There was a moment of silence, punctuated by the ticking of someone using a keyboard. “I respect and appreciate your candor, Miss Talldeer,” Sleighbow said at last. “And I also respect the ‘hunches’ of a private investigator with some experience. ‘Hunches’ seldom prove to be as mystical as most people think.” The keyboard clicks returned. “I’ve noted your observations. If you have no objection, I would like to authorize you to continue to investigate. However, in light of the fact that there have been more ‘accidents’ and that you yourself said that you are not Nancy Drew, you may feel free to withdraw, and I will find another investigator to take up where you left off.”

David was practically bursting out of his chair, but he kept quiet, at least. Jennifer pretended to give the matter a moment of thought, although her answer was a foregone conclusion. “I would like to continue, sir,” she said. “I hate to leave something half done.”

“Good.” A few more clicks signaled a few more keystrokes. Jennifer was now certain that he was recording this interview and adding it to the records. “You’re on indefinite retainer. I respect your honesty enough to be certain you will tell me when you feel your investigation has come to an end. Two suggestions, please. Don’t hesitate to call me if you feel you are in over your head. I’ll see to it that you are fairly compensated. And if you do uncover some kind of criminal activity, please report it not only to me but to your local police and the state’s attorney general.”

“Yes, sir,” she promised, with some satisfaction. Sleighbow hung up then, and she took the phone off “speaker” mode.

David practically exploded. “What were you doing?” he shouted. “I thought you were—”

“Didn’t I just, truthfully, manage to get the suspicion away from the Rights Movement?” she interrupted.

“Yes,” he said, after a moment. “But what was all that crap about organized crime?”

“Complete truth, just not all the truth.” She leaned back in her chair and regarded him through narrowed eyes. “Calligan is the kind of man who might be involved with criminals, even organized crime. I said I didn’t have any evidence. Sleighbow just gave me carte blanche to go look for some. So now I have a legitimate reason to continue poking around Calligan Construction. I could hardly mention that I’d seen the Little People while I was poking around Calligan’s site illegally.”

David subsided. “I guess not,” he said, reluctantly. “But I don’t see why you couldn’t do what you want.”