Black Alibi Author:Cornell Woolrich Black Alibi is classic Woolrich, a creepy tale of suspense. The story revolves around Kiki Walker, a second-rate American singer who becomes a sensation in South America known for her beauty and wildly red hair. Her press agent arranges for her to parade up and down the streets with a "tamed" black jaguar to boost her popularity even f... more »urther.
However, Kiki doesn't show the same assuredness about this animal as does Manning when he shows up with the cat, it's "black, spade-shaped, ears wickedly flat, muzzle to carpet, coming in fast with an impression of zigzag undulation." It actually frightens her but he convinces her she'll be a sensation. It all goes well until a quick stop for a photo op where the flash bulbs cause the animal to go wild, attacking the singer before disappearing into an alley.
Kiki isn't hurt badly but four young women are mauled and slashed to death in what the authorities believe to be attacks by the wild animal. Manning, feeling responsible, joins the investigation, but believes that someone is using the city's fear of the jaguar to cover a murderous blood-lust.« less