“Yes, sir,” he was saying in a hurt tone, “but the Tracys live in humble circumstances and have no phone, so I used my best judgment—”
“You were at the Tracy home? Where is it?”
“In Richdale, Long Island, sir. My instructions were to investigate Anne Tracy. I learned that she lives in Richdale, where the Dill nurseries and offices are. You know she works there—”
“I was aware of that. Be brief.”
“Yes, sir. I went out to Richdale and made inquiries. I contacted a young woman — as you know, I am especially effective with young women—”
“Contact is not a verb and I said be brief.”
“Yes, sir. The last time you told me that I looked it up in the dictionary and I certainly don’t want to contradict you but it says contact is a verb. Transitive or intransitive.”
“Contact is not a verb under this roof.”
“Yes, sir. I learned that Miss Tracy’s father had worked at Dill’s for many years, up to about a year ago. He was assistant superintendent in charge of broad-leaved evergreens. Dill discovered he was kiting shipments and fired him.”
“Kiting shipments?”