Siren's Garter: Issue One August 2016 Read Online Free PDF Page A

built
during a boom, and the city planners must’ve wanted the town to
feel suburban. White picket fences, old oaks taller than the
houses, and neatly trimmed yards completed the everyday American
neighborhood feel.
    A flood of memories washed up,
making the saliva in Elsie’s mouth taste bitter. She squinted her
eyes against the sting.
    The corner where Elsie and Jane,
her bestest friend at the precious age of seven, sold lemonade one
summer. They made five dollars and closed shop after a
week.
    Dale Street, where Elsie walked to
Hawthorne Elementary School. Wind, rain, snow, and sunny days.
Uphill only one way.
    The run-down rambler on the corner
of Russet and Summer. When Elsie was young, the man who lived there
was old and cranky and always alone. A real life Boo Radley, but
without the heroic ending. Elsie wondered if he was still alive
somewhere.
    Driving though these streets while
wearing only a thin sundress and no lingerie underneath felt
profane. As if Elsie were disrespecting her past by being half
naked.
    Nothing to be done about it. And no
time to be sentimental. She just needed a change of clothes before
facing off with Zack.
    Eighth house from the corner, on
the left, was a split-level with a brick front and blue painted
cedar on the sides and back. From the street, the faded sunshine
yellow swing-set Elsie used to play on was visible. For whatever
reason, Mother had never torn it down. Nor had she maintained it.
Rust and age had corroded the metal parts, the wooden crossbeams
were now haggard and rotten.
    The cute rose and tulip garden in
front, all the flowers perfectly spaced and at the same height, was
flawlessly tended. The lawn was cut a full half inch shorter than
both neighbors.
    A black Lincoln Towncar was parked
out front, blocking the mailbox.
    The plates were from New
York.
    Shit on a stick.
    Elsie had insisted on a small
wedding, with only relatives and the closest of friends. Not like
she had many of the latter. Friendship was a luxury in the
corporate spy world.
    Mother, surprisingly but
thankfully, hadn’t fought Elsie on that detail. She had dreaded
telling Mom that she wanted a small church wedding, no frills, no
big parties. Mom fought her on the frills, and over the parties.
But less than two dozen or so invitations were sent out.
    None of them to New York. The only
people Elsie knew on the east coast were crooked investors and the
politicians they bought. They did not count as friends. Not even
worthy as close acquaintances, despite what the testosterone told
the stuffed suits she seduced for information.
    Elsie drove slow in front of the
house. Nobody was following her. No lights were on inside the
house, at least not in front. The screen door was closed shut, and
the drapes were drawn tight.
    She looked to the left and to the
right, pretending to be a lost visitor, and drove on. Still
bra-less and panty-less, and without her pistol, Elsie might as
well have been naked. Now she had a decision.
    Go inside to get underwear, even
though she was defenseless against this stranger from New
York.
    Or confront Zack and get her gun
now, even though she had no desire to do so without proper
clothing. No telling what ideas he might have, seeing her breasts
flopping around under her dress.
    Elsie drove a block, turned around,
and slowly came back. She sped up at the house, slammed on the
brakes, and parked three houses down.
    She stepped out. The street was new
blacktop, and was blistering hot in the summer sun. Her skin baked.
The little dress clung to her like an obsessive lover. She popped
the trunk.
    A sawed-off shotgun was hidden in a
secret compartment and covered in blankets. Elsie wanted to take it
with her. What if her mother was in danger? Too many unknowns. And
carrying a firearm in small town Midwest was a good way to attract
attention from the police.
    No explosions this time.
    And if Mom was in danger, the
police were just as likely to hinder the rescue. Elsie had seen too
many hostage