n Colli

nk carbon-copy invoice onto the polished mahogany bar. "This invoice is sixty days past

pping into the shadow of a cigarette ve

ormed out into the main bar area, followed close

d, shoving a prospect aside as he marched toward

by the leather-clad men surrounding him. He adjus

re to collect the remaining balance on the custom-fitted, genuine alligator riding suit and pure

around toward the corner booth, where his younger sis

darkening. "Did you spend eigh

p, tossing her bleached blonde hair, her ch

yelled, pointing an acrylic nail directly at me across the room. "She sa

the bar swu

a shrill, piercing pitch. "I knew it! You malicious, jeal

ll bottle of mineral water from my jacket poc

horization with my signat

Why would I need a stupid signature? You told me

ree weeks ago. Either I leave this building with a certified cashier's check for eighty-two thousand dollars, or two flatbed truc

vage his pride in front of thirty patched m

pocket and grabbing a pen from the bartender. "It's eighty grand. You think

gressive snap, and shoved it at the shop's deputy

now," Chas commanded. "Show this p

p's business debit card into the terminal to author

ll color. Sweat beade

surer whispered, h

rked. "Clear th

ing back so Chas could see the glow

s. Actually, it's negative fourteen

r Bar was so heavy you could hear t

as's voice cracked. Hi

easurer stammered, terrified. "The trust account is disconnected. We don't

chuckle slippe

Chas's face. His eyes bugged out, the veins on his neck bulging a

ooping up his paperwork and

the radio. "Back the trucks in. S

ager's arm, completely losing his composure. "Give me two

trust fund, running around playing tough guy while your sister wears stolen alligator skin

bing Chas's arm and looking up at

voice carrying across the quiet room. "She still loves you. If you j

ide warring violently wit

th. "I'd rather burn the shop to the ground

pped my leather jacket all the way to

him. "Make sure you keep that same

reamed from behind the bar, her voice breaking into hyst

to the biting wind. Snow flurries were already swir

he twin-cam engine roared to life with a deep,

tle, leaving the Salinas Clubhouse behind

with tinted windows pulled smoothly out from the shadows