Blood

The blood orange sky could have been mistaken for a distant fire. The sunset in the west hovered between a few black clouds like smoke from that smoldering flame. To the east, the shroud of a storm closed in. It had been months since I’d taken the time to notice the sky. Standing on the sidewalk in front of my building, I noted how the events of the past few weeks had taken their toll. Johnson Dorman wanted me to represent another scuzzy predator. Peterson had just killed his girlfriend and asked me to represent him again.

I hugged my arms to my chest and added one more—Richard. . . . and his contract.

To my left, a black Mercedes pulled alongside the sidewalk. Travis. I should have known Richard wouldn’t let it go. He’s sent his bodyguard even though I’d told him not to. From the car, Travis called out the opened passenger window. “Jump in. I’ll take you to Richard’s.”

“Thanks, Travis, but I told Richard I’ll stay home tonight.”

“I can’t let you do that.”

Take the night off, Travi