In the Best Families

No one moved or spoke. Then Calvin Leeds: “Count me out, Annabel. Not with

Goodwin. Let him tell us first where Nero Wolfe is and why.

“But Gal-you won't?

“Not with him I won't.

“Dana?

Hammond looked unhappy. He got up and went to her. “Annabel, this was a mistake.

The whole idea was no good. What can Goodwin do that the police couldn't do? I doubt if you have any conception of how a private detective works.

“He can try. Will you help, Dana?

“No. I hate to refuse, but I must.

“Oliver? Will you?

“Well. The statesman was frowning, not at her, at me. “This seems to me to be a case of all or none. I don't see how anything could be accomplished-

“Then you refuse me too?

“Under the circumstances I have no other course.

“I see. You won't even give me a straight no. Barry?

“Certainly not. Goodwin has lied to the police about my wife's visit to Wolfe. I wouldn't give him eight seconds, let alone eight hours.

Annabel left her chair and went towards the couch. “Lina, I guess it's up to the women. You and me. She was darned good to us, Lina-both of us. What about iti"

“Darling, Lina Darrow said. She sat up. “Darling Annabel. You know you don't like me.

“That isn't true, Annabel protested. “Just because-

“Of course it's true. You thought I was trying to squeeze you out. You thought I was making a play for Barry merely because I was willing to admit he might be human, so wait and see. You thought I was trying to snatch Ollie from you, when as a matter of fact-

“Lina, for God's sake, Pierce implored her.

Her fine dark eyes flashed at him. “She did, Ollie! When as a matter of fact she got bored with you, and I happened to be near. The eyes darted right to left, sweeping them. “And look at you now, all of you, and listen to you! You all think Barry killed her-all except one, you would say, Ollie. But you haven't got the guts to say so. And this Mr Goodwin of yours, darling Annabel, have you told him that what you really want him for is to find some kind of proof that Barry did it? No, I suppose you're saving that for later.

Lina arose, in no hurry, and confronted Annabel from springing distance. “I thought it would be something like this, she said, and left us, detouring around Leeds' chair and heading for the door to the reception hall. Eyes followed her, but no one said anything; then, as she passed out of sight, Barry

Rackham got up and, without a glance for any of us, including his hostess, tramped from the room.

The remaining three guests exchanged looks. Leeds and Pierce left their chairs.