The Private Eye

had a lovely evening,” Maggie assured her.
    Shirley yawned and reached for her rhinestone-studded glasses. She put them on and peered closely at Josh. '“Bout time you two got home. Enjoy yourselves?”
    “Had a great time right up until we walked in the front door a few minutes ago and realized you three had waited up for us.” Josh lifted an eyebrow at Shirley. “It wasn't necessary. We're not exactly kids, you know.”
    Shirley harrumphed. “It was the Colonel's idea.”
    “I don't see what he was concerned about,” Josh said smoothly. “I'm being paid to look after Maggie, remember?”
    “Yeah, well the Colonel said that was a bit like paying the fox to watch the henhouse.” Shirley yawned again. “But I guess we've done our duty. I say we all go to bed.”
    “Good idea.” Odessa got to her feet and pulled her sweater more tightly around her. “Seems a bit chilly in here, doesn't it?”
    “I'll check the thermostat,” the Colonel offered. “Come along, my dear.” He nodded at Josh. “You two will be right up, I imagine, won't you?”
    “I'm not sure,” Josh said. “Haven't quite decided what I'm going to do for the rest of the evening. I was considering the possibility of staying down here and ravishing Maggie in front of the television.”
    Odessa smiled fondly. “No, do stop teasing everyone, Josh. It's time we were all in bed.” She started toward the door, making it quite dear that she expected everyone else to follow.
    Josh watched her lead the small parade toward the stairs. Then he glanced at Maggie. He saw the laughter in her gaze; and beneath the laughter, he was sure he saw the promise. He stifled a groan. It was tempting, but he really was getting too old to engage in a lot of hot-and-heavy petting on a downstairs sofa. He reached out a hand, caught hold of Maggie's and tugged her close. Then he steered her after the others, who were already halfway up the stairs. He held her back a few steps. When she turned her head to look at him with a question in her eyes, he smiled faintly and leaned down to whisper in her ear.
    “The next time we get close, it's going to be in a bed,” he whispered. He had the satisfaction of seeing her blush very nicely. Unfortunately, her response only served to make him hungrier for her.
    A moment later Josh said a painfully gallant goodnight to Maggie at her door under the discreetly watchful eyes of the Colonel, Odessa and Shirley. He saw her safely inside and then reluctantly went next door to his own room.
    He closed the door behind himself, loosened his tie and eyed the computer sitting on the desk. It was dear he wasn't going to be able to sleep for a while. He would only succeed in thoroughly frustrating himself if he went to bed in his present, half-aroused condition.
    The book was waiting.
    So were a few questions that needed answering. And he was supposed to be doing a job around here.
    Josh glanced at his watch. It was nearly midnight, but McCray was something of a night owl.
    Josh walked over to the phone and dialed his partner's home number. He sat down on the bed and propped his shoulders against the headboard.
    The phone was answered on the other end at the first ring. “Yeah?” McCray sounded preoccupied.
    “It's January.”
    “Not quite,” McCray said. “My calendar says early December.”
    “McCray, when are you going to get tired of weather jokes?”
    “Probably not as long as I've got a partner named January. Working a little late, aren't you?” McCray chuckled. “The doctor told you to take it easy. You're supposed to be getting lots of rest and relaxation. How are the ribs and the ankle?”
    “Almost back to normal. How are things going at the office?” Josh cradled the phone between his shoulder and his ear while he unfastened the cuffs of his white dress shirt.
    “That's right. First things first. Ask about the office. You know, January, you don't lead a balanced life. That's your problem. It's time you had a wife and kids, like me. Something to bring you home at night.”
    “Just answer the question, okay? I'm not in the mood for one of your lectures.”
    “No sweat, pal. Fact is—and I know it will come as something of a shock to you—but we're managing to scrape along here without you quite nicely. Finished the analysis for Coswell, and we've got a new client who wants us to set up a security system for his electronics firm. What can I say? Business is booming.”
    “Glad to hear it. Listen, I've got a