Death of a Doxy (Crime Line)

He was having trouble with his eyes. He wanted them to stay on her, but they wanted me in. "I'm afraid," he said, "there's a serious misunderstanding. I'm afraid Isabel told you some things that weren't true. I'm afraid -"

"Nuts. Milton Thales. Tha-lez. I know exactly how you got it and who you got it from. The only reason I haven't told the cops is because Isabel wouldn't want me to. She would want me to make you cough it up, and that's what I'm doing. I think she would also want me to tell her sister, because she intended to, and I think I ought to, but first I want the money. Have you got it?"

"No. Honestly, Miss Jaquette, really -"

"Nuts." She whirled. "What do you think, Mr. Goodwin?"

Formal, yet. She could have made it Archie. "I think you're wasting your time," I said. "I think I ought to call Inspector Cramer and tell him to come and get him. I suggest Cramer because he handles homicide and he may be interested." I rose and went to the stand where the phone was and lifted the receiver and started to dial.

Fleming's voice came, not a yell, but loud. "No!"

I turned. "No?"

"I'll give you the money." From that angle the light was bouncing off his cheekbones. "I couldn't get it today, the bank's closed. I'll bring it Monday."

I cradled the phone. Julie said, "All of it. Five thousand."

"Yes. Of course." His eyes went with me back to the couch, and then to her. "What you said – I don't think Isabel would want you to tell my wife, now that she – I'm sure she wouldn't. Promise me you won't. I'm going to give you the money."

Julie shook her head. "I'm not promising anything."

"Promise me you won't tell her before Monday. We can talk about it Monday. I can tell you why – we can talk about it."

I spoke because I considered it absolutely essential for him to know he had some time to play with. "I'm here too," I said. "I can't speak for Miss Jaquette, but I can for me. I promise positively to say nothing to your wife until after you return the five grand, provided it's Monday. Then we'll see."

"All right," she said. "Archie's promise is no good without mine. I promise too."

He put his hat on. If he had known he was putting it on, in a lady's room with the lady present, he would have been shocked. He wanted to say something more, but didn't know what, and he turned, slow and stiff, and headed for the door. Then he forgot his manners again. When he shut the door he left it open a crack. Julie went and pushed it shut and then came to me and asked, "How was I?"