Lottery by Kimberly Shursen Read Free Book Online Page A

took out one of the cubes from the bag, she hoped this was good stuff. So many people McKenzie used to know had died from drugs that had been laced with some serious crap.
    After she dropped one of the sugar-cube squares into the opening of the pipe, she sealed the plastic bag and pushed it back into her pocket. She flicked the lighter and held the flame close to the opening of the pipe. Once the crack started to melt, she inhaled deeply and her eyes rolled back.
    Reds, yellows, and blues swirled around her as she scooted back into the wall.
Heaven.
McKenzie’s mind became peaceful and her muscles relaxed as she went to the place she called Nirvana.
    When her eyes shot open, she had no idea what time it was. Paranoid someone had stolen her stuff, her eyes raked the floor. Relieved to find the lighter and pipe beside her, she glanced around anxiously to see if anyone was watching. WhenMcKenzie found she was still alone, she slid the lighter into her pocket and pushed the pipe underneath the rags again.
    Oh, God, what time was it? Had she slept past when she’d told O’Toole to meet her? She’d waited six long months before she’d gathered enough courage to write the note. McKenzie was entitled to some of O’Toole’s money for keeping her mouth shut. Given the amount he’d won, what she was asking for wouldn’t put a dent in his fortune.
    Propping up on her knees, she squinted through the cracks in the window pane to the large clock across the street; five minutes until twelve. Thank God it was light out as that meant it was noon, and not midnight.
    Weber had taken McKenzie to O’Toole’s place once before, so she knew where O’Toole lived. She doubted, however, that Caleb O’Toole remembered her. She was nobody; just a street whore who used to deliver Weber his drugs. To hell with the men who took advantage of her. Her life was about to change.
    Early yesterday morning, McKenzie had frantically knocked on the front door of O’Toole’s condo building. Crying hysterically, she’d summoned the cleaning woman who was vacuuming the hallway. After McKenzie had given the employee a sob story that she needed to tell her sister that their mother had just died, the woman had let her in. Christ. Everyone was so fucking gullible. Once inside the building, McKenzie had slipped the note under O’Toole’s door.
    She needed to get ready to meet Mr. Big Shot O’Toole. Stumbling to the stack of clothing she’d collected from dumpsters, she was jittery. Would he agree to pay her or tell her to get lost? He had to pay up or McKenzie would fucking turn him in. For once, she held the power.
    Holding up a red dress with a low-cut neckline, McKenzie shook it out, the garment blurring from the effects of the drug. “No … no … no,” she slurred, “you won’t do.” When she cameacross the bell-bottom jeans and a paisley scarf, she smiled; casual, yet the scarf added a touch of class.
Perfect.
    What were the odds that she’d been on the boat when O’Toole stole the lottery ticket, McKenzie thought as she pulled on the bell bottoms. After Caleb gave her the dough, she’d get an apartment. Start over. Be somebody.
    She combed her fingers through her lifeless hair and saw dandruff fall on her shoulders. Her head itched. Her skin was dry. She needed a shower. All this would happen very soon. All she had to do was be patient for O’Toole to deliver the goods.
    Jack Weber had loved his drugs. He’d invited McKenzie to his parties, as he had wanted the good stuff and knew she had contacts. She’d done him a few times when he was totally wasted and, if she remembered correctly, Weber hadn’t been that good in bed. He’d treated her like shit when he wasn’t high. She was sorry he’d died, but the only thing she missed about Weber was the money he’d paid her for drugs.
    When her cell rang, she fumbled to take it out of her pocket. “What?” she answered curtly.
    “It’s your brother,” the rough voice said. “The one