echoes. It was cold, the air conditioning set to

hoes shined with a kit he'd bought at a drugstore. He st

watches, haircuts that cost more than Arlis's monthl

e woman behind the counter looked ha

y. "You look like you're carryin

s usually barked names at her. Her face

rman.

n," she said, marking hi

rew everyone's attention. The

sn't a candidate, but she was there to mark her territory. Kyler wore a

room and locked

his voice booming. "The w

he group of candidates. Arlis didn'

lightly frayed cuffs. "Arlis," she said, her voice dropping to a th

. "This is a government building, no

isten, pal. You know who got me this interview

e eye. He didn't back do

quietly. He nodded toward the far wall. "See those guys with the cameras? That's the Ca

ree men with press badges were standing near

s cheeks so fast it looked like a magic trick. He

onfused. "Kyler

Kyler his

the elevators. The doors opened, and he stepped inside. As the doors

nd a seat in the corner. Next to him sat a young

throw up," the

ning his eyes. "They don't want r

oked at hi

ked in. He was a large man, imposing, with a face carved from granite

g ties. Arlis stood slowly. His

ds. But along the sole, a fa

East District construction si

there was a spark of curiosity in the Commissioner's g

ame w