A group of football players at the end of the hall turned around.

“What the hell are you doing to her?” shouted a linebacker. “Leave her alone!”

People walked out of their apartments, not knowing what to do. The linebacker rushed Parker, knocking him to the ground with brute force. Everyone else reacted. Several separated the linebacker from Parker, others separated them from each other and before anyone knew it April was gone—she had disappeared along with Parker’s wallet and keys.

“It’s not what you think,â€? Parker pleaded to the hung jury. “She took my wallet, my keys. Damn it! She even got my Palm Pilot.â€?

“Sorry I hit you, man. But you have to admit, it just didn’t look right, now did it? I mean what reason on God’s green earth would a woman that beautiful have to willingly go anywhere with a dork like you?â€?

“Point taken,â€? Parker conceded.

A frozen steak over his swollen right eye, Parker shook his head. “What kind of person would do such a thing?â€? Parker thought aloud.