Death of a Doxy (Crime Line)

I decided I wasn't going to get anywhere walking on eggs. "I don't want to jolt you," I said, "but I think you ought to know the situation."

"So do I. That's exactly what I think."

"Fine. When a man is arrested he has a right to call a lawyer. Orrie called Nathaniel Parker, and Parker went and saw him, and then he came here and talked with Mr. Wolfe and me. Orrie knew he was going to. They don't hold a man without bail merely because they think he knows things. They're holding him because they think he killed Isabel Kerr. They don't just think he knows something about a murder, they think he did it."

Her eyes were wide, staring. "I don't believe it."

"If you don't believe he did it, neither do I. If you don't believe they think he did, ask them. Or his lawyer. Because Mr. Wolfe doesn't think he did, he intends to do something about it, like for instance finding out who did. I haven't answered your question, why you should expect callers. Because as soon as the cops find out that Orrie is going to marry you, which won't take them long, they will want to ask you things. Like what I asked, do you know if he knew Isabel Kerr, and like what you haven't answered, when did you see him last? I only asked it twice, but they'll bear down. They'll also want to know where and how you spent Saturday morning; that's the kind of minds they have. They will wonder if you were there with him, and maybe even held her while he got the ashtray. It's also the kind of mind I have. Since I think he didn't kill her I have to consider who did, and it might have been you. Where were you Saturday morning?"

Her jaw was working. "I thought you were a friend of Orrie's," she said. "You wouldn't talk like that if he was here."

"Yes, I would, and he would understand. He wouldn't like it, but he would understand." I leaned to her, elbows on knees. "Listen, Miss Hardy. I like your looks and I like your voice. You have very nice hands. You say you had never heard of Isabel Kerr, and I have no evidence that you had, so apparently you're out, but I would really appreciate it if you would tell me when you saw Orrie last and where you were Saturday morning."

"Why do they think he killed her?" she demanded. "Why would he kill her?"

"I don't know. I may have an idea later, possibly this afternoon if I see him, from the questions they have asked him. They probably think they have some line on motive, but not necessarily."

"How could he have a motive?"