“We also have testimony from a contemporary of Stanwyk’s father-in-law, News-Tribune society writer Amelia Shurcliffe, that extramarital affairs on the part of either Alan or Joan Stanwyk would not greatly disturb John Collins. Apparently the old boy has every reason of his own to be most understanding regarding such matters. According to Mrs. Shurcliffe, his own sexual activities have not been entirely confined to the marital bed.
“Other matters concerning Alan Stanwyk’s health are more confusing.
“So far, the only evidence that Alan Stanwyk has terminal cancer is from Alan Stanwyk’s own mouth.
“His personal physician denies it. I take that back: his personal physician, Dr. Joseph Devlin of the Medical Center, states that as far as he knows, Alan Stanwyk is in perfect health. He states he has not referred him to any specialist—ever. He also states he has not given him a complete physical examination recently enough to be viable.
“His insurance company examines him every six months.
“Stanwyk’s insurance agent and old college chum, Burt Eberhart, also states that Alan Stanwyk is in perfect physical condition. Although he did make an interesting slip, Freudian or otherwise. He said, ‘Al plays so close to the chest, he wouldn’t tell you if he were dying of cancer …’
“I have since confirmed that Dr. Joseph Devlin is heavily invested in Collins Aviation. My source is Joan Collins Stanwyk. I have confirmed from several sources that if it were known that Stanwyk is terminally ill, at least until Stanwyk has a chance to prepare the company for his absence, Collins Aviation would be in financial trouble.
“Burt Eberhart, besides being Stanwyk’s personal insurance man, is the broker for all Collins Aviation insurance. One can presume Eberhart is also heavily invested in Collins Aviation.
“Mentioning cancer casually to Stanwyk’s wife, father, and father-in-law caused no discernible reaction. Unless everyone is a very good actor, and superbly in control of his emotions, or in complete ignorance, the people closest to Alan Stanwyk are not thinking of cancer in relation to him.
“Therefore, this investigation is drawing a complete blank.
“No aberrations or abnormalities are apparent thus far in Alan Stanwyk’s financial, sexual or health areas.
“Alan Stanwyk’s social relations seem splendid. According to society writer Amelia Shurcliffe, the Stanwyks present a rather nice, solid, possibly dull image. She even believes they may be in love with each other. Alan Stanwyk could not have fitted into this society of extreme wealth and responsibility without undergoing intensive envious scrutiny. He must have a good glovemaker. Clearly, he has not committed the faux pas of ostentation, silliness, aloofness, what-have-you. He is generally admired and respected.
“The same is true among his intimates. I would say he is intensely admired among family and close friends. Not that he is without criticism. His wife wishes he had more time for her. His father-in-law wishes he had a better sense of humor. His father wishes he wouldn’t spend so much time on the telephone. His old friend Burt Eberhart wishes Alan weren’t always so serious. Everyone wishes he would stop flying experimental aircraft.
“More publicly, the fact that he married the boss’s daughter does not go unnoticed. But as someone pointed out: someone had to. And, after listening to Burt Eberhart, Carradine, Carmichael and John Collins himself, I would guess Alan Stanwyk is the best thing that has ever happened to Collins Aviation. The score seems balanced.
“Alan Stanwyk is not taking a free ride, as one such as Jim Swarthout of Swarthout Nevada Realty is quick to assume.
“Now for a few of the contradictions in facts this investigation thus far has revealed.
“Alan Stanwyk says he is dying of terminal cancer. No one else says so. If he is, no one else knows it.
“Stanwyk’s wife and father-in-law say that Stanwyk is estranged from his parents. Yet he visits them all the way across the country every six weeks.
“The reason given for the estrangement is that his father forced him to box. Yet his father insists he urged Alan not to box.
“Despite the fact, confirmed by a call to the Nonheagan Inn, that Alan visits his parents every six weeks, he has never told them that he has a child and that they have a grandchild.
“Everyone says that Alan Stanwyk is buying a ranch in Nevada— his wife, his father-in-law, his stockbroker, his insurance man. Everyone, that is, except the person whom both Stanwyk’s wife and insurance man identify as the real estate broker: Jim Swarthout. It was quite clear from his attitude, as well as from his explicit statements, that Swarthout has never done business with, or even met, Alan Stanwyk.