Rex Stout - Nero Wolfe by Three at Wolfe's Door

Author:Three at Wolfe's Door [Door, Three at Wolfe's]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Private Investigators, New York (State), Mystery & Detective, Private Investigators - New York (State) - New York, New York (N.Y.), Political, Fiction, New York, Wolfe; Nero (Fictitious Character), General, Detective and Mystery Stories; American
ISBN: 9789997525321
Publisher: Viking Press
Published: 1960-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

VII

Since Wolfe had suggested that I should bring Kearns there so we could look at him together, I would just as soon have let him think that I had filled the order, but of course that wouldn’t do. So when, having taken the floppy black hat and put it on the shelf in the hall, I escorted him to the office and pronounced his name, I added, “I met Mr. Kearns out front. He arrived just as I did.”

Wolfe, behind his desk, had been pouring beer when we entered. He put the bottle down. “Then you haven’t talked with him?”

“No, sir.”

He turned to Kearns, in the red leather chair. “Will you have beer, sir?”

“Heavens, no.” Kearns was emphatic. “I didn’t come for amenities. My business is urgent. I am extremely displeased with the counsel you have given my wife. You must have hypnotized her. She refuses to see me. She refuses to accept the services of my lawyer, even to arrange bail for her. I demand an explanation. I intend to hold you to account for alienating the affections of my wife.”

“Affections,” Wolfe said.

“What?”

“Affections. In that context the plural is used.” He lifted the glass and drank, and licked his lips.

Kearns stared at him. “I didn’t come here,” he said, “to have my grammar corrected.”

“Not grammar. Diction.”

Kearns pounded the chair arm. “What have you to say?”

“It would be futile for me to say anything whatever until you have regained your senses, if you have any. If you think your wife had affection for you until she met me twelve hours ago, you’re an ass. If you know she hadn’t your threat is fatuous. In either case what can you expect but contempt?”

“I expect an explanation! I expect the truth! I expect you to tell me why my wife refuses to see me!”

“I can’t tell you what I don’t know. I don’t even know that she has, since in your present state I question the accuracy of your reporting. When and where did she refuse?”

“This morning. Just now, in the District Attorney’s office. She won’t even talk to my lawyer. She told him she was waiting to hear from you and Goodwin.” His head jerked to me. “You’re Goodwin?”

I admitted it. His head jerked back. “It’s humiliating! It’s degrading! My wife under arrest! Mrs. Waldo Kearns in jail! Dishonor to my name and to me! And you’re to blame.”

Wolfe took a breath. “I doubt if it’s worth the trouble,” he said, “but I’m willing to try. I presume what you’re after is an account of our conversation with your wife last evening. I might consider supplying it, but first I would have to be satisfied of your bona fides. Will you answer some questions?”

“It depends on what they are.”

“Probably you have already answered them, to the police. Has your wife wanted a divorce and have you refused to consent?”

“Yes. I regard the marriage contract as a sacred covenant.”

“Have you refused to discuss it with her in recent months?”

“The police didn’t ask me that.

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