CHAPTER 98: The Engagement Party

                               

One fine Saturday morning, while Travis Scott blissfully slept after a late night with "the guys" playing poker, Summer Holiday and Liberty Lee had a hush-hush meeting to discuss a matter of utmost importance.

"How are we going to celebrate Suzy and Neil's engagement?" asked Summer.  Suzy Kent and her now fiancé, Neil Humphries, were not just neighbours who lived across the road...they were close friends.  Indeed, Suzy was Summer's next best friend after Liberty.

"I hear they're trying to plan a party themselves" said Liberty.  "They want to book the Stargazer Lounge but the cost is pretty high and they have a limit on the number of guests who can come."

"That's a shame...they'll want to save money for the wedding itself" thought Summer.  "Hey!" she exclaimed all of a sudden.  "Why not offer them our home for the party?  I can cook, you can mix drinks and Travis can do the chit-chat and serving.  We have everything they need right here:  A large place, music, food, drink...we hosted a party once before and that was a big hit."  Summer was warming to her idea a lot.

"Sounds like a good plan...when shall we host it?"  asked Liberty.

"What's wrong with tonight?  We've got plenty of food in and our cleaning lady's just been and made the place spick and span.  Let's not wait, let's do this today!" said Summer, positively bouncing in excitement at the idea.

"Whoa, easy kitten!  We should ask them first, they might have other plans!" cautioned Liberty.

"So we thought that instead of you having to book some expensive venue, we could put on an engagement party ourselves at our place for you guys!" explained Summer, a few minutes after she and Liberty had conceived their idea.

Suzy was taken aback.  "That would be great, if it's not too much trouble" she said.

"Pah, we like having parties..." said Liberty, nonchalantly.  "...any old excuse and your engagement is an excellent one."

"So when do you want to throw it?" asked Neil.

"We were thinking tonight" said Liberty.  Neil looked shocked this time.

"Tonight!  Erm, what about our guests...I mean, they might be busy!" he said.

"That's true" began Summer.  "But if enough people can come tonight, what do you say?"

Suzy looked to Neil.  "If we can get most of our friends, we're up for it!" she said, the enthusiasm and excitement was getting to her now.

They sat down and worked out who they wanted to come:  Suzy and Neil the honoured guests, Liberty, Summer and Travis the hosts.  Jeremy and Barbara, of course.  Action...if he was around....Julia, to complete the Foundry Cove gang and Burr DeBenning...an old colleague of Suzy's and Brent Hecking, a friend of Neil's.  Suzy started phoning everyone up and Liberty and Summer went around the other houses in their street to personally invite their friends.  Jeremy and Barbara were enthusiastic about coming but Action was away for the weekend with his girlfriend so they couldn't come.  Julia was the last to be asked.

"This is going swell!" said Summer.  "I had a gut feeling that we should do this today...that so many people would be up for a spontaneous party"

"Most of the people we know have the Saturday off" replied Liberty.

They knocked on Julia's door and she answered it still wearing her dressing gown.

"Hello there, do come in" said Julia, stifling a yawn.  "Excuse the way I'm dressed but I worked the night shift at the hospital and have only now woken up and had breakfast"

Summer and Liberty entered Julia's house and outlined the plan for the party.

"I have nothing else scheduled" said Julia, looking at her diary.  "I think I shall attend this party." she said with a haughty satisfaction.

Heading back home, Summer and Liberty compared notes.  "OK, so we've got us, Travis, Suzy and Neil, Jeremy and Barbara, Julia plus..."

"Gary, don't forget Gary" said Liberty, making a point that her new boyfriend should be there.

"No, I've got Gary on the list" said Summer.  "Brent Hecking and Suzy's colleague Burr.  Suzy made a point that she didn't want either her boss nor Alan Cuffe coming along."

"If Alan Cuffe showed up he'd probably bring a dozen naked women and spike the drinks as well...our place would get wrecked!" said Liberty.

"I'd probably wake up and discover I've somehow become Miss Kitten for May!" said Summer, shivering at the thought.

Back home Travis had staggered out of bed and was making himself some coffee but whilst Liberty decorated the house, Summer got down to preparing the food.

"What the heck's going on?" said Travis, nursing his coffee and looking on at the activity with bleary eyes.

"We're having a party" said Summer.  "Tonight"

"What?" said a startled Travis.

"So get that down your throat and help us by firing up the BBQ and cooking up some burgers and steaks.  Come on, chop chop!" said a bossy Summer.

A couple of hours of frantic tidying, baking and grilling passed.  After that they went to get changed into their party threads, just in time for the guests to arrive.

"I will act as D.J....Libs, you've got the bar.  Summer, you do the meet n' greet" said Travis.

"Oh no, if you're in charge of the music just don't make it non-stop obscure European jazz!" said Summer.

"Don't worry, I've got all the groovy sounds!" said Travis, grinning from ear to ear.

First to arrive were Barbara and Brent Hecking.  He apologised for his 'friend' and housemate, Brandt, not being along as well but their little dog was sickly and one of them had to take her to the vet.  Brent and Brandt always referred to each other in public as either 'friends', 'special friends' and 'housemate' as they were both gay and devoted to each other but not everyone in society would approve of their relationship so a kind of coded language had to be spoken.  Fortunately for them all their friends knew and didn't mind but, nonetheless, the code was always maintained except in the most intimate and relaxed settings.

"Barbara, where's Jeremy?" asked Liberty.

"Tsch, he insisted on going for a training run so he should be along any moment now...he's obsessively running every day now" replied Barbara.

"You're not wearing him out enough" joked Brent.

More guests arrived.  "I believe there's a party with my name on it!" said Neil, entering with a big flourish.

"Neil!  One of the guests of honour!" said Summer.  "And your soon to be intended wife, where's she?"

"Still putting on her extra long eyelashes when I last saw her...she'll be here soon!"

Julia was next to arrive.  "I do apologise if I am late" she said, making her way straight to the delicious looking plate of brownies Summer had baked earlier.

Suzy eventually arrived closely followed by Gary, Liberty's boyfriend.  As soon as she entered the house, Suzy was mobbed by everyone who were greeting her with  "Congratulations!", "I'm so happy for you guys!", "have you set a date yet?" and even "I love those eyelashes".  Gary made his way to the bar where Liberty was and offered to help her with the drinks....Liberty having a deserved reputation as clumsy and a "dropper".  Mind you, Gary was having trouble remembering all the ingredients for the variety of cocktails he was being asked to make.

"The brownies are going down a treat" remarked Travis.  "They are just chocolate brownies, you know?" he added, raising a suspicious eyebrow at Summer.

"Of course they are!  I'm not like one of your dodgy work friends for whom 'brownie' has added extra ingredients" she replied, indignantly.

Jeremy arrived at last but he was still in his running gear...he'd just run out of time to shower and get changed before heading to the party.

"My man, Jeremy!" said Travis, hip bumping him.  "Phew, you're a bit hard on the old nose!" he added, getting a whiff of Jeremy's sweat.

"Is it too bad?" responded Jeremy, anxiously.

"Here, this will cover a bit of it up....I swear by this cologne" said Travis, throwing a small bottle at his friend.  Jeremy caught it and read the label.

"Heave Ho...I've not heard of this brand" he said.

"Trust me, you'll smell of an ocean breeze with some of that on you"

"And that's a good thing?" said Jeremy, not entirely convinced.

"You make a mean Tang and Zing, Gary" said Liberty before she gave him a full on kiss on his lips.

"Whoa, easy Tiger! How many of those have you had?" he replied.

"Hmmmm, this'll be my third.  I think" she said, coquettishly. 

"Well done you" said Summer to Suzy.

"Thanks...I'm still in a bit of shock with all this but I'm happy, very happy.  Phew, it's all so exciting!" replied Suzy.

"He's a lucky guy" said Summer.

"Thank you....now, Summer, as you're my best friend I want you to do me the honour of being my Maid of Honour"

Summer was taken aback and said nothing at first.  Then she warmly embraced Suzy and hugged her tight.  "Of course I will, Suz, of course I will!  This'll be great...I get to plan your bachelorette party!"

"You do love a party, don't you?" said Suzy with a big smile.

Julia had found herself in between Neil and Brent.  She didn't know either of them well but she was in a very talkative mood after having a drink....just one alcoholic drink.

"So you're both into painting, I see" she said, hardly pausing to take breath.  "Brent, I see that you are a professional but Neil you're still an amateur mind you I don't paint but I love art and often go to the gallery for inspiration.  I favour the Casbah Gallery in San Myshuno, of course, but our local Municipal Muses has an impressive collection of work...not on the scale of the Casbah and leaning more towards the classical but nonetheless I like it...."

I think this Brent is interested in what I'm saying...hmmm, maybe he's worth getting to know better...hee-hee, what am I thinking?  Julia, you naughty girl!  She thought to herself as she looked at the tanned, handsome face of Brent Hecking.

Liberty noticed that someone else had arrived: Someone none of them recognised.  Liberty went over to Summer and whispered to her.

"Hey, Summer, do you think that's Burr?" she said.

"I think it is...she did mention he had massive sideburns.  I think the only people he knows here are Suzy and Jeremy.  I'll go and say hello and introduce him to the gang"

Summer walked over to the solitary young man and welcomed him.  "Hello, Burr is it?" he nodded.  "Thanks for much for coming, it means so much to Suzy.  Let me get you a drink...I'm Summer, these are my housemates Travis and Liberty"

Burr lightened up when introduced to people but he looked back towards where Suzy was standing, side by side by her beau...Neil...She looked so beautiful and sexy in her figure hugging outfit and of course she was charming and dynamic as well.  He couldn't help but think I had my chance...and I blew it!

Travis clapped Burr on the back and handed him a beer.  "C'mon, bud, I'll introduce you to our merry Foundry Cove gang.  This here's Jeremy..."

"We've met" said Burr.  "And thank you for all the help you gave when Suzy and I were investigating the Landgraabs."

"One of these days you'll have to explain to me what it's all about!" said Jeremy.

The party continued and everyone was happy.  Some danced, some drank, some ate and some gossiped.  The women were all talking about wedding planning, the men talked about anything other than wedding planning.

Summer and Travis were getting a little tipsy....which led to a loss of inhibitions...

...which did not please Julia, who hated public displays of affection.  Thank goodness the League of Decency aren't here; they would certainly disapprove and would do something to stop it!  She thought.

"So I took your advice, Brent, and upped my running sessions to twice a day..."

"Sorry to interrupt, Jeremy" said Brent.  "But do you smell something like....fish?"

"That's the trouble with being the bartender, Liberty....*hic*....Everybody says to you 'and have one for yourself'..."

"So tell me, Burr, what's the deal with that weird tree at the end of our road?"

"I think it's linked to a tunnel under the Landgraab mansion, Summer"

"Wait, there's a tunnel under the Landgraab mansion?????"

"I wuv you...Liberty Lee, light of my life *hic*"

"Not as much as I wuv youw, Gawy ...erm....Wawy...*hic*"

"Seriously, Travis' cologne must be destroyed for the benefit of all mankind"

"Come on, gang, more music! More dancing!" said Suzy.

"Suzy" said Julia, confidentially.  "That Brent is...what's the word?  'Dishy'.  Is he single?"

"Oh Julia, I've never seen you interested in a guy before but, trust me, you're not his type" 

"Oh, don't tell me he's into buxom blondes or those vacuous model types!"

"Nothing could be further from the truth but...well...he's spoken for.  Let's leave it at that"

"Trust my luck.  The first guy I've met who I'm genuinely interested in and he's taken!  She's one lucky girl!" 

Suzy said nothing but noted that Julia, like so many others at this party (herself included), had a little too much to drink.

Liberty was giving some drunken sage advice to a drunken and depressed Burr.  "Don't give up hope, Burr, the right girl for you might come into your life sooner than you think.  I mean, I met Gary completely by chance...the last time we threw a party here as a matter of fact.  He was walking right past the house as I was cleaning up and we got chatting and...well...look where we are now.  Miss Right could be closer than you think:  She might even be standing right behind you!"

Eventually the party began to draw to a close.  "Come on guys" said Neil.  "I need to find my fiancée:  She was around here, somewhere".

"I have a long journey home and my boyfr...I mean, my main man...will wonder where I've got to" said Brent.

"I must remember where I live" said Burr.

"If Neil's left for home without me he'll be in trouble!" said Suzy.  "Once again, Summer and Liberty, thank you for all you've done for us today.  I really enjoyed it."

"I'm not drunk!" said Julia.

"Urrrurrrggghhh" said Gary.

Other guests stayed behind to help clear up as there were a lot of empty and half empty plates, glasses of all kinds of cocktails everywhere and Summer had suddenly gone to her room to crash out.

Finally, two of the hosts got to get some food and for Travis he hated to see some quality cocktail go to waste.

"I thought that went very well" said Liberty.  "When's the next one?"

CHAPTER 97: Spots, Splints & Sprains

 

One of Julia Epstein's ambitions was to buy a piano of her very own but as a lowly junior doctor with bills to pay, and a relatively small house to live in, she couldn't afford one so instead she would get to practice and perform at the Blue Velvet club, which was a short distance from where she lived.  She was getting so good at tinkling the ivories that she would be asked by the management to perform on Sunday evenings which was a good way to add to her bank balance.

At the hospital Julia managed to have a brief catch up with her friends and colleagues, Francesca and Harper.

"It looks empty in here today" said Julia, looking around an unusually quiet lobby.  "Where are the patients waiting to be admitted?"

"Admitted already" said Francesca.  

"What have you got for me then?" Julia asked as she went through some medical files looking for a case to treat.

"Not much" replied Harper.  "Most people admitted are being seen by one of the more senior doctors." Harper looked through a stack of case notes.  "A-ha, here's one.  Mrs Emmalyn Sanders, bay 5.  She's complaining of itchy skin and shows signs of spots covering her body"

"I'll take it!" Said Julia.  "Bay 5, Nurse Newell, lead on!"

Julia stepped into bay 5 where she found a very anxious and upset Mrs Sanders who had vivid red and magenta coloured spots and blotches all over her face and arms.

"Good morning, Mrs Sanders, I'm Dr Epstein.  Yes, I can see what the problem is from here so let's get down to it by asking some questions about your health and whether you have any allergies..."

But before Julia could start writing anything down her boss, Dr Murakami, entered the room.

"Thank you Doctor Epstein but I'll be taking over this case" she said in a haughty manner.

"But..." stuttered Julia.

"Thank you, you may leave us now" the cold, clinical voice of Dr Murakami cut any protest from Julia off and the young doctor sheepishly exited the room.

"Damn that woman!" she thought.  "Always snatching cases off of me!"  Julia let out a sigh of frustration and asked Harper whether there was anything else she could do.

"Erm...help me make the beds?" offered Harper with an embarrassed shrug of the shoulders.  Julia nodded and glumly accepted the task.

As she was going from room to room, she found a patient she had met and helped before:  A child named Kirsty St Clair.  Kirsty had diabetes and had to pay regular visits to the hospital.  Her father, a busy working man, couldn't always stay with her during the times she was admitted into hospital.

"Kirsty, how are you?  I don't know if you remember me but I'm Dr Epstein and I treated you the last time you came in"

"I remember you, Doctor!" said Kirsty, perking up a little when she saw Julia.  "I like you the best of all the doctors here"

"That's very kind of you to say so and I'll confess....you're my favourite patient" said Julia with a smile.

She took Kirsty's temperature, checked her notes and enquired about her health in general.

"And how are you feeling at the moment?" Julia asked.

"Actually, I'm hungry" said the girl.

"It is coming up to lunchtime...I'll see what I can get you from our kitchen...if you're lucky it'll be roast day!"

A few minutes later Julia came back with a serving of roast chicken and vegetables with strawberry ice cream to follow.  "You're real lucky today" she said.  "Chicken is the one meal they do well here"

"Thanks Dr Julia...you know, I wish you could be my regular doctor" said Kirsty.

Julia thought for a moment and then responded "you know, if I have a word with my friend on the front desk then she can let me know when you're next in and I can check in on you...but you must trust your specialist doctor for you diabetes; he's very good."

They chatted more over Kirsty's lunch about her school, her hobbies and how boys were yuck but Julia had more tasks to do and another patient to admit.  The person in question was Jonathan Hamlin, a smooth talking hippy who seemed bemused that he was being examined by a young, female doctor.  As she led him to Bay 1, she noticed out of the corner of her eye that he was checking out her behind as they walked.

When she suddenly shot him a look of disapproval, Hamlin shrugged apologetically and said "It's my back, babe; I can't stand up straight and, well, my eyes look downwards and not level."

"That's as maybe, Mr Hamlin, but in future if you could refer to me as DOCTOR Epstein and  not 'babe' that would make things a lot easier" she responded, coolly. 

"Sure thing, ba...I mean, Doc" he said.

"So what seems to be the problem?" asked Julia.

"It's my back, Doc, I was doing the Pose Dedicated to Sage Koundinya II and I felt a sharp twang in my back" said Hamlin.

"The what?" asked a puzzled Julia.

"It's an advanced Yoga move" he explained.  "You see, I'm all for centring my Shakras"

"I literally can only understand every other word you say...but I do understand you've hurt yourself doing some kind of exercise" said Julia.

"Yoga ain't just exercise...it's a way, a path" Hamlin explained, shocked at her ignorance.

"But one that can lead to back injuries...alright, we'll get you x-rayed and see what the results are.  With any luck you haven't broken anything"

Julia led Hamlin to the newly installed, state of the art, Swedish designed radiology department.  Fortunately, Julia was one of the few doctors in the hospital who had read the manual on how to operate the Självlysande Mk IV.  "Just remain perfectly motionless, Mr Hamlin" she reassured him.  Hamlin stood in stark terror.

After leading him back to his berth, shaken and stirred, she waited for the scans and x-rays to be developed.  However, as she passed the reception area she recognised someone waiting to be admitted.

"Oh, hello Kerry" she said, spotting Kerry Fry in the line.  Kerry was the son of friends of her parents and had recently been on a blind date that was...moderately....successful.  There had been nothing romantic about the date, but it was a pleasant get together.

"Julia, I didn't know you worked at this hospital" he replied.  "I wish the circumstances of our meeting were better than me being sick as a dog"

Julia noted that Kerry was covered in very similar spots and blemishes to Mrs Sanders.  "There seems to be an outbreak of that skin condition at the moment, Kerry, but we've got a top specialist in that department and I'm sure she'll help you" she said.

"If you get a chance, do stop by for a chat" said Kerry.  "Hospitals aren't my favourite of places...unless the company is good" he added with a smile.

Julia gave a small, polite smile back before heading back to her rounds.  She went back to radiology, examined Hamlin's x-ray and made her diagnosis.  It was just a matter of informing Hamlin from that point.

"Mr Hamlin...the good news is that nothing is broken and it appears that you've strained some muscles and tendons in your lumbar region"

"My what?" said Hamlin

"Lumbar...your lower back.  Anyway my diagnosis is to refrain from any yoga, exercise or strenuous physical activity for at least a couple of weeks or until the pain ceases.  In the meantime I'll write you a prescription for some pain killers and arrange some follow up visits for you to see a physiotherapist"

"A what?" said Hamlin.

"Physiotherapist.  A masseur"

Hamlin's eyes lit up "that sounds groovy!"

"Yes, well, a medical masseur in any case." she said, shuddering at the thought of what kind of masseur he would have had in mind.

It was nearing the end of her shift and she tried to see Kerry but he was already seeing Dr Murakami and she didn't want to cross paths with her boss.  Francesca, already changed out of her scrubs, came up to Julia to have a chat.

"Have you made plans this evening, Julia?" she asked.  "Only I'm going to meet hubby and dearest daughter for dinner and then he's taking her to ballet and I thought we could head over to the Blue Velvet"

Julia stopped thinking about Kerry and answered Francesca. "Er, yeah, sure.  That sounds neat...let me get changed and we'll head off"

After a nice meal with Francesca's family, the two women headed over to the Blue Velvet.  Just before entering the club, Francesca paused to ask Julia a question.

"You seemed to know that patient we admitted this afternoon....Kerry, was it?" 

"Oh yes, him." Julia waggled her head from side to side trying to find the words to say about how she knew him.  Talking about men, dates and personal stuff didn't come easy to her.  "Well, he was the guy my folks set me up on a blind date with" she managed to get out.

"Oh him!  He's a good looking guy and seems pretty easy going" said Francesca.

"Do you think he's good looking?  He's a bit bohemian in his dress" said Julia "but he's intelligent and good company.  I had a nice time with him on that date"

"And?  Anything else?"

"No!  Nothing like that.  I didn't think that was appropriate on a first date anyway"

"Depends on the guy...and the girl and the laws of attraction" said Francesca with a wry smile.

"Wait, there are laws?" asked a puzzled Julia.

"I've come up with a new dance move!" said an animated Julia once they'd entered the nightclub.  "I call it....the Whirling Dervish" and with that her arms started to wave wildly and she rocked from side to side.

"Woo, look at you go!" said Francesca with a laugh.  It was a happy evening as lots of Julia's friends were there as well: Barbara, Action and Suzy...who had just announced her engagement.

"I never had you down as being the first of our neighbourhood to get married...I always thought Jeremy or Summer would beat you to the aisle" said Julia to Suzy.

Suzy laughed.  "I know!  It's crazy!  I'm supposed to be the swinging chick and yet here I am, beginning to plan my wedding!  Mind you, there's still time for Barbara or Summer to beat me to it!"  Suzy looked over to Barbara, who blushed in embarrassment.

"Or maybe you, Julia?" joked Francesca.

"Definitely NOT me!" huffed Julia in indignation.

As Julia was talking to Suzy, she heard a man's voice nearby calling her.  "Hello there, Doctor!" he said.  Looking around she saw it was her patient from today: Johnathan Hamlin.

"Hello Mr Hamlin.  I hope you're not dancing or doing anything like that this evening...that would be against doctor's orders" said Julia.

"Hey, Doc, I'm just taking things easy...and taking my medication" he said, inhaling deeply.  By the way he smelled Julia could tell the medication he was referring to was Pot.  

"Well, erm, just keep doing that and you'll be fine but my recommendation is to stick to the prescription medication" she said, nervously.

"Now can I buy you and your lovely lady friends a drink? said Hamlin.

"Erm, I'm fine...you're still technically my patient so...you know, protocol and all that" said Julia, awkwardly trying to get out of this conversation.

"I'm not a protocol kind of guy, as you may have gathered" said Hamlin, in a voice that was part velvet, part oil.

Julia looked around the club and saw Action standing by the fireplace.

"I should let you know, that man over there by the fireplace?  He's a friend of mine" she said.

"Invite him over to join us" said Hamlin

"Oh, and he's a cop" said Julia, playing her trump card.

"Wow, that medication really makes you drowsy, doesn't it?  I'd better get an early night.  See ya!" said a very nervous Hamlin as he got up to leave the club.

Julia smiled and returned to her friends to celebrate Suzy's good news.

CHAPTER 96: The Penny Drops

 

"Yo, Rookie...what do you have for me?" said Action as he entered the squad room at Precinct 13 headquarters.

"The suspect...Damian Blount...in cell one needs interrogating.  And I ain't no Rookie anymore; I served my probation time and am a grade 1 patrolman"

"Until I see you cut it on the streets when the crap hits the fan, you're a rookie to me.  Now, who's Damian Blount?"

"He's the breaking and entering specialist who has a thing for women's shoes"

"Oh him!" Action said, remembering the first time he'd encountered Damian.

"Come on, Twinkletoes, time to sing" said Action as he let Damian Blount out of his cell to be interrogated.

"You had nothing on me last time, Detective, and you've got nothing this time" replied Damian, a sound of overconfidence and disdain in his voice.

"You got off on a technicality and were lucky the judge was weak...but wait 'till you see what I've got this time"

"Ooh, don't tease me!" said Blount, in a mock flirtatious voice.

Action gave Blount a big shove in the back and marched him off to the interrogation room.

"I know it's you hitting all those expensive houses, Damian, you have a distinctive M.O." said Action, shining the desk lamp into Blount's face.

"Oh do tell, Detective" replied a defiant Blount.

"You have expensive tastes and they need paying for...not only do you break in and steal cash, jewellery and other items of value....you like to take dresses, shoes and other ladies' apparel.  That makes you a bit different"

"It's not a crime in this state to like women's clothes, Detective" 

"Hey, if you want to dress up as a woman that's your gig: I don't care one way or another.  But you can't do it in clothes you stole either" There was an awkward pause in the interrogation as Blount remained defiant.

"Prove I stole them, Detective"

Action said nothing but reached into a file and slid a document across to Blount.

"We searched your apartment, Damian" began Action "and found a gold lamé dress belonging to Nancy Landgraab and reported stolen a week ago by her in your closet"

"That dress is legitimately mine" responded Blount, still remaining calm.

"Then how come on the inside lining of the dress there's a pinned dry cleaning invoice MADE OUT TO NANCY LANDGRAAB?" Action raised his voice and jabbed his index finger down on a photocopy of the invoice in front of Blount.

"Erm....I....I" stuttered Blount; his composure collapsed.  Action had his man bang to rights....Blount ended up confessing to a series of robberies and once Action had got a signed confession from the suspect and with that job done, he put him back in the cell.

That job done and dusted, Action headed to the Chief's office to update him on the case being closed and ready for trial.

"Well done, Action my boy, well done" said the Chief, enthusiastically when told the news that they'd got a confession out of Damian Blount.  "We've been after that one for some time and you were the one that closed the case"

"It still has to go to trial but that confession will help secure the conviction" said Action.

"It'll go to the D.A.'s office and they'll sort it out...well, what are you waiting for, Action, go get out there and crack some more cases!" the Chief said, abruptly.

SAN MYSHUNO, 13:05 hrs

It didn't take long for something to happen downtown that Action needed to deal with.  As he was talking to a local by the name of Arun Bheeda a very attractive but panic stricken young woman came running up to him.  Looking at her she seemed vaguely familiar but he couldn't place where he'd seen her before.

"Officer!  Officer!  I need your help, urgently!" she said, out of breath as she came running to him.

"What's the matter, Ma'am?" Action replied.

"I had something of mine stolen, out of my hands, just around the corner from here!" she explained, pointing to a spot around the corner from where they were standing.

"What was stolen?" asked Action.

"An envelope containing some photos" she replied.

"That's all?  Your bag wasn't taken was it as well?"

"No, just the envelope" she explained.

Action took a moment to think about the significance of an bunch of photos being taken but a woman's bag, presumably containing her cash and valuables, was ignored.

"And can you describe the man who took this envelope?"

"Yes, he was a black man, in a tank top and flat cap" she said.

"Hey, I've seen that guy around here a lot!" exclaimed Arun Bheena, all of a sudden.

"Ma'am, I'm going to have a look around this area and call in some back up" said Action, instinctively checking his .38 service revolver was still in its holster.  "Here's my card; if you see the guy who robbed you, call this number"

"Can I have one of those cards as well, Detective?" asked Arun.  "If I see this guy, and I'm pretty sure he hangs out around here a lot, I want to let you know"

"Sure Mr Bheeda, here you go" he said, handing a second card to the keen and eager young man.  However, Action had another person he wanted to interrogate...someone who sees all but is hardly ever noticed.

"Howdy Cowboy" said Action as he approached the mime artist who was being a living statue for the day.

"Gnnnaaa arrraaayy" the mime replied.

"I have a few questions to ask you" Action said, flashing his warrant card.

"I shaid....gna array. G'naim trynggghhh to rorwk here" said the mime.

"I don't care if you're trying to work just standing around hoping a pigeon will crap on you...I'm the police and you will answer my questions either here or down at the precinct house"

The mime relented and stopped standing motionless.  "Fine, what do you want?" she said.

"Snatch n' grab a little while ago.  Black guy in a tank top and wearing a cap stole a large envelope.  Did you see it happen or the guy who did it?"

"Yeah, I heard something...a scream then this guy hurtles past me at high speed carrying a big, yellow parcel or something like that.  He went that way, towards the bar that's over there"

"And have you seen this guy around here before?" Action asked.

"Oh yeah...he's catcalled me a few times and shouted my act is garbage.  I don't know his name though"

"Thanks for the help...and you say he went in that direction?" The mime nodded.

"Say, you should try being more still, Detective.  Cast off the cares of the world and let your body be still and at peace"

Action scoffed.  "I stand still for no man" he replied and he headed off to the bar where the suspect was last seen heading to.  His eyes scanned all potential lurking spots but he couldn't help shake the feeling that something about this crime was amiss:  Why steal photos unless there was something incriminating about them?  And who do they incriminate?  

Up ahead he saw Arun Bheena frantically gesturing off to his right.  Action figured he'd seen something, possibly the perp himself.  He quickly jogged over to Arun to find out what was going on.

"He's there...the guy who stole the envelope!  By that payphone!" said an excited Arun.

Without saying a word, Action crept up on the suspect.  Using his Vietnam jungle skills to move silently and undetected he was up on the perp in a flash and had his service .38 jammed into the small of the suspect's back.

"Don't move or you'll have a tunnel going all the way through your guts.  Now drop the envelope you're holding right there and down on your knees, sucker!" said Action.

Action cuffed him, read him his rights and called for a Black & White to pick him up.  Witness statements were taken from Arun, the Mime and the young woman at the centre of the theft.

"We've retrieved your photos and arrested the man who took them, Miss?" said Action, asking for the woman's name.

"Pizzazz.  Penny Pizzazz" she replied.

The "penny" dropped for Action: "Of course, you're the gossip columnist and TV personality" said Action.

"That's me" she replied.  "Can I have my photos back now?"

"They're material evidence, Miss Pizzazz.  They'll be returned to you in time but for now we need to keep hold of them."

"But they're important for my work!" she protested.

"Don't you have copies?  Can you make more from the negatives?" he said.

"Well...yes...I suppose" she said in a faltering manner.

"Good.  We'll be in touch, Miss Pizzazz" said Action.  His curiosity now piqued as he wondered what was in those photos...time would soon tell.

Back at the station, Action went to seek out the forensic unit.  "Say, can you boys in the lab check these photos and this envelope out...I'm not just looking for fingerprints, I want those photos analysed for every last detail."

"Sure, Action" said the forensic chief.  "What are we meant to be looking out for?"

"I don't know at this stage....look over them and enlarge any section that you think looks of interest or out of place".  Action had a hunch the photos were stolen for something they contained that incriminated someone...but Pizzazz wasn't a known criminal with a habit of blackmailing people...or was she?

At the end of his shift Action headed home for a rendezvous with his girlfriend, Katherine.  They were both pretty beat after their work days but perked up once they saw each other.

Action gave Katherine a massage.  "Hmmm, that feels good!" she said.  "You've got the magic touch"

"You should see all the other things I can do with them" he joked, flirtatiously. 

"You've got my attention if it's anything like this massage" she replied.  They headed to the bedroom to get more intimate.

"My day was so boring" began Katharine.  "Attending all these meetings of charity bodies, organisations and listening to one dull speech after another.  How was your day?"

"I got a confession from that thief who steals women's jewellery and clothes and arrested a street robber who mugged Penny Pizzazz, the lifestyle reporter on the news" he replied.

"Oh I know Penny" said Katherine.  "Is she alright?"

"Yeah, she didn't get hurt...it was this package of hers that got stolen.  Say, do you know her well?"

"A little" replied Katherine. "We attend some of the same events"

"Would you say she's on the level?" he asked.

"Penny?  Sure!  She's sweet, knows everyone who is everyone and is a positive kind of person.  Why do you ask?"

"It was this envelope she was holding...it contained some photos and I was wondering if, in her line of work, the photos would be embarrassing to someone?"

"Penny's not a blackmailer if that's what you mean...well, she doesn't come across like one.  I'm tired..." she said, yawning.  "Let's go to bed"

"Sure thing" said Action, smiling and undoing his shirt.  It was time to put work to one side and to enjoy some playtime.  In the morning, Action looked forward to one of the treats of his day...Katherine's scrambled eggs for breakfast!