Case of the Silent Partner

Chapter 15

It was late that night when Della Street snuggled up beside Perry Mason in the lawyer’s car and said, “Well, that’s one thing about Lieutenant Tragg. When he promises to co-operate, he co-operates.”

Mason nodded.

She wrapped her fingers around his right arm, a gentle, reassuring touch. “Did it occur to you, Chief, that Lieutenant Tragg is falling pretty hard for Mildreth Faulkner?”

“I’d have to be blind and deaf not to have had the thought occur to me.”

“She seems to be interested in him.”

“Why not? He’s a pretty shrewd individual.”

“I’ll say he is. Having him on Homicide isn’t going to be the cinch it was when Sergeant Holcomb was running things. You know, you’re going to have to watch your step. Tragg is filled with co-operation this time, but if he ever catches you pulling one of your fast ones, I don’t think he’d hesitate for a minute to throw the book at you.”

“Let him throw—”

“Will they convict Esther Dilmeyer?”

“Probably not,” Mason said. “Lois Carling came through and backed her story up. Of course, Esther went out there with a gun in order to perpetrate a felony, but — well, she’s a darn good-looking girl, and...”

“And a good-looking woman can get away with murder?” Della asked.

“Homicide,” Mason corrected, smiling. “There’s a distinction.”

“And you think Esther Dilmeyer’s testimony will win the Peavis lawsuit for Miss Faulkner?”

“Sure it will. She knows that Peavis had only made Lynk an offer for the stock. It’s a small point but damned important. And when I get done cross-examining Mr. Sindler Coll — well, I think Peavis will drop his suit.”

Della laughed. “That’s going to be a lovely cross-examination. Will you be able to show that the whole gambling thing was a crooked frame-up, in order to invalidate that transfer of stock?”

“Easy.”

“Where will that leave Mr. Magard?”

Mason grinned. “Right out on the very tip end of a limb over a very deep pool. In case you’re interested, we’re on our way to the Golden Horn right now. We’re going to order champagne, and I wouldn’t doubt in the least if Mr. Magard comes down and falls all over us trying to square himself. Tragg wouldn’t want much of an excuse to raid that place.”

“Won’t he do it anyway?”

“Probably.”

“Then is it good policy for you to go down and promise Magard you’ll...”

“I’m not going to promise Magard one single thing,” Mason said, “and when it comes to dealing with the police, he can make his contact with Lieutenant Tragg.”

She said uneasily, “I have a presentiment about Lieutenant Tragg.”

“What?”

“I think he’s going to be dangerous.”

“The man’s clever,” Mason conceded. “Part of his instructions from the Chief’s office are to keep an eye on me and hold me in line. I guess we’ll have a lot of fun from now on.”

There was no longer any good-natured banter in her voice. She said, “Says you. I don’t like it.”

“I’ll appoint you my legal guardian if you’ll take the job, Della.”

“No dice,” she said. “You don’t want a guardian any more than you want domestic ties — but try and get out of my sight, after this, for very long at a time...”

He swung the car out toward the center of the road. “Look, baby,” he said, “I was watching the way Tragg drives when he has the siren going. It’s a technique all its own. You make your speed in between blocks, start to ride your brakes as you come to the intersection, then step on the throttle... Watch.”

She settled back against the cushions, watching his face, her eyes contented and amused as Mason sent the speedometer needle quivering up into the big figures.