The Mom and Pop variety holds many surprises. The unwary may find themselves looking down a gun barrel or facing other dire consequences if they are caught boosting an item by the private owner. Such perils are unknown in the malls and soulless department stores that cover America like a corporate scourge. The beginner should still, of course, be careful. Overconfidence can be fatal. The very small store, or the specialty shop, is the province of the professional Booster, and is never for the grab and run newbie. * * * Malvagio wasn’t in. His nephew, Umberto, was, but he didn’t know anything. “I never heard about any box from Uncle Fausto, honest.” “Where is Uncle Fausto right now?” Broom pulled himself to his full towering height. The kid looked uneasy. McMahon fiddled with something on the counter, pretended disinterest. I stood impassively behind Broom. “Uncle Fausto, he had to go out of town. I think he went to an auction, something like that.
