"Murder is a product of greed, avarice, hate, revenge, or perhaps fear." [No mention of love or sex here.] Lauretta Trent is in the hospital because of stomach problems. The Trent residence is a big house with Lauretta's sisters and husbands, plus housekeeper, maid, cook, chauffeur, and nurse. Lauretta's Doctor Alton warns her that gastroenteric upsets can damage her heart. Virginia Baxter arrives at the airport. The police got a tip, opened her baggage, and found narcotics! So she calls Perry Mason. The presence of a photographer makes this a lot more sinister. Virginia did not give permission for the search. More important, the contraband narcotics put her bags over the recorded weight limit! Judge Albert dismisses the case. More photographs are take to give publicity to the dismissal. Perry learns that Virginia refused to give her husband a divorce, and advises her to wipe the slate clean. But a stranger asks questions about her former law firm, and the story takes a new turn. When Virginia learns of interest shown in the records from her former law firm, she calls Perry Mason again. [This story is a lead-in to Lauretta Trent.]

Share/Like this Review?