Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for December 18, 2023

“And another one bites the dust.”

Stefan considers breaking out his crossbow and plumber’s helper…

No, Stefan, it wasn’t Norman, actually it was Scooter, he just gave the dart gun to Norman.

Stefan looks like somebody you don’t want to mess with.

Nothing escapes his keen eye. That’s why those who know him call him “Inspector Stefan, of the Surete.”

Heck, I’d shoot him too….its the out- of- kilter mustache. Arrrrrgh….

Stefan’s chubby cheeks just make such a great target.

No doubt, Stefan. Can’t trust those skinny little guys.

I wonder what Stephan suspects the skinny little guy with the dart pistol may have done.

Mind the poison embedded in the darts.

“Hey, kid. Hold this for me for a minute. I’ll be back.”

Yeah there’s the skinny little guy with the dart pistol, and the big muscular guy with the other dart pistol. Hmm, thinks Stefan, “which one should I take down.”

This is the last time I play Cowboys & Indians with his Grandson, Stefan thought for the 3rd time that day…

“Once the tranquilizer takes effect, we’ll measure and weigh him, take blood and hair samples and put the ear tag on so we can keep track of him for another year.”

Good morning Balladeers!

Ya think, Stefan?

“Bart, did you shoot this dart?”

“No, you old fart!”

Stefan is the “godfather” of Ballard street kid…you are in trouble!

wow- the size of that dart is big enough to pull a dent out of a car door!

Not much gets past Stephan’s beady eyes. Little known fact; he has his eyes registered with the Ballard St police department and leads the anti Dart group

Cheeky little bastarrd.

And he can pick up on any clue – no matter how small !

You can’t put anything over on Stefan.

Stefan’s ‘darting’ skills are a little rusty.

I’d like to think that the last thing that went through his cheek, other than that dart, was to wonder how the hell Andy Dufresne ever got the best of him.

Stefan couldn’t dart away from that shot quite fast enough to avoid being hit.

Unfortunately, Stefan wasn’t able to dodge dart.

stefan darted a glance at the darting dart shooter…

You can put your eye out with that.