Publisher's Synopsis
Myles Hardgrave didn't give a damn about making a good impression. If he made it vertical three outa' five mornings, he considered that impressive as hell. His shabby clothes, tiny office, and overall hygiene, spoke fiercely of apathy on his part. Despite this, the small concern of Hardgrave Investigations never went too long without a client. The burrow known as Corkscrew Alley afforded him the most desperate and pathetic. When the war ended, and the nation's youth returned home, there seemed to be a combined expectation from Americans everywhere for future prosperity. This town was a pointed exception, and everyday Myles witnessed it. Most of the people he met felt no relief or change in their circumstances with Germany's surrender. And with their misery came infidelity and jealousy, which put food on his table, so Myles was, in his way, grateful. This meant that, at least for now, there was a bottle of fairly decent rye in the top drawer of his desk and enough change in his pocket for eggs and coffee whenever the bourbon wasn't enough. Lately, an old familiar feeling was looming, threatening to displace him from his well-worn groove. Something was coming, and there was nothing for it but to wait and Myles knew in his gut that the wait wouldn't be long.
