While walking out to the car I noticed a short, squat man walking parallel to us. Ryan veered to the outside of our group, positioning himself between us and the stranger. The man arrived at Kim’s Sentra the same moment that we did.

“Are you Nina Grey?” The man asked me in a hoarse voice. I felt my body tense.

“What do you need?” Ryan asked, stepping forward.

The man noted Ryan’s presence but spoke only to me. “I was an associate of your father’s. My name is Charles Dawson. It’s important that I speak with you.”

I wasn’t sure what to say, the mention of my father created a stabbing sensation in my stomach.

“I would like to speak with you alone, if you don’t mind,” he said, his squinty eyes shifting from each of my friends and then back to me.

“Nina, do you know this guy?” Ryan asked, jerking his thumb at Mr. Dawson.

I studied his face for a moment. He wore an expensive suit like the hundreds of other men I’d seen in my father’s company through the years, but his face wasn’t familiar.

I tried to be polite. “I-I don’t think I do, sir. I’m not sure I could help you.”

Mr. Dawson took a step toward me and Ryan did the same.

“I’ve been trying to get in touch with your father for some time, now. It’s come to my attention that he’s passed away.”

I worked to separate my lips long enough to form the words. “That’s correct.”

“Your father had agreed to sign over some property to me, and I was wondering if you were at all familiar with our transaction?”

Kim spoke up. “Nina, this is probably not the appropriate time to—,”

“I think you’d rather speak to my father’s attorney, Thomas Rosen,” I interrupted. “He is with Rosen and Barnes in Kennedy Plaza. I’m sure he will be able to assist you.” I turned to get into the car, but the man took several quick steps to thwart my efforts. He held my door and his face turned grave.

“It’s of the utmost importance, Nina. I’ve exhausted all of my options, and I’m asking for your help.” His eyes darted to Ryan and then back to me. Mr. Dawson kept his voice low, “Jack has a safe. Maybe you’ve seen it? My papers are there in that safe and I need to obtain them right away.”