"Sawdust with just a touch of vinegar."

I looked down at the body on the pavement. His closed eyes and the two neat bullet holes on his forehead could have almost fooled you he died peacefully. But the bloody pulp that was the back of his head told the truth. I knew an execution style murder when I saw one. And in my life I'd seen plenty.

"What was that?" the police captain asked.

"Best thing to get blood out of any surface," I said without looking up. The sawdust soaks up the liquid and the vinegar discolors the stains."

"They said you were a former cop," he said to me. "A homicide cop. One of the best. What happened?"

Now I finally looked up, letting him see my cold blue eyes.

"I made a mess. Too big to clean up."