Her high heels rapped a tattoo as she hurried along. No cabs available, and how very, very American, she thought.

Soon, Marshall Fields came into sight and she slowed, wondering where she would meet the ape and the girl. Walking quizzically along -- if one can walk that way -- Penelope was nearly knocked off her feet by a young woman hurrying past.

She felt pull at her jacket (Sarah Burton designed, of course) and realized, as she regained her balance, that it had been cut. The right side was hanging by a (what else?) a thread. And the young woman had vanished.

Then a voice said, "Over here" and Penelope tossed the ruined clothing in a trash can and walked across the street.

In the shadow of a deeply recessed doorway was the ape. He asked, "You got the other five grand? Cuz I got your little chickadee." His voice seemed to break on the last word, but he cleared his throat and continued.

"Slim don't like me. Never did, but now he hates my guts and everything else about me. He don't like gumshoes like me taking working girls from his stable. But the snatch was pretty easy, with me being a chimp and all," and he barked a short laugh.

A woman's voice said, "Laugh it up, Chong'. You put a paw on this limey and I'll drill you so full of holes there won't be any place to stick the needle for your embalming fluid!"

The chimp say, "Now, Renata, this is a job. Just another job. You know you're my main squeeze, baby."

"Just keep that in mind," said the voice.

The chimp turned to Penelope and said, "So, you got the moolah?"

Penelope said, "Where is Veronica?"

"In good hands and in good time," replied Chongx. Again, Penelope thought she detected a slight break in his voice but then decided it was her imagination. She wondered if chimpanzees could catch a cold.

"Let's go up to the tea room in that store -- Marshall Fields? -- for I hear they can do tea correctly. We can discuss matters over tea and scones, or whatever you people call scones." And for some reason she was suddenly happy that she had the Beretta with her.

(Tune in again for the next exciting episode!)