The police had it all: Bricks Bennett, his hired thugs, the real estate deal gone wrong. There was only one piece missing from this set--Bricks' accomplice and partner in crime.
She burst through the door and flew into his arms, but the music didn't swell and the audience didn't applaud. Studs Fedora pushed Cara away and told her about Bricks Bennett's arrest...and how he had admitted everything.
After leaving Bricks Bennett, Studs Fedora went back to his office. He wanted a drink; in fact, he wanted many drinks. But he needed to keep a clear head. Or did he want a clear head and need many drinks? He couldn't decide. Cara Lotts was coming soon, and they had unfinished business. After that he would have a drink. Studs looked at the door, then at the bottle. Then at the door, then at the bottle.