In the Best Families

As I hit the sidewalk in front of the courthouse my watch said 11.17. It was sunny and warm, and people looked as if they felt pleased with the way things were going. I did not. In another few minutes they would have Lina Darrow talking again, and whether she gave it to them straight this time or tried her hand on a revised version, they might decide any minute that they wanted to talk with Barry Rackham, and that could lead to anything. The least it could lead to was delay, and my nerves were in no condition for it.

I dived across the street to a drug store, found a booth, and dialled Roeder's number. No answer. I went to where my car was parked, got in, and headed for the parkway.

On my way back to Manhattan I stopped four times to find a phone and dial

Roeder's number, and the fourth try, at a Hundred and Sixteenth Street, I got him. I told him where I was. He asked what they had wanted at White Plains.

“Nothing much, just to ask some questions about a lead they had got. I'm going to the Churchill to fix it to go ahead with that date to-day.

“You can't. It has been postponed until to-morrow at the other end. Arrange it for to-morrow.

“Can't you switch it back to to-day at your end?

“It would be difficult and therefore inadvisable.

I considered how to put it, in view of the fact that there was no telling who or how many might hear me. “There is a possibility, I said, “that the Churchill will have a vacant suite to-morrow. So my opinion is that it would be even more inadvisable to postpone it. I don't know, but I have an idea that it may be to-day or never.

A silence. Then, “How long will it take you to get to your office?

“Fifteen minutes, maybe twenty.

“Go there and wait.

I returned to the car, drove to a parking lot on Third Avenue in the upper

Forties, left the car there, and made steps to Madison Avenue and up to 1019.1 sat down, stood at the window, sat down, and stood at the window. I wouldn't ring the phone-answering service because I wanted my line free, but after a few minutes I began thinking I better had, in case Roeder had tried for me before I arrived. The debate on that was getting hot when the ring came and I jumped for it.

It was Roeder. He asked me through his nose, “Have you phoned the Churchill?

“No, I was waiting to hear from you.

“I hope you will have no trouble. It has been arranged for to-day at four o'clock.

I felt a tingle in my spine. My throat wanted to tighten, but I wouldn't let it.

Til do my best. In my car?