A New Hand

Crime Fiction by Jack Durant Lucky slowly examined his cards. The fingers holding them had started to dampen and he held his breath to stop it from quickening. The hand was strong but unwanted. Aces and eights, clubs and spades, a cursed set for a day like this. Lucky closed his eyes until a second’sContinue reading “A New Hand”

The Family Vig

Flash Fiction by John Bobo Boston, Massachusetts “Hey!” “Yeah?” Mike cursed himself for answering the phone without screening the number, but at noon on his only day off, the pickup was pure reflex. “It’s me.” “Oh, OK.” He glanced at the screen. “You calling from a different number.” “Yeah, a pay phone.” “Where the hellContinue reading “The Family Vig”

Pole Dancer

By Seamus O’ Leary Jack and Nubs stormed up to the front of the South side Projects building. Jack went in the front door while Nubs went around to cover any routes of escape. Jack took the stairs, like he always did. He hated the confined space of the elevator, and prided himself on beingContinue reading “Pole Dancer”

Back For Seconds

Crime Fiction by Gregory Meece George hadn’t eaten since Monday. It was Wednesday afternoon. He got in line as quickly as he could because Harvest House sometimes ran short around the holidays. “Man, you stink,” said George to the fellow ahead of him. He recognized Iggy by the man’s heavily tatted arms that protruded fromContinue reading “Back For Seconds”

In Our Blood:

The Mafia Families of Corleone By Justin Cascio This is an excerpt from Justin’s book. How Families Create Social Value for the Mafia The Mafia began in the latifundia of inland, central-western Sicily, in the decades after the Bourbon king replaced feudalism with private land ownership (Blok, 1974; Hess, 1973/1998; Mack Smith, 1988; Lupo 1993/2009).Continue reading “In Our Blood:”

Things Change

A Tom Boyle Mystery by Alec Cizak I’d snagged action shots of a yuppie from Noblesville stepping out on his wife. The wife paid cash. A thousand bucks. Offered a little nookie on top. Good-looking woman. Mid-thirties. Green eyes. Wore a tight violet dress like they’d invented the color for her. Quoted Dorothy Parker aContinue reading “Things Change”

Spit for Luck

Western Fiction By Matthew Senn “If it’s so goddamn cold in here, how come I’m sweatin’ my ass off?” The three other men who stood with Rhys ‘Luck’ Cain in the small abandoned homestead, all gave him their fair share of looks as they watched him stand next to the small wood stove wearing aContinue reading “Spit for Luck”

A Bottle of Vodka

Flash Fiction By Dick Johnson It was summer when Joe walked into the bar on 2nd street. It was the same old place, and Billy was sitting in his same old spot, while the juke box played the same old “Sweet Home Alabama”, and people danced around. “Joe! You’re out! Let me buy you aContinue reading “A Bottle of Vodka”