room, and I told him no, it was soundproofed. Purley came back and went to his chair.
Cramer addressed Egan. “Okay, let’s have it. Is Horan in that racket?”
“I want a deal,” Egan said stubbornly.
“For God’s sake.” Cramer was disgusted. “You’re absolutely sewed up. If I had a pocketful of deals I wouldn’t waste one on you. If you want a break, earn it, and earn it quick. Is Horan in the racket?”
“Yes.”
“What’s his tie-in?”
“He tells me how to handle things, like people that are trying to get from under. Hell, he’s a lawyer. Sometimes he gives me leads. He gave me the lead on that Leopold Heim, goddam him.”
“Do you deliver money to him?”
“No.”
“Never?”
“No, he gets his cut from Birch. He did.”
“How do you know that?”
“Birch told me.”
“How did you get in it?”
“Birch. He propositioned me about two years ago, and I gave it a run. Three or four months later there was some trouble with a guy over in Brooklyn, and Birch fixed it for me to meet a lawyer at the garage to get a steer on it, and the lawyer was Horan. That was the first time I saw him. Since then I’ve seen him-I don’t know, maybe twenty times.”
“Always at the garage?”
“Yeah, always. I never met him anywhere but there, but I’ve talked with him on the phone.”
“Have you got anything in Horan’s handwriting? Anything he ever sent you or gave you?”
“No.”
“Not a scrap? Nothing?”
“I said no. That cagey bastard?”
“Was anyone else present at any of your meetings with Horan?”
“Sure, lots of times Birch was there.”
“He’s dead. Anyone else?”
Egan had to think. “No.”
“Never?”
“Not down in the basement with us, no. The night man at the garage, Bud Haskins, of course he saw him every time he came.” Egan’s eyes lit up. “Sure, Bud saw him!”
“No doubt.” Cramer wasn’t stirred. “Horan’s ready for that, or thinks he is. He’ll meet it by putting the word of a reputable member of the bar against the word of a low criminal like you backed up by a pal that he’ll say you have primed. I’m not saying Haskins can’t help. We’ll get him, and we’ll-where you going?”
Wolfe had pushed his chair back, got to his feet, and taken a step. He looked down at Cramer. “Upstairs. It’s nine o’clock.” He passed between his desk and Cramer and was on his way.
Cramer protested. “You actually-you walk out just when-”
“When what?” Wolfe demanded. Halfway to the door, he had turned. “You’ve got this wretch cornered, and you’re clawing away at him for something to implicate another wretch, that unspeakable Horan, in the most contemptible enterprise on record. I admit it’s necessary, indeed it is admirable, but I’ve contributed my share and you don’t need me; and I’m not after blackmailers, I’m after a murderer. You know my schedule; I’ll be available at eleven o’clock. I would appreciate it if you’ll remove these miserable creatures from my premises. You can deal with them just as effectively elsewhere.”
“You bet I can.” Cramer was out of his chair. “I’m taking your men along, all four of them-Goodwin, Panzer, Durkin, and Cather-and I don’t know when we’ll be through with them.”
“You may take the first three, but not Mr. Cather. He isn’t here.”
“I want him. Where is he?”
“You can’t have him. He’s on an errand. Haven’t I given you enough for one morning? Archie, do you remember where Orrie has gone?”
“No, sir. Couldn’t remember to save me.”
“Good. Don’t try.” He turned and marched out.
Chapter 15
