Over My Dead Body

"Tackle him, Donny darling. Knock him down and walk on him. Don't let him use my phone. Don't let him use anything-"

A voice sounded in my ear: "This is Nero Wolfe."

I said, "Hullo, Police Headquarters? Give me Inspector Cramer of the homicide squad."

Wolfe's voice said, "Indeed. Go ahead."

Barrett leaned across the divan at me and started to expostulate. I waved a hand at him to subside, and talked again:

"Hello, Homicide Division? I want to talk to Inspector Cramer. Oh, he has. Who is this talking? Sergeant Finkle? I guess you'll do. This is Archie Goodwin of Nero Wolfe's office. I want to report a development on the Ludlow mur-"

Barrett's hand shot out and pushed the cradle down and held it.

"Don't be a sap," I told him politely. "Even if I don't want to start a rough house-"

"What are you going to tell him?"

"Where he can find a woman who says she saw Miss Tormic put something in my pocket and is now saying she didn't say it."

"You're a goddam fool. You're supposed to be protecting Miss Tormic."

"I know I am. But in the long run the truth is the best protection against-"

"Truth, hell. Do you realize they can trace that call?"

I shrugged. "I presume so. If they do, they'll ring back. Then, if they don't get satisfaction, I presume they'll send somebody here, and it would be bad tactics not to let them in. And, of course, if they find Zorka and me here-"

He had his jaw clamped. "You dirty, treacherous-"

I shrugged.

Miss Reade said, "I am darned sick and tired of hearing about that Tormic! As far as I am concerned, Archie-"

"Be quiet!" Barrett told her savagely. "You know damn well-" He bit it off and wheeled to Zorka. "You'll have to go, and go quick! Get a move on!"

"But," she protested, "you told me-"

"I don't care what I told you! This double-crossing…" He grabbed her shoulder and got her upright. He was pretty masterful in a real emergency. "Where's your coat? Where's your shoes and stockings? To hell with stockings. Shoes!"

He raced to the far end of the room and through a door. I went in the opposite direction, to the foyer, and got my hat and coat and put them on. Then I opened the closet door, thinking to help, but stood bewildered at the array of fur-bearing animals hanging there. I thought what's the difference, and reached for one, but felt my elbow seized from behind and heard Belinda's voice:

"Hey, no you don't. That's my mink! Get out of the way!"