Prisoner's Base

"How long are you going to drag this out?"

"I'm through dragging. Here's the point. We're flumped. We have got to try something different-like this, for instance. We want to do a playback of the session at the office Thursday evening, with the original cast, and take a tape recording of it. We'll bring the personnel, with the exception of Sarah Jaffee, and the recorder, and all you will have to do is let us in and play your part. I have told my associates, who have done me the favor of letting me make this phone call, that I am practically certain you will tell us to go to hell; and since nothing gives you more pleasure than to prove me wrong, here's a chance for some good clean fun. All you have to do-"

"Archie."

"Yes, sir."

"When do you want to do this?"

"Today. As soon as possible. Of course you won't be down from the plant rooms until eleven-"

"Very well." He was gruff but not wroth. "As you know, I have stated before witnesses that you are my client in this instance, and I never refuse a reasonable request from a client. This request seems reasonable. Therefore I grant it."

It was unexpected, no doubt about that, but my chief reaction was not surprise. It was surmise. His noble sentiment about humoring his client, especially when I was it, was pure guff. Something else was moving him, but what?

He was going on. "However, eleven will be too early, as I'll be engaged. Shall we say twelve o'clock? Will that be convenient?"

"Yes, sir, that will suit fine. I'll come on up pretty soon and get things arranged, chairs and so on."

"No." He was emphatic. "You will not. Fritz and I can manage. Your associates in the Police Department need you more than I do. Be here at twelve." He hung up.

I cradled the phone and told my audience, "Mr. Wolfe says okay. We're to be there at noon."

I didn't add that I had a strong suspicion there were going to be some script revisions, not by any of us and not by any of the cast.

Chapter 16

The idea, I don't know whose, was to go in a body, after gathering at the Tenth Precinct station, and it was quite a cavalcade, with two limousines-Skinner's and Bowen's-and four PD sedans.