The Private Eye

wonder how Clay found out about his past?”
    “Wilcox let something slip once when he was doing a small job for O'Connor.” Josh slathered honey on a crumpet. “O'Connor did a little research after he got in touch with the New Yorkers. He realized he could use someone like Wilcox to help him push Maggie into selling.”
    “Well, it's all over now,” the Colonel added with satisfaction. “We can open the manor after the first of the year and it should be in good financial shape by early spring. We didn't lose much time, thanks to our man January, here. You did a fine job, sir. A fine Job.”
    “Thank you,” Josh acknowledged humbly. “I like to think I give an honest day's work for an honest day's pay.”
    Maggie's eyes sparkled with laughter as she bit into a crumpet. “You get what you pay for. That's what I always say.”
    “And sometimes a little more than you expected, hmm?” Josh took a large bite out of his own crumpet.
    The Colonel cleared his throat portentously.
    “Speaking of the unexpected, Odessa and I would like to make an announcement. We are officially engaged as of this morning and we will be getting married as soon as possible.”
    Odessa blushed becomingly. “We're so excited.”
    Maggie put down her crumpet. “Married? You two? Why, that's wonderful. Congratulations. I'm thrilled for you. But why the sudden decision?”
    “Yeah,” Shirley said bluntly. “How come, after all this time?”
    “I guess it's just in the air,” Odessa answered brightly. “The Colonel surprised me by popping the question this morning and I said yes before he could change his mind. Apparently he's had some foolish notion that I would think he was marrying me to get control of my mining stock. But I told him I trust him completely. Always have. He's a perfect gentleman.” She gave Josh an expectant look. “Have you two set the date yet?”
    “No,” Maggie replied quickly before Josh could answer. “But we do have some news. Josh is going to be staying on around here for a month or two. He's thinking about making a career change, you see, and he wants to test the waters. If everything works out, he may opt to stay in Peregrine Point permanently.”
    The Colonel frowned. “Sounds a bit unsettled, if you ask me. What's the matter with you, January? Can't you make up your mind?”
    “My mind's made up,” Josh told them. “I'm waiting for Maggie to make up hers.”
    “Why the delay, Maggie?” Shirley peered at her. “Take it from me, in this world a gal's gotta grab her opportunities.”
    Maggie felt herself turning a vivid pink. Everyone at the table, including Josh, was watching her. “There's no point trying to intimidate me. I refuse to be rushed. Josh needs time, in spite of what he says. I want him to be certain about what he's doing.”
    “I'm certain,” Josh countered.
    “No, you're not,” Maggie shot back.
    “You're the one who's still got questions.” Josh licked honey from his fingers and stood. “But I think the mail has arrived, so maybe we can get started on helping Maggie make up her mind.”
    Maggie glared at his broad back as Josh left the kitchen. She saw that he was limping again this morning. Her glare turned into a look of concern.
    “Don't fret, Maggie.” Shirley chuckled. “Josh is tough. He'll do just fine.”
    “I suppose. But I wish he hadn't reinjured that ankle.”
    “Give him a few days and he'll be as good as new,” the Colonel said.
    “Right,” Josh agreed, limping back into the kitchen with a small stack of mail in his hand. “Good as new in a few days. No sweat.” He shuffled briskly through the letters. “Ah, here we go.” He selected a white manila envelope from the pile and tossed it onto Maggie's lap.
    “What's this?” She picked up the envelope, frowning.
    “Answers.” Josh sat down and started applying honey to another crumpet.
    Maggie tore open the envelope and dumped the contents on the table. For a moment she couldn't make sense of the assortment of official-looking forms, licenses, and records that lay in front of her.
    Then she saw that every one of the formal-looking pieces of paper in front of her bore the name and description of one Joshua January. She jerked her head up to meet Josh's watchful gaze.
    “This is a file on you, isn't it?”
    He nodded. “Anything you want to know about me should be in there somewhere, Maggie.”
    “Is that so?” Anger shot through her. She flattened her hands on the table and pushed herself