The Mother Hunt (Rex Stout Library)

I turned back. Listen, I said, I'm not putting on an act. But I'll be damned if I'm going to squat and take your shoes off and rub your cold feet.

Her arms went around my neck and she was against me.

So fifteen minutes later, or maybe twenty, we were seated on the couch with martinis and she was saying, What you said about mixing personal relations and business relations, you know that's silly. We've been doing it for nearly a month, and here we are. I started the first time you were here, exchanging sips with you and telling you I wasn't trying to flirt with you. Why didn't you laugh at me?

I did. I told you oysters flirt and you walked out.

She smiled. I'm going to admit something.

Good. We'll take turns.

When I said that, I honestly thought I wasn't trying to flirt with you. How can you stand a woman as stupid as that?

I can't. I couldn't.

What? She frowned. Oh. Thank you very much, but I am. When you were talking about phoning Nero Wolfe, of course I should have been thinking about what was going to happen, whether I should ask you not to, what I was going to do all that but I was thinking he'll never kiss me again. I've always known I'm not very smart. For instance, when you asked me just now if that man gave me any hint how he found out I had hired Nero Wolfe if I had been smart I would have got a hint out of him. Wouldn't I?

No. Not out of Purley Stebbins. Sometimes he has trouble deciding what to say next, but he always knows what not to say. I took a sip. Since we're back on business, let's get it clear. I may be under a false impression. Are you still a client?

Yes.

You're absolutely sure you want to stick it out?

Here. She put a hand out and I took it. That was how our cordial relations had started, three weeks back, when I had spent a long evening with her, making up her list and picking the four men to be asked to help. When a handshake goes beyond routine even one second, it's a test. If you both decide it's enough at the same instant, fine. But if she's through before you are, or vice versa, look out. You don't fit. Lucy and I had been simultaneous the first time. We were this time too.

Okay, I said. It's quite a limb we're out on. I don't have to describe it, you know it as well as I do. Your part may be tough, but it's simple. You simply say nothing and answer no questions whatever, no matter who asks them. Right?

Right.