t once the panic stopped clouding my judgment and I could think again, I told myself the truth: there

eated my story again and again, four different times, to four different officers, until my voice grew hoarse and my nerves frayed at the edges. I was desperate to go home, de

e most grating. He cleared his throat and glance

llet and ran into the alley. Then someone killed him, and somehow y

happened," I said,

ege student who just witnessed a gruesome murder. I've been in this job for years, and even

rained to show it. But his words dug deeper th

ed through my mind. I was six when they died. I still remembered the way their e

ted, then offered a

inting fingers, I suggest you check the security camera." I gestured toward the device mo

ckled dryly. "Who sai

knew better. Trouble liked to follow me. I

ing of mi

ctive... about the money in my wallet. I know this probably so

g sympathetic. "We need to process everything for forensics. We

I asked, voi

chin again. "A

d never wait that long. I might beg him for a day or two, top

tective said, nodding once be

I barely cared that a man had just been murdered in front of me. I

o do?" I whispered to no on

came a voice

s most of his face, revealing only his lips full, curved in a knowing half-smi

verhear, but it sounds like you'

him to mind his business. But de

e. "My rent money soaked u

None of the other cops had looked at the scene with anythi

Waitresses. The pay is... generous. You might even earn fou

engraved paper. "Vell

icion immediately.

drugs, and it's not a

cop recruiting waitresses for a

need. I'm not recruiting. I'm offering hel

for a second. "Domitilla,"

heart jumping, only to realize it was just the tec

d him among the uniformed officers,

neve

nning like a broken record. Every time I closed my eyes, the image of the man's

maybe it was the realization that if the killer h

Domitilla,"

ice jobs before waitressing, bartending but never at a club. The word alone conjured images of stiletto

screame

up. I told him everything. H

three-day extension. Just three.

for what felt like an eterni

an an

y at nine. Wear something...

dropped.

could hear through the phone. "No one wi

ing from my throat half h

d day if she knew. Maybe

to sell herself. I wasn't the type. I

t demon more than once though only in the safety

op, sneakers. My only "enticing" dress ha

my hair down and my pr

, ominous. A line of women stretched outside. Every sin

like a bru

ess?" one of

and took my pl

lcome to Velluto Nero," he said with a low b

legance and steel modernity. Brick walls. Velvet

circle," E

ed on looks alone," one girl scoffed,

your experience," Ermes s

nt a shiver

s eyes moved slowly from my sneakers to my me

ing," he

d disappear. Then I felt it an

n the balc

n, watching me with a hunger that stole my breath. It wasn't lust. It was d

e look

e. I shook, di

Crive

ed by Ermes' han

I whi

He smiled like t

ea what I'd just g