The Case of the Fugitive Nurse

The 'Foreword' is dedicated to Dr. Samuel R. Gerber, the coroner of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. He is a pioneer in the field of public disaster, where there is a need to quickly identify many bodies to solve legal problems, such as insurance, wills, marital relationships, etc. Dr. Gerber studied traffic deaths, accident prevention, and the effects of alcohol. His percentages on alcohol in the blood have become the accepted standard. Perry Mason receives a visit from Mrs. Stefanie Malden, the newly widowed spouse of Dr. Summerfield Malden (a plane crash). This very young widow says Dr. Malden was being investigated by the IRS as to income tax. Gladys Foss, his head nurse and office manager, has disappeared - it may not be a coincidence. Stefanie found strange keys, hired a private detective, and learned where her husband spent time. Stefanie is concerned that her husband could have outwitted her! The IRS investigation was over cash income that was lower than expected. Stefanie wants Perry to take care of settling the estate for her. But complications arise from Perry's investigation. Did Perry walk into a cunningly baited trap? Gladys Foss explains the strains for a medical man. The patients vary as to symptoms and condition, but a doctor must be able to handle any complication. Bookkeeping is an unneeded complication that is usually handled by a nurse. There is a cash shortage due to a lack of records. Could Gladys have taken some of the funds to play the horses? Could Dr. Malden's mechanic been involved in the plane crash? Was Dr. Malden's young wife seeing this mechanic? Then Perry learns that Mrs. Malden and the mechanic Ramon Castella were arrested by the Narcotics squad. When Perry arrives at the Hall of Justice a photographer takes him aside to take a posed photograph. There is quite a dramatic scene (Chapter 6)! One important fact is that a car windshield was spattered with bugs, so the driver didn't stop for gas where the attendant would have washed them off (Chapter 7). A gasoline credit card can be used to track a person's purchases. Perry gets information on Gladys Foss' losses from the horse's mouth. Perry visits Stefanie in prison to get the truth (Chapter 9). Is there a commodity that Stefanie doesn't recognize? Perry explains his strategy for the preliminary examination (Chapter 10). Testimony from a criminalist tells how they could trace narcotics sold to a doctor, and the contents of a whisky flask. The preliminary hearing covers the main points, and is the longest chapter. [Did you begin to suspect the solution?] Since the prosecution can't meet Perry's objection, the case is dismissed and Stefanie is released from custody. Perry tells her how to leave, what to do, and where to go. Perry summarizes the case for Della [and the reader]. New evidence is found and Stefanie is re-arrested. Perry continues his investigation (Chapter 15). District Attorney Burger returns to Los Angeles, but loses the publicity to Perry (Chapter 16). Da

Steffanie Malden, the client, is a greedy Widow. She is much eager to snatch her late husband's hidden money rather than to mourn for him, and she want to use Mason as a tool. And did she kill her husband cold-bloodedly? Mason fights for the unpleasant client at the risk of being disbarred and/or imprisoned. Lawyer is a hard business.The most charming point of Perry Mason mysteries is how to reveal the real murderer and/or the real facts convincingly. Also in this book, the thrilling and dramatic revelation of what really happened is splendid! And the the murderer's identity is completely unpredictable and surprising.I also enjoy quite a few spectacular scenes; D.A. Burger launches his fist at Mason, Mason is sentenced for contempt of court and so on.