Wolfe was standing up, and I wondered why all the exertion, but a glance at the wall clock showed me 3:55, nearly time for his afternoon visit to the plant rooms.
“He said Janet got hurt,” I stated.
Wolfe, finishing the last of his beer, grunted.
“I owe Janet something. Besides, it could mean that Carl and Tina are out of it. We ought to know, and they would like to know. I don’t usually get shaved twice a day, but there’s no law against it. I can be there in ten minutes. Why not?”
“No.” He put the glass down. “We’ll see.”
“I don’t feel like we’ll seeing. I need to do something. I lost ten pounds in ten seconds, standing there holding that doorknob, trying to look as if it would be fun to watch him coming to look in. If it wasn’t for our guests I almost wish he had, just to see what you would do, not to mention me. I’ve got to do something now.”
“There’s nothing to do.” He looked at the clock and moved. “Put those folders back, please?” Halfway to the door he turned. “Disturb me only if it is unavoidable. And admit no more displaced persons to the house. Two at a time is enough.”
“It was you who fed—” I began with feeling, but he was gone. In a moment I heard the sound of his elevator.
I put the folders away and took the beer remains to the kitchen and then went to the front room. Tina, who was lying on the couch, sat up as I entered and saw to her skirt hem. She had nice legs, but my mind was occupied. Carl, on a chair near the foot of the couch, stood up and asked a string of questions with his eyes.
“As you were,” I told them gruffly. I heartily agreed with Wolfe that two was enough. “I hope you didn’t go near the windows?”