Captain Jackson of the L. A. Arson Squad removed his glasses, passed a hand tiredly over his face, and then settled back into his chair, which creaked beneath his weight.  OK, he thought, apparently we’re not dealing with a total dummy.  Whoever did this knew enough to either wipe the place clean of prints or wear gloves.  Captain Jackson suspected the perpetrator of the fire at Bunny Hopper’s home had worn gloves because he didn’t think he or she would have taken the time to wipe the place down and risk getting caught in the fire.

 

I wish the results of the lab test on that wineglass would get here, Captain Jackson thought dispiritedly.  I’m really tired.  All I wanted to do was put in my time until I could retire.  Now this case is consuming all of my time and endangering my marriage to boot.  Speaking of his marriage, he must call and tell Renatta that he would be home soon.  Perhaps, even though he was tired, he would offer to take her to her favorite casual Italian restaurant so she wouldn’t have to cook.  He knew she’d appreciate that.

 

Dialing the number, Captain Jackson listened to the phone ring once, twice…it was picked up on the third ring.