Summary

The events in the short story “The Good Samaritan” by Charles Ardai begin during a rainy night in New York. A homeless man named Harold Sladek takes shelter from the rain in the doorway of a beauty salon. He tries to keep himself dry but is not very successful. A stranger approaches him and offers him a cigarette. Although Harold is initially suspicious, he accepts the offer. The next day, Harold is found dead on the street. The detective who is investigating Harold’s death is horrified that people in New York ignored the homeless man who was dead on the street. 

A young woman named Angela Nicholas is approached by the same stranger on a rainy night. He offers her a cigarette. The next day, Angela is found dead by poisoning. 

The detective feels that there is a connection between the five homeless...