Erle Gardner - The Case of the Horrified Heirs

«I had that will in what I thought was a safe place. They must have found it, got the staples out of the pages, substituted those forged pages and decided to get rid of me.»

«Apparently,» Mason said, «you're due for a shock. Your relatives weren't the ones who were trying to hurry up your death, but the nurse, who was a good typist, evidently arranged with Kelvin to plant a spurious will-probably on a percentage basis with possibilities for unlimited blackmail after that.

«And in case Virginia Baxter remembered the terms of the real will, they planned to have her in such a position her testimony would be worthless.

«I'm glad you're all right. When they failed to find your handbag in the car, I had an idea you were alive.

«You've given Virginia Baxter a bad time, but it's nothing that can't be cured.

«We're waiting for Virginia Baxter to join us now.»

Lauretta Trent opened her handbag. «Fortunately,» she said, «I have my checkbook with me. If I made a check for twenty-five thousand dollars to you, Mr. Mason, would that take care of your fee? And, of course, a check for fifty thousand to your client to compensate her for all she's been through.»

Mason grinned at Della Street. «I think if you make out the checks, Mrs. Trent, Virginia Baxter will be here by the time you've got them signed, and she can give you her answer personally.»