The Doorbell Rang (The Rex Stout Library)

"The question is routine," Wolfe said, "but it is not always futile. I ask you to reflect. Without regard for slander; you will not be quoted. Surely Morris Althaus did not live thirty-six years without giving offense to anyone. He offended his father. He offended Mr Quayle." He looked at Yarmack. "Were the articles he wrote for your magazine innocuous?"

"No," the editor said. "But if they hurt anyone enough for them to murder him I shouldn't think they would wait until now."

"One of them had to wait," Quayle said. "He was in jail."

Wolfe switched editors. "For what?"

"Fraud. A shady real-estate deal. Morris did a piece we called 'The Realty Racket,' and it started an investigation, and one of them got nailed. He was sent up for two years. That was two years ago, a little less, but with time off for good behavior he must be out by now. But he's no murderer, he wouldn't have the guts. I saw him a couple of times when he was trying to get us to leave his name out. He's just a small-time smoothie."

"His name?"

"I don't- Yes, I do. Does it matter? Odell. Something Odell. Frank, that's it. Frank Odell."

"I don't understand-" Mrs Althaus began, but it came out hoarse and she cleared her throat. She was looking at Wolfe. "I don't understand all this. If it was the FBI, why are you asking all these questions? Why don't you ask Mr Yarmack what Morris had found out about the FBI? I have asked him, and he says he doesn't know."

"I don't," Yarmack said.

Wolfe nodded. "So I assumed. Otherwise you would be harassed not only by the police. Had he told you nothing of his discoveries and conjectures?"

"No. He never did. He waited until he had a first draft. That was how he always worked."

Wolfe grunted. "Madam," he told Mrs Althaus, "as I said, I must be satisfied. I should ask a thousand questions-all night, all week. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is a formidable foe, entrenched in power and privilege. It is not rodomontade but merely a statement of fact to say that no individual or group in America would undertake the job I have assigned myself. If an agent of the FBI killed your son there is not the slightest chance that he will be brought to account unless I do it. Therefore the choice of procedure is exclusively mine. Is that overreaching, Mr Fromm?"