“In the first place,” Mason said, “she has motivation. She’d been tricked into a bigamous marriage. Men have been killed for less than that. She had opportunity; and what’s more, she had the weapon.
“That’s the worst of circumstantial evidence. The prosecuting attorney has at his command all the facilities of organized investigation. He uncovers facts. He selects only those which, in his opinion, are significant. Once he’s come to the conclusion the defendant is guilty, the only facts he considers significant are those which point to the guilt of the defendant. That’s why circumstantial evidence is such a liar. Facts themselves are meaningless. It’s only the interpretation we give those facts which counts.”
“We’ve had some significant facts develop out at the house,” Waid said, glancing across at Charles Sabin. “Did you intend to tell Mr. Mason about Mrs. Sabin and Steve?”
Sabin said, “Thank you, Richard, for calling it to my attention. After you left last night, Mr. Mason, Steve Watkins and his mother were in the mother’s room in deep consultation. They left the house about midnight and haven’t returned since. They didn’t leave any word where they were going, and we haven’t been able to locate them. The coroner at San Molinas had called an inquest for eight o’clock this evening, and the funeral is scheduled for tomorrow at two o’clock. Having Mrs. Sabin missing is, of course, embarrassing to the family. I consider her departure evidence of shocking bad taste.”
Mason looked across at Waid. “Did you tell Sheriff Barnes and Sergeant Holcomb anything about this business you were transacting for Mr. Sabin in New York?”
“No, I only told them what I considered entered into the case. On this other matter, I didn’t tell a soul until last night. Mrs. Sabin had browbeaten me into silence.”
“You told the sheriff about receiving a telephone call from Mr. Sabin at ten o’clock at night?”
“Yes, of course. I felt that entered into the case and wasn’t betraying any confidence.”
“Did Mr. Sabin seem in good spirits when you talked with him?”
“In excellent spirits. I don’t think I’ve ever heard his voice sound happier. Looking back on it now, of course, I can understand. He’d just received word that Mrs. Sabin was going to get the divorce decree the next day, and that gave him the chance to remarry Miss Monteith. Mrs. Sabin had evidently telephoned him and told him that the divorce was going through.”