“If she had broken the code, Max, and we had discovered that the Dooms Day Plan was a menu for a testimonial dinner, and we had publicized the fact that KAOS was staffed with a bunch of softies, all us good guys would now be on the brink of unemployment.”
“I take back what I said,” Max said to Peaches. “Your services were invaluable.”
“Thank you,” Peaches giggled. “Now, can I ask a favor?”
“Anything,” the Chief replied.
“Could you give me the address of KAOS headquarters?”
“Well… yes… I suppose,” the Chief said, baffled. “Max,” he said, “will you get that address from the file, please?”
Max went to the file, and came back a moment later with the address written on a slip of paper.
“Would I be too nosy if I asked what you intend to use this for?” Max said, handing Peaches the slip of paper.
“Heavens, no!” she replied. “I’m going to join KAOS.”
“You’re-”
“I’ve been thinking,” she explained. “About that Noman. He could be quite romantic.”
“Noman? That cold-blooded arch-criminal?”
“He may be a cold-blooded arch-you-know-what to you,” Peaches said. “But he’s a fantastic possibility to me.”
“I’m not sure I understand,” the Chief said.
“With that face of his?” Peaches giggled. “He could be a pudgy Cary Grant in the morning, a pudgy Rock Hudson at noon, and a pudgy Tony Curtis at night. You think that ain’t a fantastic possibility?”
“Well, I suppose-the Chief began.
But Peaches could not wait. “Happy landings,” she called, going out the door.
The Chief looked at Max disappointedly. “Max-what happened? When that girl came in here this morning, she was a friend. Now, she’s joining KAOS. From friend to enemy in less than twenty-four hours.”
Max winced. “Sorry about that, Chief,” he said.
