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Johnny receives a call from his friend, Earl Pourmand of Tri-State Life and Casualty Company, in Sarasota, Florida. Johnny says "Well, hi Earl. How are things in the land of infernal sunshine?" Earl says "What do you mean infernal?" Johnny says "Well, it's got pretty hot down there these days, isn't it?" Earl says "It makes good fishing weather". Johnny says "Yeah, but without a case to work on, what possible excuse would I have?" Earl says "Maybe I have one for you". Johnny says "Oh, yeah?" Earl says "And maybe it's murder". Johnny says "Earl, I'll be down on the next plane". Later, when his plane arrived, Johnny took a cab to Earl's office in the Conroy Building. Tall, lanky, easygoing, Earl welcomed Johnny like a long-lost brother. He says "Johnny, you're looking great. And I'm glad you're here because you can clear up this case in a hurry and then you and I can get out in the Gulf and do some real serious fishing". Johnny says "Oh, well, that's okay by me". Earl says "I see you've got your bags with you. That's good, because you're going to stay with us out the house. I told that old battle axe wife of mine to hang out an extra towel for you". Johnny asks "How is Mike (real name, Gertrude)?" Earl says "Oh, she's great. Just great. I never did understand how I was lucky enough to grab that dame, Johnny. Hey, maybe she'll go fishing with us". Johnny says "Anything over ten pounds will pull her right out of the boat". Earl says "Well, she's been getting pretty good with a rod and reel". Johnny says "Look, this fishing talk is just making my mouth water. First, we'd better discuss the case". Earl says "All right. Do you know where Lido Key is? It's a mile or so offshore. Just beyond St. Armand's Key, where we live. Well, a retired client of mine named Parley Barron, a man I've known for years, built a nice little home on it. Friday morning, the day before yesterday, he went to run some errands, and hadn't been seen since".