The Case of the Caretaker's Cat Read Online Free PDF Page A

good."
    "You can't make Shuster sore by fighting," the detective said. "That's what he wants. You fight to get results for your clients; Shuster fights to collect fees from his."
    "He can't collect fees if his clients have lost their money," Mason said. "A prior will leaves everything to Winifred. If I break this will, the other will stand up and take its place."
    "Going to have Winifred as your client?" Drake asked.
    Mason shook his head, said doggedly, "I've got a cat for a client. I may want Winifred as a witness."
    Drake slid his legs over the smooth leather of the chair, got to his feet.
    "Knowing you as I do," he said, "I presume that means you want lots of action."
    Mason, nodding grimly, said, "And I want it fast. Get me information on every angle you can uncover, property, soundness of mind, undue influence, everything."
    As Drake closed the exit door behind him, Jackson gave a perfunctory knock and entered the office bearing several typewritten sheets of legal-sized paper.
    "I've had a copy of the will made, and have gone over it carefully," he said. "The provision about the cat is rather weak. It certainly isn't a condition relating to the vesting of the inheritance, and it may not even be a charge upon the estate. It's probably just the expression of a wish on the part of the testator."
    Mason's face showed disappointment. "Anything else?" he asked.
    "Apparently Peter Laxter drew the will himself. I understand he practiced law for several years in some eastern state. It's pretty much of an iron-clad job, but there's one peculiar paragraph in it. We might be able to do something with that paragraph in a contest."
    "What is it?" Mason asked.
    Jackson picked up the will and read from it: "During my lifetime I have been surrounded with the affectionate regard not only of those who were related to me, but those who apparently hoped that fortuitous circumstance would include them in my bounty. I have never been able to ascertain how much was intended to pave the way for an inheritance under my will. If the latter is the case, I am afraid my legatees are doomed to disappointment, because the extent of my estates will doubtless be disappointing to them. However, I have one thought to offer in the nature of a condolence and at the same time, a suggestion. While those who waited impatiently for my passing merely in order to share in my estate are doomed to disappointment, those who had a genuine affection for me are not."
    Jackson ceased reading and looked owlishly across at Perry Mason.
    Mason scowled and said, "What the devil is he getting at? He disinherited Winifred, and he left all of his property to two grandchildren, share and share alike. There's nothing in this paragraph which could change that."
    "No, sir," Jackson agreed.
    "He secreted something like a million dollars in cash shortly before his death, but even if that is discovered, it would still pass as a part of his estate."
    "Yes, sir."
    "Unless," Mason said, "he'd made a gift of some sort before his death. And in that event, the property would be owned by the person to whom it had been given."
    "It's a peculiar provision," Jackson remarked noncommittally. "He might have made a gift in trust, you know."
    Mason said slowly, "I can't help thinking of the sheaf of currency Charles Ashton had in his pocket when he offered me a retainer… However, Jackson, if Peter Laxter gave Ashton money… well, there's going to be one hell of a fight over it – trust or no trust."
    "Yes, sir," Jackson agreed.
    Mason, nodding slowly, picked up the telephone which connected with Della Street's office, and, when he heard her voice on the wire, said, "Della, get hold of Paul Drake and tell him to include Charles Ashton in his investigations. I want particularly to find out about Ashton's financial affairs – whether he has any bank account; whether he's filed any income tax return; whether he owns any real property; whether he has any money out at interest; how much he's