Death of a Doxy (Crime Line)

Julie: Between you and me, I didn't need protection. But one evening, I think it was Tuesday, I had come here because Nero Wolfe wanted to see me, and I met Archie Goodwin. And the next afternoon, Wednesday, I came again, and Archie took me up to show me the orchids, and we had a long talk. Are you sure this is confidential?

Cramer: Yes.

Julie: For God's sake don't tell him, but I simply flapped. What a man! I had to have him. So I – well, I made arrangements. He may not want you to know this, but he was there all day Saturday, in my hotel, from ten o'clock on. You may not approve, I suppose you're a married man, but when I want something I usually get it.

Wolfe was looking at me, and I was shaking my head. I had not suggested that. I was sorry I wasn't there to see Cramer glaring at her.

Cramer: Do you mean to… are you saying that… you said you made arrangements. What arrangements?

Julie: I told Archie a man was annoying me and I was afraid and I wanted protection day and night. You can understand why I wanted it day and night.

Cramer: What's the name of the man who was annoying you?

Julie: Aren't you an inspector?

Cramer: Yes.

Julie: Then you ought to listen better. Nobody was annoying me. I didn't need protection. I needed Archie.

Cramer: If you didn't need protection, why did someone shoot at you, try to kill you?

Julie: I've been thinking about that. Just because he hit Fred, there by me, that doesn't prove he was shooting at me. Maybe he was shooting at Fred. Or maybe he was just shooting at anybody. Like that boy in Brooklyn who shot some woman going by in a car. They get a kick –

Cramer: Save it. I don't believe a word of it. Do you know what the penalty is for giving false information to an officer investigating a crime?

Julie: No. What is it?

Cramer: You can get five years.

Julie: What crime are you investigating? Archie said you were investigating the murder of my friend Isabel Kerr, but you don't sound like it. You only ask about me being protected and somebody shooting a gun. I must be thick.

Cramer: No, Miss Jaquette, you're not thick. You're a damn good liar. Extra good. I hope you know what you're doing. Do you know that Wolfe and Goodwin are two of the slickest operators in New York?

Julie: I don't know much about Nero Wolfe. I know a lot about Archie.

Cramer: Well, they are. How much are they paying you?

Julie: Paying me? Well. First I'm a liar, and now what am I?