A standalone low brick building, The Ark was located at 52nd and Chestnut, near the heart of University City in West Philadelphia, an unincorporated neighborhood that was home to both the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. There were enough people in their late twenties and thirties in the bar that Vincent and Jessica did not attract much attention. It was one of those West Philly taverns that brought in people from the universities, including faculty and grad students, as well as locals. One of Vincent Balzano’s great attributes – one that made him a great undercover detective – was his ability to look like anyone he wanted to be. Tonight he wore a Flyers jersey and jeans, a three-day beard. He looked like the guy who delivered the beer. Jessica wore a short leather jacket and her favorite black Levi’s. No one gave them a second look. They made their way to the middle of the bar, sat on stools.
