05x08 - Prediction: m*rder

[bunniefuu]

I see into the darkness we call the future.

[Woman]

Tonight on m*rder, She Wrote.

- You're alone.

So am I.

- Lee, I'm sorry.

I have to see him.

I am scared to death.

- Honey, he left.

- Then find him! At least Kit was here.

I'm sure she was a comfort to you.

- I'm tired of everybody laughing at me.

- Boy, how long you gonna put up - with this nonsense? - What was that all about? I felt the flames.

There was death in the fire.

[Jessica]

Oh, my goodness, Lee.

This scenery is absolutely breathtaking.

Uh, but it does seem to be going by rather rapidly.

[Lee]

That's m*ssacre Valley right over there.

If you want, we'll drop down and take a little closer look at her.

Oh, no, no.

No, no, u-up here is-is just fine.

Uh, well, you haven't talked much about your son.

How is- How is Del? Uh, about the same as ever- which means he's still trying to grow up.

I thought when he and Jill came back to the ranch that she'd settle him down, teach him to take on responsibility.

I didn't know he'd married Madam Moonbeam.

What? Ah, she's into astral planes, auras.

Oh.

I don't know.

She may even be from another planet and just hasn't told us yet.

[Chuckles]

Is that your tongue I notice firmly implanted in your cheek? You'll see.

Good afternoon, Mr.

Goddard.

Welcome home.

[Chuckles]

Thank you, thank you.

Say hello toJessica Fletcher here.

This poor, homely little thing is Greta Olsen.

Hello, Greta.

I don't want you two getting too attached now.

Greta's kind of starved for company out here in the country all by herself.

May be the real reason why she's going back to Sweden tomorrow.

I have to renew my visa so I can keep my work permit.

And maybe a chance to visit with your family? Oh, no.

All that is left is my cousin Ole, and he lives in Sundsvall.

I wouldn't go to Sundsvall to see Kriss Kringle, and that's the truth.

[Laughs]

I will take these to your room.

Ooh.

Let me take that one.

It weighs a ton.

No, no, no.

It's my job.

[Laughs]

[Woman]

Oh, what a beautiful aura.

Your spirit must be at peace with the universe.

Well, uh, I don't know about the universe, but, uh, Cabot Cove has been very quiet lately.

Well, Jess, as you might have guessed, this is my daughter-in-law.

Jill, say hello to- Jessica.

Of course.

And you are just as Lee described you- strong but delicate, intelligent but also emotional.

Oh, yes, yes, yes! I can see why he is so deeply taken by you.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Did I say something I shouldn't have? It just slipped out there, did it? [Clock Chiming]

Oh, dear.

I should be meditating by now.

If I don't get in touch with my ectoplasmic spirit, I shall be out of sorts the rest of the day.

E-Excuse me.

Well, maybe we'd better have a drink.

Uh, it's a little early for me.

Yeah, well, speak for yourself.

[Chuckles]

Yeah, this old house has been here a long time.

Oh, Lee.

Oh, this is so nice.

Hello? [Door Closes]

Dad, you home? Is she here? Jessica.

Oh, my.

Is this Del? [Laughing]

Oh, where have you been all these years? Oh- I've really missed you, lady.

And I've missed you too.

I can't believe this.

You know, the last time I saw you, you hadn't started shaving.

- Now you're married, all grown up.

- Well, tell the old man.

I don't think he's noticed.

Well, now that you're so grown up, did you get that fence fixed that I asked you to? - I already took care of it, Dad.

Okay? - Yeah.

- Hope Dad told you about the party tonight.

- Uh, the party? ##[Spanish]

[Lee]

Jill's idea.

Well, I hope you know what your birth sign is.

[Jessica]

Of course.

Why? [Lee]

That's all this bunch ever thinks about.

I'm a passionate Virgo, Mrs.

Fletcher, and my husband, of course, is a Capricorn- as if you couldn't guess.

She always manages to make it sound as if I'm a werewolf in a full moon.

Ben's been out of sorts because he just lost a couple of major clients.

And he keeps telling me money's getting tight.

Actually, I think it's Ben.

Actually, I think it's time for a refill.

- What about you, Jessica? - Oh, no, thanks.

I've still got some sherry.

How about you, darling? A touch more vitriol? Just go away so we can talk.

She was such a sweet thing when I married her.

[Laughs]

That's the only way you can deal with a Capricorn.

You cannot let him get the upper hand.

Katherine! There you are.

Jessica, do you mind if I borrow this charmer for a moment? Oh, no, no, no.

Not at all.

Thanks.

Excuse us.

Kit, you've got to try Greta's crab salad.

I swear it's your recipe.

Jessica, I am so sorry.

I meant to show you around this afternoon, but after I counted down to my alpha level of consciousness, I simply forgot about the time.

Please forgive me.

No apologies necessary.

I took a little nap myself.

I think I had a touch of the jet lag.

Del, you're not trying to sellJessica on your mumbo jumbo, are you? Lee, how about a truce- at least while the party's on? Okay? On my honor.

I'll make my best effort.

How about a fresh drink, Jess? Oh, no.

This is fine.

Thank you.

[Jill]

Jessica, I had the most unique experience with my exoplasmic spirit today.

I saw-[Continues, Indistinct]

[Man]

Have you seen that neighboring spread? Roy.

Good evening, sir.

I hate busting in on you like this tonight.

You got a problem? Yes, sir.

Something you ought to be taking up with Del.

I tried that, Mr.

Goddard.

It's kind of hard getting his attention.

That broken fence by the dry creek bed-We just lost I thought it had been fixed.

No, sir.

Me and the boys would've fixed it, but Del said he wanted to do it hisself.

Thing is, you want me to go up and get them cattle tonight, or in the mornin'? - Ah, they'll wait.

- No tellin' where they'll be come daybreak.

- I said they'd wait.

- Yes, sir.

Good night.

##[Continues]

Lee, when are you gonna drop by the office and talk about a new will? What's the matter with my old one? Well, you got a new member of the family over there, and I'm sure there'll be some little ones comin' along pretty soon.

[Helicopter Approaching]

[Guests Murmuring]

Excuse me, folks.

[Guests Murmuring]

Excuse me.

[Del]

Okay.

Okay, everybody, inside.

Right this way.

Bar's open inside.

Thanks, fellas.

Do you mind, folks? Just inside.

Del, what is it? A surprise, darlin'- just for you.

- For me? - I promised you a special treat, didn't I? But- Ask me no questions.

- Del.

- You're gonna love it- after supper.

[Guests Whispering]

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

My name is Franchesco, and I ask for your undivided attention.

Those of you with an uncontrollable urge to giggle during moments of intense concentration, I ask that you do so now and get it over with.

[Guests Laughing]

Thank you.

And those of you with minds- and you know who you are- I ask you to empty them of all frivolous thought and concentrate on me.

Let a question enter your mind.

No, madame.

I am not a fake, and I am not a mind reader.

Any other questions? [Laughing]

I am, however, a psychic.

It's a phenomenon that's impossible to explain.

I can't explain it.

My Gypsy grandmother used to call it a gift, and when used under the right circumstances, it can be.

I want to thank my host, Mr.

Del Goddard, for asking me here this evening, and his lovely wifeJill, who saw one of my performances in San Francisco and was enchanted, as indeed was I, when I received her husband's invitation.

No, madame, he used the telephone.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to hear me.

[Applause]

Please.

It'll only go to my head.

But I could not refuse his invitation to come here this evening to this beautiful ranch to meet all of you and especially his guest of honor.

[Guests Murmuring]

[Franchesco]

Do the initials J.

B mean anything to you, Mrs.

Fletcher? Jessica Beatrice.

Is that correct? Yes.

Uh, but-but it's not a secret.

And is the locket that you wear next to your heart with a picture of Frank in it- Is that a secret? [Guests Whispering]

Not anymore.

[Laughing]

I see another piece of jewelry.

[Guests Whispering]

You must have loved your mother very much.

She gave this to you when you were Seventeen and a half.

[Chuckles]

It's close enough.

[Guests Laughing]

When you lose it nextJanuary, look for it under the driver's seat of your Porsche.

I drive a Toyota.

Now you drive a Toyota.

What happens to you at Christmas is between you and Santa.

[Guests Laughing]

Whoa.

I sense the presence of a true believer.

Jill.

Close your eyes.

I feel it all- The hurts of the past you'd rather forget.

Yes.

But the past is over.

You're here in the present, filled with happiness and the love of your husband.

Touch her, Del.

Feel the warmth.

See the light.

Ahead, I see into the darkness we call the future.

I'm afraid.

Strange, remote, yet so near.

One moment, joy.

A sudden tightening of the throat, a constriction- Uh, l-I don't want to know.

[Franchesco]

It's all right.

It's all right.

It's a problem of no consequence easily solved by a friend.

You're at peace again.

You see? The future can be beautiful.

I see trees and flowers, a carousel.

- Watch out.

You'll fall.

- Help me! It's all right.

You're not hurt, only frightened.

[Guests Murmuring]

Your friends are with you.

You're at peace again.

But there is something- something you can't control, a- a struggle.

A feeling of being overpowered.

No! [Guests Gasping, Murmuring]

[Murmuring Continues]

[Panting]

Hey.

What was that all about? [Panting]

I can't- Listen, pal- I felt the flames.

The all-consuming fire.

There was death in the fire.

[Horse Whinnies]

[Jill]

Jessica, he's more than a performer.

Believe me.

And I do not doubt his visions.

Why, when we first met him in San Francisco, you know what he said? "You will meet a wise woman from the East who will influence your life.

" Jessica, he was talking about you! [Laughs]

Oh, no.

That was coincidental.

No, Jill.

I'm sorry.

L-I've never heard of a professional mind reader forecasting pain and tragedy.

I mean, it certainly isn't entertaining.

Now, why did he do it? - I've got to talk to him.

- Well, he's left.

I'm afraid that Del was not very polite to him.

You know what I just realized? I am famished.

Well, I'm afraid you let your toast get cold.

But I think the tea is still hot.

Here you go.

You know, I can still see the look on Lee's face when Franchesco was ranting about the fire.

[Laughs]

I thought he was gonna have apoplexy.

[Chokes]

Jill? Uh- Oh, you're choking.

Del! Lee! Oh, no.

Oh! [Gagging]

[Gasping]

That's it.

Take a big breath.

[Coughing]

You're all right now.

You're all right.

It's all right.

Jill? What's wrong? Well, Jill was laughing, and, uh, she got a piece of toast stuck in her throat.

- Honey? - Oh, I'm all right.

Are you sure? [Sighs]

I couldn't breathe.

He said it would happen.

What? Franchesco.

Don't you remember? One moment of joy, and then a tightness, a constriction about the throat.

Honey, that's just a coincidence.

For God's sakes, are you deaf? "A problem easily solved by a friend.

" Jessica saved my life, just as Franchesco predicted.

Well, anybody can choke on a piece of toast.

It was an accident.

Oh, I won't give you any argument on that.

Oh, good.

For a while, I was afraid an epidemic of hysteria had infected the entire female species.

[Laughs]

[Chuckles]

How about some breakfast? Oh, great.

I'm starved.

Yeah? How about some steak and eggs smothered in jalapeno peppers? Well, we don't get much of that in Maine.

Well, then I'll show you what you've been missing.

Okay.

Afterward, we'll take a ride around the ranch.

You think I'm dressed for it? Well, you might want to put on some boots in case we decide to do a little walking.

All right.

[Horse Blusters]

[Rooster Crows]

Roy, saddle my horse.

Ma'am? I said, saddle my horse.

Mrs.

Goddard, you know that the horse has been spooky lately, and- Look, do I have to do it myself? No, no, no, no.

Come on.

I'll do it.

[Horses Whinnying]

Jill? Jill, what do you think you're doing? I'm going riding.

[Sighs]

Honey, after what you just went through, maybe that's not such a great idea.

I'll be fine, Del.

[Sighs]

All right.

All right, I'll go with you.

No.

I want to be alone.

- Look, honey- - Don't touch me.

Look, I'm tired of everybody laughing at me- - you, your father.

- That's not true.

Oh, for God's sakes.

That's all you ever do.

Jill.

[Horse Blusters]

- Jill! - [Horse Whinnies]

[Lee]

Over there's Tombstone.

[Jessica]

Oh, yes.

Wyatt Earp and the O.

K.

Corral.

[Chuckles]

That's right.

And New Mexico is thataway.

Uh-huh.

I thought maybe we'd fly over to Las Cruces tomorrow and have lunch.

Fly? For lunch? Yeah.

There's a little restaurant I know over there makes wonderful black bean chili.

But do you know how far that is? Yep.

About an hour and a half by plane.

This is God's country, Jess.

It's free and it's open.

God didn't do so badly with the Maine coast either.

I can't argue with that.

But I'd have to think those Maine winters take a lot out of a body.

Here we got sunshine year round.

This is beginning to sound very much like a sales talk.

Maybe it is.

Might be the most important one I ever make.

Lee- I don't know why I'm pussyfooting around, Jess.

You're alone.

So am I.

I can only speak for myself, but I don't like going to restaurants alone.

And sure don't like waking up in an empty bed.

Lee, I'm sorry.

[Rapid Hoofbeats]

Look! [Whinnies]

[Lee]

Jill's horse.

[Whinnies]

[Lee Shouting, Indistinct]

Jill! [Jill]

Franchesco predicted this.

[Horse Whinnies]

He foresaw a carousel, horses.

- He forewarned about a fall.

- A rattlesnake spooked your horse.

Well, you can believe what you want, but I know what I heard.

That man made three predictions, and two of them have come true.

The third one says I die in a fire, and I am scared to death.

Dad- Dad, she has a point.

Boy, how long are you gonna put up with this nonsense? - Cut it out, Dad.

- He's a con man- a fake.

Del, I want to see him.

Honey, Franchesco.

I have to see him.

Honey, he left.

Then find himl This fire- I have to know all about it.

If his vision is clear enough, I can avoid it.

I know I can.

Del, please.

[Horse Whinnies In Distance]

How is she? Nutty as ever.

Now she wants the mind reader back for an encore.

Lee, aren't you being just a little bit tough on her? Maybe.

Maybe I am.

What that boy needed was somebody to help steady him and help him grow up.

Maybe that's what galls me the most.

Anyway, if you'll excuse me, Jessica, I'll just walk it off.

What do you mean, you don't know where he is? You're his manager, aren't you? No, there was nothing wrong with his performance.

I just have to talk to him.

That's all.

[Horses Whinnying In Distance]

Jill.

About that little scene upstairs a while ago, l- I'd like to apologize.

I just never learned to keep my thoughts to myself.

[Jill]

I understand.

We all have so much to unlearn, but I can feel the goodness in you, Lee.

Thank you.

Where you off to? To see Katherine.

I need to share my feelings.

You all right? Want me to drive you? Oh- Oh, no.

I'm fine.

I'll be back by 6:00.

Tell Del, will you? [Engine Starts]

[Horse Whinnies]

She may be a little nutty, but she does have a backbone.

And she's still scared, despite what she says.

Yeah.

Well, I feel like I've been neglecting you, Jess.

Maybe we can make up for lost time now though.

Oh, Lee.

You know, I don't think that this is a very good time for a visit.

Ah.

Don't start that.

No, no, no.

I really mean it.

I mean, after all, with all that you've got in your mind- I mean, you don't want to be entertaining a visiting fireman.

[Laughs]

I tell you what I've done.

I called the airport, and I booked myself on a plane to Boston tomorrow morning.

Oh.

[Sighs]

I moved too fast out there this morning, didn't I, Jess? I took too much for granted.

No.

No.

No.

[Chuckles]

That isn't it.

Yes.

It's all over your face.

I presume too much.

No.

No, no.

Really.

No- It-It's just that- Well, after Frank d*ed, l- I never considered a change in my life.

Not changing it in that way.

Um, it's just something l-I never thought about.

In my business, Jess, l- I'd never force a sale on anyone who didn't want it.

On the other hand, well, there are those folks that sometimes need a little help in finding out what it is they really want.

Meaning me.

[Chuckles]

Could be.

Meanwhile, we don't we just leave the lines open, and who knows? The worst we'll ever be is good friends.

[Jessica Laughing]

What are you laughing at? I'm laughing at that picture of you and Betty- [Laughs]

On the pier at Santa Monica, that time you-you won that huge, stuffed, dreadful-looking kangaroo.

Dreadful looking? That thing cost me $20 in quarters to win.

[Jessica Laughs]

Jill should be home anytime now.

[Doorbell Rings]

I'll get it.

Where you been? We've been looking for you.

Yes, I know.

May I come in? Well, there you are.

I guess your manager finally got ahold of you.

No, he didn't.

I heard her voice.

I knew I was being summoned.

There's danger.

There's great danger.

I just hope I'm not too late.

[Horse Whinnies]

[Lee]

Now what do you mean, you heard voices? Mr.

Goddard, I do not expect you to understand.

- Yeah, you can bet your boots on that, partner.

- Lee.

- Matter of fact, you're a nightclub entertainer.

- Yes, that's true.

That's how I earn my living, just as you earn yours in commercial real estate.

Nevertheless, I do have the gift, sir.

[Horn Honking]

I thinkJill's back.

Evening, Del.

Jill's not with you? Me? What for? I came by to see her.

How's she feeling? She drove over to your place about 2:00 this afternoon.

What ever gave you that idea? What's happening? What's going on? [Del]

Jill! Jill! Jill! Maybe you should have gone with them, Franchesco.

Maybe you could have helped.

- I told you, she's not out there.

- Then where is she? I don't know.

[Sighs]

Still no answer.

Ben's not home yet.

Well, maybe you should try him at his office.

I did.

He may be on the way back from work, or maybe he stopped off at a client's.

[Horn Honks]

Del.

Thank you, Roy.

If you need me, sir, just give me a holler.

[Door Opens]

No sign of her.

Oh, Del.

You give off bad vibrations, Mrs.

Fletcher.

I'm a skeptic.

What's your game, Mr.

Franchesco? What's in this for you? Why did you come back? That's not skepticism.

That's confrontation.

[Footsteps Approaching]

No sign ofJill or the car, either one.

Where the hell's my wife? - [Franchesco]

Mr.

Goddard- - I promised your manager another thousand dollars if you'd come back here.

- Now start earning some of it! - [Kit]

Del, nol He's playing games with us, Kit.

I know he is.

[Phone Ringing]

Hello? [Distorted Voice]

I repeat- I will say this once and only once.

- We haveJill Goddard.

- What? She is alive, but being held until one million dollars has been paid for her release.

There's a line shack near the old sheep meadow.

Del Goddard is to go there alone carrying one million in small unmarked bills.

At exactly 6:00 a.

m.

He is to place the money on the tree stump If the police are called, Mrs.

Goddard dies.

Let me talk to her.

Is she all right? [Dial Tone]

Good God.

A million dollars by daybreak.

That's insane.

But not impossible.

I keep that much in the safe in my office.

Unfortunately, too many people know about it.

Dad- Dad- Now don't worry about the money, son.

The most important thing is to get your wife back safe and sound.

Well, I wonder if we shouldn't notify the police.

God, no! You heard what he said.

Yes, but I also think that the victim has a better chance of survival - if the authorities are brought in early.

- [Lee]

I'm sure you're right, Jessica.

But I don't know of anyone here that's willing to take that chance right now.

Once we getJill back safely, we'll call in the police at that point.

[Punching Keypad]

[Line Ringing]

Roy, we've gotta make a run into Tucson.

Grab a couple of shotguns, two boxes of shells, and I'll pick you up in front of your house in a few moments.

Here, Lee.

Thank you.

He should've been back by now.

Well, Del may have had some trouble finding it in the dark.

I don't think so.

I took Del up there a hundred times when he was a little boy huntin'.

We slept on the floor of that cabin many nights.

Strange.

What? Well, that the kidnapper should pick a spot that you knew so well.

And the fact that they knew that you could lay your hands on all that cash in the middle of the night.

[Car Door Closes]

How'd it go? Any problems? - No.

- [Phone Ringing]

Yes? Who is this? Mrs.

Goddard? Jill? Jill? Jill? Is that you? Are you all right? I'm okay, Del.

God, it was terrible.

I'll come and get you.

Where are you? [Jill]

I don't know.

Somewhere up in the mountains.

But I'm okay.

Honest.

They-They left the car with the keys in it, and this road's gotta lead somewhere.

I'll just keep driving till I find someone to ask.

Hey, be careful.

I love you.

I love you too.

[Kisses]

She's on her way home.

Thank God she's safe.

[Spraying]

Now that's Arizona license John-Apple-Oscar-zero-seven-niner.

Car went over the edge in Rimrock Canyon, about 12 miles south of Wally's Gas Station.

Uh, somebody saw the smoke, phoned it in.

Yeah.

Must've been a real fireball.

Driver was a woman.

Didn't stand a chance.

[Spraying Continues]

[Vehicle Approaching]

[Horses Whinnying]

Everything was b*rned except for the wedding ring and the little watch that Del had given her.

Lee, how terrible.

If only she'd have known where she was when she called, Del could've gone after her, brought her home.

Is there something I could help you with? I was looking for something that belonged to Mrs.

Goddard, hoping that it might still retain her aura.

I thought perhaps I might be able to communicate with her on a higher plane to find out what happened.

Yes, that's what we'd all like to know.

But l-I think we should leave it to the police.

Still that skepticism, Mrs.

Fletcher.

Well, it-it's much more than that, Mr.

Franchesco.

After all, we're all involved in an official investigation, and, uh, this book could be evidence.

As you wish.

You know, Mrs.

Fletcher, in spite of what you may think, I actually am trying to help.

I came here at considerable cost and inconvenience.

Yes, I'm sure.

I think I heard the figure "a thousand dollars" being bandied about.

Well, believe what you will.

I can't stay much longer.

My wife has booked us on a flight to Hong Kong on Wednesday.

But the authorities may have other plans for us.

After all, there was a kidnapping.

Jill Goddard is dead- as you predicted.

Yes.

[Jessica]

"Psychic seminar.

" "Go to dentist.

" The coroner's report indicates your daughter-in-law d*ed as a result of the crash, not the ensuing fire.

And the medical records confirm her identification.

I'm sorry.

Well, thank you.

Oh, Jess, now meet Lieutenant Turner here of the Arizona State Police.

This is Jessica Fletcher, a good friend.

How do you do? I'm glad you're here, Lieutenant.

You know, it just seems so unfair that we just paid the ransom, got her set free.

Then to die in a freak accident like that? Well, I'm afraid, Mr.

Goddard, her death was no accident.

What are you talking about? You just said that she- It seemed strange to me that there were no skid marks on the road, no attempt to engage the breaks.

I had my people check the mechanical condition of the vehicle- - Are you saying that someone tampered with the breaks? - Yes, ma'am.

- Then we're talking m*rder.

- That's it.

I've been told that there was a man here who predicted the woman's death in a fire.

Yes.

His name was Franchesco.

He was a professional entertainer.

- Hired for the party by your son, Mr.

Goddard? - That's right.

Well, I'm gonna want to talk to them- both of them.

Well, if you wish to interrogate Franchesco, he left here about half an hour ago by car.

And your son, Mr.

Goddard? Well, he's at the funeral parlor, I imagine, making arrangements.

We, um- We decided on cremation.

It's probably best.

Pretty grisly- I mean, considering Franchesco's prophecy.

I'm sorry, Del.

If there's anything- anything I can do.

It's just so damn unfair.

They get their money, and then- Oh! I know.

Let it out, Del.

Don't hide it.

We both loved her.

Ben.

Well, where have you been, darling? I've been worried sick.

I received an unexpected call from a new client.

I had to drive down to his ranch at the border for a conference.

I wish you would have called.

Well, I tried, and I couldn't.

The phone lines were down.

I'm so sorry, Del.

Thanks, Ben.

I just wish that I could have been here, because maybe there was something I could have done.

No.

We, um- We did all we could.

Well, at least Kit was here.

She must have given you some comfort in your time of crisis.

And isn't that what friends are for? [Horses Whinnying]

[Jessica]

Lee, didn't it strike you that there was something odd about that voice? Well, yeah.

I think they had it disguised so we wouldn't be able to recognize who it was.

Yes, but there was something else about it.

I mean, it- it wasn't conversational.

There was no give-and-take.

You know what I think? I think that the instructions were taped- that they were prerecorded.

You know, I think you're right.

That means it could have been Franchesco.

[Horse Whinnies]

And for the same reason, it also could have been Del.

I can't believe that.

I'm sorry.

L-I'm not blind, and I'm not stupid, and-and neither is the detective.

I mean, when I first arrived here, it was quite evident to me thatJill and Del were pursuing a marriage that had no future.

[Men Chattering]

Yeah.

You know, it was only about a year ago that Del had a good job with an ad agency in Chicago.

That's where he metJill.

She was a model.

[Horse Whinnies]

A couple of never-weres with holes in their pockets going nowhere.

I know I shouldn't talk like that.

He's my son.

But that's the way it is.

A short time later, he lost his job, and he come back home with his tail between his legs and an airhead for a wife on his arm.

- Yeah.

And there's a man that's really upset about it.

- Pick it up.

Pick it up.

[Lee]

I mean, Roy and I ran this place for 10 years-successfully.

I gotta give Roy most of the credit.

I was in Tucson taking care of my business.

And the prodigal came home.

And what? You asked Roy to show him the ropes on the ranch, hmm? - How'd you know? - Lucky guess.

[Horse Whinnies]

[Turner]

Is that Mr.

Franchesco, or is Franchesco your first name? Franchesco will do.

I see.

And I don't suppose that you've ever heard of a Leonard Steigler? I suppose the resemblance could be coincidental, though I doubt it.

My buddies in bunco dug this up for me.

- Yes, I was arrested once or twice.

- Nine, Lenny.

Count 'em, nine.

By thickheaded authorities who ignored my gift.

Nine arrests, Lieutenant.

Nine.

Not one of them went to trial.

A woman is dead, and you predicted her death.

I had - a vision.

- You're a liar.

Prove it.

I may just do that, and when I do, it won't be for just bunco, Lenny.

I'm gonna nail you for m*rder one.

- I've k*lled no one.

- What about the predictions? They were his idea.

Whose? Her husband's.

He hired me.

When people pay me, I do what I'm told.

That's insane.

What kind of a person do you think I am? Well, then you didn't tell this con artist to predict your wife's death by fire? No.

Then just what did you tell him? [Del]

I don't remember exactly.

Now you tell me what you had him tell her.

I told him to scare her a little.

That's all.

I told him to- to tell her a few little things.

And then he was supposed to tell her that her marriage was evil.

You were trying to get her to leave you? I couldn't tell her myself.

And I figured coming from Franchesco, she'd make the move.

She really believed that stuff.

I mean, after San Francisco, she kept trying to get me to have him come here.

I mean, she wouldn't leave me alone about it.

So, at the party, when you chased Franchesco out onto the patio and said, " What the hell was that all about?", what you really wanted to know was why the plan had been changed? Look, I'm sorry.

What I did was wrong.

But my marriage was garbage, and I wanted out.

And I didn't have the guts to admit I'd made a mistake.

Something bothering you, Mrs.

Fletcher? Oh, yes.

Yes.

Several things.

The fact that the kidnapper was so familiar with the drop site for the ransom.

And the fact that he knew about the money in Lee's safe, and conveniently also knew when Jill left the house so that he could intercept her.

Someone close to the family? Very close.

Come with me.

Under Tuesday- three days beforeJill's kidnapping- read the entries.

[Turner]

10:00 a.

M: "Psychic seminar.

" That's what I thought when I first looked at it.

But now I think it means something else.

That's not "Go to dentist.

" It's "G-O to dentist.

" G- O.

Greta Olsen.

The Swedish maid who supposedly left for Sweden the morning after the party.

I'm sorry, Mrs.

Fletcher, but you've lost me.

Are you still holding Mr.

Franchesco? Yes.

If I were you, I'd release him.

If you do, I think this whole puzzle will become very clear very soon.

[Man On P.

A.

Flight 1201 for Hong Kong now boarding at Gate 29.

[Man]

Mr.

Steigler? - Would you come along with us, please? - What? Go where? What do you want? A little help, Lenny.

We're trying to solve a m*rder.

Sorry you're gonna miss your vacation.

This is ludicrous.

Go on ahead, love.

I'll sort this out, and I'll join you in a day or so.

Please don't leave, Jill.

You know, from the back, I really thought that was Greta.

You were supposed to.

Lieutenant Turner told me that she was carrying Greta's passport.

And the body in the car? Greta.

Hmm.

Well, anyway, I think it's amazing how you figured it out.

Well, that prediction about choking- If Franchesco was a fake, and Jill choked on that toast, then it was either a coincidence of gargantuan proportions, or they were in cahoots.

And then when I realized thatJill had taken Greta to her dentist, that the dental X-rays could have been switched- Well, everything fell into place.

The whole thing was done for money.

Well, the marriage was failing.

Del didn't have any money of his own.

Divorce would hardly have been profitable.

This way, Jill got away clean with a man she obviously loved- or thought she did- along with your million dollars.

Then Jill did all the dirty work while Franchesco stood right in my living room, built himself a perfect alibi when the ransom call came in.

[Chuckles]

You know, I wish I knew what to do about Del.

Maybe- Maybe nothing.

Maybe he needs to find his own way.

You know, we all grow up in our own good time.

That sounds like something Betty might have said.

Are you sure you have to go back, Jess? Positive.

[Chuckles]

Never can tell.

I might learn to like that fish salad you're having there.

And I could learn to like, uh, chili and ribs.

Yeah, well, Betty had a good recipe.

Be happy to send it to you.

I'd like that.

And if I ever get to the point where I think I've got it right, I'll let you know.

That'll be a phone call worth waiting for.

[Chuckles]

Yes.