Lady in the Lake

When she pays an unannounced visit to the Sherwood family, Maddie realizes she’s in the neighborhood where Milton grew up. Maddie identifies herself as an employee of the Star, pushing her way inside without waiting for an invitation. Mrs. Merva Sherwood hopes Maddie has come to share developments in the case. Maddie has nothing to report but is hoping to encourage further interest by writing an article. The Sherwoods are skeptical, but Maddie immediately begins asking questions, fixated on Cleo’s stole.

Mrs. Sherwood insists that she does not know who gave it to her daughter, who she calls by her given name, Eunetta, but that she rescued it from Cleo’s apartment. Mrs. Sherwood shows Maddie the garments she managed to save. Maddie notices the fur is low quality and from Fine Furs, which is owned by Tessie’s family. What strikes Maddie is the discrepancy between the sizes on the tags and the present dimensions of the garments. One dress, as labeled, is two sizes too large for Cleo, yet is cut and tailored to have fit her.

Maddie asks if Cleo had a boyfriend. Mrs. Sherwood insists that the impression given of Cleo as a promiscuous girl who deserved her fate is unfair and untrue.