“It isn’t the money, Laurel.”
“If you don’t want to bother, say so and I’ll get someone else.”
“That’s always the alternative, of course.”
“But you’re just sitting here!”
“I’m making a few preliminary inquiries,” he said patiently.
“From this ― this ivory tower?”
“Stucco. What I’ll do, Laurel, depends entirely on what I find out.”
“You’ve sold out to Delia, that’s what you’ve done,” Laurel cried. “She doesn’t really want this investigated at all. She only followed me the other day to see what I was up to ― the rest was malarkey! She wants Roger murdered! And that’s all right with me, you understand ― all I’m interested in is the case of Leander Hill. But if Delia’s standing in the way―”
“You’re being nineteen, Laurel.” He tried not to let his anger show.
“I’ll admit I can’t offer you what she can―”