Death of a Doxy (Crime Line)

clear?'

Ballou's face looked seamier, but that was all; there was still no sag. He took a deep breath, rubbed his brow with a palm, and said, 'Could I have a drink?' I rose and said certainly, name it, because that was quicker than ringing for Fritz, and he said gin on the rocks with lemon peel, and I went to the kitchen. Fritz shaved slivers of lemon peel while I got the gin and a glass and a bowl of ice cubes. When I re-entered the office the red leather chair was empty; Ballou was over by the globe, slowly twirling it with a fingertip. As I put the tray on the stand he came, sat, put one ice cube in the glass, poured gin, twisted two pieces of lemon peel and dropped them in, and stirred.

When I was back in my chair he was still stirring. Finally he picked up the glass, took two medium sips, and put it down.

'Yes,' he said. 'You have made it clear.'

Wolfe opened his eyes and grunted.

'Obviously,' Ballou said, 'I'm in a trap. I can't check a single thing you have said. I did want a drink, I always have one as soon as I get home, but what I had to have was a little time to consider. I have decided that the probability is that the facts are as you have given them, partly because I don't see what you could possibly expect to gain by inventing them. The only alternative is to walk out, and I can't risk it. I have a question: when did Miss Kerr – when did that man, Cather, first learn my name?'

Wolfe turned. 'Do we know, Archie?'

'No, sir.' To Ballou: 'I can find out, if it's important.'

'Could it have been as long as four months ago?'

'Certainly.'

'I would like to know. It may not be important now, but I would like to know.' He got the glass and took a sip. 'I have nothing to say to your guess that I killed Miss Kerr except that I didn't. Would a man in my position, of my standing – No, that wouldn't impress you. To me the idea is simply fantastic. You say you expect me to help you identify the man who killed her. If Cather didn't, and if the facts are as you say, I certainly want to, but how?'

'First you,' Wolfe said. 'Where were you Saturday morning?'

'I was at home all morning and until about three o'clock. We had guests for lunch.'

'If pressed, could you account for every half-hour from eight o'clock to noon?'

'I think so. There were phone calls.'

'Could your wife?'

'Why the devil should she?'

Wolfe shook his head. 'Don't start that. You have held your poise admirably; don't spoil it. I don't drag your wife in, circumstances do. Did she know of your association with Miss Kerr?'

'No.'

'How sure are you?'

'Completely. I have taken great precautions.'

Wolfe frowned. 'You see how difficult it is. It may be highly desirable for Mr. Goodwin or me to see your wife, but with what excuse, without involving you? It must be managed somehow, and Mr. Goodwin -'

'It will not be managed! You will not see my wife!'

'Your poise. As you said, you're in a trap; don't thrash about. If it wasn't you or your wife, who was it? I must have a fact, a hint, a name. You spent many intimate hours with her. You may have to spend hours with me. She told you of places she went and people she knew. Tell me.'

A muscle on Ballou's neck was twitching. 'I insist, I insist, that my wife is not to be disturbed. You expect to be paid, naturally. I never 'thrash about.' How much?'

Wolfe nodded. 'Naturally for you. Men with money always assume there is no other medium of exchange. I am engaged on behalf of Mr. Cather, and you can't hire me or pay me. I am coercing you, certainly, but only to get information. We shall disturb your wife only if it is requisite. From you I want all the facts, all -'

The phone rang. I turned and got it. 'Nero Wolfe's -'

'Saul, Archie. I'm -'

'Hold it.' I put it down and moved, to the hall and on to the kitchen, and took the phone.

'We have company. Okay, shoot.'

'You're going to have more company. I'm licked. I have met my match. Julie Jaquette. I would give a week's pay to know if you could have handled her. The trouble is partly that Nero Wolfe's a celebrity, so she says, but mostly it's the orchids. If he will show her his orchids she'll tell him all about Isabel Kerr. She won't tell me a damn thing. Nothing.'

'Well, well. It might have taken me a whole ten minutes.'

'Go soak it. I said a week's pay. She -'

'Where are you?'

'A booth on Christopher Street. The one at the Ten Little Indians had a line waiting. She's working. She'll be off until eight and then from nine-ten to ten-fifteen.'