John X stole a silver F-150 pickup from a Wal-Mart in Shre­veport. It was easy. The owner had parked it thirty feet away from other cars, probably in an attempt to avoid dings. It was a 2004 model, but looked brand new. If someone had seen him stealing the truck, he would have been too [...]

Greg and Cynthia walked through the spacious marble lobby to the large, circular reception/security booth, which separated them from the hallway of elevators. A huge digital wall clock read 4:08 PM. Two uniformed men were carefully watching an array of closed circuit television monitors. In a quick survey of three screens, Cynthia saw a young [...]

His real name was John Smith. It sounded like a fake name for a hit man anyway, so he opted for a cooler sounding name: John X. He had relocated from Amarillo to Arlington when he was 22, and had established himself as a well-to-do bachelor over the three years he had lived there. He [...]

Just one more traffic light, and Greg and Cynthia would be out of Coreyville. He glanced over at her. She looked years younger in disguise. The freckles and baseball cap really did the trick. Something in his rear view mirror caught his eye. It was a police car turning onto Main Street behind him. He [...]

Greg checked his watch as he walked into the lobby of the Holiday Inn. Nearly 11:00 AM. He was afraid everyone would be watching him. The desk clerk was talking to a couple who were checking out. A housekeeper was cleaning up the stale pastries and other remains of the breakfast bar. Three or four [...]

Marty’s king size bed, 27-inch color TV, private bathroom, and air conditioning made him feel like a millionaire. He didn’t miss prison at all. Cynthia Blockerman’s room was just below his. With x-ray vision, he could have shot her through the floor from where he stood. He liked her. But he wouldn’t hesitate to cut [...]

“I’m sorry—the D.A. is not available right now. I’m Assistant District Attorney, Andrea Newly. What can I do for you?” “This is Dorothy Spokane. I have information regarding the trial. Could you please come to my house and take my state­ment?” “Yes, Ma’am.” “And I have an important document for you. I would come up [...]

Greg got dressed in record time, started to rush out the door, and froze—one hand on the doorknob, the other on the light switch. Every cell in his body was screaming rescue Cyn­thia. He wanted to run to her, take her in his arms, and hold her until the darkness passed. But he must not [...]

Greg had forgotten to close his bedroom window blinds. And after a couple of hours of sleeplessness, his mind began to play tricks on him. The streetlight projected its beams through tree branches, leaves and power lines, forming interesting shapes on the wall across from the window. The longer he stu­died them, the more fascinating [...]

Cynthia had braced herself for what was coming. It was 10:00 PM, and what did she think she was doing staying out so late? Had she been whoring around? But she didn’t care what Troy said tonight. It was worth it. And she discovered that she could still sing, and it was so much fun. [...]