“Sex was the great equalizer for me,” she had told Thea. “With my brothers I learned self-defense so I wouldn’t be their live-in maid. If I couldn’t beat them up, at least they knew they’d been in a fight. We came to an uneasy truce. They wouldn’t dump on me as the only girl […]
Read more "20 – Nina’s growing up and home life"They drank in silence for a few minutes, listening to the chatter around them. Then Nina looked at Thea. “So, what do you look for in a woman?” she asked, keeping her voice low, eyes locked on Thea. “Actually, I’ve never given it much thought,” she said, mulling the question over in her mind. “I’m […]
Read more "19 – Thea described the type of woman she is attracted"The problem was Nina was a cop, one in her own squad no less. If they went public, it would only reinforce what Thea had insisted were the unfounded fears of others. Hughes had been on the prowl from day one, they would say behind her back—or furtively, but within earshot so she would hear. Nina […]
Read more "18 – Nina refuses to come out of the closet"When Thea got home it was close to three-thirty in the morning. Nina wasn’t there and Thea felt relieved. Instantly guilt washed over her for the unkind thought. She told herself she wanted to mull over what she had learned from the girl found on Lincoln Drive and needed no distractions, but deep within she […]
Read more "17 – Thea ponders her relationship with Nina"Thomas lay next to her when they’d finished, each breathing deeply. Their lovemaking had caused the flow of blood to increase and he playfully drew designs on her stomach and breasts. “Stop the blood now. You promised,” she said, weakly. “Then we can make love again.” Her words wouldn’t have made a difference, but for […]
Read more "16 – Samuels Finishes His New Painting"“My fiancée, Yvette. This one,” he said, pointing to a portrait of an ebony black face, “I painted not long before we became engaged, after we’d first made love. I thought I knew her so well then, the many contradictions that simmered within her. But it’s rubbish. Yes, it looks like her. I’m what I […]
Read more "15 – Bring Yvette Back to Life in Portrait"“Why me?” she asked, when she had gotten into his nondescript dark blue Taurus. “The tattoos. Your inner self making its way to the surface. Those others you hang with they’re virtual strangers even to themselves. You … I feel I know already.” She shrugged and relaxed in her seat. No comments. No questions. He […]
Read more "14 – Runaway Goes with Samuels"Thomas had spotted her several days before. She had been with other teens at Rittenhouse Square, a park in Center City that literally took up a full city block, surrounded by high-rises and retail stores. Her tattoos made her stand out from the crowd she hung with. Others had tattoos, but hers were outward expressions […]
Read more "13 – Chapter 3, Samuels Finds His Next Victim"“So, how do we identify the girl?” Morales said, looking at Ariel. “Thea and I talked it over,” Ariel began. “Assuming she’s a runaway and also assuming she didn’t know her assailant, those who know her should cooperate. One of them could be next. It’s too late for first editions of the newspapers, but we […]
Read more "12 – The Bogus Call Strategy"“Go find your partner and let’s start over,” Morales said, and picked up a random file. He wondered what had brought out the Irish in Thea. It wasn’t necessarily bad. He had wanted her to assert herself and maybe tonight she had. And possibly Ariel couldn’t handle it. Regardless, Thea had to watch her mouth […]
Read more "11 – A Serial Killer on Our Hands"
The Philly Grind 