The young man looked up at him. “Please, man, don’t.” Rogers swung the bat. The

force of the blow crushed the side of the man’s skull. Bits of bone mixed with

gray meninges pooled down the side of his head.

 

Rogers let go of the dead man’s hand and he slumped sideways to the pavement.

 

The woman was screaming and backing away now. She eyed her purse but made no

move toward it. “Help me! Help me!” Rogers dropped the bat and looked at her.

 

This part of town was deserted at this hour, which was why they had picked it as

their ambush spot.

 

There was no one available to help anybody. They had thought that would work in

their favor. When Rogers had stepped into the alley he knew it would work in his

favor.

 

He had realized this was a setup from the moment the woman had looked at him on

the bus. Her dead boyfriend was her age and good-looking. Rogers was neither of

those. The only things he had that she would want rested in his pocket, on his

wrist, and on his finger.

 

They must prey on the men getting out.

 

Well, tonight they had picked the wrong target.