The gang met and hung out in a small abandoned warehouse they'd decorated in a haphazard style. It was empty most evenings, all of her prey out making... money with girls, drugs, extortion, assault and battery. She'd taken her time to explore it, and bugged it with several small cameras, audio and video, up in the dark recesses of the ceiling's support beams.They'd done an admirable job fortifying it at ground level, which made her end game easier – they'd all run for their safe spot. She was. .. “Let’s talk about it again at my house sometime when we can talk about other things, too.”Ayanna nodded, still frowning. “You mean like Cl—”“Yeah, that,” Alaina said, interrupting. “Mom said no more talking about it for any reason outside the house. Not even the slightest mention. You haven’t talked to anyone else about it, right?”Ayanna shook her head, looking slightly offended. “‘Course not, A. C’mon.”“I know you wouldn’t, I just...” Alaina sighed again and rested her hands on her. Worse, the driver who alighted was female, thirtyish, and polished to a high gloss. The artful haircut, power suit and designer portfolio took turns swinging their upscale wrecking balls at my teenaged confidence with every assertive step the newcomer took toward Mike's front door.Mixed talons of panic and possessiveness began to crush my airway.How could I have deluded myself into thinking a bargain basement bikini and a single Languid Laces suspender belt were any match for the posh. The culvert crushed and killed him. Alice was devastated. She could not believe that her beloved George, her husband, lover, friend and supporter, was dead. Killed in such a terrible way. Her own two children were too young to fully comprehend what had befallen the family. Adrian, having been schooled by George in what were believed to be the ‘manly qualities,’ tried to become Alice’s comforter. Throughout her grief, Alice was told by Adrian over and over again, ‘I’ll take care of you mum.’ He.