Read Seawitch for Free Online

interests the State Department, because they see him more in the role of the persecutor than persecuted."
    "You mean the FBI does," Roomer said. "You've had him in your files for years. Lord Worth always gives the impression of being very capable of looking out for himself."
    - "Thaf s precisely what intrigues the State Department."
    Mitchell said: "What kind of noises?"
    "Nonsense noises. You know he has an oil rig out in the Gulf of Mexico?"
    "The Seawiteh? Yes."
    "He appears to be under the impression that
    47
    Alistalr MaeLean
    the Seawitck is in mortal danger. He wants protection. Very modest in his demands, as becomes a multimillionaire—a missile frigate or two, some missile fighters standing by, just in case."
    "In case of what?"
    "That's the question. He refused to say. Just said he had secret information—which, in fact, wouldn't surprise me. The Lord Worths of this world have their secret agents everywhere."
    "You'd better level with us," Mitchell said.
    "I've told you all I know. The rest is surmise. Calling the State Department means that there are foreign countries involved. There are Soviet naval vessels in the Caribbean at present. The State Department smells an international incident or worse."
    "What do you want us to do?"
    "Not much. Just to find out Lord Worth's intended movements for the next day or two:"
    Mitchell said: "And if we refuse? We have our licenses rescinded?"
    "I am not a corrupt police chief. If you refuse, you can just forget that you ever saw me. But I thought you might care enough about Lord Worth to help protect him against himself or the consequences of any rash action he might take. I thought you might care even more about the reactions of his two daughters if anything were to happen to their father."
    Mitchell stood up, jerked a thumb, "The door. You know too damn much."
    48
    Sea witch
    "Sit down." A sudden-chill asperity. "Don't be foolish: it's my job to know too damn much. But apart from Lord Worth and his family, I thought you might have some little concern for your country's welfare."
    Roomer said: "Isn't that pitching it a little high?"
    '*Very possibly. But it is the policy of the State Department, the Justice Department and the FBI not to take any chances."
    Roomer said: "You're putting us in a damned awkward situation."
    "Don't think I don't appreciate that. I know Tve put you on a spot and I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you'll have to resolve that particular dilemma yourselves."
    Mitchell said: "Thanks for dropping this little problem in our laps. What do you expect us to do? Go to Lord Worth, ask him why he's been hollering to the State Department, ask him what he's up to and what his immediate plans are?"
    Bentley smiled. "Nothing so crude. You have a reputation—except, of course, in the police department—of being, in the street phrase, a couple of slick operators. The approach is up to you." He stood. "Keep that card and let me know when you find out anything. How long would that take, do you think?"
    Roomer said: "A couple of hours."
    "A couple of hours?" Even Bentley seemed
    49
    Alto lair MacLeaa
    momentarily taken aback. "You don't, then, require an invitation to visit the baronial mansion?"
    "No."
    "Millionaires do."
    "We aren't even thousandaires."
    "It makes a difference. Well, thank you very much, gentlemen. Goodnight."
    After Bentley's departure the two men sat for a couple of minutes in silence, then Mitchell said: "We play it both ways?"
    "We play it every way." Roomer reached for a phone, dialed a number and asked for Lord Worth. He had to identify himself before he was put through—Lord Worth was a man who respected his privacy.
    Roomer said: "Lord Worth? Roomer. Mitchell and I have something to discuss with you, sir, which may or may not be of urgency and importance. We would prefer not to discuss it over the phone." He paused, listened for a few moments, murmured a thank you and hung up.
    "He'll see us right away. Says to park the car in the lane. Side