Empire of Shadows / Season 1, Episode 11
Shadows on Linwood
The engine of the ’68 Dodge Charger growled low, a beast idling in the dark, as Leon Mercer hunched over the steering wheel, his eyes locked on the vacant lot across Linwood Avenue. The streetlamp above flickered, casting jagged shadows over the cracked asphalt and the tufts of dead grass pushing through. Inside the car, the air was thick with the scent of old leather and stale cigarette smoke, the heater barely cutting through the November chill that seeped into their bones. Reggie sat shotgun, his knee bouncing like a jackhammer, his breath fogging the window every time he muttered something under his breath. “Man, we been out here too damn long,” Reggie hissed, rubbing his hands together, the calluses on his palms scraping against each other. “Ain’t no drop tonight. Carver’s crew probably spooked after last time. You almost got us both smoked kickin’ that damn bottle.” Leon didn’t turn his head, didn’t blink. His gaze stayed pinned to the lot, to the spot where he’d seen those two figures with the duffel bag just twenty-four hours ago. His fingers tightened on the wheel, the cracked vinyl creaking under his grip. “They comin’,” he said, voice low, almost a rumble. “Carver don’t miss a payday. I heard ‘em say tonight. We wait.” Reggie snorted, shaking his head, his Afro...