“Yes, there was, but Mr. Demarest has explained why.”
“He thinks he has. Now we’re getting somewhere.” Wolfe’s eyes darted at Bernard. “Mr. Daumery, I wish to ask you some questions as Miss Nieder’s agent. They may strike you as irrelevant or even impertinent, but if they are not actually offensive will you answer them?”
Bernard had the look of a man who suspects that someone is sneaking up behind him but for reasons of his own doesn’t want to turn and see. “I probably will,” he said. “What are the questions?”
“Thank you,” Wolfe said graciously. “Are your parents alive?”
“Yes.”
“Where are they?”
“In Los Angeles. My father is a professor in the university there.”
“Is either of them conversant with your business affairs?”
“Not especially. In a vague general way.”
“Have you brothers or sisters?”