When big, dumb gun-collector Russ Timberlaine comes to Steve Winslow (The Naked Typist, 1990, etc.) fearing that the .45 once owned by historic gunslinger Pistol Pete--and that's now been stolen from him--will be used to commit a crime, Steve hatches what seems like a bright idea: In addition to running a ballistic test on the fake revolver that's been substituted for the real thing, he'll buy a third .45 and return it to Timberlaine without telling him of the switch. During the house-party/gun-auction immediately following, of course, a .45 is used to kill gun expert Jack Potter, and the original Pistol Pete revolver is found next to the corpse. ``Keep your eye on the gun,'' dogged Steve tells the jury as his client goes on trial, unaware of just how many other switches--some threatening to himself, some unexpectedly droll--will be revealed. As usual, a breezy legal romp with no-frills counselor Winslow. Relax and enjoy--but don't bother following the gun; you might as well try winning at three-card monte.
