Ramirez shook his head. "I don't know Joe Morelli. I only know he shot Ziggy." He looked around at the rest of the men. "Any of you seen that guy Morelli?"

No one responded.

"I've been told there was a witness to the shooting and that the witness has disappeared," I said. "Do you have any idea who that witness might be?"

Again, no response.

I pushed on. "How about Carmen Sanchez? Do you know Carmen? Did Ziggy ever speak of her?"

"You ask a lot of questions," Ramirez said.

We were standing close to the big old-fashioned windows in the front of the room, and for no reason other than instinct, I shifted my attention to the building across the street. Again, the shadowy figure in the same third-floor window. A man, I thought. I couldn't tell if he was black or white. Not that it mattered.

Ramirez stroked my jacket sleeve. "Would you like a Coke? We got a Coke machine here. I could buy you a soda."

"Thanks for the offer, but I have a busy morning, and I really should be moving along. If you spot Morelli, I'd appreciate a call."

"Most girls think it's a treat for the champ to buy them a soda."

Not this girl, I thought. This girl thought the champ was possibly missing a few marbles. And this girl didn't like the climate of the gym.

"I'd really love to stay and have a soda," I said, "but I have an early lunch date." With a box of Fig Newtons.

"It's not good to go rushing around. You should stay and relax a little. Your date won't mind."

I shifted my weight, trying to inch away while I enhanced the lie. "Actually, it's a business luncheon with Sergeant Gazarra."

"I don't believe you," Ramirez said. His smile had turned tight, and the civility had slipped from his voice. "I think you're lying about lunch."

I felt tendrils of panic curl into my stomach, and I cautioned myself not to overreact. Ramirez was playing with me. Showing off in front of his friends. Probably stung because I hadn't succumbed to his charms. Now he had to save face.

I made a display of looking at my watch. "Sorry you feel that way, but I'm supposed to meet Gazarra in ten minutes. He's not going to be pleased if I'm late."

I took a step backward, and Ramirez grabbed me by the scruff of my neck, his fingers digging in with enough force to make me hunch involuntarily.

"You're not going anywhere, Stephanie Plum," he whispered. "The champ isn't done with you yet."

The silence in the gym was oppressive. No one moved. No one voiced an objection. I looked at each of the men and received only blank stares back. No one's going to help me, I thought, feeling the first licks of real fear.

I lowered my voice to match Ramirez's soft pitch. "I came here as a member of the law enforcement community. I came looking for information to help me with the recovery of Joe Morelli, and I gave you no reason to misinterpret my intentions. I'm conducting myself as a professional, and I expect you to respect that."