Death of a Doxy (Crime Line)

"Yes. Adroit, yes. You heard her with Cramer. It would depend on how well she liked it, whatever it was. The discretion would also depend. She would never spill anything she didn't want to spill. She wouldn't talk just to hear herself."

"How much verity was there in what she told Mr. Cramer?"

"None at all. She couldn't think I'm what a man because she couldn't think any man is."

"Then we'll risk it. Ask Mr. Ballou to come at eleven o'clock. Tell him I'll need only ten minutes. Miss Jaquette must not see him. Can you make sure she doesn't?"

I said I could, and went up one flight to see if there was any sign of life there. It was only a quarter to nine, but she had gone to bed early – for her – and she might have opened the door to enjoy it. She hadn't. I had told her to buzz either the kitchen or the office on the house phone when she wanted breakfast, and to allow half an hour. I went down to the office and did the chores.

I didn't know if Avery Ballou was the early kind of president, and waited till a quarter to ten to dial the number of the Federal Holding Corporation. A woman answered, of course, and switched me to a man. He would submit my name to Mr. Ballou only if I told him what I wanted; that's one of the ways junior executives try to keep wise to what their seniors are up to. I finally persuaded him the name was enough and Ballou would want it, but there was a long wait before his voice came.

"Goodwin? Archie Goodwin?"

"Right. Mr. Ballou?"

"Yes."

"There has been a development in that matter we discussed Thursday evening, and we must tell you about it. Can you be here at eleven o'clock? Same address."

"This morning?"

"Yes."

"I'm afraid I can't. Is it urgent?"

"Yes. Eleven-thirty or twelve would do, but eleven would be better. It shouldn't take more than ten minutes."

"Hold the wire… All right. I'll be there at eleven or shortly after."

If the junior executive had listened in, he must have been wondering what the hell could make Ballou jump like that, and wishing he knew.