The Private Eye

Gladstone. “Give mea chance to explain, Maggie. You owe me that much.”
    She stood with her back to him and stared out the window. “Are you really Josh January?”
    “Hell, yes. I told you to call that number I gave you, remember? I told you that if you had any questions, my partner would answer them. And send you the proof.”
    “You're a genuine private investigator? Owner of Business Intelligence and Security?”
    “Yes, damn it. I can show you my license. Listen, Maggie, this isn't what it seems. I'm doing what you hired me to do. I swear it.” Josh felt desperate. He, of all people, knew you couldn't trust a man's word or any piece of paper he showed you unless you knew him very well. He could hardly expect Maggie to believe him. She had only known him a few days.
    “Are you quite certain you aren't some aspiring writer, a friend of the real Josh January, perhaps?
    Maybe the real January had no more intention of taking me on as a client than any of the other investigators I contacted.”
    “I am the real Josh January.”
    Maggie ignored him. “Maybe not. Maybe you're just his friend. Maybe, because of that and because you're trying to write a mystery, he figured you could fake it out here for a month. After all, how hard can it be to pull the wool over the eyes of three aging retirees and one naive innkeeper?”
    “Maggie, I'm telling you—”
    She nodded thoughtfully. “I can see where it would have sounded like a neat arrangement. You're recovering from an accident. You've got some time on your hands and you want to write a book. What a deal! You get a free vacation and an opportunity to work on your manuscript. In addition, you even get to play private eye for real, for a few weeks. What fun.”
    “Damn it, Maggie.”
    “And, just to top things off in the fun-and-games department, you decide to seduce the client. Is this how you big-city guys amuse yourselves?”
    That did it. Josh stormed across the room, moving so quickly that he got a sharp warning twinge from his left foot. It was painful enough to make him wince, but he paid no attention to it. He had more important things on his mind.
    When he reached Maggie, he put his hands on her shoulders and spun her around to face him. “I am the real Josh January,” he said through clenched teeth. “I am the senior partner in BIS. I am investigating this case for you. And I also happen to be trying to write a book. I give you my personal guarantee that you are not getting stiffed. I'll find out whoever is behind these incidents. And I will find him real soon.”
    “I'm getting what I'm paying for, is that it?”
    “Yes, damn it. That's it. I'll admit I accepted this job initially because I was recovering from an accident. My doctor and partner talked me into getting away for a while. To be honest, this case looked like a cinch. I figured I could solve it for you within a month and at the same time do some work on my book.”
    “What about the big seduction scenes?”
    He groaned. “Sweetheart, you're the first client I've ever tried to seduce. And so far, I haven't had much success, I might add. Maggie, our relationship has nothing to do with the case. I give you my word of honor.”
    “You really do like me a little?”
    He was shocked to see that she was smiling now. He could hardly believe his eyes. “Maggie, it's a lot more than 'like' I promise. I want you very much. I've never met anyone I've wanted as much as I want you. Please believe me.”
    He flexed his hands on her shoulders, willing her to give him a chance. “Look, honey, I can't give you any proof tonight. I don't expect you to take my word for everything. All I ask is that you wait until you can verify what I'm saying before you make any decisions.”
    “I suppose we could do it that way,” she agreed slowly.
    Hope rose in him. “Tomorrow morning you can call that number I gave you or you can wait a day or two and I'll have something to show you. Something that will prove I am who I say I am.”
    “Proof. That's all you can think about.” Maggie wrinkled her nose in exasperation. “Oh, never mind, Josh. I believe you.”
    “You do?” He stared at her, dumbfounded. “Without proof?”
    “Forget the proof. Nobody would make up a ridiculous story like the one you just gave me.” Maggie ducked out from under his hands and took two steps to the bed. She hopped up on the step and sat down on the edge of the thick mattress. “So, are you coining to bed or