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 ©2010 Akashic Books Series concept by Tim McLoughlin and Johnny Temple Richmond map by Sohrab Habibion ePUB ISBN 13: 978-1-936-07077-0 ISBN-13: 978-1-933354-98-9 Library of Congress Control Number: 2009922934 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 Bronx Noir, edited by S.J. Rozan Brooklyn Noir, edited by Tim McLoughlin Brooklyn Noir 2: The Classics, edited by Tim McLoughlin Brooklyn Noir 3: Nothing but the Truth edited by Tim McLoughlin & Thomas Adcock Chicago Noir, edited by Neal Pollack D.C. Noir, edited by George Pelecanos D.C. Noir 2:The Classics, edited by George Pelecanos Delhi Noir (India), edited by Hirsh Sawhney Detroit Noir, edited by E.J. Olsen & John C. Hocking Dublin Noir (Ireland), edited by Ken Bruen Havana Noir (Cuba), edited by Achy Obejas Istanbul Noir (Turkey), edited by Mustafa Ziyalan & Amy Spangler Las Vegas Noir, edited by Jarret Keene & Todd James Pierce London Noir (England), edited by Cathi Unsworth Los Angeles Noir, edited by Denise Hamilton Manhattan Noir, edited by Lawrence Block Manhattan Noir 2:The Classics, edited by Lawrence Block Mexico City Noir (Mexico), edited by Paco I. Taibo II Miami Noir, edited by Les Standiford New Orleans Noir, edited by Julie Smith Paris Noir (France), edited by AurèUen Masson Phoenix Noir, edited by Patrick Millikin Portland Noir, edited by Kevin Sampsell Queens Noir, edited by Robert Knightly Rome Noir (Italy), edited by Chiara Stangalino & Maxim Jakubowski San Francisco Noir, edited by Peter Maravelis San Francisco Noir 2: The Classics, edited by Peter Maravelis Seattle Noir, edited by Curt Colbert Toronto Noir (Canada), edited by Janine Armin & Nathaniel G. Moore Trinidad Noir, Lisa Allen-Agostini & Jeanne Mason Twin Cities Noir, edited by Julie Schaper & Steven Horwitz Wall Street Noir, edited by Peter Spiegelman FORTHCOMING: Barcelona Noir (Spain), edited by Adriana Lopez & Carmen Ospina Boston Noir, edited by Dennis Lehane Copenhagen Noir (Denmark), edited by Bo Tao Michaelis Haiti Noir, edited by Edwidge Danticat Indian Country Noir, edited by Liz Martinez & Sarah Cortez Lagos Noir (Nigeria), edited by Chris Abani Lone Star Noir, edited by Bobby Byrd & John Byrd Los Angeles Noir 2:The Classics, edited by Denise Hamilton Moscow Noir (Russia), edited by Natalia Smirnova & Julia Goumen Mumbai Noir (India), edited by Altaf Tyrewala Orange County Noir, edited by Gary Phillips Philadelphia Noir, edited by Carlin Romano TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page Copyright Page Foreword by Tom Robbins Introduction PART I: NEVERMORE PIR ROTHENBERG Museum District The Rose Red Vial DAVID L. ROBBINS East End Homework MINA BEVERLY Providence Park Gaia DENNIS DANVERS Texas Beach Texas Beach PART II: NUMBERS CLAY MCLEOD CHAPMAN Belle Isle The Battle of Belle Isle X.C. ATKINS Oregon Hill A Late-Night Fishing Trip LAURA BROWDER Church Hill The Heart Is a Strange Muscle DEAN KING Shockoe Slip The Fall Lines PART III: NEUROSIS TOM DE HAVEN Manchester Playing with DaBlonde ANNE THOMAS SOFFEE Jefferson Davis Highway Midnight at the Oasis MEAGAN J. SAUNDERS Jackson Ward Untitled CONRAD ASHLEY PERSONS West End Marco’s Broken English PART IV: NONSUCH HOWARD OWEN Monroe Park The Thirteenth Floor HERMINE PINSON Devil’s