othes, the smell of cheap coffee and

he diner, then the office

ike. For

pions, a rival motorcyc

housand

r's locket, the only

dry, hacking sound fr

. Six y

r in their cramped apartment thick wi

. The free clinic appointmen

ht, his small body burning with fever. "Mommy's getting the mone

pocket. Almost enough for the next p

ast o

ew shallow, a rasp

seized

im up, his sm

, Leo, h

ng down a cab, the precious "de

n's clin

hts blurred.

errible, final sti

oked back, his fa

was

cab to the rundown ware

spot for t

money. What else

ow in a cheap urn from the funeral home she couldn't

ted out. Mi

she'll bring it.

"Sucker." Tha

e said, his tone light, cruel. "This 'Scorpion

the urn hea

l threat?" Ro

g that new kitchen, and Cody's birthday is next month. Prom

rah had hea

en she finds out Leo.

suffering builds character. Besides, sh

n, laughing, draped on Mike's arm.

oney in her bag felt like pois

n danger. Leo

hought was true began to solidify in her he