The Violent World of Michael Shayne Read Online Free PDF Page A

enemies if you try,” she said. “Face the fact, you’re caught. I’m still guessing.” She put one finger appraisingly to her lips. “If you were a mystery guest on a TV show, considering your height, those shoulders, those lean flanks, and let me see—the sun wrinkles at the corners of your eyes, I’d guess you’re a private detective from Miami.”
    “This quiz is fixed.”
    “It is indeed. I was just talking to a congressman from your part of the world, Mr. Shayne. He told me your name and I’ve been stalking you ever since.”
    “Why?”
    “This time you guess. No, that’s not fair. From the way you’re wolfing the smorgasbord, you probably haven’t been in town long enough for a real meal. I don’t want you to think I’m a mind reader, although as a matter of fact I’ve been complimented on my mind-reading ability, but you’re looking for somebody named Maggie Smith, aren’t you?” Shayne had just taken a bite of an open sandwich, some kind of oily fish on a triangle of bread spread with pate, and it stuck in his throat. He managed to get it down without choking.
    Mrs. Redpath laughed. From a short distance, she probably looked lighthearted and carefree, but he was close enough to get other vibrations. The laughter was only on the surface.
    “We’re incurable gossips,” she said. “When a widowed senator like Emory Hitchcock suddenly begins to be seen everywhere with a sexy widow, it excites comment. And naturally everybody’s a bit tense about this lobbying investigation. Those things have been known to get out of hand. You’re working for National Aviation, I suppose?”
    “Mrs. Redpath, I don’t know National Aviation from a hole in the ground,” Shayne said truthfully. “I think there’s an opening there. Excuse me.”
    “One more minute,” she said softly. “I have a small interest in this. I introduced them.”
    Shayne turned. “Mrs. Smith and the Senator?”
    “Yes. I asked him to a little dinner I was giving for Maggie’s theatre, and that’s where it seems to have started. Sam Toby’s a friend of mine, a very old and dear friend, and he helped me make up the list. It was all very impromptu, not in the least sinister.”
    “I’m glad to hear it,” Shayne said. “Can you talk a little louder? I’m only catching about two words out of three.”
    “This isn’t the best possible place to talk. You may not realize how you stick out in this crowd. As it happens, my husband played a peripheral role in the award of this contract, a very minor and unspectacular role, and that’s why I hope the hearings tomorrow won’t degenerate into one of those name-calling brawls. Can you hear what I’m saying?”
    “Barely.”
    She came closer, pressing her breast against his arm. “I can’t expect you to take any advice from me. But what you’d better do, Mr. Shayne, is go back to Miami before the booby traps start exploding. Well, I know you probably won’t. But I’d like to make you an offer. I’ve been finding my way through the Washington quicksands for too many years, and if you run into anything you don’t understand, phone me. I won’t promise I can give you the answer, but I might be able to send you to someone who can.”
    “That’s generous, Mrs. Redpath.”
    She gave him a swift upward look. “It’s not generous, and that’s your first lesson. If your interests coincide with mine and my husband’s, I’ll help you. Trina Hitchcock talked to me. I could see what she thought—that Sam Toby hopes to use Maggie to compromise her father in some way. I doubt it. Whatever Sam is, he can’t be accused of being crude. But if it turns out that there’s anything to it, anything at all, I’ll be miffed. I don’t like to be used. Keep that in mind and take advantage of it. Will you recognize Maggie when you see her?”
    “I think so.”
    “She’s here. I’ll point her out to you.” She put her hand familiarly on his shoulder and came up on her toes to look