and you had promised to keep it in, and I figured I couldn't expect you to be square with me if I wasn't square with you, so I went and got you. Now the way you take it, I don't know.'
'For God's sake.' I wasn't as disgusted as I sounded. 'What did you think, I'd bring you a bottle of champagne? Wait till you see how the cops take it. When did you first miss the rope?'
'I don't know just what time. It was a while after you left, maybe twenty minutes. With people coming and putting things in that closet I thought I'd get it and hang onto it.'
'Had you put it in the closet yourself?'
'Yeah. On the shelf with my hat on top. The hat was there but the rope was gone.'
'Did you tell someone right away?'
'I looked all over the closet and then I told Laura and she told Miss Rowan. Miss Rowan asked everybody and she helped Laura and me look some, but people started coming.'
'At the time you missed the rope had anybody already come? Was anyone here besides those who ate lunch with us?'
'No, sir.'
'You're sure?'
'I'm sure enough to put a no on it. They ain't much a man can be dead sure of. It might be someone came I didn't see, but I was right there and I'd have to--'
'Save it.' I glanced at my watch: five minutes to six. 'At the time you missed the rope where was Wade Eisler?'
'I don't know.'
'When did you see him last?'
'I can't say exactly. I wasn't riding herd on him.'
'Did you see him after you missed the rope? Take a second. This is important. Take ten.'
He screwed up his lips and shut his eyes. He took the full ten seconds. His eyes opened. 'No, sir, I didn't.'
'Sure enough to put a no on it?'
'I already did.'
'Okay. Do you know if anyone else was worked up about Wade Eisler?'
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141
'I wouldn't say worked up. I guess nobody wanted him for a pet.'
'As it looks now, someone who ate lunch with us killed him. Have you any idea who?'
'No, sir. I don't expect to have none.'
'That's noble. Don't be too noble. There's plenty more, but it will have to wait. If I leave you here while I go in and tell Miss Rowan and call the cops will you stay put and keep your hands off of that rope?'
'No, sir. I'm going to see Laura. I'm going to tell her if they ask her anything she better leave it out about last night.'
'You are not.' I was emphatic. 'You've got no brand on her, you said so. You may think you know how she'll take a going-over by experts, but you don't. Every move anybody makes from now on will get on the record, and if you go and call her away from that baboon she's sitting with, what does she say and what do you say when they ask you why? She'll either leave it out or she won't, and you'll only make it worse if you tell her to. If you won't promise you'll stick here I'll just open the door and yell for Miss Rowan, and she can call the cops.'
His jaw was working. 'You said you believed me.'
'I do. If I change my mind I'll let you know first. What you told me and what you asked me to do, I said I'd keep it in and I will, provided you do too. We were discussing the saddle. Well?'
'I figure to keep everything in. But if I could just tell her--'
'No. She probably won't spill it, but if she does and says she told you about it that won't break any bones. You left it out because you didn't want to cause her trouble. Everybody leaves things out when cops ask questions. Do I yell for Miss Rowan?'
'No. Ill stay hitched.'
'Come outside and stand at the door. You've already touched the knob twice and that's enough. If anyone comes keep them off.' Using my handkerchief again, I opened the door. He stepped out and I pulled the door shut as I crossed the silL'Be seeing you,' I said, and went.
I entered at the rear and glanced in at the kitchen on the chance
140 3 at Wolfe's Door
and you had promised to keep it in, and I figured I couldn't expect you to be square with me if I wasn't square with you, so I went and got you. Now the way you take it, I don't know.'
'For God's sake.' I wasn't as disgusted as I sounded. 'What did you think, I'd bring you a bottle of champagne? Wait till you see how the cops take it. When did you first miss the rope?'
'I don't know just what time. It was a while after you left, maybe twenty minutes. With people coming and putting things in that closet I thought I'd get it and hang onto it.'
