We soon discovered after not much prodding that Brigid
O'Shaughnessy was her real name. She whispered it to me in
my right ear, so as not to let the Sarge know. But he was still
thinking about the previous hand. With the Sarge there I didn't
want her to say anything about the case, so I suggested we
play another deal. Brigid sat East and I partnered my secretary,
Effie. The auction was fast, with the Sarge making a Michaels
cuebid to show the majors. I was a bit surprised at Effie for
bidding so fast, as I taught her that with a strong hand it often
pays to bid slowly, make a cuebid or two, and get some information
from the opponents, who might double a cuebid or not double and
thereby give away a key card for declarer.

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 South Sam
   7
   A 9 7
   K 9 4
   K J 9 7 6 4

Sorry, said Effie, as she tabled the dummy, I just didn't want them
to find a sacrifice in hearts. It's OK, I answered. There'll be other
clues. I won the lead in dummy, led a trump to my hand, cashed
the ace of hearts and ruffed a heart. Then I drew a second round
of trumps, the Sarge discarding a spade.

At this point, I could take the spade finesse to discard a diamond,
and it probably would work. I wish, though, Effie HAD cuebid spades,
giving our new client the chance to double. I saw another chance.
The Sarge held a weak hand, but surely at least 5-5 in the majors.
That left him with two diamonds at most. There was no reason not
to test the diamond suit first. Maybe the singleton ace would come
up or maybe something else. I led a diamond to the queen, the
Sarge following with the 6 and Miss Brigid O'Shaughnessy following
with the 5

 South Sam
   7
   A 9 7
   K 9 4
   K J 9 7 6 4

It looked like the Sarge held the doubleton ace of diamonds to start
with and all I had to do was duck a diamond to him. Then I noticed
my new client crossing her legs, nice legs at that. What was she
nervous about? Was it possible she had failed to win the ace of
diamonds when I led one to the queen? Was she THAT good?
Then I saw a small edge and took it. I cashed the ace of spades
and led a diamond from dummy. She followed with the jack. Did
she start with J-10-5? I didn't think so. I backed my judgment
and went up with the king. If it lost to the Sarge's ace, he would
have no diamonds left and he would be forced to play a spade.
Then I could still put up dummy's queen or perhaps play the
10, forcing out the king from the East hand.

 South Sam
   7
   —
   K 9
   K 9 7 6

My king of diamonds won the trick, so I had the slam. She WAS good.

I told the Sarge, I had to get back to the case and he took it nicely and
left for the precinct. Then Effie went in the other room and I had a
private chat with Brigid O'Shaughnessy. I wanted to know more
details about the murder of my partner, Miles Archer, and about
where she had learned the game....

THE END of Part III.

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 South Sam
   7
   A 9 7
   K 9 4
   K J 9 7 6 4

South 1 5	West 2 pass	North 4NT 6	East pass all pass
Opening lead: Q

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