Every head turned and the pool game stopped. He strolled over to bar and avoided touching the grimy brass rails.The bartender scowled and pointedly ignored him. Okay, fine. We’ll do this the hard way. Nathan used the time to study the place in the mirror behind the bar and spotted his mark right away, a tall, stringy blonde sitting at a table with three guys in sweatshirts, jeans, and stained ball caps. Scattered around the room, twenty or so other patrons stared in ape-faced silence. Aside from the bartender, who looked formidable, Nathan didn’t see any threats. Half a minute later, the bartender had made it plainly obvious he had no intention of serving someone who’d come in to case the joint.Without looking at the bartender, Nathan walked over to the jukebox, grabbed its power cord, and yanked it free.The machine went dark. Charlie Daniels went silent. All heads turned.A few obscene grumbles spewed from dark corners.“I’d like a Shirley Temple, if it isn’t too much trouble.”The bartender shot Nathan a dirty look, came out from behind the bar, and plugged the jukebox back in.
