02x13 - The Case of the Borrowed Brunette

[bunniefuu]

( noirish jazz theme playing )

( mellow theme playing )

SECRETARY:
I'm sorry,
Mr. Lane.

Mr. Slater
is still busy.

Yes, I'll tell him.
Goodbye.

Miss Eva Martell
is next.

Good luck, Eva.

( slinky theme playing )

Miss Martell?

That's right.

How tall are you,
Miss Martell?

' ".
Your weight?

.

Hm.

What are your measurements,
Miss Martell?

You know,
your measurements?

Heh. - - .

Uh-huh.
Your age?

Twenty-seven.

Single?
Yes.

Y-- Is all this
on the up and up?

Absolutely. The advertisement
I put in the paper

said you could take along
an older woman

as a chaperon
if you wanted to.

Yes, she's right outside.

Good.

Uh, would you
come in, please?

All right, Miss Martell.
You'll do.

You already know
I'll pay you $ a day,

and your chaperon
$ a day...

to a minimum
of $ , .

And it can go on
a whole lot further.

Okay, now that
you'll have us,

let's see if
we'll have you.

What's the job?

Well...

since the pay
is so special...

there'll be some
particular requirements.

What?

You'll have to move out
of your present quarters,

move into an apartment
at the Lodestar.

You'll have no connection with
the outside world whatsoever.

No calls to friends,

no letters,
visitors, nothing.

Whose apartment is it?

Belongs to a girl
by the name of Helen Reynolds.

You'll be required
to wear her clothes.

Helen Reynolds'
clothes?

That's right. It's
a very sharp wardrobe.

It sounds like
an impersonation.

Aunt Agnes, I don't think
this is the right--

I do.

We'll try it.

( dramatic theme playing )

Aunt Aggie?

Mm-hm?

Mr. Slater acts awfully strange
for a private detective.

Don't borrow
trouble, child.

But even when we took
some personal things

from our own apartment...

he made us put them
in a shopping bag

to make it look as though

we were just bringing
groceries in here.

( horn honking outside )

And those men we saw tonight,
following us...

they're still
down on the street.

Don't worry, Eva.

I'll look out for you.

I know you will, Aunt Aggie.
You always do.

( slow, moody theme playing )

But this is so strange.

I think we made a mistake
coming here...

no matter how badly
we need the money.

( ringing )

SLATER:
Go on, answer it.

Hello?

No, she isn't here
right now.

This is Agnes Nulty,
her nurse/companion.

May I have her
call you back?

All right. Goodbye.

Fine.

You did that just fine.
Who was it?

He didn't say.
He said he'd call later.

And what would you do
if he wanted Mrs. Reynolds

to call back,
and I wasn't here?

Call your office
and relay the message.

You see
how easy it is?

Well, that
fits fine.

I'll pick you up at : .

EVA:
Mr. Slater.

Are you taking us out
to dinner again tonight?

That's right.
Every night.

Goodbye, ladies.

( door closes )

There they are
again.

What do they want,
Aunt Aggie?

They must be
after something.

Maybe they're
the police.

Maybe something's wrong.

Maybe something's
terribly wrong.

I didn't want to do this.
I told you.

( doorbell buzzes )

Shh! In the bedroom.

Oh. I beg your pardon.

I'm looking for Mr. Slater.

Why would you be
looking for him here?

I'm Mrs. Slater.

Oh.

Have you
tried his office?

He was here
a few minutes ago.

I expect he's on
his way back there.

Oh. They won't
let me in to see him.

I have to just...catch him.

You see, he won $ ,
in a poker game,

and the children--

I beg your pardon.

Will you be seeing him?

What do you mean
you have to "catch" him?

Well, he won't give me
enough money to--

Tsk.

I'm sorry. I--
I shouldn't talk like this.

You mean, he refuses
to support his family?

Please...if you see him,

would you tell him that
I want to see him?

Please, tell him
to come home tonight.

Yes, I'll tell him.

Ah, don't
you worry, honey.

Goodbye.

Goodbye. Thank you.

I don't understand.

There's so many things
going on I don't understand.

Who is Slater?

What is he doing
with this Helen Reynolds?

Why am I taking
her place?

What if she's dead?

What if what we're
doing is illegal?

I think it's time we got
some advice on that, Eva.

I'll go to a lawyer.

Let's quit, Aunt Agnes.

I'm not giving up
that money so quickly.

All right, what lawyer?

Well, if this is
a crime of some kind,

a criminal lawyer.

( noirish jazz theme playing )

Very simply, Miss Nulty,

my advice is to quit...

pack up and go home.

You're vulnerable.

Oh?

You moved into
someone else's apartment.

The real owner can claim
your entry was felonious.

If something is missing,
you can be charged with larceny.

Then there's
grand theft, bunco.

This man Slater
could be manipulating

a dozen different
confidence games.

Are you sure
you're being followed?

We were even
followed here.

Why did you take the job?

Well, we need the money
desperately for Eva.

She's studying music,

and that takes
a lot of money, Mr. Mason.

We'd like to keep on,
if we can.

Then you'd better get
some protection.

How?

Well, there are
several things I could do.

Wait a minute.

How much are you
going to charge?

I think we can come
to an equitable arrangement...

later on.

Well, I don't like
to do business

on a "later on"
basis, Mr. Mason, but...

you have
an honest face and...

Well...what do you
want us to do?

Uh, go back to the apartment...

call Mr. Slater,
tell him you're quitting.

He'll hit the ceiling.

Tell him you're
under advice of counsel, and...

then pack your things
and get out.

All right, Mr. Mason.

I don't know where
you're heading,

but...we'll follow
your instructions.

Uh, Miss Martell...

has Mr. Slater made any...

improper advances?

Oh, no.

And he'd better not.

I've got a g*n
in this purse, Mr. Mason,

and I can use it.

Do you have a permit
to carry that g*n?

No.

Then my first advice
to you

is to get rid
of it at once.

You're in a rather
peculiar position.

Having an unlicensed g*n
can only make it worse.

All right, Mr. Mason.

Goodbye,
Miss Street.

Goodbye.

Thank you.

Goodbye,
Mr. Mason.

Miss Martell.

Let's get ahold
of Paul Drake, Della.

Mm-hm.
I want him to find out

who's having them
followed and why.

I wonder what sort of flimflam
this Mr. Slater's up to.

We'll start the ball
rolling when he calls.

When he calls?

Mm-hm.

When he hits that ceiling,
he'll have a phone with him.

This is a scandalous,

high-handed procedure,
Miss Nulty.

We've got an agreement.

I told you,

you'd better speak
to our attorney, Mr. Slater.

Come on, Eva.

Uh--

You can't leave me
in the lurch like this.

An agreement
is an agreement.

His name is Mason.
His phone number is on the pad.

Now, hold on, Mr. Slater.

I take it you're aware
it may be a crime

to impersonate others?

Only where there is intent
to defraud, Mr. Mason.

I've gone into the matter
thoroughly.

There's no intent
to defraud here.

But you do intend
to deceive people?

Now, who gave you permission

to install my clients
in Mrs. Reynolds' apartment?

Mrs. Reynolds did.

Why?

For...

For reasons I can't
tell you, Mr. Mason.

There's nothing illegal
going on, I swear to you.

Your assurances aren't
good enough, Mr. Slater.

What do you want me to do?

I want Mrs. Reynolds
to come to my office,

prove her identity,
and sign a statement

relieving my clients
of all responsibility

for what you instruct
them to do,

for what they are doing,
or may do.

I don't know if I can get
Mrs. Reynolds to do that.

Then forget about Eva Martell

going on with
this impersonation.

Get someone else.

I can't get someone else.
Not now, not anymore.

Then have Mrs. Reynolds
at my office before : .

At : ,
I instruct my clients

to return
to their own apartment.

No, they can't do that.

Everything will be ruined.

They've already disobeyed
by going to you.

One o'clock, Mr. Slater.
Goodbye.

WOMAN:
Observe. I press
my thumb on the pad

and on the paper.

Now you'll notice
that it corresponds exactly

with the thumbprint
on the license.

I am me, Helen Reynolds.

You do look a great deal
like Miss Martell.

Almost like sisters.

They seem to be
identical.

They are
identical.

What other kind of
convincing

do you want,
Mr. Mason?

Did you commission Melvin Slater
to arrange this impersonation?

Yes.

For what purpose?

That's my business.

Yes, it is, Mrs. Reynolds...

so long as you break no laws
or cause them to be broken.

And so long
as you do not jeopardize

the rights of others.

Della, do you have
that document?

Yes, it's right
here.

Please read it
before you sign.

I suppose this is
the indemnification

Slater told me you wanted.

"Agree to hold harmless
for any damages

"because of
so impersonating me,

"and fully indemnify
against any or all kind

"of financial loss
of any sort,

nature or description."

Why, I'll be
giving them

a license to
steal me blind.

Not quite.

Well, that's the way
it looks to me.

I'd be signing
my life away.

You lawyers
make me sick.

I've included only
the minimum requirements

for the protection
of my clients.

It gives them
absolute carte blanche.

I'm not going to
sign it.

If you can satisfy me

as to your motives
behind the whole maneuver,

you may not have to.

I hate men like you.

One or the other,
Mrs. Reynolds...

or I must instruct
my clients

to return
to their own apartment.

( sighs )

Mr. Mason,
I believe you're right.

I may be taking
unfair advantage of them.

Where do I sign?

Right here.

You're
a philosophical loser.

Will they go back
to the apartment now?

Of course.

Your, uh...

bag made quite a thump
when it hit the desk.

If it contains
a g*n,

I hope you have
a license for it.

A g*n?

I have
no g*n.

Goodbye, Mr. Mason.

( door closes )
( phone rings )

Yes, Gertie?

Oh. Oh,
put her on.

Eva Martell.

Yes, Miss Martell,
where are you?

We're at Wilson's Grill,
Mr. Mason. A restaurant.

It is? That's wonderful.

Well, do you think
it'll be all right

if we go to the beauty parlor
and the supermarket

before we go back to
Mrs. Reynolds' apartment?

Yes, I think
it'll be all right.

Are you still being followed?

Oh, yes, Mr. Mason.

Now there are
other men too.

I don't know whether
they're following us

or following the men
who are following us.

( chuckles )

Oh, don't mind them.
Just go about your business.

Okay, Mr. Mason.
Goodbye.

Did he say it's all right?
Mm-hm.

It's Mr. Slater.

I'll put these groceries
away, Eva.

Mr. Slater?

( screams )

Aunt Aggie!

( dramatic theme playing )

Call Mr. Mason

from the phone
in the lobby downstairs.

Go on, I'll be
right with you.

( knocking on door )

Hi, Perry, Della.

Hi, Paul.
Hi, Paul.

It is now three hours
and minutes

since the discovery
of Melvin Slater's body.

What do you
know so far?

Nothing. Except what Eva Martell
told me over the phone.

Well, she called the police.

Tragg and his boys
arrived at : .

At five after ,

Tragg took your clients
downtown for questioning.

Do you know anything
about the m*rder itself?

No.

Slater was sh*t
in the middle of his forehead

with a small-caliber g*n.

Probably a . .

Well, uh,
what's the matter?

Well, Aunt Agnes said
she carried a g*n.

Probably small-bore.

Go on.

You wanted to know who was
behind that tailing job,

and I had a perfect opportunity
of finding out.

Who was it?

I noticed that
the Interstate Detective boys,

the ones tailing your clients,

were feeding information
back to the home office

from the Lodestar via phone.

Then one of them took off.

I figured he was
heading back to the office

for only one reason.

To report to the client
in person?

Right. So I covered.

Okay, Paul, who was it?

Grant Willoughby Reynolds.

Reynolds?

Helen Reynolds' husband?

That's right.

Where is he now?

Still in the apartment.
Belvedere Towers.

All right, let's go.

( sighs )

Oh, Della...
Mm-hm.

...get ahold of
Reynolds.

Tell him I want to
talk to him about his wife.

Miss Martell and her aunt
will probably come by

when they're through at
police headquarters or call.

Right.

I do hope
they come by.

That Miss Martell
is a doll.

That'll make
your day complete?

I was thinking of my evening.
Goodbye, beautiful.

( laughs )

You're Mason?

No, I am.

And who are you?

I'm Paul Drake.

What do you do?

I'm a private
detective.

Come in.

Now, what about
my wife, Mr. Mason?

How long have you
been separated?

That's my personal
business.

I'm afraid it's
gonna be public business

before very long.

Why?

A m*rder
was committed

in her apartment
this afternoon.

I, uh...

I don't understand
your connection

with this, Mason.

I'll explain it,
Mr. Reynolds.

You hired
private detectives

to spy
on your wife.

You gave them
a description

and her address
at the Lodestar.

You wanted to know
everything about her.

But apparently, your wife knew
what you were planning to do

and made some plans
of her own.

What are you talking about?

An advertisement that
appeared in the newspapers

three or four days ago.

My client answered it.

And with her aunt
as chaperon,

she moved into
your wife's apartment,

even before you hired
your private detectives.

Go on, Mason.

Well, there
you have it.

A woman was living
in your wife's apartment

who answered
in every way

the description you'd given
Interstate Detective Agency.

Then the reports
I've been getting

have been on your client,
not my wife?

That's right,
Mr. Reynolds.

My wife's been
as free as a bird...

to consort with men
if she wanted to.

And that's a dirty game
she's playing, Mason.

How about your game?
What's that?

What was your purpose in
having your wife spied on?

She's my wife.

When I don't want anything
anymore, I give it away.

But nobody leaves me.
Nobody quits me.

And nobody takes
what's mine.

And she wanted
to quit you?

( sighs )

All right.
Now I understand.

Where do you fit in
and what do you want?

Mr. Reynolds...

somehow there seems to have
been a leak in your plans.

Who did you
tell them to?

Nobody.

Who recommended Interstate
Detective Agency to you?

That's personal.
That won't help you.

Where were you
this afternoon, Mr. Reynolds?

About : ?

I'm not gonna
answer that either.

Why not?

On general
principles.

You're not the police.
You've got another a* to grind.

All right, Paul,
I guess that's it.

Wait a minute.

I've got an a* too.

I want to get rid of my wife...

but I don't want to get stuck.

Now, she's seeing somebody.

She's...in love with somebody.

If I can
find out who--

I can't help you.

Did this Slater have a key
to my wife's apartment?

If he had lived,

would you have named him
in a divorce action?

I can still use that key
to soften up her demands.

Might be
a two-edged sword.

What do you mean by that?

Well, if he had a key
and you found it,

you might've been
insanely jealous

and tried to
trap him.

Remember,
Mr. Reynolds...

he was m*rder*d.

Uh, Mr. Mason...

will you please
tell me

how you knew
what Slater was up to?

I didn't know,
Mr. Drake.

Was the only way
the facts made any sense.

There's more than
a good chance, though,

that Reynolds is right
about his wife seeing someone.

Hm. Why?

She wouldn't have gone
to all the trouble

of setting up an impersonation
just to fool him.

Yeah, she must've wanted
to be with someone else,

without being
spied on.

She didn't impress me
as the type

who would spend
long evenings

with...only a book
and a record player.

Paul--

Ah. I know.

I'll try to find
who the boyfriend is.

( suspenseful theme playing )

Della?

Yes, Perry?

Any word from the, uh--?
They're here.

Come in,
won't you?

Well, it's nice
of you to stop by.

Here, sit down.

Thank you.

Did you just leave
police headquarters?

We just stopped at our own place
to drop off our things.

I see.

Well, tell me
what happened.

I understand Slater was sh*t

with a . revolver.

Oh? Was he?

What caliber was your g*n?

Mine?

Oh, you mean what we were
talking about today.

Why, Mr. Mason,
I don't own a revolver.

What a fuss you make
over a little white fib.

I never carried
a g*n in my life.

Did you tell that
to the police?

Well, of course.
Because it's the truth.

Did you disturb anything
in the m*rder room?

AGNES:
No.

Were you two together
all the time.

I mean, the whole day?

We were together
all day, Mr. Mason.

What about the time
you were phoning me

from Wilson's Grill?

Well, that was just
a minute or two.

What else did you tell
Lieutenant Tragg?

Just the truth.

Of course, we didn't
offer anything,

but when he asked
a question, we answered.

Mr. Mason...

we'd like to
thank you

for everything
you've done for us.

You no longer want me
to represent you?

That's right.
We want to settle up now.

We don't want to
run up a big bill.

How much, uh--?
( knocking on door )

Good evening,
Della.

Perry.

Miss Nulty.

Uh, you'll have to
come with me.

What for?

m*rder.

You just released her.

Yes, I know, but that was
before we found the g*n.

What g*n?

The m*rder g*n,
Perry.

Miss Nulty's g*n.

The one she sh*t
Melvin Slater with.

The one she tried to
dispose of.

And before we found
$ , .

Three $ bills
and three $ bills.

Where'd you find it?

Along with
Slater's wallet.

In among
the personal things

Miss Nulty took out of
the Reynolds' apartment.

Why did you k*ll him,
Miss Nulty?

For the money?

I didn't k*ll him!

For heaven sakes,
doesn't anybody

get anything straight
around here?

Let's go.

I guess I became economical
a mite too soon, Mr. Mason.

Can you keep on representing us
a little while longer?

We can take up
the fee later.

All right, Miss Nulty.

Mr. Mason,
shouldn't I go with her?

You said you told the police
you were with your aunt all day.

Yes.

Did you sign a statement
to that effect?

Yes.

Did you swear to it?

Yes, it was an affidavit.

I'm not the police,
I'm your lawyer.

I want the truth.

Were you with your aunt
every second?

Well, practically.

Practically?

All right.
When weren't you with her?

Well, after we told
Mr. Slater we were quitting,

like you said,
we packed our things

and left
Mrs. Reynolds' apartment

and got down
in the lobby.

And suddenly Aunt Agnes

remembered something
she'd left upstairs.

What?

Well,
she didn't say what.

And she went
upstairs again?

Yes.

What time was this?

About quarter to .

How long was she gone?

Only a few minutes.

Mr. Mason,
about Aunt Agnes,

you have to take some
of the things she says with a...

Well, it isn't that she means
to deceive you,

it's just that--

Just that she's a liar.

( sighs )

Well, yes.
Yes, I guess she is.

But she wouldn't hurt anyone.
She didn't k*ll Slater.

You're worried about her?

Yes.

At the moment,
I'm worried about you.

( suspenseful theme playing )

I know you're holding
Agnes Nulty

on suspicion of m*rder.

I think her niece, Eva Martell,
can be of some help to you.

That affidavit she signed,

just in case
it contains an oversight

or an incorrect recital of fact,

I want to be sure nothing's
going to be done about it.

So that's it?

You wanna make a deal?

That's it.

Let me tell you something,
Perry.

At approximately :
Melvin Slater was k*lled

by a b*llet
from Agnes Nulty's g*n.

Your Eva Martell has sworn
in her affidavit

that she was with Agnes Nulty
every minute of that time.

Now, I just told you
she may have--

Therefore,
if she gets on the stand

and testifies
that she was with Agnes Nulty,

she's gonna be convicted,
along with Agnes Nulty

of m*rder in the first degree.

But if she tries
to change her testimony,

she's gonna be convicted
of perjury.

No deal, Perry.
You just struck out.

( dramatic theme playing )

( suspenseful theme playing )

I note that the defendants,
Agnes Nulty and Eva Martell,

are charged jointly
with first-degree m*rder

and are both represented
by Mr. Mason.

Proceed,
Mr. Prosecutor.

I call as my first witness
Officer Samuel Dixon.

Officer Samuel Dixon.

And within two minutes
after we got the radio call,

my partner and I were
at the apartment.

The body was in a chair,

and there was a b*llet hole
in his forehead.

And who was present
in the apartment at that time?

Uh, the defendants,
Miss Nulty and Miss Martell.

Thank you, officer.
Cross-examine.

No question.

BURGER:
I call Helen Reynolds
to the stand.

No, sir,
I didn't actually see Mr. Slater

on the day he was k*lled,

but I did talk to him
over the phone.

And you had seen him many times
prior to that occasion?

Many times, yes.

Did you rent an apartment
at the Lodestar Apartments?

Yes.

And you had given
Mr. Slater permission

to use your apartment?

Temporarily, yes.

On the th day of the month,

at the request
of the police department,

did you go
to the city morgue?

I did.

And while you were there,
did you identify a man's body?

Yes, I did.
It was Mr. Melvin Slater.

Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds.

Cross-examine, counselor.

Mrs. Reynolds, why did you
give Mr. Slater permission

to occupy your apartment?

He was employed to hire a woman
who resembled me.

MASON:
Why?

HELEN:
She was to occupy
the apartment

with an older woman.

Mr. Slater would then escort
these women around town,

taking them to dinner
and the theater,

so that
the private detectives

that my husband had hired
to spy on me

would turn in
false reports to him.

Then Mr. Slater
had fulfilled his job?

Yes, he hired Miss Martell
and Miss Nulty.

Where were you at :
on the afternoon of the m*rder?

Your Honor, that's objected to
on the grounds

that it's incompetent,
irrelevant and immaterial.

It's also improper
cross-examination.

Your Honor, the witness
has testified

she did not see the decedent
all that day.

I only want to follow
her movements

from the luncheon period
until the time of the m*rder.

What was the time
of the m*rder?

The coroner's report
states the time

as between : and : .

The prosecution
fixes the time at : .

If it please the court,

the prosecution
fixes the time of death

at between : and : .

Very well.
Objection overruled.

Defense is entitled
to investigate

this area of time.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Now, Mrs. Reynolds,
where were you at : ?

At lunch.

With whom?

A friend.

What friend?

A personal friend.

And I'm not gonna tell you who,
Mr. Mason.

But at minutes to ,
I got a message from Mr. Slater.

He said I was to go
to Mr. Perry Mason's office.

At : ,
or a few minutes after--

Was that when the m*rder
took place?

--I was speaking
to Mr. Mason in his office.

Thank you.

No further questions.

I call Grant Willoughby Reynolds
to the stand, please.

Mr. Reynolds, you have heard
the testimony of your wife?

I have.

Did you indeed hire
Interstate Detective Agency

to have her shadowed?

I did.

BURGER:
And did you receive reports
from this agency

about the activities
of Miss Martell and Miss Nulty

in the belief
that they were reports

about your wife
and her chaperon?

Yes.

Now, after you were
apprised of the m*rder,

what did you do?

Well, I instructed
the detective agency

to give the police
all the information they had.

And to the best
of your knowledge, they did?

Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Reynolds.
Cross-examine.

Now, Mr. Reynolds,

how did you receive
your reports?

By mail, telephone
or in person?

Sometimes by phone,
sometimes in person.

Do you recall a conversation
we had

on the evening
of the m*rder?

I do.

At that time

I informed you
of Slater's m*rder,

yet you did not seem
surprised.

No.

Why not?

I'd been apprised of it

by the Interstate
Detective Agency.

By telephone or in person?

By phone.

Had you been at the Interstate
office on that day?

If you're fishing for an account
of my whereabouts, Mr. Mason,

it's a matter of record.

I had lunch with the manager
of Interstate.

Lunch was from :
to almost : .

At which time I returned
with the manager

to the Interstate offices.

Thank you, Mr. Reynolds.
That'll be all.

Now, Mr. Folsom,
you're a private detective.

By whom are you employed?

The Interstate
Detective Agency.

I direct your attention
to the defendant Agnes Nulty,

and I ask if you saw her
on the th day of the month

at approximately
: in the afternoon.

FOLSOM:
I did.

BURGER:
Whereabouts?

FOLSOM:
At Wilson's Grill,
a restaurant.

Were you able to observe
what she was doing there?

She was with
the other defendant.

They arrived
at five minutes to .

At : , while Eva Martell
was phoning,

Miss Nulty left the grill.

Without being observed,

I followed her to an alley
back of the restaurant.

And what did she do there?

There were
three garbage cans there.

She lifted the lid
of the middle one,

apparently
dropped something into it,

and then replaced the lid.

And you say
this was approximately : ?

Yes, sir, at : .

Thank you, sir.
That'll be all.

Cross-examine.

Mr. Folsom,
I noticed you were very careful

in your choice of words.

You said that Miss Nulty
lifted the lid

and apparently dropped
something into the can?

Yes, sir.

When she picked it up,
it was with her left hand.

Her back was to me,

and her body hid
what her right hand was doing.

I see.

Now, Mr. Folsom,

at the time you observed
the defendant Nulty,

or within a very few minutes
thereafter,

did you not telephone a report
to the Interstate Agency?

FOLSOM:
Uh, yes, I did.

MASON:
In that report,
did you not state

that she lifted the lid
and looked into the can?

Uh...I believe so, yes.

And isn't it a fact
that you did not report

that she dropped
something into it?

Well, uh, no,

if you want to get
technical about it.

But in thinking it over--

We don't want your
second thoughts, Mr. Folsom.

The initial impression
is all we want.

Thank you.
That'll be all.

I call Barbara Slater
to the stand, please.

CLERK:
Mrs. Barbara Slater.

BURGER:
Now, Mrs. Slater,
I show you this wallet

and ask if you've ever
seen it before.

Yes. It's my--

It was my husband's.

Would you tell the court,
please,

the occasion
when you saw it last?

Yes, sir.

It was on the morning
of the th of October.

He changed suits
and opened the wallet

and gave me $
for house money.

Were you able to observe

anything in the wallet
while it was open?

Yes, sir.

I saw a $ bill.

I asked him where he got it,

and he said he won it
in a poker game.

And then he showed me
three of them,

and three $ bills.

Thank you, Mrs. Slater.

You may cross-examine.

Mrs. Slater, your husband
gave you $ for expenses,

and kept $ for himself?

Yes, sir.

Did you try to reach him
at Mrs. Reynolds' apartment

on the morning of the m*rder?

I-- Yes.

You missed him?

Did you then try to reach him
again at that apartment?

No.

No, Mr. Mason.

I had to go home
and take care of my family.

Thank you, Mrs. Slater.

That will be all.

Lieutenant, were you in charge
of the investigation

of the m*rder
of Melvin Slater?

Yes, sir.

BURGER:
And did you find
on his person a wallet?

TRAGG:
No. No, sir.

I see.
Now, you took the defendants

down to police headquarters
for questioning.

Until about what time
did you detain them there?

Uh, it was about
minutes past .

And would you tell the court
please what transpired

after they left
police headquarters?

Well, we got a report from
the Interstate Detective Agency

relating
the garbage-can incident,

and I went
to Wilson's Grill

and inspected
the middle garbage can

in the back alley.

Would you tell us, please,
what you found?

Yes, I found the can to be
about two-thirds full,

and I had it emptied out
on a piece of canvas.

And in that refuse,
I found a g*n.

I show you now this g*n
and ask if you can identify it.

Oh, yes, I can.
It has my mark on it.

It's the . revolver we found
in the middle of the refuse.

I see. Did you take
this g*n with you

and return
to police headquarters?

No, sir. I sent it,
along with the top of the can,

to be tested.

And I immediately
called on Agnes Nulty.

She wasn't home.

What home are you referring to,
lieutenant?

Before she took up residence
at Mrs. Reynolds' apartment,

she and Miss Martell
shared a duplex.

I see.
So what did you do?

TRAGG:
Since I had a search warrant,

I got the owner of the place
to let me in.

And you searched
the premises?

Yes, sir, I found
among the belongings

that Miss Nulty
had taken away

from Mrs. Reynolds' apartment,
a wallet.

I show you now this wallet
and ask if you can identify it.

Yes, I can.

It too has my mark.

It's the wallet I found
in Miss Nulty's possessions.

And what did you find
in the wallet, lieutenant?

Well, among papers
and licenses,

three $ bills
and three $ bills.

And what did you do
after you found the money?

Well, I called headquarters,

and I learned the g*n
was the m*rder w*apon,

and that the lid
of the garbage pail

revealed the fingerprints
of Agnes Nulty.

I then went
to Mr. Mason's office

and I arrested Miss Nulty.

Thank you, lieutenant.
That'll be all.

Cross-examine,
counselor.

One moment,
counselor.

Do you anticipate
a prolonged cross-examination?

Yes, I do, Your Honor.

Since it is nearly : ,

the court will be adjourned
until : tomorrow morning.

( crowd chattering )

PAUL:
Hi, Perry.

Hi, Paul.

Anything on
Helen Reynolds' boyfriend?

No, not yet,

But I'm still waiting to hear
from the boys.

There's something else
that bothers me.

I think the same thing
is bothering me.

Well, what's that?

Well, from what you've
been able to reconstruct

of Slater's character,
wouldn't he be the kind of man

to take advantage of a situation
with Helen Reynolds?

Exactly.

Paul, can you take Della
to dinner?

It's a pleasure.
But what about you?

I have an errand to do.
I'll see you both later.

( suspenseful theme playing )

( doorbell buzzes )

Good evening.

What do you want,
Mr. Mason?

Just a few words.

You've had them in court.

I thought you might
prefer these out of court.

Who's the man?

What man?

The one you've gone
to such lengths to protect,

the one
you're still protecting.

The gentleman,

the man so unlike
Grant Reynolds.

He is different, isn't he?

He has to be,

otherwise he'd be fighting
for you out in the open.

You're the most--
The second most.

--obnoxious person
I've ever met.

Second only
to your husband?

I think the reason
I dislike you so intensely

is that there's something
about you,

though in a subtler way,
that reminds me of Grant.

There's the same initial impact
of a strong personality,

the same steady,
insistent pressure

to overcome
obstacles that--

Well,
that I find attractive.

It's a good deal
softer in you,

and wiser
and more humanitarian,

but it's there.

You're a remarkable woman.

All right, I'm not going
to fight with you

over something
that isn't worthwhile.

What do you want to know?

Outside of
who I'm in love with?

How did you find out
before the fact

that your husband
was going to have you shadowed?

Melvin Slater told me.

Slater?

My husband is
an inveterate poker player.

He'll even play
with professionals

when he can't find a game
with friends.

At a recent game,

he inquired about
a good detective agency.

Slater was there.

He put two and two together
and, um, came to me.

And...you and he figured out
the antidote?

Yes.

Slater's
quite an opportunist.

How much did he blackmail
you for, Mrs. Reynolds?

There you go again,

like a bull with your head down
and your horns ripping.

Mr. Mason, I'm packing.
I want to get out of here.

I can't believe
he wouldn't blackmail you.

Didn't he discover
who your lover was

and take the whole thing
to your husband?

No. I wouldn't be blackmailed,
Mr. Mason.

There's never any end
to blackmail once it starts.

Oh, yes, there's an end.

But only one.

What?

m*rder,
Mrs. Reynolds.

Where did you go
when you left my office

on the day of the m*rder?

To my lover,

who is not a lover,
Mr. Mason.

To the man
I'm in love with.

A gentle man, a man full
of warmth and sweetness

and an abundance of love.

I've protected him
from Grant.

Do you think
I won't protect him from you

and the whole world
if I have to?

Good night, Mr. Mason.

( suspenseful theme playing )

Perry, this is
the information you wanted

on the kitchen schedule.

I got to talking
with the chef there,

and guess who used to work
in the kitchen?

Who?
Barbara Slater.

When?

She quit
about four months ago.

Nice work, Paul.

CLERK:
Please rise.

Here we go.

Now, lieutenant, you had the lid
of the garbage can tested

and found Miss Nulty's
fingerprints?

That's right.

On the underside
of the lid's handle

were several latents.

Some smudged
and some clearly identifiable.

Did all the identifiable prints
belong to Miss Nulty?

Oh, no. No, sir.

And, of course, you had
these other prints checked out?

( chuckles )

We'd have to go through
the whole kitchen staff.

And, of course,
you also had the m*rder w*apon

tested for fingerprints?

Yes, negative.

Everything had been smudged
and smeared.

It had been there
an appreciable amount of time

and garbage had been piled
on top of it

from time to time.

Isn't this only an assumption
of yours, lieutenant?

Well, yes.

Of course, it's obvious.

Well, would you please explain
the part of the evidence

that makes it obvious?

Well, I found the g*n

pretty well down
inside the garbage.

Well, isn't it possible the g*n
could have been pushed down?

And wouldn't that account
for the fact

that the fingerprints on the g*n
were smudged?

Your Honor,
it's perfectly obvious

that counsel
is merely wrangling

about an interpretation
of evidence.

It's up to the court
to make that interpretation.

Your Honor,
I'm only trying to find out

what actually happened.

But isn't it obvious
that what the lieutenant says

must be exactly
what happened, Mr. Mason?

No, it isn't, Your Honor.

I would be glad
to hear counsel on this.

Then if it please the court,

I would like to recall
a witness, Mrs. Barbara Slater.

Very well.
Call Mrs. Barbara Slater.

Mrs. Barbara Slater.

JUDGE:
You may stand down.

You're already under oath,
Mrs. Slater.

Continue, Mr. Mason.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Now, Mrs. Slater,
were you gainfully employed

up until four months ago?

Yes.

Where did you work?

Um, in Wilson's Grill,
in the kitchen.

I, uh--
I did general utility work.

Cleaning up,
washing and drying dishes.

Emptying refuse into the cans
behind the cafe?

Yes, sir.

Did the kitchen staff

have a regular schedule
for this task?

Yes, sir.

When is the last lot of refuse

transferred to the cans
after : noon?

It's right before : .

The breakfast help
work by the hour,

and they go off time
at : ,

so, uh, i-it has to be done
before then.

And in the evening?

Well, when we work
that split shift,

we come back at : .

There are never
any changes?

I worked there months,
Mr. Mason,

day in and day out,
and--

And no refuse
was ever put out

between : and :
in the evening.

Thank you.

Is that all?

Why, yes, Mrs. Slater,

unless Mr. Burger
has some questions.

No, I haven't.

Your Honor,

I don't think
this proves anything at all.

It simply means
that it must've been the way

counsel himself theorized.

Miss Nulty pushed the g*n

deep into the middle
of the refuse can.

Now, in order
to do that,

Miss Nulty would've had
to roll up her right sleeve.

She most certainly
did not do that

according
to the witness Folsom.

Folsom couldn't see
her hands.

According to his testimony,

Folsom's first impression
was that she had raised the lid

and looked into the can.

Then he said maybe

she had dropped
something into it.

But he most certainly
did not say

that she had bent over
and pushed something into it.

Now, Mr. District Attorney,
it would seem that counsel

is logically and clearly
building a good point.

If Your Honor please,

I maintain that the position
of the g*n in the refuse can

materially affects this case.

How so, Mr. Mason?

We all accepted
Mr. Burger's theory

that the m*rder took place
prior to : ,

only because Miss Nulty was seen
in the alley at that time.

But since
she was seen there

and disposed of
the m*rder w*apon at that time,

what other theory is there?

Mr. Burger, you'll recall
the coroner's report states

that the m*rder
could have occurred

at any time
between : and : .

Now, if it please the court,

and if Mr. Burger
has no objections,

in an effort to clarify
this entire matter,

I should like to recall
another witness.

You may recall your witness,
Mr. Mason.

Thank you, Your Honor.

MASON:
Mr. Grant Reynolds, please.

You stated you had lunch

with the manager
of Interstate Detective Agency

on the day of the m*rder?

Yes.

And that you returned
to the Interstate offices

at approximately : ?

That's right.

Then you must've been there

when Mr. Folsom phoned in
his report on Agnes Nulty,

who, by the way,
was following my directive

to get rid of the g*n.

Are you sure I was there?

We can check that
with the Interstate manager,

can't we,
Mr. Reynolds?

Now, there were
only four people

who knew about Miss Nulty's
peculiar actions:

Miss Nulty herself,
the Interstate manager,

Mr. Folsom,
and you, Mr. Reynolds.

And it piqued your curiosity.

What was your wife's chaperon
disposing of so secretly?

How long did it take you

to get to the alley
back of Wilson's Grill?

How long to take advantage
of the g*n, already loaded?

How long to get
to your wife's apartment,

seeing a man
in his shirt-sleeves,

a man you thought
had replaced you

in your wife's affections?

How long to pull that trigger,
Mr. Reynolds?

Not long enough to give Slater
the chance to tell you

he wasn't the man
you were looking for, was it?

What makes you think
he wasn't?

He had a key
to my wife's apartment.

He sat around the place
as if he owned it.

Sure,

maybe he started
by working for her.

But I know my wife.

I knew there was something
going on.

Yes.

You knew.

You knew something was going on

every time she even nodded
to another man.

You'll never convince me
there wasn't.

I wouldn't try,
Mr. Reynolds.

( dramatic theme playing )

Then after Mr. Reynolds
k*lled Slater,

he brought the g*n
back to the garbage can.

And thinking that more garbage
had been added in the meantime,

he pushed it halfway down.

That's right, Della.

There's one thing
I don't understand.

Why Miss Nulty
took the $ , .

I took it because
I wanted to make sure

it got back
to where it belonged.

And where would that be?

To Barbara Slater.

I was going to put it in
an envelope and mail it to her,

only I never had the chance.

Well, I guess
that clears everything up.

No, there's one little bit
of unfinished business.

Hm. What?

Helen Reynolds'
boyfriend.

Where is he?

Ah, we stopped looking
for him, Perry.

You stopped
looking for him? Why?

Well, the judge had already
dismissed the case.
Mm-hm.

You'd already uncovered
the m*rder*r.

Mm-hm.

Besides,
we couldn't find him.

Mm-hm.

( all laughing )

( noirish jazz theme playing )