"Got delayed a day."
Stacey was silent for a moment; Paul imagined that he could hear the clicking of the other man's mind as it started to analyze the situation. Then Stacey said: "What's on the technical mind, Paul? You didn't call me at this outrageous hour just to pass the time of day."
"John, how much will it cost me to have a matter looked into?"
"Normal charge is twenty-five a day and expenses. I think I owe you a few favors. Make it expenses if it isn't too involved."
"It might be."
"Then we'll make some arrangement as soon as we know how involved it is. But Migawd, Paul, what brings you to the employment of a detective?"
"Someone tried to steal my spacecraft last night."
"Nuts. Call the coppers."
"Nope. There's more to this than meets the eye."
"What, for instance?"