It was a night just like the last four nights had been - rainy, dreary and depressing, and short on business, too. There I was, Nikki Monroe, in my office downtown with my tired old heels propped up on my desk. I hadn't gotten a call for business in days, and my rent was due. The question wasn't how I'd pay it; the question was really how I'd stall to get another week out of paying it. The rain had gotten heavier that night, since I had last looked out the window, but the mood hadn't really changed much. I knew the silence that hung in the air meant trouble, and he walked in just past midnight. He banged on the door to my office and came in before I had a chance to say anything to him. With his hat dipped low over his eyes and his face hidden in shadow, he looked like a robber. For a few seconds I considered reaching for the water pistol under my desk, but then I remembered that I hadn't refilled it after watering the plants earlier that morning. "Are you Nik Monroe?" the rain-drenched stranger asked me. "Depends on who I'm talking to," I replied. "I need your help, Miss Monroe." There we go, getting right to the point - my kind of guy. I waited for him to continue, but he went to sit down in the chair across from me instead. "Hold it, bucko," I said. "Your clothes are wet. I just got that chair reupholstered three years ago." "What's the big deal? That's not new." "That's what she said." "What's what who said?" "Exactly." After a moment of awkward silence, I went on. "So, what's all the hubbub, bub? Lose some kinda fancy watch or something?" "The name's Bruce, and it's much worse then a missing watch." "Worse then a missing watch? You must be in pretty deep water, pal. To your neck, even." He sighed. "The problem is, Miss Monroe, I've lost my sweetheart." "Call me Nikki. Anyways, I know all about the trouble dames can cause." "Makes sense, since you are one." "That's what I figure." I winked at him "So, you've lost your gal, huh? Maybe she was just touching up her make-up in the washroom and you forgot to look. You know, us dames take up hours when we're getting pretty." "No, Nikki, she can't wear make-up. Maybe you've misunderstood. I've lost my sweetheart. She's gone." "Gone how? She leave you a note or something?" "No, she can't write notes. And it's worse than that. Someone stole her." "Ah, another man stole her away from you, hmm?" He looked as if he were about to cry. "No ma'am...it was my mother." My eyes bulged as huge as dinner plates. "Your mother?! Egad, amigo. I've had strange cases, but I've never had one like this before. So, your mother stole your gal?" "That's right. Took her away from me and now I don't know where she's taken her." "What's your gal's name, Bruce?" I asked as I got out my notepad and a pen. "Sweetheart," he said with a small, sad smile. "Sweetheart, huh? Boy, you're original." "I can't help it, it's what I named her." I rolled my eyes. "Now listen, sonny. I know how you people are with pet names, and it's real sweet, kid, real sweet. But when I asked for her name, I asked for the name her mother gave her." "Her mother didn't give her a name," he said with a tilt of his head. "Okay, that's it. Either tell me what your lady friend's name is, or get out of my office. I can't help you if you don't help me, got it? Good." "Lady friend?" "Yeah! Your sweetheart, your gal, your girlfriend, your beloved, whatever you want to call her!" "Nikki, I'm talking about my cat." "...Your cat?" "Yes, my cat. My mother came in the house and took my cat while I was at work." "Yeesh, and last week's case was about a pair of missing toenail clippers. The days just get better and better." I stood up from my desk and went over to the window. "So, your cat's name is Sweetheart?" "Yes ma'am." "What's she look like?" "Well, she's an orange tabby, with green eyes." I turned and looked at him. "You've gotta be kidding me, kid. Do you realize how many cats there are with orange fur and green eyes in this city? We'll be going on a wild-goose chase!" "I thought we already established that Sweetheart is a cat." "Oh, very funny...very, very funny. Do you realize how bad this is for business?" "What business?" "...Touch