Chapter 3 - The Pawn Shop
The forty dollars had bought them a bed that smelled of mildew, but it was a bed. When morning broke, the reality of their situation set in. She had no money, no car, and a husband with infinite resources hunting her down. She looked at Lily, who was quietly nibbling on the same piece of bread from the night before. Tears pricked her eyes, but she forced them back. She took off her diamond engagement ring and the sapphire necklace she had worn to the dinner. Leaving the motel, she carried Lily blocks away to a dusty pawn shop. The man behind the counter examined the jewels with a jeweler's loupe, his eyes widening. "These are worth a fortune, lady. But I can only give you ten grand in cash right now." Ten grand was enough to get them across the country. She nodded eagerly. "Take it." As he counted the hundred-dollar bills, the bell above the door chimed. Two large men in tailored dark suits stepped into the shop, their eyes locking immediately onto her green dress.
