The Case of the Unseen Lady
It was a night like any other night. My office was tidy, the caseload was excellent and the sounds of the city drifted through my window like a warm melody.
“Well, Natalie” I said to my secretary in the next room, “Are you all set for the sting tonight?”
My lovely associate came to the door. “Of course, Johnny. A little vanishing cream and I’m ready for anything.”
“And did our friend check in today?” I asked reluctantly.
“Yes, she did. And she said that she was sorry she missed you.”
“Well, I’m not. She’s been a little too quiet lately. I’m afraid she’ll get restless soon and start looking for trouble.”
“Well, she’s been on her best behavior so far Johnny. You worry too much.”
“Maybe,” I said, “It would still be nice to give her something to keep her busy. Something that would help her stay out of trouble.”
I looked at my watch, and then said, “Look, I’m going to finish some things here. You go ahead and I’ll see you in front of the consulate.”
“No you won’t,” she smiled, “but I’ll see you.”
About 20 minutes later there was a knock at my door. Before I could say anything a woman walked in. She wore a long dark fur coat and a mysterious veil over her face. “A familiar but extra breathy voice said, “Are you Jonathan Drake, the world famous detective?”
“Very funny, Priscilla.” She was obviously in one of her playful moods.
“Priscilla who?” She said trying to add a slight southern belle accent now. “Why, I’m just a lady in distress.”
“Yes,” I said, “you are in distress. I agree with that part.”
“Detective Drake,” She continued, ignoring my comment, “I need you to locate something I’ve lost. You see I’m missing my … body.”
As she said the word ‘body’ she flung open her fur coat and let it drop to the floor. In addition to her veiled hat she wore long kid gloves and tall stockings, each tied with a pink garter. The rest was gone. She was invisible.
I rose from my chair. “Priscilla, what are you doing? I knew it. You’ve been hiding some of the formula.”
She rested her hands on her unseen hips and said in a sultry voice, “Well detective? Can you help me find my body or not?”
“This is crazy.” I said, “What if Natalie was still here? She only left a short while ago but I’m sure you were watching for that.”
Fearing that she was losing my attention, Priscilla ran her hands over her body to suggest the shapes that could not be seen.
“Maybe,” she said, “You should dust for prints.”
“Look,” I said, “One invisible woman is enough to keep track of. I really don’t know what to do with two.”
She giggled and said, “Well if you need any ideas on things to do with two invisible women might I suggest …”
“No,” I interrupted, “I’d rather not have your suggestions in that department.”
She then dropped the act and picked up her coat. “I’m sorry Johnny,” she said, “I just have to do something … naughty.”
“I can’t believe you have trouble finding men.” I said.
“Oh average men are easy to find,” she sighed, “But I want something more exciting. And being invisible is very exciting.” She then added playfully, “I thought you understood that.”
Then an idea hit me. It hit me like an idea hits a guy who needs an idea.
Hey, cut me some slack, I had trouble concentrating.
“Priscilla,” I said intently, “You really want to be naughty?”
“Yes.” She said, her voice brightening.
“Really naughty?”
“Johnny,” She pleaded, “Just tell me what do, what to wear, what to say. Anything goes.”
“Then listen carefully,” I began.
* * *
It was a dark misty night. A man walking along in the dark looked up to see lights were on in the building ahead. The anonymous caller was right. He went up the poorly lit staircase to the door into the studio. He became cautious when he noticed the door was not locked. He opened it and stepped in quietly.
“Mister Growley.” A sultry woman’s voice said.
Startled, Growley turned to the set where most of the photography took place. There in front of the black drapes her saw a headless lady. She was wearing an elegant strapless gown – much like a debutante might wear – that had been loaned to the Growley for the next day’s photography session. She also wore long opera gloves that were as white as the gown. A pearl necklace hung in the air above the gown.
“You scared me.” He said. Then he relaxed and added, “I didn’t know anyone was working tonight.”
“Oh, I’m not one of your models, Mister Growley. They are mere pretenders to my true majesty.” The realization then came to him that he could see the entire necklace. There was no blacked out portion at the top. He could now see that she was not a model in a black body suit but a woman truly invisible to the eye.
“It’s you,” he said with awe, “after all these years, you’ve returned.”
“Yes,” She said as she stepped away from the set, “I’ve returned and tonight I’m going to fulfill all your dreams.”
Growley gulped audibly and said, “It’s been many years; I’ve got a lot of dreams to fulfill.”
Standing very close now, she seized his tie and pulled him right up against her bosom. “Then I’ll just have to keep coming back night after night until you run out of ideas.”
To this day, some folk in the city still use the expression “Happy as Growley”.
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And so ends the Case of the Unseen Lady!
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