He entered the office, returned to his chair, focused on Wolfe, and inquired, “Where is she?”
Wolfe focused back. “I don’t know.”
“When did you see her last?”
Wolfe straightened in his chair. “Aren’t you being crass, sir? If this inquisition isn’t gratuitous, warrant it.”
“I told you she has been away from her home for three days and we can’t find her.”
“That doesn’t justify your tramping in here and branding me a liar.”
“I didn’t.”
“Certainly you did. When I said I didn’t know where she was you proceeded to search my house for her. When you didn’t find her you demanded to know where she is. Pfui.”
Stahl smiled like a diplomat. “Well, Goodwin evened it up by riding me. I guess I’d better start over. You know we are aware of your qualities and abilities. We know you don’t need to have a thing all spelled out for you. I didn’t think I’d have to tell you that my coming here and asking about Mrs. Britton meant that we are interested in some aspects of the investigation into the murder of Marko Vukcic, that we have reason to think he was engaged in activities that are the proper concern of the federal government, that your daughter was associated with him in those activities, and that her disappearance is therefore a matter for inquiry. I might as well add that as yet we have no evidence that you have been connected with those activities in any way, either loyally with Vukcic or subversively.”
Wolfe snorted. “I have not applied for a certificate of virtue.”