TheapartmentitselfwaslikearottingbamboosliptossedamongapileofDVDs.Outofplace,fragile,quietlywhisperingitsownhistory.

        Andreally,whocaredabouthistoryanymore?

        Thosewhocouldaffordabetterlifehadlongsincemovedawaywiththeirfamilies.Mostunitsinthisbuildingwerehollowshellsnow,inhabitedonlybystraycats,dogs,ortheoccasionalchildbraveenoughtosneakin.Homelessdrifterssometimessquattedforanightortwo,butnoneofthemstayed.

        OnlyLucian,thehomicidecaptain,remained.

        Hehadnomoney,nofamily.Sowhatdiditmatterwherehelived?Thisoldapartment,lefttohimbyhisparents,wasstillstanding.Aslongasthepowerstayedon,theroofdidn''tleak,andnoonecametoevicthim,hewouldstayhere.Maybeuntilthedayhedied.

        Itwasn''tthatLucianhadneverthoughtaboutsettlingdown.Itwasthatnowomaninherrightmindwouldwanthim.

        Moxioftenteasedhim:"Ifyou''dbeensmart,youshould''vegonefortrafficorpatrol.Anythingbuthomicide."

        Sure,younggirlswouldgushoverhim,callinghim"BrotherLu"withthatmixofaweandgirlishfantasy.Butthatwasallitwas—fantasy.Noonewasfoolishenoughtochainthemselvestoamanlikehim.Womenweretoosmartforthatnow.

        Whenhewasyounger,Lucianhadhalf-heartedlytrieddating.

        Weird,hethought.Evensecurityguardsflirtingwithnannieshadbetterluckthanhim.

        Hefoughtcrime,upheldjustice,hadadecentface,andwasasuprightastheycame.Sowhycouldn''thelandagirlfriend?Atleastifhediedinthelineofduty,theywouldburyhiminthemartyrs''cemetery.Thegovernmentwouldcutaheftycheck—forthefamilyhedidn''thave.

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