Cramer eyed him a moment longer and said, 'Shoot.'
'Without reservation, no interference or protest from you.'
'Right. Shoot.'
Wolfe opened his eyes at me. 'Archie, get Mr Barrett on the phone.'
'Donny or Dad?'
'Mr Barrett Senior.'
Neya Tormic blurted, 'You mustn't-'
As I got at the phone Wolfe shushed her, and he had to keep on shushing her while I fiddled around with three different numbers before I finally reached the desired party at the Thistle Club. She subsided when Wolfe got on the phone:
'Mr Barrett? This is Nero Wolfe. I'm calling to fulfil a promise. I told you that if I should find it necessary to interfere with your business I'd let you know in advance. I'm afraid I'm not giving you much notice; I'm going ahead now. No, please, please, that won't help matters any. At my office. Yes. Yes, I'll consent to that. No! If your son is there with you, you'd better bring him along. Yes. We'll be expecting you within fifteen minutes.'
He pushed the phone away and got to his feet, and moved in the direction of the door.
Neya Tormic jumped up and grabbed at him. She got his sleeve. 'Where-I'll go with you-'
'No, Miss Tormic. I'll be back in a moment. Archie!'
I arose and started over, but before I got there she let him go, and he went on out. I had no idea what her status was, or her intentions either, so I ambled to the door and stood there with my back against it. She didn't go back and sit down, but stood pat, with her eyes levelled at me, or maybe at the door, since I don't like to flatter myself. We had held the tableau perhaps three minutes, not more than four, when I felt the door pressing against me, and stood aside to let Wolfe re-enter. He halted to hand me an envelope, sealed, with For Neya Tormic on it in his writing, and then went on to his desk.
He looked at Cramer and indicated with a thumb the dick in the corner. 'What is that man's name?'
'That? Charlie Heath.'
'Tell him to obey the instructions I give him.'
Cramer twisted his neck. 'Here, Heath. Follow orders.'
'Thank you.' Wolfe regarded the dick, approaching. 'Have you a car, Mr Heath?'
'Yes, sir.'
'Good. Take that envelope from Mr Goodwin and put it in your pocket. No, your inside pocket. Take Miss Tormic in your car and drive-'
Neya was at him: 'No! I don't-I'm not going-'
'That will do,' Wolfe snapped. 'You are going. I do this my way. Have you any cash with you?'
'But I won't-'
'You will! Confound it, how much cash have you?'
'I… have a little.'
'How much?'
'A few dollars.'
'Archie, give Miss Tormic a hundred dollars.'
I produced the expense roll and peeled it off, making the roll look pretty sick, and handed it to her, and she took it.
Wolfe said to the dick. 'Drive to the corner of Fifth Avenue and 35th Street, let Miss Tormic out, give her the envelope, leave her there, and return straight here immediately. You are not to loiter to see what she does or which way she goes. Nor are you to communicate in any way with any other person, either going or returning.'
I said grimly, 'Send Fred along or let me go.'
'Will that be necessary, Mr Cramer?'
'No. I'm not a complete damn fool. Follow instructions, Heath.'
'Yes, sir. I take her to Fifth, drop her, give her the envelope, and come straight back.'
Wolfe nodded. 'Will you do that?'
'Yes, sir.'
'Good.' He turned. 'Au revoir, Miss Tormic.'
'Ah,' she said. Her black eyes were piercing him. 'You think so?'
'Well… a conjecture. It wouldn't surprise me any.'
'You… you fat fool!'
