“On the contrary, I really care for him,” Carrel retorted. “I care enough for him so that I realized he was in danger of being victimized by an unscrupulous adventuress, and took steps to prevent him being stripped of his property.”
“And by the unscrupulous adventuress, you refer to Emily Milicant, the sister of the deceased?”
“I do.”
“Now then,” Mason said conversationally, “suppose that it should appear that the defendant in this case was not your uncle. Would that make any difference in connection with your testimony?”
“What do you mean?”
“Simply this. Suppose that in the event of his death — either by natural causes or in the gas chamber at San Quentin — you stood no chance of profiting, in other words, that you were not a natural heir of his and, therefore, not in a position to share in his estate or contest his will, would you continue your efforts to prevent his marriage or regard the possibility that he might be convicted of murder with equal satisfaction?”
Kittering jumped to his feet. “Your Honor,” he shouted. “Your Honor, this is outrageous! This is uncalled for. This is unethical and unprofessional. It is quite on a par with the tactics that counsel has used in...”
Judge Knox interrupted calmly to say, “The question is not temperate. It may not be considerate. Doubtless, it is not courteous, but it is legal. I know of no law which requires counsel to be courteous, temperate, or considerate with witnesses who testify adversely. The question goes to show motivation, bias, and a possible reason. Therefore, it will be allowed.”
“Answer the question,” Mason said.
“I care nothing whatever about my uncle’s money,” Carrel said in a low voice.