The Origin of Evil by Ellery Queen Read Free Book Online Page B

Priam.’
    Priam’s lips pushed out, dragging his beard forward. The great hands on the wheel became clamps.
    â€˜I told you I wasn’t going to let go, Roger,’ said Laurel evenly. ‘My father was murdered. There must have been a reason. And whatever it was, you were mixed up in it as well as Daddy. I’ve asked Ellery Queen to investigate, and he wants to talk to you.’
    â€˜He does, does he?’ The rumble was distant; the fiery eyes gave out heat. ‘Go ahead, Mister. Talk away.’
    â€˜In the first place, Mr. Priam,’ said Ellery, ‘I’d like to know —’
    â€˜The answer is no,’ said Roger Priam, his teeth showing through his beard. ‘What’s in the second place?’
    â€˜Mr. Priam,’ Ellery began again, patiently.
    â€˜No good, Mister. I don’t like your questions. Now you listen to me, Laurel.’ His right fist crashed on the arm of the chair. ‘You’re a damn busybody. This ain’t your business. It’s mine. I’ll tend to it. I’ll do it my way, and I’ll do it myself. Can you get that through your head?’
    â€˜You’re afraid, Roger,’ said Laurel Hill.
    Priam half-raised his bulk, his eyes boiling. The lava burst with a roar.
    â€˜Me afraid? Afraid of what? A ghost ? What d’ye think I am, another Leander Hill? The snivellin’ dirt! Shaking in his shoes — looking over his shoulder — creeping on his face! He was born a — yellow-belly, and he died the same —’
    Laurel hit him on the cheek with her fist. His left arm came up impatiently and brushed her aside. She staggered backward half-way across the room into Alfred Wallace’s arms.
    â€˜Let go of me,’ she whispered. ‘Let go!’
    â€˜Laurel,’ said Ellery.
    She stopped, breathing from her diaphragm. Wallace silently released her.
    Laurel walked out of the room.
    â€˜Afraid! ’ A spot swelled on Priam’s cheekbone. ‘You think so?’ he bellowed after her. ‘Well, a certain somebody’s gonna find out that my pump don’t go to pieces at the first blow! Afraid, am I? I’m ready for the goddam —! Any hour of the day or night, understand? Any time he wants to show his scummy hand! He’ll find out I got a pretty good pair myself!’ And he opened and closed his murderous hands, and Ellery thought again of Wolf Larsen.
    â€˜Roger. What’s the matter?’
    And there she was in the doorway. She had changed to a hostess gown of golden silk which clung as if it loved her. It was slit to the knee. She was glancing coolly from her husband to Ellery.
    Wallace’s eyes were on her. They seemed amused.
    â€˜Who is this man?’
    â€˜Nobody. Nothing, Delia. It don’t concern you.’ Priam glared at Ellery. ‘You. Get out!’
    She had come downstairs just to establish the fact that she didn’t know him. As a point in character, it should have interested him. Instead, it annoyed him. Why, he could not quite make out. What was he to Hecuba? Although she was making clear enough what Hecuba was to him . He felt chagrined and challenged, and at the same time he wondered if she affected other men the same way … Wallace was enjoying himself discreetly, like a playgoer who has caught a point which escaped the rest of the audience and is too polite to laugh aloud … Her attitude towards her husband was calm, without fear or any other visible emotion.
    â€˜What are you waiting for? You ain’t wanted, Mister. Get out!’
    â€˜I’ve been trying to make up my mind, Mr. Priam,’ said Ellery, ‘whether you’re a bag of wind or a damned fool.’
    Priam’s bearded lips did a little dance. His rage, apparently always in shallow water, was surfacing again. Ellery braced himself for the splash. Priam was afraid. Wallace — silent, amused, attentive Wallace — Wallace saw it. And Delia Priam