“Someone hear the shot?” Mason asked.
For a moment it seemed as though Berger was about to reply to the question, then he picked up the telephone on his desk and inquired, “Is Miss Adelle Hastings in the office?… Very well. I want to see her next… And Paul Drake… Very well, have him wait. I’ll see Miss Hastings next.”
Mason said musingly, “Eleven-fifteen… That isn’t the way I understand it. That time of death doesn’t coincide with the facts as I’ve worked them out.”
“What time,” Berger asked, “do you consider that death took place?”
“About nine-thirty,” Mason said without hesitation.
“On Monday night?”
“That’s right.”
Berger said, “I am not committing myself finally on that point as yet, Mr. Mason. There’s one more witness whom I must interview personally before I make a definite commitment.”
“That witness heard the shot?” Mason asked.
“That witness,” Berger said with cold finality, “saw the deed committed. He recognized Robert Peltham as the murderer. He actually saw the murder. I’ve talked with him over the telephone. I haven’t his signed statement as yet.”