He walked out of his building, still pondering the case. Judy hadn't given him a lot to go on, but he had plenty to think about. The buildings of the city looked ridged in this light. The streets were crowded for four o'clock on an alternate blue moon. He watched a Mercury Cougar swerve to avoid a tricycle as it crept by. What a ruffian, he thought. Across the street an elementary school teacher wearing a set of scrubs came out of a supermarket. You don't see that very often anymore. His first stop was at a bookstore to pick up a can of sardines. No luck; they were sold out. Well, no time like the present to stop by the perfumery and pay Rutherford 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 striped. There might be a storm brewing, he thought sadly. He walked past a curvy man carrying a sleek baby doll. 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 Belgium or Ireland, meeting glamorous and taciturn people, pulling out his parlor trick and whacking anyone who got in his way. Sorry to disappoint them; his worst problem was boredom.
He arrived at the perfumery a bit late...
Next Chapter