Mrs Irwin had certainly sized her up. She had her own way of looking at things. She was going on. So now suit yourself. If youd rather duck Mother and the Police Commissioner, you know where your hat and coat are. I dont like being used for a decoy, and Ill tell them you got mad and went.
It was a toss-up. The idea of chatting with Mrs Robilotti had attractions, since she might be stirred up enough by now to say something interesting, but with Police Commissioner Skinner present it would probably be just some more ring-around-a-rosy. However, it might be helpful to know why they had gone to the trouble of using Celia for bait, so I told her I would hate to disappoint her mother, and she escorted me out to the reception hall and on upstairs to the music room, where we had joined the ladies Tuesday evening after going without brandy.
The whole family was thereCecil standing over by a window, and Mr and Mrs Robilotti and Commissioner Skinner grouped on chairs at the far end, provided with drinks, not champagne. As Celia and I approached, Robilotti and Skinner arose, but not to offer hands. Mrs Robilotti lifted her bony chin, but not getting the effect she had in mind. You cant look down your nose at someone when he is standing and you are sitting.
Mr Goodwin came up on his own, Celia said. I warned him you were laying for him, but here he is. Mr Skinner, Mr Goodwin.
Weve met, the Commissioner said. His tone indicated that it was not one of his treasured memories. He had acquired more grey hairs above his ears and a couple of new wrinkles since I had last seen him, a year or so back.
I wish to say, Mrs Robilotti told me, that I would have preferred never to permit you in my house again.
Skinner shook his head at her. Now, Louise. He sat down and aimed his eyes at me. This is unofficial, Goodwin, and off the record. Albert Grantham was my close and valued friend. He would have hated to have a thing like this happen in his house, and I owe it to him
Also, Celia cut in, he would have hated to ask someone to come and see him and then not invite him to sit down.
I agree, Robilotti said. Be seated, Goodwin. I didnt know he had the spunk.
It may not be worth the trouble. I looked down at Mrs Robilotti. From that slant her angles were even sharper. Your daughter said you wanted to see me. Just to tell me Im not welcome?
She couldnt look down her nose, but she could look. I have just spent, she said, the worst three days of my life, and you are responsible. I had had a previous experience with you, you and the man you work for, and I should have known better than to have you here. I think you are quite capable of blackmail, and I think thats what you have in mind. I want to tell you that I wont submit to it, and if you try
Hold it, Mom, Cecil called over. Thats libellous.
Also, Skinner said, its useless. As I said, Goodwin, this is unofficial and off the record. None of my colleagues know Im here, including the District Attorney. Lets assume something, just an assumption. Lets assume that here Tuesday evening, when something happened that you had said you would prevent, you were exasperatednaturally you would beand in the heat of the moment you blurted out that you thought Faith Usher had been murdered, and then you found that you had committed yourself. It carried along from the precinct men to the squad men, to Inspector Cramer, to the District Attorney, and by that time you were committed.
He smiled. I knew that smile, and so did a lot of other people. Another assumption, merely an assumption. Somewhere along the line, probably fairly early, it occurred to you and Wolfe that some of the people who were involved were persons of wealth and high standing, and that the annoyance of a murder investigation might cause one of them to seek the services of a private detective. If that were a fact, instead of an assumption, it should be apparent to you and Wolfe by now that your expectation is vain. None of the people involved is going to be foolish enough to hire you. There will be no fee.
Do I comment as you go along, I inquired, or wait till youre through?
Please let me finish. I realize your position. I realize that it would be very difficult for you to go now to Inspector Cramer or the District Attorney and say that upon further consideration you have concluded that you were mistaken. So I have a suggestion.
I suggest that you wanted to check, to make absolutely sure of your ground, and came here this evening to inspect the scene again, and found me here. And after a careful inspectionthe distances, the positions, and so onyou found that, though you had nothing to apologize for, you had probably been unduly positive. You concede that it is possible that Faith Usher did poison her champagne, and that if the official conclusion is suicide you will not challenge it. I will of course be under an obligation to ensure that you will suffer no damage or inconvenience, that you will not be pestered. I will fulfil that obligation. I know you will probably have to consult with Wolfe before you can give me a definite answer, but I would like to have it as soon as possible. You can phone him from here, or go out to a booth if you prefer, or even go to him. Ill wait here for you. This has gone on long enough. I think my suggestion is reasonable and fair.