“I’m sure he did,” Dirkson said. “Don’t worry about it. But if you would just go see that no one
“There’s another man out there,” the sergeant said.
Dirkson looked at Steve. “Oh? You brought reinforcements? And who might he be?”
“Mark Taylor.”
“Of the Taylor Detective Agency?”
“That’s right.”
Dirkson exchanged a glance with Stams. “Well, that’s mighty interesting.” Dirkson turned to the sergeant. “Tell the gentleman to stick around.”
“Yes, sir.” The sergeant gave Steve Winslow an aggrieved look, and went out, closing the door.
Dirkson turned back to Steve. “Well, Mr. Winslow. I wasn’t expecting you, but I’m sort of glad you’re here. We have a little situation here.”
“And what is that?”
“This young woman,” Dirkson said, indicating Tracy Garvin, “was apprehended attempting to enter the scene of a crime. We’ve been trying to question her about it, but she’s being most uncooperative. At first she tried to give the cops some song and dance about visiting some friend in the building. When she saw they weren’t buying it, she clammed. I haven’t been able to get a word out of her.”
“That’s not true,” Tracy said. “All I said was I wouldn’t answer any questions except in the presence of my attorney.”
Steve Winslow grinned. “And did you tell them I was your attorney?”
“Of course.”
Steve’s grin grew broader. He looked at Dirkson. “I see. And the minute she told you that, you and Stams figured you’d hit the jackpot, and instead of letting her contact me, you’ve been grilling her ever since.”
Dirkson stole a look at the stenographer. “Not at all. We let her call you right away. You weren’t there.”
Steve grinned. “I’m sure that broke your heart.”
“And I don’t see why this young woman needs a lawyer to begin with. She’s not a suspect, she’s a witness.”
“A witness? Witness to what?”
“I don’t know. She won’t talk.”
Steve laughed. “You’re really going about this ass-backwards, aren’t you?”
“Not at all. But your being here simplifies things. She says she won’t talk except in the presence of her attorney. All right, young lady, now your attorney’s here. You can talk. Unless, of course, you’re going to advise her not to answer questions.”
Steve Winslow shook his head. “I’m not going to do that.”
Dirkson smiled. “Well, that’s a refreshing change. All right, Miss Garvin, your attorney’s here and he’s not advising you not to answer questions. So let’s have it. What were you doing in that apartment house?”
“The reason I’m not advising her not to answer questions,” Steve put in, “is because she’s not my client. Miss Garvin happens to be my confidential secretary, and as such, all matters regarding my clients are considered to be confidential communications, and she is under no obligation to discuss them.”
Dirkson blinked. “This woman is your secretary?”
“That’s what I just said.”
Dirkson turned to Tracy. “Why didn’t you tell me you were his secretary?”
“You didn’t ask.”
“Yes, but-”
“Come on, Dirkson,” Steve said. “I’d drop it if I were you. She told you she wanted to consult me before answering your questions. She couldn’t reach me, and you kept questioning her, so she kept quiet. Now you’re crabbing because she didn’t tell you something?”
Dirkson took a breath and blew it out again. “All right, Winslow. I’ll ask the questions of you.”
“I may not be of much help either.”
“I know. But if it’s going to be like that, I’d like to have your refusal to answer in the record.”
“Put it in the record, then. I’m not answering any questions.”
“I can take you before the grand jury, you know.”
“You still can’t make me testify.”
“About confidential communications, no. But this is something else. You yourself are actively involved. You’re a witness. More than that, you’re a suspect. At least with regard to tampering with evidence. I must tell you frankly, Sergeant Stams thinks you took something out of that apartment.”
Steve gave Stams a look. “Sergeant Stams is entitled to his opinion.”
“He is also of the opinion that Marilyn Harding is your client, and that she told you Bradshaw was dead and asked you to remove some incriminating evidence from that apartment.”
Steve shook his head. “That’s the trouble with Sergeant Stams. He’s the type of cop who jumps to a conclusion, and then won’t listen to anything else.”
“It’s funny you should say that.”
“Oh?”
“I just happened to be thinking the same thing.”
“About Sergeant Stams?”
“No, no,” Dirkson said quickly, before Stams could protest. “No, about jumping to conclusions. Now take our present case, for instance. Stams, here, finds you in Bradshaw’s apartment. He has you searched and finds nothing. From this he concludes that you managed to ditch the evidence.”
“And you don’t?”
“I don’t rule out the possibility. But to my mind, an equally logical explanation is that instead of removing evidence, you were actually
“May I quote you on that? I may have a cause of action here. You consider planting evidence to be an activity I would logically be engaged in?”
“Let’s not quibble,” Dirkson said. “I’m making no accusations. I’m exploring possibilities. Now, I have no idea how long you were actually in that room with the body before the police arrived. And I don’t know what you did in that room. And,” Dirkson said, casting a look at the stenographer, “I am certainly not accusing you of searching Bradshaw’s body. However, I wonder if you are aware that a rather large sum of money was found on the body.”
Steve carefully avoided looking at Tracy. “A sum of money?”
“Yes. Ten thousand dollars in one thousand dollar bills.”
“That’s rather a large sum of money for a person to be carrying around with him.”
“Isn’t it? Now, without making any accusations, I’m just wondering if there is any chance you planted that money on the body?”
“Why in the world would I do that?”
“I don’t know. But if you did, and I can prove it, I promise you that you will find yourself disbarred.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
“Don’t take it lightly. There’s a good chance you could find yourself indicted as an accessory to murder.”
Steve yawned.
“All right,” Dirkson said. “I’m through playing games. I’ve told you what the score is, so you’re completely aware of the seriousness of the situation. This is a murder case. I want the name of your client.”
Steve shook his head. “I’m sorry. I can’t help you.”
Dirkson took a breath. “I could have you charged with obstruction of justice.”
“Make up your mind. A minute ago you were going to charge me as an accessory. If you do, you could hardly charge me with obstructing justice for refusing to answer questions. In fact, it would be your duty to inform me I didn’t have to answer questions and anything I said might be used against me.”
With that, Steve Winslow pulled up a chair next to Tracy Garvin, sat down, and said, “How’s it going?”
Tracy looked at him, blinked, found herself unable to speak.
Dirkson turned to Stams. “Bring in Taylor.”
Stams nodded, went out, and returned escorting Mark Taylor into the room.
