Empty Pockets

Summary

Upon the desolate rooftop of an East Side tenement, the lifeless form of the enigmatic millionaire, Perry Merrithew—known paradoxically as "Merry"—is discovered, a grim tableau of sudden demise. Clutched with a final, desperate grip in his hands are tell-tale strands of vibrant auburn hair, an incriminating clue that immediately casts suspicion upon a quartet of women, each entangled in Merrithew's complex, perhaps perilous, orbit. Among these crimson-tressed suspects are a scion of inherited wealth, a daughter of privilege whose life intersects with the victim's opulent sphere; Merrithew's own paramour, whose clandestine affections might mask deeper motives; the beleaguered offspring of a once-prominent, now-bankrupt society matriarch, whose family fortunes have tragically reversed; and a captivating cabaret dancer, her life a vibrant counterpoint to the city's shadowed underbelly. Into this intricate web of passion, deceit, and social strata steps the astute Dr. Clinton Worthing, whose analytical prowess and unwavering resolve propel him through a labyrinth of secrets, performing acts of considerable courage and ingenuity to unravel the true architect of Merrithew's untimely end.

Synopsis

Millionaire "Merry" Perry Merrithew is found dead on the roof of an East Side tenement. The strands of red hair clutched in his hands implicate four auburn-haired women in the murder: a millionaire's daughter, Merrithew's mistress, the daughter of a bankrupt society woman, and a cabaret dancer. In solving the crime, Dr. Clinton Worthing performs heroic deeds.