Death of a Doxy (Crime Line)

"I lie only when I must. Now it isn't necessary. I told you yesterday that I suspected there was a connection between the murder of Isabel Kerr and the shots fired at Miss Jaquette, that I could guess, but I didn't know." Wolfe turned a hand over. "Mr. Cramer. There are certain details that I don't intend to divulge, and anyway, you don't need them now and would have no use for them. The murder is solved, and the culprit is dead. But not only are you a policeman with duties, you are also a man with the itch of curiosity, and furthermore I gall you. So I tell you this: I learned, no matter how, who was supplying the money for Isabel Kerr's luxurious way of life, and certain facts about it, and that led me to my surmise that Barry Fleming had killed her. I also learned, again no matter how, that Barry Fleming feared that Miss Jaquette would disclose certain facts which he thought she had got from Isabel Kerr, and therefore she was in danger and should be protected. I did not know he fired the shots; I don't know it now. As for lying, I give you my word of honor that what I have just told you is completely true. Miss Jaquette is still here, and you may see her if you have time to waste; I presume she would chaff you as she did yesterday."

Cramer looked at me. He knew from experience that when Wolfe gave his word of honor he meant it. He squinted at me, frowning, until I wondered if my tie was crooked. "I thought you did everything right," he said. "Always cocky. How much did it miss her, with you standing there, about a foot?"

What I would have liked to do you don't do to a cop, especially an inspector. All I could do was squint back at him. He got to his feet and looked down at Wolfe. "I'm still curious," he said. "You learned a lot, and of course you learned it from Cather. Do you realize that if he hadn't buttoned his lip, if he had told us what he told you, all of it, he would have been out before now, and Fleming would be in and still alive? Sure you realize it. But you had to do it. You had to show once more how sharp you are. I wish to God – oh, what's the use."

He turned and started for the door, but short of it he stopped and wheeled. "Don't you think you ought to send flowers to his funeral?"