“Where does her mother live?”
“San Francisco.”
“What’s her name?”
“Mrs. Theresa Goldring.”
“Any other children?”
“A daughter, Carlotta — rather a spoiled brat. She lives here in Los Angeles. She’s worked as a secretary, but she doesn’t hold jobs long. She’s been staying with us for the past few weeks.”
“Your wife’s sister, or half-sister?”
“As a matter of fact, Mrs. Cool, she isn’t related to my wife at all.”
Bertha waited for him to explain that statement.
“She was adopted when she was a child. She never knew she was adopted until just recently — within the last few months.”