These are all original characters , however , some of the settings and locations are real . Please , read and review . All comments are welcome , even flames . This is my first work that I have ever posted ANYWHERE , so feedback of any kind is greatly appreciated and accepted . . .

Chapter One : The Dame

I saw her standing in the corner of the nightclub . Her cigarette was making a smoky halo around her head . I'll never forget the way she looked that first night ; the lights playing across her face in lazy patterns . She was the best looking dame in the place that night , counting even the dancing girls that twirled across the stage . They were paid to be beautiful and glamorous , but they had nothing on her . The lights in the joint froze for a moment , illuminating both of us . In that moment , our eyes locked . My head was spinning ; I had no business coming in here. It was enough that I tailed her here , found out it was a regular hangout for her. The moment passed . . .

I got up from my place at the bar , got my trench from the coat-check girl . I turned on the way out , saw the Dame staring at the spot I had been sitting . She had an almost sad look on her face . I knew I should be getting out of there . Shouldn't have come in at all , but I turned around again at the door , and our gazes met each other once more . I turned away and walked out. I put on my fedora as I stepped outside and walked over to my car . I jammed the key in the door , forcing the ancient mechanism to work . I don't even know why I bother locking it ; The car is ancient , no-one would steal it . Who would want a beat up 96' Impala ? Most of the car was in black primer , it had no grille , and most folks mistook it for a retired cop car.

As I fired her up and headed into the flow of traffic , I saw the Dame walk out of the club in my mirror . Heh . This broad was almost too much . It was dangerous getting this close to the prey. Not only does the prey now know that it is being hunted , it has also seen the Hunter . I hoped that I wouldn't make a lasting impression on her , but I had that sinking feeling when I know I'm wrong . I lit up a cigarette as I pulled onto Gratiot Avenue , and swung around in the " Michicgan Left " . I figured I would drive out to Roseville , maybe as far as Mt. Clemens , just in case the Dame tried to tail me . I had doubts that she could follow me , though . No-one could follow me if I didn't want em' to .

I lit up another smoke and continued the forty-five minute drive to Mt. Clemens , then swung around and headed back into Detroit .

An hour later and half a deck of du Mauriers smoked , I was finally back in my own neighborhood . Ahhh . . . . the smell of pollution and urban decay . Nothing feels quite like home .

I parked the car in the alleyway beside my apartment building and got out . Had to slam the door shut , damn hinges were worn out . Again .

I stepped into the building and looked up . Damn , that's alot of stairs . I lit another cigarette and took a hard drag while I contemplated the situation . It was four o'clock in the morning , I had to be up in five hours , I had two smokes left on me , and the carton of du Mauriers was upstairs . Twelve . Floors . Upstairs .

Dammit .

I took the lesser of two evils and began the tiring walk to my apartment . Ten minutes and the rest of my smokes later , I arrived at my door . Hmmph . Disconnect notice taped to the door . I ripped it off of the door as I fumbled with the locks .

The hallway smelled like stale beer , piss , and cigarette smoke .

My place didn't smell much better . I've been spending too much time at the office and in the field lately .

I tossed the disconnect notice into the wastebasket beside the door , it was full of em' . Shrugging off the trench and tossing it onto the chair in the kitchen , I went to the freezer and grabbed another deck of smokes . Packing it rapidly , I tore open the deck and fished one out , lighting it . Took a deep drag .

And that's when the coughing began .

I made a run for the bathroom , falling to my knees in agony . My chest heaved , it felt like my lungs were being ripped outta me . My whole body was racked with spasms as I hacked and wheezed.

Finally , it subsided . Taking a deep drag from the cancerstick , I tossed it into the toilet . Hmmph .

Alot of blood today . . . . I thought , flushing it down as I walked away , I lit a fresh cig to replace the one that burned away into oblivion while I was coughing . I opened up the fridge , fished out a beer , and cracked it open . I downed nearly half of it in that first swallow .

Heh . Nicotine and alcohol . Sometimes I still wonder why I'm still alive . " This case is going to be the death of you , you idiot , " I thought . Shrugged it off . Nobody lives forever .