Ten ’till closing, and here she was, wrapped in her faux-fur coat, tears rolling down her cheeks. What a dame, I thought, as I handed her a tissue.

“Please, Joe, ya gotta help me. He’s gone, my Mess is gone!”

Her name was Marli. Gorgeous gal. She and Mister Mess had been on the lam ever since their deal with the feds went sour. Mess had narrowly escaped gettin’ bumped off by an agent just last week, but it looked as if maybe this time he wasn’t so lucky.

I lit up a cigarette and looked at Marli. “Talk to the cops yet?”

“No.” A tear rolled down her rosy cheek.

“Alright, babe, let’s find out what happened to your boo.” I donned my jacket and fedora. “Come on.”

“What? Where are we going?”

“Sophia’s Diner. I can’t think on an empty stomach, and you look like you could use a cup of coffee. Or maybe whiskey. Your call. I’m buyin’.” She nodded, her golden curls swaying gently around her face. “What a dame,” I thought aloud.

“What?” She looked up at me with those mourning eyes.

“Nothing, doll. Let’s go.”