The Orange Cat & other Cainsville tales (18 page)

“It was—”

“One, someone could have ID’d the real body, which would have ruined everything. Two, six months isn’t enough time for those who actually worked on the dead woman to forget what she looked like.”

“Do you really think anyone gives a shit about some addict who offs herself in an empty building? She was a white chick with dark hair and blue eyes. Close enough. The problem was that six months later, I was long gone, so this guy figured he could just swap the photos and leave it at that. Skip the positive ID. I spent years—
years
—on the run because the asshole who put out the bounty on me figured I bolted. All because that bastard cop couldn’t hold up his end of the deal.”

“And Gabriel?”

Her face screwed up. “What?”

“His mother left him. At fifteen. Walked away without a word. Without leaving him one red cent.”

A dismissive wave. “He could look after himself. Been doing it for years. Not that he ever contributed anything. Just made enough for himself.”

“He was a
child
,” I snarled. “He shouldn’t have
had
to take care of himself.”

“Why not? Everyone does, eventually. Better to learn that lesson early. And look where it got him.” She waved around the office. “A big-shot lawyer. Drives a fancy car. Lives in a fancy apartment. He wouldn’t have all this if I’d coddled him.”

“Get out.”

“Oh, so now you want me to leave? Make up your mind, girl.”

I pulled out the gun and pointed it at her head again. “Get out now.”

She started to make some sarcastic comment. Then she met my gaze, shut her mouth and limped out to the door.

#

When Lydia returned, I was in the bathroom, plucking hairs from Gabriel’s brush and putting them into a plastic bag. When I emerged, her gaze traveled from the bag in my hand to one on her desk, containing the bloodied tissues.

“You really think it could be her?” she said.

“I think I need that answer as fast as I can get it,” I said. “I’ll pay whatever it takes for the quickest possible turnaround.”

***

***

***

Want to be one of the first to read the full book? I’m giving away two copies of the bound manuscript of
Rituals
—or I will, once it’s edited! This will be the first chance to read it, before even the ARCs are printed. I expect to have these ready to print and ship by March.

This contest is only for those who took part in this preorder/early-purchase/early-library-borrow promotion. Winners will be checked against the list of participants.

To enter, just e-mail Alison (
[email protected]
) & tell her your favorite story in this mini-collection.

Contest closes September 30, 2016. Two winners will be drawn at random and notified by e-mail. Prizes will be mailed before March 31, 2017.