Jim Fusilli - The Guardians

Over fall-off-the-bone ribs, W.E. Addison said, “Luther, it’s time for me to say good-bye to my grandson.”

Addison tapped his stepfather’s hand. “I know, Pop. Next stop.” Once again, he tried to make it light. “First we’ve got to wipe that barbecue sauce off your face.”

The old man looked at his stepson, who he couldn’t have loved more had he been his own blood. His tired old heart still swelled from the pride of knowing he could do right by him one last time.

They sat quiet, surrounded by the chatter of students and suits on hand for an early lunch. W.E. sipped tart lemonade from tall Styrofoam.

“Got what you need, Pop?” He hadn’t told him about Hill’s murderous plan. Steele might’ve figured it, since he told him to stand down, but there was no reason for W.E. to know there were cops who wanted his stepson dead.

But W.E. knew, of course he did. Same as it ever was.

“It’s a good thing, son. The Guardians. If a man like you is at the top.”

Luther tilted his head. He’d begun to think otherwise-Dalrymple told him his advocacy put a wall between the two of them when they should’ve worked to be as close as any two partners; and Sarah Tolchinsky, white and a devout Jew, chaperoned his cause through the D.A.’s office. Sharon Knight said Tolchinsky was the one who made the call to the mayor’s office to set him straight.

Hell, even Steele’s snitch was white.

“Pop,” Addison sighed, “I’m thinking I’ve got to look deep before I decide.”

“You get yourself good people like Hammer and Cookie and you’ll be all right.”

As Luther Addison nodded, W.E. ran a paper napkin across his lips, hiding from his stepson a smile of everlasting satisfaction.

Jim Fusilli is the author of five novels including HARD, HARD CITY, which was named Best Novel of 2004 by Mystery Ink magazine. In 2008, his first novel for young adults, MARLEY Z AND THE BLOODSTAINED VIOLIN, was published by Dutton.

He was editor of, and contributed a chapter to, THE CHOPIN MANUSCRIPT, Audible’s best-selling “serial thriller,” which was named Audiobook of the Year by the Audio Publishers Association. He edited and contributed a chapter to its sequel, THE COPPER BRACELET.

His short story, CHELLINI'S SOLUTION, appeared in the 2007 edition of THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES, and his story THE GUARDIAN was selected for A PRISONER OF MEMORY, a 2008 anthology of the year’s finest mystery short fiction. In 2009, his short fiction appeared in the anthology BOSTON NOIR and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.

Jim also is the rock and pop critic of The Wall Street Journal. PET SOUNDS, his book on Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys' album “Pet Sounds,” was published in 2006 by Continuum and in 2009 by Audible.

In 2005, he served as Visiting Professor, Creative Writing, at the State University of New York, Binghamton.

He and his wife Diane live in Tribeca in New York City.