together to see me again and, as it seemed to O'Malley, I played directly into his hand by refusing to say anything except that I was about ready to act That made the threat, to-whoever was its
object, ominous and imminent; that made it most plausible that Corrigan, granting he was the object, would prefer self-destruction and would choose that moment for it; and O'Malley moved swiftly and ruthlessly. It was only ten hours after he left here with you that he dialed my number to let me hear the shot that killed Corrigan.'
'You foresaw that?' Kustin demanded.
'Certainly not. At the time you left here I had added only one presumption to my scanty collection: that Corrigan had never seen the manuscript and didn't know what was in it. Regarding the rest of you I was still at sea. I was still merely trying to prod you into movement, and it can't be denied that I succeeded. Are you ready to say something, Mr. O'Malley?'
'No. I'm still listening.'
'As you please. I'm about through.' Wolfe looked at Kustin. 'You said that O'Malley was in Atlanta the day Rachel Abrams was killed. Can you certify that, or do you only mean that he was supposed to be?'
'He was there on business for the firm.'
'I know. In fact it is not true that my eye on you gentlemen has been totally impartial until two days ago. The first time you came here O'Malley managed to get it on the record with me that he had returned to New York only that morning after a week in Georgia, and I noted it. I don't suppose you know Saul Panzer?'
'Saul Panzer? No.'
'That is Mr. Panzer, there at the end of Mr. Goodwin's desk. If he ever wants to know anything about you, tell him; you might as well. Four days ago I aked him to investigate O'Malley's movements during the week in question, and he has done so. Saul, tell us about it.'
Saul got his mouth open but no words out, because Cramer suddenly came to life. He snapped, 'Hold it, Panzer!' To Wolfe: 'Is this what you got on the phone this morning?'
'Yes.'
'And you're going to hand it to him like this? Just dump the bag for him? You are not!'
Wolfe shrugged. 'Either I go on or you do. This morning you said you would take a hand and I said no. Now you're welcome. Take it if you want it.'
'I want it.' Cramer was on his feet. 'I want that letter and envelope. I want Panzer. I want statements from the three
women. Mr. O'Maliey, you'll go downtown with Sergeant Stebbins for questioning.'
O'Malley was not impressed. 'On what charge, Inspector?'
'I said for questioning. If you insist on a charge you'll get one.'
'I would want my counsel present.'
'You can phone him from the District Attorney's office.'
'Luckily I don't have to phone him. He's here.' O'Malley turned his head. 'Louis?'
Kustin, meeting his former associate's eye, didn't hesitate. 'No,' he said flatly. 'I'm out, Con. I can't do it.'
It put O'Malley off balance, but it didn't floor him. He didn't try to press, Kustin's tone having settled it. He turned back to Cramer, but his view was obstructed. John R. Well-man had left his chair and was standing there facing him, and spoke.
'I'm Joan Wellman's father, Mr. O'Malley. I don't know, because it's pretty complicated, but I'd like to see something. I'd like to see if you feel like shaking hands with me.' He extended his hand. 'There it is. Do you feel like it or don't you?'
Into the heavy silence came a smothered gasp from one of the females. O'Malley nearly made it. He tried. Looking up at Wellman, he started to lift a hand, then his neck muscles gave, his head dropped, and he used both hands to cover his face.
'I guess you don't,' Wellman said, and turned and headed for the door.
23
ONE DAY last week I made a station-to-station call to a number in Glendale, California. When I got it I began, 'Peggy? This is Archie. Calling from New York.' 'Hello, Archie. I was thinking you might call.' I made a face. I had been familiar deliberately, with a specific purpose, to find a flaw. There was just a chance she might fake indignation, or she might be coy, or she might even pretend not to know who it was. Nothing doing. She was still
her-too short, too plump, and too old, but the one and only Mrs. Potter.
'It's all over,' I told her. 'I knew you'd want to know. The jury was out nine hours, but they finally came through with it, first degree murder. As you know, he was tried for Rachel Abrams, not your brother, but that doesn't make any difference. Convicting him for one was convicting him for all four.'
'Yes, of course. I'm glad it's over. Thank you for calling. You sound so close, as if you were right here.'
'Yeah, so do you. What's it doing out there, raining?'
'Oh, no, bright sunshine, warm and bright. Why, is it raining in New York?'
