“Yes, write it out, but let me read it before it goes out. Ring for a messenger.”
Bertha Cool led the way into her private office. Fosdick, the insurance adjuster, settled himself comfortably in the chair, brought up his leather brief-case, rested it on his lap, and wrapped his arms around the top of it, using the brief-case as an arm rest. “A most unfortunate situation has arisen,” he repeated.
Bertha didn’t say anything.
After a moment Fosdick went on, “Did you, by any chance, know a man named Jerry Bollman?”
“What’s be got to do with it?”
“He promised us to arrange a complete settlement — for our own figure, one thousand dollars. He made us promise that we wouldn’t question what became of the money. In other words, he could turn over a less amount to the injured party if he desired. We didn’t care, just so we got a complete release supported by an ample legal consideration. The injured party, once she had signed the release, could divide the money any way she wanted to, or she could permit some other person to collect the money for her if she desired.
“Mr. Bollman seemed absolutely confident of his ability to secure such a release. In fact, it seemed he had quite an interest in the injured party. He was, I believe, going with her roommate and intended to marry her soon.”
“Bollman told you that?” Bertha Cool asked.
Fosdick nodded.
“Give you any names?”