JANET BLADE - PAWN

by Marge Beam

"But you are the only one who can do the job!" This was Chief Harn who was doing the extra hard sell. "Chief, I don't even work for the force." I re- taliated. "Well, I'm allowed a cer- tain number of special officers and that will be no trouble," he snapped right back.

For those of you who may have tuned in late, if you remem- ber my two previous accounts of my adventures in Morrisonville as the reulst of my changing jobs, you may remember that I was employed by the Morrisonville Blade as a police blotter reporter and that I had been instrumental in whipping the decoy squad into a sharp unit through the Chief's contriving to get me in with a squad and then using my talent in dressing the entire squad pro- perly. Right now the Chief was trying to talk me into doing some undercover work for the force. It seems that Vittor's, a haute couture house of fashion was experiencing a certain amount of style thievery before they could get their models properly displayed and presented in a suitable public appearance. This caused much distress to Vittor. No one knew his real name or if he had any other, and

this in turn caused Chief Harn much agony as Vittor thought that it was the police depart- ment's duty to protect the inter- ests of all and sundry. Chief Harn was wanting to take the easy way out as he had no point of contact whereby he could argue with Vittor so this brought on the discussion between the Chief and myself, James Blade, or maybe Janet Blade as I had become known while dressed as a woman reporter reporting and taking part in the decoy squad's efforts to place the City of Morrisonville on a safer status.

Chief Harn felt that I as Janet Blade, should take employment with the House of Vittor and by using my snoopy talents, I could come up with some leads that would permit the force to reach a more suitable solution to the problem of style thievery and Vittor's name. Chief Harn had a natural inquisitiveness, which was maybe to his credit.

"Chief," I protested, "What you ask is impossible! First, I am a reporter with a job to do for my paper. Secondly, I cannot do what you ask as I am not a licensed detective. You had bet- ter get someone who you know can do the job." I felt I had

- 19-

scotched all his arguements and was about to depart when the Chief turned his cigar up as he does when he has made a de- cision.

He said, "If you will take a crack at this, I will personally see that Vittor knows you will be working for me, also, I will see that you will be protected by a • suitable license and also besides your paper's wage, I'll try to get Vittor to put you on his payroll also." The Chief slowed down as he finished, "I'll also arrange with your editor to assign you to that detail and with that kind of money what can you lose?”

I think the chief knew full well that I'd like nothing better than to work and be in the world of fashion. The fashion feel, I would call it. I think he knew he had me sewn up on the deal and felt I was only milking as much out of it as I could get. He had a sly glint to his eye as he was clinching the last points of my objections.

Needless to say, the very next Monday morning, I reported to work at Vittor's. Although the place is not on 5th avenue, no one had spared the horses. The business was in a rambling build- ing with small lots on either side