The Father Hunt

"No."

"I know nothing about the association of Floyd Vance and Elinor Denovo twenty-three years ago."

"Pfui. I'll call Mr. McCray at once and advise him to make sure that certain checks in the files of the Seaboard Bank and Trust Company are not disturbed. If the police want them they can get a court order."

"Why should the police want them?"

"They customarily want everything that is, or may be, relevant to a murder investigation. I can ask Inspector Cramer's opinion after I have explained their significance. Do you want me to do that?"

"No. If I had known the day Goodwin came…"He decided to let the if go. "I'll expect you here in the morning."

"I handle business only in my office. I am showing you more consideration than you deserve, sir. Will you be here tomorrow at eleven or not?"

"In the afternoon. Late afternoon."

"No. At eleven or not at all."

"At my age mornings are often difficult."

"Start it earlier. Rise earlier. At eleven or don't come."

"Damn you. I'll be there."

The connection went. I pushed the phone back, turned, and said, "I suppose you didn't lose an ounce. I lost ten pounds."

He grunted. "I'm not as phlegmatic as you think I am. It was that or nothing."

"Well, it's that. He's not only hooked, he's boated. Have you decided what the tie is? Him and Vance?"

"No."

"He's Vance's father."

He nodded. "That would be the most serviceable, for our purpose. Is there a noticeable resemblance?"

"Noticeable, no."

"That point isn't vital, but it would help to know. We will. On another point I need your opinion. Should Miss Denovo be here?"

"That is a point. She has been on my mind the last two days. I want to make a speech."

"Go ahead."

"She's a nice girl and a good client, and for a week I've been sorry we were going to have to tell her that Floyd Vance is her father. And since Tuesday morning I have been even sorrier. It's a damn shame that she has to know not only that such a character as Vance is her father but also that he killed her mother. I have thought of three possible ways to handle it without telling her, but none of them is really neat. I invite suggestions."

"I have none. I have an argument."

"Go ahead."

"I too have had reflections, if not identical with yours at least similar. It's desirable for a client to be satisfied not only with our performance but also with its result