Mason shook his head.
She should be, the attendant said dreamily. The most beautiful girl Ive ever seen in my life. Gosh, what eyes! And what a figure!
Masons smile was comprehensive. And what competence, he said.
What does she do? the attendant asked.
Shes a very, very competent secretary, Mason told him.
The attendant stood looking down the road for a moment, then with a sigh went back to the interior of the station.
Chapter 9
The taxi meter had nine dollars and eighty cents on it when Tragg somewhat reluctantly gave Perry Mason permission to go on about his business.
Im not very happy about this thing, Mason, Tragg said.
One shouldnt ever be happy about a murder, Mason said.
That isnt what I meant, Tragg said. Im not happy about any of them.
All right, thats fine, Mason said. Youre not happy about any of them and youre not happy about this. That figures.
Lets say Im not happy about your part in this one.
I have no part in the murder, Mason said.
Tragg jerked his thumb. On your way, he said. Personally, I think youve worked this professional privilege to death. Im going to tell you something, Perry Mason. Sooner or later the facts in this case are going to come out. Were going to know how it happened that you went up there looking around for a body.
I tell you, I wasnt looking around for a body, Mason said.
All right, we dont need to go over it again. On your way.
Mason climbed in the cab, nodded to the driver. Back down to Hollywood, he said.
After they reached Hollywood, Mason gave the driver the address of Susan Fishers apartment and said, Theres a car-rental agency within three or four blocks of that apartment. Do you know where it is?
The cab driver thought for a minute, then nodded. Theres a branch of the We Rent M Car Company over on the boulevard thats only about three and a half blocks from there.
Lets try that place, Mason said.
The driver drew up in front of the place. Mason went in and said, How about renting a car?
It depends on how long you want it, the man said. Were just closing up and business has been rushing today. This is a branch of the main office and weve been floored. I have one car which has just come in. It hasnt been serviced. Ill have time to fill the tank and thats all. If you want to turn it in before nine oclock tomorrow morning, youll have to turn it in at one of the other offices. Ill give you their address on a card.
Okay by me, Mason said. I need a car.
You got your drivers license?
Mason brought it out and exhibited it, used an air travel card to establish credit, and went out to pay off the cab.
I was just closing up, the man explained. Weve had quite a day and I was fifteen or twenty minutes overtime getting books posted.
Did a lot of rental business?
Quite a lot.
You dont have too many cars?
Not here, this is a branch. Actually, we try to keep one here all the time and then we telephone to one of the other offices to send out replacements. They can have a car here within ten minutes any time I phone, sometimes sooner.
Just keep the one car here in the place?
Thats right. Of course, it isnt always the same car.
I see, Mason said. I was just wondering how you ran the business.
Actually, the man told him, this is kind of a business-getting gadget that the company is using. Some of our competitors are located at a garage somewhere in the city and then have a place at the airport. If you want to get a car, you have to go one place or the other, or arrange to have it delivered. And that makes it a little difficult when you want to return the car. Were trying out something new. We have places spotted all over town. You can either pick up a car here or I can have one for you within ten minutes and then I give you a list of places where you can leave it. You can turn it in at any one of these places; theyre scattered all over town.
Good idea, Mason said.
Its working out all right for me, the man told him. Of course, I have a service station here. Let me fill up that gas tank and youll be ready to roll.
While the gas tank was being filled, Mason crossed over to the telephone booth and called Paul Drake.
Paul, he said, Ive got a car I want examined very, very carefully by an expert. I want someone who knows his way around to look it over with a magnifying glass.
For what?
Bloodstains, fingerprints, everything.
Well, Drake said somewhat wearily, theres a technician who works in the police laboratory who occasionally does some work for me. Hell probably be in bed at this time of the night. Ill have to get him up if you want him.
Hell keep his mouth shut?
Hell keep his mouth shut.
Hell get up for you?
Not for me for about fifty bucks.
And work a large part of the night?
And work a large part of the night.
Okay, Mason said. Call him and then be waiting down on the sidewalk for me. Ill pick you up and well drive out there.
How soon?
Fifteen minutes.
Okay, Ill try and get things lined up, Drake said. Ill be on the sidewalk. Anybody going to get any sleep tonight?
Not that I know of, Mason said. Found anything on Amelia Corning yet?
Yes, weve got a lead. A fellow from the porters office was paid twenty-five dollars to take Miss Corning down in the freight elevator in her wheelchair. She said she wanted to get out without anyone knowing it, said she had a little checking up to do.