Chapter 10 Chapter nine

At 3:30 in the afternoon, Della answered the call from the switchboard and said to Mason, "Catherine is here." "Please come in," Mason said. Catherine came in, smiled at Della first, and then walked up to Mason. "Mr. Mason, what's the matter?" she said. "Mr. Maddison said you were looking for me." Mason nodded. "Sit down, please. Derek and I just got back from our expedition and we've made some new discoveries." "Is it related to this case?" "yes." "what have you found?" "Let me ask you a few questions first," Mason said. "Have you heard from your aunt today?"

She shook her head. "Have you heard about her?" "Her? What's the matter with her?" "Your aunt was attacked last night," Mason said. "The perpetrator apparently hit her on the head with a large flashlight that required five batteries..." "That flashlight! It's mine!" Mason looked at her steadily. "How is she now? Is she seriously injured? My God, I must go and see her. She is still at home..." "The last thing I heard was in the hospital," Mason said. "Unconscious and unconscious for several hours. Doctors say she has a blood clot in the brain, medically known as a subdural hematoma. This hematoma is likely to be fatal and is usually caused by a blow to the head. It is especially likely to occur in middle-aged and elderly people. As the blood clots coagulate under the skull, it will put pressure on the brain. If it occurs in a vein, the wound may rupture, causing more blood to ooze and clot."

Catherine opened her eyes wide and stared at Mason in surprise. "When was the last time you saw your aunt?" Mason asked. "You know, the last time you left home." Mason shook his head. "What do you mean by shaking your head?" she asked. Mason said, "We broke up with you at the hotel. Then you went to your aunt's." "How do you know?" she asked. "Are you... a taxi..." "I know," Mason said. "The police may know, too. We've seen it from your clothes and shoes, the plaid skirt. You asked Della specifically about the crocodile shoes and said they were your work shoes. Since the restaurant work often requires standing Now, you are new here, so you are not used to it. When Della went to help you with your luggage, you forgot to remind her. Later you asked specifically about the pair of crocodile shoes. Della said she did not take them. But at noon today you When I went to work, I was wearing those crocodile leather shoes. Obviously you went back to get them before going to work. Did you go back this morning or last night?"

"Last night," she said. "Oh, Mr. Mason, this is too bad." "Well, last night," said Mason. "How late was it last night?" "About a few hours after you guys left. I wanted to sleep, but I couldn't. I kept thinking that if I wore black leather shoes to work tomorrow, it would be very uncomfortable. Then it occurred to me that I had the keys to my aunt's house, so I could run to It will only take a few minutes to fetch the shoes. It will be more convenient if Auntie is asleep." Mason said, "Catherine, you'd better give me the key."

She took the key from her purse and handed it to Mason. "Well, now tell me the whole story." "I took the money you gave me and took a taxi to my aunt's house. I asked the taxi to wait for me at the door, and then took the key to open the door and entered. The room was dark and quiet. I took off my shoes lightly, only Go upstairs in silk stockings. There is no sound in the house." "Did you not turn on the light?" "I groped my way up the stairs and down the hall to my room. I turned on the light, took alligator shoes, a plaid skirt, and other clothes, turned off the light, and groped my way out. The total time I was in the house was no more than Three, four minutes."

"You said that big flashlight was yours?" "Well, I have a big five-battery flashlight, which was left in my room by the previous occupant. I have replaced the batteries. Usually, after my aunt goes to bed at night, I am afraid that turning on the light in the corridor will wake her up. So it's all lighted with flashlights. Mr. Mason, can you ask how my aunt is doing?" Suddenly the door opened and Sergeant Trager walked in. "Hi, Della. Hi, Paley," he said. "Forgive me for not asking myself, but if I ask Miss to tell you first, you lawyers usually have people waiting outside for a long time. Taxpayers don't want me to waste time like this. Besides, I like this It's so sudden that the suspects have no chance to collude. I guess you are Catherine Elise. Sorry, Miss Alice, I have orders to arrest you. Every word you say can be used as evidence against you. You You have the right to remain silent, and you have the right to hire a lawyer to participate in the entire proceedings."

"What charges are you arresting her for?" Mason asked. Sergeant Trager said with a serious expression: "The charge is attempted murder, and it may be changed to murder. Sophia Elwood's condition has deteriorated and may not survive." Mason turned to Catherine and said, "Don't say anything. Don't answer any questions unless I'm there to let you speak. Things are serious, and some things can't be said casually." "Perry, if you mean her going back last night, then we already knew about it," Trager said proudly. "A neighbor just heard the taxi parked outside, and it didn't turn off. This neighbor knew that there was a trouble at Elwood's house before, so he took special care to write down the taxi number. Later we found the taxi driver, and he said that he drove Catherine from the hotel to Elwood. home, and then waited outside for her to go in to get her things, and he said Catherine was inside for a total of seven minutes. This happened to be shortly after midnight, and Mrs. Elwood was probably attacked during this time. Paley, these things I tell you it's all right, you'll see it in the paper anyway. I can't tell you anything else about this case at the moment. I'm sorry, Miss Alice, but I have to take you away. I'll try not to embarrass you You, I will only hold your arm later without handcuffs; we will try our best to be inconspicuous, but the reporter will still wait at the police station. If you would like to listen to an old saying, when the reporter takes pictures, I advise you not to dodge, keep your head up as much as possible, and never cover your face. The more natural the better, my opinion Mr. Mason must agree, so as to maintain a good public image. If you are ready, we can go... ..."

Mason said, "Mark my words, Catherine, and keep silent! Don't say anything. This is a serious crime, and someone will go to any lengths to convict you." Mason walks up to Catherine, who grabs his arm in a panic. "But, Mr. Mason, I... I can't..." Mason gently released her hand and said, "Catherine, don't worry. I'll keep in touch with you. Be strong. It might not be that bad."