“And you did do what is generally known as shoplifting?”
“Yes. You see, my brother had gone on one of his periodical toots. I was worried about him. Sunday I went to the office to check on the contents of the vault. I couldn’t find the diamonds which had been given to my brother Saturday morning by Austin Cullens. It occurred to me that my brother must have taken them with him. Cullens knows all about George’s periodical sprees. He’s absolutely the only one who does — aside from my niece and myself. I was afraid Mr. Cullens might want his stones before George sobered up. I was afraid it might make something of a scandal, so I decided to cover up for George. I thought I could pretend I’d developed a kleptomania. Looking back on it, it seems very foolish now, but at the time it seemed the only thing to do, the only way I could stall things along until I could find George and sober him up.”
“So you deliberately planned to get caught stealing...?”
“Not exactly,” she said. “Somewhere, I’d read that a person couldn’t be charged with shoplifting until they’d removed the things from the store. However, if it hadn’t been for Mr. Mason...”
Sergeant Holcomb interrupted. “All right, now I’m going to tell you something else. Your brother was found...”
Dr. Gifford came charging forward. “No, you don’t!” he shouted. “I warned you my patient was to be spared that nerve shock. You agreed to this interview on that understanding. You can’t...”
“I can do anything I damn please,” Holcomb said. “You aren’t in charge here. I’m in charge here.”
“You may not think I’m in charge here,” Dr. Gifford said, “but this woman is under my care. I stretched a point in letting you question her at this time. You’re not going to inflict any shock on her. That was definitely understood before the interview commenced.”
“Well, as it happens,” Holcomb said, “I’ve changed my mind. I may not know a lot about medicine, but I think this woman is in full possession of her faculties right now and...”
Dr. Gifford nodded to the red-headed nurse. She produced a package from under her arm. Dr. Gifford said. “Just a moment,” and stepped forward. “Let me see your left arm, please, Mrs. Breel,” he said.