Pink Vodka Blues — Neal Barrett Jr.

Murder Straight Up
Waking up after a lost weekend in a cheap motel has left Russell Murray with a lot of unanswered questions. For instance, why do the Illinois cops want him for a triple murder? Who was the naked girl shot by the same two thugs who now want Russell laid out and toe-tagged? Why is a Chicago crime family looking for his briefcase? For that matter, what briefcase? And just who is that old lady with the pillbox hat and Uzi submachine gun?

The only thing in his boozy haze that's coming in clear is pretty Sherry Lou Winn. She wants Russell for her own reasons. And as far as he can tell, she's the only one who wants him alive. But to stay alive, Russell's going to have to come up with one hell of a plan.


If only he could think of one.