The Case of the Troubled Trustee (a Perry Mason Mystery)

The `Foreword' in this 1965 book is dedicated to Leopold Breitenecker M.D., Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Vienna. Too few people appreciate the importance of legal medicine or its ramifications. It can decide questions that affect insurance or about the circumstances of death (which was the wound of entrance and which was the wound of exit. An expert in forensic medicine can give answers and also demonstrate why his answers are correct. Kerry Dutton visits Perry Mason for legal consultations. Templeton Ellis, the father of Desere Ellis, set up a spend-thrift trust. Kerry Dutton would dole out money on a monthly basis to Desere because her father disapproved of her friends: long-haired, bearded, left-wing idealists who tapped into Desere's funds. Dutton had held back and mingled some stocks in his name as trustee, and must make an accounting in a few months (Dutton is in love with the younger Desire). Mason tells him what he must do to safeguard Desire's securities (Chapter 1). The author parodies Fred Hedley as an original thinker who spouts cliches. When Desere realizes her inheritance is about used up she wishes she had been less extravagant. Desere plans to take business courses to make a living (Chapter 2). In Chapter 3 a stockbroker explains why good news is printed about an oil company that had been on the decline: to raise its price before a proxy fight! Since this stock had been owned in Desere's trust, Fred Hedley sees a tangible fortune for spending. [There is an obvious lesson here warning young people to be careful in picking their friends.] Perry calls Paul Drake to investigate Kerry Dutton (Paul drives an older car that blends in with traffic). Jarvis Reader shows up to complain about Kerry Dutton and his earlier sale of that oil stock; he wants an apology (Chapter 4). Drake follows Dutton to Desere Ellis' apartment, Hedley shows up and there's a fight; the police arrive, but Dutton has left. Drake and his men track Dutton so Perry and Della can talk to him (Chapter 8). Their talk is interrupted when the police show up and arrest Dutton for murder! Drake calls Perry to tell him that a body was found at the golf club that Dutton visited last night. Perry visits Dutton in jail, and listens to his story. Perry tells him how a jury would view his actions (Chapter 12). Dutton admits he found his gun by the body, picked it up, then discarded it by the road. Perry tells Dutton he isn't telling all of the facts. Perry then interviews Desere to hear her story. Drake gives a report on the victim Rodger Palmer, and his connection to Jarvis Reader and his oil company (Chapter 14). Perry faces a difficult battle in court, given the prosecution's theory and what his client has said (Chapter 15). Then a surprise witness shows up who may save Perry's client (Chapter 17). Chapter 18 has the testimony of Kerry Dutton, and his cross-examination by Hamilton Burger. Dutton makes damaging admissions about selling a