A Fine and Private Place by Ellery Queen Page B

sir?”
    â€œCome here!”
    Ennis jumped up. “What’s the matter?”
    â€œI said come here!”
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Mr. Importuna?”
    â€œThis shelf—these books here—” He was almost unable to articulate.
    â€œBooks? What about them? They look perfectly all right to me.”
    â€œThey are not perfectly all right! These three—this— this — this !—they were standing on the shelf upside down . Weren’t they? Well, weren’t they!”
    Ennis stammered, “If you say so, Mr. Importuna—”
    â€œYou know they were!” the tycoon thundered. “Why didn’t you let them alone? You were the one who turned them right side up again, weren’t you, Peter? Weren’t you?”
    â€œIf those were the ones, Mr. Importuna. Wait, I remember now. I really didn’t stop to identify the titles. I saw some books standing on the shelf upside down and I naturally righted them.”
    â€œWhat do you mean ‘naturally’? There’s nothing natural about it! Why did you do it?”
    â€œWell, because—”
    â€œDon’t you remember my specifically ordering you not to lay a finger on any of the books on this particular shelf?”
    Ennis was extremely pale. “I’m sorry, Mr. Importuna, I forgot. Or mistook the shelf. Anyway, all I did was—”
    â€œAll you did,” stormed Nino Importuna, snatching the three books from the shelf and slamming them back into place upside down, “was something you don’t begin to understand! No wonder the Ploesti deal blew up. From now on, Peter, when I say don’t touch something, don’t touch it . Do you understand? Hand me the direct line to the office.”
    Ennis ran to the table, ignored the telephone console, snatched up the red phone, and ran back with it to Importuna.
    â€œGet me Crabshawe … John! Importuna. Call a meeting of the staff. Immediately. And arrange for a transocean conference call among ourselves, Bucharest, and Von Slonem.… I know the Ploesti deal fell through, John! But now I also know why, and I think it can be saved. I’m going to make them a new offer I guarantee they won’t turn down.… Yes. I’ll be with you in exactly”—he glanced at his watch, and he actually smiled—“exactly 9 minutes.” He hung up and Ennis took the instrument from him. “The car, Peter.”
    â€œI’ve already alerted McCoombes. He’ll have the car out front by the time you get downstairs, Mr. Importuna. Is there anything you want me to do meanwhile?”
    â€œNo, we’ll finish up here tomorrow morning. Just take care of the matters I’ve already noted. And tell Mrs. Importuna I’ll let her know later today about this evening. I don’t know how long those Rumanians will tie me up.” Importuna showed his great teeth again and tapped Ennis affectionately on the chest. “I’m sorry I shouted at you, Peter. But you got me very upset.”
    He seemed in high humor as he strode out.
    Ennis sank into Importuna’s chair. His hands were shaking, and he grasped the arms of the chair to steady them. His chest itched where Importuna’s double finger had tapped it.
    Two cool, soft hands slipped over his eyes from behind.
    Ennis’s hands flew up to hers, trying to detach them. “Virginia. I didn’t hear a sound. He may still be here—”
    â€œHe’s left, darling,” Mrs. Importuna said. “It’s all right. I made very sure.”
    She came round and sat down on his lap, twining her bare arms about his neck.
    â€œHoney. If Editta, or Crump—”
    â€œI sent Editta out on an errand. She’ll be gone for an hour. And Crump’s in the pantry with Mrs. Longwell, polishing the silver for our dinner party tonight.”
    â€œYou may not have any dinner party tonight. He told me to tell you he’d let you know