Keeper of the Flame

by Greg Herren

About the Author: Greg Herren is the award winning author of over thirty novels and nearly fifty short stories. He has also edited twenty anthologies, including Blood on the Bayou, the 2016 Bouchercon anthology, recently shortlisted for an Anthony Award. He has also been shortlisted for a Lambda Literary Award fourteen times (winning twice) and a Shirley Jackson Award, and has received a gold and silver medal from the Independent Press Awards for outstanding young adult mystery/horror.

Excerpt

So what if it was only ten in the morning?

It was also Las Vegas.  

Why not have a glass of Chardonnay?

It’s not like she’d be the only one drinking.

Her stomach was still churning from last night’s vodka—although it was technically morning when she’d finally stumbled into the elevators marked HABITAT. The sun was mere hours from rising in the east, over the mountains she could vaguely see through the window of her room on the twenty-fourth floor of the Flamingo Hotel while collapsing onto the bed still wearing her black sandals, the tight black skirt, and the odd top she’d bought at some chic boutique that looked like an odd assortment and collection of black elastic bandages artfully stretched and strategically arranged over her breasts and shoulders. She’d set her phone to start ringing at nine, so she’d have time to shower—but it was closer to ten when she’d rolled out of bed and glared at her reflection in the mirror, said the hell with it, splashed some water on her face, brushed her teeth and went out the door.

Actually, glass of wine was sounding more and more perfect by the minute.

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