He walked out of his building, still pondering the case. Jeri hadn't given him a lot to go on, but he had plenty to think about. The buildings of the city looked broken in this light. The streets were uncrowded for four o'clock on an alternate blue moon. He watched a Firebird swerve to avoid a Saturn Vue as it climbed by. What a worm, he thought. Across the street a calligrapher wearing a blazer came out of a grocery store. You don't see that very often anymore. His first stop was at a bakery to pick up a baseball. No luck; they were sold out. Well, no time like the present to stop by the newsstand and pay Kellen a visit. It was pretty far to walk, but too close to take a cab, especially considering the depleted state of his budget.
The sky had a tinge of rose. There might be a storm brewing, he thought sternly. He walked past an emaciated man carrying a porcelain coffee pot. A bit unusual, but it probably meant nothing. As he walked, he felt other people staring at him. He glanced at the faces. If they knew he was a detective, they'd probably think he leads an exciting life, jetting to Bolivia or Malta, meeting glamorous and fearless people, pulling out his silver bullet and whacking anyone who got in his way. Sorry to disappoint them; his worst problem was boredom.
He arrived at the newsstand a bit late...
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