esg.thecaseofthevelvetclaws-第28章

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ries　to　go　in　the　other　direction　just　as　hard　as　it　can。
　　〃It's　sort　of　an　obsession　with　me　to　do　the　best　I　can　for　a　client。　My　clients　aren't　blameless。　Many　of　them　are　crooks。　Probably　a　lot　of　them　are　guilty。　That's　not　for　me　to　determine。　That's　for　the　jury　to　determine。〃
　　〃Are　you　going　to　try　and　prove　this　woman　was　crazy？〃　the　detective　asked。
　　Mason　shrugged　his　shoulders。　〃I'm　going　to　keep　a　jury　from　convicting　her；〃　he　said。
　　〃You'll　never　get　away　from　that　confession；〃　said　Drake。　〃It　shows　murder。〃
　　〃Confession　or　no　confession；　they　can't　prove　her　guilty　of　anything；　until　the　jury　says　she's　guilty。〃
　　Drake　shrugged　expressive　shoulders；　and　said；　〃Oh；　well；　there's　no　use　of　our　arguing　about　it。　I'll　turn　the　men　loose　on　the　Veitches；　and　get　all　the　dope　for　you。〃
　　〃I　don't　suppose　I　need　to　tell　you；〃　said　Mason；　〃that　minutes　are　precious。　All　that　I've　been　fighting　for　all　the　way　along　is　time　enough　to　get　the　evidence　I　want。　You've　got　to　work　fast。　It's　a　matter　of　time；　that's　all。〃
　　Perry　Mason　went　back　to　his　office。　The　puffs　under　the　eyes；　which　came　from　fatigue；　were　more　pronounced；　but　his　eyes　were　steady　and　hard。
　　He　opened　the　door　of　his　office。　Della　Street　was　at　the　typewriter。　She　glanced　up；　then　looked　back　at　her　work。
　　Mason　slammed　the　door　shut　behind　him；　walked　over　to　her。　〃For　God's　sake；　Della；〃　he　pleaded；　〃won't　you　have　confidence　in　me？〃
　　She　flashed　him　a　swift　glance。
　　〃Of　course　I've　got　confidence　in　you。〃
　　〃No；　you　haven't。〃
　　〃I'm　surprised　and　a　little　confused；　that's　all；〃　she　said。
　　He　stood　surveying　her；　moody…eyed；　hopeless。
　　〃All　right；〃　he　said；　at　length。　〃You　get　the　State　Bureau　of　Vital　Statistics　on　the　telephone；　and　stay　on　the　telephone　until　you　get　the　information　you　want。　Get　somebody　at　the　head　of　the　department　if　you　can。　Never　mind　what　it　costs。　We　want　the　information；　and　we　want　it　right　now。　We　want　to　know　whether　or　not　Norma　Veitch　was　ever　married。　My　best　guess　is　that　she　was。　And　we　want　to　know　if　there's　been　a　divorce。〃
　　Della　Street　stared　at　him。
　　〃What's　that　got　to　do　with　the　murder　case？〃
　　〃Never　mind；〃　he　said。　〃Veitch　is　probably　her　real　name。　That　is；　it's　her　mother's　name；　and　it　would　be　the　name　that　was　on　the　marriage　license　as　the　name　of　the　bride　when　she　was　married。　Of　course；　she　might　not　have　been　married；　and　she　might　not　have　been　married　in　this　state。　But　there's　something　funny　about　the　whole　set　up。　And　there's　something　in　her　past　that　she's　holding　back。　I　want　to　know　what　it　is。〃
　　〃You　don't　think　Norma　Veitch　was　mixed　up　in　it　in　any　way；　do　you？〃　Della　Street　asked。
　　Mason's　eyes　were　cold；　his　face　determined。
　　〃All　I've　got　to　do　is　to　raise　a　reasonable　doubt　in　the　minds　of　the　jury；〃　he　told　her。　〃Don't　forget　that。　Get　on　the　telephone　and　get　that　information。〃
　　He　walked　into　his　inner　office　and　closed　the　door。　He　started　pacing　back　and　forth；　his　thumbs　propped　in　the　armholes　of　his　vest；　his　head　bowed　in　concentration。
　　He　was　still　pacing　the　floor；　half　an　hour　later；　when　Della　Street　opened　the　door。
　　〃You　were　right；〃　she　said。
　　〃How？〃
　　〃She　was　married。　I　got　the　dope　from　the　Bureau　of　Vital　Statistics。　She　was　married　six　months　ago　to　a　man　named　Harry　Loring。　There's　no　record　of　a　divorce。〃
　　Perry　Mason　gained　the　door　with　three　quick　strides；　pushed　it　impatiently　to　one　side；　strode　across　the　outer　office　and　went　at　almost　a　run　down　the　corridor　to　the　stairs。　He　took　the　stairs　down　to　the　floor　on　which　Paul　Drake　had　his　office　and　banged　on　the　exit　door　of　Drake's　office　with　impatient　fists。
　　Paul　Drake　opened　the　door。
　　〃Hell；　it's　you！　Don't　you　ever　stay　in　your　office　to　see　clients？〃
　　〃Listen；〃　Mason　told　him；　〃I've　got　a　break。　Norma　Veitch　was　married！〃
　　〃What　of　it？〃　asked　Drake。
　　〃She's　engaged　to　Carl　Griffin。〃
　　〃Well；　couldn't　she　have　gotten　a　divorce？〃
　　〃No。　There's　no　divorce。　There　wasn't　time　for　a　divorce。　The　marriage　was　only　six　months　ago。〃
　　〃Okay；〃　said　Drake。　〃What　do　you　want？〃
　　〃I　want　you　to　find　her　husband。　His　name's　Harry　Loring。　I　want　to　find　out　when　they　separated；　and　why。　And　I'm　particularly　anxious　to　find　out　whether　she　ever　knew　Carl　Griffin　before　she　came　to　the　house　on　her　visit。　In　other　words；　I　want　to　know　whether　she'd　ever　visited　her　mother　while　her　mother　was　working　at　Belter's　place；　before　the　date　of　this　last　visit。〃
　　The　detective　whistled。
　　〃By　God！〃　he　said。　〃I　believe　you're　going　to　set　up　a　defense　of　emotional　insanity；　and　the　unwritten　law　for　Eva　Belter。〃
　　〃Will　you　get　busy　on　that　thing　right　away？〃
　　〃I　can　have　it　for　you　inside　of　half　an　hour　if　he's　anywheres　in　the　city；〃　said　Drake。
　　〃The　sooner　the　quicker。　I'll　be　waiting　in　the　office。〃
　　He　went　back　to　his　own　office；　walked　past　Della　Street　without　a　word。
　　She　stopped　him　as　he　was　entering　his　office。　〃Harrison　Burke　telephoned。〃
　　Mason　raised　his　eyebrows。
　　〃Where　is　he？〃
　　〃He　wouldn't　say。　He　said　he　was　going　to　call　later。　He　wouldn't　even　leave　me　a　telephone　number。〃
　　〃Presume　he's　read　about　the　new　development；　in　the　extras；〃　said　Mason。
　　〃He　didn't　say。　Just　said　that　he'd　call　later。〃
　　The　telephone　rang。
　　She　motioned　toward　the　inner　office。
　　〃This　is　probably　the　call；〃　she　said。
　　Mason　went　into　the　inner　office。
　　He　heard　Della　Street　say；　〃Just　a　moment；　Mr。　Burke；〃　and　then　as　he　took　down　the　receiver；　Burke's　voice　on　the　wire：
　　〃Hello；　Burke；〃　he　said：
　　Burke's　voice　was　still　impressively　resonant；　but　there　was　an　over…tone　of　panic　in　it。　Every　once　in　a　while　it　seemed　that　his　voice　would　climb　to　the　high　notes　and　crack；　but　he　always　managed　to　get　it　back　after　just　the　one　break。
　　〃Listen；〃　he　said；　〃this　is　awful。　I've　just　read　the　papers。〃
　　Mason　said；　〃It's　not　so　bad。　You're　out　of　the　murder　case。　You　can　pose　as　a　friend　of　the　family　on　the　other。　It　isn't　going　to　be　pleasant；　but　it　isn't　like　being　held　for　murder。〃
　　〃But　they'll　use　it　against　me　in　my　campaign。〃
　　〃Use　what？〃　Mason　inquired。
　　〃My　friendship　with　this　woman。〃
　　〃I　can't　help　that；〃　Mason　told　him；　〃but　I'm　working　on　an　out　for　you。　The　District　Attorney　isn't　going　to　let　your　name　get　mixed　into　the　case　unless　he　has　to　show　a　motive　at　the　trial。〃
　　Burke's　voice　became　more　orotund。
　　〃That；〃　he　said；　〃was　what　I　wanted　to　discuss　with　you。　The　District　Attorney　is　very　fair。　Unless　there's　a　trial　my　name　won't　be　dragged　into　it。　Now　you　might　fix　things　so　there　wouldn't　be　a　trial。〃
　　〃How？〃　Mason　asked。
　　〃You　could　persuade　her　to　plead　guilty　to　second　degree　murder。　You're　still　acting　as　her　attorney。　The　District　Attorney　would　let　you　see　her…on　that　understanding。　I've　talked　with　him。〃
　　Mason　snapped　a　swift　reply。　〃Nothing　doing！〃　he　said。　〃I'm　going　to　try　to　protect　your　interests；　but　I'll　do　it　my　way。　You　keep　under　cover　for　a　while。〃
　　〃There'd　be　a　nice　fee；〃　said　Harrison　Burke　in　a　suave；　oily　voice；　〃five　thousand　in　cash。　Perhaps　we　could　even　make　it　a　little　more。。。〃
　　Perry　Mason　slammed　the　receiver　back　on　its　hook。
　　The　lawyer　resumed　his　pacing　of　the　floor。　Fifteen　or　twenty　minutes　later　the　telephone　rang。
　　Mason　took　down　the　receiver　and　heard　Paul　Drake's　voice。　〃I　think　we've　got　your　man　located。　There's　a　man　named　Harry　Loring　who　is　at　the　Belvedere　Apartments。　His　wife　left　him　about　a　week　ago　and　is　said　to　have　gone　to　live　with　her　mother。　Do　we　want　him？〃
　　〃You　bet　we　want　him；〃　Mason　said；　〃and　we　want　him　quick！　Can　you　go　out　there　with　me？　I'll　probably　want　a　witness。〃
　　〃Okay；〃　Drake　said。　〃I've　got　a　car　here　if　you　haven't。〃
　　〃We'll　take　two　cars。　We　may　need　them。〃
　　
　　
　　　18。
　　
　　Harry　Loring　was　a　thin；　nervous　individual；　with　a　habit　of　blinking　his　eyes　rapidly；　and　moistening　his　lips　nervously　with　the　tip　of　his　tongue。　He　sat　on　a　trunk　which　was　strapped　and　shook　his　head　at　Paul　Drake。
　　〃No；〃　he　said；　〃you've　got　the　wrong　party。　I'm　not　married。〃
　　Drake　looked　at　Perry　Mason。　Mason　gave　a　faint　shrug　to　his　shoulders；　which　Drake　interpreted　as　a　signal　to　him　to　do　the　talking。
　　〃Did　you　ever　know　a　Norma　Veitch？〃　he　asked。
　　〃Never；〃　said　Loring；　darting　his　tongue　to　his　lips。
　　〃You're　moving　out？〃　asked　Drake。
　　〃Yes；〃　Loring　said。　〃I　can't　keep　on　with　the　rent　here。〃
　　〃Never　been　married；　eh？〃
　　〃No；　I'm　a　bachelor。〃
　　〃Where　are　you　moving？〃
　　〃I'm　sure　I　don't　know…yet。〃
　　Loring　looked　from　face　to　face　with　his　eyes　blinking。
　　〃Are　you　gentlemen　officers？〃　he　asked。
　　〃Never　mind　about　us；〃　said　Drake。　〃We're　talking　about　you。〃
　　Loring　said；　〃Yes；　sir；〃　and　lapsed　into　silence。
　　Drake　flashed　Mason　another　glance。
　　〃Packing　up　rather　suddenly；　aren't　you？〃　Drake　went　on。
　　Loring　shrugged。　〃I　don't　know　as　it's　sudden。　There　isn't　much　to　pack。〃
　　〃Now　listen；〃　Drake　said；　〃there's　no　use　for　you　to　try　to　string　us　along；　because　we　can　check　up　on　you　and　find　out　the　facts。　You　say　you　have　never　been　married。　Is　that　right？〃
　　〃Yes；　sir。　I'm　a　bachelor；　just　like　I　told　you。〃
　　〃Okay。　Now　the　neighbors　say　you　were　married。　There　was　a　woman　here　who　lived　in　the　apartment　with　you；　as　your　wife；　up　until　about　a　week　ago。〃
　　Loring's　eyes　blinked　rapidly。　He　shifted　his　position　on　the　trunk；　nervously。
　　〃I　wasn't　married　to　her；〃　he　said。
　　〃How　long　have　you　known　her？〃
　　〃About　two　weeks。　She　was　a　waitress　at　a　restaurant。〃
　　〃What　restaurant？〃
　　〃I've　forgotten　the　name。〃
　　〃What　was　her　name？〃
　　〃She　went　under　the　name　of　Mrs。　Loring。〃
　　〃I　know　that。　What　was　her　real　name？〃
　　Loring　paused　and　darted　his　tongue　to　his　lips。　His　eyes　fidgeted　uncertainly　about　the　room。
　　〃Jones；〃　he　said；　〃Mary　Jones。〃
　　Drake　laughed　sarcastically。
　　Loring　said　nothing。
　　〃Where　is　she　now？〃　asked　Drake；　suddenly。
　　〃I　don't　know。　She　left　me。　I　think　she　went　away　with　somebody　else。　We　had　a　fight。〃
　　〃What　was　the　fight　about？〃
　　〃Oh；　I　don't　know。　It　was　just　a　fight。〃
　　Drake　looked　over　at　Mason　once　more。
　　Mason　stepped　forward　and　took　the　conversational　lead。　〃Do　you　read　the　papers？〃　he　said。
　　〃Once　in　a　while；〃　said　Loring；　〃not　very　often。　Sometimes　I　look　at　the　headlines。　I'm　not　very　much　interested　in　newspapers。〃
　　Mason　reached　to　his　inside　pocket；　and　took　out　some　of　the　clippings　from　the　morning　newspaper。　He　unfolded　one　which　showed　a　picture　of　Norma　Veitch。
　　〃Is　that　the　woman　that　was　here　with　you？〃　he　asked。
　　Loring　barely　glanced　at　the　photograph；　but　he　shook　his　head　emphatically。
　　〃No；〃　he　said；　〃that　wasn't　the　woman。〃
　　〃You　haven't　even　looked　at　the　picture　yet。　You'd　better　look　at　it　before　you　get　too　positive　in　your　denials。〃
　　He　thrust　the　picture　in　front　of　Loring's　eyes。　Loring　took　the　clipping　and　studied　the　picture　for　some　ten　or　fifteen　seconds。
　　〃No；〃　he　said；　〃that　isn't　the　woman。〃
　　〃Took　you　quite　a　while　this