Free Murder in the Smithsonian by Margaret Truman Page B

determination admirable, and obviously I can’t force you to go home, but frankly I’d like to convince you to do just that.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I think you’d be safer there.” He sat back and folded his hands on his chest. “It would also make my job easier if you weren’t in Washington—”
    “I don’t understand. You told me that I could be of help to you—”
    “That was true when I said it, but yesterday’s events have changed things. Heather McBean, I don’t want to have to worry about your safety and at the same time look for Dr. Tunney’s killer.” He saw her stiffen in the chair. “
Try
to understand, Miss McBean. I’m not—”
    “I understand, but you must understand me too. I don’t
want
you to be concerned about my personal safety. I’m also fairly capable of taking care of myself. I always have been. I was careless yesterday. I admit it. It never occurred to me to look over my shoulder while I was walking your streets, nor was I thinking that someone might ransack my hotel room. I’ve learned my American lesson and I won’t make the same mistake twice. No… I’d never be able to live with myself if I left Washington for London and sat there, thousands of miles away, waiting for news. Somehow I feel close to Lewis here. That may sound strange, Captain, but that’s the way it is… and Miss Prentwhistle has been helpful… And I know I’ll meet others… In the meantime I’ll just follow my uncle’s advice.”
    “Which was?”
    “No offense, Captain, but he said ‘Do it yourself if you want it done right.’”
    “No offense taken, Miss McBean…” Well almost none, he thought… “but I must tell you police officers can be right once in a while, and even helpful… Well, it’s up to you, of course, but if you stay you’ll have to follow my orders and accept that the investigation is my territory.”
    “I assure you I won’t be underfoot, Captain, although I don’t intend to pretend I’m a helpless little woman… another thing my uncle taught me was thatany action is better than no action, which is why I’ve hired a private investigator in London.”
    “To do what?” He didn’t like the churlish tone in his voice.
    “To find out what happened in Lewis’s life the week before he left London. I want to know what it was that so upset him that week.”
    Hanrahan rubbed his eyes. “I’d say you’re wasting your money, Miss McBean. I’ve already been in touch with Scotland Yard, they promise full cooperation—”
    “Money is not exactly a problem or the point, Captain.”
    “Yes… I realize that… who’s this investigator?”
    “Someone I found in the London phone directory. His name is Elwood Paley and he sounds quite trustworthy. I called him last night and he’s agreed to take the case.”
    Agreed?
Hanrahan wanted to say. What private op ever turns down a case when money’s no object? Instead, he said, “If I can provide your Mr. Paley with any information, you just let me know.”
    “That’s very kind of you. I’ll keep it in mind. And you can continue to depend upon my cooperation, which you seemed to want twenty-four hours ago—”
    Hanrahan’s phone rang. He picked it up and heard a desk sergeant say, “Captain, the Air and Space Museum this time. That Smithsonian nut left another bomb threat.”
    “Son of a bitch,” Hanrahan said. And to Heather, “I’m sorry, but—”
    “Please don’t apologize,” Heather told him. “I’m not that delicate, and I heard much stronger stuff from my uncle… What is it?”
    Hanrahan smiled. “The looney running around townthreatening to blow up the Smithsonian has left another note. He claims he’s related to Smithson.”
    “Is he?”
    “Am I? Half the people in this city have elevators that don’t reach the top floor.”
    At first, she didn’t understand, then did and smiled back. “May I come with you?”
    Hanrahan stood up and took up his jacket from a clothes tree. “I don’t think