Over My Dead Body

"Well." Cramer regarded him with narrowed eyes, but it was one-sided, because Wolfe's eyes were still shut. "That's sort of vague. That you'll give me what I want. Who decides what I want?"

"Nonsense. I'm not quibbling. You want the identity of the murderer and the motive. I'll give you those."

"Any evidence?"

"Enough to satisfy you. And some of it I don't think you'll ever get unless you get it here and soon."

"Is it that thing in the safe?"

"Oh, no, you could get that yourself in about twenty-four hours. It took me twenty-five. I'll have to pry off a lid to get the evidence I'm speaking of."

Cramer eyed him a moment longer and said, "Shoot."

"Without reservation, no interference or protest from you."

"Right. Shoot."

Wolfe opened his eyes at me. "Archie, get Mr Barrett on the phone."

"Donny or Dad?"

"Mr Barrett Senior."

Neya Tormic blurted, "You mustn't-"

As I got at the phone Wolfe shushed her, and he had to keep on shushing her while I fiddled around with three different numbers before I finally reached the desired party at the Thistle Club. She subsided when Wolfe got on the phone:

"Mr Barrett? This is Nero Wolfe. I'm calling to fulfil a promise. I told you that if I should find it necessary to interfere with your business I'd let you know in advance. I'm afraid I'm not giving you much notice; I'm going ahead now. No, please, please, that won't help matters any. At my office. Yes. Yes, I'll consent to that. No! If your son is there with you, you'd better bring him along. Yes. We'll be expecting you within fifteen minutes."

He pushed the phone away and got to his feet, and moved in the direction of the door.

Neya Tormic jumped up and grabbed at him. She got his sleeve. "Where-I'll go with you-"

"No, Miss Tormic. I'll be back in a moment. Archie!"

I arose and started over, but before I got there she let him go, and he went on out. I had no idea what her status was, or her intentions either, so I ambled to the door and stood there with my back against it. She didn't go back and sit down, but stood pat, with her eyes levelled at me, or maybe at the door, since I don't like to flatter myself. We had held the tableau perhaps three minutes, not more than four, when I felt the door pressing against me, and stood aside to let Wolfe re-enter. He halted to hand me an envelope, sealed, with For Neya Tormic on it in his writing, and then went on to his desk.

He looked at Cramer and indicated with a thumb the dick in the corner. "What is that man's name?"

"That? Charlie Heath."