“I get you,” the detective said. “Here’s something else, Perry. Bill Golding is driving a new maroon-colored sedan.”
Mason’s eyes narrowed. “I’m interested in the adjective, Paul,” he said.
“Maroon-colored?” Drake asked. Mason shook his head. Drake said, “I get you, Perry... but I doubt if it’s that new.”
“Find out,” Mason told him.
“Okay. Now here’s the big thing, Perry. I’ve identified the Bedford diamonds. Your hunch was one hundred percent right. The stones found in that bag, and being held at police headquarters, were taken in a gem theft in New Orleans six months ago. A bunch of antique jewelry was picked up by professional cracksmen and the insurance companies have been moving heaven and earth, trying to get some trace of them.”
“You’ve notified the insurance company?”
“That’s what I wanted to ask you about,” Drake said. “The question is, can I go ahead with it? There’s a reward of two thousand dollars which we could split and...”
“No rewards,” Mason said. Then as he saw the detective’s face fall, went on, “That is, for me. You take all the rewards... But do you know, Paul, it might not be a bad idea to make a split with Sergeant Holcomb.”
“That stuffed shirt!” Drake exclaimed. “Why should I split with him?”
“He might be more willing to cooperate on the other stuff,” Mason said.