What the hell is he trying to prove? Graham wondered. He knows I'm
far from poor. He knows I don't need to run halfway across the country
to hustle a few hundred dollars. 'First of all, I did tell them who
killed the child and where they could look for the evidence that would
make their case. But both the police and this woman refused to follow
up on the lead that I gave them.
'Why would they refuse?'
'Because the man I fingered for the murder is the son of a wealthy
family in that town. He's also a respected clergyman in his own right,
and the stepfather of the dead boy.'
Prine's expression was proof enough that the woman had not told him this
part of it. Nevertheless, he pressed the attack. That was
uncharacteristic of him.
ordinarily, he was vicious with a guest only when he knew that he had
evidence enough to ruin him. He was not entirely an admirable man;
however, he usually didn't make mistakes. 'But she did pay you the
thousand dollars? '
'That was for my expenses. Airline fares, car rentals, meals and
lodging while I was working on the case.'
Smiling as if he had made his point, Prine said, 'Do they usually pay
your expenses?'
'Naturally. I can't be expected to travel all about, spending thousands
of my own money for-'
'Did the Havelocks pay you?'
'My expenses.'
'But didn't you lust tell us a minute ago that the Havelocks didn't pay
you anything?'
Exasperated, Graham said, 'They didn't pay me. They just reimbursed me
for-'
'Mr. Harris, forgive me if I seem to be accusing you of something you
haven't done. But it occurs to me that a man with your reputation for
performing psychic miracles could easily take many thousands of dollars
a year that is.'
from the gullible. If he was unscrupulous, ,Look here-'
'When you're on one of these investigations, do you ever pad your
expenses?' Prine asked.
Graham was stunned. He slid forward on his chair, leaned toward Prine.
'That's outrageous!' He realized that Prine had settled back and
crossed his legs the instant that he got a strong reaction. That was a
clever maneuver that made Graham's response seem exaggerated. He
suddenly felt as if he were the predator. He supposed that his
justifiable indignation looked like the desperate and weak self-defense
of a guilty man. 'You know I don't need the money. I'm not a
millionaire, but I'm well fixed. My father was a successful publisher.
I received a substantial trust fund. Furthermore, I've got a moderately
successful business of my own.'
'I know you publish two expensive magazines about mountain climbing,'
Prine said. 'But they do have small circulations. As for the trust
fund.... I hadn't heard about that.'
