I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
go of my hand. “I’m going to let them have me.”
“Surrender?” I gasped. That wasn’t like Kelly at all.
“I didn’t say that.”
He stood slowly, jutting his chin towards the front door. Two men stood outside, both in suits, both looking as out of place as a tiger at the South Pole. Kelly’s eyes scanned the bus station, and each time he spotted a Telrik stooge he nodded. I was gratified to see my count matched his.
He took my hand again and squeezed. “See you on the other side, sweetie.”
As he walked to the front door I pocketed the thumb drive he’d slipped me. That was Kelly, always two steps ahead.
The two Telrik stooges at the door couldn’t disguise their surprise when Kelly presented himself to them. The others in the bus station tried to
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
140Story - Day 56
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
did have my back. All it took was for Telrik to wait long enough, for me to let my guard down enough, to get an opening. One small gap in my attention to exploit. They took what they got and ran with it, full speed.
“I’m sorry,” I said. I meant it with all my heart.
Kelly smiled his sad little smile and clasped my hand in his. “It’s all right, Lily. Hiding out was only prolonging the inevitable. Better to take action than keep on the way I was.”
I wanted to cry. But I didn’t. “I don’t think they’ll come in here. Too many witnesses.”
“But with all these cameras they’ll be able to follow us anywhere,” Kelly said. He glanced at the ceiling. “You can bet they’ll have drones everywhere.”
“So what do we do?”
Kelly let
did have my back. All it took was for Telrik to wait long enough, for me to let my guard down enough, to get an opening. One small gap in my attention to exploit. They took what they got and ran with it, full speed.
“I’m sorry,” I said. I meant it with all my heart.
Kelly smiled his sad little smile and clasped my hand in his. “It’s all right, Lily. Hiding out was only prolonging the inevitable. Better to take action than keep on the way I was.”
I wanted to cry. But I didn’t. “I don’t think they’ll come in here. Too many witnesses.”
“But with all these cameras they’ll be able to follow us anywhere,” Kelly said. He glanced at the ceiling. “You can bet they’ll have drones everywhere.”
“So what do we do?”
Kelly let
Sunday, July 27, 2014
140Story - Day 55
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
was covered with them. Not an inch of the station was outside camera range. Not even the spot where I had taken cover.
“They’ve been playing me for weeks.” I felt like an idiot. “Michaels is Telrik. Has to be.”
I looked to Kelly for reassurance, for his measured assessment that I was wrong. He was nodding. “It’s the only answer. They’re pushing me out into the open. One way or another.”
“And you’re letting them?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing from him.
Kelly only nodded again, then checked the doors.
“But they’ve been after you for two years,” I hissed. “Why are you doing this now?”
“Because you finally took their bait,” he said with a sad, resigned smile. “They knew there was no way I’d let you get caught in the middle all alone.”
He always
was covered with them. Not an inch of the station was outside camera range. Not even the spot where I had taken cover.
“They’ve been playing me for weeks.” I felt like an idiot. “Michaels is Telrik. Has to be.”
I looked to Kelly for reassurance, for his measured assessment that I was wrong. He was nodding. “It’s the only answer. They’re pushing me out into the open. One way or another.”
“And you’re letting them?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing from him.
Kelly only nodded again, then checked the doors.
“But they’ve been after you for two years,” I hissed. “Why are you doing this now?”
“Because you finally took their bait,” he said with a sad, resigned smile. “They knew there was no way I’d let you get caught in the middle all alone.”
He always
Friday, July 25, 2014
140Story - Day 54
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
to get to the bus station from here?”
I did. We parked three blocks away - illegally - and walked in through the back of the station, where the passengers got on board. The place smelled like exhaust and stale crackers and people at the end of their rope. We belonged.
“He’s got dark hair, heavyset, kind of pale,” I said softly. “Looked like he might need glasses but he wasn’t wearing any when we talked.”
Tense as an overwound spring, Kelly scanned the lounge, nodding slightly. “He and I have met.”
Oh no. I retreated, ducking behind a vending machine and putting my back to the wall.
In a moment Kelly was by my side, concern and suspicion in his eyes. “What’s up?”
“You never said you knew him,” I craned my neck, scanning the room for...
Surveillance cameras. The place
to get to the bus station from here?”
I did. We parked three blocks away - illegally - and walked in through the back of the station, where the passengers got on board. The place smelled like exhaust and stale crackers and people at the end of their rope. We belonged.
“He’s got dark hair, heavyset, kind of pale,” I said softly. “Looked like he might need glasses but he wasn’t wearing any when we talked.”
Tense as an overwound spring, Kelly scanned the lounge, nodding slightly. “He and I have met.”
Oh no. I retreated, ducking behind a vending machine and putting my back to the wall.
In a moment Kelly was by my side, concern and suspicion in his eyes. “What’s up?”
“You never said you knew him,” I craned my neck, scanning the room for...
Surveillance cameras. The place
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
140Story - Day 53
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
weasels like Burton?
I didn’t let him see my pain, I just nodded as if that were the answer I’d been expecting all along.
My phone beeped and a text scrolled across the screen.
‘Clr. M33t @ bus stn. I find u.’
Kelly read it with me, and frowned. “So we just trust him? What if he leads Telrik right to us?”
Being cautious is always good. But there are times prudence veers far into paranoia’s territory. I had a feeling Kelly’s had been living there for the past two years.
“Do you know how to get to the embezzled money?” I asked.
Kelly nodded. “But the second I do, Telrik will hand the whole thing over to the Feds. And I’m screwed.”
“I’m pretty sure Michaels can get around that.”
Kelly considered this for a few moments. “You know how
weasels like Burton?
I didn’t let him see my pain, I just nodded as if that were the answer I’d been expecting all along.
My phone beeped and a text scrolled across the screen.
‘Clr. M33t @ bus stn. I find u.’
Kelly read it with me, and frowned. “So we just trust him? What if he leads Telrik right to us?”
Being cautious is always good. But there are times prudence veers far into paranoia’s territory. I had a feeling Kelly’s had been living there for the past two years.
“Do you know how to get to the embezzled money?” I asked.
Kelly nodded. “But the second I do, Telrik will hand the whole thing over to the Feds. And I’m screwed.”
“I’m pretty sure Michaels can get around that.”
Kelly considered this for a few moments. “You know how
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
140Story - Day 52
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
the city.
Minutes ticked by and we sat quietly. The sun went down and we didn’t say a word. No one was following, it seemed. We had given them the slip. I hoped.
From time to time I looked over at Kelly. He was too thin, and even a lengthy shower hadn’t cleaned him up completely. He looked more homeless than undercover. But the man I once knew was in there, not too far below the surface.
“Why didn’t you get in touch?” I asked, after hours of silence.
Kelly pursed his lips, took a deep breath, and considered his words. “I wasn’t sure.”
“About me?”
He nodded and my heart broke all over again. How could he think I would ever be a part of the Telrik machine? How could he put me in the same category as corporate
the city.
Minutes ticked by and we sat quietly. The sun went down and we didn’t say a word. No one was following, it seemed. We had given them the slip. I hoped.
From time to time I looked over at Kelly. He was too thin, and even a lengthy shower hadn’t cleaned him up completely. He looked more homeless than undercover. But the man I once knew was in there, not too far below the surface.
“Why didn’t you get in touch?” I asked, after hours of silence.
Kelly pursed his lips, took a deep breath, and considered his words. “I wasn’t sure.”
“About me?”
He nodded and my heart broke all over again. How could he think I would ever be a part of the Telrik machine? How could he put me in the same category as corporate
Monday, July 21, 2014
140Story - Day 51
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
jackass in a tinted-window sports car pulling into a handicapped spot up front. Ten seconds after that to slip the paper printed circuit into the space between the window and the door, and we were off.
Yes, Telrik would eventually swarm the car, especially if he stayed put for a long time. But then he shouldn’t have parked in a handicapped spot. Karma.
I spent two hours doing everything I knew to throw a tail, aside from stealing another car. If Telrik were following us without benefit of that tracking circuit switching cars would do no good.
Finally, after exhausting and meticulous work, I backed into an empty patch of asphalt between two dumpsters in an alley in Southtown. If Telrik still was on us they’d have to come at us from the front, through the worst neighborhood in
jackass in a tinted-window sports car pulling into a handicapped spot up front. Ten seconds after that to slip the paper printed circuit into the space between the window and the door, and we were off.
Yes, Telrik would eventually swarm the car, especially if he stayed put for a long time. But then he shouldn’t have parked in a handicapped spot. Karma.
I spent two hours doing everything I knew to throw a tail, aside from stealing another car. If Telrik were following us without benefit of that tracking circuit switching cars would do no good.
Finally, after exhausting and meticulous work, I backed into an empty patch of asphalt between two dumpsters in an alley in Southtown. If Telrik still was on us they’d have to come at us from the front, through the worst neighborhood in
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Epigenetics and Buboes
I've been doing some reading lately on epigenetics, which is the process by which genes are turned off or on based on external stressors, without changing the underlying DNA sequence. The idea is that most of the DNA in a person's chromosomes is largely unexpressed, but certain sequences can be turned on if, for example, a person is exposed to DDT or dioxin or just general environmental stress. Epigenetics allows for those newly-activated or newly-suppressed genes to be passed to children. This process has been proved in mice, and researchers are studying the process in people to show how second and third generations are affected by their ancestors' stress. In other words, if your grandfather developed diabetes due to environmental factors, the chance you will get diabetes even without experiencing those same factors rises. The environmental risk for him has become a genetic risk for you.
This got me to thinking about the Black Death, the worldwide plague in the 14th Century that wiped out a third to a half of Europe's population. Epidemiologists have traced the disease vector to a bacterium carried in fleas in turn carried by rats. Geneticists have studied the current version of that bacterium to see if they can determine why it was so virulent seven centuries ago when it doesn't seem to be so now.
What if these geneticists are on the wrong path? What if instead of studying why the bacterium seemed to be so virulent, they studied why the population of Europe in 1348 was so susceptible?
What if there were environmental factors from two or three generations before 1348 that made people particularly vulnerable to the Black Death? The 14th Century was the tail end of the Middle Ages in Europe, and the early part of the century saw the Great Famine, which was about two generations before the Black Death. Was there something about that calamity that turned on some DNA sequences - or turned some off - thereby predisposing certain people two generations later to contract the plague, and others to resist it? I don't know, I'm not the geneticist, but I think it's worth exploring.
This has ramifications in modern day as well. Aside from the obvious environmental toxins - like DDT and dioxin, which researchers are studying - there are many environmental stressors in modern society, and stress can do the epigenetic job just as well as chemicals. Constant levels of stress can lead to increases in heart disease, liver problems, and obesity in people, but what else? What changes are we making to our genes that we then pass onto our children? Kind of a scary thought.
This got me to thinking about the Black Death, the worldwide plague in the 14th Century that wiped out a third to a half of Europe's population. Epidemiologists have traced the disease vector to a bacterium carried in fleas in turn carried by rats. Geneticists have studied the current version of that bacterium to see if they can determine why it was so virulent seven centuries ago when it doesn't seem to be so now.
What if these geneticists are on the wrong path? What if instead of studying why the bacterium seemed to be so virulent, they studied why the population of Europe in 1348 was so susceptible?
What if there were environmental factors from two or three generations before 1348 that made people particularly vulnerable to the Black Death? The 14th Century was the tail end of the Middle Ages in Europe, and the early part of the century saw the Great Famine, which was about two generations before the Black Death. Was there something about that calamity that turned on some DNA sequences - or turned some off - thereby predisposing certain people two generations later to contract the plague, and others to resist it? I don't know, I'm not the geneticist, but I think it's worth exploring.
This has ramifications in modern day as well. Aside from the obvious environmental toxins - like DDT and dioxin, which researchers are studying - there are many environmental stressors in modern society, and stress can do the epigenetic job just as well as chemicals. Constant levels of stress can lead to increases in heart disease, liver problems, and obesity in people, but what else? What changes are we making to our genes that we then pass onto our children? Kind of a scary thought.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
140Story - Day 50
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
taken care of the phone. But I still had the pictures Telrik had given me. In my purse. I handed the envelope to Kelly, who ran his fingers along every seam. He pulled the bottom fold down, revealing a flash of tiny circuitry, printed on paper. New tech, something I wasn’t familiar with.
“Gotta admit, that’s some clever thinking,” he said. “They gave you this two days ago?”
I nodded. My face burned hot with embarrassment. They’d gotten me. From the very beginning.
“That’s a long con,” Kelly muttered. “What do we do with it?”
My first thought was to ditch it. Crumple it into a useless ball and toss it into the gutter. But I had a better second thought.
It took all of ten minutes to find a busy supermarket parking lot. Five more minutes to find the
taken care of the phone. But I still had the pictures Telrik had given me. In my purse. I handed the envelope to Kelly, who ran his fingers along every seam. He pulled the bottom fold down, revealing a flash of tiny circuitry, printed on paper. New tech, something I wasn’t familiar with.
“Gotta admit, that’s some clever thinking,” he said. “They gave you this two days ago?”
I nodded. My face burned hot with embarrassment. They’d gotten me. From the very beginning.
“That’s a long con,” Kelly muttered. “What do we do with it?”
My first thought was to ditch it. Crumple it into a useless ball and toss it into the gutter. But I had a better second thought.
It took all of ten minutes to find a busy supermarket parking lot. Five more minutes to find the
Thursday, July 17, 2014
140Story - Day 49
Oops, I missed a day. Sorry, I was distracted.
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
left, then took my foot off the gas. Kelly now held my phone, staring at it, waiting for the next instruction.
‘UR bng followed. Lose them,’
I checked my mirrors. Nothing. I looked left, right, up, down, and Kelly did too.
“Where?” Kelly muttered.
“Doesn’t matter,” I said, slamming the pedal to the metal. “We evade.”
The force of acceleration tossed Kelly backwards, and he landed with a grunt. I took a left, a right, sped up and slowed down. Doubled back. Everything I knew to expose a tail and nothing worked.
“What if they don’t have to follow us?” Kelly muttered as he stared out the back window.
“You mean a tracker?” I snapped. “We only stole this car a couple of hours ago, how would they...”
“Your phone?” Kelly’s voice was a whisper.
I shook my head, I’d
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
left, then took my foot off the gas. Kelly now held my phone, staring at it, waiting for the next instruction.
‘UR bng followed. Lose them,’
I checked my mirrors. Nothing. I looked left, right, up, down, and Kelly did too.
“Where?” Kelly muttered.
“Doesn’t matter,” I said, slamming the pedal to the metal. “We evade.”
The force of acceleration tossed Kelly backwards, and he landed with a grunt. I took a left, a right, sped up and slowed down. Doubled back. Everything I knew to expose a tail and nothing worked.
“What if they don’t have to follow us?” Kelly muttered as he stared out the back window.
“You mean a tracker?” I snapped. “We only stole this car a couple of hours ago, how would they...”
“Your phone?” Kelly’s voice was a whisper.
I shook my head, I’d
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
140Story - Day 48
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
‘Rdy 2 tlk? Rply 1 ltr. -M’
Kelly gave me a hard stare. If I were him I’d have been suspicious too.
“I think it’s from Michaels,” I offered, holding out the phone to him.
“We need his help,” Kelly replied, more to himself than to me. “Reply with a ‘Y.’”
I did.
Nothing happened, though I thought something would. Even Kelly looked around, as if he were expecting someone to emerge immediately from the shadows.
When the phone beeped again, it startled me so much I nearly dropped it.
‘S on Shoreline. L at second light.’
Kelly craned his neck to see. “This street is Shoreline. Don’t tell me that bastard already knows exactly where we are.”
“That’s why he makes the big bucks,” I said as I pointed the car South.
At the second light I took a
‘Rdy 2 tlk? Rply 1 ltr. -M’
Kelly gave me a hard stare. If I were him I’d have been suspicious too.
“I think it’s from Michaels,” I offered, holding out the phone to him.
“We need his help,” Kelly replied, more to himself than to me. “Reply with a ‘Y.’”
I did.
Nothing happened, though I thought something would. Even Kelly looked around, as if he were expecting someone to emerge immediately from the shadows.
When the phone beeped again, it startled me so much I nearly dropped it.
‘S on Shoreline. L at second light.’
Kelly craned his neck to see. “This street is Shoreline. Don’t tell me that bastard already knows exactly where we are.”
“That’s why he makes the big bucks,” I said as I pointed the car South.
At the second light I took a
Monday, July 14, 2014
140Story - Day 47
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
you’re never entirely certain if you’re being tracked. You can spot a person, or a car, or even a drone if you pay close attention. But if they’re tracking your cell, or monitoring your logins... the person doing the tracking doesn’t even have to be in the same country.
We ditched the stolen car once we were miles out of Downtown, and promptly stole another. When we were miles past that point we ditched it and stole a third car. That was the one we drove back into town. I hoped the entire exercise wasn’t being monitored in some operations center. Backed into an abandoned lot in the industrial district; we’d run out of places to hide.
My cell beeped, an odd warble I’d never heard before. It was a text, from a number I didn’t know. It read
you’re never entirely certain if you’re being tracked. You can spot a person, or a car, or even a drone if you pay close attention. But if they’re tracking your cell, or monitoring your logins... the person doing the tracking doesn’t even have to be in the same country.
We ditched the stolen car once we were miles out of Downtown, and promptly stole another. When we were miles past that point we ditched it and stole a third car. That was the one we drove back into town. I hoped the entire exercise wasn’t being monitored in some operations center. Backed into an abandoned lot in the industrial district; we’d run out of places to hide.
My cell beeped, an odd warble I’d never heard before. It was a text, from a number I didn’t know. It read
Sunday, July 13, 2014
140Story - Day 46
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
probably a college student, lugged bags of groceries from an open car door to his low-rent apartment. The car was still running.
In a matter of seconds I was behind the wheel and Kelly was in the passenger seat. I drove off slowly, calmly, as if we were just out for a drive instead of committing grand theft.
Kelly turned and scanned the road behind us. “No tail.”
“Not in a car or truck, no,” I said. I’d been scanning my rear-view too. “What if they’ve got eyes on the buildings? Or drones?”
He sighed and slumped in the seat. “This sucks when you don’t have back-up.”
I nodded. “You ever hear of a tech guy named Michaels?”
Kelly gave me a hard stare. “Yeah. How do you know him?”
The problem with modern electronic surveillance is
probably a college student, lugged bags of groceries from an open car door to his low-rent apartment. The car was still running.
In a matter of seconds I was behind the wheel and Kelly was in the passenger seat. I drove off slowly, calmly, as if we were just out for a drive instead of committing grand theft.
Kelly turned and scanned the road behind us. “No tail.”
“Not in a car or truck, no,” I said. I’d been scanning my rear-view too. “What if they’ve got eyes on the buildings? Or drones?”
He sighed and slumped in the seat. “This sucks when you don’t have back-up.”
I nodded. “You ever hear of a tech guy named Michaels?”
Kelly gave me a hard stare. “Yeah. How do you know him?”
The problem with modern electronic surveillance is
Saturday, July 12, 2014
140Story - Day 45
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
guys are with Telrik or Burton.”
“What if there’s no difference?” I asked. “What if Telrik is using Burton to get the money back?”
The idea took Kelly a moment to process. “I never thought of that.”
Hugging the wall, Kelly moved for the other end of the alley, pistol in hand. I followed with my own pistol drawn, scanning above and behind us. It was like the old days, me and Kelly against the world.
“Can you still hotwire a car?” Kelly asked softly.
“Older models are better,” I said, “quicker. But, yeah, pretty much.”
Crouching, he eased one eye around the corner. Turning back, he had a smile on his face. “Suppose I found you one with the keys still in it?”
We both concealed our weapons and emerged from the alley. Not thirty feet away some kid,
guys are with Telrik or Burton.”
“What if there’s no difference?” I asked. “What if Telrik is using Burton to get the money back?”
The idea took Kelly a moment to process. “I never thought of that.”
Hugging the wall, Kelly moved for the other end of the alley, pistol in hand. I followed with my own pistol drawn, scanning above and behind us. It was like the old days, me and Kelly against the world.
“Can you still hotwire a car?” Kelly asked softly.
“Older models are better,” I said, “quicker. But, yeah, pretty much.”
Crouching, he eased one eye around the corner. Turning back, he had a smile on his face. “Suppose I found you one with the keys still in it?”
We both concealed our weapons and emerged from the alley. Not thirty feet away some kid,
Friday, July 11, 2014
140Story - Day 44
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
the ground. Kelly turned right, I turned left and kicked another agent as he flicked the switch on his radio. I jabbed two fingers into his throat and grabbed the radio. Kelly took out his second stooge with a series of incredibly vicious liver punches and an eye gouge. Kelly played to win, not to be noble.
We weren’t out of the building more than fifteen seconds and we had taken three of them out. The element of surprise was gone now, and I could feel eyes on me as I followed Kelly across the street and into an alley. He ducked behind a dumpster, breathing hard.
“No shots fired,” he said.
“You think they’re going for recovery?”
He ran a hand across his lips, his eyes darting from one end of the alley to the other. “Depends if these
the ground. Kelly turned right, I turned left and kicked another agent as he flicked the switch on his radio. I jabbed two fingers into his throat and grabbed the radio. Kelly took out his second stooge with a series of incredibly vicious liver punches and an eye gouge. Kelly played to win, not to be noble.
We weren’t out of the building more than fifteen seconds and we had taken three of them out. The element of surprise was gone now, and I could feel eyes on me as I followed Kelly across the street and into an alley. He ducked behind a dumpster, breathing hard.
“No shots fired,” he said.
“You think they’re going for recovery?”
He ran a hand across his lips, his eyes darting from one end of the alley to the other. “Depends if these
Thursday, July 10, 2014
140Story - Day 43
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
out.”
“Fire escape is too slow,” I said. “We’d be sitting ducks.”
Kelly’s eyebrows raised. “Drain pipe?”
I shrugged. “Only other option’s the front door.”
Kelly thought for a moment. “If you were them, would you expect us to use the front door?”
Kelly went first. He always went first. It wasn’t chivalry, he didn’t trust anyone else to take point, but he did trust me with his back.
The stairway was empty, but there were shadows out the building’s front door that shouldn’t have been there. Kelly tapped me twice and raised three fingers. Two. One.
Kelly tugged the door open, catching a Telrik stooge by surprise. Before the man could touch his radio or reach for his gun Kelly punched him square in the jaw. I saw the man’s eyes flutter, he was out cold before he hit
out.”
“Fire escape is too slow,” I said. “We’d be sitting ducks.”
Kelly’s eyebrows raised. “Drain pipe?”
I shrugged. “Only other option’s the front door.”
Kelly thought for a moment. “If you were them, would you expect us to use the front door?”
Kelly went first. He always went first. It wasn’t chivalry, he didn’t trust anyone else to take point, but he did trust me with his back.
The stairway was empty, but there were shadows out the building’s front door that shouldn’t have been there. Kelly tapped me twice and raised three fingers. Two. One.
Kelly tugged the door open, catching a Telrik stooge by surprise. Before the man could touch his radio or reach for his gun Kelly punched him square in the jaw. I saw the man’s eyes flutter, he was out cold before he hit
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
140Story - Day 42
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
so I’d keep quiet.”
“And you’ve never touched a penny of it?”
Kelly shook his head. He was as stubborn as they come.
“So why is Burton coming after you now?”
“His father’s dead,” Kelly explained. “A few weeks ago. Not job related, he’d been in the hospital for a few months.”
“And Burton wants your share,” I said.
Kelly nodded slowly.
There was some movement on the street, not part of the regular ebb and flow. Nothing I could put my finger on, but my interest was enough to send Kelly to the door leading to the rooftop.
“What’s going on?”
“Not sure,” I said slowly. I counted three vans. Which was three more than I had ever seen on the street before. “I think they made us.”
“Two shadows on the building across the way,” Kelly said. “Rooftop’s
so I’d keep quiet.”
“And you’ve never touched a penny of it?”
Kelly shook his head. He was as stubborn as they come.
“So why is Burton coming after you now?”
“His father’s dead,” Kelly explained. “A few weeks ago. Not job related, he’d been in the hospital for a few months.”
“And Burton wants your share,” I said.
Kelly nodded slowly.
There was some movement on the street, not part of the regular ebb and flow. Nothing I could put my finger on, but my interest was enough to send Kelly to the door leading to the rooftop.
“What’s going on?”
“Not sure,” I said slowly. I counted three vans. Which was three more than I had ever seen on the street before. “I think they made us.”
“Two shadows on the building across the way,” Kelly said. “Rooftop’s
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
140Story - Day 41
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
believed him. Kelly wasn’t one to get sloppy. “You’re saying someone wanted others to think you were stealing?”
“I was separating,” he explained, “leaving Telrik. Like you. They didn’t want me to go. Thought I knew about too many skeletons in too many closets.”
“That’s true about any of us,” I replied. “What’s so special about you?”
“Burton’s father.”
He said it as if that explained everything. I didn’t take the bait, I just waited.
“He was the one with sticky fingers,” Kelly said. “We worked a detail together down South. I found a courier bag. He opened it. Took it to the section chief, who thought we three should split it. I told him no.”
I went to the window and scanned outside. Never could be too vigilant.
“They split it anyway. And put my name on dirty money
believed him. Kelly wasn’t one to get sloppy. “You’re saying someone wanted others to think you were stealing?”
“I was separating,” he explained, “leaving Telrik. Like you. They didn’t want me to go. Thought I knew about too many skeletons in too many closets.”
“That’s true about any of us,” I replied. “What’s so special about you?”
“Burton’s father.”
He said it as if that explained everything. I didn’t take the bait, I just waited.
“He was the one with sticky fingers,” Kelly said. “We worked a detail together down South. I found a courier bag. He opened it. Took it to the section chief, who thought we three should split it. I told him no.”
I went to the window and scanned outside. Never could be too vigilant.
“They split it anyway. And put my name on dirty money
Monday, July 7, 2014
140Story - Day 40
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
we shared, two years back.
I made him take a shower but he still had the look of an unhinged vagrant, which is why I made the trip for razors.
“There should be shaving cream in the bathroom,” I said as I tossed the razors to him.
“I didn’t steal any money,” he said without looking up. “If I had, do you think I’d still be here, living on the street?”
I thought about it for a moment. Kelly was smart, and an opportunist. “Probably not. But what was that you said about getting as much money as you needed?”
“They framed me,” he said, finally making eye contact. “My fault for not keeping up with sigint. There is an account in the Caymans with my name on it and several million dollars just waiting.”
I didn’t know if I
we shared, two years back.
I made him take a shower but he still had the look of an unhinged vagrant, which is why I made the trip for razors.
“There should be shaving cream in the bathroom,” I said as I tossed the razors to him.
“I didn’t steal any money,” he said without looking up. “If I had, do you think I’d still be here, living on the street?”
I thought about it for a moment. Kelly was smart, and an opportunist. “Probably not. But what was that you said about getting as much money as you needed?”
“They framed me,” he said, finally making eye contact. “My fault for not keeping up with sigint. There is an account in the Caymans with my name on it and several million dollars just waiting.”
I didn’t know if I
Sunday, July 6, 2014
140Story - Day 39
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
with cash, using a debit card would only leave a trail I knew for a fact Telrik could follow. I walked back to the bolt-hole the long way around, stopping every minute or so to scan for a tail. Either Telrik operatives had completely changed the way they operated, or I had given them the slip.
The tiny room sat at the top of narrow stairs and looked out over a rooftop. One set of windows opened onto a fire escape, the other was within reach of a solid brass drain pipe. I never stayed in places that had only one way out.
Kelly was sitting on the second-hand couch, the remains of a take-out sandwich on the table in front of him. He was eating as if the last food he ate was the last meal
with cash, using a debit card would only leave a trail I knew for a fact Telrik could follow. I walked back to the bolt-hole the long way around, stopping every minute or so to scan for a tail. Either Telrik operatives had completely changed the way they operated, or I had given them the slip.
The tiny room sat at the top of narrow stairs and looked out over a rooftop. One set of windows opened onto a fire escape, the other was within reach of a solid brass drain pipe. I never stayed in places that had only one way out.
Kelly was sitting on the second-hand couch, the remains of a take-out sandwich on the table in front of him. He was eating as if the last food he ate was the last meal
Saturday, July 5, 2014
140Story - Day 38
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
as well pull that trigger right now, Kelly. Because if that’s true then you’re not even close to the kind of man I thought you were.”
For what seemed like forever Kelly said nothing. Did nothing. I thought for sure my days would end as a red spatter on the inside of the windshield. At long last, mercifully, Kelly tossed the gun into the front seat.
“You’re right,” he sighed. “I’m not who you thought I was.”
“So let me in,” I said softly. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“We have to get somewhere safe,” he said. “Your place is compromised. So is mine, most likely.”
He sounded weary. Defeated. Two years on the run would do that to any man, even Kelly.
“I have a couple of possibilities,” I offered.
Kelly could only nod.
I paid for the razors
as well pull that trigger right now, Kelly. Because if that’s true then you’re not even close to the kind of man I thought you were.”
For what seemed like forever Kelly said nothing. Did nothing. I thought for sure my days would end as a red spatter on the inside of the windshield. At long last, mercifully, Kelly tossed the gun into the front seat.
“You’re right,” he sighed. “I’m not who you thought I was.”
“So let me in,” I said softly. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“We have to get somewhere safe,” he said. “Your place is compromised. So is mine, most likely.”
He sounded weary. Defeated. Two years on the run would do that to any man, even Kelly.
“I have a couple of possibilities,” I offered.
Kelly could only nod.
I paid for the razors
Friday, July 4, 2014
140Story - Day 37
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
and ammo cost money. All the tools you use cost money. Where does it come from?”
There was a long silence. I felt the gun on the back of my skull again. “You passed Green Street.”
“I told Theda you wouldn’t steal,” I said. “But you did it, didn’t you? How much, Kelly? What was your price?”
“You know them,” he replied, a tiny quaver in his usually-strong voice, “Telrik are bad people. The worst.”
“That doesn’t make stealing from them okay.”
He pressed the pistol more firmly against my head. “Is stealing from a thief wrong? Or is it poetic justice?”
I took a deep breath and gripped the wheel tight. I was going to take a gamble, one that I couldn’t afford to lose. “If you were gone for two years just because of money... you might
and ammo cost money. All the tools you use cost money. Where does it come from?”
There was a long silence. I felt the gun on the back of my skull again. “You passed Green Street.”
“I told Theda you wouldn’t steal,” I said. “But you did it, didn’t you? How much, Kelly? What was your price?”
“You know them,” he replied, a tiny quaver in his usually-strong voice, “Telrik are bad people. The worst.”
“That doesn’t make stealing from them okay.”
He pressed the pistol more firmly against my head. “Is stealing from a thief wrong? Or is it poetic justice?”
I took a deep breath and gripped the wheel tight. I was going to take a gamble, one that I couldn’t afford to lose. “If you were gone for two years just because of money... you might
Thursday, July 3, 2014
140Story - Day 36
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
the commotion was.
Truth be told, that wasn’t far wrong. I was in the dark about so much.
Kelly was playing a long game, that was clear, but I had no idea what the game actually was. Missing funds? Murder in broad daylight? There were stakes here I was totally unfamiliar with. I was the dupe. The pasty. And I didn’t like it one bit.
I drove slowly, but not too slowly. “Theda said you were involved in embezzling.”
A snort of derision sounded from the back seat. “I can get as much money as I need any time I need it.”
“Tell me the truth, Kelly,” I said as I passed Green Street without turning, “how have you been living these past two years?”
“I’ve been free,” he replied. “Not tied to anyone else’s agenda.”
“Apartments cost money. Guns
the commotion was.
Truth be told, that wasn’t far wrong. I was in the dark about so much.
Kelly was playing a long game, that was clear, but I had no idea what the game actually was. Missing funds? Murder in broad daylight? There were stakes here I was totally unfamiliar with. I was the dupe. The pasty. And I didn’t like it one bit.
I drove slowly, but not too slowly. “Theda said you were involved in embezzling.”
A snort of derision sounded from the back seat. “I can get as much money as I need any time I need it.”
“Tell me the truth, Kelly,” I said as I passed Green Street without turning, “how have you been living these past two years?”
“I’ve been free,” he replied. “Not tied to anyone else’s agenda.”
“Apartments cost money. Guns
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
140Story - Day 35
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
we moving?” Kelly demanded. I felt the pistol on my skull again.
“How did you find me?”
Kelly smiled, the first human emotion I’d seen him display. “I’ll always know where you are, Lily.”
“Then you know about Burton.”
Kelly frowned. “Hack.”
“I think he used me to flush you out.”
Kelly shrugged. “Of course he did.”
I waited for him to elaborate, but he seemed content to hold the gun to my head and say nothing even as sirens grew louder and closer. In a flash, I got it.
“But you’re ahead of him.”
The pistol eased away from my head. “Always. We need to leave. Don’t attract attention to yourself.”
I eased away from the curb just as the first police car screamed past. I watched it go, pretending I was just another passer-by wondering what all
we moving?” Kelly demanded. I felt the pistol on my skull again.
“How did you find me?”
Kelly smiled, the first human emotion I’d seen him display. “I’ll always know where you are, Lily.”
“Then you know about Burton.”
Kelly frowned. “Hack.”
“I think he used me to flush you out.”
Kelly shrugged. “Of course he did.”
I waited for him to elaborate, but he seemed content to hold the gun to my head and say nothing even as sirens grew louder and closer. In a flash, I got it.
“But you’re ahead of him.”
The pistol eased away from my head. “Always. We need to leave. Don’t attract attention to yourself.”
I eased away from the curb just as the first police car screamed past. I watched it go, pretending I was just another passer-by wondering what all
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
140Story - Day 34
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
lived it. The constant tension, ready for any threat at any time. I’d overcome it with difficulty and help. The kind of help Kelly needed but never got.
“Did you kill Theda?” I asked.
“Drive, dammit,” Kelly hissed.
I didn’t move. I needed to know. “She’s dead.”
“The brunette you were with? Is that what the gunshot was? Not me.” He shook his head. “Broad daylight... amateurs.”
I turned the key and Kelly flinched. “Which way to avoid cops?”
Kelly cocked his head, listening as the sirens came closer. “Left on Green, right on Lake, then the second alley. Back in.”
I knew roughly where he was taking me. Close to where I thought he would be, but not exactly. Kelly was unpredictable, which was why Burton needed me to find him.
Or... needed Kelly to find me.
“Why aren’t
lived it. The constant tension, ready for any threat at any time. I’d overcome it with difficulty and help. The kind of help Kelly needed but never got.
“Did you kill Theda?” I asked.
“Drive, dammit,” Kelly hissed.
I didn’t move. I needed to know. “She’s dead.”
“The brunette you were with? Is that what the gunshot was? Not me.” He shook his head. “Broad daylight... amateurs.”
I turned the key and Kelly flinched. “Which way to avoid cops?”
Kelly cocked his head, listening as the sirens came closer. “Left on Green, right on Lake, then the second alley. Back in.”
I knew roughly where he was taking me. Close to where I thought he would be, but not exactly. Kelly was unpredictable, which was why Burton needed me to find him.
Or... needed Kelly to find me.
“Why aren’t
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