01x12 - The Case of the Negligent Nymph

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Perry Mason". Aired: September 21, 1957, to May 22, 1966.*
Watch/Buy Amazon  Merchandise


Defense attorney Perry Mason defends dozens of falsely accused people during courtroom drama, and he manages to clear all of them, usually by drawing out the real criminal on the witness stand.
Post Reply

01x12 - The Case of the Negligent Nymph

Post by bunniefuu »

( suspenseful theme plays)

( noirish jazz theme playing)

(wind howling)

(woman screams)

( tranquil theme playing)

Sally?

SALLY: Yes?

Bring in Mr. Dorian.

Well?

You are George Alder, of course.

You said on the phone

that you had something
of importance to tell me,

something concerning
my late aunt, Agatha.

I have.

And it's a matter of,
um, some delicacy.

Mr. Dorian, get to the point.

I found this note in a bottle
washed ashore at Paradise Cove.

It refers to the death of
your late aunt, Agatha,

in a most, uh,
indelicate fashion.

Shall I read it?

"Dated January 28,

"aboard the yacht Sea Witch.

"I, Agatha Alder,

"being in sound mind,

"believe that I am
going to be m*rder*d

"by my nephew,

George Alder."

( dramatic theme playing)

"He has found out that
I am changing my will,

"and I am disinheriting him
for the inhumane treatment

"of his unhappy wife, Karen.

"He's hammering on my door.

"The storm will
drown out my cries.

If he pushes me
through the porthole..."

This is an obvious forgery.

(chuckles): Obviously.

Well, the thing
isn't even signed.

Would you prefer me
to take it to the police?

Why didn't you?

Well, I deplore malicious
gossip, Mr. Alder.

Besides, the police
are not known

for their liberality
in such matters.

How much?

Would, um, $50 seem excessive?

My philosophy is
simple: Live and let live.

Besides, it would be
pointless to consume the bird

that has been thoughtful
enough to, uh, lay the golden eggs.

George?

George, we're out of supplies.

The cupboard is
bare, and I'm thirsty.

How many times have I told you

to keep to your end
of the house, Karen?

(slurring): Can't a
wife visit her husband?

(typewriter clicking)

Sally.

Get her back to her room.

Sally, are you ashamed of me?

Of course not, Karen.

That's a silly question.

Just get her out.

Oh, the great George Alder,

philanthropist and
benefactor of the human race.

(chuckles): Oh,
if they only knew.

(gasps)

I told you to get
back to your room.

Leave her alone.

You heard what I said.

Get her out.

One day, George...

I'll be sober.

Yep, intemperance is
indeed a cruel master,

but you may rely on
my discretion, Mr. Alder.

Here's your money.

Thank you.

Today's visit will
not be repeated.

Oh, I'll remember.

Au revoir.

Sally.

That, uh, beachcomber, Dorian,

brought me a most peculiar note.

He said he found it in a bottle

washed ashore at Paradise Cove.

Here, read it yourself.

I always thought your
aunt Agatha's death

was a little too convenient.

This is an obvious forgery.

Is it?

Is that why you paid
off Dorian's blackmail?

What you've done
to Karen confirms

what I've always
thought. You're a...

I'm quitting today.

So you were eavesdropping.

(chuckles)

You're on dangerous
ground, Sally.

What for, slander?

No, theft.

Of what, the stamp money?

I've been checking through
my aunt's bank statements,

and I've noticed that
two days before she d*ed,

she drew out large sums of cash.

There's, uh, $10,000 missing

from her personal effects.

Well, with you around,
that doesn't surprise me.

(chuckles)

The police may have other ideas.

Would you like me
to get them for you?

Operator, get me the police.

Get back to your office.

( tense theme playing)

Next time I'm
hungry for fish, Perry,

I'm gonna stick
to a grunion hunt.

You'll find these sea
bass better eatin', Paul.

This is a great time
of night to be getting in.

( mysterious theme playing)

(crickets chirping)

(growling)

(barks)

(growling)

(barking)

(cat yelping)

(cat whimpering)

Come on, boy.

(footsteps)

(clangs)

(barking)

(barking continues)

(growling)

Hey there!

Stop!

Stop!

Hey, that sounds like trouble.

It's over on the Alder estate.

(dog barking)

( suspenseful theme playing)

Take a look, Paul.

Hey.

That dog will
tear her to pieces.

Cast off.

(motor starts)

Okay, Perry.

(barking)

(coughs)

Oh. Thanks.

Better change clothes.

You'll find something
to wear in the locker.

What was all that trouble?

I quit my job today,

and when I went back to
collect some of my things,

the guard chased me away.

Uh-huh. What's your name?

Sally Fenner. Yours?

Mason. Perry Mason.

I thought your
face looked familiar.

Mr. Mason, that story
I told you was a lie.

I broke in that house

and was going through
George Alder's desk

when the guard caught me.

I panicked and ran.

What were you after?

"Dated January 28th,
aboard the yacht Sea Witch.

"I, Agatha Alder,

being..."

Where did this note come from?

Some beachcomber
called Arthur Dorian

found it in a bottle
at Paradise Cove,

brought it to George
Alder and was paid off.

Are you sure the
note was all you got?

Now, what do you
think I could conceal

in this outfit?

Never a dull moment.

You'd better go to the police.

First I want to see what
George Alder's going to do

when he finds out
that note's missing.

I think you're making a mistake.

Maybe.

If I get into
trouble, I'll call you.

Well, don't lose this.

Don't worry, I won't.

Now, how are you
going to get back to town?

Well, I left my car down
by Sanderson's jetty,

away from the beach.

Well, we'll run you
over to Sanderson's

before we come back
and tie up for the night.

Why don't you
change clothes, Paul?

( mysterious theme playing)

Oh, what's the trouble, officer?

Oh, Mr. Mason.

We're setting up a roadblock.

Been some trouble
up on the Alder estate.

We're looking for a young
lady. Attractive, blond hair,

five feet six, about 24.

With a description like that,

I wouldn't mind
meeting her myself.

What's she wanted for?

m*rder.

She k*lled her
employer, George Alder.

( dramatic theme playing)

Take this poker and the
cash box to the crime lab

for fingerprint checkout.

Mr. Hess.

I, uh...

I want you to go over again
everything that happened.

Well, I was making my rounds

when I heard a
noise from the house.

I entered the library and
saw Sally Fenner break out

and run down the beach.

Yeah. Then?

She was picked up in one
of those sports cruisers.

Did you get a good
look at that boat?

Uh, not too clearly,
lieutenant, it was dark.

But it sounded like the
boat had outboard motors.

Yeah, sports cruiser.

Forbes, contact the Coast Guard.

Start checking out all
sports fishing cruisers

docked in this area.

Okay, Paul, but keep trying.

I've got to speak
to Sally Fenner

before the police find her.

Right.

(buzzes)

Yes?

Lieutenant Tragg
wants to see you.

The start of a perfect week.

Send him in, Gertie.

What do you suppose he's after?

It may be just a fishing trip,

and if it is, he has
pretty good bait.

Well, good morning, lieutenant.

Good morning, Perry.

Della.

Well, did you, uh, have
an interesting weekend?

Mm, fair.

You know, I'd like to
try my hand sometime

at that deep-sea fishing.

They tell me it can
be quite exciting.

Not a bad sport
if they're biting.

Oh. Anything
interesting in the paper?

Why don't you get
to the point, Tragg?

You know that, um, Alder k*lling
was a stupid botched-up job?

The woman somehow
got into his house,

was going through his
desk with his cashbox,

Alder surprised her
and she k*lled him.

But we know who it is.

Her name is Sally Fenner.

Sounds like just a routine case.

Yeah, most murders are.

What was the motive?

Well, from George Alder's
records, Sally Fenner

apparently stole $10,000
while working for his aunt,

Agatha Alder.

Last night's burglary
was just a blind.

And?

She escaped by swimming
out to sea and was picked up

by an accomplice in a sports
cruiser, one of those new

fiberglass jobs with
outboard motors.

Your description
covers quite a few boats.

Yeah, I suppose.

But, uh, we'll narrow it down.

I hope the, uh, boat owner
comes forward, though.

This visit your idea, Tragg?

Yeah.

Perry, don't chance it.

You got no defense.

(intercom buzzes)

Yes?

There's a Miss Sally
Fenner to see Mr. Mason.

Uh, just a minute, Gertie.

The, uh, shipment
just arrived, Mr. Mason.

Oh, have them put it
in the law library, Della.

We'll uncrate it later.

I'll be right out.

Well...

anything else, lieutenant?

You're, um, sure you
won't change your mind?

You know me better
than that, Tragg.

But anyway, thanks for trying.

It's going to be awfully dull
without you around, Mason.

Uh, lieutenant?

(chuckles)

All right, Della,
the coast is clear.

Where have you been
since last night, Miss Fenner?

I was busy avoiding the police.

And how did you?

I drove up a side
road in the canyon,

spent the night in my car.

Della, get Paul Drake on
the private line right away,

will you?

Come over here, young lady.

Why didn't you tell me
George Alder was m*rder*d?

What?

I didn't k*ll him, Mr. Mason.

Believe me, I didn't.

Just a minute, Paul.

Call off our search, Paul.
We've landed our mermaid.

Now, listen, I'd like you
to take your car around

to the back of the
building as fast as you can.

Leave the keys in the
glove compartment for Della

and meet me out in
front in 10 minutes.

Right.

Della, I want Sally out
of the way for 48 hours.

You better use my apartment.

Well, isn't that
taking a chance?

I don't want the
k*ller to realize

we know the real motive.

Which is? George Alder's death

could be a chain reaction
from Aunt Agatha's m*rder.

The second k*lling
to cover up the first.

George Alder did
k*ll her. It's in the note.

Did you ever try typing a
letter in the middle of a storm

without making a single mistake?

I never thought of that.

Neither did the m*rder*r.

Is this where the
police found him?

I think so,

or it might have been over here.

You're not sure?

My memory isn't
very good these days,

and this doesn't help.

Why don't you ask the guard?

I will.

Why did your husband need
to have this house guarded,

Mrs. Alder?

It made him feel important.

Besides, he wasn't the
best-loved human on Earth.

You sound almost clinical.

Why not, Mr. Mason?

For the first time
in 20 years, I'm free.

It's a simple word,

but can you realize
what it means?

Feeling that way, why
didn't you get a divorce?

Divorce an Alder?

(chuckles)

Mr. Mason,

the wife of an Alder can
commit the seven deadly sins,

so long as she
commits them discreetly.

But she must never,
ever get a divorce.

That Agatha Alder?

Yes.

Do you think her
death was accidental?

I know it wasn't.

My husband k*lled her.

What could have been his reason?

Money.

What else with an Alder?

Money, which in turn, comes
to you now that he's dead.

You think like a
lawyer, Mr. Mason.

What good is the money?

Can it bring back my youth?

Mrs. Alder,

who was aboard the
Sea Witch on that last trip?

George, Sally Fenner,

the captain and Nina.

Nina?

Nina Santos.

She used to be a companion
maid to Aunt Agatha.

Where is she now?

She works in a
Mexican restaurant

called, um, Las Chalupas.

It's off Olvera Street.

How far were you from
Aunt Agatha's cabin

when she went overboard?

(chuckles)

About 30 miles.

You see, as usual,

I had disgraced myself,

so I was left ashore.

They were all ashamed of me.

Even I was ashamed of me.

Mr. Mason, have the police
found Sally Fenner yet?

No, not yet.

She didn't do it.

She's my friend. I
know she didn't do it.

She'll need some money.

Here, take this,
I'll get more later.

No, thank you. At the
moment, it's not needed.

But somebody must pay.

Somebody will, Mrs. Alder.

(festive Latin music playing)

Does a Nina Santos work here?

Who wants her?

My name's Drake.
This is Perry Mason.

We're making inquires
about the late Agatha Alder.

Um...

Just one moment, sir, please.

Thank you.

(speaking in Spanish)

Can I help you, señores?

We'd like to ask you a
few questions, Miss Santos.

But of course. Would
you care to sit down?

Thank you.

Little refreshments, perhaps?

Thank you.

(speaks in Spanish)

(speaking in Spanish)

Pronto. Muy bien.

Miss Santos, you knew
the late Agatha Alder?

Of course, for many years.

Well, could you tell
us what happened

on the night of her death?

I shall never forget.

It was a nightmare.

The waves were like mountains.

The wind was like
a breath of Satan.

But for the good Madonna,

we should have all d*ed.

And Agatha Alder?

Terrible, terrible accident.

I wept for days.

Are you sure it was an accident?

What else?

This, uh, letter.

So, it was Señor Alder.

You mean, you suspected?

Always.

Madame was too good a
sailor to have such an accident.

Why didn't you go to the police?

Who would believe me?

(speaks in Spanish)

(peaceful Latin music playing)

That chili's pretty hot, Paul.

Don't worry about
me. I'm no tourist.

I was weaned on this stuff.

(sighs)

You all right?

(gasping): Yes.

Listen, Paul,

I want you to check
Nina Santos thoroughly.

Find out all you can about her.

When she was married,
when she bought Las Chalupas.

She only works here.

Does she?

Listen, Paul, in a
restaurant this size,

usually only two
people handle the cash:

the owner or his wife.

Miss Santos,

just one more question.

But of course.

On that last trip,

did Agatha Alder have
any large sums of cash?

I was only her maid.

Do you think it possible

that George Alder could
have m*rder*d his aunt?

You have Madame's letter.

Señor, it is a voice
from the grave.

Thank you, Miss Santos.
You've been very helpful.

Good night.

I'll drop you at
the office, Paul.

I've gotta get back
to Della and Sally.

Well, come on.

(sighs)

Della, this waiting
is driving me crazy.

How much longer do
we have to stay here?

Well, there's not
too much we can do.

We'll just have to
wait till Perry gets here.

(knock on door)

It's about time.

Perry...

Miss Sally Fenner?

Yes.

I'm Lieutenant
Tragg from Homicide.

I arrest you on
suspicion of m*rder.

Don't say anything, Sally.
Don't make a statement.

Better save your advice
for yourself, Miss Street.

At the moment,
you're coming with us.

What for?

For aiding a fugitive
from justice. Let's go.

( dramatic theme playing)

MASON: What is the charge
against Della, Mr. Burger?

Perry, as district attorney,

I have to regard
aiding and abetting

a fugitive from justice
as a very serious offense.

Then I'm the offender.

As my secretary,

she was acting under
my specific instructions.

Huh. I suspected that much.

All right, in view
of that admission,

I won't take action
against her. She can go.

Thank you.

Wait a minute.

With regard to your
own unethical conduct,

have you anything to say?

Is protecting a
client so unethical?

You were harboring a fugitive.

You made yourself an accessory
after the fact to a m*rder.

May I quote from
Canon of Legal Ethics

the definition of a
prosecutor's job?

Quote, "The primary
duty of a lawyer

"engaged in a public
prosecution is not to convict,

but to see that justice
is done," unquote.

I thought you might
have forgotten.

Perry, just be sure
when we get to court

that you prove you're
serving the ends of justice

and not obstructing them.

All right, Miss Miller,
that'll be all. Thank you.

(buzzes)

Yes?

Oh, yes, bring him in.

Mr. Burger, this
is Arthur Dorian,

who found the
bottle and the note

accusing Alder of
murdering his aunt.

Hello, Mr. Dorian. Sit down.

Thank you.

Mr. Dorian still has
the original note.

I thought he gave
that to George Alder.

No, that was a copy,
sir. I deplore idle gossip.

I felt it my duty to retain
the original document.

Well, that was a
commendable precaution.

I checked it through
the crime lab,

and this is the
machine that typed it.

Who does this machine belong to?

Sally Fenner.

We found it in her apartment.

( dramatic theme playing)

( dramatic theme playing)

Is this the w*apon that was used

to batter George Alder to
death, Lieutenant Tragg?

Yes, it is, Mr. Burger.

Your Honor, I want
to enter this poker

as state's exhibit C.

(crowd murmuring)

Were there any
signs of forcible entry?

Yes.

Would you describe
them to us, please?

The French doors
had been jimmied,

thereby giving
access to the library.

Anything else? Yes.

There were footprints
in the flower bed outside

of a woman's shoes.

Now, I ask you
if this is the cast

that was made
of those footprints.

It is.

And are these the
defendant's shoes?

They are. We picked
those up on the beach.

If it please the court,

I want to enter this
cast and these shoes

as state's exhibit D.

Now then.

Did you check the handles
of those French doors

for fingerprints?

I lifted several prints
from the door handles

and the immediate area.

Did you compare those prints

with those found on the cash
box and on the m*rder w*apon?

They were identical.
And whose were they?

The defendant's. Sally Fenner.

Thank you, lieutenant.
(crowd murmurs)

Your witness, Mr. Mason.

Lieutenant Tragg,

you, of course, are an
expert in criminal deduction?

Well, experienced, anyhow.

And you are aware
that the defendant

was secretary to
the late George Alder.

Yes.

A secretary whose duties

gave her access to
her employer's desk

and anything else in the house?

Yes.

Yet you're surprised
to find that area

covered with her fingerprints?

Now, lieutenant,

are you familiar with
the personal property

the defendant took with
her to the Alder house

on the night of the m*rder?

Of course. I found
her purse and key ring

in the Alder house.

Did that key ring
include the front-door key

to the Alder residence?

Yes, uh...

And with that key
in her possession,

she still had to break in?

Thank you, lieutenant,
that's all. (coughing)

BURGER: Your
name is Nina Santos,

you live at 22 Edderline Avenue,

and your occupation
is that of waitress?

You are correct, señor.

During January of this year,

were you employed by
the late Agatha Alder?

I was.

And were you present
on the yacht Sea Witch

during a storm on
or about January 28th

off the coast of
Catalina Island?

I was.

Would you tell us, please, what
happened during that storm?

It was terrible,
señor. A nightmare.

The waves were like
mountains, Yeah, Miss Santos...

And the wind was
like a thousand...

Miss Santos.

I mean, what happened
to Agatha Alder?

But I was telling you.
She was drowned.

I heard a scream,
and she was gone.

Did your mistress carry a
large sum of money with her

during this last trip?

But of course. She
was going to Mexico.

And she always carried
large sums of money.

Well, do you know how much?

Ten thousand dollars.

How do you happen to know this?

I was with her at the
bank just before we sailed.

Who was the first person
to enter Agatha Alder's cabin

after her disappearance?

The secretary,
Miss Sally Fenner.

BURGER: When you
subsequently went through

her personal
belongings and effects,

was there any money there?

Nothing.

Thank you, Miss Santos.

Your witness, Mr. Mason.

You are a waitress, Miss Santos?

Yes.

What, uh, is the name
of your restaurant?

Uh, the one you
work in as a waitress?

Las Chalupas.

Who is your employer?

Isadoro Martinez.

You live at 22 Edderline Avenue?

Yes.

And you are not married?

No.

Would it surprise
you, Miss Santos,

to learn that your employer,
Mr. Isadoro Martinez,

also lives at 22
Edderline Avenue?

Your Honor, I
resent this attempt

to humiliate and
degrade the witness.

This is not a court
of morals, Mr. Mason.

I am not impeaching her morals,
Your Honor, only her testimony.

For the record, here is
the marriage certificate

of Nina Santos and
Isadoro Martinez.

(crowd murmuring)

You may continue, Mr. Mason.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Now, uh, Mrs. Martinez,

who owns Las
Chalupas restaurant?

(sniffles): I don't know.

Perhaps this bill of sale
will help your memory.

Isn't it true that within two
weeks after Agatha Alder d*ed,

you paid $10,000
cash as down payment

for Las Chalupas
restaurant? Yes.

And isn't it possible

that Agatha Alder caught
you stealing that $10,000,

and you covered
your theft by m*rder?

It's a lie. Señor, it's a lie.

Agatha Alder was my friend.

For 15 years I serve her.

She was the sweetest,
kindest woman I ever know.

I tell her,

"I marry Isadoro,"

and she give me
that money as a gift.

It is true, when I said it,

I lied because I am afraid

they think I steal that money.

But k*ll Señora? Never.

As the saints are
my witness, I swear it,

señor.

Thank you, Mrs.
Martinez. That's all.

If it please the court,

regardless of what
happened to that money,

it remains a fact

that Agatha Alder
disappeared during that storm.

And since the defense has
alleged that she was m*rder*d,

I would like, at this
time, to call Dr. Murray.

You may step down.

Call Dr. Murray to the stand.

I do.

Doctor, in your capacity

as medical examiner
for the coroner's office,

did you perform an autopsy

on the body of the
late Agatha Alder?

I did.

And what were your findings?

She was drowned in seawater.

Did you find any
marks of v*olence

or bruises on the body? None.

And would you say that the death

was caused by an
accident or a m*rder?

An accident.

Thank you, sir.

Your witness.

Dr. Murray, is there
not the distinct possibility

that had Agatha Alder been
pushed through a cabin porthole,

there still would
not necessarily

have been marks or
bruises upon her body?

That would be possible

if she could have been
pushed through the porthole.

Doctor...

are you aware of the fact

that the portholes on the
Sea Witch were oversized?

Yes, I am.

In fact, I was given the exact
measurements by Mr. Burger.

And?

The diameter of the
porthole is 4 inches smaller

than the hips of the deceased,

Agatha Alder.

Thank you, Dr. Murray.
You've been very helpful.

That's all.

You are Karen Alder,
the decedent's widow?

Yes.

Do you know the
defendant, Sally Fenner?

Yes.

What would you say was
the attitude of the defendant

towards your husband?

We object, Your Honor,
to hearsay evidence.

I'll rephrase the
question, counselor.

Did the defendant ever
quarrel with your husband?

Objection! That's
a leading question.

If it please the court,
this is a hostile witness,

who has repeatedly
avoided the subpoena.

Due to the
circumstances, Mr. Mason,

your objection is overruled.

Continue.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Is it not true

that Sally Fenner,
in your presence,

expressed anger and
contempt for your husband?

She had a reason.

What was the reason?

She knew he
m*rder*d Aunt Agatha.

You mean the defendant
accused her employer of m*rder?

KAREN: Why not?

We all knew it was true.

A beachcomber found a note
in a bottle off Paradise Cove.

It was from Aunt Agatha,
accusing George of her m*rder.

And that note was her proof?

Yes.

Mrs. Alder, when you were
interviewed at my office,

you said, and I quote,

"I saw the k*ller
escape," unquote.

Is that correct?

Did I say that?

Yes, you did. We have a
transcript of the meeting.

You also said... again I quote,

"I was awakened by
a noise downstairs.

"I went to my bedroom window.

"I saw somebody
run out of the library

and onto the beach," unquote.

Do you wanna
deny that statement?

Why should I
deny it if I said it?

Well, would you then
refresh your memory,

and describe the woman you
saw coming out of the library?

It wasn't a woman, Mr. Burger.

It was a man.

What?

A tall, lean, dark man,

dressed in jeans
and a tropical shirt.

Mrs. Alder, you're under oath.

You asked the
question, Mr. Burger.

I can only answer what I saw.

You must have
remarkable eyesight.

I have.

And there was a
full moon that night.

Mrs. Alder, on the
night of the m*rder,

did Lieutenant Tragg show
you the body of your husband?

He did.

Well, why didn't
you tell him then

about this k*ller that you've
described so perfectly for us?

I didn't remember.

Your best friend, Sally
Fenner, was wanted for m*rder,

but you couldn't remember?

After 20 years of
marriage to George Alder,

I drank to forget.

Most times, it was
remarkably successful.

I suggest that
there's nothing wrong

with your memory
or your eyesight.

What you suffer from

is an extraordinary
amount of imagination.

I also suggest that who you
saw running out of that library

was your friend, Sally Fenner,

and that your testimony here

is an ingenious
but obvious perjury.

(crowd murmuring)

Your Honor, at this point,

I request permission
of the court

to defer any further
examination of this witness

so that I can secure information

which will prove
perjury on her part.

Very well, I'll allow that.

You may step down, Mrs. Alder.

Proceed, Mr. Burger.

( pensive theme playing)

(whispering)

( stirring theme playing)

( pensive theme playing)

Here's the, uh, checklist
of the sh*ts I want.

You better start with the beach.

Well, uh, how soon
do you want the prints?

Uh...

I can give you
exactly two hours.

(whistles)

I'd better get moving.

What happened
that day, Mr. Dorian?

That was the day I found

the bottle in the surf
at Paradise Cove.

Would you describe
it to the court, please?

It was just a whiskey bottle.

Anyway, there wasn't
anything in it except the note.

And what did you do
after you read the note?

I made a copy.

And you took the
copy to Mr. Alder?

Yes. I see.

Will the court excuse
me a moment?

(whispering)

Your Honor, we are
now ready to complete

our direct examination
of Mrs. Alder.

Very well.

Please step down.

Mrs. Karen Alder
to the stand, please.

Also, Your Honor, I'd like
to request your indulgence

while we demonstrate
some evidence.

In your previous testimony,

you stated that you saw a man

run from the library
down to the beach?

Yes.

Is that true?

Yes.

And where were you
when you saw this occur?

In my bedroom.

May I have the
blinds drawn, please.

All right, lieutenant.
(switch clicks)

Mrs. Alder, is that the
front of your house?

Yes.

Next slide, please.

That's the bedroom.

And is that your bedroom?

Yes.

Next slide.

Now, is that the beach
in front of your house?

Yes.

The next slide, please.

And that, Mrs. Alder,

is the only view
from your bedroom.

Raise the blinds, please.
Thank you, lieutenant.

BAILIFF: Lights.

I submit, Mrs. Alder,

that you've committed

deliberate and willful perjury

trying to save your
friend, Sally Fenner.

That you did not and could
not have seen the beach

that night as you said you did,

because the view from
your bedroom window

is completely obstructed,
as we've just shown.

Your Honor, I move
to impeach this witness

on the grounds of
deliberate perjury.

I concur fully, Mr. Burger.

Does the defense wish to
cross-examine this witness?

We do, Your Honor.

Now, Mrs. Alder,

on the night of your
husband's m*rder,

did you see any signs
of disorder or v*olence

in the vicinity of the body?

The desk was ransacked,

and his papers
were all over the floor.

Did it look like a burglary?

I'll object to that, Your Honor.

Defense counsel is asking
for a conclusion of the witness.

Objection sustained.

Now, you told Mr. Burger

you believed your husband
had m*rder*d his aunt?

Yes, Mr. Mason.

And you mentioned a
note in a liquor bottle?

I did. Did you see such a note?

I saw the bottle delivered
and the finder paid off,

Mr. Arthur Dorian.

Would you please tell the
court exactly how that happened?

Well, I was out of...

supplies, and I was thirsty.

So I... I went to the
library for a replacement.

I heard my husband discussing
this note with the beachcomber.

That's when you saw
the note in the bottle?

The bottle was on the
desk. The note was inside it.

And what happened next?

My husband took out his cash
box and paid the beachcomber.

Now, Mrs. Alder, do
you wear eyeglasses?

No, Mr. Mason.

Can you, uh, read that
notice by the court door there?

Well, yes, it says,
"No smoking."

Can you read further?

It's signed, "John J.
Foster, fire commissioner."

Thank you, Mrs. Alder.

You do have remarkable eyesight.

Oh, uh...

concerning the size and
shape of that liquor bottle...

can you be sure about that?

Quite sure, Mr. Mason.

It was a small, thin-necked,
square-type bottle.

May I, Mr. Burger?

Of course.

Like this, Mrs. Alder?

I think so.

Now, in your earlier testimony,

you told the court that you
suffered from lapses of memory.

Oh, my memory is quite
clear on this, Mr. Mason.

I saw a bottle like that
on my husband's desk.

I remember it was
chipped around the neck.

Like this?

Oh...

Why, that's the bottle.

You are certain?

I'm positive.

That's the bottle
Mr. Dorian found.

You are right, Mrs. Alder.

This is the bottle that was
found at Paradise Cove.

But Dorian testified

he brought only a copy of
the note to your husband,

and at no time did he
ever bring the original note

or this bottle to your home.

But I saw it.

Yes, Mrs. Alder, you did see it.

You saw it when you were
consuming its contents.

You saw it when
you wrote that note

accusing your husband of m*rder.

You saw it when you threw it
into the ocean at Paradise Cove!

Didn't you, Mrs. Alder?

Well, didn't you?!

Yes.

(crowd murmuring)

I hated him. I wanted
to see him dead.

At the expense of a friend?

Your friend, Sally Fenner?

Oh, I didn't want Sally
to be hurt, Mr. Mason.

You must believe that.

I didn't want anything
to happen to her.

You see, she was the only
one who wasn't ashamed of me.

But George...

He...

When I k*lled him...

I had that wonderful
feeling of being free.

But it didn't last very long.

( melancholy theme playing)

I wish I had a drink.

Oh, how I wish I had a drink.

( melancholy theme
swells dramatically)

Chile relleno on tacos.

Mm-hm.

Enchiladas, tortillas, and
a side order of chile verde.

Mm-hm.

Señor?

Ham and eggs.

(chuckles)

I can't understand why he
doesn't like Mexican food.

Nor I. (chuckles)

Well, Mrs. Martinez.

You know, you are
a surprising woman.

In what way, Señor Mason?

Well, here I try to brand
you as a thief and a liar,

and you repay us with
hospitality and kindness.

Anyone can make a mistake.

Besides, señor, I am
a practical woman.

Ever since my name
was in the papers,

my business is much better.

Well, you have three
steady clients from now on.

Thank you.

You know, it may be a
minority opinion, but...

I feel sorry for Karen Alder,

the lonely alcoholic.

She had to be drunk when
she k*lled her husband.

No, I think she was sober.

And with a woman like Karen,

that's far more
deadly than drink.

What made you suspect her?

When Dr. Murray ruled out
Agatha Alder's death as m*rder,

that narrowed the suspects.

Well, what about
the beachcomber?

A blackmailer rarely
kills the golden goose,

unless it stops laying.

(drumroll plays)

(festive Latin music playing)

Sauce, señor? Mm-hm, please.

That is a real hot number.

(laughs)

(sighs)

( upbeat theme playing)

( noirish jazz theme playing)
Post Reply