Night Companion

In nighttime New York, a taxi is the best way to get to a place where you can relax or continue the fun. That must be why a girl in a chic evening dress ran out of the nightclub onto the road — the taxi driver barely managed to brake in time. A few large bills quelled his anger and smoothed over unnecessary questions, and the girl's identity was a pleasant surprise. The taxi driver recognized her as Talita Rice, a Broadway musical star. The beauty jumped into the back seat, said "To the bridge!" and didn't speak to the driver again. At the nearest bridge, when the car stopped at a traffic light, the passenger opened the door and disappeared as suddenly as she had appeared. At least, that's what the taxi driver says. He went to the police when the next morning's news reported that Talita Rice had died, having jumped from that very bridge, and they were asking for potential witnesses to come forward for a reward. Newspaper headlines about the star's death stirred everyone. Theories about the reasons for the tragedy are varied, there are no official police statements yet, and suicide is still the main working theory of the investigation. However, it doesn't satisfy everyone and can't explain everything. Three days after the tragedy, Inspector Hope invited those who knew something about the incident and interested parties to the police station. They all came voluntarily and agreed to help the police investigate Talita Rice's death.