This collection is comprised of works of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors’ imaginations. Any resemblance to real events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Published by Akashic Books ©2007 Julie Smith Series concept by Tim McLoughlin and Johnny Temple New Orleans map by Sohrab Habibion Cover photograph ©2006 David G. Spielman, from his book Katrinaville Chronicles: Images and Observations from a New Orleans Photographer. ePUB ISBN-13: 978-1-936-07039-8 ISBN-13: 978-1-933354-24-8 ISBN-10: 1-933354-24-0 Library of Congress Control Number: 2006938151 All rights reserved Akashic Books PO Box 1456 New York, NY 10009 [email protected] www.akashicbooks.com ALSO IN THE AKASHIC NOIR SERIES: Baltimore Noir, edited by Laura Lippman Brooklyn Noir, edited by Tim McLoughlin Brooklyn Noir 2: The Classics, edited by Tim McLoughlin Chicago Noir, edited by Neal Pollack D.C. Noir, edited by George Pelecanos Dublin Noir, edited by Ken Bruen London Noir, edited by Cathi Unsworth Manhattan Noir, edited by Lawrence Block Miami Noir, edited by Les Standiford San Francisco Noir, edited by Peter Maravelis Twin Cities Noir, edited by Julie Schaper & Steven Horwitz FORTHCOMING: Bronx Noir, edited by S.J. Rozan Detroit Noir, edited by Eric Olsen & Chris Hocking Havana Noir (Cuba), edited by Achy Obejas Lagos Noir (Nigeria), edited by Chris Abani Los Angeles Noir, edited by Denise Hamilton Paris Noir (France), edited by Aurélien Masson Queens Noir, edited by Robert Knightly Rome Noir (Italy), edited by Chiara Stangalino & Maxim Jakubowski Wall Street Noir, edited by Peter Spiegelman To those who took care of us: Janet and Steve Haedicke, the first week; Kiley, Molly, and Tory McGuire, the next month; and Debra Allen, who saved the cats Acknowledgments Thanks have to begin with Tim McLoughlin, who started the Akashic Noir Series with Brooklyn Noir, and Johnny Temple, who’s turned it into a cultural phenomenon; and then move quickly to the seventeen brilliant authors who agreed to participate in this one. Working with all of you has been a joy. And so many others helped in so many ways: Laura Lippman, Vicky Bijur, David Simon, Denelle Cowart, Chris Wiltz, Greg Herren, David Spielman, Linda Buczek, Jack Willoughby, Captain Jeff Winn, Paul Willis of the Tennessee Williams Festival, Ron Biava of the New Orleans Public Library, Lee Pryor, and especially Mary Alice Kier and Anna Cottle, who put some serious time in, just as a favor. My most heartfelt thanks to all. Plus a second thank you to Johnny Temple for so generously sharing in our recovery. TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page Copyright Page Introduction PART I: BEFORE THE LEVEES BROKE TED O’BRIEN Mid-City What’s the Score? PATTY FRIEDMANN Uptown Two-Story Brick Houses TIM MCLOUGHLIN Irish Channel Scared Rabbit OLYMPIA VERNON University District Schevoski DAVID FULMER Algiers Algiers LAURA LIPPMAN Tremé Pony Girl JERVEY TERVALON Seventh Ward The Battling Priests of Corpus Christi JAMES NOLAN French Quarter Open Mike KALAMU YA SALAAM Lower Ninth Ward All I Could Do Was Cry BARBARA HAMBLY The Swamp There Shall Your Heart Be Also PART II: LIFE IN ATLANTIS