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Adair, Jay |
Adhikari, Sudeep |
Ahern, Edward |
Aldrich, Janet M. |
Allan, T. N. |
Allen, M. G. |
Ammonds, Phillip J. |
Anderson, Peter |
Andreopoulos, Elliott |
Arab, Bint |
Armstrong, Dini |
Augustyn, P. K. |
Aymar, E. A. |
Babbs, James |
Baber, Bill |
Bagwell, Dennis |
Bailey, Ashley |
Bailey, Thomas |
Baird, Meg |
Bakala, Brendan |
Baker, Nathan |
Balaz, Joe |
BAM |
Barber, Shannon |
Barker, Tom |
Barlow, Tom |
Bates, Jack |
Bayly, Karen |
Baugh, Darlene |
Bauman, Michael |
Baumgartner, Jessica Marie |
Beale, Jonathan |
Beck, George |
Beckman, Paul |
Benet, Esme |
Bennett, Brett |
Bennett, Charlie |
Bennett, D. V. |
Benton, Ralph |
Berg, Carly |
Berman, Daniel |
Bernardara, Will Jr. |
Berriozabal, Luis |
Beveridge, Robert |
Bickerstaff, Russ |
Bigney, Tyler |
Bladon, Henry |
Blake, Steven |
Blakey, James |
Bohem, Charlie Keys and Les |
Bonner, Kim |
Booth, Brenton |
Boski, David |
Bougger, Jason |
Boyd, A. V. |
Boyd, Morgan |
Boyle, James |
Bracey, DG |
Brewka-Clark, Nancy |
Britt, Alan |
Broccoli, Jimmy |
Brooke, j |
Brown, R. Thomas |
Brown, Sam |
Burke, Wayne F. |
Burnwell, Otto |
Burton, Michael |
Bushtalov, Denis |
Butcher, Jonathan |
Butkowski, Jason |
Butler, Simon Hardy |
Butler, Terence |
Cameron, W. B. |
Campbell, J. J. |
Campbell, Jack Jr. |
Cano, Valentina |
Cardinale, Samuel |
Cardoza, Dan A. |
Carlton, Bob |
Carr, Jennifer |
Cartwright, Steve |
Carver, Marc |
Castle, Chris |
Catlin, Alan |
Chesler, Adam |
Christensen, Jan |
Clausen, Daniel |
Clevenger, Victor |
Clifton, Gary |
Cmileski, Sue |
Cody, Bethany |
Coey, Jack |
Coffey, James |
Colasuonno, Alfonso |
Condora, Maddisyn |
Conley, Jen |
Connor, Tod |
Cooper, Malcolm Graham |
Coral, Jay |
Corrigan, Mickey J. |
Cosby, S. A. |
Costello, Bruce |
Cotton, Mark |
Coverley, Harris |
Crandall, Rob |
Criscuolo, Carla |
Crist, Kenneth |
Cross, Thomas X. |
D., Jack |
Dallett, Cassandra |
Danoski, Joseph V. |
Daly, Sean |
Davies, J. C. |
Davis, Christopher |
Davis, Michael D. |
Day, Holly |
de Bruler, Connor |
Degani, Gay |
De France, Steve |
De La Garza, Lela Marie |
Deming, Ruth Z. |
Demmer, Calvin |
De Neve, M. A. |
Dennehy, John W. |
DeVeau, Spencer |
Di Chellis, Peter |
DiLorenzo, Ciro |
Dilworth, Marcy |
Dioguardi, Michael Anthony |
Dionne, Ron |
Dobson, Melissa |
Domenichini, John |
Dominelli, Rob |
Doran, Phil |
Doreski, William |
Dorman, Roy |
Doherty, Rachel |
Dosser, Jeff |
Doyle, Jacqueline |
Doyle, John |
Draime, Doug |
Drake, Lena Judith |
Dromey, John H. |
Dubal, Paul Michael |
Duke, Jason |
Duncan, Gary |
Dunham, T. Fox |
Duschesneau, Pauline |
Dunn, Robin Wyatt |
Duxbury, Karen |
Duy, Michelle |
Eade, Kevin |
Elliott, Garnett |
Ellman, Neil |
England, Kristina |
Erianne, John |
Espinosa, Maria |
Esterholm, Jeff |
Fallow, Jeff |
Farren, Jim |
Fedolfi, Leon |
Fenster, Timothy |
Ferraro, Diana |
Filas, Cameron |
Fillion, Tom |
Fisher, Miles Ryan |
Flanagan, Daniel N. |
Flanagan, Ryan Quinn |
Flynn, Jay |
Fortunato, Chris |
Francisco, Edward |
Frank, Tim |
Fugett, Brian |
Funk, Matthew C. |
Gann, Alan |
Gardner, Cheryl Ann |
Garvey, Kevin Z. |
Gay, Sharon Frame |
Gentile, Angelo |
Genz, Brian |
Giersbach, Walter |
Gladeview, Lawrence |
Glass, Donald |
Goddard, L. B. |
Godwin, Richard |
Goff, Christopher |
Golds, Stephen J. |
Goss, Christopher |
Gradowski, Janel |
Graham, Sam |
Grant, Christopher |
Grant, Stewart |
Greenberg, K.J. Hannah |
Greenberg, Paul |
Grey, John |
Guirand, Leyla |
Gunn, Johnny |
Gurney, Kenneth P. |
Haglund, Tobias |
Halleck, Robert |
Hamlin, Mason |
Hanson, Christopher Kenneth |
Hanson, Kip |
Harrington, Jim |
Harris, Bruce |
Hart, GJ |
Hartman, Michelle |
Hartwell, Janet |
Haskins, Chad |
Hawley, Doug |
Haycock, Brian |
Hayes, A. J. |
Hayes, John |
Hayes, Peter W. J. |
Heatley, Paul |
Heimler, Heidi |
Helmsley, Fiona |
Hendry, Mark |
Heslop, Karen |
Heyns, Heather |
Hilary, Sarah |
Hill, Richard |
Hivner, Christopher |
Hockey, Matthew J. |
Hogan, Andrew J. |
Holderfield, Culley |
Holton, Dave |
Houlahan, Jeff |
Howells, Ann |
Hoy, J. L. |
Huchu, Tendai |
Hudson, Rick |
Huffman, A. J. |
Huguenin, Timothy G. |
Huskey, Jason L. |
Ippolito, Curtis |
Irascible, Dr. I. M. |
Jaggers, J. David |
James, Christopher |
Jarrett, Nigel |
Johnson, Beau |
Johnson, Moctezuma |
Johnson, Zakariah |
Jones, D. S. |
Jones, Erin J. |
Jones, Mark |
Kabel, Dana |
Kaplan, Barry Jay |
Kay, S. |
Keaton, David James |
Kempka, Hal |
Kerins, Mike |
Keshigian, Michael |
Kevlock, Mark Joseph |
King, Michelle Ann |
Kirk, D. |
Knott, Anthony |
Koenig, Michael |
Kokan, Bob |
Kolarik, Andrew J. |
Korpon, Nik |
Kovacs, Norbert |
Kovacs, Sandor |
Kowalcyzk, Alec |
Krafft, E. K. |
Lacks, Lee Todd |
Lang, Preston |
Larkham, Jack |
La Rosa, F. Michael |
Leasure, Colt |
Leatherwood, Roger |
Lees, Arlette |
Lees, Lonni |
Leins, Tom |
Lemieux, Michael |
Lemming, Jennifer |
Lerner, Steven M |
Leverone, Allan |
Levine, Phyllis Peterson |
Lewis, Cynthia Ruth |
Lewis, LuAnn |
Licht, Matthew |
Lifshin, Lyn |
Liskey, Tom Darin |
Lodge, Oliver |
Lopez, Aurelio Rico III |
Lorca, Aurelia |
Lovisi, Gary |
Lubaczewski, Paul |
Lucas, Gregory E. |
Lukas, Anthony |
Lynch, Nulty |
Lyon, Hillary |
Lyons, Matthew |
Mac, David |
MacArthur, Jodi |
Malone, Joe |
Mann, Aiki |
Manthorne, Julian |
Manzolillo, Nicholas |
Marcius, Cal |
Marrotti, Michael |
Mason, Wayne |
Mattila, Matt |
McAdams, Liz |
McCaffrey, Stanton |
McCartney, Chris |
McDaris, Catfish |
McFarlane, Adam Beau |
McGinley, Chris |
McGinley, Jerry |
McElhiney, Sean |
McJunkin, Ambrose |
McKim, Marci |
McMannus, Jack |
McQuiston, Rick |
Mellon, Mark |
Memi, Samantha |
Middleton, Bradford |
Miles, Marietta |
Miller, Max |
Minihan, Jeremiah |
Montagna, Mitchel |
Monson, Mike |
Mooney, Christopher P. |
Moran, Jacqueline M. |
Morgan, Bill W. |
Moss, David Harry |
Mullins, Ian |
Mulvihill, Michael |
Muslim, Kristine Ong |
Nardolilli, Ben |
Nelson, Trevor |
Nessly, Ray |
Nester, Steven |
Neuda, M. C. |
Newell, Ben |
Newman, Paul |
Nielsen, Ayaz |
Nore, Abe |
Numann, Randy |
Ogurek, Douglas J. |
O'Keefe, Sean |
Orrico, Connor |
Ortiz, Sergio |
Pagel, Briane |
Park, Jon |
Parr, Rodger |
Parrish, Rhonda |
Partin-Nielsen, Judith |
Peralez, R. |
Perez, Juan M. |
Perez, Robert Aguon |
Peterson, Ross |
Petroziello, Brian |
Pettie, Jack |
Petyo, Robert |
Phillips, Matt |
Picher, Gabrielle |
Pierce, Curtis |
Pierce, Rob |
Pietrzykowski, Marc |
Plath, Rob |
Pointer, David |
Post, John |
Powell, David |
Power, Jed |
Powers, M. P. |
Praseth, Ram |
Prazych, Richard |
Prusky, Steve |
Pruitt, Eryk |
Purfield, M. E. |
Purkis, Gordon |
Quinlan, Joseph R. |
Quinn, Frank |
Rabas, Kevin |
Ragan, Robert |
Ram, Sri |
Rapth, Sam |
Ravindra, Rudy |
Reich, Betty |
Renney, Mark |
reutter, g emil |
Rhatigan, Chris |
Rhiel, Ann Marie |
Ribshman, Kevin |
Richardson, Travis |
Richey, John Lunar |
Ridgeway, Kevin |
Rihlmann, Brian |
Ritchie, Bob |
Ritchie, Salvadore |
Robinson, John D. |
Robinson, Kent |
Rodgers, K. M. |
Roger, Frank |
Rose, Mandi |
Rose, Mick |
Rosenberger, Brian |
Rosenblum, Mark |
Rosmus, Cindy |
Ruhlman, Walter |
Rutherford, Scotch |
Sahms, Diane |
Saier, Monique |
Salinas, Alex |
Sanders, Isabelle |
Sanders, Sebnem |
Santo, Heather |
Savage, Jack |
Sayles, Betty J. |
Schauber, Karen |
Schneeweiss, Jonathan |
Schraeder, E. F. |
Schumejda, Rebecca |
See, Tom |
Sethi, Sanjeev |
Sexton, Rex |
Seymour, J. E. |
Shaikh, Aftab Yusuf |
Sheagren, Gerald E. |
Shepherd, Robert |
Shirey, D. L. |
Shore, Donald D. |
Short, John |
Sim, Anton |
Simmler, T. Maxim |
Simpson, Henry |
Sinisi, J. J. |
Sixsmith, JD |
Slagle, Cutter |
Slaviero, Susan |
Sloan, Frank |
Small, Alan Edward |
Smith, Brian J. |
Smith, Ben |
Smith, C.R.J. |
Smith, Copper |
Smith, Greg |
Smith, Ian C. |
Smith, Paul |
Smith, Stephanie |
Smith, Willie |
Smuts, Carolyn |
Snethen, Daniel G. |
Snoody, Elmore |
Sojka, Carol |
Solender, Michael J. |
Sortwell, Pete |
Sparling, George |
Spicer, David |
Squirrell, William |
Stanton, Henry G. |
Steven, Michael |
Stewart, Michael S. |
Stickel, Anne |
Stoler, Cathi |
Stolec, Trina |
Stoll, Don |
Stryker, Joseph H. |
Stucchio, Chris |
Succre, Ray |
Sullivan, Thomas |
Surkiewicz, Joe |
Swanson, Peter |
Swartz, Justin A. |
Sweet, John |
Tarbard, Grant |
Taylor, J. M. |
Thompson, John L. |
Thompson, Phillip |
Ticktin, Ruth |
Tillman, Stephen |
Titus, Lori |
Tivey, Lauren |
Tobin, Tim |
Torrence, Ron |
Tu, Andy |
Tustin, John |
Ullerich, Eric |
Valent, Raymond A. |
Valvis, James |
Vilhotti, Jerry |
Waldman, Dr. Mel |
Walsh, Patricia |
Walters, Luke |
Ward, Emma |
Washburn, Joseph |
Watt, Max |
Weber, R.O. |
Weil, Lester L. |
White, Judy Friedman |
White, Robb |
White, Terry |
Wickham, Alice |
Wilhide, Zach |
Williams, K. A. |
Wilsky, Jim |
Wilson, Robley |
Wilson, Tabitha |
Woodland, Francis |
Young, Mark |
Yuan, Changming |
Zackel, Fred |
Zafiro, Frank |
Zapata, Angel |
Zee, Carly |
Zeigler, Martin |
Zimmerman, Thomas |
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Free to Leave Mickey J. Corrigan The woman rises from her plastic
chair and approaches the reception desk. Instantly, Lehigh wakes up the
computer and pretends to search the files. She clicks aimlessly, making the new patient
wait before she looks up. "Yes?" The woman
is maybe forty with thick blonde hair swept up in a loose bun. She's dressed in an expensive
silk blouse and black skirt, leather ankle boots with five-inch heels. Her face is
by Botox. Her purse, Gucci. Lehigh stares blankly. The
paying and staying carry designer bags, so you always admit them. Their insurers will cover
them for weeks, sometimes months. This is worth a lot of points. The
woman tries to smile, fails. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I've been waiting for close
to two hours. Do you have any idea when I'll be able to talk to someone?" Her manicured hands flutter, jingling gem-heavy rings. She's concerned about the
long wait. The sane ones usually are. She shivers.
"I can't stay here all night—" Lehigh holds
up a hand, nods curtly. "You've already filled out the forms, so you need to stay until
you're able to talk to an intake counselor. Dr. Jonas should be here any minute." Dr. Jonas has a useless PhD in English literature from Southern Florida Community
College. He is, in reality, a closer. Lehigh
adds, "He had an emergency but should be here soon." An emergency
in his pants, probably. Guy's out cruisin' on weekend nights, who knows where. When the
woman turns around, Lehigh texts him again. Better
hurry, she's on her way out. Jonas texts back. Oh
shit. On my way. Don't lose her. The woman
has reseated herself and is flipping through last month's People Magazine, so Lehigh says nothing more. This one could mean serious
points. Once Lehigh has enough points, she can get off the midnight shift, work days.
With enough points, she'll be promoted to intake counselor. After that, she can quit her
part-time gig at Lucky Dog Bonds. Life will be easier. She's been working her ass off for
way too long. Lehigh checks her phone. Four more hours
until dawn. Six more hours until she can go home. When she looks up, the woman is staring
at her with an odd expression. Fear? Clarity? The lady stands up. "I'm
feeling much calmer now. I think I'll go home." Shit. Lehigh comes out from behind the reception desk.
"I'm sorry, but you can't do that. Our rules don't allow it. Once you've filled out the
admission forms, you are no longer free to leave. Not until you meet with one of our counselors.
And Dr. Jonas—" Her frown deepening, the lady
says, "I don't care about your rules. My panic attack has fully subsided. It's two o'clock
in the morning! I've got a luncheon to attend today and I'm exhausted. Please tell the
doctor I'll be in touch if the symptoms arise again." Lehigh
texts Blaine. Runner in reception. The only
technician on duty tonight, Blaine is most likely hanging out back by the dumpsters, smoking
and playing games on his phone. The woman
clutches her purse to her side as she marches to the
exit. When she pushes against the glass door and it does not move, does not revolve, Lehigh
prepares herself for the explosion. Her heart speeds up. Dammit, she needs those points. The woman screams at her. "Hey! The door's locked!" Lehigh
speaks slowly, as if to a tempestuous child. "I'm sorry,
but now that you've told us you have suicidal thoughts, you are not free to leave. Not
until a counselor has determined you are no longer a threat to yourself." The woman snorts. "Don't be ridiculous. You can't hold me here. Do you know who my
husband is?" A rich dude, Lehigh guesses. Probably
at least twenty years older but with Ferraris full of cash. "Please take a seat, ma'am.
The doctor—" "Fuck the doctor! You let me out
right this minute, young lady, or my lawsuit will include you." "Ma'am, you're hyperventilating. I think you need a sedative. Let me get you something." The lady stamps her spiked boot
on the tile floor. "You don't tell me what
I need, missy. Now unlock this door. You can't hold me here against my will!" Lehigh says calmly, "You signed the forms voluntarily admitting yourself, ma'am.
There's nothing I can do now. If I let you out, I'll lose my job." She'll
lose points, is what she'll lose. Where the hell was Blaine? The
woman shakes her head fiercely. "I didn't know what I was signing. I was freaking out,
upset and scared. So I came here to talk to someone, not to admit myself as an
inpatient." Her pretty hair is mussed up, her face a boiled shrimp pink. "You tricked me,
you little bitch!" When Blaine lumbers in from the
ward, big and hard-bodied with a shiny shaved dome, the woman's face blanches. She bangs
on the exit door like a madwoman until he gets her in a chokehold. Lehigh
advances in order to assist while Blaine administers the butt shot. The struggle is ugly
but blessedly brief. Outside the glass doors, an owl
hoots. The sound is alluring, primal and haunting. "You almost lost yourself a
hundred points, babe," Blaine says after the woman's eyes bang shut. "This one looks like
she's got top of the line insurance. She'll be in here for months." Lehigh
sighs. "I'm so tired of these rich bitches. The paying and staying are always such a pain
to commit." Blaine lifts the unconscious
woman in his muscled arms. "Our job is to admit and retain, not to whine or complain,"
he recites from the mental health technician's manual. Lehigh laughs, then bends down
to retrieve the Gucci bag from the floor.
Originally from Boston, Mickey J. Corrigan writes hard-boiled pulp
fiction from a female point of view. Her novellas and novels have been released
by publishers in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Poetry chapbooks
include The Art of Bars (Finishing Line Press, 2016), Days'
End (Main Street Rag Publishing, 2017), and the disappearing self (Kelsay
Books, 2020). Project XX, a crime novel, was published in 2017 by Salt Publishing
in the UK. What I Did for Love was released by Bloodhound Books UK in October, 2019.
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In Association with Fossil Publications
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