Called by a Panther — Michael Z. Lewin

Meet Albert Samson, the best private eye who has been around in many a day. Can this go-for-it detective really be the Albert Samson we used to know? Advertising his wares on television? Having too many clients?

If the workload is too intense, no problem - call in the gap-toothed but sharp-tongued Bobbi Lee Leonard to help with the less-pressing jobs. Like the case of the British poet who's fallen in love with his wealthy benefactress - and who needs some help parsing her couplets. Did the poet really ask Samson to help him murder his wife? Well, yes. But it's all strictly legal, of course.

So what cases have a stronger claim on Samson's attentions? For one thing, terrorism has come to Indianapolis. Yes, Indianapolis.

The Scum Front - a band of environmental extremists - has hit the headlines by planting a bomb a week. Not that Samson's been hired to find them; that's a job for the cops. And the city's panic has even affected Samson's normally level-headed police friend, Captain Miller. For a moment - just a moment - Miller actually thinks Samson has something to do with the Scummies.