Arbor Hill: PI Jack Marconi by Vincent Zandri

Author:Vincent Zandri [Zandri, Vincent]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-05-25T18:30:00+00:00

10

As I exited the building, I made out gunshots. Three distinct bursts, probably from a semi-automatic handgun. The shots came from out of the east, further up Clinton Avenue. Competing dealers shooting it out, maybe. Or a domestic disturbance turned deadly. Maybe a botched robbery. Maybe two opposing gangs of thirteen-year-olds going at it. Anything could and would happen in Arbor Hill.

The fine hairs rose on the back of my neck. Heartbeat elevated. Mouth dry.

Back to that feeling of living in a fish bowl. An overwhelming sensation of vulnerability, of knowing a stray bullet could pop you in the skull at any moment. Or hell, a bullet meant for your skull.

What the hell was Missy doing here?

Missy and Teddy.

Living in Arbor Hill was cheap. But there had to be other cheap, far safer places in Albany. Of course, who the hell was I to question her motives especially when I chose to live and work on Sherman Street? My singular motive was to report back to my client.

I got back behind the wheel of the 4-Runner, fired her up, pulled away from the curb, made my way to the traffic signal and stopped at the red light. I made out another couple of shots. That’s when I decided, screw it, and blew through the red light. I’d rather risk a traffic ticket than my life.

I hooked a left on Lark.

When I passed by the corner bodega, the old man was sitting outside on the front stoop, smoking a cigarette in the cold, gray, March air. He somehow recognized me, and he offered a friendly wave. But I was already gone by the time I had the chance to wave back. Bullets were flying around in Arbor Hill. Surely he heard the exchange. Maybe he didn’t care anymore. Or maybe he was used to it. Immune to it. Live in a war zone long enough, you come to miss the sound of gunshots. Things get too quiet.

I pulled up to Sherman Street, parked out front, made my way up to the second floor. It was time for more whiskey.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.