Laina scanned the lavender ribbon of sky between the buildings. How long had she been in Simmy's shop? The mechanical sigh of a heavy brakes summoned her toward the street. She hustled down the dank alley. Her feet struck the sidewalk just as the city bus pulled away from the curb.…
The echo of Laina's steps grew louder as she ventured farther into the alley. The chill intensified, as did smells of urine mingled with traces of cheap rum. She pulled her scarf over the lower half of her face. Layered graffiti webbed the building walls to her right and left with an…
The bus wheeze-squeaked its departure as soon as Laina's boot heel hit the curb. Graffiti tattooed the dingy bodies of buildings and passers-by alike. Half-dressed toddlers screamed from the hips of terse-lipped teenagers. A frigid breeze whipped a fringe of ragged towels and stained clothing on the firescapes. Shoes dangled from their…
Laina stirred her float and studied its milky spirals. Greasy aromas flooded the diner, so she could almost taste the burger she ordered--she glanced at her watch--twenty minutes ago. "Got another date later?" Rory asked. "Huh?" She looked up from the entrancing eddies of her root beer. He propped his elbows…
"Don't be afraid." The detective laid his hand on her shoulder as a door opened in the adjacent room. Beyond a pane of smoky glass, a troop of surly men marched onto a platform. Laina slid her icy fingertips inside her collar and itched under the medallion chain. "Like we told…