Archie Goes Home

Chapter 30

Nero Wolfe was in fine form that night. He graciously accepted our praises for his planked steak, then he launched into a treatise on the history of beef in America. “Spanish explorers introduced Longhorn cattle to this continent in 1534, and British colonists brought Devon cattle here in the 1630s,” he said. “Other breeds followed — Herefords, Aberdeen Angus, Shorthorns, Ayrshire, Jersey, and Guernsey, among others.”

“And presto, the steak house was one of the results!” Saul proclaimed, raising a wineglass in salute.

“That institution came into being in New York City in the mid-nineteenth century,” Wolfe replied. “Its two direct ancestors were the beefsteak banquet and the chophouse. New York was the center of the beefsteak world because it was the only place in the country where diners in great numbers had the wherewithal to afford those expensive cuts.”

“We really did not have that wherewithal very often,” my mother put in. “Archie can probably remember some of the very few occasions when we had steak for dinner.”

“And they really were few,” I agreed. “One time, my father bought steaks to celebrate a sale of hogs in which he got a much better price than he had expected.”

“The steak, whether T-bone, filet, rib eye, or any other fine cut, has indeed been a frequent symbol of celebration,” Wolfe said. “Sports victories, postelection parties, religious rites, birthdays, all have chosen steak with which to underscore the gravity of the event.”

“What are we celebrating tonight?” I posed.

“The fact that I have three New Yorkers as welcome guests in my home,” my mother said. “I feel honored.”

“You have honored us, madam,” Wolfe said, “by providing shelter and sustenance.”

“Thank you, Mr. Wolfe. And you have prepared a fine meal. Dessert will be my contribution tonight.” Mom got up, went out to the kitchen, and returned soon with a fat wedge of blueberry pie à la mode for each of us.

“This is very much as Fritz prepares it,” Wolfe said approvingly after taking a bite. “Have you been consorting with Mr. Brenner?”

“Do you mean in a culinary sense?” my mother asked.

“Of course.”

“I suppose I should own up. On my visits to the brownstone, I have spent time in the kitchen with Fritz. He is a fine teacher.”

That actually got the hint of a chuckle out of Wolfe, a rarity. “I assume such activity must go on when I am up with the orchids,” he said. “A man is not always aware of what transpires in his own domicile.”

After finishing dessert, the four of us retired to the living room, Wolfe easing into the wing chair that could best accommodate him and that had been my father’s favorite. We had been settled for less than five minutes when the doorbell rang. My mother peered through the blinds in the front window and said, “It is our police chief. Should I let him in?”

“He has wanted to meet me. It might as well be now, if you have no objection, Mrs. Goodwin,” Wolfe said.

“None whatever,” she replied, going to the door and pulling it open. “Good evening, Chief Blankenship.”

“Good evening, Mrs. Goodwin. I am sorry to be calling at a late hour, but I was hoping I might be able to meet Nero Wolfe.”

“Come right in. As you can see, here he is.”

If Blankenship was surprised at Wolfe’s size, he did not show it as Mom gestured him to a chair. “This is Mr. Wolfe, and this is his associate, Mr. Panzer. May I get you some coffee?”

Blankenship nodded and considered Wolfe. “I know you by reputation, of course, and I have been impressed by your career.”

Wolfe dipped his chin in response.

Blankenship cleared his throat and continued after accepting a cup of coffee from my mother. “With all your success in New York, I have to wonder what has compelled you to come to our small city.”

“I believe you know the answer, sir.”

“You are among those few who feel Logan Mulgrew was murdered. And as I am sure you are aware, I do not agree.”

“Mr. Goodwin has made me cognizant of your position. He has also filled me in on his conversations with individuals who had reason to bear animus toward Logan Mulgrew.”

“I must tell you that Mr. Goodwin has been something of a disruptive force since his arrival here,” Blankenship said.

“Granted, he can be impulsive and headstrong, qualities that are either assets or liabilities, depending upon the situation,” Wolfe said. “On balance, however, I prefer that he maintain his ready reflexes and quick reactions. I have found his positives to far outweigh his negatives.”

“Nonetheless, he seems to have upset some people,” the chief persisted.

“Has he broken any laws?”

“Not that I am aware of.”

“Then let us move beyond discussing Mr. Goodwin,” Wolfe said.

“That’s fine with me. I am assuming you have a client who is behind your investigation into Logan Mulgrew’s death. Do you care to name that individual?”

“There is no individual to name.”

“Meaning there is no client?”

“You are correct, sir.”

“I find that difficult to believe. If I accurately recall what I have read, you have a reputation for demanding — and getting — large fees for your work.”

“I have been known to charge what I believe my services to be worth.”

“Then why have you made the trip here on what appears to be a pro bono project?”

“If you are determined to find a reason, Mr. Blankenship, chalk it up to my unbridled curiosity. As Samuel Johnson wrote, ‘curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous mind.’ I am afraid that must suffice as an answer to your question. I have no other.”

The chief frowned. “Is there nothing I can do to talk you out of continuing what may be a fruitless investigation?”

“No, sir. If indeed my quest proves fruitless, I will have wasted my time and you will have been shown to be correct.”

“May I ask what evidence you have that Mr. Mulgrew was murdered?”

“I have none, sir,” Wolfe said, flipping a palm. “But like Mr. Goodwin, I have an itch that must be scratched.”

“This all sounds pretty vague, and I have the general well-being of this community to consider. I am concerned that as long as you and Mr. Goodwin remain here, there will be those who feel a murderer is at large among us. And human nature being what it is, there will also be those who think they know the identity of the murderer. Fingers will get pointed, rumors will be rampant, and the town will be the worse for it.”

“You have raised a valid issue, sir,” Wolfe said. “We shall expedite our investigation and keep you apprised of developments.”

“I am still not the least bit happy, but as long as you break no laws, there is little I can do to stop you unless I receive complaints about your behavior,” Blankenship said, rising to leave. “Thank you once again for your hospitality, Mrs. Goodwin.”