“You mean that he...”
“I’m not making any accusations just yet. If we’re going to clear Junior, we must find out exactly what happened the night of the shooting.”
They entered Steele’s room, and Mason started a keen-eyed search.
Mrs. Gentrie said, “I thought I heard him come in about half-past two or three o’clock this afternoon. He seemed to be in very much of a hurry, rushing around. I’m quite sure it must have been Mr. Steele. He didn’t say anything to us, however. Usually he looks in on us just to pass the time of day when he comes home in the afternoon that way.”
“Does he come home frequently during the middle of the afternoon?”
“Sometimes. Very seldom during the morning, but occasionally he comes in the afternoon.”
Mason opened a closet door, looked inside at the array of clothes. “Do you know how he was dressed?” he asked.
Mrs. Gentrie indicated a light gray checked suit. “Why, that’s the suit he was wearing this morning.”
“Is it indeed?”
“Yes, he must have come and changed to a heavier suit. I notice his tweed is missing.”