Red Footprints

he stalked each night in rubber soles
 prowling for a lead
 silhouettes on window blinds
 were all he'd ever need
 a credit card away
 from breaking in the laundry room
 nothing now could squelch his plot
 our character assumed
 upon his entry to the room
 he tried to be discreet
 but then he felt a tacky rug
 beneath his cautious feet
 ignoring this he didn't read
 the landlord's sign that said
 caution - wet paint on the floor -
 a coat of crimson red
 strangler of baltimore
 the odds were on your side
 even in the tiny towns it's effortless to
 hide
 call it fate or justice
 or the payback of your pray
 but those bright red footprints
 will always give you away
 he peeled his shoes along the hall
 to basement flat 2-b
 no need to knock the doors unlocked
 he opens gingerly
 an e flat string away from stealing
 the flight attendant's breath
 the b-town sun can set their press
 for one more tragic death
 strangler of baltimore
 you thought there was no trace
 like a lightning bolt
 you never strike a once struck place
 call it fate or justice
 or the payback of your prey
 but those bright red footprints
 will always give you away
 he did b-town a favor
 when he gave police a tip
 he drew a dotted line
 to remind them of his trip
 our men are on his trail
 the chief inspector said
 before he'd hit his snooze alarm
 they cuffed him in his bed
 CHORUS