If I'd have known how much trouble that girl would be, I'd have marched her straight out of my office.

Did she know what her son had stepped into? Did she have any idea? Or was she just an overprotective mother hen worried her chick got a hang nail out on the playground?

As I watched the boys in blue round up hundreds of young men, I couldn't help but feel like something was off.

It was almost too easy. An operation like this and the best security they could afford was a rusty lock?

It stunk like a fish market in summer.

Unsure of what to do, reached into my pocket to look over a few of the clues again.

I held up the handkerchiefs towards the street lamps light. The blood was old and had long since dried up. Still...next I pulled out the slip of paper. The invisible ink with the ransom and thr address.

Each letter had been meticulously placed, with intent abs purpose. I doubted that much drive could've been found among half of those rich spots.

Then, I saw it. I must've been distracted. The hint of perfume on the paper. I knew I'd recognized it! Why only one dime store floozy practically bathed herself in...

Death was lying on the ground. It was dark, and he was alond.