The name is Rock Hard. I've been a private dic for 15 years. I thought I had seen everything over that time, but a recent case changed all
that. Some dame called me up and said her husband was missing. She wanted me to meet her at the corner of 57th and 10th at 4 o'clock. She said she may not be able to afford my price, but she would find some way of paying me. I never could resist a damsel in distress, plus she had a very sultry voice that intrigued me.
As it approached 3:45, I threw on my jacket and trench coat, and caught a cab.
"Where to Mac?"
"57th and 10th". A typical crazy New York City cabbie, he cut in and out of traffic and we were there within minutes.
"That'll be a buck-fifty."
"A buck-fifty? You mokes raise your rates gain?"
"Gotta make a livin' Mac"
"Yeah, well next time try to keep your fare livin' too", I said, and tossed him the fare.
It was five minutes before four. I was early for a change. I leaned up against the wall of Jansen's Pharmacy and lit up a smoke. Ahhhh cigarettes, the greatest invention known to man. One day every person in America will be smoking. I was blowing smoke rings when a comely looking brunette approached me.
"You Rock Hard?"
"Always", I said, and extended my hand. She shook my hand politely, but firmly. Not in the way a lot of broads limply grab your hand. Her hand was soft though and her nails were clean and bright red. She wore a demure tweed suit that looked like it was hiding some goodies and a pair of black stilettos. This dame had some gams.
"Catherine O'Sweet," she said, "nice to meet you. Why don't we talk in the coffee shop across the street?"
"Sounds good."
As we walked the short distance, the breeze kicked up the smell of Mrs. O'Sweet's perfume. She smelled wonderful. I opened the door to Joe's Coffee Shop, home of the best coffee in town, or so the sign proclaimed, and held it while Mrs. O'Sweet walked through. We ordered
a couple of cups of Joe and sat in a corner booth.
"Now Mrs. O'Sweet, what is this situation involving your husband?"
"Please, it's Catherine or Cat.". Oh how I would love to lick that cat clean. "My husband Robert is an accountant. He's worked for some
rather nefarious people since we were married 3 years ago. Things were great at first, we never wanted to be apart. Now I see him less and
less. About a week ago he went out for a meeting and never came back. He's become a major jerk lately, but I love him and I'm worried about him."
"Who is he working for right now?"
The doll stared down at her shoes. "Joe Barker", she said in a whisper.
"Shit. How did your husband get mixed up with a lowlife like Joe Barker? He'd just as soon kill ya rather than talk to ya."
