Promotional image for my short story “The Book of Names” which will appear in the anthology “Shoot the Devil 3.”

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I have stories published in the anthologies Shoot the Devil and Shoot the Devil 2: Dark Matter.

Coming soon (I’m not sure exactly when, but ideally right around Thanksgiving which is tomorrow), my short story “The Book of Names” will appear in volume three: “Martyr’s Militia.”

Here’s a sample:

The sound of a desk drawer opening, the squeal of the swivel chair turning and then, “Don’t move.”

He did anyway so he could look at her. She held a revolver in both hands pointed at his chest.

“I don’t know who you are and I don’t care. Get out of my shop or I’ll call the police.” Hannah let one hand move from the gun toward a black desk phone he hadn’t paid attention to before.

Griffin raised his hands to the height of his shoulders. “I told you, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m just looking for something. They can’t find me. If they do, they’ll kill us both.”

He could see her hand trembling. Even a small gun could feel heavy after a while. The other hand picked up the phone’s receiver. Hannah’s face registered disappointment as she listened. She tapped the phone’s return with her finger several times. Griffin was just a few feet away and he knew why. No dial tone.

“They probably cut the wires. The police aren’t coming. I’m your only way out.”

The door squealed open behind him. Griffin started to turn. There was a heavy mechanical click as she pulled back the hammer.

“Don’t.”

“Yes, don’t Griffin.” A man’s voice, just one man.

“Both of you. I want you out of my shop.” Hannah aimed the gun between Griffin and the demon.

“You wouldn’t want to shoot me,” said the demon. “This man is a dangerous criminal. I’m Bailey, a private detective. I’ve been following him. There’s a reward. I’ll share it with you.”

He sounded convincing but Griffin was hoping she wouldn’t believe him. After all, Hannah hadn’t believed Griffin.

“I don’t care. Get out or I’ll shoot.”