The D.A. Breaks a Seal

Book excerpt: Major Doug Selby is being transferred to the West Coast and stops at Madison City for a few days. Other people also leave the train. Doug visits Sheriff Rex Brandon for news (Chapter 2). If a person isn't represented by a lawyer he won't get a fair trial. Lawyer A. B. Carr is meeting people. The proprietor of the Madison Hotel calls Sheriff Brandon because a guest dropped dead in his room (Chapter 4). [The reference to sugar reflects war-time rationing.] Doug explains why he suspects a fast-acting poison. Why did Fred Roff order a gardenia? Chapter 5 discusses breaking a will because of "undue influence". Roff's clothes were all clean and unused (Chapter 6). Why did Roff have an earlier breakfast (Chapter 7)? Roff came from Los Angeles and had telephoned Inez Stapleton, the lawyer who is contesting a will (Chapter 11). Selby surmises that the two with gardenias on the train were witnesses who were kept hidden (Chapter 12). Hattie Irwin from Kansas tells about the contest she won with its free trip to California (Chapter 13). Who is Elmer D. Floris? A. B. Carr shows the prejudice of one witness for the plaintiff (Chapter 15). The bellboy in the LA hotel can identify the woman who visited Roff (Chapter 16)! Roff had called Inez Stapleton with an offer about a witness (Chapter 17). Selby questions a witness to bring out the facts about the signing of that will (Chapter 18). Sheriff Brandon tells Selby that Mrs. Irwin was poisoned! Mrs. Irwin tells about the accident she witnessed (Chapter 19). Selby questions a witness and tells what he expects to prove from Mrs. Irwin's testimony (Chapter 20). Selby surmises who the poisoner was and leaves that for Sheriff Brandon. Selby has to leave to catch the train (Chapter 21).