But what in the world does she need an attorney for? Endicott Campbell asked.
That remains to be seen, Mason said. Did you wish to discuss certain matters with her?
I asked her here to discuss certain private business problems and theyre problems which affect the company. Some of them are confidential. I dont care to have an audience.
Mason, seeing advantage in Campbells surprise, took the initiative, said, There was the matter of a shoe box containing some hundred-dollar bills, Mr. Campbell. You seemed to question my clients word about that and thats one of the things I want to have settled.
Thats one of the things I want to have settled, Campbell said, turning savagely to face Susan Fisher. Now then, Susan, what the devil did you mean by trying to hide behind a seven-year-old boy and drag him into your peculations?
What in the world are you talking about? Susan asked.
You know very well what I mean. This cock-and-bull story you dreamed up about Carleton having a shoe box full of money.
But he had it.
Bosh! Campbell said. He didnt have any such thing.
Have you asked him? Mason inquired.
Campbell whirled to Mason and said, I dont need to ask him. And as far as Im concerned you have no official status in this party at all.
Mason said, You have just accused my client of peculations. The accusation was made in the presence of witnesses. Now, just what do you mean by peculations?
She knows what I mean, Campbell said, and I dont think I need to elaborate on it in view of the fact that you quite obviously are simply tagging along here hoping that you can find some grounds for a damage suit... Well, Ill tell you something, Mr. Perry Mason, youre going to have something a lot more serious to occupy your attention if youre going to represent this young woman.
Campbell turned again to Susan Fisher. Now then, since you apparently would like to trap me into making accusations Ill simply content myself with asking questions. What about that box of money that you told me about over the telephone?
What do you want to know about it?
Where did you put it?
In the safe.
And then what did you do with it?
Nothing. I left it in the safe.
Well, it isnt there now, Endicott Campbell said.
What! she exclaimed.
Whats more, you know it... All right, I wont make any accusations in view of the fact that youre represented by competent counsel. However, Ill just state this, Susan Fisher, that you told me about having a box of hundred-dollar bills in your possession in the office. Now Im calling on you to produce that box of hundred-dollar bills.
I take it, Mason said dryly, you have already been to the office.
Campbell turned to face him, studied him with hostile eyes and said, I see no reason to answer that question. On the other hand, I see no reason not to answer the question. I have been to the office. I have opened the safe. I have looked for the box where she said it was and it wasnt there.
Campbell turned to face him, studied him with hostile eyes and said, I see no reason to answer that question. On the other hand, I see no reason not to answer the question. I have been to the office. I have opened the safe. I have looked for the box where she said it was and it wasnt there.
And, Mason said, what does that prove?
It proves shes lying.
In what way?
All right, Campbell said, Ill put it this way. Let her prove she isnt lying. She didnt have any witnesses as to the amount of money in that box. She didnt even have any witnesses as to the existence of the box.
And you think she should have? Mason said.
It would have been a commendable precaution as far as her veracity is concerned.
So you went to the office and there wasnt any box in the safe.
Thats right.
No money, no box?
No money, no box.
And who were your witnesses?
My witnesses? What do you mean?
It would have been a commendable precaution, Mason said.
Why, you... you! Campbell sputtered.
At some stage of the inquiry, Mason said, you might be interrogated as to how anyone knows you didnt find the box there.
Well, I didnt, and I think my word is good enough to stand up in any court of law.
That will depend on several things, Mason said.
Such as what? Campbell sneered.
On the manner in which youre cross-examined, Mason said, and how you comport yourself on cross-examination... Now, I believe you have an appointment with Amelia Corning?
I do.
And I want to see Amelia Corning, Mason said. He turned to Sue Fisher. Whats her suite, Miss Fisher?
The Presidential Suite on the twenty-first floor.
Then we all may as well go up, Mason said. Id like to ask Miss Corning a few questions and Id also like to make certain that Mr. Campbell doesnt make any insinuations or plant any prejudices in Miss Cornings mind before we have a chance to get a showdown on this.
You cant come up, Campbell said. This is a private appointment. This is a matter of business and you have no right to horn in on it.
And who, Mason asked, is going to stop me?
Campbell squared his shoulders, then regarded the rugged features and broad shoulders of the lawyer. Before you go too far with this thing, he said, it might interest you to know that I am considered a very good boxer.