A girl walked into an office building in a rather decrepit part of Los Angeles. Looking at the directory, she saw Bails and Associates at room 310. She walked into the elevator and took the 3rd floor. Getting off, she went to the suite. The door was unlocked, so she walked in.

The office consisted of just two rooms. The main room was a reception area with chairs and tables with old magazines on them.

A man came out of the other room.

"Hello, can I help you?"

"Hi. I'm Angie. I called you earlier today."

"Oh, yes, Angie Jones! Come on in."

"Thanks."

He led her into the smaller room. He sat at his desk, and she sat at a chair beside it.

"Now, I remember you told me that a girl friend of yours referred you to me, is that right?"

"Yes. Frenchie Queen."

"Ah, Frenchie-lovely girl! She's dead now, isn't she?"

"Yes." She sniffed a little. "They say her boy friend did it."

"Most unfortunate!"

"But she said that you can loan people emergency money-no questions asked?"

"I have that ability. And how much are you in need of?"

"$500. I've developed some debts I'm having trouble paying off."

"We all get into that situation, on occasion. I think I can help you out."

"Thank you, sir!"

"Now, I'll need some basic information. Can you show me your driver's license?"

"Sure."

She fished through her purse and pulled out her wallet. From it, she took out her license and gave it to him. He copied the information onto a form that was on his desk. Five minutes later, he gave it back to her.

"Do you need my bank information?"

"No, that's ok. I deal outside of the banks, you see."

"Ok."

"And now comes the hardest part: How badly do you need the money?"

"I'm in a pretty dire situation," she conceded.

"Let's test it."

He got up and walked over to her. He looked at her intently, causing her to feel some fear.

"Take off your...shoes!"

She slipped her pumps off. He continued to stare at her.

"Now, your nylons."

She looked at him with shock, but he merely smiled. So she reluctantly removed her stockings.

"Excellent! Now, undo the buttons on your shirt."

Again, this shocked her, but again, he merely smiled. So she slowly began undoing the buttons on her shirt.

Suddenly, he motioned her to stop. "That's fine, I'm convinced!"

He walked over to a combination safe and opened it. Meanwhile, she rebuttoned her shirt. He got out some money and closed the safe. Then he walked over to her and gave her the money. She counted it-$500 even.

"Thank you, sir!" she said.

"Don't mention it-and I mean that!"

"I suppose you don't make your male clients do that, do you?"

"Of course not! For the men, I have a different practice!"

She put the money in her wallet, then put that in her purse. Then she put her shoes back on. She then picked up her stockings and shoved them into her purse. Finally, she stood up.

"I'll be expecting the money back, soon."

"I think I'll be able to repay you next month."

"I'll hold you to that. And a bit of friendly advice: Don't end up like your little girl friend ended up!"

Again, she looked at him with shock, but again, he just smiled. She left his office.

Perry Mason was in his office. Della Street was there, sitting in a chair at his desk.

"I'm really beginning to believe that Mr. Bails was behind Frenchie's murder," he said.

Della nodded. "I agree with you. And he's trying to pin it on our client."

"That's right. So our next move is to wait on him. You can move into that apartment sometime next month. Paul Drake will have one of his female operative stay with you."

"Sounds good, chief. I'm glad that Paul made up that fake ID card for me; it really came in handy!"

"It sure did, Della!" He grew serious. "I'm really sorry I put you through that. If I had known he'd force you to strip, I would've just had Paul use one of his operatives, instead. Can you forgive me, Della?"

"Perry, don't worry so much. I know a little karate, and if he tried something I would have used it on him. Besides, you did warn me in advance."

"That's true. And I did promise you an extra $50."

"That, you did, chief! And I'm holding you to that!"

He smiled. "I'm sure you are! And while you're at it, why don't you hold me to treating you to dinner, tonight?"

She smiled. "That, I'll do, chief!"

"It's quitting time, so let's go!"

"Yes, chief!"

They both got up.

"I didn't know that you know karate."

"I'll show you."

She kicked her shoes off. Then she yelled and did a kick with her left foot.

"Amazing! You should work for Paul!"

"What, and leave you?"

They laughed. She put her shoes back on, and they went to dinner together.