“The Riverview Star is the best daily in the city!” Penny shot back proudly. “Anyway, I like being a reporter.”
“I’ll give you no argument on that point, my pet. You love it! Especially poking that freckled little nose of yours into every big story or mystery that comes along! Confess now, isn’t it the excitement you like, rather than the work?”
A twitch of Penny’s lips acknowledged the truth of her chum’s observation. Off and on for several years she had served in many capacities on the Star, a daily Riverview newspaper owned by her father, Anthony Parker.
Many of the publication’s best stories had carried her name. Now that school had started again, she was unable to work full time, but on this particular Saturday afternoon she had promised Editor DeWitt she would report at two o’clock. She had no intention of being late.
“Let’s go,” she urged, picking up her coat.
Louise trailed Penny to a desk where the cashier was absently listening to a short wave radio. As they paid their bill, the instrument suddenly blared a police order:
“Patrol 34—First National Bank, Main and Front Streets. Repeating, First National Bank, Main and Front Streets. See complainant. Patrol 34 in service.”
To Louise it was only a meaningless jumble of words but Penny instantly pricked up her ears.
“Front and Main is just around the corner! Maybe there’s been a robbery, Lou!”
“I hope not,” laughed Louise. “The First National’s where I keep my money. All $28.50 of it!”