The first two bodies were found in Lovers' Lane. The man was dead. His girlfriend, still alive, described the stick-up artist as of medium build, wearing glasses, mild-mannered, and courteous. If was a description that fit half the male population of Los Angeles. It was almost the only clue Joe Friday and Frank Smith had to catch the murderer.

Then the courteous killer struck again—and again! The last time Joe Friday was waiting for him with a gun. When the criminal escaped with only a bullet wound, he vowed revenge—and mailed an unsigned, misspelled note that read: YOU THINK YOUR A SMART BADGE. NOBODY BURNS ME AND LIVES, COP. START SWEATING.