Over My Dead Body

That," Wolfe said, "is the photograph of the Princess Vladanka Donevitch, radioed from London. If I had only got it this morning-"

Cramer jumped up, sputtering, "What kind of a goddam run-around-this is that Tormic-"

"Now, please!" Wolfe pushed a palm at him. "Yes, it is Miss Tormic. I agreed-"

"And she's-and, by God, you had one of my men take her and turn her loose-"

"I did. What else could I do? She was sitting here in my office, thinking she was my client, under my protection. I didn't agree to catch the murderer for you. I agreed to disclose the identity and the motive. If you'll take my advice, the simplest way to get her-"

But Cramer wasn't taking advice. He nearly knocked me out of my chair, getting at the phone. Father and son sat tight. Wolfe looked up at the clock and heaved a sigh. Cramer got his number and began spouting orders to someone. I picked up the radiophoto of the princess and laid it on Wolfe's desk, and gathered up the wrapping paper and put it in the waste-basket.

Cramer finished and stood up and yapped at Wolfe, "If we don't get her I'll-"

"It was a bargain," Wolfe snapped.

"One hell of a bargain." He moved for the door, turned, and spoke to the Barretts: "I'll want to see you. If you try setting a fire under me, I'll give you all I've got." He went and I was right behind him. While he grabbed his coat and hat I got Heath from the front room, always glad to get cops out of the house, from the flatfoots on up. I followed them out to the stoop, leaving the door ajar, and watched the army that had been surrounding the house being called into action. Cramer waved them in and gave them curt and crackling orders. His own car had to back up a few feet before it could nose around the rear of the Barrett town car. The taxi down the street rolled up, then it and Heath's car sped away. Cramer's car started, then stopped, and my name was called:

"Hey, Goodwin, come here!"

I trotted down the steps and past Barrett's car on over to him. Cramer leaned from the window:

"I want that picture. Understand?"

"Sure, we're through with it," I told him obligingly, and stood at the kerb and watched their tail light as they headed for the corner.

I watched them too long.