The Private Eye by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page B

ribs. He was going to live, after all. Josh told himself grimly as the door to his room opened.
    Furthermore, he had his raging hormones back under control.
    “Luckily we keep some ice bags around for emergencies,” Maggie said cheerfully as she came back into the room.
    “Just lie down and I'll put one on your ankle. I brought one for your shoulder, as well.”
    There was no point protesting. Josh propped himself in a sitting position against the pillows and winced as
    Maggie carefully positioned the ice bags. “Thanks.” He knew he didn't sound particularly gracious.
    Maggie straightened and regarded him with a worried expression. “Do you have any pain pills?”
    “Yeah, but I don't need any. I'll be all right in a few minutes. The ice will do the trick.” He slanted her a hooded look.
    “I'm really doing my best to shatter your romantic notions about dashing private investigators, aren't I?”
    She smiled at that, “Well, yes, as a matter of fact. You certainly aren't anything like the ones in the novels I've read.
    I've never heard of one falling out of bed, for instance. But I guess I can cope with reality. Do you still think you can
    handle this case?”
    “With one hand tied behind my back.”
    She swept an assessing gaze down his bruised and battered frame. “How about with one hand and one foot tied
    behind your back?”
    “I'll manage.”
    “How?” She gave him a frankly inquiring look.
    “What do you mean, how? The usual way.”
    “I'm serious.” She sat down in the chair near the bed and carefully folded her robe around her knees. “How do you
    intend to approach this case?”
    Josh shrugged and tried to compose his words so that he sounded halfway professional - “Well, I think in this
    particular case, my initial approach will be to eliminate everyone's pet theories. I don't think any of your permanent
    residents is going to be satisfied with the results unless I've definitely proven them wrong first.”
    “Hmm.” Maggie was quiet for a moment. “You could be right. I take it you don't believe that any of the theories
    you heard explains what's been going on around here?”
    Josh cautioned himself not to say too much too soon.
    He didn't want to talk himself out of the job. “I didn't say that. I said I think they should each be checked out
    thoroughly. You know the old saying, 'When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however
    improbable, must be the truth.'”
    Maggie's expression brightened. “Sherlock Holmes. The Sign of the Four, 1 think. I'm so glad you've studied the
    classic detectives.”
    “Uh, yeah. The classics.” Josh decided not to tell her that it had been nearly thirty years since he had read Sir
    Arthur Conan Doyle, and that he had long since forgotten the origin of the quote. The only reason he had remembered
    it at all was because it so frequently fit his cases.
    “I suppose you'll be using your computer to eliminate the impossible in this case?”
    “Huh? Oh, yeah. The computer.” Josh mentally crossed his fingers. He hadn't planned on using his computer for
    anything except working on the book.
    “We do a lot of investigative work on computers these days.”
    “Yes, I know.”
    There was nothing like having a mystery enthusiast for a client. He was going to have to watch his step. Josh
    sought for a way to change the subject. “You never told me your pet theory, Maggie. You implied you had one.”
    She gave him an uncertain glance. “Well, yes, I do. But you'll probably think it's pure fantasy.”
    “Try me,”
    “Well…” She hesitated. “To be perfectly frank, I've begun to wonder if someone is after Aunt Agatha's emerald
    brooch. I haven't been able to find it since she died, you see.”
    Lord, Josh thought in amusement. Now we've got emeralds involved in this thing. “Why would anyone go to the
    trouble of creating a lot of trouble here at Peregrine manor because of a brooch?”
    Maggie leaned forward intently. “It's my theory