Ira Berkowitz

November 3, 2009

Whoever said April is the cruelest month never spent January in Hell’s Kitchen.
The wind off the Hudson is stiletto sharp, slush ankle deep, and a lot of anger in the air. So, I tend to spend a lot of time indoors.

Most of it at Feeney’s.

The saloon was warm, congenial, and frequented by the people I care about – even the lowlifes.

One morning, as I was picking at a plate of corned beef hash, a woman sat down at my table. No Is this seat taken? No Can I have a minute of your time? Just parked herself. She was in her early thirties, with small features, hair pulled back in a pert little ponytail, a dancer’s body, and a tightness around her eyes.
“You’re Steeg, right?”
I assured her I was.
“And you are?”
“Sharon Dunne. That’s my stage name. Real name is Giovanna Bucanfuso. But that was taken.”
“I kinda like Giovanna Bucanfuso. Lots of character.”
“Whatever,” she shrugged. “Look, I got a problem.
I did too. The hash was just shy of edible and I welcomed the interruption.
“What can I do for you?”
“I’m being stalked.”
“By who?”
“If I knew would I be wasting my time sitting here with you?”
I was definitely warming up to Sharon/Giovanna.
“How long’s this been going on?”
“Couple of weeks.”
“What’s he look like?”
“A creep!”
“Could you maybe narrow that down a bit?”
“Late forties. Comb over. Pasty-looking. With a gut that spills over his belt like a sack of dirty laundry.”
“Every woman’s dream man.”
“You’re making jokes, and I’m scared out of my mind! Every time I turn around he’s lurking around.”
“He threaten you?”
She gave her thick black hair a vigorous shake. “Just creeps me out.”
“Maybe he’s an admirer?”
“Or maybe he’s a Ted Bundy clone.”
“And you want me to . . .
“Take him out of my life.”

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"Sinners’ Ball" the third book in the Jackson Steeg Mystery Series will be published December 2009 and is available for pre-order.

Kirkus Reviews called it, “Exceptional . . . Another shot to the guts from a guy who should have started writing these barnburners a long time ago.”

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