“It was a brief courtship?”
Wray nodded and became suddenly noncommittal, his booming, genial manner obscured by a screen of cold, watchful caution.
Mason said, “Of course, under the circumstances, routine matters of administration will be delayed, but sooner or later, Mrs. Prescott will be entitled to some share of the estate, how much depends upon whether Walter Prescott left a will. I thought perhaps you’d like to talk things over informally in a preliminary way.”
Wray regained his geniality immediately.
“Now listen, Mr. Mason, I’m only too glad to cooperate with you in any way. Mrs. Prescott won’t be dependent on any will or any estate.”
Mason offered Wray a cigarette, took one himself,snapped a pocket lighter into flame and asked, “Why not?”
“Because it’s all taken care of.”
“How?”
“Walter took care of it. We have business insurance covering the death of a partner. His life is insured in my favor for twenty thousand dollars, my life is insured in his favor for twenty thousand dollars. The articles of partnership provide that in the event of the death of one of the partners, the wife of the deceased partner will receive the twenty thousand dollars in cash, in lieu of any interest in the partnership.”
“Twenty thousand dollars, eh?” Mason asked.