Jack Berkke: Private Eye

By N. A. Dalbec

Jack Berkke - Private Eye is an ai project with the story line and editing being handled by author N. A. Dalbec. This pioneering exercise was put together to demonstrate how ai and authors can collaborate to produce a work of fiction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: N. A. Dalbec
• Release date: Mar 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9780973071467

Book preview

JACK BERKKE - PRIVATE EYE

by

N. A. Dalbec

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced

in any form or by any means, or stored in a database

or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the

author.

Making copies of any part of this book for any purpose is not

permitted.

For information, contact N. A. Dalbec, Author, Suite 707,

555 Jervis Street., Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6E 4N1

ISBN: 978-0-9730714-6-7, issued by Library and Archives Canada

All characters and situations in this book are fictitious.

CHAPTER ONE

The Seattle rain was coming down hard, a steady rhythm of drops that pelted against the pavement and the brim of my fedora. I pulled my coat tighter around me, grateful for its protection from the deluge. It was a dreary night, the kind of night where all the shadows seemed darker and all the alleys more sinister. I was used to this kind of weather and this kind of city. I was a detective, and I had seen it all before.

I pushed open the door to my office and flipped on the light. The room was small and cramped, cluttered with stacks of files and empty coffee cups. I crossed over to my desk, my shoes squelching on the damp carpet. There was a note waiting for me, scrawled in a shaky hand on a scrap of paper.

Meet me at the diner on 5th and Main. Urgent.

I didn't recognize the handwriting, but something about the message set off a warning bell in my head. I grabbed my gun from the drawer and headed out into the rain.

The diner was empty except for one figure sitting in the corner booth. As I approached, I saw that it was a woman, her face hidden by a wide-brimmed hat and a scarf wrapped tightly around her neck. She looked up as I drew near, and I caught a glimpse of fear in her eyes.

Are you the one who left the note? I asked.

She nodded, her lips pressed together tightly.

What's going on?

It's my husband, she whispered. He's in trouble. He needs your help.

I took a seat across from her, my eyes scanning her face for any hint of deceit. She seemed genuinely afraid, but that didn't mean much in my line of work. People could put on a good act when they needed to.

What kind of trouble? I asked.

He's been mixed up in something bad, she said. I don't know all the details, but it has to do with some kind of deal he made with some dangerous people. I'm afraid for him, and I don't know who else to turn to.

Why me? I asked, leaning back in my seat. There are plenty of other private investigators in this city.

I've heard...good things about you, she said, her eyes flickering up to meet mine. I heard you don't give up until you solve a case, no matter how difficult it is.

I raised an eyebrow. You've been doing your homework, I see.

She gave a small smile. I want to hire you. Will you take the case?

I considered for a moment. The rain was still pounding against the windows, a steady beat that matched the pounding in my head. I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but I couldn't resist the call of a mystery.

I'll take the case, I said. But you need to tell me everything you know. And I mean everything.

The woman nodded, her hands shaking slightly. Of course, she said. But not here. We need to go somewhere more private.

I followed her out into the rain, my collar turned up against the wind. She led me down a few streets to an apartment building. We went up to her flat.

Please, she said, gesturing to a chair. "Have a seat. I'll make