Over My Dead Body

"Tell him to obey the instructions I give him."

Cramer twisted his neck. "Here, Heath. Follow orders."

"Thank you." Wolfe regarded the dick, approaching. "Have you a car, Mr Heath?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Take that envelope from Mr Goodwin and put it in your pocket. No, your inside pocket. Take Miss Tormic in your car and drive-"

Neya was at him: "No! I don't-I'm not going-"

"That will do," Wolfe snapped. "You are going. I do this my way. Have you any cash with you?"

"But I won't-"

"You will! Confound it, how much cash have you?"

"I… have a little."

"How much?"

"A few dollars."

"Archie, give Miss Tormic a hundred dollars."

I produced the expense roll and peeled it off, making the roll look pretty sick, and handed it to her, and she took it.

Wolfe said to the dick. "Drive to the corner of Fifth Avenue and 35th Street, let Miss Tormic out, give her the envelope, leave her there, and return straight here immediately. You are not to loiter to see what she does or which way she goes. Nor are you to communicate in any way with any other person, either going or returning."

I said grimly, "Send Fred along or let me go."

"Will that be necessary, Mr Cramer?"

"No. I'm not a complete damn fool. Follow instructions, Heath."

"Yes, sir. I take her to Fifth, drop her, give her the envelope, and come straight back."

Wolfe nodded. "Will you do that?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good." He turned. "Au revoir, Miss Tormic."

"Ah," she said. Her black eyes were piercing him. "You think so?"

"Well… a conjecture. It wouldn't surprise me any."

"You… you fat fool!"

"Yes, I'm fat. And, of course, we're all fools. I'm sorry you won't be here to see the end of this. A silly little victory, but it's mine."

"Victory!"

"Yes."

Her lip curled. She turned and started off. I got to the door and opened it, but before she passed through she halted to fling back at him, "Teega mee bornie roosa" or at least that was what it sounded like. Then she went on, don't-touch-me all over, with the dick at her heels. I let them out, followed them into the November night air, and stood on the stoop to overlook the departure. As well as I could see in the dim light, the dick didn't pass any signal to any colleague, and when they rolled off in the police car they certainly weren't followed.