Death of a Doxy (Crime Line)

"You would be the judge of the situation. I want to earn the money, not extort it. Now the fourth point, the reason I had to see you without delay. To proceed with any expectation of success, I must enlist help. I need the assistance of a woman named Julie Jaquette, or Amy Jackson, who was the friend -"

"I know the name. I know about her."

"From Miss Kerr."

"Yes."

"She doesn't know your name, and she doesn't need to. She calls you the lobster. I want to ask her help, without telling her your name, and I want to tell her that if we succeed she will receive fifty thousand dollars in cash. Will you supply it?"

Ballou frowned at him.

"You told me," Wolfe said, "that the fifty thousand was just a retainer and implied that there would be more if I served your purpose. I wouldn't want more. I'll get it done in a day or two, or not at all. I make it contingent on success, against precedent, to preclude any smell of extortion. Also, the prospect is dim. What are the odds against us, Archie?"

I didn't have to consider. "A thousand to one."

"This is pointless," Ballou said. "You know damned well I'm trapped. You told me you're my only hope. What's another fifty thousand, or ten times fifty? If you think she can help, all right. You don't seem -"

He wasn't interrupted; I was, by the sound of the vacuum cleaner. I rose and went to the hall, stood at the foot of the stairs, and heard no voices, just the vacuum cleaner. I was thinking the conversation was finished anyway and was turning to go and tell him where the door was, when he came. I was at the rack, ready with his coat, by the time he got there. His car was out in front, and I waited until he was in it and it was rolling, before going to the stairs and on up to the second landing.

Fritz was giving the carpet a play, and Julie, in pajamas and barefoot, was standing in the doorway, watching him. He had his back to her, pretending he didn't know she was there. I went and switched the vacuum off with my toe and spoke. "You might have waited until she was up."

"I am up," she said. "What time is it? I forgot to wind my watch."

A bellow came from below. "Archie! Where are you?" I called down where I was, and more bellow came. "Tell Miss Jaquette I want her!"