Tommy Top Hat

One tragic day in a shopping mall in Portland, Oregon, Kevin Husby turned his back on his infant daughter for just an instant -- and the unthinkable happened. Someone abducted her.

Twenty years later, divorced and alone, Kevin is living a hollow existence in New York. Then he meets a mysterious homeless man in a top hat who appears to have a remarkable gift -- the ability to make anyone happy with his magic tricks. What follows in this fascinating short story is a cross-country adventure that offers Kevin a second chance to make something of his life.

"Scott is one of those rare writers who can and does cross genres, and do it well. You never know what kind of story you'll get from him, but you do know that it'll be good." --Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Hugo-award winning author and editor

SCOTT WILLIAM CARTER's first novel, The Last Great Getaway of the Water Balloon Boys, was hailed by Publishers Weekly as a "touching and impressive debut." His short stories have appeared in dozens of popular magazines and anthologies, including Asimov's, Analog, Ellery Queen, Realms of Fantasy, and Weird Tales. He lives in Oregon with his wife, two children, and thousands of imaginary friends. Visit him online at www.scottwilliamcarter.com.