I’m sixty years old and employed as a night watchman. For the past month I’ve been working the four-to-midnight shift at a small suburban shopping mall. I’ve been in the security business all my life, and for the most part it’s been pretty routine. Oh, I did catch a burglar in the act one time, and early in my career I apprehended a purse-snatching office messenger, chasing the guy half a dozen blocks before corralling him with a flying tackle, but basically I put in my time and go home. Last Friday night, however, I had more excitement in twenty minutes than I’ve have in all my years in the business.

Little did I know what was in store for me when Stella, my favorite tenant in the mall, informed me that she’d be working late that night and asked would I check in with her periodically,... Read More