02x17 - The Case of the Romantic Rogue

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( suspenseful theme playing )

( noirish jazz theme playing )

( sedate theme playing )

WOMAN:
Oh, darling. It's lovely.

It belonged to
my mother.

Oh, Stacey.

Oh, I'm so happy
I could--

Oh, I've-- I've never known
anyone like you before.

Maybe you were
better off, Helen.

One of these days,
you'll hear stories.

Well, I won't listen.

That might be
a mistake.

I've done a lot of things
I'm not proud of.

WOMAN :
That's good psychology.

I always said you were
a smart boy, Stacey.

You remind me of
my husband.

He had a way
with the ladies too.

Oh, Aunt Florence, please.

I'm sorry you don't approve
of me, Mrs. Harvey.

Whatever gave you
that idea?

Just because I compared you
with my husband?

Oh, Uncle Frank was
a wonderful man.

I don't think you're
exactly an authority

on the subject, Helen.

You were only a child
when he took off

with that trollop.

This just came for you.

I think I'll be
running along.

Goodbye,
Mrs. Harvey.

( flatly ):
Bye.

( dramatic theme playing )

Oh, why do you talk to
him like that?

I don't like your
Mr. Chandler.
( door closes )

Or hadn't you noticed?

I'm going to
marry him.

( chuckles snidely )

Bad news?

Uh, no.

( dramatic theme playing )

Surprise.

Someone would think
you're not glad to see me.

How did you
get in here, Margo?

I told the desk clerk
I was your sister. Ha.

Why haven't I
heard from you?

There was nothing to report.

Don't give me that.

This is Margo Lawrence
you're talking to, remember?

I've seen you operate.

You don't know Helen.

Oh, now I get it.

You've actually fallen
for the girl.

( scoffs )
If that's not one for the book.

Let me tell
you something, buster.

You double-cross me, and I'll be
in the DA's office so fast,

it'll make
your head spin.

( knock on door )

Hi.

Are you Stacey Chandler?

Well, may I?
I'm busy.

Oh, that's too bad.

I wanted to talk to you

before I spoke to
Helen Harvey.

Maybe you'd
better come in.

Well, thank you.

( closes,
locks door )

It's not bad.

I'm glad you like it.
I was worried.

( laughs )

You know, I think you and I

are gonna get along
just real fine, Mr. Chandler.

Or would you rather
I called you Stacey?

What do they
call you?

Irene.

Irene Wallace.

STACEY:
What's on your mind?

Did you ever hear of
a man named Frank Harvey?

What do you know about him,
except for the fact

that he's your girlfriend's
uncle, and he skipped off

with his secretary
about eight years ago?

You're doing
the talking.

Well, I have an idea
that sooner or later,

someone is going to go
into court...

and ask that Mr. Harvey
be declared legally dead...

so that his will
can be probated.

What's that supposed
to mean to me?

A half-a-million bucks.

I hear tell that's what
he left your girlfriend.

And I understand
she's crazy about you.

But there's only one fly
in the ointment.

Frank Harvey
is alive.

You're crazy.

Uh, no. No, he lost his memory

in an automobile accident,

but he is alive.

And that's the main thing.

In fact, he's right here
in Los Angeles.

How do you know he won't
get his memory back?

Oh, well, there's
always that chance.

Especially if he should run
into a good psychiatrist.

But, uh...

for $ , ,

I can practically guarantee
that won't happen.

Otherwise...?

( blows )

Otherwise, I take
Mr. Harvey by the hand

and return him to
the bosom of his family.

Then you go
right ahead.

It's all right
with me.

Well, just in case
you think I'm bluffing...

maybe this lighter
will change your mind.

Now, you think
it over, sugar.

I'm staying at the Esquire Motel
in the Valley, and, uh...

I'll expect you
about...

tonight?

( door closes )

( door opens )

That dirty little liar.

She'll cut herself into
this deal over my dead body.

Frank Harvey's dead.

Then where did
she get this?

MARGO:
Doesn't mean a thing.

Anyone can get
a cigarette lighter

and have it engraved.

John Bass was
Frank Harvey's best friend.

He d*ed
years ago.

Very few people
know that.

You do.

Not everyone has my contacts.

I got it from Helen.

( dramatic theme playing )

Please tell Mr. Chandler
I'm not in.

STACEY:
Why don't you tell him
yourself?

No, that's
all right, Doris.

I'm sorry to force myself
on you like this,

but I had
no choice.

Something has
come up.

Yes. It has.

I suppose it was
all a mistake.

No.

Well, you should be
very proud of yourself.

But then I wasn't much
of a test of your ability.

I was too easy.

I told you you were
gonna hear stories.

You know,
Aunt Florence was right.

It was good psychology
to prepare me.

I wasn't ready for
anything like this.

Oh, Stacey, you ought to
go on the stage.

When you told me you cared,
I really believed it.

It was very
convincing.

Well, you've got to
believe me, Helen.

It may have started out
like the others--

But I was
different.

Yes. I never intended to
fall in love with you.

Oh, that's very funny.

Do you know where
this came from?

I sent it.

That's right.

I didn't plan to
see you again.

I thought you were entitled
to know the reason.

But I never
got up nerve

to tell you
face to face.

You weren't going
to see me again?

No.

Well, then, what
are you doing here?

You once told me
your Uncle Frank

was the only one
you really cared for.

Well, what has that
got to do with--

( dramatic theme playing )

( knock on door )

( knock )

You're a little
early.

Miss Wallace?

Yes, that's right.

I'm Helen Harvey.

Just a minute, sugar.

Where's my uncle?

Do you mind if we
run through this again?

Where did you
get this?

Well...

This is
very pretty.

Where did you get it?

Well, you just
gave it to me.

Miss Wallace,
may I tell you a story?

When I was ,
my parents d*ed

within a month
of each other.

Frank Harvey was my uncle.
He took me in.

He made me feel as though
I were his own child.

Well, you've got
enough material there

to start a soap opera.

Where do you think
you're going?

Who's in there?

That's none of
your business.

( knob clatters to floor )

Oh, now, you get out of here
before I lose my temper!

Go on!
Where's my uncle?!

He's in the madhouse
if he's anything like you.

Now, get out of here
before I call the cops.

Go on!

( door slams )

Let me in!

Let me in!

MAN:
Hey! Cut that out!

What do you think
you're doing?

She's got my uncle
hidden in there.

Your what?
I tell you,
My uncle is in there.

Oh, I'm sorry,
Miss Wallace.

But this young lady says--
Yes, I know.

Look, honey, why don't you
run along with him?

He's a very
nice man.

And maybe your uncle
is hiding in his office.

Yeah, you'd better
come along

with me,
young lady.

Let me go.
I'll let you go this time,

but you make
any more trouble,

I'll call
the cops.

( engine starts )

( car drives off )

Thank you for your help.

You, uh, ain't afraid

she might
come back, are you?

Well, if she does,

I know I can
count on you.

Good night.

( sighs )

( blows )

It's okay now.

I didn't figure on that.

Stacey must have
told her.

He's a lot smarter
than I thought.

Still, he may have
overplayed his hand.

( mysterious theme playing )

( hopeful theme playing )

HELEN:
I received that from him
about six months

after my uncle disappeared.

After?

It was mailed from
St. Petersburg, Florida.

Oh, Mr. Mason,
what am I going to do?

I know I made
a mistake

in going to see
Miss Wallace alone.

That was
your second mistake.

Your first was not
calling the police.

Did you tell your aunt

that you went to see
Miss Wallace last night?

No, she would have
stopped me.

She doesn't care
if Uncle Frank

is dead or alive.

She's never forgiven him

for running away
with Vivian West.

This Miss West was
your uncle's secretary?

Only, it's Mrs. West.

I take it then there's
a Mr. West somewhere?

Yes, his name
is Harry C. West.

He lives right here
in Los Angeles,

out in the Valley.

Mm-hm.

Your uncle
told you he was

remembering you
in his will?

He said Aunt Florence and I

would share everything
between us.

Would you happen to know who
is the executor of the will?

I think it's my aunt.

I know she's taking care
of everything now.

But she never had
the will probated?

All right, then. We'll file
a petition asking the court

to determine that your uncle
is legally dead.

That will also pave the way

for having the will
admitted to probate.

Well, what good will that do?

Well, that should force
Miss Wallace's hand.

She told Chandler
she'd produce your uncle

if he didn't pay off.

Let's call her bluff.

Well--

Well what?

You do want to
find your uncle?

Of course.

I'll call you the moment
I have something.

Well, I-- I would
appreciate that.

Goodbye,
Miss Street.

Goodbye.

( door opens )

( door closes )

Get hold of Paul.

Tell him I'll meet him
downstairs in five minutes.

( dramatic theme playing )

( sedate theme playing )

( dramatic theme playing )

( buzzer rings )

Mr. West?

That's right.

My name is Mason.
This is Paul Drake.

If you would like to see
my identification.

Well, what's the trouble?
No trouble.

We'd just like to
talk to you.

All right.
Come on in.

( door closes )

Make yourselves
comfortable.

Guess I'm asking
the impossible.

We think we, uh,

may have a lead
on your wife.

Aren't you
interested?

No.

First of all, she isn't
my wife anymore.

Got a divorce
four years ago

on grounds of
desertion.

Nevertheless, we'd still
like to find her.

When was the last time
you heard from Mrs. West?

Don't you read
your own files?

I answered all
those questions years ago.

"When was the last time
you saw your wife?

"How was she dressed?

Did she take
any luggage with her?

Did she leave
a note?"

Did she?

No.

What was she gonna write?

"Dear Harry, I found myself
a better meal ticket."

She just picked up
and took off

with that...

Mr. Harvey.

I know what
you're thinking.

Well, this place didn't
always look like this.

You see those drapes?
They're custom-made.

I ate hot dogs and beans
for lunch for a year

so she could
have 'em.

Anything she wanted,
I got her.

I even bought a couple
of acres out in Encino

to build her a house
out there.

One of those big,
ranch-type deals.

( buzzer rings )

Excuse me.

Uh-oh.

Mr. West?
That's right.

My name is Tragg.
Lieutenant Tragg.

This is
Sergeant Brice.

What is this,
a convention?

I got another
two inside.

TRAGG:
Oh, really?

I'd like to
meet them.

Well...

Hello, lieutenant.

You know the,
uh, penalty

for impersonating
an officer?

Why, we didn't claim
we were officers.

Drake just showed him
his identification.

And if Mr. West jumped to
an erroneous conclusion...

that wasn't
your fault.

You mean they're
not policemen?

No.
You've got your nerve.

What do you
want here?

That's what I'd
like to find out.

Only I'm sure I wouldn't
get a straight answer.

Let me have that,
sergeant.

Where did you
get that?

Well, according to
Klein Jewelers,

you bought it...

years ago.

Sure.

I bought it
for my...

wife on our
first anniversary.

That's her picture.

Mine used to be
on the other side.

We found it in bungalow
at the Esquire Motel.

A girl named, uh,
Irene Wallace...

was strangled
to death with it.

Um...

Did you ever, uh,
see this before?

No.

MASON:
May I?

According to the man
who runs the motel,

Miss Wallace had a run-in
with some girl last night.

She was about,
uh,

' ", brunette...

weighed about
pounds.

You, uh...

know anybody who meets
that description?

I know about .

Hm.

We're only
looking for one.

We think this
belongs to her.

( tense theme playing )

We've got a hunch
she's the k*ller.

( mysterious theme playing )

PAUL:
And Irene Wallace worked

for the Brownell Agency
in Dallas.

All right, Just
a minute, Paul.

I just spoke to
Mrs. Harvey.

She still hasn't
heard from Helen.

Did you check
Chandler's hotel room again?

Mm-hm.
No answer.

All right, Paul.

That's about all there is
on Irene Wallace.

Except that Faulkner worked
with her once on a divorce case.

Said he wouldn't
trust her

as far as he could
throw a horse.

Uh, where did she get Frank
Harvey's cigarette lighter?

And that locket?

Once we find that out,

that's half the battle.
( phone rings )

Yes, Gertie?

Put her on.

Our wandering
girl.

Hello, Miss Harvey?

Where are you?

Las Vegas.

Stacey and I got married
minutes ago.

That's right.

Haven't you heard
about Irene Wallace?

No.

Oh, that's impossible.

She was perfectly all right
last night.

Now, listen to me, Helen.
And listen carefully.

I want you and Mr. Chandler

to take the first plane
back to Los Angeles.

As soon as you arrive,

you're to go to the Coastal
Airlines reservation counter.

A man named Paul Drake
will be waiting for you.

You're to do exactly
as he tells you.

Understand?

MAN: Okay, let's go.
MAN : All right. Let her roll.

( inaudible speech )

( men chatter )

MAN :
Number five's the b*llet.

All right. Number four.

All right, number five's
the point.

Get your bets
down.

Number three.

What's wrong?

Irene Wallace was
m*rder*d last night.

( dramatic theme playing )

Yep. I'd know
that girl anywhere.

Like I told Mr. Burger...

the minute I saw her
b*ating on that door,

I should have
called the cops.

What sort of a woman
was this Irene Wallace?

Oh-ho. Nice
as they come.

She was here
for two weeks,

and never gave me
a bit of trouble.

( door opens )

Oh. Yes, sir,
come right in.

Uh-- Have you anything
with a kitchen?

Uh, you bet.

Now, let me see.

Oh, uh, good evening.

Oh, excuse me,
Mr. Daniels.

Would you happen to
have a match?

Oh, sure.

Keep the book.
Thank you.

Any idea how long
you folks will be staying?

I don't know yet. I--
It all depends.

Well, I'm sure that
you and the Mrs.

will like it here.

Uh, if you'll
follow me--

Well, I'll find it.

I'm the explorer
type.

Good night.

Uh, it's the third bungalow
down on this side.

Anything else
I can tell you?

No, I don't think so.

Uh, thanks a lot,
Mr. Daniels.

You've been more help
than you know.

( dramatic theme playing )

If I've seen
this cameo once,

I've seen it
nine million times. Hm.

Stacey always said
it belonged to his mother.

Personally, I think he found it
in some hock shop.

Yes, but what
was the name

of the woman he gave
it to, Miss Lawrence.

Aren't we forgetting
something, Mr. Burger?

I came here
of my own free will.

Your worried
about immunity, huh?

That's exactly what
I'm worried about.

All right. I'll promise
to give you

the very best break I can.

Ha. And I don't mean one
like this.

What's the woman's
name?

Her name is...
( sighs )

...Helen Harvey.

She meets the description
in there to a tee.

Thank you,
Miss Lawrence.

We'll be in touch
with you.

Nice meeting you,
lieutenant.

( door closes )

Well, what do
you think?

Hm.

Classic case of
the woman scorned.

Yeah, but you can't
get away from the facts.

If Helen Harvey is the girl
that had the fight

with Irene Wallace
the night of the m*rder,

we've gone a long way
toward establishing motive.

Leon...

will you step in here
a minute, please?

( phone rings )

Uh-- Hold on, Paul.

Margo Lawrence went
into Burger this morning

and sang like a bird.

And they've
issued a warrant

for Helen Harvey.

Paul? Perry.

I want you to call Helen
at the motel immediately.

Tell her she's to check out
and surrender to the police.

She's not to answer
any questions until I get there.

And one more thing.
I want everyone connected

with this case
under surveillance.

Right.

( hangs up phone )

( dramatic theme playing )

Little idiot!

Why did she go
to the police?

That was my suggestion,
Mrs. Harvey.

It was ridiculous.

Irene Wallace had
a cigarette lighter

that belonged
to your husband.

Where did
she get it?

Why ask me?

I think you
supplied it.

Get out.

You don't like
Stacey Chandler.

No, I don't.

What better way
to discredit him

than to send Irene Wallace
to see him?

If he accepted
her proposition,

that would have
proved you were right.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

Irene Wallace's m*rder
is tied up

with your husband's
disappearance.

Now, what can you
tell me about it?

All right, Mrs. Harvey.

From now on,
it's up to you.

( door opens )

( door closes )

( dramatic theme playing )

Information.
I want the telephone number

of Harry C. West.

He's a carpenter
somewhere in the Valley.

Yes.

( indistinct speech )

Thank you.

( phone ringing )

Hello.

Yes, this is Harry West.

Uh, Mr. West...

You come very highly
recommended.

Would you be interested

in doing some
carpentry for me?

Sure. When do you
want to see me?

Well, my husband's
only home evenings.

Could you drop by tonight,
say, at ?

Okay. What's the address?

( speaking indistinctly )

" Essex Place,

Gardena."

And the name?

Mrs. Walter Harris.

Now, don't disappoint me.

Well, we'll expect you
at : .

It was in this
flour canister.

How do you
explain this, Mr. West?

S-- Someone's trying
to frame me.

I told you about
that telephone call

I got last night.

Oh, when I got to
Gardena,

there was nothing there
but a vacant lot.

Honest.
That's the truth.

Is there anyone who can
substantiate that story?

No.
You'd better
come along with us.

We've got to
straighten this out.

All right.

Then I tailed West
clear to Gardena.

He got there about
minutes of .

He parked in front of
a vacant lot.

And he kept looking at
a piece of paper he had.

Obviously an address
of some sort.

Go on, Faulkner.

Well, that's about it,
Mr. Mason.

After he drove back
to his house,

the police were
already there.

They took him to
the DA's office.

Now, do you want
Walsh's report?

He's the man
I had covering,

uh, Florence
Harvey.

Just the highlights.

Well...

she left her house
at : .

Drove directly
out to West's place.

She must have been pretty sure
there was no one there.

She walked
right in.

Wasn't the door
locked?

Apparently,
Mr. West feels

he's got nothing
worth stealing.

Well...
( sighs )

...it's pretty obvious
what happened.

She decoyed West
out of the house,

and went in and planted
that watch and chain.

Do you think
that Mrs. Harvey

was trying to
help your client?

That's the kind of help
that will put Helen

right in
the gas chamber.

All right, Faulkner...

better tell Tragg
the story.

He'll be delighted.

( dramatic theme playing )

Death occurred
sometime

between pm
and : .

The deceased had been
struck a blow

at the base of
the skull,

and then garroted
or throttled to death

with a chain.

Is this the chain,
doctor?

Yes, sir,
it is.

Lieutenant Tragg.

Thank you.

May I,
your Honor?

Uh, certainly.

Uh, doctor.

Using this
plastic figure,

I wish you'd demonstrate
to the court

how the garroting
was done.

The chain was on
the victim's neck

in the...
usual fashion.

The k*ller seized
the chain like this.

Then with a twist
of the hand,

the slack was
taken up.

And with continued
pressure...

the victim d*ed in
a comparatively short time.

Would any unusual
strength be required?

Not at all.

Particularly if
the victim was stunned.

I mentioned she had been
struck on the head.

Now, doctor...

I show you this doorknob.

And I ask you if this could
have been the w*apon used

to inflict
such a blow?

Yes, sir.

It, uh, could.

Thank you, doctor.

Your witness.

No questions.

Uh, you may
step down.

I call Lieutenant Arthur Tragg.

( door opens )

CLERK:
Raise you right hand.

Do you solemnly swear
to tell the truth,

the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth?

TRAGG: I do.
CLERK: State your name.

TRAGG:
Arthur Tragg.

CLERK:
Be seated, please.

Lieutenant, I show you
this doorknob.

I ask you if you've
ever seen it before.

Yes, sir, I have.

Whereabouts?

I found this at the scene
of the crime.

Did you have it
subjected to analysis?

Yes, we did.

And what were
your findings?

The examination disclosed
particles of skin and hair

adhering to this.

It matched those
of the deceased.

Did you have the doorknob
examined for fingerprints?

Yes, sir.

Over here, we found a right
index and middle finger...

belonging to the defendant,
Helen Harvey.

And did you find
other fingerprints

of the defendant
elsewhere in the bungalow?

Yes, sir. On the table
near the couch.

And on a portable
radio.

And on the wall
near the light switch.

I see.

Now, lieutenant,
I show you this cameo.

And I ask if you've
ever seen it before.

Yes, sir. We discovered
this under the sofa

in bungalow
of the Esquire Motel.

About how far from
the body of Irene Wallace?

Oh, between, uh...

five, six feet.

I see. Thank you,
lieutenant.

That'll be all.

Cross-examine,
counselor.

( man coughs )

Lieutenant, you testified
that you found

the defendant's
fingerprints on here.

That's correct.

I believe you said
you also found them

on the table
and on the wall

near
the light switch?

And the radio.

I stand corrected.

Were those
the only places?

Yes, sir.

I notice
a curious omission.

What about
the doorknob?

No, no. This one
led to the bedroom.

I mean, the...

one on
the front door.

Did you find the defendant's
fingerprints there?

No. It had been
wiped clean.

Then you would
have us believe

that the defendant left
her fingerprints on here,

three or four other
places in that room,

but stopped to wipe them
off the front doorknob?

Thank you, lieutenant.
That's all.

When was
the last time

you saw that necklace,
Mr. West?

About eight years
ago.

Just before your wife
ran off with Frank Harvey?

I object,
your Honor.

Question
assumes facts

not already
in evidence.

Objection sustained.

( sighs )
Let me put it to you this way.

When was the last time
you saw your wife?

Well, it was on the morning
of January th,

eight years ago,
when she went

to work for Frank Harvey.

She was his secretary.

And when Mrs. West
failed to return home,

what did you do?

Well, first
I called Mrs. Harvey.

And when I learned
that her husband

hadn't come home either,

I called the police.

I see. Thank you,
Mr. West.

Cross-examine.

Mr. West...

you testified that
you're a carpenter.

You self-employed?

That's right.

Now, would you say
your business

is a successful one?

Well, not exactly.

I just had to borrow
bucks

from the bank.

And I would assume

that you are trying hard

to...pay that back.

Well, naturally.

So that if you
received an offer

of a job
late at night--

oh, let us say,
all the way in Gardena

--you wouldn't
turn it down?

HARRY:
Well, of course not.

I'd drop
everything

and go right
out there.

Isn't that exactly
what happened

on the evening
of February th?

Yes, sir. But the police
wouldn't believe it

until someone that was
following me c-- Corro-- Cor--

Corroborated?

Yeah. Corroborated my story.

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

DANIELS:
When I walked in, I found her...

right there.

And then I called the police.

Now, Mr. Daniels...

on the previous
night,

you observed
an altercation

between the deceased
and another woman,

is that correct?
Yes, sir.

Is that other woman
in court today?

Well, there she is.

BURGER:
Let the record show

that the witness pointed
to the defendant,

Helen Harvey.

And now, Mr. Daniels,

would you describe
for us please

the defendant's
behavior

at the time of
the altercation?

Oh, well, she was pounding
on Miss Wallace's door

and screaming,
"Let me in! Let me in!"

I told her
to cut it out.

What was her response
to that?

Well, she pointed to
Miss Wallace and said,

"She's got my uncle
hidden in there."

Huh. I thought
she was crazy.

I see.

Yes. Thank you,
Mr. Daniels.

Your witness.

Mr. Daniels, what time
did this alleged quarrel

between Miss Wallace and
the other girl take place?

About : .

Then you're positive

that Miss Harvey
was the other girl?

DANIELS:
Oh, absolutely. I'd
recognize her anyplace.

Now, Mr. Daniels,
I believe you were served

with a subpoena duces tecum?

Uh, you mean that piece of paper

that asked me to bring
those registration cards

for January and February?

That's right.

Thank you.

Do you recognize this?

Yes. It's, uh, one of
the registration cards

from the Esquire
Motel.

Mr. Burger.

If the court please,

I should like
this marked

for identification.

Defense exhibit .

Mr. Burger?

No objection, Your Honor.

Thank you.

Now, Mr. Daniels...

will you please read
the name registered here?

"Mr. and Mrs. Stacey
Chandler."

Was Mrs. Chandler
in the office

when her husband
registered?
Yeah.

Did you recognize her then
as Helen Harvey?

Don't know what you mean.

You testified you'd recognize
Helen Harvey anywhere.

I ask you now
if you recognized her

when she checked
into your motel

as Mrs. Stacey
Chandler.

No.

If it please
the court...

Mr. Mason, may I
see that card

again for a moment,
please?

Your Honor, it's
perfectly obvious

that Mr. Mason has been up
to one of his usual tricks.

He knew we were looking
for the defendant--

If it please
the court...

I should like to
remind Mr. Burger

that no felony warrant
was issued

for the arrest
of Helen Harvey

until almost hours after
she and Mr. Chandler

registered at
the Esquire Motel.

As soon as the warrant
was issued...

I advised her to
surrender to the police.

( sighs )
It would seem to me, Mr. Burger,

that counsel
was within his rights.

Yes, Your Honor,
I'm sure he was.

And I'm aware,
under the circumstances,

that the identification
of this witness

is practically
valueless.

But if Mr. Mason has
concluded his examination--

I have, Your Honor.

JUDGE:
Uh, you may step down.

I call Robert Riley.

( clears
throat )

And I've been
a traveling salesman

for the Watkins Dress Company

for the past five years.

Would you describe
for us, please,

your actions on the evening
of February th?

That's the night
of the m*rder.

Well, I drove down from
San Francisco to Los Angeles.

I wanted to go straight
through to San Diego, but...

I got a little tired.

So I decided to
spend the night here.

And where
did you stay?

At the Esquire Motel.

BURGER:
Do you remember what time
you registered, Mr. Riley?

RILEY:
Oh. It must have been
around : .

You're quite sure
of that? : ?
Yes, sir.

And to what bungalow
were you assigned?

Bungalow .

All right, sir.
And what happened next?

Well, I drove over
to the bungalow.

And as I was taking my sample
cases out of the car,

I saw this gal come out
of the next cabin.

That would be
bungalow . The one

where the m*rder occurred?
Yes, sir.

Did you get a good look
at this girl?

Could you describe her
to us?

Why, I'm sure
I could. I--

She ran right
through my headlights.

I got a good look
at her.

I'll say she was
size .

What do you mean
when you say "size "?

Well, she was
about ' "

and weighed around
pounds.

Did you happen to notice
what she was wearing?

Why, certainly.
That's my business.

She was wearing
a sheath dress.

It was a dark-gray tweed
material with a high neck.

And is that girl
in this room today?

Well, yes, sir. She's
the defendant in this case.

She's even wearing
the same outfit now.

Thank you,
Mr. Riley.

Your witness,
counselor.

( sighs )

( man coughs )

Mr. Riley...

when did you first
see the defendant?

She was on the porch
of bungalow .

She had just come out.

Did you actually
see her come out?

Well. Uh...

no.

Then, for all you know,

she might never have gone in.

She might have
just been standing there

hoping to hear
her uncle's voice?

Your Honor, I object.

That question
is argumentative

and calls for
a conclusion.

Sustained.

And I move to strike out
the part that the defendant

was coming out of the bungalow

as a conclusion
of the witness.

The motion is granted.

And that part of
the witness' testimony

is stricken out.

MASON:
Why did you go back to
Irene Wallace's bungalow?

Well, I discovered
I lost the cameo...

Stacey gave me.

So you went to
look for it?

Was she alive?

I didn't see her.

The coroner said Irene Wallace
d*ed between and : .

If you were there at : ,
you must have seen her.

Now, was she alive
or dead?

( voice breaks ):
Dead.

That's why you came
to my office

that following morning.

Well, I did want to
find my uncle.

But your real purpose
was to use me,

because you were afraid
you'd be involved in a m*rder.

( sobbing ):
Yes.

Now, leave me alone.

Please, leave me alone.

( sobs )

And then Miss Wallace
told Stacey

that Frank Harvey
was still alive,

and that she was
keeping him out of sight.

I see.

Then what happened?

She gave Stacey
the cigarette lighter.

Then she left.

And what did Mr. Chandler do
immediately thereafter?

He called
the defendant

and told her he was
coming over to see her.

He said that
there was something

that he had to
show her.

Thank you, Miss Lawrence.
That'll be all.

Your witness.

Miss Lawrence...

how long have you known
Stacey Chandler?

Too long.

Mm, that doesn't
answer my question.

I met him about
seven years ago.

As a matter of fact,
you and Mr. Chandler

were partners
in a confidence game

to bilk Miss Harvey,
isn't that so?

I told the district attorney
all about that.

Did you also tell 'em

that when Irene Wallace
left Chandler's apartment,

you said, "The only way she'll
cut herself into this deal

is over
my dead body"?

I don't remember saying that.

But you do remember
that Irene Wallace

wanted $ , ?

Yes.

Thank you.

Would you mind
telling us what you did

on the night of the m*rder?

I mind very much.

I'm not on trial here.

Just answer the question,
please.

I spent the evening at home.

Were you alone?

Yes.

If I'd known I was going
to need an alibi,

I would have arranged
to have company.

( all laugh )
( gavel bangs )

Now...I believe
you testified that...

you went to the district
attorney's office...

immediately after seeing
the picture of the cameo

and Miss Harvey's
description

in the newspapers?
Mm-hm. That's right.

Did you go to the district
attorney's office voluntarily?

( scoffs )
I did.

Isn't it true that
such cooperation

with the authorities
is a...

departure for you?

I don't know
what you mean.

Well, did you offer to cooperate
with the authorities...

the last three times
you went to jail?

BURGER: Your Honor!
( gasps )

I'll withdraw the question..
Thank you, Miss Lawrence.

That's all.

I know I shouldn't
have done it.

But I was only trying
to help Helen.

So you actually planted
your husband's watch

in Mr. West's house?

I'm sorry.
It was wrong.

But you shouldn't make
Helen pay for it.

You're very fond of
the defendant,

aren't you,
Mrs. Harvey?

Yes, I am.

When her parents d*ed,
my husband and I adopted her.

And then when
he disappeared...

she continued to
live with me.

I understand.

Now, Mrs. Harvey...

have you ever seen
this cameo before?

( quietly ):
Yes.

My niece was wearing it
on the day of the m*rder.

She told me
Stacey Chandler

had given it
to her.

Thank you, Mrs. Harvey.
That will be all.

Your witness,
counselor.

Uh...may I,
Mr. Burger?

Of course.

Thank you,
Mr. Mason.

Uh, you don't approve
of Stacey Chandler?

No, I don't.

I feel he only
wanted to marry Helen

because of
her money.

You mean you were afraid
Mr. Chandler

would have the defendant
insist on having

your husband's
will probated?

That's not true.

Under the terms
of the will...

how much
would you estimate

the defendant's
share to be?

I don't know exactly.

Would you say
a half-a-million dollars

is a fair estimate?

I guess so.

I believe you testified
that you planted this

in Mr. West's home
out of a desire

to help your niece?

Yes.

Where did you get it?

FLORENCE:
My husband left it behind
when he disappeared.

There were a lot of things
he didn't take with him.

( snaps closed )

Was there
anything else

besides the lighter
and the watch?

There were some studs
and a gold money clip.

Then you, uh...

gave this lighter
to Irene Wallace?

No.

But you admitted you had
the lighter originally.

How did
Miss Harvey get it?

You did hire Irene Wallace,
didn't you?

FLORENCE:
Yes.

MASON:
Did you give Irene Wallace
Mrs. West's locket?

Yes.

We hoped that would
convince Mr. Chandler

that my husband
and Mrs. West

were still somewhere
in the neighborhood.

Where did you
get the locket?

I found it in one of
my husband's coats

after
he disappeared.

It was in a jeweler's
envelope.

( unclear dialogue )

Oh.

Was there anything else
in the envelope?

Just the bill for
having it repaired.

You saw Miss Wallace on
the night she was m*rder*d?

Yes.

What time did you
leave her bungalow?

About : .

I didn't want to run into
Mr. Stacey Chandler.

And Miss Wallace felt that
he would still show up at .

When you left
the bungalow,

Miss Wallace was
still alive?

Absolutely.

Then why did you wipe
your fingerprints

off the front doorknob?
I didn't!

E-excuse me, counselor.

Uh, do you anticipate
your examination

will continue much longer?

Why, yes, I do,
Your Honor.

Well, an important pre-trial
conference had been scheduled

for this time in chambers.

Therefore, it will be
necessary to adjourn

until tomorrow morning
at : .

( people murmuring )

If anyone should ask,

I don't trust
Florence Harvey.

I don't think she was trying
to help Helen at all.

Do you believe
that story

about her finding
Mrs. West's locket

in one of Mr. Harvey's
old coats?

I don't know what to
believe anymore, Della.

Somewhere, we missed
a turn.

Oh, I wish we could
find Frank Harvey.

He certainly must have heard
about the trial.

It's been in
all the papers.

No matter
where he is.

I don't see why
he doesn't come forward.

Maybe
he can't read.

I don't know why everyone is
so concerned over Frank Harvey.

What about
Vivian West?

What about her?

She's the forgotten
woman in this case.

You know, I think
I have an angle.

Get me the telephone number
to the Valley Land Company.

Hm?

( intense theme playing )

According to the title
search, this is it.

All right. Let's
get them started.

All right, fellas,
get the tools out.

( digging )

What's the trouble, Paul?

It's getting late.

Well, let's keep
the work going.

All right.

HARRY:
What do you think
you're doing?

I asked you
something.

What do you think
you're doing?

Why, we're looking
for uranium, Mr. West.

Are you crazy?

You bought this land
nine years ago

from the Valley Land Company.

But they reserved
oil and mineral rights.

I took an option on them.

So they told me.

I asked them to.

All right, Paul,
let's try over there.

That looks like
a good spot.

Boys...over behind
that bush.

Hold it.

Get off my property.

What's the matter,
Mr. West?

Afraid we'll find
more than uranium?

All right. I warned you.

( g*nsh*t )

you can go back
to work now.

Okay, Paul.

Would you like
a cigarette?

We might be here a long time.

( indistinct speech
over radio )

Apparently,
we're late.

Apparently.

Radio headquarters.

Have them send out
a crew and some tools.

Don't bother.

Why did you k*ll
Irene Wallace?

Well...

she phoned me
that night

and...said she had
some information

for sale
about my wife.

I got there
about : .

Minute
I walked in,

she said she knew
where my...

wife and Frank Harvey
were.

I told her
she was lying.

Then she showed me...

Harvey's lighter.

I don't have to
tell you

that gave me
quite a turn.

Then she opened that robe
she was wearing, and...

And I saw
Vivian's locket.

And you thought she'd
actually found your wife?

What else was I to think?

She had the locket,
didn't she?

The last time I saw Vivian,
she was wearing it.

That's the trouble
with a guilty conscience.

Never get used to
living with it.

That's when I picked up
the doorknob.

Actually, all she wanted was
to milk me for a few bucks.

You mean, she knew
nothing at all

about where your wife
and Frank Harvey were?

Mr. West...

where are they?

O-o-over by
those trees.

( sobbing )

That's where we were
gonna build our house.

Don't you remember,
I told you about it?

I remember.
( inhales )

( intense theme playing )

Lieutenant.

Talk about irony.

There was a nice hunk
of it in this case.

This is the first one
I recall

where someone
tried to...

frame the man
who was guilty.

Personally, I don't see why
you latched onto Mr. West

in the first place.

Well...

there was a couple
of things, Della.

Mm-hm.

Remember when
you wondered

why Frank Harvey
didn't come forward?

Mm-hm.

And you wondered
why everyone

overlooked
Mrs. West.

You said that she was
the forgotten woman in the case.

Well, she was.

I maintained all along
that Irene Wallace's m*rder

was tied up with
Frank Harvey's disappearance.

What I forget was that
the same held true

for Vivian West.

Suppose she hadn't left
voluntarily eight years ago.

Suppose she had
been m*rder*d.

Oh. And Mr. West was
the obvious suspect.

Poor Mr. West.

Why poor Mr. West?

Because he said
he owed money all over.

He also owned
two acres in Encino.

You know what they're worth.

Well, he didn't
dare sell that.

Mm, hardly.

Well...I still say
you were lucky

that that option bit
paid off.

How can you
say that, Paul?

That was
skill.

Now, if Perry
had been lucky...

he would have
found uranium.

( noirish jazz theme playing )