“Go on,” Mason said. “Tell me just what you want me to do.”
“I’m going to put my cards on the table,” Charles Sabin told him. “My legal affairs are handled by Cutter, Grayson & Bright. I want you to co-operate with them.”
“You mean in the probate of the estate?” Mason asked.
Sabin shook his head. “My father was murdered. I want you to co-operate with the police in bringing that murderer to justice.
“My father’s widow is going to require quite a bit of handling. I think it’s a job that’s beyond the abilities of Cutter, Grayson & Bright. I want you to handle it.
“I am, of course, deeply shocked by what has happened. I was notified yesterday afternoon by the police. It’s been very much of an ordeal. I can assure you that no ordinary business matter would have brought me out today.”
Mason looked at the lines of suffering etched on the man’s face, and said, “I can readily understand that.”
“And,” Sabin went on, “I realize there are certain questions you’ll want to ask. I’d like to make the interview as brief as possible.”
Mason said, “I’ll need some sort of authorization to...”
Sabin took a wallet from his pocket. “I think I have anticipated your reasonable requirements, Mr. Mason. Here is a retainer check, together with a letter stating that you are acting as my lawyer and are to have access to any and all of the property left by my father.”