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forward to seein’ it all go up in smoke.” Then louder, “I’m a man to keep my word! Free drinks for those who saved the day and for all the pretty ladies next door!”
    The crush of men around the damaged pleasure palace reversed itself and swept toward Lynch’s saloon, a jostling of hoarse voices, mud-slathered boots, soaked hats, looking for the promised free drinks. Inez stepped away from the stampede lest it carry her into the saloon. Once the thirsty tide had receded, she squelched forward to Flo’s, intent on finding the reverend and assaying the damage to the building up close.
    Bobbing lanterns moved through the thick night, their carriers invisible in the pressing dark and murk. The wavering spots, crossing, recrossing, seemingly random in their movement, reminded her of the lightning bugs from her childhood. And like the insects she used to hold, one by one, cupped in her hands, they illuminated little, beyond their own small shapes.
    She made out a knot of women, mostly by their white limbs and shifts, stirring nervously in the gloom. High-pitched coughs and crying were threaded by the soothing murmur of Sands’ voice. She sloshed closer. By the structure’s charred but still miraculously intact back porch, the mud was churned knee-deep from recent turmoil, water, and beer. Sands held one lantern high. Flo stood by, arms crossed tight, holding her elbows. Inez climbed out of the sucking muck in time to hear Reverend Sands say, “You’re welcome to use the mission for shelter.”
    Flo shook her head, face and platinum locks layered black with soot. Tears or sweat had cleared small tracks of white down her cheeks. “Lynch offered me and my girls a couple of rooms upstairs for the night. He’s going to move his own whores into the backroom, for now. Danny’ll guard the house. He’s got orders to shoot first, ask questions later. No one’s going to sneak off with the silver or the booze if I have anything to say about it.”
    She looked at the building. “Danny’s checking the rooms. I’m missing two girls.” She bit her lip, her upper teeth showing white. “Zelda and Lizzie.”
    “I saw Lizzie outside Lynch’s.” Inez stepped into the fragile circle of light. “He was trying to talk her into coming inside.”
    The lines across Flo’s forehead deepened as she raised invisible eyebrows. “Mrs. Stannert? Is that you? Did you come down to help fight the fire? Why, I didn’t think you cared.”
    “I have no desire to see State Street go up in flames. That would be a catastrophe for us all.” Inez cleared her throat. Smoke wafting from the gaping back of the building coated her teeth and mouth, tasting bitter. “Your Lizzie seemed sound in limb when I saw her. Although quite intoxicated.”
    Flo sighed. “Lizzie.” The one word was heavy with worry and fatigue. “Well, at least she’s with Lynch. We’d better head over there before something happens. I never know, with Lizzie.”
    “She didn’t go inside,” Inez said quickly. “Lynch tried to talk her in, but she fled. Ran toward Harrison. She wasn’t wearing much.”
    Flo closed her eyes. “Shit.”
    “She’ll find a place to stay, or she’ll come back,” Reverend Sands said. “If nothing else, the police will find her, and she’ll spend the night in jail.”
    Flo nodded, eyes still closed.
    Soft sobs from the shivering women seemed to pull her from her thoughts.
    Her eyes flew open. She was suddenly all business. “I’ve got to get everyone inside. Zelda, well, she’s my newest girl. If she’s not inside, she probably went home. She’s got family in town. Nothing to be done about it now.”
    Sands glanced at Inez. “We’ll be going then, Mrs. Stannert and I. If you need anything, Mrs. Sweet—”
    Flo cocked her head, looking at Inez as if really seeing her for the first time. “Hmmm. Now that you mention it, Reverend…Mrs. Stannert, I’d like to talk with you further. About something that could benefit us