Hot Summer, Cold Murder — Gaylord Dold

DEAD HEAT

A heat wave hit Wichita and private eye Mitch Roberts was steamed. He'd been planning on a cold beer and the ball game when the call came in. The guy on the phone sounded as inviting as a dame with a headache but Roberts headed his Ford out to South Broadway to take a look-see.

In person, Carl Plummer was hard to swallow. His son Frankie had run off to places unknown and Plummer was willing to pay 50 bucks a day to run him back. It wasn't a case to take for love but the money was right. So was Carlotta Granger. Carlotta was the only route to finding Frankie... but even a tough detective will make a detour for a lovely lady -- until the trail takes a turn straight into sudden death.