The girl didn’t answer, just spun on her heel and stomped down the hall.
TUESDAY, AUGUST8, 1916•CARNEGIEINSTITUTE
Devin paced outside Andrew Carnegie’s office. He’d left a message with the secretarydaysago only to find out that the philanthropist was out of town. So much had happened since then, he wanted to meet with the man and then rearrange his schedule so he could get back out to see Eliza as soon as possible.
When he’d gotten word this morning to come in for an appointment, he’d canceled everything.
Eliza’s reputation was on the line, and he was going to do everything in his power to help her. Whoever was behind this was doing an elaborate job.
The ornate wood door opened and Mr. Carnegie himself stood there. “Mr. Schmitt, please come in.”
Devin wasted no time and headed straight for the man. He shook his hand. “Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Carnegie.”
The door closed behind him and then Carnegie walked around his desk. “Please. Have a seat.”
“Thank you, sir.” He sat, but it was hard to stay still.
Carnegie folded his hands on the desk in front of him. “You left a message that this was urgent about your friend Miss Mills.”
“Yes, sir.” Devin immediately went into the details of the phone call he’d received from a secretary at the museum. “I knew I had to come see you as soon as possible. Sir, I’ve known Eliza—Miss Mills—almost my entire life. She would never steal anything from the museum or from donors. I am aware that you were close friends with her grandfather, so you knowher integrity as well. I don’t know who is out to destroy her reputation, but it must be stopped.”
He hadn’t meant to get so worked up in his speech, but he lowered his voice and kept eye contact with the man who held Eliza’s fate in his hands. “I promise you, sir, I will help you do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this and clear Eliza’s name.”
Mr. Carnegie leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed, and then he drummed the desk with his fingers. “I heard that there were missing fossils and donor money unaccounted for, but I hadn’t heard any of these rumors.” He narrowed his eyes. “Eliza’s grandfather was a friend of mine for years, God rest his soul. And I’ve known Eliza from childhood. I don’t think for a second that she could be responsible.”
“You don’t?”
“No.” A thin smile showed through his facial hair. “But since I just returned to Pittsburgh to check on things, I do believe that I need to handle this situation myself.”
“You do?” His shoulders relaxed. He’d expected to have to fight for Eliza.
The man nodded and he drummed his fingers on the desk again. “I don’t like having dishonest people in my employ. Whoever started the rumors is probably behind the thefts as well. Someone eager to have the blame and focus on another person.” His lips pinched together. “After the fiasco with someone impersonating Dr. Masterson, I must say that I am concerned. In my gut, I believe it to be the same person.”
That made sense. “That would take a fair bit of planning on their part, sir. Do you think they had help?”
“I would imagine. Smearing Eliza every which way he or she can, both hereandin Utah, would mean several people are involved. But why? To come after me? Or simply to ruin her?” His voice had taken on a darker tone the longer he spoke.
Devin wouldn’t want to be the recipient of the fury building in this man.
He met Devin’s gaze again. “Thank you for coming to me. Rest assured, I will handle it.”
“Thank you, sir.” Well... now what? Nervous energy had built up inside him every time he thought about Sarah’s phone call, and here he didn’t even have to convince Mr. Carnegie of Eliza’s innocence. He stood. “Will you let me know, sir, when things are corrected?”
“Yes, I will make sure to do that.” Mr. Carnegie stood as well. “Eliza is fortunate to have a friend like you, Mr. Schmitt.”
They shook hands once again, and Devin found his way out of the office. On the way home, he wound through the streets of the city he loved so much. But he would give all this up if it meant that he could be with Eliza.
By the time he returned home, Devin had come to a solid conclusion.
He was going out to Dinosaur National Monument and declaring his love for her. Again. As soon as possible. Too much time had been wasted as it was.
When he walked in the door, he stopped abruptly, as his dad stood there. “It’s a telegram for you.”
A telegram? He couldn’t recall the last time he’d received one. Devin ripped into the envelope and pulled out the paper.
Need your assistance in the investigation. Please call as soon as possible.
Sheriff Jensen
