Smoke and Mirrors

BOOM! Another dreary April night in the town, the roar of thunder crashes through the streets, lightning flashes temoprarily blinding, like the flash of an over zealous amatuer photographer. I live for nights like this, the city just feels so alive, pulsing with an electric air, buzzing like the bolts of Frankenstein's creature. The night, not unlike my office was cold, and dark, the sound of action was all around, the ghoulish squeal of tires on the road, police cars wailing like ancient sirens wooing mariners to a watery grave.

 Leaning back in my favorite chair,I was looking to catch a few z's, that's when she burst through my door, like a lunatic at the apex of her mania, from the ghastly look on her face, I could tell she was in a real pickle. " I was told your the man to speak to when answers are needed." She said in a tired, raspy voice, almost breathless. "That's right" I quickly shot back, " And just who may I ask are you sweetheart?", Smoothly, in an almost seductive tone she explained "Sorry for bursting in here like a tornado, without a word, my name is Veronica Fields and I so desperately need help, can you help me Mr. Valentine?"

 I thought for a second as I glanced at my watch, Jesus it's a quarter til twelve, what the hell, "Sure doll, what kind of beast are we hunting here?" Calmly, almost too calmly Mrs. Fields gave me the rundown. "Why, it's no beast at all, it's my husband James, he went out to help an associate of his around ten last night and I haven't heard word from him since, oh Mr. V, if I don't get my sweet James back in these arms, I'm not sure what I'll do." She wept "He's all I have on this miserable rock." James fields, I'd heard the name before, big around these parts, a real every man's man, had his hands in everything from politics to grandma's cookie jar, but how could such a public figure just vanish without even the slightest alarm?

 "You've got nothing to fear Mrs. Fields, Jake Valentine always gets his man."  My first case in weeks, not to mention a whopper of a job, Jesus, I hope I don't regret this.  (to be continued)