The Father Hunt

It was something to see, how, in that fix, Jarrett's eyes stayed as hard and cold as when he had told me I was an idiot. "You're lying about McCray," he said. "He's behind this and behind you."

"No. Only fools tell lies that are vulnerable. My sole concern is the interest of my client, Miss Amy Denovo, the daughter of Elinor Denovo."

"What do you want? How much?"

"I want nothing but answers to some questions. I want the information that my client hired me to get, that's all-and by the way, my commitment is a limited one. I have engaged only to learn who and what her father was -and is. I will be obliged to tell her only that, and no other information you give me will be repeated to her or to anyone else, either by Mr. Goodwin or by me."

Wolfe cocked his head. "You spoke of blackmail. Actually, as I said yesterday, I am showing you more consideration tihan you deserve. A citizen who possesses information relevant to a crime is expected to give it to the police. I could have done that yesterday and saved all this pother. In their investigation they would certainly es-tabHsh the identity of Amy Denovo's father and my

obligation to her would be met, and I would have earned my fee. I go to this unnecessary trouble only to gratify my self-esteem; I prefer to get the information myself, firsthand. I don't want any thanks from you and don't expect any."

"You won't get any." Jarrett lifted his feet and kicked the footstool aside. Evidently the pill had helped. "I answer your questions and you earn your fee, and then you inform the police."

"No. I have told you, except for the identity of Amy Denovo's father, nothing that you say will be reported to anyone, either by Mr. Goodwin or by me. If as assurance of that you will not accept my word there was no point in your coming."

Jarrett was visibly reacting. I admit it gave me pleasure to see it, remembering the two sessions I had had with him. His jaw was working, the muscle at the side of his neck was twitching, and his fingers had folded to make fists.

"Floyd Vance is Amy Denovo's father," he said.

Wolfe nodded. "As I surmised. How do you know that?"

"Damn you, I'm telling you! I know because… I have personal knowledge. That's the information you say you have been hired to get."

"It is indeed. But as I said, I must have answers that satisfy me. We'll start at the beginning. In the spring of nineteen forty-four Carlotta Vaughn left your employ and went to work for and with Floyd Vance. Why?"