"From Mrs. Fleming." Rand released a puff of pipe smoke and watched it
draw downward into the fireplace. "I've been retained to handle the sale
of that collection; naturally, I'd know who was offering how much."
Rivers's eyes narrowed. He came around the desk, loading another
cigarette into his holder.
"And just why, might I ask, did Mrs. Fleming think it in order to employ
a detective in a matter like that?" he wanted to know.
Rand let out more smoke. "She didn't. She employed an arms-expert, a
Colonel Jefferson Davis Rand, U.S.A., O.R.C., who is a well-known
contributor to the _American Rifleman_ and the _Infantry Journal_ and
_Antiques_ and the old _Gun Report_. You've read some of his articles,
I believe?"
"Then you're not making an investigation?"
"What in the world is there to investigate?" Rand asked. "I'm just
selling a lot of old pistols for the Fleming estate."
"I thought Fred Dunmore was doing that."
"So did Fred. You're both wrong, though. I am." He got out Goode's letter
of authorization and handed it to Rivers, who read it through twice
before handing it back. "You see anything in that about Fred Dunmore,
or any of the other relatives-in-law?" he asked.
"Well, I didn't understand; I'm glad to know what the situation really
is.
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