Rubout

"Behind the Dumpster, a woman was lying on her side. She wasn't moving. Her blond hair was damp and oozing big clots of something that looked black. Oil? Who would smear oil in her hair? As I got closer, I saw her hair was thick with blood. Her nose and cheekbone were strangely flattened. Blond hair and black blood were smeared across her eyes. A gold button winked in a puddle near her shoulder, and dirty gold braid trailed from one bloody wrist. I didn't recognize the face -- not in its current condition -- but I'd know that outfit anywhere. It was Sydney, very dead in designer leather."

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