In the Best Families

I goggled at her. “You know, sister, I declared, “you should have spent more time thinking this through. You are unquestionably the bummest liar I have ever run across. I thought maybe-

Dykes broke in. “She says Rackham probably figured he wasn't in much danger, so many months had passed.

“Yeah? That's partly what I mean. Whatever she says, what about Rackham? He's not boob enough to figure like that. He would know damn' well that five months is nothing in the life of a murder. He has his choice between marrying this attractive specimen or having her run to you with the ink for his death warrant, and not only does he act heartless and cruel, he actually opens the door for her to go! This guy who had it in him to sneak into the woods at night with a knife to stab his wife to death and a fighting dog-he just opens the door for this poor pretty creature to tell the world about it! My God, you would buy that?

“You can't tell about people, Archer said. “And she has details. Take the detail of the phone call Wolfe made to Mrs Rackham and what he told her about her husband. Not even a good liar would have that detail, let alone a bum one.

“Nuts. I was disgusted. “No such phone call was made, and Mrs Rackham never said it was. As for Rackham's having been in with crooks, either he wasn't and sister here invented it, in which case you'd better watch your step, or he was, and sister here got his tongue loosened enough for him to tell her about it. I'm perfectly willing to believe she is capable of that, however bum a liar she may be.

“You say Wolfe didn't make that call to Mrs Rackham?

“Yes.

“And he didn't learn that Rackham's income came from a connection with criminal activities?

“My God, Mrs Rackham didn't leave our office until after noon that Friday. And he called her that evening to tell her? When he hadn't moved a finger to start an inquiry, and I hadn't either? He was good, but not that good. I turned to