Drake said, “Perry, will you please tell me what’s the idea of all this horse-play?”
“Wait until you hear the D.A. describe it in court tomorrow,” Mason said. “Come on, Paul. Do you want to leave, or do you want to stay here and argue?”
“I want to leave,” Drake said, “and you can’t make it too snappy for me.”
Mason led the way out the back door, locking it behind them.
“Okay?” Della Street asked, as Mason reached the alley.
“Okay so far,” Mason told her. “You’ve memorized the story you’re to give Scudder?”
“And how!” she told him.
“Let’s go,” Mason said, settling back against the cushions.
Drake closed the door. Della Street lurched the car into motion. They left the alley for the boulevard, drove half a dozen blocks and slowed in front of a drug store.
“Come on, Paul,” Mason said, “You might as well get an earful of this.”