Phyllis Entis's Blog - Posts Tagged "miss-america"

I was on my way out the door when the call came in. Millie already had left for the day; I covered the distance to her desk in two long strides and grabbed for the telephone. “Dickens Detective Agency,” I announced.

“Is this Mr. Dickens? Mr. Damien Dickens?”

The voice in my ear was vaguely familiar. “Yes,” I replied. “This is Dickens.”

“Oh, Mr. Dickens,” the soft male voice exhaled. “Thank heavens! I didn’t know who to call; then I remembered your visit last year to my establishment. I require your assistance.”

“Who is this?” I interrupted.

“Why, it’s Stephane.” He paused, waiting for my reaction. “Stephane Major, n’est ce pas? Don’t you remember me?”

I recognized the voice then. It belonged to the General Manager of Boardwalk Hall, the venue of Atlantic City’s crown jewel - The Miss America Pageant. I had met the fussbudgety Mr. Major about six months before, when I was investigating the murder of Celine Sutherland. “Yes,” I acknowledged, though not without some reluctance, “I remember you, Mr. Major.”

“Oh, thank heavens,” I could almost see his hand fluttering against his chest. “Oh, I don’t know what to do. I need your help, Mr. Dickens. About Miss America, n’est ce pas?”

“What about Miss America?”

“She’s missing.” He paused. “You must find her and bring her back.”