When Fritz ushered Parker and Sarah Jaffee into the office she stopped just inside the door and looked around. It was the first time I had seen her in artificial light, and she was an attractive sight, with her face a little flushed, in a white summer dress and white slippers, and with a little white bag dangling from her hand. Perry Helmar called her name and started for her, but I intercepted him and got to her and Parker, and claimed attention to pronounce names. Of course none of them had ever seen Parker before, and Irby and Hagh had never seen Sarah Jaffee. Hagh kissed her hand. He had not kissed Viola Duday's hand. Apparently she thought it wasn't a bad idea, from the way she took it, and I admit he was more presentable than he had been that afternoon, now that he was combed and shaved and in a clean white suit and shoes. I maneuvered Perry Helmar into the red leather chair, got the others disposed according to plan, and went to Wolfe's desk and pushed the button, one long and two short.
Wolfe marched in. On account of the crowd, he had to bear right to the wall and follow it to his chair. He stood.
'Archie?' he said.
I identified the four he had never seen. 'Miss Viola Duday, formerly assistant to the president of Softdown, Incorporated, and now assistant secretary. Jay L. Brucker, president. Bernard Quest, been with the business sixty-two years, sales manager for thirty-four and vice-president for twenty-nine. Oliver Pitkin, secretary and treasurer of the corporation.'
Wolfe inclined his head a full half an inch, for him an elaborate bow, and sat. Before he got satisfactorily adjusted in his chair, which with him took some engineering, Perry Helmar spoke.
'I have prepared a statement,' he announced, 'which I would like to read.' His square jaw was jutting beyond the call of duty. He held a paper in his hand.
'How long is it?' Wolfe asked him.
'Three or four minutes.'
'Go ahead.'
Helmar adjusted his metal-rimmed glasses, lifted the paper to range, and read:
'Statement by Perry Helmar, June twenty-sixth, nineteen fifty-two. Speaking for myself and of my knowledge, I challenge the propriety of participation by the private detective named Nero Wolfe in any discussion of the affairs of Priscilla Eads, deceased, or of any matters relating to her, including her death. I base this challenge on the fact that the said Nero Wolfe, by his concealment from the undersigned of the presence in his house, on June twenty-third, nineteen fifty-two, of the said Priscilla Eads, and by his gross and premeditated deception of the undersigned, contributed to her peril and thereby became to a considerable degree responsible for her death by violence. The full details of his deception have been supplied to the District Attorney by me in a signed statement, and a copy of that statement is attached hereto in support of this challenge. I contend that Nero Wolfe is unfit and unworthy to share in any examination of any matters connected with Priscilla Eads.
'Speaking for myself and my four associates, Bernard Quest, Jay L. Brucker, Oliver Pitkin, and Viola Duday, after discussion among us and full agreement, we denounced the said Nero Wolfe for his instigation of an unwarranted attack upon us by Mrs. Sarah Jaffee. We declare that said instigation was prompted by malice, and that the threat of legal action on behalf of Mrs. Jaffee is an unjustified, unprovoked, and reprehensible attempt at coercion. We note that Counselor Nathaniel Parker, who has in the past been associated with Nero Wolfe in many matters, is acting for Mrs. Jaffee, and regard that fact as significant and indicative of the nature of this attempt at coercion, and we demand the right to interview Mrs. Jaffee privately before entering into any discussion with Counselor Parker, and particularly any discussion to which Nero Wolfe is a party.'
Helmar lowered the paper. 'That is a joint demand,' he declared aggressively.
'May I say-' Nat Parker began, but Wolfe showed him a palm.
'If you please, Mr. Helmar. There is no question of your right to interview Mrs. Jaffee privately, nor is there any question of Mr. Parker's right, and mine, to advise her not to talk with you people except in our presence. The only question is how she feels about it herself. Mrs. Jaffee, do-no. You ask her.'
Helmar turned left. He was in the red leather chair, and the other four of the Softdown contingent were on chairs forming an arc running from him in the general direction of my desk. Sarah Jaffee was on the couch. Nearby was Eric Hagh, and beyond him were the two lawyers, Irby and Parker. Andy Fomos was off by himself, over by the bookshelves.
Helmar addressed Mrs. Jaffee. 'You wouldn't talk to me on the telephone, Sarah. You have known me all your life. I held you in my arms when you were a baby. Have you ever known me to do anything unfair or dishonest or wicked?'
'Yes,' Sarah said. She used more breath than she intended and it caused a sort of explosion, but it was certainly audible.
It rocked Helmar. His eyes popped. 'What? Did you say yes?'
'Yes, I did. You did all of those things to Pris. You didn't love her or understand her, and you were bad for her.' She lifted her chin a little. 'I want to say one thing. I haven't been coerced to do this by Mr. Wolfe or Mr. Parker. I am doing it because I want to, and it was Mr. Archie Goodwin who made me want to. It wouldn't do the slightest good for you to talk with me, Mr. Helmar, or any of the others, so forget it.'
'But, Sarah, you don't understand!'
'I think I do. And what if I don't?'
'Skip it, Perry,' Viola Duday snapped. 'She's hopeless.'
'Does anyone else,' Wolfe inquired, 'have a statement to read?'
Parker put in, 'I advise Mr. Helmar not to leave copies of his lying around. It is clearly libelous, as he must know.'
Wolfe nodded. 'He's upset and not strictly accountable.' His eyes moved left to right and back again. 'I could reply to Mr. Helmar's indictment of me, but it would take time, and we should get on. First I'll make one thing clear-my status in this business. I have been engaged to investigate the murder of Priscilla Eads, and that is my sole interest.'
'By Sarah Jaffee?' Helmar demanded.
