, she says to me, “I’m assuming you’re Krista’s friend? The one looking for information on that fucking asshole who’s been calling me?”

“That’s me,” I say, watching her hand my dog the treat. Whisper gives it an exploratory sniff and then takes it delicately into her mouth.

“What a lady!” Stephanie says, beaming at Whisper. I like her immediately, this woman. She’s still smiling when she turns back to me, but the smile disappears as something just beyond my shoulder gets her attention.

A Bentley pulls up, blocking the driveway entrance. Two men get out of the car, and I try to control my shock. One of them is much larger than the other, younger, too, though the second man wears nicer clothes. I focus on him, Mr. GQ.

Van Nguyen hasn’t changed much in twenty-odd years, but for graying hair and a small, sharp goatee that doesn’t particularly suit him.

The larger man halts at the sight of Whisper, who’s off-leash.

“Miss Kwan, we’d like to speak with you inside. Alone,” says Nguyen. “I think you know what this is about.” While he’s ignoring me, I pull my hood up to cover as much of my appearance as possible.

Stephanie Kwan isn’t impressed. “Get out of here, you asshole! I’ve already called the cops!”

Nguyen yawns. “We should settle our business privately.”

She reaches into her purse and pulls out a canister of bear spray. The larger man tenses. I see him reach for something inside his jacket. Whisper growls.

I want information on Nguyen, but this is getting out of hand. I move to block Stephanie and wrap my fist around Whisper’s collar. “Neighborhood watch,” I say to Nguyen and his goon. “Who did you say you were?”

“Oh, I don’t think I did,” says Nguyen. His voice sounds shockingly young for a man his age. He frowns at me, as if he’s trying to place me. He’s about to say something else, but Whisper tugs on her leash, moving forward. His attention is on her now.

I step past him, bringing Whisper with me. “Is that a Bentley? You wouldn’t mind if I take the license plate down, just to put it in our records? North Vancouver is getting dangerous, so we like to keep track of who our friends are.”

“Maybe this isn’t such a good time, since you have company,” Nguyen says to Stephanie Kwan. “We’ll be back.”

We watch him and the larger man leave. Stephanie doesn’t put away the bear spray until they turn the corner.

“Was that everything you dreamed and more?” she asks.

“What?”

“You were looking for information on the guy who says I owe him money for my house. Happy now?”

“Not really.”