Hardscrabble. No father, not active in his life anyway. Petty crimes, mother a deadbeat meth-head, the usual.But he was a striver. Not educated, not l...ke Pantone, but savvy. And a saver. No Cadillacs, trips to Vegas. He hadn’t known why he saved his pimp money. Nor what he would use if for.Then Gertie came along.As usual, Harold was overdressed. Too formal for the neighborhood, but I had to admit he was looking pretty natty these days. And enjoying his enhanced street creds in the. “He is not. He canceled”“WHAT? No way, not on your anniversary? How are you?”Megan sighed, “OK I guess. Do you wanna do something. I got a dress and everything. Lets go out”“Hun, I am sorry, I have a few things to finish at the office then Mark is taking me to a show. I wish I could” Kim said.“Ok, well you have fun ok?” Megan said, hoping she did not ruin Kim's night. “I will. Call me tomorrow and we will get something done ok?” Kim said hanging up. Megan looked over at her dress. It was a. .." What is it?" We can't discuss it here," she insisted, "too dangerous." But... I don't understand..." Wait..." she said, turning slowly, her loose little smile returning once more as she pretended to look dazedly across the room. Then, he felt her hand tightening on his arm, and she said: "Look, they're leaving the room... now we can slip out..."Antoine watched his Uncle leading Madeleine toward the central hall and felt a moment of confusion. "Where the devil are they going?" Probably to. I dived below the level of the window sill and heard a car speed off, wheels screeching as they spun. I heard one more shot and then the sound of a car smashing into some thing, and the soft whump of it catching fire. I crawled to the grate, and using the poker, pulled my model from the flames. The emergency services arrived, did what they do, and left. The police gathered some details and arranged to interview witnesses the next day. Residents were left to board up windows and gossip about the.