BANE

“LITTLE BIRD? ARE YOU THERE?” I checked my phone to make sure the connection hadn’t cut off.

“I’m here,” she said with an irritated sigh.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of a phone call?”

“I need a favor.”

My eyes slid shut as the four sweetest words were uttered on the other end of the phone. “I’m listening.”

“My asshole brother owes a bookie twenty grand after betting on a horse race. If he’d won, he was going to pay you back with that money.” “Let me guess, his horse didn’t win.”

“Not even fucking close,” she replied. “Are you able to loan me the money to...