The Widow

Late in the afternoon, Clyde Korsak, Netty’s brutish estranged stepson, storms into Wally Thackerman’s law office and demands to discuss Netty’s will. Fran, Thackerman’s secretary, tries to stop him, but Clyde forces his way to Thackerman’s desk and places his gun on it to threaten Thackerman. When Thackerman still refuses to talk, citing client confidentiality, Clyde throws hot coffee on him and attacks him. Fran seizes Clyde’s pistol and fires a warning shot into the ceiling. Clyde flees and is later arrested.

The next morning at his office, Simon reads about the assault. He calls Netty, who reports that Clyde has been calling her from jail demanding bail money. She agrees to meet Simon at his office.

Netty meets Simon and explains that two nights earlier, Clyde arrived at her house uninvited, found a letter from Thackerman about the will, and demanded money. After she refused, she changed her locks. Simon tells her to let Clyde remain in jail and to avoid Thackerman. Simon goes to the courthouse, confirms that Thackerman’s injuries are minor, and watches a judge refuse to lower Clyde’s bond.

Worried about Netty’s safety, Simon arranges for her to hide out at a hotel on Lake Murray. He follows her home to help her pack and is alarmed by her erratic driving.