Even the deadliest gangs in Chicagoland fear the Cross Crew and carefully avoid their cinderblock bunker headquarters: Red 71 is well known as the last place you’d want to go . . . unless you’re willing to risk it being the last place you’ll ever go. The Crew is notorious for its ruthless efficiency and cold-blooded cunning. Why, then, would anyone be foolhardy enough to threaten them–and even more dangerous–their loved ones?
As Cross catches the scent of a far-reaching conspiracy, he realizes that it all connects to an unexplained event in his past: a massacre from which he emerged inexplicably unscathed, save for the blue mark on his face that pulses when danger is near. That scar has been throbbing more frequently of late. . . . If he’s reading the signs accurately, Cross might find himself again facing a terrible menace that is not altogether human.
*
MEMO FROM: Captain Nathan Lancaster, Chief, Gang Surveillance Unit
TO: All Precincts, Focus Near-North
ALERT: Incoming Threats to Cross Crew, Situation Highly Unstable
DETAILS: “Cross” and known associates clearly organizing response to perceived pattern of threats. Gang Intelligence indicates high probability of pre-emptive strikes. Report any suspicious and/or unusual activity in Badlands area immediately, gang violence alert level RED.
About Drawing Dead
Even the deadliest gangs in Chicagoland fear the Cross Crew and carefully avoid their cinderblock bunker headquarters: Red 71 is well known as the last place you’d want to go . . . unless you’re willing to risk it being the last place you’ll ever go. The Crew is notorious for its ruthless efficiency and cold-blooded cunning. Why, then, would anyone be foolhardy enough to threaten them–and even more dangerous–their loved ones?
As Cross catches the scent of a far-reaching conspiracy, he realizes that it all connects to an unexplained event in his past: a massacre from which he emerged inexplicably unscathed, save for the blue mark on his face that pulses when danger is near. That scar has been throbbing more frequently of late. . . . If he’s reading the signs accurately, Cross might find himself again facing a terrible menace that is not altogether human.
*
MEMO FROM: Captain Nathan Lancaster, Chief, Gang Surveillance Unit
TO: All Precincts, Focus Near-North
ALERT: Incoming Threats to Cross Crew, Situation Highly Unstable
DETAILS: “Cross” and known associates clearly organizing response to perceived pattern of threats. Gang Intelligence indicates high probability of pre-emptive strikes. Report any suspicious and/or unusual activity in Badlands area immediately, gang violence alert level RED.
Andrew Vachss is a lawyer who represents children and youths exclusively. His many books include the Burke series, the Aftershock trilogy, the Cross series, numerous stand-alone novels, and three collections of short stories. His novels have been translated into 20 languages, and his… More about Andrew Vachss
About Andrew Vachss
Andrew Vachss is a lawyer who represents children and youths exclusively. His many books include the Burke series, the Aftershock trilogy, the Cross series, numerous stand-alone novels, and three collections of short stories. His novels have been translated into 20 languages, and his… More about Andrew Vachss
