ONLY TIME WILL TELL,
by Hal Charles
Detective Annie Marsh studied the troubled face of Carol Cummings, the owner of Carol’s Curio Closet. “And you say that the only thing taken was an emerald necklace?”
“A very special necklace,” blurted out Carol, almost in tears. “It belonged to my grandmother.”
“When did you realize it was missing?” asked Annie, pulling out her notepad.
“Today, right after lunch,” said Carol, “when I got the phone call.”
“Phone call?”
“Well, actually, the message on my answering machine. I’d just unlocked the store when I saw the light blinking.”
Spotting the small device several feet to the left, Annie said, “Do you operate your store alone?”
“Oh, no,” said Carol as they walked toward the machine. “I have three employees, but I can’t believe one of them could
