Jacob Lawdon Mystery Story/THE CHEAP RUBY RING

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Mrs. Coleman's husband, an engineer, has been missing for several days, prompting Abigail Coleman to enlist the help of Jacob Lawdon, a San Diego PI. Despite typically avoiding missing person cases, Lawdon accepts due to financial constraints. He soon discovers that not only Mr. Coleman but also his secretary, Olivia Jackson, and her daughter, Emma, are also missing. After a confrontation with Jackson's gamekeeper, Taylor Moore, Lawdon finds Coleman in a boathouse, where Coleman reveals he had an affair with Emma and is searching for her after a fight. Lawdon continues his investigation, leading him to a rehab center where Emma was treated for alcohol abuse and to Mrs. Young, whose son Mike is Emma's friend. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a shared secret among the missing individuals that spans over twenty years. The case takes a dark turn when one of them meets a violent end. Lawdon, inspired by Philipp Marlow, strives to adhere to a strict ethical code, though he sometimes falters. Cynical yet compassionate, he balances toughness with sensitivity, seeking the truth despite knowing the futility of some efforts. Preferring tea over hard drinks, he pretends otherwise and remains indifferent to money, all while aiming for honesty with the reader.