A. “He left nothing behind. As far as I have been able to find out, he was heavily in debt at the time of his death. His present possessions, if sold, would barely pay for the chattel mortgages and loans. He was penniless when he died.”
Q. “Do you know whether he was insured?”
A. “Yes. Mr. Ballau was insured for $150,000.”
Q. “Do you know what kind of a policy he held?”
A. “A straight death insurance policy collectable in the event of his demise.”
Q. “Is there a suicide clause in that policy, Mr. Stone?”
A. “I believe there is. I believe that the policy provides that its conditions shall be null and void in the event of its holder taking his own life.”
Q. “Has any effort been made to collect that insurance?”
A. “None whatsoever, sir.”
“Thank you,” beamed the coroner. “Call Mr. Meyerson.”