He attempted to look around for objects for his eyes to focus on, but there was nothing but infinite black space. Where the hell was he? What was happening to him? It was cold and silent as he tried to get his bearings. What was the last thing he remembered? He remembered canvassing hole-in-the-wall bars telling bartenders, managers and owners about the Sterling Killer and to keep their eyes open for anyone or anything strange. Then he recalled going to Buschini’s and meeting Denise. What an exquisite woman she was and the fact that she was Axe’s friend was quite the coincidence. He couldn’t wait to talk to Axe about running into her. How did his night with her end? He remembered holding her jacket for her as she slipped it on and then walking her to her car, but he couldn’t remember anything after that. Why couldn’t he remember? He didn’t have that much to drink. He recalled kissing Denise’s soft lips and mouth. It was a warm memory and then he remembered, with clenching terror, her eyes bulging wide at something behind him before he felt a blunt force slam into the back of his head.
