Chapter 8 Chapter VII

Mason said to the head waiter: "We want to eat, can we arrange a table for Catherine?" The foreman hesitated. "I'm afraid we'll have to wait. Her table is full. Are you Perry Mason?" "Not bad," Mason said. "I know you are a friend of the boss," said the head waiter. "Mr. Mason, I'll try to arrange it, but you also know that we all fix a few tables and have a waiter in charge, so that there is a limit to the scope of the waiter's work, otherwise everyone walks around, how can we Don’t they all collide? You know that we mainly do business lunches, and this business is also the best, because many people who come here for lunch want to go back to the company within an hour, so we pay special attention to service efficiency."

"I understand," Mason said. "Is Catherine's table full now?" "Yes, the last table was booked by a guest a few minutes ago." "We'll wait," Mason said. "Okay. As soon as there is a free table, I will arrange it for you, but it may take ten to fifteen minutes." Mason said, "We've got a seat at the bar. You'll let us know when we get a seat." "Sure," said the foreman. Mason walked into the bar first. "I don't drink," Della said firmly, shaking her head. "Otherwise I would have fallen asleep on the typewriter in the afternoon."

Mason nodded. "We're just going to find a place to sit and wait. Have a lemonade." "Sneak some sugar in my glass, please," Della said. "Both with sugar," Mason said. They were sitting at the bar drinking lemonade, and halfway through they heard the radio say, "Mr. Mason, the table is ready." Della looked at the soda reluctantly, scooping up the cherries and orange slices through a straw. Mason finished his soda and walked into the restaurant with Della. The head waiter led them to a table. Soon, Catherine came. "Hello!" she said, handing them the menu.

"Dried scallops are very good, you can try them." Catherine said. "Then two scallops," said Mason. Della nodded. After Catherine left, Della approached Mason and said, "Boss, did you notice anything?" "Like what?" Mason asked. "Shoes," Della said. "How about the shoes?" "She was wearing crocodile shoes," Della said. "Do you remember, last night she was wearing black leather shoes? She also asked me if I thought of bringing those alligator shoes. She said they were her work shoes, but I didn't take them. She said it's okay, black shoes Although it is uncomfortable, you can still wear it. She must have gone back to get it."

Mason frowned and said: "This is a new development. She must have gone back to see her aunt. This may have a considerable impact on this case." "Would you like to ask?" Della said. Mason was still frowning. "Wait for her to tell us." Catherine happened to walk past them with a tray. Mason stared at the alligator shoes on her feet. Della seemed to understand Mason's thoughts at a glance. She said: "The restaurant obviously provides uniforms for them to wear over casual clothes with the name of the restaurant embroidered on it. Also, Madison must have embroidered everyone's name and then sewed it to the uniform. superior."

Mason nodded. "Of course it's just about the uniforms," ​​Della said. "They may have been wearing civilian clothes underneath, or they may have taken off their coats when they arrived. However, the shoes and socks must have been worn from home." "I guess they all have wardrobes here," Mason said. "That uniform looks heavy and is unlikely to be worn over civilian clothes." Della looked over Mason's back and said, "Oh, here comes Paul. I bet he's looking for the 32-24-32 file." Mason smiled. "No, he came to see us," Della said. "He saw us and came this way."

Sure enough, Derek came over. "Hi," Mason said. "Sit down. Come to lunch?" "No," Derek said. "I knew you were here." "Anything new?" Mason asked. Derek said, "I sent someone on the outside of Gigo's to report a blind pencil dealer. I asked him to pay special attention to her feet. He said it was Mrs. Lame, because there was a noticeable swelling in the right thumb." Della said, "It must be someone else. You noticed Sophia's feet yesterday. It's normal." "Paul, how do you keep in touch with the stalker?" Mason asked.

"Last time I told you that some of our cars have telephones, and the people who follow them can contact the office directly. However, most of the cars used for tracking are very ordinary and inconspicuous. Usually we will find the age of the car. Ordinary brands that have been around for three or four years cannot have special markings, and after a few years, I will go to the Tracy Depot to exchange for an old car." "I've asked my friend Trish to help my client choose a used car," Mason said. "It saves her having to take the bus at night." Derek looked Mason up and down and said, "You've been nice to your client. What would the IRS say?"

Mason smiled and said, "Leave this kind of thing to Della to worry about. She put this customer into a series of numbers." Derek raised his eyebrows. "32-24-32," Della said. Derek threw back his head and laughed. Catherine brought over the scallops.Mason said, "Catherine, I don't want this artificial sauce with scallops. Get a better tomato sauce. This is Paul Derek from the Derek Detective Agency, and he wants to eat." While accepting the introduction, Derek looked at Catherine with affection. "Any handy goodies?" Derek asked. "The scallop and corned beef sandwiches are good, but the sandwiches are quicker."

"Then have a hot corned beef sandwich," Derek said. When Catherine came over with ketchup, Mason said, "Catherine, I have a car ready for you to use for a few days. I have a friend who buys and sells used cars, so it's very convenient. It's not a fancy car, but it's very convenient. Means of transportation. While staying in the hotel, I hope you will use this car first. I think the hotel is too far from the bus stop, and it is even more dangerous when you are on the night shift." "Mr. Mason, how can I... how can I afford to drive? I..." "You don't want to buy it," Mason said. "I will ask someone to fill up the gas. You borrowed this car from me. You know how to drive?"

"Yes. I used to have a car, but then... had to sell it." Catherine said, quickly turned and walked to the counter leading to the kitchen, brought Derek's sandwich after a while, then turned and left . Mason said, "Paul, the people you send outside, how are they going to contact the office if they don't have a phone in the car?" "That person can't sit in the car all day without going to the bathroom," Derek said. "So I will make a phone call when I go to the toilet. Of course, it is inevitable to lose people at this time, but there is no way to do it. You can't teach people to sit for a day. If you want to be safe, of course, it is best to send two people together Go, but it will cost more. But, you might not believe it, they rarely embarrass themselves. Well, this sandwich is delicious." Mason nodded. "Madison's been very successful. He told me he rarely changes chefs, and he does what he can to keep them in place. The detective you sent to follow Mrs. Elwood yesterday is the same one who followed Mrs. Elwood yesterday." Is it the same?" "It's the same," Derek said. "Does he think that today's pencil seller is not Sophia?" "I asked about this specifically. He thought it was the same person. I asked him to look at the foot carefully, so he took binoculars and said this right foot was swollen today." "Then it must not be Sophia," Della said with certainty. "Paul, send someone else over there," Mason said. "The whereabouts of this woman must be grasped. Let two people keep an eye on her together to find out who she is and where she lives." Derek finished his sandwich hurriedly and said, "Parry, you paid the bill. I'm going back to send an extra detective." "We'll say goodbye to Catherine on your behalf," Della said, smiling. Derek took out the fifty cents and put them under the plate. "This is my way of saying goodbye, and I will count it in the cost of the investigation." Della and Mason finished their lunch and had some sherbet before returning to the office. Only a few minutes after they came back, there was Derek's characteristic knock on the door. Della opened the door to let him in, and Derek said with a serious face: "Perry, there is a new development." "What development?" "I just heard that Sophia is in a critical condition in the hospital." "how could be?" "Maybe someone broke into her house at midnight last night and knocked her unconscious with a flashlight. It was a big flashlight that needs to hold five batteries. About half an hour ago, Bai Shili only found out when he went to her house. He rang the doorbell There was no answer, so he went around to the back door to look. He found the back door wide open, suspicious, and when he went in, he found Mrs. Elwood lying unconscious on the bedroom floor. There was a flashlight next to her, apparently It was a weapon, and the glass on it was broken. The doctor said she had a subdural hematoma." "Is she still alive?" Mason asked. "Alive, but severely comatose." "How do you know about this?" Mason asked. Derek said, "Perry, I want to confess something to you. When I knew that the woman in front of Ji Gao's company was not Sophia, I went back to the office and sent someone to check on Sophia. I want this person Pretend to be a salesman like an encyclopedia, and say that neighbors provided Sophia’s information. My subordinates usually bring a set of books and prepare a set of salesman’s words in case of emergency. You may I don’t believe it, sometimes people actually buy it.” "What happened next?" "The ambulance had just left when my men got there. The police were searching the area. My men found out what happened and they called me." "Well, things are more complicated than I thought." Mason said. "Actually, when I knew the amount of money was wrong, I should have known..." Mason suddenly fell silent. "I don't seem to know what you're talking about, do I?" Derek asked. "You don't know," Mason said. "And I won't let you know. I have a feeling this case is troublesome, very troublesome. Come on, Paul, let's talk to that woman who sells pencils at Jigo's. She hasn't left yet?" Derek shook his head. Mason turned to Della and said, "Della, you take care of the house. Call Trish and ask him to get the car ready at 7:30 tonight. Don't tell anyone about the shoes. I'll get to them as soon as possible." return." "Shoes?" Derek asked. "What shoes?" "Embroidered shoes," Mason said. "For evil. Let's go, Paul."