In the office after he dictated his notes on the mother and Betty Kaminsky, Leland gave Florence a list of things he wanted her to do while he was gone. She read it back to him when he had finished.

“I’m to search the titles of Mrs. MacIver’s houses, the one in Canby and the one they lived in originally. The address for that is in your souvenir book. I’m to get the files from the insurance company on MacIver’s father and record the terms of the settlements of the policies. If there’s a copy of his will, I’m to summarize the provisions.”

“Good. I want you to try to get an idea of her current worth. Call the Credit Bureau—you know. See if she has a charge account at Bonney’s or any of the other big stores. I’ll be calling you, so don’t send anything unless I tell you.”

She got up to leave. “Where will you be staying?”

“I’ll let you know.” He had to go down to his apartment and pack a bag before he picked up Norma at her hotel. When Florence closed the door Leland reached for the telephone and dialed Karen’s number. Her secretary put him through.

“It’s me,” he said. “Are you busy?”

“No, no. How are you doing?”

“Not bad. I’d like you to do me a favor, if you will. Would you check on the employment record of a Betty Kaminsky?” He spelled the last name. “It’s Betty, not Elizabeth. She’s a substitute teacher.”

“It may not be easy for me if she hasn’t been in junior or senior high,” Karen said.

“That’s all right, do the best you can. She was MacIver’s first wife and I want to know what people think of her. There isn’t much chance of getting hold of anybody who knew them when they were married.”

“How was his mother?”

He told her. “And as far as this Betty goes, she has traits in common with his mother and his second wife, but I don’t see that the second marriage is a case of a man trying to marry the same woman again. Physically, she’s on the other end of the scale, willowy, graceful, and fair. She’s a redhead. And where Norma MacIver is friendly, this woman knows that she’s ingrown, and doesn’t care.”

“Maybe she’s become that way.”