Murder in the Smithsonian by Margaret Truman Read Free Book Online

long do you plan to stay in Washington?”
    “Until I know for certain why it happened, and who did it.” She knew she was about to cry again, forced herself not to.
    Chloe came up behind and put an arm over her shoulder. “Where are you staying, Heather?”
    “At the Madison.”
    “Good. Why don’t you call me later today. If I’ve gotten through to the vice president I’ll let you know. At any rate, let’s keep in touch.”
    “Thank you. Oh, before I forget, I came across some additional Harsa papers in my uncle’s files.”
    Chloe raised her heavy eyebrows. “Really? What are they?”
    “Copies of other letters, notes taken during his year’s disappearance, nothing terribly important.”
    “I’d love to see them. Ever since your uncle donated the Harsa to the Smithsonian five years ago it’s become… well, like a part of my life.” She smiled and shook her head. “Frankly, I never planned for a major exhibit, but the vice president pressed for it and…”
    “I’ll make copies and bring them to you.”
    “I’ll be happy to make the copies. Just leave them with me and I’ll have the originals sent to the hotel.”
    Heather picked up her purse, which was the size of an attaché case, started to open it, stopped and said, “I think I’d like to keep them with me. I haven’t had a chance to read them carefully, and maybe doing that will divert me for a few hours. I’ll come back tomorrow, if that’s all right with you.”
    “Whatever you say, Heather. Are you sure you’re feeling well enough to leave? Would you like some lunch, or a late breakfast?”
    “I’ll get something a little later. Thanks so much for your interest and concern. I thought of several people to contact here but you kept topping the list. I suppose your long-time correspondence with my uncle had a lot to do with that.”
    “I’m sure,” Chloe said. But her face, as she turned, showed a tightness she hoped she had managed to keep out of her voice.

Chapter 6
    “I certainly appreciate what you’ve told me, Mr. Vice President.”
    “Let me make a further point, Captain. If this links to the murder of Lewis Tunney, that’s one thing, but if it doesn’t it could be used to reflect on one of this nation’s finest institutions. I trust you know how important the Smithsonian is to me.”
    “I’ve heard.”
    “I don’t want to hear of it in rumors, speculation, or read it in the gossip columns. I’m putting a great deal of trust in MPD’s discretion.”
    “Well, sir, this
is
a murder investigation. I understand your concern, but it isn’t exactly the sort of information under the circumstances to withhold.”
    Oxenhauer was clearly annoyed. Hanrahan understood, but wanted to say, and didn’t, that Oxenhauer might be the V.P., but someone had just got killed. And that someone was, supposedly, his close friend. Or at least had been…
    “Captain, the timing of this is extremely unfortunate.”
    “Like they say, there’s never a good time to die,sir. Especially if it’s murder… Sorry, sir, I’m a little testy this morning—”
    “Don’t apologize. You have a right to be. But what I’m saying is that we’re a month away from this country’s most important national celebration, the Fourth of July. For the first time the Smithsonian is taking center stage, where it deserves to be. Any hint of scandal about it before the Fourth would be more than unfortunate. Especially if it proved out to be false.
    “What I’m getting at, Captain Hanrahan, is that unless there’s a compelling, an overriding reason for what I’ve told you to be made public, it shouldn’t be. Can you promise me that?”
    “I think so, sir. I’ll sure try, but if—”
    “Yes, I understand. All right, keep me informed of your progress. I’ve lost a close and trusted friend.”
    Hanrahan nodded. Chums forever… “Is Mrs. Oxenhauer feeling better?”
    “She’s coming to grips with it, I think. We all have to do that. Well, thanks for