In the Best Families

When the light changed and we rolled again Roeder spoke. “I'll tell you,

Goodwin, this thing's touchy. There'll be some people scattered around that are in on things together, and they trust each other up to a point. As long as their interests all run the same way they can trust each other pretty well. But when something comes up that might help some and hurt others, then it gets touchy.

Then each man looks out for himself, or he decides where the strength is and lines up there. That's where I am, where the strength is. But I'm not trying to line you up; we wouldn't want to even if we could; how could we trust you?

You're an outsider. All we want you for is an expert tailing job, and you report to me and me only. Where are you going, Bill?

The driver half-turned his head to answer, “Here in the park it might be cooler.

“It's no cooler anywhere. I like straight streets. Get out again, will you?

The driver said he would, in a hurt tone. Roeder returned to me. There are three men named Panzer, Gather, and Durkin who worked for Nero Wolfe off and on. That right?

I said it was.

“They'll work for you, won't they?

I said I thought they would.

“Then you can use them, and you won't have to show much. I'm told they're exceptionally good men.

“Saul Panzer is the best man alive. Gather and Durkin are way above average.

“That's all you'll need. Now I want to ask you something, but first here's a remark. It's a bad thing to mislead a client, I'm sure you realise that, but in this case it would be worse than bad. I don't have to go into details, do I?

“No, but you're going too fast. I haven't got a client.

“Oh, yes you have. Roeder smiled. “Would I waste my time like this? You were there when Mrs Rackham was killed, you phoned Nero Wolfe and in six hours he was gone, and you were held as a material witness. Now here I want to hire you to tail Rackham, and you don't know why. Can you say no? Impossible.

“It could be, I suggested, “that I've had all I want.

“Not you, from what I've heard. That's all right, not being able to let go is a good thing in a man, but it brings up this question I mentioned. You're on your own now apparently, but you were with Nero Wolfe a long time. You're still living in his house. Of course you're in touch with him-don't bother to deny it-but that's no concern of ours as long as he doesn't get in the way. Only on this job it has to be extra plain that you're working for the man who pays you.