I knew the case was trouble as soon as the dame walked into my office.

She had hoop earrings the size of coffee saucers and legs up to her ear lobes. Inside each earring was the fancy part of a peacock feather.

This well dressed woman was no stranger to me, I had seen her picture in the newspaper dozens of times. The social pages mostly. She was Marie Monet, heiress, socialite, and number-one girlfriend to Nicky “the Nickel” Nickelstone; crime boss, casino owner, bookie, banker, conman, developer, shyster, union organizer, Mayor of our City, and foremost, a gentleman’s gentleman. His friends called him Mr. Savoir Faire. The ‘e’ is silent in his sobriquet, but pronounced at the end of the family name.

She knew she needed no introduction, and got right to business. “Mr. Van Buren, I need your help.”

***

From the dime store mystery by Kirt Van Buren, posting soon.