Mrs. Croftus seemed very poised, very certain of herself. Bertha, sitting on the edge of the bed, her oily hair plastered to one side of her face, blinked at Mrs. Croftus. “Do I understand you located her?” she asked Carlotta.
“No,” Mrs. Goldring said, “Mrs. Croftus has been trying to find her daughter for some time. She had released her for adoption years ago, then when this case came up, she read about it in the newspaper and certain things that the newspaper said convinced her that Carlotta was her daughter. She came to the door and rang the bell. I recognized her instantly. You see, I had met her years ago. Well, after all, there’s no reason why Carlotta shouldn’t have two mothers—” And Mrs. Goldring beamed at Bertha Cool and Sergeant Sellers inclusively.
Bertha suddenly whirled to Carlotta. “Why didn’t you tell Sergeant Sellers about your telephone conversation to Mr. Nunnely?” she demanded.
“Because it has nothing to do with the case,” Carlotta said with dignity. “I merely wanted to get in touch with Mr. Nunnely and see if his judgment against Everett Belder couldn’t be settled on a reasonable basis. I don’t know what that has to do with what happened in the garage, Mrs. Cool.”
Mrs. Croftus said, “Dear me! I seem to have picked a most inopportune time for my visit! I’m sorry to intrude, but—”
“I thought Sergeant Sellers would like to be advised of the latest development,” Mrs. Goldring said, and simpered at the Sergeant.
Sellers nodded. “Not that I see that it makes much difference, but—”
“Fry me for an oyster!” Bertha ejaculated suddenly, heaving herself up off the bed and getting to her feet.
“What is it?” Mrs. Goldring asked solicitously.
“What is it!” Bertha said. “I’ll show you what it is.”