“Well, Zeus,” spat Jay condescendingly, “your luck holds out only for so long. This game is a deadly one, and that means that the stakes are that much higher. So are the means.”

The voice on the end of the line sighed with contempt and a dash of boredom. “Detective, your words can and will be used against you. Luck works for the both of us, and therefore, yours is temporary as well. Meanwhile, I can wait. Remember, my information on you is far superior to what you’ve got on me.”

Jay leaned away from the receiver. “Still no trace?”

“The phone’s independent,” one replied.

Jay held the phone back to his head. “All right, Zeus, tell me about myself.”

“With pleasure. Detective Robert E. Jay, officer in the Kane City Police Department. Worked for the Department for twenty years, with several colleagues. Namely, Lt. James Withburn, who happens to be…hung up at the moment.”

Jay immediately spun around in his chair. Lt. Withburn’s body hung suspended from the ceiling, slowly rocking back and forth.