In the Best Families

Even before I killed the engine I saw something that made me goggle-a sight thai had never greeted me before in the thousands of times I had braked a car to a stop there.

The front door was standing wide open.

Chapter Six

My heart came up. I swallowed it down, jumped out, ran across the sidewalk and up the seven steps to the stoop and on in. Fritz and Theodore were there in the hall, coming to me. Their faces were enough to make a guy's heart pop right out of his mouth.

“Airing the house? I demanded.

“He's gone, Fritz said.

“Gone where?

“I don't know. During the night. When I saw the door was open-

“What's that in your hand?

“He left them on the table in his room-for Theodore and me, and one for you-

I snatched the pieces of paper from his trembling hand and looked at the one on top. The writing on it was Wolfe's.

Dear Fritz:

Marko Vukcic will want your services. He should pay you at least $2000 a month.

My best regards…

Nero Wolfe

I looked at the next one.

Dear Theodore:

Mr Hewitt will take the plants and will need your help with them. He should pay you around $200 weekly.

My regards…

Nero Wolfe

I looked at the third one.

AG:

Do not look for me.

My very best regards and

wishes… NW

I went through them again, watching each word, told Fritz and Theodore, “Come and sit down, went to the office, and sat at my desk. They moved chairs to face me.

“He's gone, Fritz said, trying to convince himself.

“So it seems, I said aggressively.

“You know where he is, Theodore told me accusingly. “It won't be easy to move some of the plants without damage. I don't like working on Long Island, not for two hundred dollars a week. When is he coming back?

“Look, Theodore, I said, “I don't give a good goddam what you like or don't like. Mr Wolfe has always pampered you because you're the best orchid nurse alive. This is as good a time as any to tell you that you remind me of sour milk. I do not know where Mr Wolfe is nor if or when he's coming back. To you he sent his regards. To me he sent his very best regards and wishes. Now shut up.