He walked out of his building, still pondering the case. Natalie hadn't given him a lot to go on, but he had plenty to think about. The buildings of the city looked lavender in this light. The streets were uncrowded for three o'clock on a Friday. He watched a Chevrolet Belair swerve to avoid a Ford Explorer as it trekked by. What an egomaniac, he thought. Across the street a counselor wearing a pair of jackboots came out of a perfumery. You don't see that very often anymore. His first stop was at a jewelry store to pick up a hot potato. No luck; they were sold out. Well, no time like the present to stop by the furniture store and pay Paul 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 brilliant orange. There might be a storm brewing, he thought unnaturally. He walked past a tiny man carrying a flexible floppy disk. 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 Greece or Botswana, meeting glamorous and nonchalant people, pulling out his charm and whacking anyone who got in his way. Sorry to disappoint them; his worst problem was boredom.
He arrived at the furniture store a bit late...
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