Chapterization is now horked! This is good, because the chapters were of wildly uneven size. This works better
“All right, change of plans.” I gave Graciella a wry grin. “Well, change of plans for me. You’d be going back to the Billy anyway.”
“Hurrah,” Graciella muttered, then made herself smile. “Sorry, sir. I just hate looking stupid. But why the change in plans?”
I snorted. “Because the audience is tomorrow.”
“What?” She looked shocked. “Why are they telling you now?”
“Because if they gave me more than two days’ warning, something would happen. Fire, flood, locust horde, the sudden return of the Crazy Cocaine Hooker Killer from beyond the grave — the point is, if you want a Shamus to be somewhere on time, give him or her a day’s warning. One day’s warning. No more, no less.”
“Huh. Is that, ah, you know?”
I shrugged. “It’s New California.”
I see your craving for self-reference popping up here again… but it actually works this time, even entirely devoid of context, so it’s okay.
I am not done with the Crazy Cocaine Hooker Killer story. Although it may not survive the editing process and I have to accept that with good grace. 🙂