Murder by the Book

There was only an inch of beer left in Cramer's glass. He got it and drained it and then settled back, not through yet. He rubbed the side of his nose with a fingertip. "I guess that covers it. It looks like a wrap-up. The DA will be ready to give the press a statement as soon as they decide whether to release the confession. Thank God they decide that and not me. But on the main question, do we cross off the murders or don't we, I'll have to go along and maybe I'm ready to, only there's you to think of. That's why I'm here. Once or twice I have kicked a hat that you had hid a brick in, and I don't want a sore toe. You connected Joan Wellman with Dykes by spotting that name, Baird Archer. You tied in Rachel Abrams by having Goodwin there two minutes late. You pulled the stunt that got Corrigan a bullet in his head. So I repeat a question I asked you day before yesterday: are you ready to send your client a bill?"

"No," Wolfe said flatly.

"I thought not," Cramer growled. "What are you waiting for?"

"I'm through waiting." Wolfe struck the arm of his chair

with his palm, a gesture so violent that with him it was the next thing to hysterics. "I have to he. This can't go on forever. I'll have to do it with what I've got or not at all."

"What have you got?"

"Nothing that you haven't. Absolutely nothing. It may not be enough, but I see no chance of getting more. If I-"

The phone rang, and I swiveled and got it. It was Saul Panzer. He wanted Wolfe. Wolfe took it and gave me the sign to get off, and I did so. The part of the conversation that Cramer and I listened to was not exciting. Mostly it was grunts, at intervals. Apparently Saul had plenty to say. At the end Wolfe told him, "Satisfactory. Report here at six o'clock," and hung up.*

He turned to Cramer. "I'll have to amend that statement. I now have something that you do not have, but it was easily available to you if you had gone after it. I'm better off than I was, but not much. I never will be, and I'm going to act. You're welcome to participate if you care to."

"In what?"

"A risky but resolute effort to expose a murderer. Tha the best I can offer."

"You can offer some information. What did you just ^e^ and who is it?"

Wolfe shook his head. "You would insist on further inquiry and let the moment slip, and further inquiry would be fruitless. He has been too smart for you and almost too smart for me. I'm going to close with him and I may get him. You may participate or not, as you please."

"Participate how?"