Chapter 10
Dylan was starting to think that he was spending way too much time at the mall. It felt like he was there every day lately. He grabbed a sub and a soda in the food court and then headed over to the pawn shop, which was sandwiched between a shoe store and a toy store. The shop was full of knickknacks on shelves and jewelry behind the glass counter. A couple in their thirties perused the aisles, making snide comments about the goods. Dylan hoped to see friendly Mr. Pender’s face behind the cash register, but instead a sour-faced old woman glared at him.
“Hi, Mr. Pender around?” Dylan asked.
“Nope. What do you want?”
“I’m a friend of his. Just wanted to chat.”
“If you were his friend, you’d know he’s in Europe visiting family,” the woman said with a scowl.
“I didn’t say close
