Chapter 5 Summary

Doc introduces Bill Hardesty, a man who is apparently a long-time associate and business partner. Doc tells Pat that Hardesty was instrumental in obtaining his parole. Doc explains that his wife Lila has recently inherited a sizeable estate and that Hardesty, an attorney, is assisting the Luthers in the settlement. Doc explains that his wife Lila is a notorious flirt and that he gets unwarranted pangs of jealousy when she flirts with other men. He concludes that the large amount of time she has been spending with Hardesty is reasonable given the circumstances.

After Hardesty leaves, Doc questions Pat at considerable length about what portions of the conversation he had overheard. This is merely a ruse on Doc's part - for the conversation was staged - but it does allow him subtly to determine that Pat has an excellent memory as he recites...