She came again late Monday afternoon. I had had enough of answering the damn doorbell and left it to Fritz. She came charging in and across to Wolfe’s desk, and blurted at him, “You told the police! They’ve had Leo down there all day, and this afternoon they went to Paul’s place and took him too! I knew I shouldn’t trust you!”
“Please—” Wolfe tried, but she had pulled the cork and it had to come. He leaned back and shut his eyes. She went on ranting until she had to stop for breath. He opened his eyes and inquired, “Are you through?”
“Yes! I’m all through! With you!”
“Then there’s no more to say.” He jerked his head. “There’s the door.”
She went to the red leather chair and sat on the edge. “You said you wouldn’t tell the police about us!”
“I did not.” He was disgusted and tired. “Since you mistrust me you will credit nothing I say, so why should I waste words?”
“I want to hear them!”
“Very well. I have said nothing to the police about you or your associates or your surmise about Marko’s death, but they are not donkeys, and I knew they would get onto it. I’m surprised it took them so long. Have they come to you?”
“No.”
“They will, and it’s just as well. I have only four men, and we are getting nowhere. They have regiments. If you tell them about coming to see me Thursday night they’ll resent my withholding it, but that’s of no consequence. Tell them or not, as you please. As for giving them the information you gave me, do as you please about that too. It might be better to let them dig it up for themselves, since in the process they might uncover something you don’t know about. So much for that. Since you’re here I may as well tell you what progress I have made. None.” He raised his voice. “None!”