The first was from Lieutenant Draker. Charlie returned his call while Constance hung up their coats and put away papers they had left on the table in the sitting room. “He’s coming over in five minutes,” Charlie said. “I don’t think he’s happy. You want to call Dr. Warnecke?” His was the second call. She nodded and took his place at the telephone. Jack Warnecke answered at the first ring. “Constance,” he said, and she grinned, “could you and your husband join us this afternoon for cocktails? Sandy, my wife, is so eager to meet you both.” She accepted his invitation and called him Jack and was smiling broadly when she hung up. At Charlie’s raised eyebrow she shrugged and said, “It’s called one-upmanship, played among doctors and other professionals all the time. We’re due at his place at five.” “That blows tea again,” he said regretfully. “Maybe Mrs. Shiveley could send up coffee now.
