A Novel Idea

Chapter Five

Max Klinger didn't know anything about horses, except that Sophie liked the occasional apple, but was that even normal for a horse? He didn't know, he was just a guy from Toledo. Picking up his pen, he decided that Harvey and Gloria's little adventure in the Arizona desert was over.


The press had gotten wind of the attempts on Gloria's life, even though to her, it was old news by now, and reporters started to hound her day and night to get the full story. Weary from all the recent danger in her life, she didn't have the energy to fend them off, not even with her cute little silver lamé purse. So she called a press conference to get the whole matter out in the open, once and for all.

"Yes, it's true," she said into the microphones shoved in front of her face, "that I was the target of some kind of crazy assassination attempt. But I hired a good man, a very dear, sweet man, to investigate the situation, and since then, there have been no further attempts on my life. That's all I have to say."

But the reporters weren't happy—are they ever?—and they hurled questions at her from all sides.

"Gloria, don't you want the person responsible brought to justice?" one of them shouted out.

She tried to shrug it off. "I'm just glad it's over with."

"But what if the whole thing starts up again?" another reporter inquired.

"Then I'll put my dear Harvey Peterson back on the case, of course!"

"Gloria!" called the gossip columnist from Hollywood Tattles. "Gloria! Can you tell us who designed that gorgeous satin gown you're wearing?"

"Oh, this little thing? This is by Klinger's of Toledo." She twirled around and struck several poses, showing off the stunning crimson color, the flattering plunging neckline, the fetching just-below-the-knee hem. "Isn't it precious?"

"Klinger's? Is that with a K or a C?"

"K-l-i-n-g-e-r. Tell 'em I sent you. They're marvelous. I have them design all my clothing."