Chapter 1 – Deadwood Agent Elizabeth Persimmon Shuttleworth, kicked at a small pile of charcoal, the gray ash puffed into the air for a second before settling on the pointed toe of her well-polished black cowboy boot. She reached down and pulled a small doll head from the charred wooden remains of someone’s home, probably the bedroom of a little… (more…)
I stood in the shadows at the edge of the silent alleyway, enfolded in early morning darkness. Across the street, the neon bar sign flashed “Mel’s Brewery” once every three seconds. Beneath the name, on an alternating three seconds, it flashed the question, “Ready for a beer?” and the correct time on the hands of a neon clock, now one-forty-six.… (more…)
The man carried the large bundle over one shoulder as he padded quickly down the stairs. Light from the street filtered through the sheer curtains but otherwise the darkness was complete. He almost tripped over the small dog gasping for air at the foot of the stairs, poison-filled froth dribbled from its small mouth. Poor pup, needed to be done… (more…)