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"You may think you're in the saddle," Mason said, "but you're riding a bucking bronco and you can be thrown for quite a loss. Under the law the wife's interest in the community vests in the husband on her death unless she makes a will disposing of her interest in the community property. Your wife made such a will. Dia
Winlock frowned thoughtfully. "How much would you want for Dia
"How much have you got?"
"It depends on how it is evaluated."
"How do you evaluate it?"
"Perhaps three million, if you consider all of my equities."
"All right, what's your proposition?"
"I'll liquidate enough holdings to give Dia
"And in return for that?"
"In return for that I want absolute, complete silence about our relationship, about my past."
"All right," Mason said. "You're of age. You're supposed to know what you're doing. Now I'll tell you about Dia
"If the police find out about her co
"Just so I can have the picture straight," Winlock said, "will you summarize briefly Dia
Mason said, "Boring found out about the relationship. He came to Dia
"Back of all that legal hocus-pocus, however, and the bait of television appearances, was the hook that he was to get one half of all of her gross income from any source, inheritance or otherwise. In return for that he was to pay her a hundred dollars a week.
"Last Saturday he sent her notice that the payments would be discontinued. That means he decided it would be better and more profitable as far as he was concerned to sink his hooks into you for blackmail rather than to let Dia
"Dia
"I had my suspicions aroused because I was having Harrison Boring shadowed, and so I came to you earlier this evening. Dia
"What did she do? Did she call on Boring?"
"I don't think I care to amplify my statement," Mason said. "However, the police are following up what apparently was an anonymous telephone tip and want to question her about Boring. They came here and tried to take her to headquarters. I refused to let her go. If they question her, it is quite possible the cat will be out of the bag. I'll do whatever will protect Dia
"And if they don't question her?" Winlock asked.
"Then," Mason said, "I'll take your proposition under advisement and discuss it with Dia
Winlock said, "Let me use the telephone, if I may."
He walked over to the telephone, called police headquarters, then after a few moments said, "Hello, this is George D. Winlock. I want to talk with Chief Preston. It's quite important that I- Oh, he is? Well, put him on, will you, please?"
There was a moment of silence, then Winlock said, "Hello, Chief? This is George Winlock. Look here, Chief, you sent someone to question a Dia
Winlock was silent for nearly a minute while the telephone made harsh metallic sounds through the receiver.
Then Winiock said, "That's all it was? Just an anonymous telephone tip?.. - All right, Chief, look here. I happen to know something about Dia
Winlock hung up the telephone. "Does that answer your question, Mason?"
"That answers my question," Mason said.
"Get her out of town," Winlock said.
"Right at the present time," Mason said, "she's under sedation."
"Well, get her out first thing in the morning."
"Don't you want to see her?"
"She knows all about me?"
"She does now."
Winlock said, "Yes, I want to see her, but not here. The situation is too hot. I want her to return to Bolero Beach. I will get in touch with you about a meeting and talk with both you and her about a property settlement.
"In the meantime I trust that I can count on your discretion."
Mason said, "You can count on my doing what is best for Dia
Winlock said, "Please tell her that I called, that she was under sedation, that it was therefore hardly a proper time or a proper place for me to see her. Please tell her that I am using my influence to protect her from any disagreeable publicity, and that I would like to have her reserve judgment about what I have done until she has a chance to hear my side of the story.
"And you might also explain to her," Winlock went on, "that I have interceded personally with the police to see that she is not a
"That much I can promise you I'll do," Mason said.
Winlock extended his hand. "Thank you very much, Mr. Mason, and good night."
"Good night," Mason said, and escorted him to the door.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Winlock had not been gone more than three minutes when Mason heard the chimes and opened the door. A strikingly beautiful woman stood there smiling seductively.
"May I come in, Mr. Mason?" she asked. "I'm Mrs. Winlock and I knew my husband was calling on you. I waited behind some potted palms in the lobby until he had left. I want to see you privately."
"Come in," Mason invited, "and sit down."
"Thanks. I'll come in but I won't sit down. I'll tell you what I want and what I have to offer in a very few words."
"What do you have to offer?" Mason asked.
"Freedom for Dia
"And what do you want?"
"What I want is to retain my social position, my respectability and my property interests. Is that clear enough?"
"It's clear enough," Mason said. "Now give me the details. What makes you think Dia
"Don't be naive, Mr. Mason. Dia
"How do you know this?"
"The police have received an anonymous telephone tip to that effect."
"How do you know that?"
"Through a friend of mine who is in a position to know."
"You seem to know a great deal."
"Knowledge is power."
"And you want power?"