It was close to noon, the roar of my stomach indicated it was almost lunch time. I lit acigarrette, filling my lungs with the smoke that wiped out my anxiety. The phone rang.


- Yes Martha? - I replied while poured some scotch into an empty glass.


- Mr. McDuff... there is someone who wishes to see you... - There was a pause, and some indistinc chatter from the other side of the line.


- Mr. Miller, the owner of Biomeds. Corp. he says It's a matter of urgency - Martha's voice reflected her shock when the man identified himself as one of the richest men in the country.


- Let him in, Martha. - 'A big fish like Miller in my office? Lunch can wait.'


My office was not the best example of organization. The surrounding buildings did not allow the sunlight to reach inside. A desk with an old computer that did not even work, piles of papers from previous investigations and shelves full of files and criminal records; It was all I needed to run my bussiness.


The door suddenly opened. Mr Miller was a short man with a generous belly. His hair had abandoned him long ago making his forehead shine with sweat even in the winter cold. He took off his hat and smiled.


- Mr McDuff, good morning. - His face tried to appear friendly, but I knew he was a shark.


- Please take a seat... fancy a drink? - I pointed at the scotch bottle but I immediately regretted it, this man probably drinks forty-years-old whiskey from oak barrels, not the cheapest scotch from a street supermarket.


- No thanks... I came here to hire your services. - He sat on the fake leather armchair.


- Straight to bussiness... good... I'm listening. - I was almost sure this man was bringing me trouble but I was too curious to let it go. I inhaled and exhaled a big cloud of smoke making the room blur.


Mr Miller pulled a photograph from his pocket and placed it on the table. A girl in her mid twenties, pretty as hell, red haired with intense blue eyes and perfect smile. I picked it up to examine it closely.


- This girl has been reported missing... I dont want only the cops looking for her... they can be negligent sometimes, and I would rather keep the media out. - He was extremly nervous about the task he was asking me.


A missing pretty girl, a big fish looking for her. A mistress maybe? I usually did not take this cases. Most of the time the girl was tired of the city and ran off with the first rock-star wannabe that crossed her path. Other times, they were found in the middle of the forest half-naked with their panties tied around their necks. Either case meant no money for me.


- Is she your daughter Mr. Miller? - I knew the answer was a negative but I had to ask.


- No, she is not an acquitance of mine... it is not what you might think... she might have stolen some important documents from one of my employees. - He extended his hand asking for the picture back.


- I am not judging you Mr. Miller... I do not care those things... I just do what I am hired for. - I sat back in my chair while I inhaled the somke again.


- Where was she seen for the last time? - I looked at the picture again, there was something about it that prevented me from looking away.


- At the Metropolitan hotel... three nights ago, during the New Year's festivities. - His hand waved insistenly to give the picture back.


I put the picture in my pocket. - I will keep it, if you don't mind. - I took a sip of my glass. - I'll need to have access to your employee and his work. -


- I am afraid that is no posible, Mr Wilson was found dead in an alley close to the hotel. His work is missing and last person seen with him alive is believed to be Laura Redwine, the girl on the photograph. - Mr Miller dried the sweat from his forehead with a handckerchief.


- I see... that gives me even more reasons to visit Mr Wilson's workplace,there may be a clue. -


- Does that means you accept the case? - Mr Miller looked excited.


- Not yet, first we need to discuss my fee... usually -


Mr Miller interrupted me. - Do not worry about your fee, five thousands now, three more when you find the girl, and another five if you also recover the stolen documents. - He pulled out a wad of cash and placed it on the table.


My eyes almost popped out of their sockets, that was much more than I thought. It also made me think there was something fishy in this bussiness, but I had bills to pay and a pension to send to my ex-wife.


- I will start working on it immediatly Mr. Miller – I felt dirty about how easily money could change a man's mind. I did not like it but I took it anyway.


- Lovely, Mr McDuff, keep me updated on any news regarding the case. - He stood up the armchair and shook my hand. - Goodbye Mr. McDuff.


His sweat-covered hand wetted mine, I half-smiled as he left. Then wiped my hand on my shirt. 'Where do I start?... the main target is the girl... I'd better question her family... you never know maybe she is just hidding from him...'


I grabbed my trench coat and lit another cigarette. I put on my hat and came out of the office. - Martha I will be focusing on Mr Miller's case from now on... turn down any incoming cases till I say otherwise. - I smiled at young Martha before leaving.


- Can I have a pay rise, Mr McDuff? - I was sure she overheard the conversation with Mr Miller and she wanted her share.


I pretended not to hear her and walked straight to my old cadillac. The engine roared powerfully and drove to the police station. The streets were crowed with traffic. The red lights were driving me crazy. I searched the glove box and pulled out some painkillers, my back was aching again. The pills combined with the scotch were my best friends and my doom. Alcohol and drugs had cost me my job as a cop, the only thing I had left after my divorce. So, I decided to sell my experience as a homicide detective and work as a private investigator. I was not going to get rich, I was not going to end up under a bridge either.


The police station was in front of me. Bitter memories crawled into my mind as I got close to the building. But cops were not as useless as Mr. Miller thought. I threw the cigarrette to the ground and crushed it to put it away. I opened the main doors and felt the heavy air mixed with the smoke of the cigarrettes reminded me the smell of home.


- McDuff... Never thought I would see your ugly face around here again. - Officer Smith mocked me from the front desk. His obese figure was the very stereotype of lazy, fat cop. But he was a good man, father of five and loving husband.


- Never thought I would sense the stench of your bare feet behind that desk again. - I missed these guys so much. - I am looking for Pascucci... is she here? - Pascucci had been my superior back in the day. She was a top detective. If there was a missing girl Pascucci would be on the case, tracing any clue leading to her finding.


- The old flame reignites , you sly dog. - Smith clapped my shoulder. Everybody at the station knew Pascucci and I had a story long ago.


- I wish, you nosy fat rat, but today It's bussiness. - I looked around to all those little details I miss.


- She is upstairs... same office... same desk... nothing ever changes here. - The sadness in his words showed the weariness of his job at the front desk. He was feeding his family, soon he would be retired. I envied him.


I climbed the stairs and I saw my old desk. Some rookie was sitting in what used to be my chair, he did not even have a shadow of a beard. 'They admit anyone as a detective these days' My anger led me to instictively touch my face. 'I should have shaved before coming' I saw Pascucci's office, exactly same as five years ago.


I knocked the door's screen 'Head detective Luccia Pascucci' could be read on it. - Yes... come in. - She was focus on something, her answer was automatic.


- Ehem – I cleared my throat. - Pascucci? -


She stopped reading her files and looked at me with a combination of surprise and anger. - What do you want? - She said sharply before caming back to her reading.


The office itself was full of her scent, that made my heart beat increase - Do I need an excuse to visit an old friend? - I smiled and sat on the chair. I lit another cigarrette.


- Cut the crap, McDuff. Either want something from me or you want me. Make it clear before I ask someone to drag you out... I am in the middle of a complicated case, so don't waste my time. - She also sat on her chair. She crossed her arms over her chest. She could not stop moving her fingers.


I took a look at the whiteboard on the wall, a photograph of Laura was stuck to it. According to the lack of notes and photographs they were as lost as I was.


- Is it about Laura Redwine, the redhead? - I looked carefully at her eyes and face. She was even prettier than before but this woman was too much for any man, even for me. Two divorces proved that no cowboy could tame her. Precisely that was which made her so irresistible.


- How do you know?... It hasn't been mentioned in the media. - She placed the papers on the desk. The way she wet her lips before talking reminded me the taste of her kisses.


- A good client is looking for her, I thought we can share some intel about the case... maybe we can help each other. - Her eyes were stuck on my face. I knew I had her attention. She took off her waiscoat and threw it on the arm chair.


- That is the problem, we don't have any solid clue... we are wasting time and it has been seven days since she was reported missing. - She rubbed her eyes, by the looking of her face she didn't have a proper sleep in days. She looked at the whiteboard with weary eyes.


'Seven days? Miller said she was seen at the hotel five days ago.' - Does she have family in town? - I hid the information, she had a fixed salary I worked on fees.


- Yes... she lived with her mother downtown, pretty boring family – She poured some scotch on a empty glass and offered me some.


I accepted with a smile while I exhaled a big cloud of smoke. - Can you share the adress? - I was pushing my luck but she was desperate and she had the feeling I knew something she didn't.


- Do you think I was born yesterday? - She took a long sip and refilled the glass. - Tell me what do you have first... I am the law remember? - She dangerously got close to my face. I could sense her scent. It was intoxicating. She grabbed my glass and took a sip from it. I could feel her skin over my fingers when she put it back on my hand. It made me shiver 'Focus McDuff!'


I swallowed and tried to make myself comfortable – She was somehow related to a guy, Mr Wilson, Thomas Wilson. He was found dead close to the Metropolitan Hotel... - I did not mention the date I had to keep some advantage for myself.


- I see... Who is your client? - She sat on the desk, her skirt was short enough to show the upper part of her knees, It did not matter her thighs were broken. She made me remembered the good times with her. I set down the scotch.


- That is confidential information, Luccia... Professional secret. - That was the only real truth I told her.


She sighted, arranged her skirt and went back to the desk. She wrote something on a piece of paper. She handed it to me. - Take me out for dinner someday... let's catch up... for old times' sake. - Her naughty smile made me want to kiss her.


- Sure... are you free on Friday night? - I stood up and placed the glass on the desk.


- Seven, you pick me up, don' dare to take me to that cheap crap like the last time. - She fixed her hair behind her ear and smiled while she was looking at me as I left.


As I came out of her office I unfolded the piece of paper. '14th Crimson Street.' I slided it back to my pocket and came out of the station. 'Time to meet the Redwines'


The time flew at Pascucci's office, when I came out of the station, it was already four. I started the engine and drove downtown. I loved driving at that time; most people were at work and the streets were empty. I had the feeling I was the owner of the city. Sooner than I wanted I arrived to Crimson Street. I saw the Redwine's house. It was just like any other house in the neigbourhood, two stories, garden in the front and some dogs barking at me as I walked down the street. As Luccia said “A boring family”


I rang the bell, a massive dog barked at me from the other side of the fence. He almost took a finger when I pressed the bell button. Shortly after the bell chimed, the front door opened. A lady in her fifties came out of the house, wearing a gown and showing clear signs that she had been crying.


- Poppy!, Bad boy!... go back go back! - The lady waved her hand at the dog and it followed her instuctions diligently. - Excuse me, sir, how can I help you? -


- Are you Mrs Redwine? - I gave her my most charming smile.


- Are you a cop? I have already answered your questions. - The lady seemed to prefer to grief unbothered at home.


- I'm Jhon McDuff a private investigator... I'm looking for your daughter. - I grabbed the gate to get closer to the lady.


- I told everything to the cops, Laura is a good girl, she makes no trouble and helps at home. She left for her dancing classes and never come back. - The lady started crying.


- Then I won't bother you any longer, just... one question... Where did Laura attend her dancing classes? - Nobody mentioned her classes before, maybe there was some clue hiding there.


- The National Dancing and Music Science School, It is next to the square market. Impossible to miss. - The lady turned back to the main door. - I'm sorry but I don't know how can I help more. -


- Don't worry Mrs Redwine, we will find her soon, I apologize for the disturbance. - I cursed my luck because I was expecting something solid from the family but I was almost where I started.


In front of the Redwine's residence, there was a coffee shop. Not many customers were inside but there was one who did not need the coffee she was drinking. Two glowing red eyes were staring at her previous home. The sight of her mother brought her back feelings. Or was she imagining she had feelings again? It was hard to know for her. McDuff ignored the coffee shop as it was not important for his investigation, but he got undesired attention.


- Master... who is that man talking to my mother? - Her calm voice sounded emotionless.


- My child, he is the answer to the question that is bothering us. - He was reading a fashion magazine wearing his tailored suit.


- What should I do, master? - Her obedience sounded delightful for the suited man.


- Follow him, he will lead us to the traitor... then... kill them both. - His smile was full of malice.


- Yes master, as you command. - She stood up and looked at the full of coffee mug. 'It is not sating me... I need more... blood'


- Remember child, be swift like a shadow and move like the smoke.