Zeck and Roeder exchanged glances. Zeck spoke to me. “I believe Roeder told you that he came here recently from the West Coast. He had a very successful operation there, a brilliant and profitable operation which he devised. It has some novel features and requires precise timing and expert handling. With one improvement it could be enormously profitable here in New York, and that one improvement is the co-operation of a wealthy and well-placed man. Rackham is ideal for it. We intend to use him. If you help materially in lining him up, as
I think you can, your share of the net will be five per cent. The net is expected to exceed half a million, and should be double that.
I was frowning sceptically. “You mean if I help scare him into it.
“Yes.
“And help with the operation too?
“No.
“What have I got to scare him with?
“His sense of guilt first. He escaped arrest and trial for the murder of his wife only because the police couldn't get enough evidence for a case. He is under the constant threat of the discovery of additional evidence, which for a murderer is a severe strain. If he believes we have such evidence he will be open to persuasion.
“Have we got it?
Zeck damn' near smiled. “I shouldn't think it will be needed. If it is needed we'll have it.
“Then why drag him in on a complicated operation? He's worth what, three million? Ask him for half of it, or even a third.
“No. You have much to learn, Goodwin. People must not be deprived of hope. If we take a large share of Rackham's fortune he will be convinced that we intend to wring him dry. People must be allowed to feel that if our demands are met the outlook is not intolerable. A basic requirement for continued success in illicit enterprises is a sympathetic understanding of the limitations of the human nervous system. Getting Rackham's help in Roeder's operation will leave plenty of room for future requests.
I was keeping my frown. “Which I may or may not have a hand in. Don't think I'm playing hard to get, but this is quite a step to take. Using a threat of a murder rap to put the screws on a millionaire is a little too drastic without pretty good assurance that I get more than peanuts. You said five per cent of a probable half a million, but you're used to talking big figures. Could I have that filled in a little?
Roeder reached for a battered old leather brief-case which he had brought in with him and deposited on the floor. Getting it on his lap, he had it opened when Zeck asked him, “What are you after, the estimates?
“Yes, if you want them.
“You may show them to him, but no names. Zeck turned to me. “I think you may do, Goodwin. You're brash, but that is a quality that may be made use of. You used it when you talked with Rackham. He must be led into this with tact or he may lose his head and force our hand, and all we want is his co-operation. His conviction for murder wouldn't help us any; quite the contrary. Properly handled, he should be of value to us for years.
The shark eyes left me. “What's your opinion of Goodwin, Roeder? Can you work with him?
Roeder had closed the brief-case and kept it on his lap. “I can try, he said, not enthusiastically. “The general level here is no higher than on the coast.
But we can't get started until we know whether we have Rackham or not, and the approach through Goodwin does seem the best way. He's so damned cocky I don't know whether he'll take direction.
“Would you care to have my opinion of Roeder? I inquired.
Zeck ignored it. “Goodwin, he said, “this is the most invulnerable organisation on earth. There are good men in it, but it all comes to me. I am the organisation. I have no prejudices and no emotions. You will get what you deserve. If you deserve well, there is no limit to the support you will get, and none to the reward. If you deserve ill, there is no limit to that either. You understand that?
“Sure. His eyes were the hardest to meet in my memory. “Provided you understand that I don't like you.
“No one likes me. No one likes the authority of superior intellect. There was one man who matched me in intellect-the man you worked for, Nero Wolfe-but his will failed him. His vanity wouldn't let him yield, and he cleared out.
“He was a little handicapped, I protested, “by his respect for law.
“Every man is handicapped by his own weaknesses. If you communicate with him give him my regards. I have great admiration for him.
Zeck glanced at a clock on the wall and then at Roeder. “I'm keeping a caller waiting. Goodwin is under your direction, but he is on trial. Consult me as necessary within the routine.
He must have had floor buttons for foot-signalling, for he touched nothing with his hands, but the door opened and the sentinel appeared.
Zeck said, “Put Goodwin on the B list, Schwartz.
Roeder and I arose and headed for the door, him with his brief-case under his arm.
Remembering how he had told me, tapping his chest, “I am a D, Archie, I would have given a lot if I could have tapped my own bosom and announced, “I am a B,
Mr Wolfe.
