“Well, we have turf wars. The crack dealers have brought back the old Al Capone style drive-by’s. And there’s the hold-up artist who panics and shoots the convenience store clerk. Sometimes a handful of customers for good measure. And the disgruntled worker who takes a Tek-9 back to the office and blows away half the staff.” Marvia Plum shook her head. “It’s a sorry business.”
Dr. Bernstein tapped her ashtray for attention. Marvia guessed it was her habit. “Don’t forget domestic violence.”
Marvia said, “I don’t.” After a moment of silence she added, “But none of these account for Otto Timmins and Imaculata Martinez and the rest of my folks.” Her file cards and photos were still spread on Dr. Bernstein’s desk. She pressed them down with her fingertips, slid them around like a slick dealer
