The Big Bad City (35 page)

“Like hell you are,” the inspector said, and walked off.

DRAGICA DIMITRIJEVIC-HUNTER

Ed McBain
is the only American to receive the Diamond Dagger, the British Crime Writers Association’s highest award. He also holds the Mystery Writers of America’s coveted Grand Master Award. His books have sold more than one hundred million copies, ranging from his most recent 87th Precinct novel,
Nocturne
, to the bestselling novels
The Blackboard Jungle
and
Privileged Conversation
, written under his own name, Evan Hunter. He is also the author of the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock’s
The Birds
. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Dragica.