Dedicated to the memory of Raymond Chandler (1888-1959).

Mouse Malloy was medium built with brown grey fur and shining eyes. Still shining eyes. Mouse Malloy was dead.

It was one of those Scottish mornings when it wasn't raining. One of those mornings which start with murder.

I needed to find a bunny named Arbogast.

He gave me the address of Mouse Malloy.

It was too late, however, to speak with Malloy and I needed to speak to Mr Arbogast instead.

But something didn't feel right.

It wasn't an accident that I saw a local grifter called Mortka.

She must have been up to something.