“Publicity for one thing, and for another, he thinks it’s a good chance to get a conviction.”
“Just what do I do?” Drake asked.
“You,” Mason told him, “dig up everything you can. I have my back to the wall. I can’t afford to overlook any bet. When I walk into that courtroom, I want to know more about the case than the D.A. does.”
“How soon will they come to trial?” Drake asked.
“Perhaps within a week,” Mason told him, “as soon as they can get Mrs. Breel into court in a wheel chair”
“I can dig up a lot in a week, Perry.”
Mason grinned with his lips. His eyes showed the strain under which he was working. “Get plenty,” he said, “because I may need it.”
Chapter 15
Larry Sampson, the deputy district attorney who was selected to try the case of the People vs. Sarah Breel, looked across his desk at the somewhat apprehensive features of Harry Diggers. “Now, all I want you to do,” Sampson said, “is to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, but I don’t want you to lean over backwards. Do you understand?” Diggers nodded.
“Perry Mason is a clever lawyer. He has all sorts of tricks for breaking people down on cross-examination. You’ve got to watch out for him.” Again Diggers nodded.