Not Quite Dead Enough (The Rex Stout Library)

After all, he had me. Wolfe had told me to get the suitcase without the knowledge of Fife, and Fife was my commanding officer. My ignorance was stupendous. Was Lawson straight and would he report to Fife? Was Lawson a crook or a murderer, or both-and would he report to Fife anyway to cover up? Were Lawson and Sergeant Bruce- But there was no sense standing there all night asking myself questions I couldn’t answer, with them staring at me.

I spoke. “Ladies and gentlemen. I have been assigned, as you know, to assist Nero Wolfe in work he is doing for the Army. I’m now going to report to him, and take this carton with me. Up to there, as far as you’re concerned, since you’re only a non-com and a shavetail, we can put it that the only difference between General Eisenhower and me is that he’s not here. But beyond that we’re just folks. If on my way out Lawson tries to trip me or hit me with a chair I won’t appeal to authority, now or later. I’ll merely knock his block off.”

A corner of Lawson’s mouth was turned up. “I wasn’t going to be so crude,” he said coldly, “but now I don’t know.”

“Make up your mind, brother,” I told him, and focused on Sergeant Bruce. “So I offer a suggestion. Not an order from Major Goodwin, just a person-to-person call. How about accompanying the carton and me to Wolfe’s place? I’ve got a car down in front. The trip might do you good.”

If she had flashed a glance at Lawson that would have answered at least one of my questions, but all she did was cock her head at me.

“I think,” she said, “that I ought to tell you you’ll probably be sorry for this, Major.”

“I already am. I don’t like any part of it. Are you coming?”

“Certainly. That carton and its contents belong to me.” She moved, crossing to Lawson and putting her hand on his arm. “Ken darling, this is nothing. Really. But I’m afraid-I don’t know how long it will take. I’ll phone you later. And perhaps you had better phone my sister in Washington-right away.”

“I could,” he growled, “wring him out and hang him up to dry.”

“I’m sure you could.” She patted his arm. “But you behave yourself. There’s more than one way to-cure a cold. Phone me later, Ken?”

“I will.”

“Be sure the door’s locked when you leave. Are we going, Major?”