The Case of the Beguiled Courier

by J.R. Lindermuth

About the Author: A retired newspaper editor, J. R. Lindermuth has published short stories in a variety of magazines, including Mystery Weekly Magazine, Crime & Suspense, Mysterical-E, Mouth Full of Bullets and others.

Excerpt

"If I thought it was him I'd break his arm," Max said.

The man doesn't mince words. I must have smirked because he glared at me. "What? You don't think I could do it? When I was in the kibbutz I learned Krav Maga."

Max is five-two and as wide as he is tall. A lot of years have passed since he was in a kibbutz but I doubt if he was any more aggressive then than he is now. So I had my doubts about him learning the Israeli self-defense system. Still, he was as steamed up as I'd ever seen him, so I didn't express my skepticism.

I'm a private detective. I used to be a cop and the diamond district was part of my turf. I got to know the people and they've learned to trust me as much as they trust any outsider. So, when I started the business, I offered them my services and it's been lucrative. These people believe in security and they're not shy about paying for it.

"I think you should start from the beginning, Max. What happened and what do you want me to do about it?"

"I want the diamonds back and, if you can manage it, I want you should catch the damned thief and hand him over to the cops." Max is one of the best diamond cutters in the district and he moves some quality stones.

"How did this thief get the diamonds?"

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