“The fact that the cellar was chosen as the place where the message was to be left means that both parties must have had access to the cellar.”
She nodded.
“Therefore,” Mason said, “we have a peculiar situation. Two persons have access to the same place, yet those persons don’t have contact with each other, and that place is highly unusual — the cellar of a big, rambling, frame residence.”
Della Street said excitedly, “Now that you analyze it, it’s plain as day. One of the persons had to have access to the cellar through the garage that Hocksley rented, and the other one because he lived in Gentrie’s house.”
Mason said, “That’s one of the possibilities.”
“But, Chief,” Della Street said, “that brings up all sorts of complications.”
“That’s just the point.”
“Then you think Junior is mixed up with it — and Opal?”
Mason said, “The evidence seems to point the other way.”
“What do you mean?”