Friday, September 23. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the daywatch out of Bunco. The boss is Captain Stewart. My partner's Bill Gannon. He's a good player. My name's Friday.

We got a call about some trickery at a Glendale club. We checked it out. The suspect was still there. Another player spoke with us.

"It was terrible, officer."

"Just the facts, ma'am."

"As declarer at 3NT I won the second heart with the ace, took my A-Q of spades and led a club to dummy's queen.

SHADY

"East played low! When I cashed the king of spades and led another club from dummy, he played low again, and I naturally put up the king. After that, I took only eight tricks. East is a shady operator."

If East wins the first club, South will later lead a club to the jack, see West's discard and finesse with the nine to make 3NT. But we let East off with a warning; South let herself in for trouble. She could win the first heart with the king, lead a club to the queen, take the A-Q of spades and lead a second club.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S J 7 2 H 8 7 4 D Q 7 6 C A 10 8 6. Your partner opens one spade, you raise to two spades and he bids three diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner's three diamonds is a try for game and asks your opinion, based in part on your fit for his second suit. You have only seven high-card points, but your queen of diamonds is a useful card and you have a side ace. Bid four spades, especially if vulnerable. Partner may hold K Q 10 8 3, 6 5, A K 10 5, K 5.