Detective Story

“Detective Olson! Thank goodness you’re here. My necklace is missing! You have to find the person who took it!” Detective Monica Olson had just reached the door when Anita Ray burst it open in terror. Monica followed Mrs. Ray into a beautifully decorated room where two professionally dressed men stood. On the table next to them was an empty jewelry box. Through a large, opened window behind the table, Olson could see someone out back cutting the grass and a small child playing with her dolls. Mrs. Ray pointed at the jewelry box. “It was right in there! What am I going to do? It was a gift from Hugh Heffner when I lived at the playboy mansion as one of his bunnies. The emeralds were rare and very expensive.” Monica pondered for a moment. “Hugh Heffner gave you an emerald necklace?” “Yes, as a matter of fact he did. It was a token of appreciation.” It was about thirty years ago. He told me at that time that I was his favorite bunny. That necklace was very important to me,” Anita explained. “Of appreciation for what, Mrs. Ray?” “Well, it was about thirty years ago. He told me at that time that I was his favorite bunny. It was the year I left the mansion and I was Miss November. Hugh gave me that necklace to show his gratitude for all the hard work I had done. That necklace was very important to me. “ “Okay, and who are these men?” Olson asked, referring to the other two people in the room with them. “This is Mr. O’Malley, my insurance agent, and Mr. Evans, the appraiser,” Mrs. Ray said. Monica acknowledged both of the men and smiled, then turned her attention back to Anita Ray. “ When exactly was the last time you saw your necklace?” “It was about two hours ago. I took it out of the safe for our meeting. I wanted an appraisal so I could get the necklace insured.” “And when did you find it missing? “When I met Mr. O’Malley and Mr. Evans in the den. I opened my jewelry box, and it was empty.” “Were these two gentlemen alone with the