"Westlake, Donald E - Dortmunder 09 - What's the Worst That Could Happen 4.0" - читать интересную книгу автора (Westlake Donald E)

"I noticed that."

"From some lawyers there."

"Saw that, too. It came this morning, a little before ten-thirty."

"That's what they say they do," May agreed, "deliver everything by ten-thirty in the morning. I don't know what they do, the rest of the day."

"May," Dortmunder said, "are you going to open that thing?"

"Well, I don't know," she said. "If I do, do you think I'm liable for something?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Lawyers," she explained.

"Open it," Dortmunder suggested, "and if it's some kind of problem, we'll both lie, we'll say we never got it."

"Did you have to sign for it or anything?"

"Sure."

May looked at him, and finally understood. "Okay," she said, and picked the thing up. With hardly any hesitation at all, she pulled the tab along the top, reached inside, and withdrew a folded sheet of top-quality letterhead stationery and a small box, such as earrings might come in, or a kidnap victim's finger.

Putting down the Pak and the box, May opened the letter, read it, and silently passed it to Dortmunder, who looked at the five legal names and the important-looking address all in thick black across the top of the heavy expensive sheet of paper. There was also a whole string of names running down the left side, and then the typing: A heading to "Ms May Bellamy" at this apartment in this building on East Nineteenth Street, New York, New York, 10003, and Dear Ms Bellamy: We represent the estate of the late Gideon Gilbert Goodwin, sanguinely related to yourself. The deceased having passed away on April 1st inst., intestate except for a holograph letter to his niece June Havershaw, dated February 28, inst., requesting of her that she distribute his worldly goods to family members upon his demise as she saw fit, and Ms Havershaw having come to the conclusion that you, her sister and therefore also a niece of the decedent, should receive the enclosed from among the late G. G. Goodwin's effects, we are pleased to forward to you the late Mr. Goodwin's "lucky ring," which he considered one of his most prized possessions, and which Ms Havershaw felt you would most appreciate for its sentimental value.

Further enquiries on this matter should be directed directly to Ms Havershaw, the executrix of the G. G. Goodwin estate.

With warmest regards, Jethro Tulley

"G. G. Goodwin," Dortmunder said.

"I remember him," May said. "At least, I think I do. He's the one smelled like horse manure, I think. He was out at the track all the time."

"You weren't all that close to him, I guess."

"I didn't want to be, the way I remember it."

"Your sister was closer to him."

"June always sucked up the grownups," May said. "She didn't care what they smelled like."

"Out to the track a lot, you say," Dortmunder said.

"He was a horseplayer, that's right."

"And yet, he didn't die broke. I notice your sister sent you the stuff with the sentimental value."

"Uncle Gid wouldn't have left much," May said. "He was also married a lot of times. Women he met out at the track."