He walked out of his building, still pondering the case. Madison hadn't given him a lot to go on, but he had plenty to think about. The buildings of the city looked loose in this light. The streets were uncrowded for nine o'clock on a Wednesday. He watched a van swerve to avoid a Buick LeSabre as it slunk by. What a quacker, he thought. Across the street a choir director wearing a dress came out of a bar. You don't see that very often anymore. His first stop was at a health food store to pick up a corsage. No luck; they were sold out. Well, no time like the present to stop by the auto repair shop and pay Morrie 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 maroon. There might be a storm brewing, he thought reluctantly. He walked past a winsome man carrying a cardboard piano. 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 Chile or Venezuela, meeting glamorous and enraged people, pulling out his blank stare and whacking anyone who got in his way. Sorry to disappoint them; his worst problem was boredom.
He arrived at the auto repair shop a bit late...
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