Read Online The Devil's Cook by Ellery Queen - Free Book Online

needed.”
    â€œFeldman?” Farley said. “Who’s Feldman?”
    â€œYes, Jay,” said Fanny, “please don’t just throw in new characters. It’s very confusing.”
    â€œMaurice Feldman, an attorney. To be exact, he’s the executor of an estate left to Terry by her father, who was a minor movie executive.”
    â€œYou mean Terry is an heiress? I didn’t dream of such a thing!”
    â€œWell, we didn’t talk about it much. It’s a pretty large estate, I think, but Terry won’t get control of it until she’s twenty-six, which will be about a year from now. Meanwhile Feldman doles out a limited allowance from the interest on the principal.”
    â€œWhy would Terry’s father want to tie things up that way?”
    â€œNeed you ask?” Jay shrugged. He fished in a pocket for cigarette and matches and, having found them, did nothing further about them. “Surely it’s evident by this time that a sense of responsibility is not one of Terry’s attributes. Her father didn’t want to cut her off, but he hoped a delay would bring a little more maturity. Wishful thinking, I’m afraid.”
    Fanny rose, took the cigarette and matches from Jay’s hands, lit the former with one of the latter, and sat down again.
    â€œSince you are not going to smoke this,” she said, “I may as well. I must say, Jay, I’m not completely convinced. Is there any particular reason why Terry should suddenly have decided to go back to Los Angeles?”
    â€œShe was always threatening to. She didn’t want to come to Handclasp in the first place. She was never happy here. If the offer by the university hadn’t been so attractive, I’d probably have stayed in Frisco.”
    â€œIf she’s gone back to Los Angeles, it should be easy to check. As you say, she’d certainly get in touch with this Mr. Feldman, because of the allowance and all. Why don’t you call him and ask?”
    â€œI intend to, this evening.”
    â€œWhy don’t you call him now?”
    â€œNo. I’ve decided to wait a little longer.”
    â€œThere you are, Fanny,” Farley said. “I hope you’re satisfied and will stop making a nuisance of yourself.”
    Fanny’s retort, which was on the tip of her tongue, was stymied by a knock on the door. Her first thought was that here was Terry, home from the wars. But, on second thought, it would be ridiculous for Terry to knock on her own door. On the other hand, she might consider it wise, under the circumstances, to throw in her hat before entering.
    It was not Terry at all, of course, but Otis Bowers.
    â€œHello, Otis,” Jay said. “What can I do for you?”
    â€œI wonder,” said Otis, “if I could borrow some matches. I seem to be out.”
    â€œSure.” Jay stepped back, giving Otis a clear view of Fanny and Farley, whom Otis had been trying to see around Jay’s shoulder. “Come on in.”
    Otis came in. Jay headed for the kitchen, where the matches were.
    â€œHello, Fanny, Farley,” Otis said. “Ijust knocked on your door, Fanny, but I couldn’t raise you.”
    â€œObviously,” said Fanny, “since I am here and not there. What are you looking for, Otis?”
    Otis’s head, which had been turning this way and that, suddenly assumed a fixity, eyes front, as if he were afraid of the consequences of turning it at all.
    â€œNothing,” he said. “Nothing at all. I just came to borrow some matches.”
    â€œI thought maybe you were looking for Terry. If you were, you can quit. She isn’t here.”
    â€œLittle sister,” Farley said, “why don’t you shut up? If Jay wants a mouthpiece, I’m sure he’ll ask for one.”
    â€œWell, what’s the matter with you, Farley?” Fanny said indignantly. “What’s the harm, I’d like to know, in telling Otis