She nodded.

"Then maybe one minute will do it. Don't marry him

now, you're too young to know. Wait a year at least, and-"

"Oh, it isn't that! It's very personal."

"Don't think marriage isn't personal. It's too damn personal, that's the trouble. If you mean a few hours, not a few minutes, I'm sorry; I have an eight o'clock date, but there's a place around the corner that sells drinks and makes good egg-and-anchovy sandwiches. If you like anchovies."

"I do."

The door opened and two women entered and headed for the elevator. That was not the place to discuss very personal matters.

She was all right to walk with, no leading or lagging and no silly step-stretching. At that time of day in August there was plenty of room in the back at The Cooler, and we got the corner table where Lily and I had often had a snack. When the waitress had taken our order and left, I asked if she wanted to put off being personal until we had something inside.

She shook her head. "I might as well…" She let it hang ten seconds and then blurted, "I want you to find my father."

I raised a brow. "Have you lost him?"

"No. I haven't lost him… because I never had him." She said it fast, as if someone was trying to stop her. "I decided I had to tell somebody-that was a month ago- and then I got this job with Miss Rowan and I found out that she knows you, and I met you, and of course I know about you and Nero Wolfe. But I don't want Nero Wolfe to do it, I want you to."

There were no dimples, and the quick brown eyes were fastened on me.