«She gave you directions how to get here or did you know the place?»

«No, she told me exactly how to drive to get here and wanted me to assure her that I'd be leaving right away and wouldn't tell a soul.»

«What time did she say she'd meet you?»

«She didn't give me a fixed time, but said she'd be here within an hour after I arrived.»

Mason said, «You met Lauretta Trent when she was in the law office where you worked?»

«Yes.»

«You were a witness to one of her wills?»

«I think there were two wills, Mr. Mason, and I can't specifically remember being a witness, but I remember drawing up the wills-that is, doing the typing-and I remember there was some peculiar provision in the wills, something about her relatives-there was something unusual about it. She didn't trust her relatives, I know that-that is, she felt they were just waiting for her to die and that their interest in her was purely selfish. I've been trying my best to think what it was that was in at least one of the wills, but somehow I just can't seem to get it clear in my mind. I have that vague recollection-You must remember that we drew lots of wills in the office.»

Mason said, «Right at the moment I am not primarily concerned with whether you remember the wills but trying to find out if you remember Lauretta Trent's voice.»

«Her voice? No, I wouldn't remember that. I have only a vague recollection of what she looks like, rather a tall, slender woman with hair that was turning gray… not a bad figure… you know what I mean, not heavy but… well-groomed.»

«All right,» Mason said, «you don't remember anything about her voice?»

«No.»

«Then how do you know that you were talking with Lauretta Trent on the telephone?»

«Why, because she told me that-Oh… oh, I see.»

«In other words,» Mason said, «a feminine voice on the telephone told you you were listening to Lauretta Trent; that you were to come up here; that Lauretta Trent would meet you here within an hour of the time of your arrival-Now, how long have you been here?»

«Two hours-two hours and a half.»

«You registered under your own name?»

«Yes, of course.»

«And got this room?»

«Yes.»

«And you parked your car?»

«Yes, out in the parking lot.»

«Let's go take a look,» Mason said.

«But why?»

«Because,» Mason told her, «we're checking on everything. I don't like this. You should have followed my instructions and reported to me before you left your apartment.»

«But she insisted I was not to tell anyone and that I was to get five hundred dollars and all my expenses if I followed her instructions-and, as I told you, that five hundred dollars looks particularly big to me right now.»

Mason said, «She could have promised you a million just as well. If you don't get it, it doesn't make any difference how big it sounded.»

Virginia led'the way out into the parking lot. «It's right over-Why, that's strange. I thought I left it in that other painted oblong. I'm almost certain I did.»

Mason walked over to the car. «You have a flashlight in this car?» he asked.

«No, I don't.»

Mason said, «I have one in my car. I'll get it. You don't think this was the place you left the car?»

«Mr. Mason, I'm certain it was not. I remember putting the bumper right up against that stone post over there-That means I was in the parking space to the right.»

«Don't touch anything,» Mason said. «Stay there. I'll take a look-You've been framed once and got out of it. Perhaps we won't be so fortunate this time.»

The lawyer crossed over to his car, took a flashlight from the glove compartment, returned to Virginia Baxter's car and carefully looked over the inside.

«Got your key?» he asked.

Virginia Baxter produced the key. Mason opened the trunk, looked inside, said, «Everything seems to be in order.»

He started to walk around the car, then suddenly stopped. «Hello, what's this?» he said.

«Good heavens!» she gasped, «that fender's all dented, and-Look at the front of the bumper, and there's a piece broken-«

Mason said, «Get in the car, Virginia. Start the motor.»

Obediently, she jumped into the car, turned on the ignition, started the motor.

Mason said. «Go out of the exit, turn around and come in the entrance to the parking place.»

Virginia Baxter switched on the headlights and said, «Only one of the headlights works.»

«That's all right,» Mason said, «go ahead, go out the exit, turn around and come back in through the entrance.»

Mason took Della Street's arm, hurried her over to his automobile.

«You'd better get in, Della, we want this to look as plausible as possible-Get down low in the seat and brace yourself.»

Virginia drove her car out of the exit, swung around in a wide loop and turned into the entrance.

Mason's car, running without headlights, made for the entrance, then swung in a swift turn just as Virginia Baxter entered.

Her headlights picked up his car. She slammed on the brakes. Tires screamed a protest. Then there was a crash and the sound of breaking glass as Mason's car hit hers.

Doors opened in the various motel units. The office door opened, and the manager came running out to stand looking at the scene of the accident. Then she came striding toward them.

«Good heavens, what happened?»

Virginia Baxter said, «You-Why, you didn't have your lights on-You didn't tell me-«

Mason said, «I goofed. I should have gone out the exit.»

The manager whirled to face Perry Mason. «This is your fault,» she said. «Can't you see that sign there? That says Entrance just as plain as day. This is the fourth accident we've had here and that's why I had those big signs put up and knocked a section of the wall down so that the Exit would be at the other end of the parking lot.»

«I'm sorry,» Mason said. «It was my fault.»

The manager turned to Virginia Baxter. «Are you hurt?»

«No,» she said. «Fortunately, I was going slow and I put on my brakes.»

The manager turned back to Mason. «Have you been drinking?» she asked.

Mason turned half away from her. «No,» he said.

«Well, I think you have-that sign there is just as plain as day-Now, let me see, dearie, you're registered here in the motel, aren't you? Unit Fourteen?»

«That's right.»

«Well,» she said, «if you want me as a witness you just call me any time. I'm going to call the highway patrol.»

«That won't be necessary,» Mason said. «It was my fault. I accept the responsibility.»

«I'll say it was your fault. You've been drinking. You aren't staying here, are you?»

«I would like to see about getting a room.»

«Well, we don't have any rooms left. And we don't cater to drinking parties. You wait right here and don't try to move those cars. I'm calling the police.»

The manager turned and marched back to the office.

«What in the world,» Virginia Baxter asked, getting Mason to one side, «were you trying to do?»

«Insurance,» Mason told her.

«Insurance?» she exclaimed.

«Exactly,» Mason said. «Now if anyone asks you how your car got smashed up, you can tell them. Moreover, you have witnesses to prove it. You'd better go to your friend, the manager, and see if you can borrow a broom and we'll sweep this broken glass out of here; borrow a dustpan and dump it all in a trash barrel somewhere. You have one headlight and I have one headlight. It looks very much as though we're going to spend the night here unless I get busy and have a rental car delivered to me here. In which event, I'll give you a ride home.»

«And our cars?» she asked.

Mason smiled and said, «After the police come, we'll try and get yours back to the parking lot. As far as mine is concerned, I think I'll have the garage tow it away.»