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Mason was thoughtful as Nye started the automobile. "I think it does," he said at length.
CHAPTER NINE
Sid Nye drove Mason to the Mission I
"As far as I know," Mason told him.
"Okay, I'll do a little checking. If you need me, you can get me at the Tn-Counties Detective Agency. I'll be there."
"Okay, thanks a lot," Mason said. He watched Nye drive away, then entered the hotel and went up to his suite.
"Well, Della," he asked, "how about di
"I was hoping you'd think of that," she said, "but I have news for you."
"What?"
"Dia
"Where?"
"Somewhere in Riverside. I told her she'd better come up here and wait for you but she was all worked up."
"What did she want?"
"Montrose Foster has been in touch with her all right."
"And upset her?"
"I'll say it upset her. He told her the facts of life."
"Such as what?"
"That Boring was only trying to get something out of her for his own good. He asked her if Boring had got her to sign anything, and she said he had, and he wanted to see the contract but she didn't give him any satisfaction."
"Then what?"
"Then Foster started trying to pump her about her family, trying to find out something on which he could capitalize and trying to keep Dia
"What?"
"The good old stand-by," Della Street said. "White slavery. Dia
"And Dia
"She's so upset she hardly knows what she's doing. She didn't tell him about Boring terminating the contract."
"How did she know that we were here?"
"That apparently was more on less of an accident. She came here on her own and heard someone talking in the lobby about Perry Mason, the attorney, being registered here in the hotel. So she telephoned from a drugstore."
"But why did she come to Riverside in the first place, Della?"
"She knows Boring is here. She asked me if I thought she should confront him and demand an explanation. She said she wanted to let him know he'd have to give her back that copy of the contract he had with her signature on it. She is so worked up now she seems to think that the contract is an agreement to fatten herself up and go to South America to lead an immoral life. The poor kid is hysterical. I tried to talk to her but she wouldn't let the words get through. I told her to come here at once."
"Did she say she would?"
"She didn't say anything except what a mess she'd be in if Boring let anyone know she'd signed a contract to become a quote white slave unquote."
"Well," Mason said, "under the circumstances, I think we should stay here in the suite until Dia
"Apparently," Della Street said, "Foster is overlooking the obvious. He was trying to get Dia
"How did you come out with Winlock? Any luck?"
"We hit pay dirt, Della."
"Then, Dia
"Yes. She's his daughter and she's a blackmailer's bonanza."
"What are you going to do?" she asked.
"Throw some of my weight around," Mason said. "I have three objectives. First, to safeguard Dia
"And then what?" Della Street asked.
"Boring has ten thousand dollars blackmail money. I don't know whether we can prove it so it will stand up in court, but he undoubtedly has the ten thousand dollars in cash in his possession. He can't explain how he got it.
"Winlock is sitting on the edge of a volcano. I don't know just what he's worth but I imagine we can make a deal with him by which Dia
"When will she know the facts?" Della Street asked.
"Just as soon as I see her," Mason said. "She's my client. I'm her attorney. My knowledge is her knowledge. I can tell her what I know in confidence and then we'll work out the best course of action, but I have her emotions to consider."
"We were," Della Street reminded him, "talking about di
"I think they have excellent room service here," Mason said. "We'll have a big porterhouse steak, with baked potatoes and sour cream, tomato and avocado salad, Thousand Island dressing, and-"
"Heavens!" Della Street said. "Are you trying to make a Dia
Mason said, "You're working for a fiend in human form. I'm fattening you up for the South American market."
"My resistance has turned to putty," Della Street said. "I'm unable to resist the thought of savory food… Suppose Dia
"That's the idea of the big porterhouse steak," Mason said. "We'll have it big enough so we can put in an extra plate and feed Dia
"If you're going to feed her," Della Street said, "you'd better order a double chocolate malted milk and some mince pie alamode on the side."
"And if Dia
Della Street threw up her hands. "Don't do it," she said. "I might not be able to resist."
Mason looked at his watch. "Well," he said, "I think Dia
Della Street inquired for Dia
While they were waiting, Mason put through a call to Paul Drake. "Anything new at your end, Paul?"
"Things have simmered down here."
"Dia
"Have a heart, Perry. I was taking soda bicarbonate all afternoon."
"Well," Mason said, "on second thought, Paul, you may as well go out, but be back inside of an hour and leave word with the office where you can be reached. I've seen Winlock and now I know all the answers."
"You mean he admitted-"
"I mean we're okay," Mason said, "but I can't discuss it."
"How long do you want my men on the job up there, Perry?"
"Until I tell you to quit. I think we're about at the end of the case now-at least this phase of it-but our friend, Dillard, is anchored there at the motel. Evidently Boring has him spotted and is getting pretty suspicious."