Before Midnight

In the executive committee room, I suppose it was, I couldn't tell from their expressions who or what had won. Certainly nobody looked happy or even hopeful. Heery was at a window with his back to us, which I thought was tactful since technically he was not a party. The others eyed me without love as I approached the big table.

Hansen spoke. "We have decided to have Nero Wolfe continue with the case, using his best ability and judgment as you stated, without prejudice to any of our rights and privileges. Including the right to be informed on matters affecting our interests, but leaving that to his discretion for the present."

I had my notebook out and was jotting it down. That done, I asked, "Unanimous? Mr. Wolfe will want to know. Do you concur, Mr. Buff?" "Yes," he said firmly. "Mr. Assa?" "Yes," he said wearily. "Mr. O'Garro?" "Yes," he said rudely.

"Good." I returned the notebook to my pocket. "Ill do my best to persuade Mr. Wolfe to carry on, and if you don't hear from me within an hour you'll know it's okay. I'd like to add one little point: as his confidential assistant I'm in it too somewhat, and it interferes with my chores to spend half my time answering your phone calls, so I personally request you to keep your shirts on."

I turned to go, but Buff caught my sleeve. "You understand, Goodwin, that the time element is vital. Only five days. And we hope Wolfe understands it."

"Sure he does. Before midnight Wednesday. That's why he can't bear to be disturbed."

I left them to their misery. Passing through the reception room I paused to tell the brunette, "Guilty on all counts. See you up the river." It was a shock for her.

Chapter 14

The next two days, Saturday and Sunday, I found that my personal request had been a mistake. Thursday and Friday had been bad enough, but at least their phone calls had given me something to do now and then, and with them muzzled, or nearly so, my patience got a tougher test than ever. You might think that after putting up with Wolfe for so long I would be acclimatized, and I am up to a point, but he keeps breaking records. After I reported to him in full on my session at LBA, including a description of the premises, there was practically no mention of the case for more than sixty hours. By Monday morning I was willing to believe he had really meant it when he said it would be more feasible after the deadline, and I had to admit that at least it was an original idea to use a deadline for a starting barrier.