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Mary Krismuth was sitting in her chair, filing her nails anxiously, when Chief Inspector Blort arrived at City Hall with his team of investigators. "Thank goodness you're finally here," she said breathily.
"Yes, yes, yes," said Inspector Blort. "That's all fine and good, but let's get down to business. Now, exactly what time did you notice Mayor Flord was missing?"
"Well, it was about lunchtime, so I called Mr. Flord to ask him if he wanted me to bring him anything before I went on break. He didn't answer, so I figured he was just having trouble with the intercom again. He really isn't very good with it, you know. He's really just too busy to learn how to use all the new electronic gizmos they keep inventing each year."
"Miss Krismuth, it's been over ten years since they installed that intercom. You mean to tell me that in all that time, our Mayor has yet to learn how to use it? It's a simple piece of machinery!"
"Yes, well Mr. Flord is very busy, you know. All the paperwork, and the decisions. Oh, you should hear him go on about-"
"Yes, yes, yes," interupted Inspector Blort. "Never mind about all that right now. What happened next? After you tried the intercom."
"Well, since I thought he was having trouble with the intercom, I went in to ask him personally if there was anything I could get him before I went on my lunch break. You know, like a cup of coffee, or if I could sharpen a pencil for him. He has the worst trouble with breaking his pencil leads, you know. Well, anyway, that's when I discovered he was missing."
"And how did you know he was missing?"
"Well, he wasn't there. Someone must have taken him."
"And how did you know that he hadn't just stepped out for a moment, maybe for a breath of fresh air, or to go to the bathroom?"
"Well, the Mayor doesn't go out often. He usually just sits and works on his paperwork. He's very busy, you know. Besides, the window was broken. There were pieces of glass everywhere! There was also a rope hanging outside the window, and a note."
"A note? From the Crime League?"
"Well, that's the funny thing. It didn't say. Just like I told the news people."
"Yes, yes, yes. I've been meaning to ask you about that. Why did you call the reporters, and not the police?"
"Well, I figured that you all watch the news, so it was the easiest way to make sure everyone knew."
"I see. Now, about this note. What did it say, exactly?"
"Well, here it is; see for yourself." She held out a note, which the Inspector examined at length. It read:
ROSES ARE RED VIOLETS ARE BLUE WE HAVE THE MAYOR YOU DON'T - BOO HOO
"There's no signature, no demands, no clues as to who did this, or what they want. Miss Krismuth, please show us into the Mayor's office. I want a look around."
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