CHAPTER 1 Dry Heat by Len Joy   Excerpted from Dry Heat: A Novel. Copyright © Len Joy. All rights reserved. Published by BQB Publishing. https://www.lenjoybooks.com   3 P.M. – SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 20, 1999 ROADRUNNER PARK – PHOENIX, AZ   The gangs were always stealing the nylon basketball nets, so the park director had replaced them with galvanized steel chain, which rattled obnoxiously on every bad shot. Joey frowned as his jump shot clanked off the front rim.   “Your shot sucks today, Joey Blade,” Mallory said as she bounced the ball back to him.   “Your boobs are distracting me. Maybe it’s time you started wearing a bra.” Blonde, with a pixie cut that framed her cute little-girl face, Mallory could have passed for a twelve-year-old if it hadn’t been for her huge breasts. She was fifteen, two years younger than Joey, and they had been playground buddies for ten years. She lived with her creepy father in a rundown brick house a block away and escaped to the park most afternoons.   “Come on, concentrate, Mr. All American.” She lifted up her sweatshirt, flashing him as he took his next shot. An airball.   “Aargh.” Joey chased…