“I am. The interest of the people and government of the United States is involved in this case. My job is to protect that interest. I know you and Goodwin can keep your mouths shut when you want to. I am now talking off the record. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Goodwin?”
“Good here.”
“See that you keep it good. Arthur Rackell told his aunt that he was working with the FBI. That was a lie. He was either a member of the Communist party or a fellow traveler, we’re not sure which. We don’t know who he told, besides his aunt, that he was with the FBI, but we’re working on it and so are the police. He may have been killed by a Communist who heard it somehow and believed it. There were other motives, personal ones, but the Communist angle comes first until and unless it’s ruled out. So you can see why we’re in on it. The public interest is involved, not only of this city and state but the whole country. You see that?”
“I saw it,” Wolfe muttered, “when I sent Mr. Goodwin to see you day before yesterday.”
“We’ll skip that.” Wengert didn’t want to offend. “The point is, what about you? I concede that all you’re after is to catch the murderer and collect a fee. But we know you sent Goodwin to Miss Devlin yesterday to offer to pay her to say that she saw Miss Goheen in the act. We also know that you are not likely to pull such a stunt just for the hell of it. You knew exactly what you were doing and why you were doing it. You say you have regard for the public interest. All right, the inspector here represents it, and so do I, and we want you to open up for us. We confidently expect you to. What and whom are you after, and where does that stunt get you?”
Wolfe was regarding him sympathetically through half-closed eyes. “You’re not a nincompoop, Mr. Wengert.” The eyes moved. “Nor you, Mr. Cramer.”
“That’s something,” Cramer growled.
“It is indeed, considering the average. But your coming here to put this to me, either peremptorily or politely, was ill considered. Shall I explain?”