The Father Hunt

nineteen forty-. four, but I'm glad we don't have to dig that deep. If you want to try, you're welcome, but Goodwin can't get him to come and spend another evening in that chair. He's not available.'

'No. I was hoping for something useful, and apparently

I'll have to accept defeat. But I am obliged to you. Sincerely obliged.'

'Thafs a line to hang up on,' Cramer said, and hung up.

Wolfe took a deep breath and a corner of his mouth went up a full quarter of an inch. He looked at me and said, 'Satisfactory.'

'Satisfactory hell,' I said, 'it's perfect. Simply marvelous. Do I make out a check for Miss Denovo for twenty grand?'

'Not now. That may come later.' He looked at the clock. 'Get Mr. Jarrett. I'll talk.'

My brows went up. 'Father or son?'

'Mr. Cyrus M. Jarrett.'

I nodded. 'Yeah. I admit I'm fairly good at filling orders, but this time I need specifications. My batting record for getting Cyrus M. Jarrett to the phone is nothing for two. I think the person I get is named Oscar.'

'I'll speak with Oscar.'

My brows were up again as I swiveled, got the phone, and dialed area code 914 and a number. Wolfe had his receiver to his ear, so all my part needed was a finger, but I stayed on. After four rings the remembered male voice said, 'Mr. Jarrett's residence.'

'My name is Nero Wolfe. I am calling from New York. I wish to speak to Mr. Jarrett. Tell him- don't interrupt me. Tell him that I wish to speak with him about Floyd Vance. Repeat that name.'

'But Mr. Jarrett is eating-'

'I told you to repeat that name. Floyd Vance.'

'Floyd Vance.'

'Good. Mr. Jarrett will be able to hear you. He doesn't eat with his ears. Tell him that I must speak with him now about Floyd Vance. You have my name?'

'Yes, sir.'

'I'll hold the wire, but don't keep me waiting.'

I probably wasn't breathing. It was a king-size gamble, and I was posting no odds. Too much depended on it. So the obvious step was drawing to what could be an inside straight. Not only was it possible that there was no close connection between Jarrett and Floyd Vance, and there was some other explanation for the checks Jarrett had

sent, it was even conceivable that he had never heard of Floyd Vance. It could be that the next thing we would hear would be Oscar, if it was Oscar, hanging up.

But it wasn't. I didn't time it because I was hanging on a cliff, but I think it was about three hours. I mean three minutes.

'You're interrupting my dinner.'

I nodded at Wolfe. It was him.

'Mr. Jarrett?'

'Yes.'

'My name is Nero Wolfe. I don't like to interrupt any man's meal, but it's urgent. I have a decision to make that can't be delayed. I just now conversed with the police officer who is in charge of the investigation of the murder of Elinor Denovo, and I can tell you in confidence that Mr. Archie Goodwin, who has been to see you twice, and I are responsible for the arrest of Floyd Vance as the culprit. To justify a charge of first-degree murder the police wish to establish a motive, arid it is manifest that it would help them to have your name so they can ask you about the association of Floyd Vance and Elinor Denovo twenty-three years ago. That would inevitably lead to your appearance on the witness stand at the trial of Floyd Vance, and I am reluctant to take the responsibility for exposing a man of your standing to such an ordeal. Before disclosing your name I would like to discuss the situation with you, and I'll expect you here, at my office, at eleven o'clock tomorrow morning.'

'Was my name mentioned in your talk with the police officer?'

'No.'

'I know nothing about the association of Floyd Vance and Elinor Denovo twenty-three years ago.'

'Pfui. I'll call Mr. McCray at once and advise him to make sure that certain checks in the files of the Seaboard Bank and Trust Company are not disturbed. If the police want them they can get a court order.'

'Why should the police want them?'

'They customarily want everything that is, or may be, relevant to a murder investigation. I can ask Inspector Cramer's opinion after I have explained their significance. Do you want me to do that?'