The Second Confesion

“I do not. I only want what I asked for. Is there anything on it to show it was used, or might have been used, to slam a man on the head?” “There is.” “What!” I hadn't really expected it. There is?” “Yes. Everything is dried up, but there are four specks that are bloodstains, five more that may be bloodstains, one minute piece of skin, and two slightly larger pieces of skin. One of the larger pieces has an entire follicle. This is a preliminary report and none of it can be guaranteed. It will take forty-eight hours to complete all the tests.” “Go to it, brother! If I was there I'd kiss you,” “I beg your pardon?” “Forget it. I'll get you a Nobel Prize. Write the report in red ink.” I hung up and turned to Wolfe. “Okay. He was murdered. Connie did. it or knows who did. She knew about the stone. She stalked me. I should have established a personal relationship with her and brought her down here. Do you want her? I'll bet I can get her.” “Good heavens, no.” His brows had gone up. “I must say, Archie, satisfactory.” “Don't strain yourself.” “I won't. But though you used your time well, to the purpose you were sent for, all you got was corroboration. The stone proves that Mr Kane's statement was false, that Mr Rony was killed deliberately, and that one of those people killed him, but there's nothing new in that for us.” “Excuse me,” I said coldly, “for bringing in something that doesn't help.” “I don't say it doesn't help. If and when this gets to a court room, it will unquestionably help there. Tell me again what Mrs Emerson said.” I did so, in a restrained manner. Looking back now, I can see that he was right, but at the time I was damn proud of that stone.

Since it gives the place an unpleasant atmosphere for one of us to be carrying a grudge, I thought it would be better if I got even immediately, and I did so by not eating dinner with him, giving as a reason my recent consumption of sandwiches. He loves to talk when he's eating, business being taboo, so as I sat alone in the office, catching up with the chores, my humour kept getting better, and by the time he rejoined me I was perfectly willing to speak to him-in fact, I had thought up a few comments about the importance of evidence in criminal cases which would have been timely and appropriate.