Procedure returning a pointer, and debugging

I've had some experience with pointers, though mainly in dynamically
allocating arrays.
I'm now returning a pointer from a procedure, and I'm running into
something weird.
 
To give you an idea of what I'm doing:
      //  Key Data Structure

     D ptrKeyDS        S               *       

     D KeyDS           DS                  Based( ptrKeyDS )

     D  KeyProjID                          Like( CBProjID )    // 7p 0

     D  KeyOrder                           Like( ODNum )       // 7p 0
 
       //  Retrieve the key fields by Order Number

     D rtvKeyByOrder   PR              * 

       //  Retrieve the key fields by Project ID

     D rtvKeyByProj    PR              *  
 
If Sort = ByOrder;
  ptrKeyDS = rtvKeyByOrder();
ElseIf Sort = ByProj;

  PtrKeyDS = rtvKeyByProj();

EndIf;

 

//  If the pointer isn't null, a record was found.

If ptrKeyDS <> *Null;
  Chain KeyDS.KeyProjID CSGPPrjMst;
...
 
So what I'm doing is calling one of two subprocedures to perform a read
for me (more than just a simple read).  
I don't really show it in this example, but the calling procedure and
the two subprocedures have a data structure defined from a global
template using a LikeDS.
 
Now, onto my issue.  I can run this program, and it runs fine, which is
great.  But, I need to debug this calling procedure, and when I do, the
Chain listed above fails.  When I view the value of KeyDS.KeyProjID...
it's junk.  So, is there a reason why when I'm in debug that the value
of that field differs than when run it interactively not in debug?  Has
anyone experienced this?
 
Kurt Anderson
Application Developer
Highsmith Inc.
W5527 State Road 106, P.O. Box 800
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0800
TEL (920) 563-9571  FAX (920) 563-7395
EMAIL kjanderson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx