As soon as the rainbow man saw the detective, he ran. Detective Palmer burst out of his Jeep and chased after him on foot. Since I liked sitting in one place better than running, I stayed put with Studmuffin.

Typically, innocent people don't run. So, I made a phone call.

"Are you calling RaeRae's murder hotline?" Studmuffin asked as he climbed into the driver's seat.

"Yep. Just to see what happens."

The line clicked, and that same terrible squawk burrowed into ...