The Case of the Half-Wakened Wife

Chapter 2

Lawton Keller answered the telephone and Jane was relieved to hear his voice on the wire. There was something about Lawton’s voice that always reassured her, probably its ringing note of confidence.

During his lifetime, Jane’s husband, Gregory, had never cared greatly for Lawton; but Jane had put it down to brotherly jealousy. Lawton was the older; he had a smooth, easy assurance, a graceful, extemporaneous charm of manner. Gregory, on the other hand, had been reticent, inarticulate, sensitive, a man who modestly refrained from tooting his own horn and didn’t like to hear others talk about themselves.

After Gregory’s death, Lawton had taken Jane under his wing, advising her what to do with the insurance money, always offering alibis for their losses, which were invariably due to “conditions,” and taking great credit to himself for their profits.

When Lawton answered the phone, Jane exclaimed with relief, “Oh Lawton, I’m so glad you’re there!”

“What’s the matter, Jane? You sound worried.”

“I am.”

“Where are you?”

“At the bank — in the phone booth.”

“The bank’s closed, isn’t it? It’s after three — or is it?”

“Yes. They’re just closing it, the outer doors.”

“Make your deposit all right?”

“Yes.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Lawton, you remember that oil lease on the island?”

“It wasn’t exactly a lease,” Lawton said judicially. “I consider it more an option for a lease. However, it’s all over now.”

“No, it isn’t. A man who is the representative of Mr. Shelby caught me at the bank.”

“At the bank?”

“Yes.”

“How did he know you were going to be there?”

“I don’t know.”

“What did he want?”

“He wanted to pay me five hundred dollars.”

“For what?”

“To keep the lease alive.”

Lawton Keller’s voice showed excitement. “Don’t take it, Jane. Don’t touch a...”

“I didn’t, Lawton. I gave it right back to him.”

“Gave it back to him,” Lawton all but shouted. “You mean you took it?”

“Well I just sort of held it. He shoved the money into my hands, of course, well naturally... But I handed it right back.”

“You shouldn’t have ever touched it in the first place. What did you tell him?”

“I told him I couldn’t take it, that the lease had expired.”

“That’s right. Don’t tell him anything about the sale.”

“Oh, but I did.”

Lawton Keller’s voice showed irritated impatience. “Don’t tell all you know.”

“Well, I thought... I thought he was entitled to an explanation.”

“You didn’t tell him the name of the person who is buying it, did you?”

“Why... why, yes. Shouldn’t I have done it, Lawton?”

Lawton groaned over the telephone. “Jane, why didn’t you call me?”

“There wasn’t time. I’m calling you now.”

“Well there’s nothing you can do now. Come and see me right away. I’ll wait here.”

“All right. I have to go by and see Martha first.”

“What does Martha want now?” Lawton Keller’s voice was cold.

“Why, she doesn’t want anything, Lawton, except — well, you know, after all, she’s my sister. I want to see how Margie is getting along.”

“Well, cut it short and then get in touch with me. Jane, here’s something you’d better do.”

“What?”

“While you’re there at the bank draw out every cent in your account.”

“But why should I do that?”

“It’s just a hunch. They might try to tie up your bank account.”

“Who?”

“Shelby.”

“But I don’t see how he could.”

“Never mind about that. You go over and draw out all your money.”

“But the bank’s closed.”

“Just the front door. You’re in there, and you can find someone to wait on you. Draw out every cent you’ve got. How much is it?”

“I don’t know. Something over two thousand dollars.”

“All right. Draw it out, every penny of it. Get it in the form of cash and carry it with you.”

“Well... all right, if you say so, Lawton... if you think it’s best.”

“I think it’s best, Jane, and don’t talk with anyone else. Don’t tell anyone about it.”

“All right, Lawton.”

“And then get in touch with me just as soon as you can get away from Martha.”

“Yes, Lawton.”

“Don’t let Martha know you’ve got any money with you,” he warned, and hung up.