He had the opportunity, Mason said, and undoubtedly he went back to the office and opened the safe. But remember, if the woman impersonating Miss Corning had taken the box, it wasnt there by the time Campbell arrived.
But, Chief, I dont see what difference it makes. They were working hand in glove. He deliberately planted this impostor and set the stage so that Susan Fisher would fall for it. She gave this woman all of the documentary proof that would indicate irregularities and
That, of course, Mason interposed, was the reason she was sent up there. But a shoe box full of hundred-dollar bills is something different.
You mean she may have double-crossed Campbell?
Mason said, Campbell is acting in a most peculiar way. You know, theres just a possibility, Della, that someone double-crossed him and he doesnt know for sure whether it was Susan Fisher who got the money and secreted it after telling him the story about leaving the shoe box in the safe, or whether his accomplice, the woman he got to pose as Amelia Corning, decided she might just as well look at the side of the bread that had the butter.
In other words, you feel, from the way hes acting, that he doesnt have the money? Della Street asked.
Its a possibility, Mason said. Lets let it go at that.
Mason eased the car up to the legal limit of speed and concentrated on his driving.
As they neared Los Angeles, Della Street consulted her wristwatch several times, glanced apprehensively at Mason. Are you going to try to call on Paul Drake first? she asked.
We wont have time, Mason said. The road was a little slower than I thought it would be and were going to have to go right to the Arthenium in order to keep our appointment.
Do you want me to drop you off there and then go to check with Paul and have him call you?
No, Mason said. I want you to go up with me. Incidentally, Miss Corning asked for you particularly. She wanted me to be sure and bring you along. Youve evidently made quite an impression with her... in fact, Della, youve been invaluable today.
You make me blush, she said demurely.
And you make me very, very proud, Mason said. You really did a job working out that approach with Lowry. I think we have some information now that will prove of the greatest interest to Amelia Corning. I wouldnt be too surprised if she didnt want to swear out a warrant for Campbells arrest. There is, however, one thing that bothers me.
Whats that?
I think Campbell must realize that we dashed out to Mojave to look up that mine.
Well? she asked.
In that event, Mason said, hell wonder what weve found out.
Does that make any difference? she asked.
It makes this difference, Mason told her. If he wanted to find out just how much we had discovered, what would he do?
Why, hed... I guess hed call Lowry.
Exactly, Mason said. And when Lowry talks with him on the telephone now, Lowry isnt going to be the same cooperative conspirator that he was earlier in the day. So Campbell is going to ask him if he told us the story of what had happened, and Lowry would make a poor liar.
He wouldnt even try to lie, Della Street said. Hed tell the truth.
Mason nodded. So then try thinking what a desperate Endicott Campbell would be doing all this time before we can get back.
Della Street became thoughtful. That isnt a reassuring thought.
Mason nodded, gave the Sunday-evening traffic his frowning concentration, arrived in front of the Arthenium Hotel at seven twenty-seven.
Mason handed the doorman a couple of dollars. Youve got to take care of that car for me, he said. I havent time to park it.
Ill take care of it. Itll be all right, right there for a while, the doorman said. Will you be long?
I dont think so. Well let you know if were detained beyond ten or fifteen minutes.
Mason and Della Street hurried across the lobby to the elevators, then up to the Presidential Suite.
As Mason and Della Street walked down the corridor towards the Presidential Suite, Della Street said, It looks as if the door is open.
Mason observed the oblong of bright light which was corning from the door of the suite and quickened his pace.
The door of the Presidential Suite was standing wide open. All of the lights inside were turned on. There was no sign of the wheelchair, no sign of Amelia Corning.
Now what? Della Street asked.
Mason, standing in the doorway, said, I would presume, Della, that, knowing she had an appointment with us, she left the door open so we could come in and be seated.
They entered the room. Mason gestured towards the half-open door to the bedroom. Better see if shes in there, Della, he said.
Della Street flashed him a quick apprehensive glance, started to say something, then checked herself, moved towards the half-open door, knocked on it and called out, Hello, Miss Corning. Were here.
There was no answer.
Della Street pushed the door all the way open, walked into the bedroom.
Anybody home? she called.
She heard quick steps and Mason was standing behind her.
The room gave evidence of feminine occupancy; an open closet door, dresses on hangers, creams on the dressing table.