Prisoner's Base

She shook her head, smiling at me. "You're good at asking questions, I know that, so I'm not going to answer any at all. I don't want you to do anything, or Nero Wolfe either, except to let me stay here for a week, right in that room, for my meals too. I think I've already talked too much. I think I should have said-no, I guess that wouldn't have worked." She laughed a little, a low running ripple. "If I had said I had read about you and seen a picture of you, and you fascinated me, and I wanted to be near you for one wonderful week, you'd have known I was lying."

"Not necessarily. Millions of women feel like that, but they can't afford the fifty bucks a day."

"I said I would pay more. Whatever you say."

"Yeah, I know. Let's get this settled. Are you going to stick to this-no naming or identifying?"

"I certainly intend to."

"Then you'd better leave Mr. Wolfe to me." I glanced at my wrist. "He'll be coming down in three-quarters of an hour." I left my chair. "I'll take you up and leave you there, and when he comes down I'll tackle him. With no tag on you it's probably hopeless, but I may be able to persuade him to listen to you." I picked up her jacket and turned. "It might help if he saw the cash. Sometimes the sight of money has an effect on people. Say three hundred and fifty, as you suggested? With the understanding, of course, that it's not a deal until Mr. Wolfe accepts it."

Her fingers were quick and accurate as they ticked off seven new fifties from the stack she got from her purse. She had enough left. I stuck our share in my pocket, went to the hall for the suitcase and hatbox, and led the way up the stairs, two flights. The door to the south room was standing open. Inside I put the luggage down, went and pulled the cords of the Venetian blinds for light, and cranked a window open.

She stood, taking a look around. "It's a big room," she said approvingly. She lifted a hand as if to touch my sleeve, but let it drop. "I appreciate this, Mr. Goodwin."

I grunted. I was not prepared to get on terms with her. Putting the suitcase on the rack at the foot of one of the twin beds, and the hatbox on a chair, I told her, "I'll have to watch you unpack these."

Her eyes widened. "Watch me? Why?"