Did you read SHORTCUT MAN by p.g. sturges? That worthy title introduced Dick Henry, an ex-LAPD cop who was drummed out of the force because of the righteous shooting of a member of a protected class, circa 21st-century USA. Henry is a shortcut man, a part vigilante-for-hire, part unlicensed PI --- the guy you call when you realize that the justice system is neither and that you need to take a shortcut to obtain a just result. Henry is excellent at what he does, and has the ability to determine when a certain amount of finesse is required and when a certain degree of violence is necess