Out Of The Ballpark

Paige Smith is back-the detective hero for people who aren't cut out to be detective heroes. For the editor of the Arlington weekly Spectator, one front-row seat for a hair-raising scoop had been enough for a lifetime, thank you. All he wanted now was safe, dull predictability, and maybe the hope of a Saturday night date. Alas, dull wasn't in the cards. Arlington County was simmering over a ballpark plan that was welcomed by no one or everyone, depending on whom you asked. The upcoming election was ugly with racism and hints of corruption. Now, the county's first marathon was jeopardized when its most prominent runner crossed his own personal finish line. And as for women, "Smitty" would soon be far out of his league, with the hyperactive athlete who taught him how to sprint; the single mom with short skirts and a long-barreled pistol; the no-nonsense cop who knew too much for comfort-and the jailbird blonde who still tugged at his heart. Which one was going to save him or sink him?