The Case of the Vanishing Detective.
draft: The Case of the Vanishing Detective. Chapter 1: The Dame The rain drummed a steady beat on the window of Jack Malone’s office. He leaned back in his chair, lost in thought, the scent of stale coffee and cigarette smoke filling the room. The city outside was a symphony of car horns, footsteps, and distant sirens—a soundtrack to his life. A creak at the door snapped him out of his reverie. In walked a dame with legs that went on forever and eyes that sparkled like shattered glass. She was dressed to kill in a silk dress that clung to her curves. Jack’s instincts told him she was trouble. “Mr. Malone,” she purred, her voice like honeyed whiskey, “I need your help.” Jack took a long drag from his cigarette and motioned for her to sit. “What’s the problem, Miss…?” “Cross. Evelyn Cross.” She sat down, her hands trembling slightly. “It’s my husband. He’s missing. And I think someone wants him gone.” Jack raised an eyebrow. “Why don’t you start f...