I got myself at my desk. I was wishing I wasn’t involved so I could just enjoy it. If Wolfe succeeded in keeping Cramer’s claws off of the Vardas family and at the same time kept himself out of jail I would show my appreciation by not hitting him for a raise for at least a month.
Fritz entered with a tray, so Wolfe had found time to push a buttom too. It was the fixed allotment, three bottles of beer. Wolfe, getting the opener from his drawer, told Fritz to bring another glass, but Cramer said no thanks.
Suddenly Cramer looked at me and demanded, “Where did you go when you left the barber shop?”
My brows went up. “Just like that?”
“Yes.”
“Well, then. If you really cared you could have put a tail on me. If you didn’t care enough to put a tail on me you’re just being nosy, and I resent it. Next question.”
“Why not answer that one?”
“Because some of the errands I get sent on are confidential, and I don’t want to start a bad habit.”
Cramer turned abruptly to Wolfe. “You know a police officer was killed this morning there in that shop.”
“Yes.” Wolfe halted a foaming glass on its way to his mouth. “Archie told me about it.”