“Not of course if it is merely a surmise. Can you validate it? Have you any facts?”
“I have the fact that they hated him and he was a danger to them.”
Wolfe shook his head. “Not that kind. Something specific — a name, an act, a thing said.”
“No.”
“Very well. I accept your surmise as worthy of inquiry. How many persons are there in and around New York, other than contributors of money, who have been associated with Marko in this?”
“Why, altogether, about two hundred.”
“I mean closely associated. In his confidence.”
She had to think. “Four or five. Six, counting me.”
“Give me their names and addresses and phone numbers. Archie, take them down.”
I got my notebook and pen and was ready, but nothing came. I looked at her. She was sitting with her dark Montenegrin eyes focused on Wolfe, her chin up and her lips pressed together.