“That’s right. I guess that’ll crack the whole case. The way the police figured it out, there was only one shot. Two people had disappeared. That meant Hocksley had killed his housekeeper, removed the body, and was in hiding, or that she had killed him.”
Mason said, “In that latter event, I think there was an accomplice. She didn’t give you any inkling of who it was, did she?”
“No, not a thing. Just said that if she could talk with Mr. Mason personally, she’d make a complete confession. Otherwise, there was no dice.”
“Better stick around,” Mason said, “in case I need you.”
“For how long?”
“Oh, until I tell you to quit.”
Drake said, “Okay, there’s a couch here in the office. I’ll bed down on that, and the night operator will call me in case you phone in.”
“Hate to bust up your sleep,” Mason apologized.
“Oh, it’s all right. I’m used to that.”
“Okay,” Mason said, “I’ll give you a ring.”