Nero ponders whether he should take the case that may prevent a murder. And he will... After the pressing matter of a game of solitaire is resolved, Nero gives the…
Details of a murder come to the office of Nero Wolfe. Revenge seems the clear motive for the murder, but the man who is blamed claims that it's all lies. Time is of the essence, so Archie Goodwin is sent out to do the foot work in gathering clues, talking to the hot dames, and checking on timelines of where everyone involved in the crime was located.
Though Nero is far from interested in taking on a new case, or leaving the comforts of home, Archie responds to a phone call. Jenkins is a little, dried up, old man who delivers a letter, but it hasn't come from the person it was addressed by. Archie seems to have been set on a wild goose chase. Has it all been a ruse to get Archie on the scene to witness a crime?
Arthur Murrow is an author who needs the chair bound detective, Nero Wolfe, to leave his orchids and beer, and come to his office. Nero gripes about the inconvenience of it all, Archie checks out the cute elevator operator, but when they arrive in the office, they find that Arthur Murrow has a knife in his back.
Doing a professional courtesy for a doctor friend, Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe take their midnight ride to help him out. Have they just witnessed a murder over the phone? Who is Gloria? Comparing notes with the doctor, they find they've had the same phone call, from Gloria Farnsworth, a classmate of the doctor. Nero has long lost interest in the matter by the time the cops come calling.
An urgent phone call from the wealthy John Blake, isn't enough to interest the bulky genius of a detective. Archie learns of a will, and a letter that is to be delivered. Isn't this a job for a lawyer? Blake has his reasons for the confidential services of a detective. Though Archie thinks its going to be an easy job, Nero has his doubts.
Doctor Sloane is told about his last patient of the day by his fiancee, and office nurse, Miss Banks. His ex-wife, a model, and nervous woman is unhappy despite having all she wanted with her rich new husband. She wants to come back, but the doc is to be married soon. When Nola dies in his office, who is to blame? A jealous nurse? The doctor, after threats were made to his happy life?
Though he agreed to it, Nero Wolfe backs out of attending a cocktail party, but sends Archie Goodwin in his place. Mrs Collins needs a detective to be watchful. Will there be trouble for her at the party? Business men with a legal dispute? a jealous woman?
Killers seem to be throwing themselves at Nero Wolfe, when a man with a date with murder won't take no for an answer. The large, red bearded man claims to…