Cramer: Why? Why did you need protection?
Julie: I might as well tell you the truth.
Cramer: Yes, that's always the best way.
Julie: Between you and me, I didn't need protection. But one evening, I think it was Tuesday, I had come here because Nero Wolfe wanted to see me, and I met Archie Goodwin. And the next afternoon, Wednesday, I came again, and Archie took me up to show me the orchids, and we had a long talk. Are you sure this is confidential?
Cramer: Yes.
Julie: For God's sake don't tell him, but I simply flapped. What a man! I had to have him. So I – well, I made arrangements. He may not want you to know this, but he was there all day Saturday, in my hotel, from ten o'clock on. You may not approve, I suppose you're a married man, but when I want something I usually get it.
Wolfe was looking at me, and I was shaking my head. I had not suggested that. I was sorry I wasn't there to see Cramer glaring at her.
Cramer: Do you mean to… are you saying that… you said you made arrangements. What arrangements?
Julie: I told Archie a man was annoying me and I was afraid and I wanted protection day and night. You can understand why I wanted it day and
Cramer: What's the name of the man who was annoying you?
Julie: Aren't you an inspector?
Cramer: Yes.
Julie: Then you ought to listen better. Nobody was annoying me. I didn't need protection. I needed Archie.
Cramer: If you didn't need protection, why did someone shoot at you, try to kill you?
Julie: I've been thinking about that. Just because he hit Fred, there by me, that doesn't prove he was shooting at me. Maybe he was shooting at Fred. Or maybe he was just shooting at anybody. Like that boy in Brooklyn who shot some woman going by in a car. They get a kick –
Cramer: Save it. I don't believe a word of it. Do you know what the penalty is for giving false information to an officer investigating a crime?
Julie: No. What is it?
Cramer: You can get five years.
Julie: What crime are you investigating? Archie said you were investigating the murder of my friend Isabel Kerr, but you don't sound like it. You only ask about me being protected and somebody shooting a gun. I must be thick.
Cramer: No, Miss Jaquette, you're not thick. You're a damn good liar. Extra good. I hope you know what you're doing. Do you know that Wolfe and Goodwin are two of the slickest operators in New York?
Julie: I don't know much about Nero Wolfe. I know a lot about Archie.
Cramer: Well, they are. How much are they paying you?
Julie: Paying me? Well. First I'm a liar, and now what am I?
Cramer: That's what I'd like to know. Do you still think Orrie Cather killed your friend Isabel Kerr?
Julie: I never said that.
Cramer: You didn't have to. It was obvious from what you did say and put in your statement. Do you remember what you said?
Julie: Certainly I do. I can say the alphabet backward.
Cramer: Do you want to retract any of it?
Julie: No. It was all true.
Cramer: Then you still think he killed her?
Julie: You ought to listen better. I told you I didn't say that.
Cramer: You implied it strong enough. Don't forget we have your signed statement. Don't forget that.
Five seconds of silence except for a faint sound that could have been Cramer leaving his chair.
Cramer: I warn you again, Miss Jaquette, giving false information to an officer investigating a capital crime is a felony. Do you want to reconsider it?
Julie: No, thanks. You can leave the door open.
Another faint sound, the door opening. I slid off the stool, went to the cupboard and turned the switch, crossed to the door to the hall, and swung it open. Heavy footsteps were coming down the stairs. Cramer appeared, turned left, and passed the office door without looking in. He must have seen me as he was putting his coat on, but he didn't wave good-by. When he was out and the door shut, I turned and said, 'That was ad lib, nothing like it in the script. I enjoyed every minute of it. You'd better start the eggs, Fritz, she must be hungry.' I headed for the stairs and mounted the two flights.
