03x01 - The Case of the Spurious Sister

[bunniefuu]

( noirish jazz theme playing )

And since I'm
flying out tonight

on a buying trip
to the Orient,

I've left full instructions
with my staff

to process your orders
as you specify.

Uh, warmest personal regards.
Sign it "Bruce."

Well, that's seven down,
Mr. Chapman,

and about to go.
Ha-ha.

Well, packed
already, darling?

Your plane doesn't leave
until : tonight.

Well, I have to go down
to the office first.

We'll leave for the airport
from there.

Well, you have
a good trip, Bruce.

You're not coming
to see me off?

Oh, darling I--

I've got one of
my bad headaches.

Oh.

I wanted to
talk to you.

About what?

( sighs )
I'll wait in the car.

No. No,
Miss Norwood.

You'd better use the phone
in the hall

and, uh, get
those cables off.

Marie.

Marie...

I've closed out
our joint account.

Bruce, you couldn't.

You'll be gone
at least six weeks.

The office will pay
your bills.

And you'll draw $ a week
for incidentals.

You're treating me
like a child.

You are a child
where money's concerned.

This time you're not going to
take money from our account

and gamble it away

in Las Vegas.

I won't gamble, Bruce.

I promise.

Fine.

Then you won't need anything
more than I've set up for you.

You can't do this.

I won't stand for it.

I'll get a divorce.

Does your gambling
mean that much to you?

That you'd divorce me
for it?

I can get community property
or a settlement.

At least $,.

All right, Marie.

While I'm away,

you can decide
just how much

your gambling
does mean.

( tense theme playing )

All right,
Miss Norwood.

Bruce.

Please. Let me have
just $,.

Think about it,
Marie.

I hope you'll see
I'm doing the right thing.

Gambling's a disease.
You've got to fight it.

Darling?

I haven't got the money.
He's cut me off.

No, no, I'll get it for you,
darling. I promise.

Whatever I have to do...

I'll get it.

( mysterious theme playing )

( jazzy dance music playing
on record player )

Hi, Marie.

Look, Ginny, how much
money have you got?

( scoffs ):
Money?

You know, I never
thought of it,

but with
your sense of humor,

we should've had
a comedy routine

instead of
a sisters dancing act.

We'd still be
in business.

Listen, Ginny, this is
no joke. I need $,.

Honey, I just got

my first solid
booking in months.
( sighs )

Isn't there someplace
you can get ahold of some cash?

Not without
a lethal w*apon.

( sighs )

Are you
in trouble, kid?

I'm desperate.

What about that jackpot
you married?

Hm. Not a penny.

Bruce will wish I was dead
before I'm through with him.

What about Walter?

Walter?
Yeah.

Hey, that's right.
Walter.

He owes me a lot more
than ,.

( phone ringing )

Hello?

No, he isn't in.

This is Mrs. Sprague.

May ask who--?

Oh.

Yes, I thought you'd
remember me, Mrs. Sprague.

Where is Walter?

Well, I'm expecting him
any minute, Mrs. Chapman.

We're doing the best we can.

Walter doesn't make
a very big salary.

Even $ every month.

Yes, yes, that's what
I'm calling about, Mrs. Sprague.

Let's make it $, tonight.

Two thousand?

But-- But that's impossible.

Listen, if you get me
the , by tonight,

I'll, uh, cancel
the rest of it.

Well, if I do,
it'll be my own money.

Walter would be very angry.

Well, I won't tell him
if you don't.

Now, you know where
that cabin is

that Walter
signed over to me?

Witmer Canyon?

That's right.
You be there at : tonight.

I've got a plane to catch...

to Vegas.

Hello?

Hello, Marie?

Marie who?

Oh, I didn't hear
you come in, Walter.

You did say "Marie."

Oh, yes.

Y-yes, it was one of
those giveaway programs.

You know, the kind where
they call you at home?

Heh-heh. I could have won
a whole basket of groceries

for telling who said, uh,
"Let 'em eat cake."

Oh. Marie Antoinette.

Oh, ho-ho.

Only I didn't remember
until after I hung up.

Well, I guess I'll
have to keep on

providing the groceries
around here.

Heh. Oh.

What's for chow?

Well, you'll find out
when you eat it.
Mm.

Now, hurry up
and wash up.

Oh, honey. I've
got to go back

to the office
a few hours.

Chance to make some overtime.
Hope you don't mind.

Oh, no, Walter.

I'll find
something to do.

( mysterious theme playing )

( horse whinnies )

( grunts )

Now, what's
going on here?

Who are you? A--?
Are you Mr. Chapman?

I'm Greg Evans.
I live down by the bend.

Do you know where
Mrs. Chapman is?

No. I rode up here
because the past hour

I've been seeing these lights
go on and off.

I'm a very curious guy.

I'm supposed to meet
Mrs. Chapman here at :.

In the dark?

I was scared. I--

I turned the lights off
when I heard you coming.

Oh, the room was like this
when I came in.

The door was unlocked, and
the chair was like that--

What's that?

"Helen Sprague.
Had to leave.

"If you know what's good
for you and for Walter,

"you'll get that check to me
in Vegas tomorrow.

Will be at Caravan Hotel.
Marie Chapman."

You Helen Sprague?

Do you have a check
for her?

Sorry I'm so suspicious.

You said curious, didn't you?

( mysterious theme playing )

( car starts )

( mysterious theme playing )

Thank you, sir.

Chapman Import Company.

Well, I'm sorry,
Miss Norwood isn't in.

Could someone else help you?

Well, this is
Bruce Chapman.

Where is Miss Norwood,
and when do you expect her?

OPERATOR:
Oh, Mr. Chapman.

We-- We didn't expect you back
for another month.

Uh, Miss Norwood has been
out of town for a few days.

Uh, could I try to
reach her for you?

( slow, dramatic theme playing )

W-what?

No, no. Never mind.

Uh, yes, operator.
This is very important.

I'm calling Las Vegas, Nevada,
person-to-person.

Mrs. Marie Chapman.

( operator speaking
indistinctly )

I don't know
where she's staying,

but I've got to find her.

CHAPMAN:
This changes everything
for me, Perry.

You'll have to draw up
a new will, for one thing.

Are you going to
contest the divorce?

No, I--

No.

Don't
misunderstand me.

It isn't that don't
love Marie very much, but--

Did you, um,
try to reach her

after you
received this?

Finally located her
at the Caravan Hotel.

She wouldn't even
take my call.

Did you have
an argument with her

before you left
on your trip?

Yes. About her gambling.
It's become compulsive.

I told her she'd have to make
a choice: her gambling or me.

It appears she made it.

Yes.

Now she's asking
for $, cash

in lieu of her share
of community property.

I as much as said
she could have it.

Della...

see if you can get
that attorney on the phone.

Mm-hm.

Gertie. See if you can reach
a Mr. Ralph Hibberly,

Placer Avenue,

Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mm-hm. Thank you.

Well, Mr. Mason.
What can I do for you?

You're handling a divorce action
for a Mrs. Marie Chapman.

Her husband's very anxious
to talk to her.

No dice, as we say here.

Oh, she stormed into my office
first thing this morning,

raging about
a long-distance call

he tried to put through
to her last night.

Seems she wants
no further contact with him.

Well, what does she want?

Well, she's establishing
legal residence here,

and at the end of
the required days,

we'll file suit for divorce.

She wants money right away,
and because of this,

is willing to accept
a cash settlement for $,.

Now, if she has to wait
until the divorce is granted,

she will demand her full share
of the community property,

which should be
at least $,.

Well, I'll discuss that
with my client.

Well...the mood she's in,

I'd say that he'd better
get a certified check

up here by plane today.

I see.

Thank you, Mr. Hibberly.

( hangs up
phone )

What did he say?

That she wants the money
right now,

or she'll withdraw her offer
of settlement.

What should I do?

I'm afraid that's up to you.

( sighs )
Yes, I--

I guess I really don't
have any choice.

Della...tell Paul
we'll need one of his men

to fly up to Las Vegas
with a check.

( mysterious theme playing )

( suspenseful theme playing )

( small gasp )

MAN:
Looking for
something?

Who are you?

Well, let's just say
that I'm another early bird,

Mr. Chapman.

You know who I am.
Oh, yeah.

Uh, that's my--
My cabin up above.

Yes, I know that too.

I just happened to notice
this car down here, and I--

But there's
nobody in it.

Just happened to notice it
at : in the morning?

Mr. Chapman, my name is Tragg.
Lieutenant Tragg, Homicide.

You mind, uh,
coming with me?

Where?

The morgue.

What for?

I'd like for you
to identify someone.

Who?

I'm sorry.

Perhaps your wife.

But that's impossible.

Why? Her car, isn't it?

Well, yes,
but it can't be Marie.

She's in Las Vegas
suing me for divorce.

Humor me, Mr. Chapman.

Let's go
take a look.

( mysterious theme playing )

Yes, that's Marie.

She's dead.

I can't understand.

Well, what don't you
understand, Mr. Chapman?

I just got back from
a trip to the Orient.

I was gone for ten days--
Yes, we know that.

We've had you under surveillance
ever since you got back.

You went to see Perry Mason
yesterday, didn't you?

Yes. The divorce--
We can drop
that divorce thing now

Mr. Chapman.
Lieutenant--

And I think you'd
better call Mr. Mason.

We're booking you
for first-degree m*rder.

I didn't k*ll
my wife.

But you did know
she was dead.

I almost convinced myself
that she wasn't.

You'd better tell me
exactly what happened,

right from
the beginning.

Well...

the day I left for
the Orient,

Marie said she had
a headache,

couldn't go to the airport
with me.

That when you had the argument
over her gambling?

Yes.

When I got to the airport,
I-- I phoned,

hoping to
smooth things over.

She wasn't home.

Well, I--

I began to put
certain things together:

her willingness
to get a divorce,

the lying about some of
her activities...

her frequent trips to
the cabin in Witmer Canyon.

And you decided
there was another man?

Yes.

So you went up to the cabin
and you saw her there?

I found her there.

She'd been strangled.

Do you remember what time
this was?

I got there about
ten minutes to .

Go on.

Well, I-- I was
in shock, I guess.

And then suddenly I--
I realized how vulnerable I was.

I-- I couldn't
get back to the airport

in time to
catch my plane,

and I'd already checked in
on the flight.

I'd be asked where I'd gone.

They'd be able to--
To trail me to the cabin.

And I'd-- I'd had
an argument with Marie.

Been talk of divorce.
Miss Norwood had overheard.

So I--

You tried to cover up.

I put Marie's body
into her car...

and pushed it
into the ravine.

I...hoped she wouldn't

be found for awhile.

That when she was found,

they wouldn't be able
to be accurate

about the time of death.

Then you went back
to the airport

and caught a later plane.

Yes.

I was supposed to be away
for at least six weeks,

but I--
I couldn't stand it.

I-- I came home in--

Well, after only ten days.

Perry, you can't
imagine how I felt

when found those divorce
papers waiting for me.

I told myself I'd-- I'd been
wrong about Marie being dead.

That she'd only
been unconscious.

I told myself that a miracle
had happened,

that Marie was alive
and well.

And that's why you sent
that certified check up there?

Yes, of course. I--

I'd sort of promised
she could have what she wanted.

But what about
the divorce?

Who was it?
Who got the money?

Well, it could only be
someone who saw you

push the car
into the ravine.

Someone who knew about
the $, settlement

and took advantage of it.

But how could she hope
to get away with it?

But she did, didn't she?

But what a chance she was
taking. I could expose her.

Could you?

Could you cry fraud
without also exposing the fact

that you knew
Marie was dead?

Well, then this solves
the whole thing.

All we have to do
is find out

who impersonated Marie
in Las Vegas.

She's the m*rder*r.

Just find her.
Is that all?

Didn't you tell me
that your wife

was once in show business?

Yes, before we were
married.

What did she do?

Oh, she was part of
a sister act.

They played
the nightclubs,

but they weren't
really sisters. She--

Do you think--?

Do you remember
the other woman's name?

Ginny.

Ginny...

I can't remember
her last name.

They called themselves

Ginny and Marie,
Dance Stylists.

She's still
an entertainer, Perry.

Full name's Ginny Hobart.
She's billed as a

"scintillating songstress
and sensational stepper."

She's opening tonight at
Barney's Bistro in Santa Monica.

Good, Paul.

You know if
we're looking for an--?

The attorney in Las Vegas,
Mr. Hibberly, is in court

and can't be reached
until late afternoon.

Shall I leave
the call in?

No, Paul will
be there by then.

He can see Hibberly
in person.

Mm. Oh, and
Miss Norwood

didn't show up
for work today.

Did you try her home?

Mm-hm. She wasn't
there either.

All right. Well,
as I was saying, Paul,

you know what we're
looking for in Las Vegas.

Some lead, some clue
as to the identity

of the woman who posed
as Marie Chapman.

Starting with
the Caravan Hotel,

and ending with
Mr. Hibberly.

Right.
Okay.

I'll pick up a photograph
of Chapman's wife

and catch the noon plane
to Vegas.
Good.

And Paul.

Add a name
to the list.

Norwood. Miss Norwood.
Chapman's secretary.

( mellow piano music playing)

Miss Hobart.

Oh, it's just
a rehearsal. I was la--

Who are you?

My name is Mason.

I'm Bruce Chapman's
attorney.

What do you want
with me?

A little help.

Did he do it?

Did he k*ll
Marie?

I believe he did not.

He's paying you
to believe that.

When did she leave the act?

First time she got married.

Oh, I see you didn't know
she was married before.

Well, don't blame
your client for that.

She didn't tell

the poor sap
about Walter.

Suppose you tell me
about Walter.

He was her first
husband, that's all.

When was the last time
you saw Marie?

The last time
I saw Marie...

She came to my bungalow
and wanted $,. Heh.

Of course she didn't
get it,

so she called
Walter Sprague.

Why would he give it to her?

He owed her that much,
and more.

But she didn't talk to him,
just to his wife.

Look, Mr. Mason, as they say,
the show must go on.

I've got to get back
to rehearsal.

All right, Miss Hobart.

Oh, just
one more thing.

When was the last time
you went out to the cabin

in Witmer Canyon?

Ha. Are you crazy?

I've never been
out there.

All that fresh air
would k*ll me.

( suspenseful theme playing )

MAN:
No, sir.
I don't know the lady.

You had a guest by the name
of Marie Chapman,

here for the cure.
Chapman.

Well, they come
and they go, sir.

She looked
something like this.

Yeah, there was a woman here
a little like this. She--

She always wore
big black sunglasses.

An odd one.
Odd? How?

Gone for days on end.

Has she checked out?

Yeah, I think so.

Yes, she's paid
till noon today.

Did she, uh, cash
a large check here?

I'm afraid you'll have to
ask the cashier that, sir.

Yes, I cashed it.

Uh, the check was certified.

What did she use
for identification?

Had me call
her attorney.

He said it was
a divorce settlement.

You gave her
the $, in cash?

That's what
she asked for.

Shocking.

And yet I daresay it was bound
to happen sooner or later.

The m*rder?
No, no.

No, an imposter
getting

a divorce settlement
like this.

You had no reason
to suspect her?

Well, put yourself in my place.

A law practice which consists
almost entirely of divorces.

They come in droves,
these women,

from all parts of the country,

day after day, year after year.

Well, you don't ask them
for proof of identity.

Birth certificates,
things like that.

It'd be ridiculous
on the face of it.

The bona fide Marie Chapman.

Mm-hm.

Well, the woman
who came to see me

was of the same general type
and coloring.

Of course, she always wore
big, fancy sunglasses.

So I've been told.
I was hoping

she might have taken 'em off
once in your presence.

Well, altogether,
I saw her only four times.

Uh, five,
including today.

You saw her today?

Quite by accident.
Where?

At the airport,
during noon recess.

Had to meet an incoming client.
An immoderately wealthy one.

And I saw Mrs. Chapman--

Well, that is,

the woman who represented
herself as Mrs. Chapman.

--getting on
the Los Angeles plane.

Uh, I was
rather startled.

Thought she might be abandoning
her legal residence.

You're sure it was
the L.A. plane?

Oh, positive.

( mysterious theme playing )

You're Perry Mason,
aren't you?

That's right.

Read you were
representing Chapman.

Nice guy.

You know him?

I have a place up here.

My name's Evans.

Greg Evans.

I'm glad you came along.

Saves me a trip to you.

Something important?

Well, the police
didn't seem to think so...

but maybe you will.

Our viewpoints
sometimes differ.

( chuckles )

Well, the night Marie
was m*rder*d,

I just happened to ride by...

and before I pulled up,

suddenly the lights
in the cabin went out.

When I knocked,
nobody answered.

Someone was in there?

Mm-hm.

I caught her when she tried
to make a run for it.

Had you ever
seen her before?

No. But I found out who
she was when I read the note.

Her name is Helen Sprague.

What note?

Marie Chapman had
left it for her.

Something about sending
$, to her in Las Vegas...

if she knew what was good
for her and her husband.

What time
was this?

About after .

Do you have
the note?

Helen Sprague took it.

Well, thanks
for the information.

I'm sure you'll know
what to do with it.

( mysterious theme playing )

WALTER:
This is the first I've
heard about it, Mr. Mason.

She didn't tell me because
she knew I'd be very angry

about her spending her own money
to pay off my debt.

What was the debt,
Mr. Sprague?

Alimony?

A property settlement
she stuck me with.

I was so anxious
to get rid of her,

I'd have promised
most anything.

Or done most anything?

What?

No, I didn't k*ll her,
and neither did Helen.

That's ridiculous.

Oh, I could've k*lled her.

I hated her enough.

By the way,
Mr. Sprague...

how did your wife
manage to

drive out to
Witmer Canyon

that night without
your knowing it?

I went back to the office
to work after dinner.

I see.

Thanks to
both of you.

( ominous theme playing )

That's right, Perry.

Hibberly saw this phantom woman
catch the noon plane.

Bold and simple.

To be swallowed up in
metropolitan Los Angeles.

What time did
the plane arrive?

One-twenty,
International Airport.

At :, I had a talk
with Ginny Hobart

backstage at Barney's Bistro.

Well, that clears her.

What about Helen Sprague, Paul?

Helen Sprague had
an : dental appointment

and kept it.

That leaves only one person

who could have impersonated
Marie Chapman:

Miss Grace Norwood.

That's from
the employment files

of the Chapman
Import Company.

Uh, by the way,
she's back in town.

MASON: Where had she been?
The desert, she says.

That's all?
That's all.

Della, how would you like
to get a divorce?

I thought you were
supposed to be married first.

What's on your mind?

Las Vegas.
Ralph Hibberly.

Fly out to L.A.
this evening?

Well, I'd have to
get at least $

for making the trip.

Why don't you come up here?

Oh, I-- I can't, Mr. Hibberly.

But I'll be glad to pay you
anything you ask.

A-- A friend
recommended you.

( Hibberly speaking
indistinctly )

No, sir. It's--
It's too delicate

to go into over the phone,

but I just
must see you tonight.

Yes. Grace Norwood.

Um, Rossmore Avenue,

Apartment .

Yes, I'll be home
at :.

Thank you so much,
Mr. Hibberly.

( mysterious theme playing )

All right. I did
overhear that argument

between Mr. Chapman
and his wife.

I did hear them
talk about a divorce

and a $,
settlement.

What does that prove?

I get the impression,
Miss Norwood,

that you resented her.

Resented her?

I despised her.

That's a rather
strong emotion

for a secretary
to feel

about her
employer's wife.

Maybe. But I'd feel
the same about someone

who kicked a defenseless
puppy too.

Will you tell us
where

you spent your time
in the desert?

No.

Las Vegas, perhaps?

I'm not going to answer
that question.

( doorbell buzzes )

Grace Norwood?

Yes?

Well, I'm here.

Heh. Obviously.
But who are you?

Why, Ralph Hibberly,
of course.

Is that supposed to
mean something to me?

Excuse me,
Mr. Hibberly.

I'm afraid
this is my doing.

My name is
Perry Mason.

Won't you
please come in?

Mr. Mason,
It's a pleasure.

This is my secretary,
Miss Street.

How do you do?
How do you do?

Miss Norwood.

Would you please
put these on?

Why should I?

Why shouldn't
you?

( chuckles )

Did you bring me
all the way down here

to check out a theory
of yours, Mr. Mason?

I believe
you said $?

Well,
Mr. Hibberly?

No, sir.

This is not the woman
who posed as Mrs. Chapman.

Are you
positive?

Yes. I never saw this woman
before in my life.

( suspenseful theme playing )

There's no one left.

MAN:
The autopsy
revealed

Marie Chapman was
already dead

when her car went over
into the ravine.

Dr. Hoxie...

what did you determine
to be the cause of death?

Asphyxia
due to strangulation.

There was a fracture
of the hyoid bone,

uh, with a hemorrhage
at the place of fracture.

I see. Now, the body
was discovered on what date?

August th.

And were you able to determine
from the condition of the body

the date of death?

Yes.

Approximately nine days
prior to

the discovery
of the body.

That would make it August th?
Is that correct?

Yes, sir.
Thank you, doctor.

Your witness.

Doctor...

you mentioned a fracture
of the hyoid bone.

I did.

Now, how much applied force

would have been necessary
to have caused that fracture?

Very little.

It's a delicate bone

in a vulnerable part
of the throat.

In other words, doctor,

the strangulation
could have been done

by a woman
with average strength?

No question of that.

Thank you, doctor,
that's all.

Miss Grace Norwood
to the stand, please.

JUDGE:
The witness may
stand down.

Now, Miss Norwood...

during this argument between
the defendant and his wife,

was anything said
about a divorce

or a $, settlement?

Yes.

Would you tell
this court, please,

what the argument
was about?

I didn't hear
everything they said.

Well, just tell us
what you did hear.

I'm not sure.

Miss Norwood, you're
evading the questions.

What was the argument about?

Heh. Your Honor,

Miss Norwood is
a hostile witness

to say the least.

Mm.

All right, Mr. Burger, you may
treat her as a hostile witness.

Thank you, Your Honor.
Now, Miss Norwood,

just answer yes or no.

Did the defendant
accuse his wife

of being a compulsive gambler?

Yes.

And didn't he thr*aten,
or didn't he say,

that he was gonna close
their joint bank account?

He had to because she--

Just yes or no,
Miss Norwood.

Yes.
I see.

Now, you and Mr. Chapman
left his home

and went back to the office
to do some more work.

Is that correct?

Yes.
And then he left you there

and went to the airport?

Yes.

And the plan
was that you were

gonna go to
the airport parking lot,

and pick up the key and
the ticket at the exit booth

later that evening,

and then drive the car
back to his home,

is that correct?
Yes.

But when you got there,

Miss Norwood,

were the key, the car

and the ticket there?

No.

And that was after
the time of departure

of Mr. Chapman's plane,

wasn't it?

Yes.

Thank you, Miss Norwood.

Cross-examine.

Isn't it true,
Miss Norwood,

that you made several trips
out of the state

during the time Mr. Chapman
was out of the country?

I object to that,
Your Honor.

That's incompetent,
irrelevant and immaterial.

It deals with matters not
covered in direct examination.

The answer's no anyway.

I wouldn't have k*lled
Marie Chapman

for ten times $,.

The witness will refrain
from any such outbursts

in the future.

The objection is sustained.

Clerk will strike
the answer and the question.

Proceed, Mr. Mason.

Would you have k*lled her
so that Bruce Chapman

would have been free for you
to marry, Miss Norwood?

Your Honor--
Thank you. That's all.

I call Walter Sprague
to the stand, please.

How long were you married
to the deceased, Mr. Sprague?

Not quite a year. But
that was five years ago.

And did you know
Bruce Chapman, the defendant?

Marie's second husband?

I didn't meet him until the day
before he left on his trip.

He visited me at my place
of business.

He told me he just found out
from a private investigator

Marie had been
married before.

Something
she never told.

BURGER:
Well, what else transpired
at that time?

WALTER:
Well, he asked me a lot
of questions about Marie.

Whether
she gambled.

And I told him she did,
but not immoderately.

Whether she chased around
with other men.

I told him she did,
but not indiscriminately.

Whether she lied,
dissembled, and was selfish,

and was capable of really
loving somebody.

I said yes, yes, yes
and no.

She wasn't capable of loving
anyone but herself.

And this was the day before
Marie was k*lled?

Monday, August rd,
yes.

Thank you, Mr. Sprague.
Your witness.

Mr. Sprague, on the night
of Tuesday, August th,

where were you?

My office,
working late.

And there was no one
at your office

who could establish
your being there at ?

No.

I see.

Now, Mr. Sprague,
would you please tell us

the terms of your divorce
settlement with Marie?

I was to pay her $ a month

until the sum of $,
was reached.

Or until she died?

Yes, I guess so.

That does stop it, doesn't it?

No further questions.

I call Virginia Hobart
to the stand, please.

BAILIFF:
Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth?

She said her husband
had cut her off,

and that she needed money
desperately.

And that he'd wish
she was dead

before she got through
with him.

I see.

Thank you, Miss Hobart.
Your witness.

Now, Miss Hobart...

do I understand
from your testimony

that you knew that Bruce Chapman
was prepared to give Marie

a $, property settlement

if she wanted a divorce?

Yes, sir, I knew it.

You and Marie were partners
in a nightclub act at one time,

were you not?

That's right. Years ago.

A so-called
sister act?

We weren't really sisters.

But you could almost pass
for sisters, could you not?

Sure we could.
We did.

That's all, thank you.

BURGER:
I call Lieutenant Arthur Tragg,
please.

TRAGG:
The defendant had a ticket for
the flight leaving at : p.m.

He missed the plane

and was rerouted
through San Francisco

on the : plane.

I see.
Now, lieutenant,

would you
tell us, please,

where you found
the body?

In her car
at the bottom of a ravine.

Uh, examination
showed that

it had been pushed off
the road

beside the Chapman
cabin.

And would you tell us
anything else

of an evidential nature

that you discovered
on the car?

We found, uh,
fingerprints,

later identified as
belonging to Bruce Chapman,

the defendant,

on the, uh, doorsill

on the driver's side
of the car,

on the steering wheel,

and full handprints
on the back of the car.

Well, there were other
fingerprints on the car,

weren't there?
Yes, sir.

But only full handprints
on the back.

They were
Bruce Chapman's.

Thank you, lieutenant.
That'll be all.

Your witness.

Lieutenant, aside from
those of the defendant,

you said there were other
fingerprints found on the car.

Yes, sir.

The decedent's, of course,

and the person who reported
finding the car in the ravine.

And who
was that?

Mr. Gregory Evans.

And this kid came running
up to my cabin,

said he'd been shying rocks
over the ravine,

when he heard a loud ping.

So he looked down,
and there was the car.

What did you do then,
Mr. Evans?

Well, I phoned
the sheriff's station.

While was waiting,
I guess I got

my fingerprints
on the car.

I see. Referring you now
to the night of August th

at approximately :,

were you in your cabin
in Witmer Canyon?

Oh, I was.

Would you tell
this court, please,

anything that happened
of an unusual nature?

Well, I was sitting
on my porch

with my feet up
on the rail,

when all of a sudden,
I saw him drive by

with his lights and motor off,
coasting downgrade.

"Him," Mr. Evans?

Bruce Chapman.

BURGER:
What did you do then?

GREG:
Well, I hollered out to him,

but I guess
he didn't hear me.

Anyway, he was gone before I
could drop my boots to the floor

and get out
on the road.

I see. Thank you, Mr. Evans.
That'll be all.

Your witness.

Mr. Mason, if you don't object

to postponing
your cross-examination,

the court will call
the noon recess.

I've no objection,
Your Honor.

JUDGE:
Very well. The court stands
adjourned until p.m.

( people murmuring )

What's the news
on Helen Sprague?

Well, I found out why
she hasn't been here in court.

Their home was
broken into last night.

Robbery?
Mm-hm.

Do you know what was stolen?
No, I don't.

Do you have an idea?

Maybe.

So have I, but about
something else.

I'll see you
back here in court.

( tense theme playing )

( tense theme playing )

What was stolen,
Mrs. Sprague?

Um.

Well, that's
the funny part of it.

Nothing of value.

I have some silver. We've
been paying out on it.

The thief didn't
even touch it.

Of course, it might be
a coincidence,

but I have a feeling
that there's some link

between this robbery and
the m*rder of Marie Chapman.

Well, what
could it be?

Well, it could be

that the thief was after
something he didn't find.

Now, Mr. Evans. You testified
that you saw Bruce Chapman

drive by your place that night.
That's right.

Did you see
any other cars drive by?

No.

Is there only one road
to the Chapman cabin?

Well, yes,
there's one road.

It comes up my side,
and goes past the Chapmans',

and down the other side
of the mountain.

Then someone could drive
to the Chapman cabin

and depart without
going past your place?

That's right.

Now, in your testimony,

you said that the car
that you saw

drive by
had its lights off.

Yes.

And yet you were able
to identify the driver

as Bruce Chapman?

Oh, it was him, all right.
I know him real well.

How well did you know
Mrs. Chapman?

We were friends.

MASON:
Go horseback riding
with her?

GREG:
Occasionally.

MASON:
Alone?

Bruce doesn't ride.

Very attractive woman,
wasn't she?

Yes. She was quite a woman.

Mr. Hibberly, you mean that
without any credentials at all,

a woman, just any woman--

even a woman employed
for this very purpose,

and having no possible
connection with the subject

--can simply put on
a pair of dark sunglasses,

fraudulently impersonate
another person,

and file a suit for divorce.

In this case, a divorce
of a woman already dead?

I regret to say
that she could.

And looking at it
in that way,

the whole pattern
becomes logical.

Now, I wish you'd look around
this courtroom, sir,

and tell us if you can
identify the woman

who said she was
Marie Chapman.

No, I can't.

But then you might bring
the actual woman in here,

and I might fail
to identify her too.

Yes, I understand that.

Now, let's suppose
for a minute

that the body wasn't
discovered quite so soon

and that the divorce
actually went through.

And let's suppose
further that

the police came to you
for help

in establishing
the time of death

of a certain
Marie Chapman.

What would you say
to them

under
these circumstances?

I'd say that
she would have had to be alive

on the date of the plaintiff's
appearance in court

for the granting
of her divorce.

Why? What
one conclusive fact

would lead you
to that opinion?

Well, the fact that
the husband hadn't objected,

and that he had paid
the $,.

Thank you, sir.

Your witness.

Now, Mr. Hibberly...

you said the entire pattern
became logical.

Now, let me ask you:

As an attorney,
would you say

it's logical for
a man to act

as the prosecution contends
the defendant acted?

You mean, m*rder his wife,
throw her over a cliff,

and then hire someone
to impersonate her

to get a divorce
for him

simply to confuse
the time of death?

That's exactly
what I mean.

Honestly?

No. I think the scheme

would be fraught
with peril

and endless blackmail.

Thank you.
That'll be all.

JUDGE:
The witness may
stand down.

Your Honor...

some new information
has just come to hand.

With the court's
permission,

I would like to recall

Miss Virginia Hobart
to the stand.

Any objections, Mr. Burger?

I have no objection,
Your Honor.

Miss Hobart,
take the stand, please.

You're still under oath,
Miss Hobart.

Yes, sir.

Miss Hobart...

when Marie Chapman
came to you

on the afternoon
of August th

and asked you
for money,

you said you were unable
to help her.

Is that true?

( scoffs )
I was stony broke.

Yet, on August th,

you informed your agents,

the Theatrical
Artists' Association,

that you were retiring,

quitting the entertainment
business,

and that they should
cancel your engagement

at a place called
Barney's Bistro.

So what?

Well, how do you account for
the sudden shift in fortune?

( scoffs )

Well, the answer's
spelled M-A-N.

What man?

The one who asked me
to marry him.

But on August th,

just hours later,

you did open
at Barney's Bistro.

A rather, um, short retirement,
wasn't it?

Tsk.

So the man unasked me.
It happens, you know.

To me, anyway.

I see.

Now, Miss Hobart,
I believe you told me

that you'd never been
to the Chapman cabin.

That's right.

Would you please
look at this picture?

Isn't that an enlarged snapshot
of you and Greg Evans

taken in front of
the Chapman cabin?

The cabin you told me
you'd never seen?

Heh. All right, so I was
there a couple of times.

Why did you
perjure yourself?

I didn't want to
get involved.

What do you mean, "involved?"

In the m*rder and everything.

But you are involved...

in the m*rder
and everything.

What do you mean?

Isn't it true, Miss Hobart,

that you were the one
who posed as Marie Chapman?

That you went to Las Vegas

and sued the defendant
for a divorce?

That you cashed
his certified check for $,?

No!

Didn't I have to go back to
work in that crummy joint?

I'm broke.

Didn't you sign
Marie Chapman's name

to a divorce complaint,

a certified check,

and even to Helen Sprague's
check for $,?

No.

Isn't it true
that you received

that $, check
on August th

and then notified your agents
that you were retiring?

And didn't you then cash
that same check

at the Caravan casino?

And didn't you then
unretire yourself

less than eight hours later
because that money was gone,

lost at the gambling tables?

All right.

All right, so I--
I did go to Vegas,

and try and get
the money. Why not?

I went to the cabin that night.
I got there just in time

to see Bruce push the car
with Marie in it

into the ravine.

Why didn't you go
to the police?

That wouldn't have done
Marie any good. Or me.

I decided not to
let anyone in on it.

I'd go to Las Vegas,
get the divorce and the money,

and Bruce wouldn't dare
let out a peep.

He k*lled her, didn't he?

No, Miss Hobart,
he did not.

( crowd murmuring )
( taps gavel )

With the court's permission,
at this time,

if I may recall
another witness,

I think we might get
at the truth in this case.

Mm-hm.
Which witness?

I would like to recall
Mr. Ralph Hibberly.

Mr. Burger?

No objection,
Your Honor.

Now, Mr. Hibberly...

do you recognize
Miss Hobart

as the spurious
Mrs. Chapman?

It's like finding
a face in a cloud.

Sometimes you can't
see it

until someone
points it out to you.

Then you wonder why
you couldn't see it before.

What about
the identification

at the Las Vegas
Airport?

It must have been
just a fleeting--

( door opens )

Um, Your Honor,
may I have a moment?

Yes, Mr. Mason.

You were right,
Mr. Mason.

I think we found
what the thief was after.

Mr. Hibberly...

when Mr. Drake
showed you a photograph

of the late Marie Chapman,
you didn't recognize her.

Well, that's right.
How would I know her?

Mm, you'd never
seen her?

Never.
I told you.

When did you arrive
in town, Mr. Hibberly?

This morning.

Not last night?

No. I said, this morning.

Sprague home was broken into
last night,

or in the early hours
of the morning.

What about it?

Now, what would
the Spragues have

that would tie in
with this case?

You're talking in riddles.

What link so important that
it would warrant a major risk

on the part of a m*rder*r:

breaking, entering,
stealing,

or trying
to steal?

( sighs )

This is what the m*rder*r
was after, Mr. Hibberly.

Proof that he had known
Marie Chapman,

formerly
Marie Sprague.

( tense theme playing )

I had to try and get it.

If you found out

that I had handled Marie's
divorce from Walter Sprague...

then you'd have known

that I couldn't possibly

have been fooled
by the impersonation.

( scoffs )

Funny,
isn't it?

Bruce Chapman
thought all along

that she was
a compulsive gambler.

And all the while
I was the gambler.

She came to Vegas to see me...

not the gaming table.

( grabs paper )

I k*lled her.

( slow, dramatic theme playing )

Marie met Hibberly
at the cabin that night.

When he found out about
your $, settlement offer,

he urged her to go through
with the divorce.

Marie refused.
Hibberly told her

he wouldn't
see her anymore.

Marie became angry,
vicious, made threats.

It must have shocked her that
someone would treat her

as she had always treated
everybody else.

There was
a struggle,

he grabbed her
by the throat,

she was dead.

And that's when I came along?

That's right.

Hibberly heard your car coming.

Hiding outside,
he watched you panic,

and then roll the car
and Marie over the cliff.

Then he got
the idea

to cash in
on the settlement

you'd
offered Marie.

So he went to Ginny for help,

and together they conceived
the final plan.

What about Miss Norwood?

She's been visiting
someone in Phoenix.

Friend?

No, a relative.

An invalid
husband.

Oh.

An incurable invalid.

He died.

Incidentally,
Mr. Chapman,

I have a message
for you from her.

She says that
work's piling up,

things are
in a turmoil,

and the office
needs you.

That sounds exactly
like a secretary.

( noirish jazz theme playing )