“Wake up, Rayne.” I am being shaken, and it’s not a pleasant sensation. “Go ‘way,” I croak, vainly attempting to elude the hands that are shaking me. “It’s almost noon,” the voice persists. “Get up!” I open one eye to a concerned Paris. “Saturday. March,” he adds. This has been our ritual for the past… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; epilogue
“It’s good to be home!” It’s the Friday after the attack, and I’m back home. The doctors wanted to keep me a few more days, but I insisted. By some miracle, nothing is broken but my pride. My face is a cornucopia of bruises and welts; I can’t see out of my left eye because… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter fourteen
“Change of plans,” Paris says cheerfully. “We’re walking you to group, having a cup of coffee or a beer at some Mission dive, then we’ll pick you up at nine sharp.” I want to argue, but it’s not worth the effort. I simply nod, and we’re off. “How was the funeral?” I ask, needing to… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter thirteen, part three
Rosie stole things from her employers, just as I surmised. Usually silver or jewelry, but once in a while, she’d have a sheaf of papers and wouldn’t tell Derek what they were. When I open my mouth to interrupt, Derek hurries on over my questions. The last time he saw her, he tried to find… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter thirteen, part two
“The last day is especially interesting, don’t you think?” Leticia asks, her eyes watering. “Yes.” I hesitate, then ask the question. “Do you think they’re related?” “Yes,” Leticia says firmly. “That means the killer is in your group.” Her eyes widen as she looks at me. From the speculative gleam in her eyes, I can… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter thirteen, part one
There is very little to be gleaned from my conversation with Derek other than Rosie’s strong sense of morality which only makes sense in the case of her murder if her belief system was her excuse for carrying out blackmail. Asking for money from people she didn’t approve of to care for her child might… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter twelve, part two
My coworkers talk of Mariah’s death for the rest of the day. Obsessively. They are so consumed with it, they don’t realize that I’m not contributing anything to the conversations. I have several reasons for this. One, I still don’t want people to know my connection with the murders. Two, I’m disgusted with the avarice… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter twelve, part one
The next morning, I awake with a start. I impulsively call out to my mother before remembering that she had returned home the night before after delivering the edict that I was to call her if anything untoward happens. I had retorted that everything in my life these days was untoward so I would be… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter eleven, part two
We decide to go to the movies that afternoon. I want to take my mind off the murders, Paris, and anything else depressing. We choose to see Lord of the Rings part deux at the Metreon, which is a mistake. Not the movie itself which is truly epic in scope and nature, but attending the… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter eleven, part one
“You look luscious, my darling.” Vashti smiles at me, her dark hair flowing around her voluptuous body. She is nude—uncovering that body I so missed. Her skin is the color of mahogany or cherry wood, or perhaps, chocolate ice cream. She has no shame at showing me her body, all of it. Her breasts are… Continue Reading