02x01 - The Case of the Corresponding Corpse

[bunniefuu]

( noirish jazz theme playing )

( upbeat theme playing )

MAN ( Southern accent ):
Well, now, this is
all very interesting.

It shows a lot of work
and a lot of imagination.

I never realized you folks
were so efficient.

All right, Folsom,
who put you onto me?

I'm so happy
you're taking this attitude.

I was afraid there'd be
nothing but denials.

Now, where would that get me?

Exactly.

We could establish
your true identity

in no time at all.

Yeah, well, Mr. Folsom,

you just don't have to go
to any more trouble.

I'm George Beaumont.

I needn't tell you,
Mr. Beaumont,

you have
my complete sympathy.

Yeah, I'll bet.

I mean it.

There's no reason my company
has to know about this.

I realize
that if I file this report,

it can destroy your life,

not to mention
your happiness.

All right, Folsom,
how much?
Pardon?

What's the going price
on happiness these days?

Well, I'm sure
we can come to terms.

When a man's in trouble,
I'm perfectly willing

to give him every opportunity--
Get out.

Out.

Now, hold on, Beaumont.

( chuckles )

You're in no position to--
( knocking on door )

George, dear, I brought you
some coffee and--

I'm sorry.
Oh, no, Ruth.

Uh, Miss Whittaker,
this is Mr. Folsom.

He calls himself
an insurance investigator.

Well, I'll come back later.

Oh, no, you stay.
Mr. Folsom was just leavin'.

He just stopped in
to pick up some...blackmail.

Blackmail?

Look, Beaumont,

you're facing a prison term,
scandal, humiliation.

For a few thousand dollars,
you can save

this new career of yours.

Well, now, it's not worth it.

Oh, wait. I'm sure
that I could raise some money.

Six or , , maybe.

Ruth, are you crazy?

My card, Miss Whittaker.

I'll expect to hear
from you.

Good day.

That dirty...

I'll see him dead first
before I give him a nickel.

( ominous theme playing )

You must have
had money once.

We did once, Mr. Folsom,
not now.

Here's $ , .
That's all I could raise.

Well, I'm a reasonable man,
Miss Whittaker.

May I have the report now,
please?

Oh, y-yes.
Yes, of course.

All three copies,
complete.

Tell me, Mr. Folsom, where did
you get your information?

It's part of my job.

A good insurance investigator--

Someone told you about George.
Who was it?

Don't worry.

My company will never know.

But you'll know.

( chuckles )

I've already forgotten.

You have my word.

The word of a blackmailer.

My dear Miss Whittaker...

MAN:
Ruth?

You better go.

MAN:
Ruth! Where the devil are you?

Seven thousand dollars.

You must love that man
very much.

Get out,
Mr. Folsom.

MAN:
Ruth!

( footsteps approaching )

Confound it.
Where you been?

It's past time for my pills.

Your pills are
on the dresser.

Get them yourself.

Why, that-- That's no way
to talk to your father, Ruthie.

Wait a minute!
Where are you goin'?

As far away from you
as possible.

Now, look, Ruth.
I got a right to know.

You goin' away with George?

Ruth, come back here!

( mellow theme playing )

Uh-huh.

How do you spell that?

All right.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Beaumont.

I'll tell Mr. Mason
you called.

Morning, Miss Street.

Morning, Mr. Mason.

You finish
your homework?

You can take it all
right to the typist.

Oh, Paul Drake wants you
to give him a buzz

as soon
as you can.

And you just missed a call
from a George Hartley Beaumont.

George Hartley Beaumont?
Mm-hm.

What's his number?

He called from a booth.

He said he'd call back
later on tonight.

What time tonight?

About : .

What's wrong?

Either someone has
an overdeveloped sense of humor,

or we're witnessing
a modern miracle.

George Hartley Beaumont
is dead.

Dead?

He d*ed almost three years ago.

That's strange.
I don't remember that.

That was the year you took
the six-week vacation.

It all happened
while you were gone.

Beaumont was on a business trip
to Europe.

His plane went down
in the Atlantic.

They recovered
less than half the bodies.

Did, uh--? Did Beaumont have
a slight Southern accent?

Yes, he did.

( mysterious theme playing )

( knocking on door )

Yeah?

Where's Mr. Hollister?

He's gone.

What do you mean,
"He's gone"?

Well, he's gone.

He paid up and moved out
around suppertime.

Where?

Did he say where?

Well, he did, and he didn't.

What's your name?

Ruth Whittaker.
Mm.

Well, I guess
that's for you.

( somber theme playing )

GEORGE:
My dear Ruth, forgive me.

I can't spend my life
hiding from the truth.

Thanks for everything.

Love, George.

Bad news, dearie?

( suspenseful theme playing )

Good morning, Roberta.

Good morning,
Mr. McKay.

The boss lady in?
Uh-huh.

Mr. Walker wants
to know

if you can make it
for lunch today.

Mm, can't.
Got a heavy day today.

See how he's fixed
for Friday.

Right.

( door closes )

Good morning.

Don't you know
a growing girl

should have
a decent breakfast?

I can't afford it.
Well, you can now.

I've got orders
for of these babies.

Oh, you haven't.
I most certainly have.

Are you serious?
Well, have a look.

Oh, Glenn, this is--

This is wonderful.

Oh, I don't know
what I'd do without you.

Well, let's put it
this way:

Together we make
a great team.

Maybe we can make it work
outside the office.

( sighs )

Well, you know
how I feel about marriage.

Just because you didn't make
a big smash of it before--

( intercom buzzes )
Yes, Roberta?

I'm sorry to disturb you,
Mrs. Beaumont,

but there's a Mr. Mason
here to see you.

LAURA:
Mason?

Perry Mason.

Oh.

Come in.

He was George's lawyer.
I wonder what he wants.

How are you, Mrs. Beaumont?

Just fine,
thank you.

Oh, this is Mr. McKay,
our sales manager.

Glenn,
this is Perry Mason.

I've heard a lot
about you.

I've seen evidence
of your work.

This is quite a change
from the old place.

Well, I think Glenn deserves
the lion's share of the credit.

Sit down.
No, I really can't stay long.

Oh, now, you'll never
make me believe

Perry Mason just happened
to be in the neighborhood

and decided
to drop in.

Maybe he wants
one of our check writers.

Now,
this is our Model .

No self-respecting office
would be without one.

That's enough,
Glenn.

Obviously,
he loves his work.

Actually, we were doing a little
housecleaning at the office,

and I ran across the file
on George's estate.

There are some things in here
I thought you might wanna keep.

For business
or sentimental reasons?

Oh, a combination
of both.

No, I...

I don't see anything in here
that interests me.

Well, that's one way
to dispose of the past.

Oh, I, uh...

may call you about one
of those check writers.

( door closes )

( mellow theme playing )

( knocking on door )

You look startled.

I am.

Ruthie, what on Earth
are you doin' here?

I came to see you.

May I come in,
please?

Of course.

Your landlady gave me
your forwarding address.

I guess
she felt sorry for me.

Look, Ruthie, I'm--

I'm afraid
you just don't understand.

I want to, George,

more than anything else
in the world.

Why did you leave
Crestview City?

I'm gonna give myself up.

Oh, no, you mustn't.
I won't let you.

You'll go to prison.

That's a chance
I'm gonna have to take.

I'm gonna call Perry Mason
again tonight. He's my lawyer.

Well, he won't be able
to help you.

Maybe not.

It's my own fault.

I shoulda come back
to Los Angeles three years ago

to face the music.

Besides,
I have no choice.

Insurance company knows
the truth.

No, they don't.

That weasel Folsom
musta told 'em by now.

I don't think so,
George.

Ruthie, you just don't
understand human nature.

But, you know,
it doesn't matter 'cause...

Well, maybe things
will break right

and Mason'll get me off
with a light sentence.

And then Laura and I
will be free

to give it another try.

Laura?

You see, Ruth, most
of the trouble between us

was my fault, and I--

Well, I wrote to her last night.

I-- I was gonna call her,

but I was afraid it'd be
too much of a shock to her.

That's very considerate
of you, but...

what about me?

Ruthie, I'll never forget you
as long as I live.

You're the sweetest,
kindest friend a man--

Friend?!

You look at me as though I were
your faithful cocker spaniel.

Your friend?!
Look, Ruthie,

you've had a long trip,
and you're tired--

Oh, what a fool.

What a stupid, pitiful,
blind fool.

No, not you. Me.

When you told me you cared,

I was stupid enough
to think you meant it!

Ruthie, please,
people'll hear you.

I don't care.
I'm not ashamed.

I only made the same mistake
thousands of women make.

I believed a man
when he told me he loved me.

I did love you.

But when Mr. Folsom came along
with his briefcase,

that changed everything,
did it?

Aw, it happened long before
he showed up.

Ruthie, I tried to get her
out of my mind,

but I just couldn't.

I told you how I came
to miss that plane.

We'd had another argument,
and I went to the gift shop

at the terminal
to buy her a present,

and I just didn't hear 'em
announce last call.

When I heard that
that plane crashed, I--

Well, I figured the best
present I could give her

was to just get out
of her life.

Next you'll be telling me
she saved your life.

No.

Ruthie, for three years
I let her think I was dead,

but more and more,
she was on my mind. I--

I guess
I shoulda told you before.

Yes, George, long before.

You should have told me
before I cashed in my bonds

and borrowed money
on my furniture

and withdrew every penny I had
out of the bank.

Ruthie, you didn't pay
that blackmailer!

Didn't I?

I gave him $ , ,
nearly everything I had.

Seven thousand dollars?

Yes, and for what?!

So you could throw me a bone?
( knocking on door )

Go ahead, George, throw it
and see how I fetch it for you.

Your cabin's ready,
Miss Whittaker.

Unit Number ,
two doors down.

If you don't mind,
Mr. Beaumont,

I run a quiet place here.

No, there's no need of your
waiting any longer, Gertie.

Just set up the board
and you can go on home.

Night.

( sighs )

Like me to make
some coffee?

Might be
a good idea.

( knocking on door )

There's our favorite detective,
Paul Drake.

Shall I let him in?

Do we have a choice?
Mm-mm.

( both chuckle )

Hi, beautiful.

I, uh, figured
you two would still be here.

How did you figure that?

Well, I'm a detective,
remember?

Good boy.

Obviously, Mr. Beaumont
hasn't called yet.

Obviously.
Well, uh,

how much longer
are you going to wait?

It's almost : .

Oh, I'll give him
another half-hour.

Listen, Della,

why don't you and Paul
grab a bite together?

I'll meet you both
just as soon--
Uh-uh.

I can be stubborn too.
Well, in that case,

I will bid both
you charming people good night.

Night.

( rings )

Hello?

TRAGG:
You don't care
what kind of hours you keep.

Who is this?

Your friend and admirer.

Lieutenant Tragg?

Yes, it is.

Do you know the Villa Motel
on Milkirk?

No.

Well, do you know a fellow
named George Beaumont?

All right, Tragg,
what's it all about?

He's been m*rder*d.

Hello, Perry, you there?

I'm here.

We found your name
and phone number

on a piece of paper
in his pocket.

Can we ask you to come
out here and identify him?

I'll get there
as soon as I can.

( suspenseful theme playing )

No, Della. I, uh--

I think you'd better
stay here.

You mixed up in this, Mr. Mason?
You know the dead man?

Sorry, fellas, I can't
talk to you right now.

( all chattering indistinctly )

Well?

Well, it's George Beaumont,
all right.

A...client of yours, wasn't he?

At one time.

Pretty unusual man.

Well, he d*ed twice.
That doesn't happen very often.

Then you know he was supposed
to have been on that airliner

that went down in the Atlantic
three years ago?

Yeah, we know that...

and a lot more.

Uh, get that
down to the lab.

That's the m*rder w*apon,
if you haven't guessed.

I guessed.

Who k*lled him,
lieutenant?

What makes you think
we've picked on anyone?

Oh, you've got that look.

Besides, someone had to tell you

about Beaumont dying
once before.

You couldn't have
checked it out this fast.

You're right.
Let's get some air.

what about a statement?

Now, now, boys, you're gonna
get everything you want,

but how about giving me
a little privacy first, huh?

Okay, lieutenant.

( reporters murmuring )

Thanks.

Hmm.

Uh, Beaumont ever mention
a girl named, uh,

Ruth Whittaker
to you?

I haven't spoken to Beaumont
in almost three years.

Well, he, uh,
told Miss Whittaker

that he phoned you
earlier today.

He phoned my office.
I didn't speak to him.

My, we're a little touchy
tonight, aren't we?

I just wanna keep
the record straight.

Oh, I can understand that.

Burger had an idea
that you might have been,

uh, counseling Beaumont.

Well, if Beaumont had lived,
he'd have been in quite a jam.

I understand our courts
take a very dim view

of defrauding
an insurance company.

Mr. Burger thinks
I advised Beaumont

to stay out of sight?

Oh, well,
he didn't exactly

come, uh, right out
and say that.

No, but that was
the implication.
Mm-hm.

How does Ruth Whittaker
fit into this?

She fits in real good.
We think she k*lled him.

For the last two
and a half years,

Beaumont has been living
in Crestview City

under the name
of Hollister.

Miss Whittaker was, uh--

Well, what is termed
in polite circles,

his girlfriend.

Apparently, he had some ideas
of going back to his wife,

and Miss Whittaker
didn't approve.

How do you know?

They had words,
and fortunately for us,

they were overheard.

We found her packing
a suitcase in Unit .

Well, I've got to get
back to work.

Thanks for dropping by.

And I'll tell Mr. Burger
you've been most cooperative.

( ominous theme playing )

I wanna thank you
for coming down here, Mr. Mason.

I know how busy you are.

But George said
you were his friend

as well as his lawyer.

I was.

( sighs )

Did you know that...

all his life, George wanted
to be a painter?

That's where we met,
in art class.

I wasn't very good.

I just kept on
so that I could see George.

Of course,
at that time,

I thought his name
was Hollister.

He didn't tell me
the true story

until some time later.

Why did George pick
this particular time

to come back
to Los Angeles?

He had to.

Some insurance investigator
found out about him,

and George wouldn't pay him
to keep quiet.

What was
this investigator's name?

Harry Folsom.

I gave him $ , .

Well, I had to.

I couldn't let anything
happen to George.

How did, uh...?

How did Folsom
find out about George?

I don't know.

I don't know.

Do you have any relatives
in Crestview City?

Just my father.

Have you been
in touch with him?

No.

Would you like me
to call him for you?

No, please don't bother.

I don't want you to go
to any more trouble. I--

It was nice enough of you

to come down here at all.

Tell me,
Miss Whittaker...

did you k*ll George Beaumont?

Would you believe me
if I said I didn't?

Yes.

Well, I didn't do it,
Mr. Mason.

I know how it looks,
and I was angry.

But I realized
it wasn't George's fault,

and I couldn't help the way
he felt about his wife.

All right.

I'll, um...

I'll be in
to see you tomorrow.

You mean, you're willing
to act as my lawyer?

Unless you have
someone else in mind.

( sobbing )

I must admit,
Mr. Mason,

I'm really surprised.

I don't see why,
Mrs. Beaumont.

Well, for one thing,
I know my husband

considered you his friend.

Now you're defending
his m*rder*r.

I find that peculiar.

Well, what makes you think
Miss Whittaker k*lled him?

All you have to do
is read the newspapers.

Fortunately, juries demand

a little more proof
than reporters.

Naturally, you'd say that.
( door opens )

Oh. I'm sorry, Laura.
I didn't know you were busy.

No, Glenn, it's all right.
Come on in.

Hello, Mason.
McKay.

Mr. Mason's
defending that girl.

Yes, I know.
I read it in the paper.

I take it you don't
approve either.

Does it matter
whether I approve?

Frankly, no.

How well did
you know George Beaumont?

I heard that you
worked that way.

You're not just satisfied

with getting an acquittal
for a client.

But I understand
that you have a compulsion

to turn up
the guilty party.

That doesn't answer
my question.

It doesn't, does it?

Now, I believe
the question was,

did I know George Beaumont?

Well, yes, I did.

I came here to work for him

about six months
before he disappeared.

Now, would you like to know
what I thought of him?

No, don't.
It's all right.

I want Mr. Mason to know.

You see, Beaumont was
one of those men

who meant well,
but he couldn't help

ruining everything
he touched.

He ran this office
into the ground

and gave Laura
a phobia against marriage.

In short, I thought
very little of the gentleman.

Well, I can't say
you've avoided the question.

( chuckles )

Are there any others?
Yes.

Do you know a man
named Harry Folsom?

Folsom? No.

He's an insurance investigator
for Mercury Mutual.

He's the one who discovered

George didn't die
in that plane crash.

By any chance, did Folsom get
in touch with you?

Why should he?

He tried to blackmail
your husband.

He offered to keep his report
from the insurance company.

I wondered if he'd come to you
with a similar proposal.

Well, you stood to lose
a great deal.

The insurance company
paid you $ ,

when that plane went down.

Now I ask you, Mr. Mason:

Would you believe me
if I told you

I had no idea
my husband was alive?

I might.
I doubt it.

I suggest you, um...

You see this Mr. Folsom.

I'm rather surprised you never
thought of it yourself.

As a matter of fact,
I did.

There's an investigator
named Paul Drake

flying down to Crestview City
to see him.

With any luck, he should
be there in about minutes.

It's nice to see you again,
Mr. McKay,

and I haven't forgotten
about that check writer.

I'll try and have my office get
in touch with you shortly.

Mrs. Beaumont.

( suspenseful theme playing )

Tell Mr. Mason I'll do
anything at all to cooperate.

Unfortunately, there's very
little I can add to the story.

How did you find out
George Beaumont was still alive?

That's a strange thing,
Mr. Drake.

An anonymous phone call.

Oh? Man or woman?

Man, I believe.

Naturally, at first,
I didn't think

there was anything to it,

but, of course,
I checked.

After all, that's what
my company pays me for.

What about your other sources
of income?

I beg your pardon?

Didn't Miss Whittaker
pay you $ ,

to destroy
your report?

That's what
she told Perry Mason.

She's a dirty little liar!

Then, you made a report
to your company?

Naturally.

Funny, they haven't
received it yet.

I checked just before
I flew down here.

Are you suggesting,
by any chance--?

I'm suggesting

that you mailed your report
to your company

after you found out
George Beaumont was m*rder*d.

All right, Drake,

if you want to play rough,

I'm just the boy
to accommodate you.

Your friend Perry Mason
had better watch his step.

You know what Beaumont
told me before he d*ed?

I have no idea.

He said he got
in touch with Mason

just after the plane crashed,

and Mason advised him
to stay out of sight

and let my company
pay off on the policy.

Mason got $ ,
for masterminding the deal.

George Beaumont
told you this?

Let's see you prove
he didn't.

Now, if Mason wants
to throw mud,

tell him I can throw
with the best of them.

I'll just bet you're
in a league by yourself.

Who tipped you off that
George Beaumont was alive?

( scoffs )

Let go of me.

Well?

Whittaker.

Who?

Jonah Whittaker.
Ruth Whittaker's father.

Thanks, uh,
Mr. Folsom.

( dramatic theme playing )

I tell you, Perry.

This Folsom character
is as slimy as they come.

Do you think he could
have k*lled Beaumont?

Mm-mm.

He certainly had
a motive.

After all, if Beaumont were
going to give himself up,

naturally,
he'd tell the police

that Folsom had been trying
to blackmail him.

What's the penalty
for blackmail, counselor?

Oh, all depends.

Could be several years.

How much extra
can be added

for conspiring to defraud
your own insurance company?

Well, you got
me convinced, Della.

What about
Miss Whittaker's father, Paul?

Well, I tried to get in touch
with him, but he was gone.

According
to the neighbors,

he left yesterday morning
with a suitcase.

I traced him down
to the bus terminal,

and they told me he bought
a ticket for L.A.

He'll probably try
to contact Ruth.

Check it out,
will you?

I already have.

As of :
this morning,

he had not put in
an appearance.

Ruth must have
known all along

that it was her father
who called Folsom,

yet she said nothing.

She was protecting him.

Proving some parents

get better children
than they deserve.

You'll have to find him,
Paul, and fast.

Preliminary hearing
starts Wednesday.

I know. I've got Faulkner
and Davis on it now.

I'll put on some more men
if you think it's necessary.

Maybe you'd better.
( phone rings )

Yes, Gertie?

All right, put him on.

It's for you, Paul.

Hello?

Yeah?

( sighs )

Yeah, I see.

No.

No, that's okay.
Call me later.

That was Faulkner.

He found
old man Whittaker.

Where?

In the DA's office.

( ominous theme playing )

TRAGG:
We, uh, found this in
the corner of the motel room

occupied by the deceased.

The, uh, exact point
is indicated

by the letter B
on that, uh, diagram.

I see.

Now, lieutenant,

what did you find when you
examined this letter opener?

Well, there were
several bloodstains.

On analysis, they proved
to be the same type

as the blood of the--

Of the victim,
George Beaumont.

BURGER:
Did you find
any fingerprints on here?

Yes, sir.

They were smudged,

but there was
an identifiable thumb

and forefinger
on the handle.

Did you identify
those prints?

We have.

They belong
to the defendant,

Ruth Whittaker.

Thank you, lieutenant.

You may cross-examine.

Um, may I?

Of course.

Thank you.

Uh, lieutenant,

we've heard testimony
that the--

The victim was stabbed
in the back.

TRAGG:
That's correct.

Thank you.

And this is where
Mr. Beaumont was standing

when the fatal blow
was delivered?

No. No, that's where
we found the body.

But if death was instantaneous,
as we've heard,

then the victim
must have been standing

in this general area.

Isn't that true?

Well, as a matter of fact,
he wasn't standing.

He was kneeling.

As though he were, um,
looking for something?

I object, Your Honor.

That calls for a conclusion
of the witness.

Objection sustained.

Uh, thank you, lieutenant.
That'll be all.

You may step down.

I call Leon Corby
to the stand, please.

Mr. Leon Corby.

A-and then Miss Whittaker
said she would run over

and say hello
to Mr. Beaumont

while I was, uh,
fixing up Unit Number .

But while I was in there
cleaning up,

I heard this arguing.

Could you hear
what they were saying?

Well, I heard the lady say, uh,
"I cashed all my bonds,

took a loan on my furniture,
and all for you."

Something like that.

BURGER:
Could you hear
Mr. Beaumont's answer?

CORBY:
N-no.

Thank you, Mr. Corby.
Mm.

Cross-examine.

Now, Mr. Corby,

when you interrupted
this alleged quarrel

between the victim
and the defendant,

what exactly
did you see?

Well, the lady was holding
that there letter opener

like it was a dagger.

MASON:
Was she wearing gloves
at the time?

N-no.
No, she wasn't.

Then, naturally you'd expect

to find her fingerprints
on the letter opener.

Well, sure, yeah.

Now, what time was this,
Mr. Corby?

Oh, it was
pretty close to : .

And you discovered
the body when?

About that night.

So isn't it then possible

that another person,
wearing gloves,

could have entered that room
during that interval?

I object, Your Honor.

Counsel is being argumentative.

JUDGE:
Objection sustained.

Thank you, Mr. Corby.
That's all.

BURGER:
Uh, just a moment,
Mr. Corby.

One or two questions
on redirect.

You testified that the quarrel

between the victim
and the defendant

took place at : .

Yes, sir.
That's right.

When did you next see
the defendant?

About half past ,
quarter to .

BURGER:
And where was
she at this time?

CORBY:
She was coming out
of Mr. Beaumont's room.

But did you see Mr. Beaumont?

No, uh,
the next time I saw him

was when I found him
stretched out

on the floor
of that room, dead.

Thank you,
Mr. Corby.

FOLSOM:
Well, naturally,
the first thing I did

was go up to see
Mr. Beaumont.

My informant told me

he was using the name
of George Hollister.

The minute
I talked to him,

I was sure
I had the right party.

Mr. Folsom,

was the defendant,
Miss Whittaker,

present at
that meeting?

Yes, sir, she was.

Did you see
the defendant again?

Yes, sir, that same night.

I went to her home, and--

She gave me $ , in cash.

Why did she give you
this money, Mr. Folsom?

So I wouldn't send
my report on Beaumont

to the home office.

In other words, Miss Whittaker
hoped that this payment

would keep her relationship
with Mr. Beaumont intact?

That was the whole idea.

You may cross-examine.

Mr. Folsom,
I'm very interested

in this so-called payment.

Isn't that rather
a polite term for blackmail?

Well, if you want
to call it that.

I do want
to call it that.

Now, uh...

Didn't you first telephone

and then go to see
the district attorney...

at your own expense

in order to tell him
about this?

Yes, sir, I did.

And didn't you do this

in an attempt to secure
immunity for yourself

from a blackmail charge?

I just thought
the whole thing over

and realized it was
the best thing to do.

Now, isn't it
a fact that the--

The story you first told
the district attorney

differs materially from
the one you're telling now?

I object, Your Honor.

This is improper
cross-examination.

It's incompetent, irrelevant
and immaterial,

in that it assumes
a fact not in evidence.

I think we will commit
the question, Mr. Burger.

You may continue,
Mr. Mason.

Why, thank you,
Your Honor.

Now, Mr. Folsom...

you admit blackmailing
my client.

Yes, sir.

Did you at any time

try to get money from
any other person in this case?

I don't know what you mean.

Did you get in touch
with Mrs. Beaumont

and tell her that
her husband was still alive?

FOLSOM:
No.

How is it you missed
that golden opportunity?

Uh, I never even
thought of it.

( crowd laughing )
( gavel pounding )

We have heard evidence

that Mr. Beaumont intended
to give himself up.

Now, he told you that,
didn't he?

Yes.

Well, weren't you afraid
of the consequences

when your company discovered
the true facts?

And didn't it occur to you

that there might be a way
you could stop him?

( dramatic theme playing )

I-I didn't k*ll him,

if that's what
you're suggesting.

( tense theme playing )

Now, Mrs. Beaumont,
when was the last time

that you saw or heard
from your late husband?

On November th,
three years ago.

That-- That was the day

he was supposed to fly
to Europe on business?

Yes, he was booked
on the American Eagle.

Would you explain
to this court, please,

what happened
to that aircraft?

It crashed about an hour
after takeoff.

And you had no way
of knowing

that your husband
was not onboard that plane?

No, sir.

He made no attempt

to get in touch
with you thereafter?

Absolutely
none at all.

So you didn't know

and had no way
of knowing

that your husband was
in Los Angeles and alive

on November th,
the day of the m*rder?

No, sir.

Would you be good enough
to relate to us

your own actions
on November th?

You may refer to the office
diary if you'd like to.

I would like to,
please.

Well, I, uh--

I came in the office
at :

and started over
some correspondence

with my secretary,
Roberta Walker.

And at : ,
I went over the books.

And at : ,
Mr. Mason dropped in.

Excuse me.

When was the last time
you saw Mr. Mason before that?

Well, when he, uh,

brought over the check
from the insurance company.

So on the day
of the m*rder,

you had not seen Mr. Mason
for almost three years?

That's right.

Go ahead, please.

Well, at : ,
I had a business meeting

with, uh, my associate,
Glenn McKay, and two salesmen.

Then at : ,
we went out to lunch.

A-and after lunch?

Well, I became ill
suddenly, and I--

I didn't want to go
back to the office,

so I went home.

And did you consult
your doctor?

Uh, yes, sir. I called
our family physician,

Dr. William Burns,

and he ordered me to stay
in bed for the day.

And when was the first time

that you learned
of your husband's death?

Well, at : that night
w-when Lieutenant...

Tragg?

Tragg.
Tragg...

called me
at my apartment.

I see.
Thank you, Mrs. Beaumont.

You may cross-examine,
counselor.

( man clears throat )

I'm, uh-- I'm sorry
to hear you became ill

on the day of my visit,
Mrs. Beaumont.

I hope there was no connection.

The doctor said
it was food poisoning.

But you were the only one
who became ill.

LAURA:
Yes, sir.

MASON:
I see.

Your husband stayed at
the Villa Motel in Los Angeles

hours prior to his m*rder.

And during that time,

he made no effort whatsoever
to phone you?

No, sir, he didn't.

Uh, by any chance, did he, uh--
Did he write to you?

No.

And if I may anticipate
your next question,

he didn't telegraph either.

Thank you,
Mrs. Beaumont.

That will be all.

You may stand down.

BURGER:
I call Jonah Whittaker
to the stand, please.

Jonah Whittaker.

If it please the court,

I should like to request
a -minute recess

while I confer
with my client.

Well, since it's almost : ,

perhaps this would be
as good a time as any

for the noon recess.

The court stands adjourned
till : this afternoon.

All I told my father

was that George's real name
was Beaumont

and he had a wife
in Los Angeles.

You sure
you didn't tell him

her first name was Laura?

No, I'm not sure,

but what difference
does it make?

It makes this difference:

if Mrs. Beaumont
knew her husband was alive

on November th,
she's a definite suspect.

She did know.

She knew.

Well, your father
did write to her, then?

No, George did himself.

Are you positive?

Yes, uh...

I'm trying to remember
when it first came out.

It was when I went to his room
in that motel,

and he said something
about writing to her...

because if she heard
his voice on the phone,

it would be
too great a shock.

And why didn't you tell me
that before?

I don't know.

In all the excitement,
it slipped my mind, I guess.

Then Mrs. Beaumont was perjuring
herself on the stand.

A little thing like perjury
wouldn't stop her

if she was guilty of m*rder.

Listen, Ruth, I--

( suspenseful theme playing )

What's wrong?

There's a lot that's wrong.

I'd better get
in touch with Paul.

( door opens )

( door closes )

Try not to worry.

And do you remember
the morning of November th?

That is the day
following the m*rder.

Excuse me, Mr. McKay,
I asked if you remembered

the morning
of November th.

Why, yes, sir.

I, uh, discovered, uh,
Lieutenant Tragg

and two of his officers

examining Mrs., uh,
Beaumont's office.

And what happened then?

Well, lieutenant, uh,
showed me, uh, an envelope

addressed to Mrs. Beaumont.

Is this the envelope?

Yes, sir.

If it please the court,
I would like this marked

for identification.

GEORGE:
My darlin' Laura,

I know what a shock
this must be.

It must seem like a voice
from the grave.

All I can tell you now
is that I'm very much alive.

I realize the problems
this will make for you,

and I wish there was some way
I could alleviate them.

I'll call you in a day or two
after I see Perry Mason.

With all my love, George.

Now, Mr. McKay,
this is the letter

Lieutenant Tragg showed you
on the morning of November th?

Yes, sir.

Did you examine it carefully
at that time?

I did.

And would you say that the seal
had been tampered with?

I object, Your Honor.

This witness
is not an expert.

If it please the court,
Sergeant Walker,

from the crime lab,
is here in court

and could testify
on this subject.

I only tried
to expedite matters.

I appreciate your concern

for the court, Mr. Burger,

but the rules of evidence
must maintain.

The objection is sustained.

Very well, Your Honor.

I have no further questions
to ask this witness.

You may cross-examine.

Oh, Mr. Mason.

Mr. Burger.

Mr. McKay,

what is your personal
relationship

with Mrs. Beaumont?

Your Honor, I object!

This is certainly incompetent,
immaterial and irrelevant.

If Your Honor please,

I should like to prove
the relevancy.

The witness will answer
the question.

McKAY:
I am very fond
of Mrs. Beaumont.

In fact, you have, uh,
hopes of marrying her?

Well, high hopes.

And you'd do anything
in your power

to protect her from
a possible charge of m*rder?

Oh, I don't need
to protect her, Mr. Mason.

I think it's been proven
that she had no way of knowing

that her husband was alive.

She never saw
the letter.

How can you testify
to that, Mr. McKay?

Well, the--

The letter arrived
in the afternoon mail at : ,

and Laura was in bed at home
with food poisoning.

And you returned to the office
after lunch that day?

I did.

Then you, uh--
Then you saw the envelope?

( chuckles )

Well, assuming that I did,
Mr. Mason,

I'd have to be clairvoyant

to know what was on the inside
of the letter.

The seal wasn't broken.

Now, Mr. McKay,
would you, uh--?

Would you please
examine these

and describe them
for the court?

They seem to be
two steel knitting needles,

soldered together
at one end.

You have no idea
of their function?

I'm afraid
I don't follow you.

MASON:
Well, I understood they were
tools of your trade.

As a matter of fact,
Mr. Drake just got these

from one of your own salesmen.

Would you care for me
to demonstrate their use?

I don't know
about the witness, Mr. Mason,

but the court would,

if it has any bearing
on the case.

It has, Your Honor.

Allow me.

Your Honor,
this is a device

used by salesmen
of check-writing machines,

to show how easy it is,

to remove a check
from an envelope and alter it.

The same principle, of course,
applies to a letter.

You, uh, insert this
in the bottom of the envelope,

and when the letter is caught
between the two needles,

you simply wind it up,
like this,

and then withdraw it,

like this.

By reversing the process,

you can reintroduce
the letter...

...and the seal
will show no sign

that it has been
tampered with.

Isn't that correct?

Haven't you used
such a device yourself?

Well, yes.

A lot of salesmen
in our business do.

Then why did you give
the court the impression

you had no idea
what these were for?

Because I had no desire
to involve Mrs. Beaumont.

MASON:
That's very noble of you,
Mr. McKay.

But why should Mrs. Beaumont
become involved?

You just testified

that she never saw that letter,
that she was home ill.

Well, I--
I submit that

when you saw the initials
on that envelope,

you became suspicious.

You removed the letter,

discovered that
George Beaumont was alive.

No, no. I didn't have
to leave the letter there!

I could have destroyed it!

You didn't dare destroy it.

Your receptionist might have
remembered that envelope

and told Mrs. Beaumont.

So you returned the letter
to the envelope,

and then you went
to the Villa Motel,

where you k*lled
George Beaumont!

Isn't that the way
it happened, Mr. McKay?

Answer me!

( dramatic theme playing )

Laura, you've got
to believe me.

I did this for us.

He would have ruined
everything that we built.

We were a great team.

You know that you didn't
want him to come back.

Laura, don't leave me!

( upbeat theme playing )

You know what I still
don't understand?

Hmm.

Why McKay would take a chance
of going to that motel,

bent on m*rder
and not bring a g*n.

Yeah.

Well, my guess is
that he did.

You're right.
I just spoke to Tragg.

McKay admits he had a g*n.

Beaumont jumped him
and knocked it out of his hand.

How does he do it?

Black magic.

Remember that Tragg testified

that Beaumont was
on his hands and knees

when he was stabbed
with that letter opener?

Yeah.

Of course,
he was trying to get the g*n

when it fell on the floor.

See how simple it is?

Oh, uh, here's
my expense account.

I thought you'd like
to check it.

That covers just about
everything I spent on this case.

Miscellaneous: $ . .

Paul Drake.

Well, Perry wanted me
to talk to that salesman

and find out
about the knitting needles.

It's my fault, Della.

I should have known he didn't
have any sales resistance.

Well, here.

Write him a check.

Sure.
( all laughing )

( noirish jazz theme playing )