Mason said moodily, “If it’s a lie, Della, it’s a damned good one.”
“You mean it’s going to keep you from putting them on the stand?” Della Street asked.
Mason said, “I’d hardly want to play into the hands of the prosecution by bringing out evidence like that.”
“But suppose it’s a lie, Chief?”
“Suppose it is,” Mason said. “Then what?”
“Then they’re just telling that story to protect themselves.”
“Protect themselves from what?” Mason inquired.
“Why, from — from — well, having to explain what they were doing out there. Perhaps, from being accused of murder.”
“Exactly,” Mason said. “In other words they’re gambling for big stakes... Get Paul Drake on the line. Let’s check up on them and see if we can find out more about what motivation they might have for murder. You see what this means, Della. So far, all the evidence Which connects Sarah Breel with the murder is circumstantial evidence. She was near the scene of the murder; she had the gun in her possession with which the murder was committed; she had some diamonds in her possession which might have been taken from the body. That makes a black case of circumstantial evidence, but it’s only circumstantial evidence. Now then, along come Golding and Eva Tannis, and put Sarah Breel on the spot at the exact moment when the murder was being committed. ”
“If they’re lying, they’re doing it to protect themselves from a murder charge. If they’re telling the truth... well, if they’re telling the truth...”