“I’ve been trying to talk with you and your wife for weeks.” Greene didn’t move, but his calm assurance had vanished. He scanned the area, as if looking for reinforcements, but his gaze kept coming back to the bat in Earl’s hand. “Just a few questions. Some background.”

“You want me to beat the shit out of you out here, where everyone can see?” The menace in Earl’s voice was impossible to miss.

Jessa couldn’t help but shift until she stood closer to Earl and the weapon. Age didn’t matter; he looked ready to swing and was fit enough to connect with bone and make it hurt. At least Jessa hoped so.

“This is a serious matter. Right now, I’m not at the office, so I’m hard to reach. Here’s the best way to contact me.” Greene held out what looked like a business card. “Your wife knows people who—”

Earl knocked the card out of Greene’s hand, sending it to the sidewalk.

Jessa took that as a sign his patience had expired. “I’ll call the police.”

A car slowed down and parked next to them by the sidewalk. The vehicles lined up behind it blew their horns as they tried to maneuver around. Someone shouted, and a couple across the street stopped and watched.

Fear revved up and spilled over inside Jessa. No one got out of the stopped car, but having it nearby kept her from shouting for help.

Earl didn’t seem to notice any of the movement on the street. All of his attention centered on Greene. “Do you want more trouble?”

Greene lifted his hands in what looked like surrender. “Listen—”

“You have enough problems right now. You don’t want to add me to your list. Don’t let the clothes and the fancy house fool you. I came from a place where I learned to protect what’s mine and to fight dirty to do it. You understand me?”

The door of the parked car opened. A man stood up and called out to Earl, “Do you need some help, sir?”

Earl shook his head. “Mr. Greene is leaving and never coming back. Isn’t that right, Mr. Greene?”

Greene hesitated but not for long. He looked at Jessa. “I’ll be in touch.”

“My warning extends to her. You stay away from her.” Earl pointed the bat down the street. “Go.”

The man from the car stepped onto the sidewalk. He was tall with a military haircut. Wore nondescript clothing but looked like he punched people for a living. Security. Had to be. He escorted Greene away then came back and hovered nearby.

Jessa didn’t know much about Earl’s business, but the house suggested it was damn lucrative. She assumed a guy that powerful would have a detail of people ready to help him if he picked up a bat.