The Professional

Working the rough end of town as a private investigator has not exactly made you wealthy. Nor has it gotten your name, Joseph Benjamin Gunn, etched in any city plaques commemorating heroics. But for the past 15 years, it's been a living - although sometimes just by the skin of your teeth. Oh well, you'd probably get bored in a job that didn't threaten your existence every once in a while. Besides, you're so good at what you do, you like to consider yourself not only a professional, but The Professional.

Nevertheless, even The Professional has his slow days, and today's been one of them. There was one call from someone at the high school requesting that you give a presentation on criminology sometime next week. Otherwise, the majority of the day was indulged in the office easy chair playing computer games and watching your pocket television. However, no sooner than you decide to call it a day, the phone rings.

You pick up the receiver, but before you are able to say anything, the office door creaks open and a rather attractive young lady enters the doorway. You are stunned when you realize she's Claudine Huntsdale, the well-to-do model living on Richman Avenue. It's not too often someone of her notoriety requests your assistance, and never anyone even half as good looking. Earlier today, Ms. Huntsdale discovered that her million-dollar jade necklace was missing. Her assumption is that it must have been stolen since she always secures it in her wall safe every night before going to bed, and did so last night as well. She doesn't have a clue as to who could be responsible, but wants to hire you to recover the priceless piece at 1,000 bucks a day, plus expenses.

Uncertain of why you were chosen, your apprehension is quickly forgotten when she sweetens the deal by promising a $20,000 bonus for its safe and expedient return. How can you refuse? Anxious to put things into perspective, you begin by digging up a little more information on Claudine Huntsdale. Since she is a nationally known model who has always received a lot of publicity, the researching is all the easier. It doesn't take long to gather enough background information on her to give you a few possible leads.

Apparently, Ms. Huntsdale made her fortune adorning the creations of Italian designer Antonio Sarducci. Although the two never married, it was common knowledge that they maintained much more than just a working relationship. But when the press uncovered and exposed his affiliation with the mob, both of their reputations were so seriously damaged that their illustrious careers were all but destroyed. And, shortly after that, Claudine poured salt on Sarducci's wounds by ending their relationship.

Ms. Huntsdale was gradually able to restore her reputation and resume her success. But Sarducci never did much to improve his tarnished image. He opened an inn on the harbor, but it's supposedly under investigation for a number of illegal activities. And he's recently been connected with George Helming, suspected operator of the largest fencing operation in the state.

Well now, that ought to give you something to go on, so don't waste any more time. The only way you are going to find that necklace and earn the bonus is to get out in the streets and start asking a few questions.