Compatibility photos on Flickr

Meet the Allegra brows! These striking full eyebrows include an optional scar on the right eyebrow (scar set only) in 10 natural hair tones and are available in 3 fits tailored to different mesh heads.

The Allegra brows are available in the following packs:

■ Lelutka Evo/EvoX [scar / classic / fatpack]: HD appliers¹ + BoM layers for EvoX

■ Genus [scar / classic / fatpack]: appliers + BoM layers

■ Catwa HDPro [scar / classic / fatpack]: HD appliers¹ + BoM layers

Demo available ♥

¹ The Lelutka Evo HD appliers work on both Lel Evo Classic and EvoX. (mode toggled in the lel EvoX HUD)

² The Catwa HDPro appliers (eye mask) only work on HDPro heads. For Catwa Bento heads, please try a demo of the BoM layers provided to ensure fit compatibility.

The BoM tattoo layers provided have modify permissions, so you can fine tune each tone to taste.

(shown on Lelutka Avalon - skin from Amara Beauty, hair from Wings, bangs from Magika, eyes from Avi-glam, nose ring from Little fish, earrings from Piece of Me; Other WarPaint items shown include: Coquette lashes, Riyad liner collection - puppy liner, Primrose lips, (im)Perfect chin scar, #IWokeUpLikeThis5, #IWokeUpLikeThis BodyEdit)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

. m a i n s t o r e .

. m a r k e t p l a c e .

. f l i c k r _ g r o u p .

. i n s t a g r a m .

. f a c e b o o k .

[ELEMEN'S] Miguel Pants @ MAN CAVE by ELEMEN'S

55 2

Compatibility: LEGACY, SIGNATURE GIANNI, BELLEZA JAKE.

available @ MAN CAVE February 17th - March 11th

//TELEPORT TO MAINSTORE

LeLutka Zo Head by Lelutka SL

601 57

OUT NOW!!!

Taxi: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LeLutka/126/126/37

Exciting Announcement! We've reached the final letter "Z" of the alphabet, and we couldn't be more thrilled to introduce Zo, our newest family member! Zo is a non-binary head that embraces inclusivity and self-expression. We are proud to celebrate diversity and provide individuals with the opportunity to express their unique identities authentically.

Zo's versatility and compatibility with both male and female mesh bodies allow for seamless integration with your desired appearance. The timing couldn't be more perfect as we launch Zo during Pride Month, further honoring this special occasion. To commemorate Pride Month, we are delighted to offer Zo and our previously released head, River, at a 25% reduced price throughout June.

Please note that Zo head will be exclusively available at our main store. Remember to try out a demo before making your purchase, as an informed decision is always the best decision. We look forward to seeing you soon!

For Chat, Community, Customer Service and more join us on DISCORD: discord.com/invite/yhGZdKA

. Red Accent . by ♡ Sienna Grace ♡

90 2

Loki - Kiana Cutout Top

❥ 14 Color Textures

❥ Each Color Pack has HUD for String & Bows.

❥ FATPACK has more customization options: You can hide the Lower half of Top.

♡ Body Compatibility:

✿ Maitreya Lara

✿ Legacy + Perky

✿ Ebody Reborn + Juicy Boobs

@ Loki Mainstore

57310 hauls 377146 as 5Z69 Selhurst Depot - Selhurst Depot via Hove seen passing Herne Hill. This was a testing exercise testing the compatibility between the two by Ian G Hunt

17

RE Milani Bracelets & Rings by RealEvil Industries

72 2

**RE** Milani Bracelets & Rings

Available at the FaMESHed Event, starting on the 1st of August.

Features:

- 15 Metals, 15 Crystals, 15 Pearls, 15 Beads & 15 Petals.

- Show/Hide each bracelet (3 areas) or ring.

- 3 Shine levels.

- Materials enabled.

RE VIP Group members get a 10% discount.

Compatibility: Maitreya Lara/Lara X, Gen X Curvy & Classic, Meshbody Legacy F & eBODY Reborn.

Available here:

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FaMESHed/217/230/800

Milani Anklets & Toe Rings by RealEvil Industries

76 4

Available at the Cosmopolitan Event, starting on the 22nd of July.

Features:

- 15 Metals, 15 Crystals, 15 Pearls & 15 Petals.

- Show/Hide each anklet or ring.

- Flat & High feet poses.

- Materials enabled.

RE VIP Group members get a 10% discount.

Compatibility: Maitreya Lara/Lara X, Gen X Curvy & Classic, Meshbody Legacy F & eBODY Reborn.

Available here:

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/No%20Comment/137/17/39

Ruby Outfit @ THE GRAND + GIVEAWAY! by Bourne Leeder

168 33

🎁GIVEAWAY CHANCE!🎁

Comment your avatar name for a chance to win the entire Ruby Outfit! Choosing 5 winners that will be announced in the comments 💗

Preppy meets sexy with the new Ruby Outfit available now at The Grand! Ruby consists of a cropped polo, pleated mini skirt, tower thigh high boots, and a designer baker boy cap to top it all off. The Ruby Boots of course include Soft Thighs by MAZE compatibility for the soft squeezed look! ^_^

Ruby is fitted for Reborn, Legacy, Kupra, and GenX bodies ONLY.

Come by The Grand today and try a Demo :) Paste this directly into your viewers address bar for a quick TP: The Grand Event/84/43/47

Be Human by Jahdiel D.

53 6

✧˖ ° Galina ✧˖ °

Taylor" Set

The „Taylor“ Set comes in a variety of matching options for Male & Female bodies and includes lots of fun LGBTQ+ designs! It’s the perfect casual fit to match with your partner, bestie(s) or family! Rigged for Legacy M & F, Bombshell, Kupra, Kario, Gianni, Reborn + Waifus, Peach bodies

Located @ CakeDay

Taxi:

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/CAKEDAY/175/153/27

✧˖ ° Flite ✧˖ °

Snake Skin X6s

-NEW GEN X unrigged-Belleza M/F-SLINK M/F-Legacy M/F-Maitreya-Gianni-Davis-KUPRA-Kario-EBody-BEBE Youth/Toddler/OG Feet-Baby Unrigged-TD Fitted-LULLA BEEBS-TweeneeDoo-TweensterV5

8 Separate colors included in the Fatpack!

Located @ Mainstore

Taxi:

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Yesterday/122/26/25

✧˖ ° Saint ✧˖ °

christina skin veil

Skin Veil is curated for heads (exhibited on ), while extending compatibility to and heads. Available in .

Located @ Mainstore

Taxi:

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Willows/56/43/816

✧˖ ° Fewness ✧˖ °

Jellness Lel. Earring

Lelutka Human/Elf & Male/Female

Located @ Mainstore

Taxi:

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LondonMall/110/171/42

⋆.° All the Girls are Girling °.⋆ by ♡ Sienna Grace ♡

58

Loki - Parker Silly Tee

ʚɞ. 12 Prints

ʚɞ. Each Tee has 3 colors; White, Grey, & Black

ʚɞ. Each print includes HUD for Tee color & Stitches Color.

ʚɞ. Plain Version available only in FATPACK

ʚɞ. Stitches are optional

ʚɞ. Fatpack has more customization options.

⟡ Body Compatibility:

☪︎ Legacy + Perky

☪︎ Ebody Reborn + Waifus

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Taxi --> ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗ Equal 10 ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

⛧⛧ Rider & Jesse for Alpha Weekend & Fantasy for Crafty Weekend! ⛧⛧ by Cult/ocult The Darker Alternative

47 1

Hi Culties & Spookies, Time to kick off your weekend shopping just right!

★ For Alpha Weekend Sale ★ Rider & Jesse ★

★ For Crafty Weekend Sale★ Fantasy ★

★ Rider & Jesse- Lee Rigged For ★ Reborn ★ Legacy M/F ★ Maitreya-X ★ MaitreyaOG ★ Kupra ★ Genx ★ Jake ★ Gianni ★ Kario

★ Fantasy Rigged For ★ Reborn ★ Legacy Female ★ Maitreya-X ★ MaitreyaOG ★ Kupra ★ Legacy Male

★ Remember to always try the DEMOS!★Check for Body Type & Body MOD Compatibility★

★ Comes with a Color Control HUD for changeable color options

★ Cult LM ★ maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cult%20Coven/129/75/33

★ Cult's Social Media Links ★

Taking a bath. :) by Mitsushiro Nakagawa

123 11

Title.

Taking a bath. :)

( LUMIX G3 shot )

Central Park, Manhattan, New York, USA. 2017. ... 3 / 9

(Today's photo. It's unpublished.)

Images:

The Beatles … Across The Universe

youtu.be/eqUzU552X8A?si=LDd91wXz4ROBUYco

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My new novel

B♭ (B Flat)

Volume 14 😄

The following is still in its draft stage and will be revised further.

Key parts are not disclosed.

The order of the content shown here is mixed.

(Of course, this is not the final version.)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My new novel

B♭ (B Flat)

In the western reaches of Los Angeles, at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Sepulveda, a seventeen–story alabaster tower rose against the sky. This was the headquarters of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

The afternoon light struck its white façade, casting back a cold, austere beauty. Before it stretched a broad lawn, a hush reigning there in stark contrast to the bustle of the city. On the front of the building, the names of the FBI and the Department of Veterans Affairs stood in bold relief, the weight of the nation inscribed in stone. Nearby lay the Los Angeles National Cemetery, where the memories of the past intertwined with the pulse of the present.

Just a few blocks away, in a hotel room, tension had taken on another form. The pale red carpet caught the glare of fluorescent light, while beyond the window the unending stream of cars along Wilshire flowed like a restless artery. The faint cry of sirens mingled with the city’s din, as if the collective strain of Los Angeles were seeping into this small room.

At the front, a makeshift stage bore the American flag and the FBI seal. Tripods stood in careful rows, monitors flashing between live feeds and scrolling headlines.

Cameron R. Bartlett, Director of the FBI, squared his shoulders. With a brief glance at the papers in his hand, he drew in a quiet breath and let his eyes travel over the gathered press. Behind his composure lay a grave unease, and a resolve as unyielding as steel.

“The incident is unfolding on a scale without precedent—” His voice, low but unwavering, filled the room. Instantly, the images on the monitors tightened every chest, sharpening the taut wire of tension. The journalists steadied their breathing, fingers trembling faintly over notebooks and cameras as the dissonance grew—between the director’s calm expression and the devastation flickering across the screens.

Some rushed to send out bulletins; others adjusted their zoom lenses, struggling inwardly to shape a sense of the whole. From a corner came the faint rustle of a page turning, the smallest sounds amplified by silence. And still the tense hour dragged on, as if the looming FBI building itself watched over the press room in mute witness.

Each time the footage wavered—smoke shifting, rubble parting to reveal a fleeting figure—the reporters’ eyes snapped to the screen. Pens scratched, shutters clicked, the faint patter of keys mingling with a silence taut enough to break.

Bartlett’s gaze lingered on each journalist, conveying a weight beyond words. That quiet pressure thickened the atmosphere, the air stretched to a thread’s breaking point. From outside came the muted hum of traffic, a distant siren’s wail—the world’s noise folding into the room’s stillness, underscoring the magnitude of what was unfolding.

At last, after answering questions in terse, measured replies, Bartlett concluded:

“That is all I can say at this time.”

His curt words gave way to a new stir, rippling through the hall. The cause lay on the monitors: another feed had appeared, bearing the caption in red, flashing in the corner—Madison Square Garden, New York City—the precise moment the carnage had begun.

The reporters in Los Angeles felt their breath catch. Following those numbers, they seemed to touch the pulse of another city across the continent. The images bound the two coasts together, weaving the entire nation into one mesh of suspense.

Then the screen shifted to a different stage—New York’s press room—where a man in a dark suit stood before the glare of flashbulbs.

Jack Vance. Once a colleague of Marcus’s at the Bureau. In rare fashion, he had left the FBI under the Department of Justice to join the Secret Service under Homeland Security. Years earlier, when Vance had headed the Violent Crimes Section, a hostage standoff erupted in Oakbridge, outside Washington, D.C. Orders from headquarters forced an early assault. In the chaos, a nineteen–year–old Black youth, misidentified as the suspect, was shot dead. The true perpetrator lay elsewhere, and Vance’s team had opposed the premature entry. Yet the assault had gone forward—under the command of none other than Bartlett, now before them on the screen. Later, in the Washington field office, Bartlett had ordered subordinates to alter the report, declaring that the assault had been Vance’s decision. Vance rose in silence, flung the papers onto the table, and struck Bartlett across the face. Officially, it had ended as Vance’s “voluntary resignation” before disciplinary measures. In truth, he had been cast out.

Now Vance’s voice, faintly delayed, overlapped with the Los Angeles air. Two distant cities shared the same gravity of silence. Pens stilled, eyes fixed on the screen. Each word, each gesture etched the outline of the disaster more sharply. The chain of images streaming through the network was not mere record, but a slice of history as it unfolded. The hush in the room stretched on, awaiting a break that never came. Breathing shallow, all present were held captive by the figure of Jack Vance.

The tension, unbroken, shifted its form. From the rear seats came a fresh murmur, loosening the taut balance. Several reporters pulled out their phones, screens glowing like scattered embers in the dimness. They were not receiving news alerts. It was a direct link, sent by an anonymous hand.

Beneath Los Angeles’s cold lights, the press room now bore the weight of three overlapping spheres—the New York briefing, the strange new footage, and the lingering echo of Vance’s voice. The reporters’ focus drifted to the unknown. It was not simply information. It was a forewarning.

Marcus Dane was the first to sense it. Standing in the aisle, watching his superior Bartlett, he noticed the stir among the journalists at the center. Several had received a live video link—from the perpetrators themselves. The same ploy that had reached Jack and the others at the Garden.

Marcus immediately checked the URL and forwarded it to Tom Caldwell, once a trusted colleague in the technical division.

The footage was unmistakable: the very same “Oval Office” where Professor Zakaria Haddad had taken his own life.

“Good afternoon. My name is Amir Nasser. I was a student of Professor Zakaria Haddad, who passed away just days ago.”

Amir leaned lightly against the desk, speaking in a gentle tone, revealing a side unseen until now.

“As he told you, we once lived quietly in Gaza. We were ruled by Hamas, by their weapons and their violence. They committed unspeakable killings against Israel. But could we have stopped them? No more than you can stop your own President from wielding the power of command. You may protest in your streets, but we had only silence, living under the shadow of informants and violence. And still your President sided with Israel, again and again, unleashing bombs until not even ruins remained. We, who offered no resistance, endured strike upon strike, invasion upon invasion. Hamas made us their shields, nesting beneath our hospitals, while we, above, became the targets.”

Amir’s voice was clear, almost luminous. His youth, his neatly combed hair, the strange stillness of his blue eyes—all drew the listeners in. Nothing in his demeanor suggested violence. He lifted a glass of water from the table, sipped, and continued.

“As Professor Haddad told you, all we were given was darkness. And what does an animal do when driven into darkness?” His eyes fell to the floor, words sinking like stones.

“We lost everything—our homes, our lovers, our families. Everything. Do you not call it unjust, to die with nothing left? Is it not the human way to confront those who take? To force them to grasp what it means to be robbed? What does it mean, America, that you drink your cola unchanged, while we are stripped bare?”

He paused, then smiled faintly.

“Jack, the weekend will be a busy one.”

The smile was open, disarming—and chilling.

“In these years, the Democrats’ tolerance has faded, and the Republicans have driven immigrants to the edge. So we, scattered across this nation, have shared our knowledge, and we have reached a conclusion. ICE, who have treated us as vermin, must be re-educated.”

Since the shift in power, ICE had grown ever harsher. With offices in nearly every state, their reach extended across the land. More than twenty thousand employees in all: some seventy-eight hundred in Enforcement and Removal Operations, sixty-five hundred in Homeland Security Investigations, six thousand in the legal branch known as OPLA.

“We gained a fragment of their data. Let me be honest—only a fragment. ICE is too vast, too diffuse. But we chose two places, Jack. Los Angeles and New York. And we will tell you. That is generous, is it not? You should be grateful.”

Amir’s smile remained as he concluded:

“But remember, our purpose is re-education. Wait for it, Jack. Until then.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My new novel:

B♭ (B-flat)

There’s still more to come. 😃

(This is not the final draft.)

Set in New York City.

13

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54769008619/in/dateposted...

12

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54758538180/in/dateposted...

11

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54743658539/in/dateposted...

10

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54737038151/in/dateposted...

9

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54720346098/in/dateposted...

8

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54713957969/in/dateposted...

7

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54703714420/in/dateposted...

6

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54696914108/in/dateposted...

5

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54686544606/in/dateposted...

4

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54653035442/in/dateposted...

3

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54639396885/in/dateposted...

2

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54628511025/in/dateposted...

1

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54599616429/in/dateposted...

Soundtrack.

music.apple.com/jp/playlist/b-my-novel-soundtrack/pl.u-47...

Note: I gave a brief explanation of this novel in the following video:

youtu.be/3w65lqUF-YI?si=yG7qy6TPeCL9xRJV

iTunes Playlist Link::

music.apple.com/jp/playlist/b/pl.u-47DJGhopxMD

My new novel:

B♭ (B-flat)

Notes

1. "Bombay Blood Type (hh type)"

•Characteristics: A rare blood type that lacks the usual ABO antigens — cannot be classified as A, B, or O.

•Discovery: First identified in 1952 in Mumbai, India (formerly Bombay).

•Prevalence: Roughly 1 in 10,000 people in India; globally, about 1 in 2.5 million.

•Transfusion Compatibility: Only compatible with blood from other Bombay type donors.

2. 2024 Harvard University Valedictorian Speech – The Power of Not Knowing

youtu.be/SOUH8iVqSOI?si=Ju-Y728irtcWR71K

3. Shots Fired at Trump Rally

youtu.be/1ejfAkzjEhk?si=ASqJwEmkY-2rW_hT

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Title.

入浴中。:)

( LUMIX G3 shot )

マンハッタン。ニューヨーク。アメリカ。2017. … 3 / 9

(今日の写真。それは未発表です。）

Images:

The Beatles … Across The Universe　和訳

note.com/yutosn/n/na8a3ff93b391

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

僕の新しい小説。

　B♭　（ビーフラット）

第14弾。 😄

以下は、まだ初稿の段階です。まだ推敲します。

重要な部分は公開していません。

公開している内容の順番はバラバラです。

(もちろん最終稿ではありません。)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

僕の新しい小説。

　B♭　（ビーフラット）

　ロサンゼルスの西部、ウィルシャー大通りとセプルヴェダ通りが交差する地点にそびえる17階建ての白亜の高層ビルが、FBIロサンゼルス支局だ。

　午後の光がビルの白い外壁に反射し、支局の冷徹な美しさを放っている。

　その前には広大な芝生が広がり、周囲の喧騒とは対照的な静寂が漂っている。建物の正面にはFBIや退役軍人局の文字が掲げられ、国家の重みが息づいていた。近くにはロサンゼルス国立墓地もあり、過去と現在の記憶が交錯する場所だ。

　そのビルから数ブロック離れたホテルの一室では、緊迫した空気が別の形で立ち上がっていた。淡い赤のカーペットに蛍光灯の光が反射し、窓の向こうにはウィルシャー大通りの車列が途切れなく動いている。遠くでサイレンが混ざった街の喧騒がかすかに届き、まるで街全体の緊張がこの部屋に流れ込んでいるかのようだった。

　前方には米国旗とFBIのロゴを掲げた簡易ステージが設けられ、カメラの三脚が整然と並び、モニターには現場映像や速報テロップが次々と流れている。

　キャメロン・R・バートレットFBI長官は少し肩を張り、手元の書類に一瞥を投げると、静かに息を吸い込み、視線を記者たちに巡らせた。その目には冷静さの奥に、深い憂慮と覚悟が宿っていた。

「事件は未曾有の規模で進行中です――」低く、しかし確かな声が室内に響く。モニターの映像が一瞬にして全員の胸を締めつけ、緊張の空気がさらに鋭く張り詰めた。記者たちは呼吸を整え、心臓の鼓動を感じながら、手元のメモやカメラを操作する指先の微かな震えに気づいていた。目の前の長官の落ち着いた表情と、報道される惨状の映像の間で、胸の奥がひりつくようだった。

　ある者は速報を即座に送信し、別の者はカメラのズームを調整しながら、心の中で事件の全貌を理解しようと必死に整理する。部屋の片隅ではメモ用紙がめくられる音がかすかに響き、静かな緊迫の時間が延々と流れていた。遠くにそびえるFBIの本部ビルが、まるでこの会見室の緊張を静かに見守っているかのようだった。

　モニターに映る被害現場の映像が揺れ、煙と瓦礫の合間に時折人影が見え隠れするたび、記者たちの視線が瞬時に吸い寄せられた。

　誰もが次の言葉を待ちながらペンを走らせ、カメラのシャッターを切る。息を潜めるような静寂と、キーボードを打つ微かな打鍵音が混ざり合い、室内の緊迫感をさらに際立たせる。

　キャメロンの視線は一人ひとりの記者を確かめるように巡り、言葉にならない圧力を静かに伝えた。その沈黙が、場内の緊張を増幅させ、空気はまるで切れそうな糸のように張り詰めていた。

　外の街路を行き交う車の光やサイレンの音が、遠くで微かに響く。室内の静寂と街の喧騒が対照的に重なり、事件の重大さを肌で感じさせる時間が、ゆっくりと流れていった。

　キャメロンは、記者らへの質問へ、手短に、簡潔に答え終えるといった。

「いま、お答えできるのは以上です」

　キャメロンのそっけない言葉の流れとは別のざわめきが沸き起こった。

　そのざわめきの中心には、モニターに映し出された別の映像があった。ニューヨーク、マディソン・スクエア・ガーデン前――あの惨劇が始まった瞬間の時刻を示すテロップが、画面の隅に赤く点滅していた。

　ロサンゼルスの会見場にいる記者たちは、その数字を追いながら、陸を隔てたもうひとつの都市の脈動を肌で感じていた。時差を越えてつながる映像は、ただの中継を超え、国全体をひとつの緊張の網で縛り上げているかのようだった。

　やがて会場のスクリーンに切り替わったのは、ニューヨークの記者会見場。暗いスーツを纏ったジャックが壇上に姿を現し、フラッシュの閃光を真正面から受け止めていた。

　ジャック・ヴァンス。マーカスの元FBIの同僚だ。非常に稀なケースだったが、ジャックは司法省のFBIから国土安全保障省管轄のシークレットサービスへ移った。ジャックが当時、元FBI暴力犯罪課主任だった頃、ワシントンD.C.郊外・オークブリッジにて、人質立てこもり事件が発生した。本部からの命令で突入が早まり、現場では容疑者と誤認された１９歳の黒人青年が射殺された。実行犯は別におり、ジャックのチームは突入に反対していた。しかし、今まさにディスプレイ内で会見している昇進したキャメロンの命令で突入したのだ。FBIワシントン支局会議室にて、キャメロンが「報告書を書き換えろ」と部下へ命じ、「突入はジャックの判断だった」と報告するといった。ジャックは黙って立ち上がり、書類の束を叩きつけ、キャメロンの頬を殴った。公式には、懲戒処分前のジャックの自主退職という形で処理されたが、実質的には組織から追放されていた。

　ジャックの声は、わずかな遅延を伴いながらも、ロサンゼルスの空気に重ね合わされた。遠く離れた二つの都市が、同じ沈黙の重みを共有する瞬間だった。

　記者たちは手元のペンを止め、画面を凝視した。そこに映る言葉や仕草の一つひとつが、事件の輪郭をさらに濃くしていく。ネットを介して結ばれた映像の連鎖は、ただの記録ではなく、今まさに進行する歴史の断面を露わにしていた。会場に漂う沈黙は、ひとつの区切りを待ちながら、しかし終わりを告げることなく続いていた。誰もが画面に映るジャックの姿に釘付けとなり、呼吸さえ浅くなるのを自覚していた。

　続いていた緊張が次の瞬間、別の形を取り始めた。

　後方の記者席から、低いざわめきがふたたび広がり、場内の均衡をかすかに揺らした。何人かの記者が同時に携帯端末を取り出し、視線を走らせる。その小さな光が闇の中の焔のように散り、互いに反応し合った。

　届いたのはニュース速報ではない。匿名の送信者から直接送りつけられた、映像へのリンクだった。

　ロサンゼルスの冷たい照明の下に、ニューヨークの記者会見の緊張と、新たに流れ込んだ未知の映像とが複雑に重なり合う。ジャックの声がまだ空気に残っていたが、記者たちの意識はすでに別の方向へ引き寄せられていた。

　それはただの情報ではなく、何かが次に起ころうとしている予兆そのものだった。

　そして、その異変に最初に気づいたのが、会場の通路に立つマーカス・デインだった。

　マーカス・デインは、上司のキャメロンの様子を会場の通路から眺めていたが、会場中央部に座っていた記者らの数人がざわめいたので確認にいった。

　どうやら、記者の複数に犯人らのライブ動画のリンクが送られてきたようだ。ガーデンでジャックらに送信されたのと同じ手口だ。

　マーカスは、すぐにURLを確認し、トム・コールドウェルへ転送した。以前、技術班にいた際の信頼できる部下だ。

　映像は、ザカリアが自死した『大統領執務室』と同じようだった。

「みなさんはじめまして。私はアミール・ナッセル。先日、亡くなった私の教授、ザカリア・ハッダードの生徒だ」

　アミールは、机の前面に腰を預け、穏やかな口調で、切り出した。アナらに見せた表情とは別の、内に潜んでいた一面をさらしているようだった。

「教授が話したように、私たちはガザ地区で平穏に暮らしていた。私たちはハマスによって武器と暴力で支配されていた。彼らはイスラエルに対し、残酷な殺戮を犯した。しかし、それを私たちが止められただろうか。みなさんが、アメリカ大統領の指揮権を止めることができないように、私たちにはそれができなかった。みなさんは、抗議のデモを行えるが私たちは息を潜め、見えない密告と暴力に怯えながら生きるほかなかったのだ。にも関わらず、ひたすらみなさんの大統領はイスラエルに加担し続け、爆撃を繰り返した。まったくの無抵抗なわたしたちになんどもなんども建物の残骸すら残らないほどに爆撃を繰り返し、侵攻してきた。ハマスらは私たちを人間の盾にした。病院の地下に巣を作り、忍び込み、私たちは地上でターゲットにならざるおえなかった」

　アミールの声は透きとおって、穏やかだった。若く、きちんと整髪された髪型だけでなく神秘的な青い瞳の静けさも見ているものを引き込んだ。彼のまだ若い容貌と口調から、とても暴力的な行動に出るとは思えなかった。彼は、テーブルに置かれていた水の入ったコップを手にし、一口飲むと続けた。

「亡くなったザカリア教授が話したように、私たちに与えられたのは、闇だけだ。闇に追い込まれた動物はどうする？」

　アミールは、視線を床へ落とし、伏目がちに言葉を足した。重い語尾が床に沈んでいった。

「私たちは全てを失った。住んでいた家も、愛する恋人も、そして家族も。すべてだ。奪われたままで、死んでいくのは不公平だと思えないか？　奪った人間を悟すことこそが人間の道だろう。奪われた気持ちを永遠に理解しないのは、どうだろう？　昨日と変わらずコーラを飲めるのはどうだろう？　そう思わないか？　アメリカ」

　アミールは、続けた。

「ジャック、週末は忙しくなるぞ」

　アミールは、優しくカメラに微笑んだ。屈託のない笑顔が、見ているものを震わせた。

「この数年、民主党の寛容さは消え、共和党による移民の追い込みがひどいと思わないか？　そこで全米に散らばった私たちは知恵を出し合った。そして、結論を出した。私たちを、害獣のように扱うICEを再教育しようとね」

　大統領が共和党に変わってから、ここ数年、ICEの取り締まりが厳しくなっていた。ICEは、ニューヨーク州、カリフォルニア州を筆頭に、ほぼ全ての州に関連施設が点在している。全体の職員数は概ね20,000人以上だ。このうち、EROと呼ばれる強制送還部門・収容部門に約7,800人、HSIという捜査部門・国土安全捜査部門に約6,500人、さらにオープラと呼ばれる法務部門に約6,000人の職員が雇用されている。

「私たちは彼らの情報の一部を入手した。正直に言おう。本当に一部分だけだ。ICEは全米に散らばっていて、職員の全体の把握が困難だった。私たちは、２箇所に絞ったよ、ジャック。それが、ロスとニューヨークだ。教えてあげよう。優しいだろう？　感謝したほうがいい」

　アミールは続けた。

「教えてはあげるが、私たちの目的は再教育だ。その時を待て。ジャック。それでは」

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

僕の新しい小説。

　B♭　（ビーフラット）

舞台はニューヨークです。

13

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54769008619/in/dateposted...

12

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54758538180/in/dateposted...

11

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54743658539/in/dateposted...

10

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54737038151/in/dateposted...

9

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54720346098/in/dateposted...

8

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54713957969/in/dateposted...

7

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54703714420/in/dateposted...

6

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54696914108/in/dateposted...

5

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54686544606/in/dateposted...

4

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54653035442/in/dateposted...

3

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54639396885/in/dateposted...

2

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54628511025/in/dateposted...

1

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54599616429/in/dateposted...

Soundtrack.

music.apple.com/jp/playlist/b-my-novel-soundtrack/pl.u-47...

追記　この小説を多少説明しました。

youtu.be/3w65lqUF-YI?si=yG7qy6TPeCL9xRJV

メモ

1

「Bombay型（ボンベイ型、hh型）」

•特徴：通常のABO血液型を持たない（A、B、Oに分類されない）特殊な型。

•発見地：1952年、インド・ムンバイ（旧ボンベイ）で初めて確認。

•発生頻度：インドでは1万人に1人程度だが、世界的には約250万人に1人とも。

•輸血制限：同じBombay型しか輸血できない。

2

2024年ハーバード大学首席の卒業式スピーチ『知らないことの力』

youtu.be/SOUH8iVqSOI?si=Ju-Y728irtcWR71K

3

Shots fired at Trump rally

youtu.be/1ejfAkzjEhk?si=ASqJwEmkY-2rW_hT

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I never knew Dad was the Rebel-lious type -[ HMM ]- by Carbon Arc

25 2

A Canon EOS Rebel G 35mm film camera my late father once owned. He probably bought it to take along on long overseas trips he and my late mother went on, before aging made traveling difficult. When Dad passed away, I ended up with this camera. Its compatibility with lenses and most accessories I now have is a good thing.

When I was young, Dad had a Nikkormat (amateur-level Nikon) SLR (an FTN, if I recall correctly) he often used. I never found out what became of that camera, whether it was fallen by a mechanical gremlin or my Dad simply gave up on it.

This camera still has a roll of film in it (Kodak UltraColor 100, probably over two decades old as of this posting) with only a few pictures yet to take. Even though C-41 processing is still available, how the negatives will turn out is anyone’s guess, even though what’s on the roll will be interesting to see if and when I have the roll processed.

Chloé Jewelry Set - PBR - Fit Mesh by RealEvil Industries

69 2

Available at the FaMESHed Event - 1st of April.

- 15 Metals - Individual customization (each ring, bracelet, earring).

- Glass & Frosted Glass (PBR only)

- Toggle each Bracelet & each Ring.

- PBR & Blinn compatible.

RE VIP Group members get a 10% discount.

Compatibility: Maitreya Lara/Lara X, Gen X Curvy & Classic, Meshbody Legacy F & eBODY Reborn.

Available here:

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FaMESHed/217/230/800

100L$ | jules @ mainstore by Babe.

33 2

The Jules Skin + Shape are 100L$ and can be found at the Mainstore for Crafty Weekend. This skin was created for LeLutka Briannon.

Skintone Worn: Sunkiss

《✧》TONE AVAILABILITY

• VELOUR: Snow, Sienna, Rosekiss, Sunkiss

• BOATAOM: Diamond 07, Crystal 08

《✧》BODY APPLIER COMPATIBILITY

This skin is compatible with VELOUR & BOATAOM Appliers. The landmarks to these locations are included within the notecard given in your purchase.

Please be sure to try the DEMO before purchasing.

• LM: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mercury/164/224/2222

• SOCIAL MEDIA: linktr.ee/babe.sl

LewDie - Neck Belt by TURB / LewDie

100 4

LewDie is proud to announce the release a brand new product! The Neck Belt!

Comes in multiple colors and combinations!

Where to get it:

- Marketplace: marketplace.secondlife.com/p/LewDie-Neck-Belt/24975442

- Main Store: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neptune/138/117/2401

---

Twitter Account: twitter.com/LewdieStore

Discord Group: discord.gg/E5Zx5NCV6G

---

Contents:

- Top

- Color HUD

---

Body compatibility:

- Legacy F, Petite, Vtech Flat

- Lara, Flat

- Reborn, Vtech Flat, Mounds, Waifu

. Dimmed . ♥ BOTD ♥ by ♡ Sienna Grace ♡

114 3

Muse - Pretty Restless - Dress

♡ FATPACK Includes:

❥ 24 Color Textures for Pyramid Studs / Hardware / Dress / Thong / Stocking Bands / Stockings.

❥ Transparency Options for Stockings in HUD.

ღ Body Compatibility:

✿ Legacy / Perky / Petite / Vtech

✿ Ebody Reborn / Juicy / Teacups / Vtech

Where To Get It: Kustom 9 Event

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/kustom9/149/14/1003

{moss&mink} for FaMESHed by Cielo Capalini {moss&mink}

206 8

Mari, Mija, Sierra - OH MY! It's a brand new round of FaMESHed and we have THREE new releases for you to enjoy ♥

For this collection, I wanted to create some items that were not only functional but unique in design & stylish as well. All three items are compatible with the newly released Uni-HUD 2.0 - which means they are easily coordinated with the other [moss&mink} furniture & decor in your home.

Learn how to use your Uni-HUD here!

❦ The Sierra Sectional Sofa (9 Li) is a L-shaped design making it a floor plan friendly addition to your home. This item is available in Adult & PG maturities and is compatible with the following sections on the Uni-HUD; M (4 metals) + C1 (24 colors) + C2 (24 colors) + P (24 patterns).

ღ PG: 14 Singles, 20 Cuddles.

ღ Adult: 14 Singles, 20 Cuddles, 19 Xtime.

❦ The Mari Dresser Buffet (4 Li) is a lightly distressed and versatile piece, suitable for a variety of areas in your home including the Bedroom, Dining Room, Entryways, Kitchens, Living Room, etc. We invite you to get creative with placement and color options in your Uni-HUD. This item is compatible with the following sections; M (4 metals) + C1 (24 colors).

❦ The Mija Tassel Lamp (4 Li) is a super trendy lighting option that allows you to add a visually pleasing yet functional element to your living space. Uni-HUD compatibility is as follows; M (4 metals) + C1 (24 tassel colors).

ღ All items are Copy & Modify

ღ Custom Materials Enabled

Be sure to stop by the current round of FaMESHed to grab your favorites, or grab them all and SAVE with the Event Only Fatpack.

Don't forget to wear your VIP tags for 30% off your purchase.

<3 Cielo

Teleport to FaMESHed

Follow us on Facebook

Visit the Mainstore

Join the {moss&mink} Flickr Group

[ELEMEN'S] Steve Jogger Jeans @ Tannenbaum by ELEMEN'S

67

Compatibility: LEGACY, SIGNATURE GIANNI, BELLEZA JAKE.

available @ Tannenbaum November 23th - December 20th

//MAINSTORE

Modern Hookah @ Equal10 by [OLD ACCOUNT]

64

Tredente // Modern Hookah

Where: Equal10

When: April 10th - 12SLT

Fully interactive Modern Hookah available to purchase at Equal10.

This product features:

- A smoking particle that is exhaled out of the mouth

- 5 different sitting animations

- A separate smoking animation for all genders

- Black & White versions of the Hookah (purchased individually)

- Rezzers for up to 2 seats

It also has EXPERIENCE Compatibility!

Tredente now has an Experience. All relevant older products will be updated over time. Read the notecard in the product for further instructions on how to set this up.

Hope you enjoy it guys!

Working on compatibility with Ventyres' 20ft Blumhardt chassis by Arnaud K.

17

The next update will bring compatibility with this old-school chassis.

. Butterfly Tingle . by ♡ Sienna Grace ♡

106 2

Loki - Tessa Eyelet Set FATPACK

♥ 14 Colors

♥ Top & Shots sold Separately

♥ Each set has 2 texture types; with & without holes.

♥ Each color pack has HUD for texture type and metal hearts.

♥ Hearts are optional

♥ FATPACK has more customization options.

♡ Body Compatibility:

☁ Maitreya X

☁ Legacy + Perky

☁ Reborn + Waifus + Juicy Addons

☾ Taxi ---> ♡ Kustom 9 ♡

. Freakish . ♥ BOTD ♥ by ♡ Sienna Grace ♡

109 1

[ Bodysuit ]

Loki - Demona Latex Bodysuit

♡ FATPACK Includes:

❥ 12 Color Textures for Bodysuit

❥ 4 FATPACK Exclusive Patterns

in each color.

❥ Each Color Pack Comes with HUD for Nails.

ღ Body Compatibility

✿ Maitreya Lara

✿ Legacy / Legacy Perky

✿ Ebody Reborn

Where To Get It: Reborn Event

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/eBody/18/107/23

http://www.zabars.com/ 2 by Mitsushiro Nakagawa

61

Title.

www.zabars.com/ 2

( LUMIX G3 shot )

Manhattan. New York. USA. 2017. … 4 / 7

(Photo of the day. Unreleased.)

Images:

Linda Sikhakhane … Closer to the Heart

youtu.be/BshCm2zi0KQ?si=DIk0HgPilkJLQ8xo

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My new novel

B♭ (B Flat)

Volume 15 😄

The following is still in its draft stage and will be revised further.

Key parts are not disclosed.

The order of the content shown here is mixed.

(Of course, this is not the final version.)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My new novel

B♭ (B Flat)

The summer light of Manhattan afternoons flared against the glass facades of the high-rises, and each time the heat of the asphalt wavered through the alleys, the massive building of the FBI’s New York Field Office seemed to draw in the clamor of the city, holding a grave and immovable stillness, while within its walls a taut tension and vigilance seeped forth. Beyond the thick iron doors set into its corner, the countless eyes of surveillance cameras interlaced with the motions of guards, proclaiming an order unshaken by the heat waves or the murmur of the crowd outside.

Special Agent Veronica Reeves, carrying the weight of long years of experience yet with a gaze still honed to an unerring edge, sat at the long desk by the window, quietly deciphering the thick bundle of reports spread before her—accounts of what had unfolded thus far. The shafts of heat-laden sunlight pressed through the glass, warping the air, and against that trembling her thoughts held fast, focusing upon the minutiae, drawing out, in three dimensions, the possibilities of the case and the breadth of its consequences.

The figures and map symbols inscribed upon the documents she reassembled in her mind, as though enfolding the arteries of the overheated city itself—the courses of traffic, the currents of people, the compression of the skyline—ordering the incident’s first movements with a hand imbued with a quiet, frigid certainty. The sterile white light of the ceiling LEDs cast swaying shadows upon the papers, and even those faint tremors at the edges of her sight seemed to enter her calculus, like unknown variables absorbed into the mesh of her analysis.

Her fingertip traced a single point upon the map, and in that gesture she drew together the city’s flows, the density of its crowds, the thicket of its structures, conjuring within her mind a three-dimensional rendering of the ground. The clash of red and blue signals at intersections, the exhaust drifting at corners, the tempo of footsteps, the shadows of cars idling at the curb—all converged upon the figures and symbols of the page, lifting before her the living geometry of New York.

Fragments of reports crackled from radios and telephones, slipping into her net of thought and fixed into the coordinates of time and place. At what moment, in what place, had the current of the crowd shifted? Who might have slipped within which building? The jam of traffic, the swell of onlookers, the frameworks of the structures—these she aligned, reducing error to its smallest margin, until the hidden contours of the scene emerged.

Her eyes remained calm, but the faint tightening of the muscles around them betrayed the sense of danger running beneath. With her finger pressing upon a point on the map, she drew upon the memory of old cases, of the city’s blueprints, calculating risk along each imagined path. The city’s shape, the crowd’s density, the placing of exits—all she set upon a grid of logic, hypothesizing every possible turn the future might take.

Her gaze halted upon a photograph in the file, parsing the expressions of the crowd, the disposition of guards, the position of obstacles. Cold though her eyes remained, they missed no dissonance, no trace of the unnatural, intent upon catching every variable within the net of reason, undistracted by the fever of the summer city.

In the office, where the cool of the air conditioning crossed with the heat outside, her thoughts gathered speed—silent, assured, relentless. What would unfold next? Which routes were safe, which led into peril? Each decision, measured in the span of a heartbeat, bore upon the safety of the crowd, upon the life of the candidate. Her logic did not waver, its threads weaving together in her hand like cords unraveling the complexity of the city.

Before her stood not only the files, but also the glow of monitors, the static of radios. Each was but a source of fragments, meaningless until passed through the filter of her thought. To bind data to the streets, images to reality, was the task at hand, advancing cold and quiet even as the heat of summer pressed against the glass.

The sweltering air outside rattled the windows; the distant sirens and the rumble of the city did not shatter her focus, but rather deepened her mental simulation, lending depth to the field she constructed within. Figures on the page fused with the living breath of the streets, reason drawing them together into clarity, and she readied herself to strike upon the next move.

Each sweep of her fingertip across the map made the city’s avenues rise in relief within her mind: the density of buildings, the movement of passersby, the gaze of cameras, the stations of guards. All chained together, cold and inexorable, suggesting the next action. Veronica drew a long breath, and with her exhale, wove the scattered variables into a single fabric, fixing her gaze upon the heart of the incident. In that moment, the distant sirens, the horns, the shuffling of feet at a crosswalk—all dissolved into her reasoning, each sound settling into place like a piece of a puzzle within the flow of logic. The city shimmered in heat, light and shadow in feverish scatter, but her mind cut through the glare, quietly tracing the full outline of the unfolding event.

At last, Veronica lifted the receiver of the internal line, feeling the cold resin beneath her fingers, and summoned Deputy Special Agent Elliot.

“Put me through to Jack Vance, Secret Service.”

“Understood.”

The black Ford SUV cut through the summer heat, racing down the streets. At the wheel, Jack’s profile was set with strain, while in the backseat Ana leaned forward, arms stretched protectively over the children, shouting in desperation.

“Keep your eyes ahead, Jack!”

The children, jolted by the car’s violent tremors, cried out with voices that wavered between cheers and screams, unable to discern the line between fear and thrill. Beside them, Mika bit her lip, struck dumb, staring in mute shock.

Behind them, the pursuing car roared, bullets sparking off the asphalt and leaving the acrid tang of gunpowder in the air. Jack twisted the wheel, his Ford scraping sparks along a wall of concrete, gunfire rattling through the city’s very skin. Ignoring lights and crowds alike, he veered the SUV up onto the sidewalk, plunging forward as screams scattered into the air, driving on as if to outpace the terror that pursued them.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My new novel:

B♭ (B-flat)

There’s still more to come. 😃

(This is not the final draft.)

Set in New York City.

14

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54771288620/in/dateposted...

13

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54769008619/in/dateposted...

12

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54758538180/in/dateposted...

11

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54743658539/in/dateposted...

10

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54737038151/in/dateposted...

9

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54720346098/in/dateposted...

8

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54713957969/in/dateposted...

7

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54703714420/in/dateposted...

6

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54696914108/in/dateposted...

5

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54686544606/in/dateposted...

4

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54653035442/in/dateposted...

3

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54639396885/in/dateposted...

2

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54628511025/in/dateposted...

1

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54599616429/in/dateposted...

Soundtrack.

music.apple.com/jp/playlist/b-my-novel-soundtrack/pl.u-47...

Note: I gave a brief explanation of this novel in the following video:

youtu.be/3w65lqUF-YI?si=yG7qy6TPeCL9xRJV

iTunes Playlist Link::

music.apple.com/jp/playlist/b/pl.u-47DJGhopxMD

My new novel:

B♭ (B-flat)

Notes

1. "Bombay Blood Type (hh type)"

•Characteristics: A rare blood type that lacks the usual ABO antigens — cannot be classified as A, B, or O.

•Discovery: First identified in 1952 in Mumbai, India (formerly Bombay).

•Prevalence: Roughly 1 in 10,000 people in India; globally, about 1 in 2.5 million.

•Transfusion Compatibility: Only compatible with blood from other Bombay type donors.

2. 2024 Harvard University Valedictorian Speech – The Power of Not Knowing

youtu.be/SOUH8iVqSOI?si=Ju-Y728irtcWR71K

3. Shots Fired at Trump Rally

youtu.be/1ejfAkzjEhk?si=ASqJwEmkY-2rW_hT

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Title.

www.zabars.com/ 2

( LUMIX G3 shot )

マンハッタン。ニューヨーク。アメリカ。2017. … 4 / 7

(今日の写真。それは未発表です。）

Images:

Linda Sikhakhane … Closer to the Heart

youtu.be/BshCm2zi0KQ?si=DIk0HgPilkJLQ8xo

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

僕の新しい小説。

　B♭　（ビーフラット）

第15弾。 😄

以下は、まだ初稿の段階です。まだ推敲します。

重要な部分は公開していません。

公開している内容の順番はバラバラです。

(もちろん最終稿ではありません。)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

僕の新しい小説。

　B♭　（ビーフラット）

　マンハッタンの夏の午後の光が高層ビル群のガラスにぎらつき、アスファルトの熱気が路地を揺らすたびに、FBIニューヨーク支局の巨大な建物は都市の喧騒を吸い込み、どっしりと静けさを保ちながらも、その内部に張り詰めた警戒と緊張をにじませていた。その角に設えられた厚い鉄の扉の向こうでは、監視カメラの無数の視線と警備員の動きが絡み合い、外界の熱波や人々のざわめきにも揺るがぬ秩序を守っていることを告げていた。

　ヴェロニカ・リーヴス特別捜査官は、豊富な経験を背負いながらもなお研ぎ澄まされた眼差しで、窓際の長机に広げられた、これまでに起こった報告がまとめられた資料の束を静かに読み解いていた。差し込んだ外光の熱の束が窓ガラスを透かし、空気を歪ませ、彼女の思考はそれに抗うように細部まで集中され、事件の可能性や影響範囲を論理の中に立体的に描き出していった。

　書類に記された数字や地図の記号を、熱せられた街の動線や人々の流れ、ビルの密集度までを含めるかのように頭の中で再構築し、事件の初動を論理的に整理していく手つきには、冷たくも静かな確信が宿っていた。

　天井のLEDの白い光が、紙面に落ちる影を揺らし、視界の隅で振れるその影さえも、未知の変数として分析に取り込まれているかのようであった。

　ヴェロニカは指先で地図上の一点をなぞり、都市の動線、人の密度、建築の密集度を瞬時に組み合わせ、頭の中で現場の立体的な状況を描き出していた。信号の赤や青が交錯する交差点、街角に漂う排気ガスの匂い、通行人の歩行速度、路上に停められた車の影――それらすべてが、紙面の数字や地図上の印と結びつき、ニューヨークという巨大な都市の立体的な動線を彼女の思考に浮かび上がらせた。

　無線や電話からの断片的な報告も、彼女の分析の網に吸い込まれ、時間と空間に配置される。どの瞬間に、どの場所で、人々の流れが変化したか。誰がどの建物に潜入した可能性があるか。交通の混雑状況と、観衆の動き、建築物の構造を組み合わせ、最小の推測誤差で現場の全貌を描く。

　彼女の瞳は冷静そのもので、しかし微細な筋肉の緊張が、その奥に潜む危機意識を示していた。手元の地図の一点を指でなぞり、過去の事件や都市計画のデータを呼び出しながら、シナリオごとにリスクを計算する。都市の構造、観衆の密度、出口の配置――あらゆる要素を論理のグリッドに沿って並べ、想像されるすべての事態を仮定する。

　ヴェロニカは資料の中の写真に目を留め、観衆の表情や警備員の配置、障害物の位置を詳細に分析した。その視線は冷徹でありながらも、微細な違和感や不自然さを見逃さず、都市の熱気に流されることなく、論理の網の中に全ての変数を捕らえようとしていた。

　冷房の空気と夏の熱気が交錯するオフィス内で、彼女の思考は静かに、しかし確実に速度を上げていく。次に何が起こりうるか、どのルートが安全で、どのルートが危険か。瞬間ごとの判断が、観衆の安全と候補者の命を左右する。論理は揺るぎなく、都市の複雑さを紐解く糸のように彼女の手の中で絡まり合った。

　彼女の前には資料だけでなく、コンピュータの画面や無線のディスプレイも並ぶ。それらは断片的な情報の源にすぎず、ヴェロニカの思考というフィルターを通すことで初めて意味を持つ。データと現実の光景を繋ぎ、事件の全体像を構築する作業は、夏の街の熱気の中でも冷たく静かに進行した。

　外の熱気は窓ガラスを揺らし、街のざわめきや遠くで響くサイレンは、彼女の集中をかき乱すどころか、逆に現場の臨場感を補強し、頭の中のシミュレーションに奥行きを与えた。紙面の数字と街の実像が、冷たい理性の中で重なり合い、彼女は次の一手を論理的に導き出す準備を整えていった。

　彼女の指先が地図をなぞるたび、都市の街路が脳内で立体的に浮かび上がり、建物の密度、通行人の流れ、監視カメラの視野、警備員の位置が、冷徹な論理の中で連鎖し、次の行動を示唆する。ヴェロニカは深く息を吸い、吐き出すと同時に、無言のうちに全ての変数を繋ぎ合わせ、事件の核心へと視線を固定した。その瞬間、遠くの街路から聞こえるサイレンの音や車のクラクション、交差点で立ち止まる人々の足音が、彼女の頭の中ではパズルのピースとなり、論理的な流れの中に溶け込んでいった。都市は暑さに揺れ、光と影が乱反射するが、ヴェロニカの思考は静かに、その熱気を透過して事件の全体像を描き出していった。

　ヴェロニカは、静かに内線電話の受話器を手に取り、その冷たい樹脂の感触を指先で確かめながら、エリオット副特別捜査官を呼び出し、いった。

「シークレットサービスのジャックバンスにつないで」

「了解」

ーーーーーー

　黒のSUVフォードは、夏の熱気を押し裂くように街路を駆け抜けた。ハンドルを握るジャックの横顔には焦燥が張りつき、後部座席に身を寄せたアナは、子供たちを庇うように腕を伸ばしながら、それでも必死に声を張り上げた。

「前を見て、ジャック！」

　車体の振動に身を揺らしながら、子供たちは歓声とも悲鳴ともつかぬ声をあげ、恐怖と興奮の境を知らぬままに叫んでいる。その隣でミカは唇を噛み、言葉を失ったまま呆然としている。

　背後では追撃の車が唸りを上げ、硝煙の匂いを残して弾丸がアスファルトを跳ねた。ハンドルを切ったジャックの車体がコンクリート壁面に火花が散らせた。都市の皮膚を削るようにして銃声が響く。ジャックのフォードは信号も人波も無視し、歩道へと飛び込み、群衆の悲鳴を振り払うように疾走した。

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

僕の新しい小説。

　B♭　（ビーフラット）

舞台はニューヨークです。