'You heard what I asked Mr. Wolfe and what he answered. I still like it that whoever killed her knew that you were going to drive the cab there. It's certainly possible that Judy Bram told Someone.'
'Yes, it's possible, but I don't believe it. Judy wouldn't She just wouldn't.'
'It's also possible that you told someone. Did you?'
Her lips twitched. Twice. Two seconds. 'No,' she said.
'You're lying. I haven't time to be polite. You're lying. Whom did you tell?'
'I'm not going to say. The person I told couldn't possibly have . . . have done anything. Some things are not possible.'
'Who was it?'
'No, Mr. Goodwin. Really.'
I got the twenty and ten from my pocket and a twenty from my wallet, got up, and went to her. 'Here's your fifty bucks,' I said. 'Count me out. You can leave the back way.'
'But I teD you he couldn't!'
'Then he won't get hurt. I won't bite him. But I've got to know everything you do or it's no good.'
Her lips twitched again. 'You would really do that? Just give me up?'
'I sure would. I will. With regrets and best wishes.'
She breathed. 'I phoned a friend of mine last evening and told him. His name is Gilbert Irving.'
'Is he more than a friend?'
'No. He is married and so am I. We're friends, that's all.'
'Does he know your husband?'
'Yes. They've known each other for years, but they've never been close.'
'Did he know Phoebe Arden?'
'He had met her. He didn't know her.'
'Why did you tell him about your plan to drive the cab?'
'Because I wanted to know what he thought of it. He is very-- a very intelligent man.'
'What did he think of it?'
'He thought it was foolish. Not foolish exactly, useless. He
82
3 at Wolfe's Door
thought my husband would refuse to listen to me. Honestly, Mr. Goodwin, this is foolish. There is absolutely no--'
The doorbell rang. I had taken three steps before I remembered that I no longer worked there; then, not wishing to be frivolous, I continued to the hall and took a look through the one-way glass panel of the front door. A man and a woman were there on the stoop. A glance was enough to recognize Inspector Cramer, but it took closer inspection for the woman, and I moved down the hall. Even then I wasn't positive, since the light had been dim on the picture of the female hackie in the taxi, but I was sure enough. It was Judith Bram.
It was up to me, since it was my case and Wolfe was merely helping, but he had many times asked for my opinion and it wouldn't hurt to reciprocate, so I stepped to the office door and said, 'Cramer and Judy Bram. Shall I--'
'Judy!' Mira cried. 'She's here?'
I ignored her. 'Shall I scoot with Miss Holt and leave them to you?'
He closed his eyes. In three seconds he opened them. 'I would say no. The decision is yours.'
'Then we stick. I want to meet Judy anyhow. Sit tight, Miss Holt. Never drop a simple basic lie until it drops you.'
As I turned the bell rang again. I went to the front, put the chain bolt on, opened the door the two inches the chain allowed, and spoke through the crack. 'Do you want me, Inspector?'
'I want in. Open up.'
'Glad to for you, but not for strangers. Who is the lady?'
'Her name is Judith Bram. She's the owner and driver--'
'I want to see Mira Holt!' the lady said, meaning it. 'Open the door!'
I removed the chain, but didn't have to swing the door because she saved me the trouble. She came with it and darted down the
Method Three for Murder 83
hall. Seeing that Cramer, after her, would brush me, I stiffened to make the brush a bump, and he wobbled and lost a step, giving me time to shut the door and reach the office at his heels. When we entered Judy was sitting on the arm of the red leather chair with her arm across Mira's shoulders, jabbering. Cramer grabbed her arm and barked at her, but she ignored him.
