“What does she want?”
“It’s over a trust fund and an illegal adoption proceedings.”
Mason said, “Bring her in,” and Della returned to escort the new client into the office.
“Good morning, Mrs. Tump,” Mason said.
She smiled at him and walked across to seat herself in the big leather chair.
Mason, sizing her up, said laughingly, “You were announced as A. E. Tump. I thought you were a man.”
The woman beamed across at him. “Well, I’m not,” she said. “A is for Abigail, and E is for Esther. I hate both names. They reek with respectability and Biblical associations.”
“Why didn’t you change your name?” Mason asked, watching her with the shrewd, lawyer-wise eyes.
“Too much trouble in connection with property. My holdings are in the name of Abigail E. Tump. Well, I gave my daughter a break anyway.”
Mason raised his eyebrows.