Death of a Doxy (Crime Line)

"Do you think he would have tried to kill you just because you knew about the blackmailing and wanted the money, if he hadn't also killed Isabel? Remember, I was there, and he knew what I was working on. The murder. I think it would be fine for you to pick up fifty grand, but also I understood that you wanted the man who killed Isabel to be tagged. You said so. Do you think there is any doubt that he killed her?"

"No."

"Then count up to two."

She picked up the cup and took a sip, found that it had cooled enough, emptied the cup and put it down, and said, "He wouldn't be tagged if they blow."

"No," I conceded. "But his number would be up, and he wouldn't be here to name X. They'd find him someday, and then we'd see. As Mr. Wolfe said, probably we can't, but possibly we can."

"She lives in the Bronx."

"Right."

"Would I have to go there?"

"I hope not. This is the day he was to bring you the five grand, and God knows where he is or what he might try. I'm off of bodyguarding for a while."

"Here," Wolfe said. "Get her."

"I'll sit in," I told Julie, "if you think I won't hash it."

"What a man," she said, and poured coffee.

I swiveled, got the Bronx phone book, found the number, lifted the receiver, and dialed, hoping she was there and was answering the phone. She was. It was her voice that said hello.

"This is Archie Goodwin, Mrs. Fleming. You may remember, I was there a week ago today."

"I remember."

"Then you may remember that I said the police had the wrong man and I was looking for the right man. I have found him, and we want to tell you about him and ask your advice about how to proceed. We know you hope there won't be a trial, and we want to discuss it with you. Will you come here, Nero Wolfe's office? Now?"

Silence. It went on so long I thought she had gone, but she hadn't hung up. I finally said, "Mrs. Fleming?" but there was more silence.

At last her voice came. "Mr. Goodwin?"

"Yes."

"What's the address?"

I gave it to her.

Chapter 15