Case Daring Divorcee

Erle Stanley Gardner dedicates this mystery to Dr. Russell Fisher the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland. They created a new central headquarters for the state's medical examiner, with floors for teaching and research on forensic medicines. A modern medical examiner system protects the living. Most murders are committed among friends and family members. Many poisonings may go undetected without a medical examiner; they are far more numerous that the average person suspects (p.6)! While Perry Mason and Della Street were away from the office a woman came in who feared for her life. But after giving her name, Adelle Hastings, she stepped out to the corridor and did not return. Then Perry received a phone call from Mr. Huntley L. Banner who is representing Garvin S. Hastings in the divorce. So Perry gets Paul Drake to investigate the individuals. Perry and Della follow the clues by flying to Las Vegas to investigate Adelle Hastings. Now the complications begin (Chapter Three). Adelle Hastings tells her story. Perry points out the inconsistencies, and says the police are too thorough and clever to be fooled by it. If Adelle was telling the truth she has an imposter pulling tricks on her. On the return charter flight Perry learns that a young woman had questioned the pilot about them (Chapter Four)! Adelle has realized that something is very wrong, and comes to see Perry at his office (Chapter Five). And yes, they learn that Garvin S. Hastings has been murdered. Then Huntley L. Banner calls with information he just got from Garvin Hastings! There is an educational part about people in a line-up who appear similar. Did Garvin fail to make a will to provide for Adelle, his third wife? Could his second wife have cooked up this scheme? So the story continues with Perry Mason talking with the various people involved in this case. The dialogue slowly draws out the facts about the situation. Perry Mason learns more about the background facts. There is a mystery about the gun found in the handbag. It disappears from Perry's desk then is brought back. But is it the same gun? District Attorney Hamilton Burger shows up and personally investigates Hastings Enterprises. Then there are a number of surprises that leaves Burger dumbfounded (p.163). The police find the gun is the murder weapon, and a fingerprint is on it. Adelle Hastings is arrested for the murder of Garvin Hastings. The Preliminary Hearing has many interesting pages of testimony on the gun and its possession (Chapter Twelve). Perry has to do a lot of investigative work for his client, and this create more work (p.213). Perry asks one witness to hand the dark glasses to his receptionist. A further investigation by the police unravels the plot. Garvin Hastings has made a holographic will, dated and signed. This had been destroyed by the woman who impersonated Adelle Hastings. But by law, this destruction doesn't affect the validity of that will. Adelle Hastings is not guilty of the murder, and will i