The Private Eye

vivid imaginations.
    Things were constantly going wrong in big old houses.
    His client had obviously panicked over a few minor incidents that were actually nothing more than perfectly normal problems.
    The trick would be to stretch out this so-called case for an entire month. If he did stay the four weeks, as planned, he could get some good solid writing done on the book. He would do it, he decided promptly. When he was feeling fit again and had decided whether or not he was cut out to be a mystery writer, he would prepare an imposing report to present to his client. She and her “family” would be suitably impressed and probably relieved to be told no one was behind the incidents.
    Piece of cake. In the meantime, he could sit back and get himself waited on, hand and foot. Maggie's cooking was excellent, if this first meal was any indication.
    Josh polished off his second helping of the very tasty vegetable-and-cheese casserole. He was considering a third serving when Odessa, with the unfailing graciousness of the born hostess, offered it to him.
    “Do have another helping. Josh. A gentleman recovering from a serious accident needs to build up his strength.” Odessa smiled warmly.
    “You talked me into it.” Josh scooped out some more of the casserole. “I'm ready to listen to your theories now. Why don't you start, Odessa?”
    “Certainly.” Odessa put down her fork and pursed her lips in a disapproving fashion. “I am convinced that one of my nephews is behind the effort to close down Peregrine Manor. I have three, you know. Nephews, that is.”
    “Why would any of your nephews want to close down the manor?”
    “Retaliation for my having recently written all three of them out of my will, of course,” Odessa stated. “A nasty, ungrateful, selfish lot, those nephews. I have finally decided not to leave any of them a single share of my gold-mining stock. I hold a considerable interest in a company called Lucky, Inc. 1 fear my nephews have learned about my intentions to disown them. They think they can terrorize me into changing my mind,”
    Josh managed not to smile at that. It was highly unlikely that any lady who held a “considerable amount” of valuable stock would be wearing a gown as faded and worn as the one Odessa Hawkins had on tonight. Odessa may have been wealthy at one time, but the air of faded elegance about her now was unmistakable. He was certain someone had hocked the diamonds in her massive dinner ring years ago. That was glass glittering on her finger. He would bet on it.
    “I, however, have a different theory,” the Colonel intoned portentously from the head of the table. “I believe I mentioned earlier that I am conducting some experiments down in the basement. I don't mention the fact to just anyone, but the truth is, I am something of an inventor. I have been making tremendous progress on a potentially valuable alternative fuel that would make oil-based fuels obsolete. I venture to say it will revolutionize the automobile industry, as well as the manufacturing sector of our economy.”
    “Interesting.” Josh abruptly swallowed an oversize bite of casserole and remembered the disconnected smoke-detector batteries down in the basement. Just what I need, he thought ruefully-A month spent in a mansion with a crazy inventor who likes to play with flammable substances.
    “Naturally, I've suspended all experimentation until you get this matter sorted out for us,” the Colonel went on. “Can't risk the results of my experiments falling into the hands of the wrong parties.”
    “No,” Josh agreed quickly. “Can't take the risk. Suspending your experiments for the time being is very wise. Wait until I’m out of town before you go back to playing inventor.”
    “Well, I don't happen to think these incidents have anything to do with Odessa's terrible nephews or the Colonel's experiments,” Shirley announced. She peered shrewdly at Josh through her rhinestone-studded glasses. “It's him. He's sending me a warning.”
    Out of the corner of his eye Josh saw Maggie nibble anxiously on her lower lip. A sure sign that she was uneasy. Josh wondered what it would be like to nibble on Maggie's lip, himself. The idea was very appealing.
    He forced his attention back to Shirley. “Who's sending you a warning, Shirley?” he asked patiently.
    “Ricky.” Shirley's eyes suddenly filled with tears. “Excuse me. Didn't mean to make a scene.” She yanked off her glasses and dabbed at her