“They base their suit on the allegation that Ralph actually made the discovery in their laboratories and while in their employ. He was working under a contractual agreement, you understand, which stipulates that any discovery made by him while in their employ becomes the property of the corporation. It is their contention that Ralph realized the tremendous value of the discovery as soon as he came upon it, and that he suppressed the truth. That instead of reporting it to his superiors, he faked a set of notes on his work which indicated the experiments were a failure, and then resigned, taking his secret with him for his own private enrichment.”
Shayne nodded slowly. “If they can prove that, I suppose they would win the suit.”
“Absolutely. If they can prove it. Which they can’t, of course. There’s not a word of truth in it. Ralph Carrol was an honorable man. When he left Vulcan he took nothing with him but his own genius. The process was developed completely in our own laboratory. This we can prove beyond the shadow of a doubt, despite the false affidavits they have secured from former co-workers, who have been liberally bribed to state the opposite.”
Shayne picked up his drink which was now well diluted with melted ice. “Tell me in exactly what way Carrol’s death will benefit Vulcan.”
“With Ralph out of the way and unable to testify in his own behalf, they have a much better than fifty-fifty chance of winning a judgment against us,” said Margrave bitterly. “The false testimony they bring into court will stand uncontested. Ralph Carrol himself was the only person on earth who knew exactly what went on during those months they claim he was working on the process — the only person who could tear the false testimony to shreds and prove otherwise. And now that threat has been neatly removed by the simple expedient of murder. Who else had a motive? Who else was ruthless and powerful enough to hire assassins to do the job?”
Shayne drank a third of the watery liquor and set the glass back on the table. “You haven’t anything else to go on?” he demanded. “No actual proof at all?”
“Naturally not. That’s up to you, I should think. Find the man or men who drove the knife into Ralph’s heart. You’ll find the Vulcan Corporation behind it. Once you have the actual killer, I think it won’t be too difficult to prove whose money hired him.”
Shayne said, “I see. Now, just for the record, what about Carrol’s private life? Any motive for murder there?”
“None. Positively not,” Margrave asserted vigorously. “He was a fine young man. Not an enemy in the world.”
“Do you know his wife?” Shayne asked casually.