The Private Eye

sleep together.” Maggie was flustered.
    “That generation still tends to be discreet. Especially in front of the younger generation.”
    “Yes, but-”
    “Never mind. My point is that it's possible, because other feelings for the Colonel, that Odessa doesn't want to openly encourage you to sell. But maybe because she realizes they'd be financially better off if you did, she's staging the incidents, hoping you'll eventually decide the manor's more trouble than it's worth.”
    Maggie groaned. “Now you're really clutching at straws, Mr. Private Investigator.”
    “I've got news for you, sweetheart. I've seen cases where people have killed other people for far less cause than any of the three motives I've just given you.”
    Maggie studied him for a moment. “I can understand how the business you're in would have a tendency to turn a person extremely cynical,” she said gently. “No wonder your eyes look so cold sometimes. You are well named, aren't you?”
    His eyes narrowed. “The business I'm in hasn't made me cynical, Maggie. It's made me realistic. I've seen enough of human nature to know that it's unreliable, untrustworthy and capable of incredible cruelty and greed.”
    “So you formed your motto based on experience, is that it?”
    He scowled at her. “What motto?”
    “It Never Pays To Flay Hero.” Her mouth curved faintly. “Poor Josh. It must be a constant battle for you.”
    “What's a constant battle?”
    “Trying not to play hero. Unfortunately for you, I have a hunch the role is a natural one.”
    “The hell it is,” he shot back. “I abandoned it long ago.”
    “I'm not so sure about that.” She leaned forward. “You gave motives for everyone else at the manor, but what about me?”
    “I told you, you're the client,” he growled.
    “That doesn't make me innocent.”
    “I don't think you're behind the incidents, Maggie,” Josh told her, sounding annoyed. “Let's change the subject.”
    “All right. If that's what you want-There's a little something I've been wondering about all day,” she said. “A professional question.”
    He gave her a hooded glance. “What's that?”
    “Do you make love to all your female clients?”
    “No. damn it. As a matter of fact. I have a strict policy against it. Extremely unprofessional. Getting emotionally involved with a client is about the stupidest thing a PI can do.”
    “I see.” Maggie suddenly felt immensely more cheerful. Josh wasn't the kind of man who would break his own rules easily. The fact that he was breaking one of them with her warmed Maggie to her soul.

    A MUTED MURMUR of voices from the study greeted Maggie and Josh when they walked back in the front door of the manor a few hours later. Josh swore softly but without any real heat.
    “Hell. The television's on. Sounds like our three chaperons have waited up for us.” He slipped Maggie's coat from her shoulders and hung it in the hall closet.
    Laughter twinkled in her eyes. “How sweet. Just like you did the night Clay took me out to dinner. I don't know what I'd do without so many people looking out for my moral welfare.”
    Josh grinned ruefully. “We're just trying to keep you out of trouble, Maggie.”
    “I may have to sell the manor just to gain some privacy,” she retorted as she started down the hall toward the study.
    Josh followed, wondering exactly what she meant by that. Perhaps Maggie was telling him in her own obscure fashion that she wouldn't have minded coming home tonight and finding that her chaperons had all retired for the evening. That thought brightened his mood. “
    He watched Maggie come to a halt in the doorway of the study. She smiled at whatever she saw inside and turned to glance back over her shoulder. “The TV is on, but will you look at my three faithful guardians?”
    Josh looked over her shoulder and saw that the Colonel, Odessa and Shirley were all sound asleep in front of the blaring television set. “So much for worrying about a shotgun wedding tonight.”
    “I told you not to panic about that.”
    “Yeah. You did.” Josh went past Maggie into the study and switched off the television. Then he turned on the light. “All right, everyone, rise and shine.”
    “What's that? What's that?” The Colonel blinked and sat up. “Oh, it's you, January. Gave me a start.”
    Odessa stirred and opened her eyes. “Oh, dear. What time is it?” She smiled brightly at Maggie. “You're back. Did you have a good time, dear?”
    “We