Mason, beating a hasty retreat, said, Look around, Della. Just be sure theres no one here. Try the closets even under the bed.
Chief, Della Street exclaimed apprehensively, you dont think that? She checked herself and hurried towards the closet.
Mason returned to the parlor and seated himself.
Some two minutes later, Della Street returned and shook her head.
Look everyplace? Mason asked.
Everywhere.
The bathroom?
Yes.
All right, Mason said, indicating a door at the other side of the parlor. Theres another bedroom there. Try that.
Della Street hurriedly opened the door, this time without knocking, again made an exploration and returned. No one, she said.
Della Street hurriedly opened the door, this time without knocking, again made an exploration and returned. No one, she said.
No wheelchair?
She shook her head.
How many suitcases? Mason asked.
I didnt notice particularly. I think there are... wait a minute, let me think. Thats right, two suitcases and a bag.
Mason said, I guess we wait.
Della Street seated herself. Couldnt we ask the elevator operators? she asked.
We could, Mason said, but we wont. Not right at the moment.
One would have thought shed have left a note, Della Street said.
Well, Mason said, she left the door open and He broke off as they heard the sound of voices.
Someone corning down the corridor now, Mason said.
A rather portly woman in the middle forties appeared in the doorway. Behind her was a dapper individual with dark hair, dark eyes, and a short mustache. Behind them were two bellboys with bags.
Mason got to his feet.
I beg your pardon, the woman said. I thought this was Amelia Cornings suite.
It is, Mason said. We are waiting for her.
She isnt here?
Not at the moment, Mason said. We had an appointment and found the door open. We assumed it was an invitation to come in and be seated. Permit me to introduce myself. Im Perry Mason, an attorney, and this is Miss Street, my secretary. And you are...?
Im Sophia Elliott, she said. Im Amelias sister. And this is Alfredo Gomez, her business agent.
Oh, yes, Mason said affably. I understand she was expecting you. She told me over the phone you were arriving, but I didnt think you were corning until later.
We found we could catch an earlier plane, Sophia Elliott said, and turned to the bellboy. All right, she said, just bring the suitcases in.
Alfredo Gomez, slim-waisted, quick, and catlike in his motions, came forward to bow low in front of Della Street, holding her hand in his for a moment, then crossed over to shake hands with Perry Mason.
With much pleasure, he said.
Della Street glanced quickly at Perry Mason.
I presume you talked with Miss Corning over the phone from Miami? Mason said.
We sent her a wire, Sophia Elliott said.
Is it Miss or Mrs. Elliott? Mason asked.
Its Mrs. Elliott! she snapped. And Im a widow, if its any of your business which it isnt.
Mason said, I am representing a client who has had some dealings with Miss Corning, and Miss Corning asked me to meet her here. Mason looked at his watch and said, Nearly ten minutes ago.
Well, if she told you to be here ten minutes ago and she isnt here, she isnt intending to meet you here, Sophia Elliott said. She keeps her watch accurate to the second and when she makes an appointment she keeps it. Now, where are we going to put these things?
The question was addressed not to Mason but to the bellboy.
There are two bedrooms in the suite, one of the boys said.
Sophia Elliott strode across the parlor to the bedroom door on the north, pushed it open, looked inside, came back to the parlor and without a word strode across to the other door, pushed it open, looked around, came back and said, All right, Alfredo, you take that bedroom. Have the boy put your bags in there. There are twin beds in this other bedroom. Ill move in with Amelia.
Alfredo Gomez bowed his acquiescence, indicated a suitcase and a bag. Those are mine, he said to the bellboy in a somewhat stilted English that was pronounced quite distinctly and without accent.
The bellboys took the baggage into the bedrooms. Sophia Elliott supervised the placing of the baggage in the one bedroom but Alfredo Gomez stood waiting, silently watchful while the boy deposited his bags in the other room.
Sophia Elliott returned, said to Gomez, Tip the boys.
Gomez reached in his pocket, pulled out a roll of bills.
Thats Brazilian money. Its no good here, Sophia Elliott said.
Gomez let his white teeth flash in a smile at the bellboys as he replaced the currency in his pocket, reached into another pocket, took out a billfold and solemnly extracted a dollar bill which he tendered to one of the bellboys.
Thats not enough, Sophia Elliott said.
Gomez took out two more bills.
Thats too much, the woman remarked. Give each of them one dollar.
Gomez gravely complied.
The bellboys, with impassive faces, muttered their thanks and left the room.
I gathered, Mason said to Sophia Elliott, that your wire came as something of a surprise to Miss Corning.
She pivoted slowly to regard Mason with an appraisal which lacked cordiality.