Scaffolds

By Michael Canfield

Murder. Loss. Betrayal... For Dan, the restoration job means more than money, it means a chance to work past the accident that took his young wife’s life.
Yet it also means seeing Nayoni again, and facing feelings he has never moved beyond.
Not when she married a rich architect - and certainly not now - as Nayoni reaches out to Dan - the only one who can help her escape the living hell of her existence.

A short story of love and murder, approximately 5,000 words.

Bonus:

This edition now includes an additional story: "A Man, A Woman, and A Concrete Tomb".

They believed Cole really worked for them...
When they found out otherwise they decide to fix him—for good.

They know he has unexpected resources, but even Cole can't shoot or talk his way out of solid concrete. Maybe.

But Cole doesn't give up easy. And what about the girl? A liability–or the key to the whole fatal puzzle? Either way, Cole has to finish it soon—before his oxygen runs out.

Thugs, guns, beauty, and death. Just another night at the Caravan Motel: US 95, halfway Between Vegas and Indian Springs, in the last 1950's. A short fast-paced story, approximately 6,000 words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vauk House Press
• Release date: Dec 31, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301557851

Michael Canfield

Michael Canfield writes about monsters, superheroes, couples, bank robbers, babies, astronauts, paranoids, background artists, obsessives, and other people. He has published mystery, fantasy, science fiction, horror and just-plain-odd stories in the magazines Strange Horizons, Escape Pod, Realms of Fantasy, Black Gate, Flytrap, and others.His novelette “Super-Villains” was republished in the prestigious Fantasy: The Year’s Best series, edited by Rich Horton (Prime Books). Born in Las Vegas, he now lives in Seattle.

Book preview

Scaffolds

It’s mold, Dan told Nayoni. Some dirt, but mostly black mold. Any century-old stone building will have it.

Nayoni was wearing a white bathrobe over silky PJs. Morning sunlight bounced golden off her cascading hair. She’d been Teri’s best friend. For that alone he would’ve helped her but, truth tell, to Dan, Nayoni, his late wife’s best friend, was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known.

I’ll blast it clean with diluted bleach—it won’t hurt the stone, he told her.

Her green eyes flashed. Todd’s fretting somehow about the water pressure…?

Yeah. High pressure could erode the rock, but I won’t go more than 1500 psi. That’s standard for historic buildings.

The scents of cut grass, damp masonry, and summer dew mingled in the air. The tall church stood stoic against the neighborhood sky. The surrounding street had held, till recently, a few large houses, but half-erected condo frames began replacing them now, lining up like peaceful skeletons.

Nayoni bit her lip. Todd should be back already. He had a breakfast with some client. He knows I don’t have my car today. I’d rather talk to you anyhow.

She arched an eyebrow, and Dan’s cheeks burned.

What I mean is, thanks for the break, he said.

She danced her fingers through the air, dismissing his embarrassment. You’re the best man for the job.

He hadn’t worked all year. He wouldn’t be working now if anyone else had asked.

I’d say go ahead, but Todd’s funny about stuff. This is his baby, you know.

You might think about not doing anything. Sometimes it’s best to let these old buildings alone.

Nayoni rolled her eyes. Todd? Leave something alone! You don’t know my husband.

Todd had had the church deconsecrated and converted into a new headquarters for his architectural firm. He had knocked out the rectory walls and demolished the bible-study classrooms to make a second-floor loft. He and Nayoni lived there now.

You know how much we all miss Teri, said Nayoni.

He swallowed.

For what it’s worth I don’t believe the rumors about the recall notice.

The rumors weren’t true. We got the notice a couple days before the accident. It was a holiday week. But I should have never let Teri get back in that car. Not even once. I wasn’t thinking about it. I just forgot. I would never hurt Teri. I forgot. I didn’t think.

Nobody blames you.

Up the block, Todd’s Jag took the corner, screeching.

Todd parked against the bumper of Dan’s pickup, then climbed out, spreading his arms. He was wearing black driving gloves. Where are the scaffold guys? Sweet Jesus it’s eight a.m.! He glared at the black stone.

Morning darling, said Nayoni. Look, Dan’s here.

Dammit I want this scaffolding up today, so Dan here can get to work! I’m gonna call the sonofa— He pulled a phone from a pocket and flipped it open. It was about a tenth the size of Dan’s own phone, which felt suddenly heavy and conspicuous clipped on his belt.

Nayoni shot him an apologetic look, then spoke to her husband. Honey, Dan’s been here half an hour waiting for you.

"Naynee, there’s no point in speaking to Dan if there’s no scaffolding for Dan to work on. Get him a coffee or