In this 37th Cyrus Skeen novel, in March, 1930, Skeen is attacked by the Association of Private Investigators Alliance (the PIA), or, as it is nicknamed, "The Gumshoe Guild," for refusing to join. He is initially approached by its president, Marshall Mostyn, to join the Guild, but Skeen rejects the invitation. Then he is visited by Harry Bridges, a union organizer at the city docks. He claims he is taking the Guild "under his wing," which meant to Skeen that he would control it. Skeen first encountered him in May 1929, and remembers him on a dark street in the Mission during the Enoch Page affair. Bridges' visit to Skeen's office is less than cordial, as the men are mutually contemptuous. Clara Reyes, his secretary, is on vacation with her husband, for a month, driving through the Western states; Skeen attended their wedding the year before, and at clar's insistence, acted as "best man." Skeen hired on Clara's recommendation, Muriel Pickering; she was trained by Clara in Skeen's office routine and ways. Skeen begins to experience some strange encounters with other city private detectives, none of them pleasant. In this 37th Cyrus Skeen novel, in March, 1930, Skeen is attacked by the Association of Private Investigators Alliance (the PIA), or, as it is nicknamed, "The Gumshoe Guild," for refusing to join. He is initially approached by its president, Marshall Mostyn, to join the Guild, but Skeen rejects the invitation. Then he is visited by Harry Bridges, a union organizer at the city docks. He claims he is taking the Guild "under his wing," which meant to Skeen that he would control it. Skeen first encountered him in May 1929, and remembers him on a dark street in the Mission during the Enoch Page affair. Bridges' visit to Skeen's office is less than cordial, as the men are mutually contemptuous. Clara Reyes, his secretary, is on vacation with her husband, for a month, driving through the Western states; Skeen attended their wedding the year before, and at clar's insistence, acted as "best man." Skeen hired on Clara's recommendation, Muriel Pickering; she was trained by Clara in Skeen's office routine and ways. Skeen begins to experience some strange encounters with other city private detectives, none of them pleasant.