The sixty-sixth free, unedited chapter of my upcoming book, “The Heist at Cordia Aquarium” is now available on its website (or click here to read from the beginning).
Sidewalk and road wind in front of them, dark except for two streetlamps that flicker a weak, warm tone. Nearly outshone by the waning moon overhead.
"One more block." Barclay says.
The dark doesn't bother Scrypher, but the quiet unnerves her. It feels wrong. Too still. She casts her head about, hoping her helmet's cameras flag some sort of movement.
Nothing. Not even a stray cat.
"Is it usually this empty over here?" She says.
Barclay bats a hand through the air. "Oh, definitely. We're pretty far off main street and this area isn't zoned for residential. Got a bunch of corporate offices, warehouses, and whatever other mixed-use stuff is allowed out here." He tugs at a curl of his mustache and swallows the start of a laugh. "It's been a little while since I took the exam."
Words fight to get out of her throat, but she bites down on the meat of her lip with well practiced — albeit painful — grace. He's friendly. Kind. But, there's one thing she can't get past: his laziness. Their laziness.
[...]
