Plot It Yourself

“We don’t reveal details of our deliberations to outsiders, but it wasn’t close. The letter has been drafted and you’ll have it tomorrow. I don’t ask you what the next move is, since Wolfe doesn’t reveal details either, but I thought he’d like to know that we’re both gallant and honourable. Sometimes.”

“He will, Mr Oshin. Congratulations. Who’s the new committee member?”

“Oh, Harvey’s still on the committee. He only resigned as chairman. I think he wants to keep his eye on us. Let me know if you need a bat boy.”

I said I would.

When Wolfe came down at six o’clock I reported the calls to him-Dexter and Saul and Oshin. As I finished, Fritz entered with a tray-a bottle of beer and a glass. Wolfe glared at him, and he stopped halfway to the desk.

“Archie put you up to this,” Wolfe said coldly.

“No, sir. I thought perhaps-”

“Take it back. I am committed. Take it back!”

Fritz went. Wolfe transferred the glare to me. “Is Alice Porter still alive?”

“I don’t know. Saul saw her at eight this morning, ten hours ago.”

“I want to see her. Bring her.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

I regarded him. “Some day,” I said, “you’re going to tell me to bring you the Queen of England, and I’ll do my best. But I remind you that two or three times, when you have told me to bring someone and I have done so, you didn’t like the method I used. Do you want to suggest one this time?”

“Yes. Tell her that I am ready to make a settlement with her for her claim against Amy Wynn.”

I raised a brow. “What if she wants to know what kind of a settlement?”

“You don’t know. You only know that I am ready to make one, and tomorrow may be too late.”

“What if she phones Amy Wynn and learns that you haven’t been told to make a settlement?”

“That’s why you’re going after her instead of phoning. She probably won’t; but if she does you’ll say that I am not making the offer on behalf of Miss Wynn. I am making it on behalf of my client, the committee. I would prefer not to have that said unless it’s necessary.”

“Okay.” I got up. “Would it help if I had some idea of what you are going to say to her?”

“No. It only occurred to me as I was coming down in the elevator. It should have occurred to me long ago. I am beginning to suspect that my mind is going. It should have occurred to you. A screw to use on that woman has been staring us in the face for a full week, and neither of us had the wit to see it. Now that I’ve told you it’s there, of course you will.”