a day downtown(ish)

"He runs a gang in Hell's Kitchen. He is a little bit scary, unless you are one of his friends." Liam leans in close to James and lowers his voice. "Ma says he killed a man and we are to turn and walk the other way if we ever see him out on the street."

James does not know what to say to this. A gangster! How exciting!

"Who did he kill?" he asks.

Liam shrugs. "A rival, probably." He bends down and reaches into the crate to pet the kittens. James does not understand why he is not more interested in Benny Mears the gangster.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

( Why did Benny Mears kill his rival? )

words: 4314
total words: 34,593
quickie research: apartment kitchens