Murder by the Book

Phelps, the encyclopedia, protested, "Everybody can't be brilliant like you, Con. Maybe it's just as well they can't."

O'Malley nodded at him. "You're dead right, Emmett. But you're always right. I've never resented it, you know, your always being right, I don't know why. Not because you're the only one who didn't profit by my downfall; I never resented it."

"I did profit. I moved up one and I get a bigger cut." Phelps went to Wolfe. "We all profited by our partner's misfortune, or we will, if this doesn't ruin us altogether. Even I. Strictly speaking, I am not an attorney-at-law; I am a scholar. To a lawyer the most interesting case is the one he is currently engaged in. To me the most interesting case is one that was tried in Vienna in 1568.1 inject this only to explain why this case of yours is to me unutterably dull. It might not be if I had myself killed Dykes and those two young women, but I doubt it. I would be attentive, naturally, but not interested. You will forgive me, I hope."

That, I thought, might be useful in future conversations with Sue Dondero, Phelps's secretary. From her scanty remarks about her boss I hadn't got that slant on him, and surely she would like to know more about him if she didn't already. Girls feel that it's their duty to know all about their bosses.

Wolfe was cocking his head at the encyclopedia. "Murders bore you, Mr. Phelps?"

"I didn't say that. 'Bore' is an active verb. I am merely indifferent."

"But isn't your livelihood involved?"

"Yes. That's why I'm here. I came and I'll talk, but don't expect to arouse me."

"Then I won't try." Wolfe's eyes moved. "By the way, Mr. O'Malley, why are you here?"

"Loyalty." I had refilled O'Malley's glass, and he lifted it. "To loyalty!"

"To whom? Your former associates? I was getting the impression that you are not too well disposed toward them."

"That just shows"-O'Malley put his glass down-"how wrong appearances can be. My old friends Jim and Emmett and Louis and Fred? I'd go through hell for them-in fact I have. Isn't that acceptable as my motive for coming?"

"I'd prefer something a little less moot."