The Case of the Velvet Claws   ::   Гарднер Эрл Стенли

“He shot his uncle because he knew that he was going to inherit under the will, and he realized that Eva Belter thought she had shot him. He knew that the gun could be traced to her and that the evidence was all against her. The purse in which Belter had found the incriminating evidence, which connected her with the man who was trying to keep his name out of the scandal sheet, was in Belter’s desk.

“You and your mother talked over what you had seen, and decided that it was a fine opportunity to make Griffin pay a good price for silence. So it was agreed that he was to have his alternative of being convicted of murder, or making a marriage which would be advantageous to you.”

Sergeant Hoffman scratched his head, and looked puzzled.

Norma Veitch flashed a swift glance to her mother.

Mason said slowly, “This is your last chance to come clean. As a matter of fact, you’re both accessories after the fact, and, as such, you’re liable to prosecution, just as though you were guilty of murder. Griffin has made his statement, and we don’t need your testimony. If you want to try to keep up the deception, go ahead. If you want to cooperate with the Police Department, now’s your time to do it.”

Sergeant Hoffman interrupted. “I’m just going to ask you one question,” he said, “and that’s going to stop this business. Did you, or did you not, do what Mason says, or substantially what he said?”

Norma Veitch said, in a low voice, “Yes.”

Mrs. Veitch, roused at last, whirled on her with fury snapping in her eyes.

“Norma!” she screamed. “Shut up, you little fool! It’s a bluff! Can’t you see?”

Sergeant Hoffman moved toward her. “It may have been a bluff, Mrs. Veitch,” he said slowly, “but her statement and your comment have spilled the beans. Go ahead and tell the truth. It’s the only thing left for you to do; otherwise I’m going to figure you’re accessories after the fact.”

Mrs. Veitch ran her tongue along the line of her lips, and burst out furiously, “I should have known better than to trust the little fool! She didn’t know anything about it. She was asleep, as sound as a log. I was the one who heard the shot and came up here. I should have made him marry me, and never taken my daughter into my confidence. But I thought it was a break for her, and I gave it to her. That’s the gratitude I get!”

Sergeant Hoffman turned and stared at Perry Mason.

“This,” he said, “is a hell of a mess. What happened to the bullet that missed Belter?”

Mason laughed. “Sergeant,” he said, “that’s what had me fooled all along. That wet umbrella in the rack, and the locked door bothered me.