“The body was found at five o’clock this morning.” His voice was a thin tenor that seemed to want to squeak, but that could have been from the shock of the tragedy. “I was a friend of hers and handled some matters for her, and I’m calling about the check she gave you yesterday for ten thousand dollars. Has it been deposited?”
“No.”
“That’s good. Since she is dead of course it won’t go through. Do you wish to mail it to her home address, or would you prefer to send it to me?”
“Neither. I’ll deposit it.”
“But it won’t go through! Outstanding checks signed by a deceased person are not—”
“I know. It is certified. It was certified at her bank yesterday afternoon.”
“Oh.” A fairly long pause. “But since she is dead and can’t use your services, since you can do nothing for her, I don’t see how you can claim — I mean, wouldn’t it be proper and ethical for you to return the check?”
“You are not my mentor in propriety and ethics, Mr. Horan.”
“I don’t say I am. But without any animus or prejudice, I put it to you, under the circumstances how can you justify keeping that money?”
“By earning it.”