Champagne for One

"You wouldn’t have. Tomorrow is Sunday."

"Yes. Since three of them are girls with jobs that is just as well."

"You want all of them?"

"Yes."

"Are any of them with you now?"

"No."

"Is Commissioner Skinner in this?"

"No."

"I’ll call you back in an hour."

"That won’t do," Wolfe objected. "If I am to invite them I must start at once, and it’s late."

Not only that, but he knew darned well that if he gave him an hour Cramer would probably ring our bell in about ten minutes and want in. Anyway, it was a cinch that Cramer would buy it, and after a few more foolish questions he did.

We hung up, and Wolfe turned to Byne, who had returned to his chair. "Now for you," he said, "and Mrs Usher. I do not intend to let you communicate with anyone, and there is only one way to insure against it. She will spend the night here; there is a spare room with a good bed. It is a male household, but that shouldn’t disconcert her. There is another room you may use, or, if you prefer, Mr Panzer will accompany you home and sleep there, and bring you here in the morning. Mr Cramer will have the others here at eleven o’clock."

"You can go to hell," Byne said. He stood up. "I’m taking Mrs Usher to her hotel."

Wolfe shook his head. "I know your mind is in disorder, but surely you must see that that is out of the question. I can’t possibly allow you an opportunity to repair any of the gaps I have made in your fences. If you scoot I shall move at once, and you’ll find you have no fences left at all. Only by my sufferance can you hope to get out of this mess without disfigurement, and you know it. Archie, bring Saul and Mrs Usher-no. First ring Mr Byne’s apartment and tell Orrie to come. Also tell him not to be disappointed at not finding the agreement; it isn’t there. If he has found any items that seem significant he might as well bring them."

"You goddamn snoop," Dinky said, merely repeating himself.

I turned to the phone.

Chapter Fifteen