“That’s what Trader reports.”
“Didn’t say what window?”
“Apparently not.”
“Then it must have been either in Prescott’s house or Stella Anderson’s house. Let’s run out to the hospital and see if we can chase down the doctor who treated Packard. I’d like to find out just what Packard said when he admitted liability.”
Drake said, “Okay, Perry,” turned to the telephone and said, “That’s all, Mabel. Stay on the job and take down the dope as it comes in. The homicide squad’s doing things out at Prescott’s house. They’re not passing out any information, but you’ll probably hear details from one of the boys. As soon as you get anything definite, call me at the Good Samaritan Hospital. I’m going out there now. I’ll call you again when I leave. Okay Mabel. G’by.”
Drake hung up the receiver, turned to Mason and said, “Perry, I was just wondering. Do you suppose this Swaine girl would have any reason for wanting her sister out of the way?”
“Forget it,” Mason told him. “If you must pin a murder on someone, hang it on the guy who was in there making love to the sister. Don’t wish it off on one of my clients.”
“Is the Swaine girl your client?” Drake asked as they walked toward the door of the drug store.
Mason said slowly, “Come to think of it, Paul, she isn’t. She’s the one who employed me, but I’m employed to represent the married sister.”
“You mean Mrs. Prescott?”