Kill as Directed by Ellery Queen Read Free Book Online Page B

been discussing you …” But just then Kurt Gresham, showered, shaved and pinkly cherubic, came ambling toward them. “Look,” the physician said. “We need a talk, a long talk, and this is neither the time nor the place. I come into New York every Tuesday. May I drop in on you?”
    â€œOf course, Doctor.”
    â€œThis Tuesday?”
    â€œCertainly.”
    â€œOne o’clock all right? At your office?”
    â€œOne o’clock will be fine.”
    Then Kurt Gresham was upon them. “Tony and Karen are outside on the patio. Let’s join them, gentlemen.”
    â€œWhy wasn’t Mr. Mitchell your fourth, Kurt?” Dr. Stone asked.
    â€œTony doesn’t play golf, Doctor.”
    â€œThen why is he here?” Dr. Stone seemed puzzled.
    â€œHe likes my wife,” chuckled the millionaire, “among other females. And he likes my money, and he and Harry are old friends. Those are three pretty good reasons on a beautiful day, even if he doesn’t like golf. Oh, there they are …”
    In the warm yellow sunshine, over a glass-topped table, the four men and Karen Gresham had cocktails.
    â€œSee here,” said Dr. Stone suddenly. “Why don’t you all stay up here and make an evening of it as my guests? We’ll have dinner …”
    â€œHow sad,” said Gresham. “I can’t, Doctor. I have a business appointment in the city at seven.”
    â€œOn a Sunday?” exclaimed Stone.
    Karen said, “Always on a Sunday.”
    â€œWell, at least let’s have luncheon,” said Dr. Stone. “The chef extends himself for me. He needs a gallstone operation …”
    They were back in the city, at the Gresham apartment, by six o’clock. Kurt Gresham went immediately to change, the others to freshen. They met again in the drawing room at six-thirty, Gresham in business suit and carrying a brief case. “I should be back by nine or ten.” He kissed his wife’s cheek. “Have fun.”
    When he was gone, Karen Gresham said, “Now we’ll narrow it down further. You two have fun. I’ll attend to the servants.” She smiled without prejudice, a sweet smile for the doctor, a sweet smile for the lawyer, and left the room.
    â€œAttend to the servants?” said Dr. Harry Brown. “I don’t get it, Tony.”
    â€œDo you have servants, Doctor?” asked Tony Mitchell solemnly.
    â€œNo servants, Counselor.”
    â€œSo you don’t get it. Servants need attending to.”
    â€œLike how?”
    â€œLike do you know how many servants there are in this palatial dump?”
    â€œI know there’s a cook. And there’s the Filipino houseman.”
    â€œAlso m’lady’s personal maid. Also a chambermaid.”
    â€œWhat attending do they need?”
    â€œQuitting time is seven o’clock.”
    â€œYou mean they don’t live in?”
    â€œThey don’t live in.”
    â€œBut I know some of them have quarters here—”
    â€œThey stay over only when there’s a formal dinner or a late party.”
    â€œThat’s an odd arrangement.”
    â€œKaren prefers it that way. They make her feel uncomfortable, especially when she’s left alone here with them, as she so often is. You’ve got to remember that Karen wasn’t to the manor born. She’s only been Karen of Gresh for a couple of years. She’s still not used to being married to a fat cat.”
    She came back in skintight green slacks and a low-cut green blouse.
    She did a pirouette. “Like?” she said.
    â€œWow,” said Tony Mitchell.
    â€œThank you, kind sir.” She turned her smile on Harry. “No comment, Doctor?”
    â€œI don’t have Tony’s line.”
    â€œWouldn’t fit you, kid,” the lawyer grinned. “You’re the deep-think, stern-type character the women go overboard for. They just ride along with