The Con Man (87th Precinct #4)

by Ed McBain

“Of course not. Don’t you remember, darling? In one of my letters, I told you I would be closing out my bank account, and you suggested I carry it in traveler’s checks.” “Yes, but I had no idea…five thousand dollars.” “It’s really about forty-seven hundred,” she said. “Still…Honey, you’ve got to put that in the bank right away.” “Why?” “So that it can start collecting interest. For God’s sake, why do you need forty-seven hundred dollars in traveler’s checks?” “You’re right,” she said. “Tomorrow, early in the morning,” he said, “before the wedding, we’ll open an account for you at my bank.” “A separate account, do you mean?” she asked. “Naturally. It’s your money, isn’t it?” “A little while ago, you said…you said when we were married everything you had was mine.” “Of course it is. You know that, darling. I meant every word I said.” “Then aren’t you being a bit unfair?” she asked. “Unfair? How?” He seemed very troubled. “What have I done, Pris? Have I said something wrong?” “You said separate account.” “I don’t understand.” She leaned across the table, and her eyes held his in a steady gaze. “Tomorrow,” she said, “we’ll be married. I’ll go wherever you want to go and do whatever you want to do. I’ll be yours—forever. And that means completely. No games, no kidding. Forever. I’ve waited a long time for you, darling, and I expect this to be for keeps. Tomorrow morning, we'll go to your bank. I’ll endorse the traveler’s checks and deposit the forty-seven hundred dollars in your...