Rex Stout - The Father Hunt

"Yes, Mr. Cramer?"

"About Floyd Vance. You read the papers."

"Yes."

"We're going for first-degree and we expect it to stick. We've followed the new rules and we don't even ask him if he's thirsty unless his lawyer's present. I'rh willing to give you some information we haven't released if you give me your word that you'll keep it in confidence."

"That's rather difficult. Information that I can't use won't help."

"I doubt if you can use it. If you can use it without divulging it, okay."

"Very well. You have my word."

"For what you want, it's negative. For at least a year and probably longer, we're still digging at it, Elinor De-novo was knifing him. She must have been a slick article. We can't find that she ever once actually mentioned his name, but last spring the only two clients he had that amounted to anything left him, and we have it in writing that they switched to a firm that was suggested and recommended by Elinor Denovo. Those are the two outstanding cases, but there are several others, and by the time it gets to trial we'll have a good file on it. As it stands now his lawyer would like to cop a plea for second-degree, but we want to wrap it up for first and I think we will. Evidently she decided, I think about a year and a half ago, to make it impossible for him to operate and she was doing a damn good job of it. You worked on him. Didn't you get any line on it?"

"No."

"You wouldn't withhold information."

"Sarcasm isn't your best blade, Mr. Cramer."

"That's why I never use it. And I doubt if you can use what I'm giving you. We've got a motive for Floyd Vance that's plenty good enough and it will be even better before we're through, but her motive for cooking him is your problem, not mine. It could be that she decided to even up for something that happened back in nineteen forty-. four, but I'm glad we don't have to dig that deep. If you want to try, you're welcome, but Goodwin can't get him to come and spend another evening in that chair. He's not available."

"No. I was hoping for something useful, and apparently

I'll have to accept defeat. But I am obliged to you. Sincerely obliged."

"Thafs a line to hang up on," Cramer said, and hung up.

Wolfe took a deep breath and a corner of his mouth went up a full quarter of an inch. He looked at me and said, "Satisfactory."

"Satisfactory hell," I said, "it's perfect. Simply marvelous. Do I make out a check for Miss Denovo for twenty grand?"

"Not now. That may come later." He looked at the clock. "Get Mr. Jarrett. I'll talk."

My brows went up. "Father or son?"

"Mr. Cyrus M. Jarrett."

I nodded. "Yeah. I admit I'm fairly good at filling orders, but this time I need specifications. My batting record for getting Cyrus M. Jarrett to the phone is nothing for two. I think the person I get is named Oscar."

"I'll speak with Oscar."

My brows were up again as I swiveled, got the phone, and dialed area code 914 and a number. Wolfe had his receiver to his ear, so all my part needed was a finger, but I stayed on. After four rings the remembered male voice said, "Mr. Jarrett's residence."

"My name is Nero Wolfe. I am calling from New York. I wish to speak to Mr. Jarrett. Tell him- don't interrupt me. Tell him that I wish to speak with him about Floyd Vance. Repeat that name."

"But Mr. Jarrett is eating-"

"I told you to repeat that name. Floyd Vance."

"Floyd Vance."

"Good. Mr. Jarrett will be able to hear you. He doesn't eat with his ears. Tell him that I must speak with him now about Floyd Vance. You have my name?"

"Yes, sir."

"I'll hold the wire, but don't keep me waiting."

I probably wasn't breathing. It was a king-size gamble, and I was posting no odds. Too much depended on it. So the obvious step was drawing to what could be an inside straight. Not only was it possible that there was no close connection between Jarrett and Floyd Vance, and there was some other explanation for the checks Jarrett had

sent, it was even conceivable that he had never heard of Floyd Vance. It could be that the next thing we would hear would be Oscar, if it was Oscar, hanging up.

But it wasn't. I didn't time it because I was hanging on a cliff, but I think it was about three hours. I mean three minutes.

"You're interrupting my dinner."

I nodded at Wolfe. It was him.

"Mr. Jarrett?"

"Yes."

"My name is Nero Wolfe. I don't like to interrupt any man's meal, but it's urgent. I have a decision to make that can't be delayed. I just now conversed with the police officer who is in charge of the investigation of the murder of Elinor Denovo, and I can tell you in confidence that Mr. Archie Goodwin, who has been to see you twice, and I are responsible for the arrest of Floyd Vance as the culprit. To justify a charge of first-degree murder the police wish to establish a motive, arid it is manifest that it would help them to have your name so they can ask you about the association of Floyd Vance and Elinor Denovo twenty-three years ago. That would inevitably lead to your appearance on the witness stand at the trial of Floyd Vance, and I am reluctant to take the responsibility for exposing a man of your standing to such an ordeal. Before disclosing your name I would like to discuss the situation with you, and I'll expect you here, at my office, at eleven o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Was my name mentioned in your talk with the police officer?"

"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?"