esg.thecaseofthevelvetclaws-第25章

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　　〃Nothing；　only　he's　Iying　if　he　said　that　he　ever　gave　me　that　gun。　I　never　saw　it　in　my　life。〃
　　〃That　makes　it　more　simple；〃　Mason　mented。
　　〃What　does？〃
　　〃You'll　see；〃　he　told　her。　〃Now　let's　go　back　and　clear　up　another　point　or　two。　When　you　got　your　purse　it　was　in　your　husband's　desk。　Do　you　remember　that？〃
　　〃What　do　you　mean？〃　she　inquired　in　a　low　cautious　voice。
　　〃When　I　was　there　with　you；〃　Mason　said；　〃and　you　got　your　purse。〃
　　〃Oh；　yes；　I　remember　that！　I'd　put　it　in　the　desk　earlier　in　the　evening。〃
　　〃Fine；〃　said　Mason。　〃Now；　just　between　the　four　of　us；　who　do　you　think　was　in　the　room　with　your　husband　when　the　shot　was　fired？〃
　　She　said；　simply；　〃You　were。〃
　　〃That's　fine；〃　Mason　said　without　enthusiasm。　〃Now；　your　husband　had　been　taking　a　bath　just　before　the　shot　was　fired。〃
　　For　the　first　time　she　seemed　uneasy。　〃I　don't　know　about　that。　You　were　there。　I　wasn't。〃
　　〃Yes；　you　know；〃　Mason　insisted。　〃He　was　in　the　bath；　and　he　got　out　and　put　a　bathrobe　around　him；　without　even　waiting　to　dry　himself。〃
　　〃Did　he？〃　she　asked　mechanically。
　　〃You　know　he　did；　and　the　evidence　shows　he　did。　Now；　how　do　you　suppose　that　I　got　in　to　see　him　if　he　was　in　his　bath？〃
　　〃Why；　I　guess　the　servant　let　you　in；　didn't　he？〃
　　Mason　smiled。　〃The　servant　doesn't　say　so；　does　he？〃
　　〃Well；　I　don't　know。　All　I　know　is　that　I　heard　your　voice。〃
　　〃You'd　been　out　with　Burke；〃　Mason　said；　slowly；　〃and　you　came　in。　You　didn't　carry　your　purse　with　you　while　you　were　wearing　your　evening　clothes；　did　you？〃
　　〃No；　I　didn't　have　it　with　me　then；〃　she　said；　and　suddenly　bit　her　lip。
　　Mason　grinned　at　her。
　　〃Then　how；〃　he　said；　〃did　it　get　in　your　husband's　desk？〃
　　〃I　don't　know。〃
　　〃You　remember　the　receipts　that　I　gave　you　for　the　amounts　you　paid　on　account　of　fees？〃　Mason　asked。
　　She　nodded　her　head。
　　〃Where　are　they？〃
　　She　shrugged　her　shoulders。
　　〃I　don't　know；〃　she　said；　〃I've　lost　them。〃
　　〃That；〃　Mason　said；　〃clinches　it。〃
　　〃Clinches　what？〃　she　asked。
　　〃The　fact　that　you　killed　him。　You　won't　tell　me　what　happened；　so　I'll　tell　you　what　happened。
　　〃You　had　been　out　with　Burke。　You　came　in；　and　Burke　left　you　at　the　door。　You　went　upstairs；　and　your　husband　heard　you　ing。　He　was　in　the　bath　at　the　time。　He　was　in　a　towering　rage。　He　jumped　out　of　the　bath；　threw　the　robe　around　him；　and　called　to　you　to　e　into　his　suite。　You　went　in　there　and　he　showed　you　the　two　receipts　that　he'd　found　in　your　purse　while　you　were　out。　They　had　my　name　on　them。　I'd　been　there　and　told　him　what　it　was　that　I　was　trying　to　keep　out　of　Spicy　Bits。　He　put　two　and　two　together；　and　knew　who　it　was　that　I　was　representing　right　then。〃
　　〃Why　I　never　heard　of　such　a　thing！〃　she　said。
　　He　grinned　at　her。　〃Oh；　yes；　you　did！　You　knew　that　it　was　a　show…down　right　then；　and　you　shot　him。　He　fell；　and　you　rushed　out　of　the　place；　but　you　played　it　pretty　smooth　at　that。　You　dropped　the　gun　on　the　floor；　knowing　that　it　could　be　traced　to　Harrison　Burke　and　could　never　be　traced　any　farther。　You　wanted　to　get　Harrison　Burke　in　it；　so　that　he'd　have　to　get　you　out。　And　you　wanted　to　get　me　in　it　for　the　same　reason。　You　went　down　and　telephoned　Burke　and　told　him　that　something　had　happened；　and　that　his　gun　would　be　found；　that　he'd　better　get　out　and　lie　low；　and　that　his　only　hope　was　to　keep　sending　me　plenty　of　money　so　that　I　would　go　ahead　with　the　case。
　　〃Then　you　telephoned　to　me　and　got　me　to　e　out　there。　You　told　me　that　you　recognized　my　voice　as　the　voice　of　the　man　who　was　in　the　room　with　your　husband　because　you　wanted　my　help；　and　also　because　you　wanted　to　fix　it　so　that　I　couldn't　prove　an　alibi　if　you　wanted　to　spring　this　business　about　recognizing　my　voice　in　the　apartment。
　　〃You　figured　that　if　you　could　drag　me　and　Harrison　Burke　both　into　the　mess；　we'd　get　you　out　while　we　were　getting　ourselves　out。　You　figured　that　I'd　get　busy　and　square　the　thing　some　way；　with　Burke's　money　back　of　me；　and　the　fact　that　I　was　in　a　jam　to　spur　me　on。
　　〃You　figured　that　you　could　pretend　you　didn't　realize　just　how　much　you　had　me　in　your　power　by　saying　that　you　recognized　my　voice　as　that　of　the　man　in　the　room　with　your　husband。
　　〃Also；　you　figured　that　if　you　got　in　a　position　where　they　menced　to　put　the　screws　on　you；　you'd　switch　the　whole　thing　to　me；　and　let　Burke　and　me　fight　it　out　between　us。〃
　　She　was　staring　at　him　now　her　face　chalk…white；　her　eyes　dark　with　panic。
　　〃You've　got　no　right　to　talk　that　way；〃　she　charged。
　　〃The　hell　I　haven't！〃　he　said。　〃I've　got　proof。〃
　　〃What　kind　of　proof？〃
　　He　laughed　harshly。　〃What　do　you　think　I　was　doing　all　the　time　you　were　being　questioned　last　night？〃　he　said。　〃I　got　in　touch　with　Harrison　Burke；　and　we　got　in　touch　with　the　housekeeper。　The　housekeeper　was　trying　to　protect　you；　but　she　knows　that　you　came　in　with　Burke　and　that　your　husband　called　to　you　as　you　went　upstairs。　She　knows　that　he　was　looking　for　you　earlier　in　the　evening；　and　that　he　had　your　purse；　and　had　found　the　two　receipts　with　my　signature　on　them。
　　〃When　you　had　the　receipts　made　out　without　any　name　on　them；　you　thought　it　would　be　all　right。　But　you　forgot　that　my　name　was　signed　to　them；　and　that　as　soon　as　your　husband　knew　the　case　that　I　was　working　on　and　found　the　receipts　in　your　purse；　he　knew　that　you　were　the　woman　in　the　case。〃
　　Her　face　was　twisting　now。　〃You're　my　lawyer。　You　can't　use　all　of　the　things　that　I've　told　you　to　build　up　a　case　against　me。　You've　got　to　be　loyal　to　my　interests。〃
　　He　laughed　bitterly。
　　〃I　suppose　I　should　sit　tight　and　let　you　drag　me　into　the　murder；　so　that　you　can　walk　out；　eh？〃
　　〃I　didn't　say　that。　I　just　want　you　to　be　loyal　to　me。〃
　　〃You're　a　hell　of　a　person　to　talk　of　loyalty。〃
　　She　tried　another　defense。　〃All　that　is　a　mess　of　lies；〃　she　charged；　〃and　you　can't　prove　it。〃
　　Perry　Mason　reached　for　his　hat。
　　〃Maybe　I　can't　prove　it；〃　he　said；　〃but　you　put　in　the　night　making　wild　statements　to　the　District　Attorney。　I'm　going　down　and　make　a　statement　now。　When　I　get　done　they'll　have　a　pretty　good　idea　of　the　real　facts　of　the　case。　What　with　telephoning　to　Harrison　Burke　about　the　gun；　and　telling　him　to　get　out；　and　the　motive　that　you　had　in　order　to　keep　your　husband　from　discovering　your　affair　with　Burke；　the　police　will　have　a　pretty　good　case。〃
　　〃But　I　didn't　gain　anything　by　his　death。〃
　　〃That's　another　slick　thing；〃　he　said　coldly；　〃that　is　just　like　everything　else　you　did。　It's　just　slick　enough　to　look　good　on　the　face；　but　not　clever　enough　to　really　get　by。　The　forgery　of　that　will　was　a　good　job。〃
　　〃What　do　you　mean？〃
　　〃Exactly　what　I　said；〃　he　snapped。　〃Your　husband　told　you　that　you　were　disinherited；　or　else　you　found　the　will　in　his　safe。　At　any　rate；　you　knew　the　terms　of　the　will；　and　you　knew　where　it　was　kept。　You　tried　to　figure　some　way　of　getting　around　that　will。　You　knew　that　if　you　destroyed　it；　it　wouldn't　do　you　any　good　because　Carl　Griffin　and　Arthur　Atwood；　his　lawyer；　had　seen　the　will；　and　that　your　husband　had　told　them　about　it。　If　it　was　missing　they'd　suspect　you。
　　〃But　you　figured　that　if　you　could　trap　Griffin　into　claiming　under　the　will　and　then　prove　that　the　will　was　a　forgery；　you'd　have　Griffin　in　a　questionable　position。　So　you　went　ahead　and　forged　the　will　that　your　husband　had　drawn；　making　the　forgery　crude　enough　to　be　easily　detected；　but　copying　the　will　word　for　word。　Then　you　planted　your　forged　will　where　you　could　get　it　whenever　you　wanted　to。
　　〃When　you　had　me　at　the　house；　examining　the　body；　you　pretended　to　be　overe　with　emotion。　You　wouldn't　e　near　the　body。　But　while　I　was　busy　looking　things　over；　you　got　the　original　will　and　destroyed　it。　You　planted　your　forged　copy。　Naturally　Griffin　and　his　lawyer　walked　into　the　trap　and　claimed　that　the　will　was　the　original　holographic　will　of　George　Belter；　because　they　knew　the　terms　of　the　genuine　will。
　　〃As　a　matter　of　fact；　it's　such　a　clumsy　forgery；　that　they　can't　even　get　a　handwriting　expert　to　testify　that　it's　genuine。　They　realize　now　the　position　that　they're　in；　but　they've　already　filed　the　will　and　made　affidavits　to　the　effect　that　it's　genuine。　They　don't　dare　to　back　up。　It's　pretty　slick。〃
　　She　got　slowly　to　her　feet。
　　〃You've　got　to　have　some　proof　of　this；〃　she　said；　but　her　tone　was　thin　and　trembling。
　　Mason　nodded　his　head　to　Drake。
　　〃Go　in　the　next　room；　Drake；〃　he　said。　〃You'll　find　Mrs。　Veitch　in　there。　Bring　her　out　and　let　her　corroborate　what　I've　said。〃
　　Drake's　face　was　like　a　mask。　He　got　up　and　walked　to　the　connecting　door　which　led　to　the　adjoining　room。　He　opened　it。
　　〃Mrs。　Veitch；〃　he　called。
　　There　was　a　rustle　of　motion。
　　Mrs。　Veitch；　tall；　bony；　dressed　in　black；　walked　into　the　room　with　her　lack…luster　eyes　staring　straight　ahead。
　　〃Good　morning；〃　she　said　to　Eva　Belter。
　　Perry　Mason　suddenly　said；　〃Just　one　moment；　Mrs。　Veitch。　There's　one　other　matter　I　want　to　clear　up　before　I　have　you　make　your　statement　to　Mrs。　Belter。　If　you'll　just　step　back　in　the　other　room　for　a　moment；　please。〃
　　Mrs。　Veitch　turned　and　walked　back　to　the　room。
　　Paul　Drake　flashed　Perry　Mason　a　quizzical　glance；　and　shut　the　door。
　　Eva　Belter　took　two　steps　toward　the　outer　door；　then　suddenly　toppled　forward。
　　Perry　Mason　caught　her　as　she　pitched　forward。
　　Drake　came　up　and　took　her　legs。　Together；　they　carried　her　to　the　bed；　and　laid　her　down。
　　Della　Street　laid　down　her　pencil；　gave　a　little　exclamation；　and　pushed　back　her　chair。
　　Mason　turned　on　her　almost　savagely。
　　〃Stay　there！〃　he　said。　〃Take　down　everything　that's　said！　Don't　miss　a　word！〃
　　He　went　to　the　washstand；　sopped　a　towel　in　cold　water；　and　slapped　it　down　on　Eva　Belter's　face。　They　loosened　the　front　of　her　dress；　and　slapped　her　chest　with　the　towel。
　　She　gasped　and　recovered　consciousness。
　　She　looked　up　at　Mason；　and　said；　〃Please；　Perry；　help　me。〃
　　He　shook　his　head。　〃I　can't　help　you；〃　he　said；　〃as　long　as　you're　trying　to　give　me　the　double…cross。〃
　　〃I'll　e　clean；〃　she　wailed。
　　〃All　right。　What　happened？〃
　　〃Just　what　you　said；　only　I　didn't　know　Mrs。　Veitch　knew　about　it。　I　didn't　know　any　one　heard　George　call　me　or　heard　the　shot。〃
　　〃How　close　to　him　were　you　when　you　shot　him？〃
　　〃I　was　way　across　the　room；〃　she　answered　tonelessly。　〃Honestly；　I　didn't　intend　to　do　it。　I　just　shot　him　on　impulse。　I　had　the　gun　to　use　for　defense　in　the　event　he　should　attack　me。　I　was　afraid　he'd　try　to　kill　me。　He　had　a　violent　temper；　and　I　knew　that　if　he　ever　found　out　about　Harrison　Burke；　he'd　do　something　awful。　As　soon　as　I　knew　he'd　found　out；　I　slipped　the　gun　into　my　hand。　When　he　started　for　me；　I　screamed　and　shot。　I　guess　I　dropped　the　gun　right　there　on　the　floor。　I　wasn't　certain　about　it　at　the　time。　Honestly；　the　idea　of　getting　Burke　into　it　never　occurred　to　me　then。　I　was　too　rattled　to　think　of　anything。　I　simply　ran　out　into　the　night。
　　〃I'm　not　a　fool；　and　I　knew　how　black　things　would　look　for　me；　particularly　in　view　of　the　mess　that　I　wa