Chapter 21 twenty one

District Attorney Topham was a bony man with high cheekbones and a face of uncontrollable nervousness.He was fidgeting on the leather-covered swivel chair behind the desk, looked at Mason with a pair of big dull eyes, and said in a tone of reciting a speech: Mr. Mason, there is evidence to prove that you have committed crimes within the district.Since you are also a colleague and have achieved a certain status in this industry, before taking formal action against you, let me explain the situation. What do you want to know?I give you a chance.Mason asked. What do you have to say about the charge of stealing documents?

I took it. It is from Banning in this district.Was it taken from the desk in Clark's residence? right. Mr. Mason, you must understand the serious consequences of admitting this? I don't see anything wrong with doing it, Mason said, why all the fuss? Of course, Mr. Mason, you know that, in addition to the provisions that make it a crime to alter or obliterate paperwork, the law also says that paperwork is property, and taking away paperwork constitutes theft, and because the crime of theft is assigned by the paperwork The value of the property is determined by Look, Mason interrupted, I didn't announce it before because I don't want to get out a will and explain its terms now, but I'm going to tell you this: I think the will I got was Banning.The real will, written by Clark himself, was dated just the day before his death.I have been entrusted as executor of this will.In this case, it is my duty to protect this will.In fact, if anyone else finds out about this will, even yourself, I would ask you to give it to me, the executor, or ask you to give it to the clerk of the probate court.Well, try to find loopholes in the legality of the above reasoning.

Scratching his protruding forehead with slender fingers, Topham glanced at the Sheriff, wriggling uneasily, his chair creaking under the weight.He said: "You have been identified as the executor, have you not? The Sheriff's own witness acknowledged this. Can I see the will? no. why not? I'll bring it up in due course.I believe that according to the law, although I haven't read the will, I still have a thirty-day grace period. The swivel chair began to creak again, louder this time.The District Attorney said to the Sheriff: If what he says is true, there is nothing we can do.

If he sneaked into the small building and took away the will, then what can we do?The sheriff stood by his view. Mason smiled and clearly heard the short, sharp twist of the D.A.'s swivel chair. You know, Topham explained, if he's the executor, then he's entitled to manage all the estate of the deceased.It is not only his power but also his duty to inspect the belongings of the deceased.He is also absolutely correct in referring to the law that a will must be given to an executor or clerk. Why didn't you tell me earlier?Gregory confronts Mason. Mason said slightly apologetically, "Sir, sometimes I am too embarrassed to speak. Sir, do you remember that you threatened me several times to take severe measures."This embarrassed me and made me a little timid.

The Sheriff blushed and said: You're not a damn timid now. Mason smiled at the D.A. and said, "Sir, because I'm not fucking embarrassed at all right now."