I looked at my watch again, wondering when the research agent was going to arrive. He told me that he wouldn't be driving, but that he'd come out of the main gate from inside the deck and tip his hat at me when he was ready to talk. I didn't ask too many questions about how he would arrive, or how he'd leave, or how he'd know who I was; I just did as he had instructed during the phone call earlier and waited on the corner across the street. He hadn't told me not to bring anyone along, and Janine had offered to come, anyway, although I was making her stay outside of the parking deck. I was still worried about her safety, but it was too late to go back…. Unless, of course, he didn't show up.

Then, as if he knew we were contemplating leaving, a man wearing a dark suit and a black fedora came out of the parking deck at the far entrance, looked directly at us, tipped his hat, and then went back into the shadows of the building.

“Wait here, Janine,” I ordered, and started down the street.