WOMAN:
Left.
( slow, tense theme playing )
Once.
Three-one.
Right...
twice.
Fifty-five.
Left.
Ten.
What's in there?
Nothing.
What's going to be
in there Sunday night?
Over a hundred thousand
dollars.
I hope.
One hundred
and thirty thousand.
In cash.
What about
the watchman?
Oh. Well, he starts
his rounds on the hour.
Takes him minutes.
He ends up right back
where he started from.
His room at the front
of the entrance.
That's why
I go through
the front gate
at after ?
That's right.
Now then, what
are you gonna do?
I take the money out,
put it in my bag
and close the safe.
And then get out.
You'll wait. You'll wait
in between the buildings
until you see the watchman
start his midnight rounds.
Right?
Then what?
Well, then we
follow our plan.
You've already left
on another buying trip.
I meet you in the cabin
in the Sierras.
( upbeat theme playing )
Yeah, going to use the company
plane this trip, Howard?
You know I love
to fly, Mr. Taylor.
I'd hoped my son
could take over
some of this traveling
for you.
Give you a chance to
relax behind your desk.
Give him the experience
he needs in the field.
Don't you worry, Mr. Taylor.
I'm sure he'll get it.
Yeah. The only experience
Andy's getting
is how to sh**t craps
in Vegas...
and how to be irritating
and stubborn with me.
Well, I think he's just
a little young, impetuous.
How long do you stay
young and impetuous?
Boy eight years
out of college and married...
ought to have some sense
of responsibility.
The fights
we've had lately...
I've tried to be
a good father.
WOMAN:
Have you, Mr. Taylor?
How do you expect Andy
to assume responsibility...
when all he ever
hears from you
is how untrustworthy
he is?
And what does he hear
from you, Carol?
How to be a patient,
dutiful son
and wait for
the inheritance?
I know you think
I married Andy for your money.
Well, what did you marry
him for? To reform him?
To get him over the habit
of signing my name to checks?
To stop his gambling?
Hasn't been a very
successful marriage, has it?
Perhaps with
a little understanding--
Andrew wasn't ready
for marriage, young lady.
You rushed him into it.
I understand that much.
What are you
up here for now?
Mr. Walters...
Andy and I are leaving
for dinner at the club.
I thought perhaps
my father-in-law would join us.
Well...
my wife's waiting.
She's driving me
to the airfield.
I left that Fresno account
for Andy to
take care of on Monday.
He'll be there...
if I have to pour him
on the morning plane myself.
( chuckles )
Well, everything else is
under control, Mr. Taylor.
I'll be calling you
the first part of the week.
Fine, Howard, fine.
Have a good trip.
Thank you.
It just seems as though
we don't have
a life together
anymore.
It's a short trip
this time.
I wish you wouldn't
fly yourself.
I prefer it.
It isn't safe.
Well...look at
all the insurance
you stand to collect
if anything happens.
Don't say things
like that.
All right, Ruth.
Howard.
I'll call you.
( plane flying overhead )
( grunts )
Be careful.
Sure.
Go on now.
( dramatic theme playing )
The plane is gassed and ready.
I'm leaving now.
WOMAN: All right, dear.
Nervous?
Yes.
But I'll be all right
Sunday night.
I'll be fine.
Oh, sure you will.
It'll go without a hitch,
just like we rehearsed it.
I'll meet you Monday, :,
at the mountain cabin.
A new life, Janice.
Love me?
Darling...
you know I do.
Bye.
Bye, Howard.
See you Monday.
( line clicks dead )
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
You won't. But I will.
What a surprise he'll find
up at that cabin.
Instead of Janice,
his darling...
me.
Instead of $, dollars,
a . slug.
Mayday. Mayday, mayday.
This is ...
.
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
MAN ( over radio ):
This is Merced Airport.
This is Merced Airport.
We receive your transmission,
.Over.
I hear you, Merced.
This is Walters.
Howard Walters, Los Angeles.
All oil pressure lost.
Impossible to set her down.
Over.
Walters, state your position.
Please state your position.
Where are you
bound for? Over.
Fresno to Portland.
Losing altitude. Dropping fast.
I'm on fire! On fire!
I'm gonna crash!
I'm crashing! Tell my wife--
Tell my wife--
( bangs on radio )
( suspenseful theme playing )
( grunting )
Oh, clumsy, blundering fool.
Ouch.
( panting )
( grunting )
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
( groans )
( stamps feet )
( fire crackling )
( man whispers
indistinctly )
WALTERS ( whispering ):
Janice.
Hundred and thirty thousand.
Janice.
Janice.
Yeah.
( wind gusting
outside )
Oh!
You better lay quiet,
mister.
Your leg's busted.
( groans )
How long
have I been here?
Almost two days.
Two days.
Oh, I've got to
get out of here.
Help me get up.
You ain't goin'
no place, mister.
You're just lucky I found you
and brung you home,
and took care of
your busted leg.
Who are you?
Zack Davis.
What's your handle?
Not a solitary thing in your
belongings to tell me, stranger.
Have you got a car?
Car?
Yeah.
Mister, there ain't no way
in or out of this place
exceptin' on a shank's pony.
We're smack in the middle
of no place.
( sighs )
We got no roads,
no neighbors, no nothin'.
Where'd you find me?
This side of the ridge.
I was out prospectin'
with Daisy.
She's my burro.
I reckon you traveled
a far piece
with that busted leg.
Look. Help me
get to a phone.
There ain't no phone
for miles.
And you can't move
till that leg sets.
Well, how long
will that be?
It don't matter how long.
You'll be here till spring,
anyhow.
Spring? No, I can't!
Well, it don't matter.
We'll be snowed in
all winter.
I Hope you like cribbage,
mister.
Sure helps pass the time.
( dramatic theme playing )
Oh.
( sighs )
MASON:
And it's now seven weeks
since your husband
disappeared?
CAROL:
Yes, Mr. Mason.
I wanted to notify
the police immediately...
but my father-in-law
wouldn't let me.
Why?
Well...
you see, the Sunday that
Andy disappeared,
a hundred and thirty
thousand dollars
was stolen from the office safe.
And your father-in-law thought
that Andy might have
stolen the money?
Yes.
Oh, I know there were
many things that Andy did
before we were married
that weren't right,
but he never stole.
Haven't you heard from him
in all this time?
No.
That's why I'm so worried.
All the other times he would--
Other times?
( sighs )
Twice before
he went away.
After arguments
with his father.
But he'd call me, and I'd talk
to him, and he'd come back.
I see.
Now, uh...
just how did you want me
to help you, Mrs. Taylor?
Mr. Mason, I'm so worried.
I think something
might have happened to Andy.
An accident--
You want me
to make inquiries?
Perhaps call in
a private investigator?
Oh, yes.
Please.
You understand
that in finding him,
it may uncover the fact
that he did steal the money?
Yes. I understand.
Do you have any family,
Mrs. Taylor?
Just a cousin. Roger Porter.
Della, see if you can
set up a--
An appointment with
Mr. Wade Taylor.
Make it this afternoon
if possible.
Mm.
Here?
No. I think I'd like to see him
in his own surroundings.
A privilege, Mr. Mason.
Mr. Taylor.
I'd like to talk to you
about your son.
So Carol went
to you.
At least she didn't go
to the police.
Did she tell you
about the money?
Yes.
And what does
you want you to do,
find him before
the money's all gone?
No.
She's concerned
over his welfare.
Not hearing from him,
she thinks maybe
he might have been hurt or
something might have happened
to him.
Forgive me, Mason.
I have no such fears.
Have you heard from him?
No.
Would you tell me why
you suspect him of stealing?
I don't suspect. I know.
He took $,
out of that safe
in the outer office.
No question about it?
Only three people
knew the combination.
My general manager,
Howard Walters.
My son, Andrew.
And myself.
I see.
What about this Walters?
He couldn't have taken
the money, Mason.
He was out of town
when it happened.
As a matter of fact,
he telephoned me the evening
of the robbery,
from Fresno.
And that leaves only Andrew
and yourself?
And I didn't rob myself.
Why didn't you report
the robbery?
And put my son
in jail?
Insurance companies
aren't noted for sentiment.
Then you are
taking the loss?
My loss is my son.
I thought there was
some hope for him.
I know now...
there isn't.
Yes.
I will, thank you.
Oh, Mr. Taylor.
They found the plane.
The snows melting, uh,
gave the search party
a chance
to get up there.
What about Walters?
Uh-- Apparently,
he never bailed out.
They found his body
badly charred.
Thanks, Roger.
Oh, Roger Porter,
Perry Mason.
How do you do?
Hello.
You're Carol Taylor's
cousin, aren't you?
Uh, that's right.
I'm sorry to hear
about Mr. Walters.
When was the crash?
Seven weeks ago.
In the High Sierras.
Around the time
of the theft?
Well, the next day,
I believe.
A good man.
You were about to tell me
where to start
the search for your son.
Why not
just wait, Mason?
He'll come home with his tail
between his legs
as soon as the money's
all gone.
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
( door closes )
Thorough check
on the last seven weeks.
Former girlfriends, associates,
gambling, nightspots.
Here, Las Vegas
and in Reno.
With special emphasis
on whether or not
he's been flashing a roll?
Mm-hm.
And about
that plane crash--
I have a preliminary
report on that one.
Uh, a small private plane
reported an oil leak
to the Merced Airport
at : p.m.,
Monday, January th.
Crashed, burned
and snowbound.
A search party reached
the plane this morning.
The body is being
sent to Los Angeles
at the wife's request.
Paul, before you
do anything else,
I want you to drop in
on Lieutenant Tragg.
Just drop in
at headquarters?
Uh, with a suggestion.
I wanna make sure an autopsy
is performed on that body.
One that covers all
possible causes of death.
( slow, mysterious theme
playing )
( sighs )
I can't understand it.
What could've happened?
Howard faked the whole thing,
why didn't he bail out?
I don't know,
and I don't care.
Roger, it's been
seven weeks.
How much longer
do we have to wait?
We played it safe.
We got the money stashed away.
We don't wanna get
careless now.
Oh, darling.
Just think...
$,...
split two ways.
One way, baby.
One way?
Share and share
alike, remember?
In everything.
( ominous theme playing )
( sighs )
WALTERS:
Hello, Janice.
Well, don't I get
a welcome-home kiss?
( dramatic theme playing )
I called
a half-a-dozen times.
No one answered.
( grunts )
Mm, Howard, I--
I had just given up
all hope.
Why didn't you
let me know?
Oh, I couldn't.
I bailed out all right, but
I broke my leg when I landed.
Then I got snowed in.
Everybody thinks
you're dead.
Well, isn't that how
we planned it?
Where's the money?
In a safety-deposit box.
Oh. Good girl.
No one suspects?
No.
No, it...
went off
just perfectly.
Well, fine. We'll take
the money out tomorrow,
get away just the way
we planned...
only, uh, seven weeks later.
( sighs )
Say, have you got anything
to eat in this place?
Howard,
you can't stay here.
Why not?
Well, a girl from
the office is coming
to spend
the night here.
Don't you have
any place to stay?
Yeah. Yeah, I checked in
at the Valley Vista Motel
in North Hollywood.
Under the name
of Henry Morrison.
Seems like I, uh--
I really surprised you.
( scoffs )
Uh, you did.
The search party
reached the plane.
Well? It burned up,
didn't it?
Not completely.
They recovered a body.
So what?
I thought it was you.
It wasn't.
If I can't stay here...
you come with me.
Howard.
We mustn't take
any chances.
And if my girlfriend
came in here
and found you here, sh--
All right. All right,
I can wait another day.
I'll call you later...
and set up the arrangements
for tomorrow morning.
Howard.
Yeah?
Who was in that plane?
We thought the body
found in the plane
was Howard Walters,
of course.
We even asked his wife
and his employer,
Mr. Taylor, to come
to the identification.
And then the body
was definitely
identified, not
as Walters,
but as
Andrew Taylor.
And Wade Taylor made
the identification of his son?
That's right.
He told us to look
for a false tooth,
some special dentistry,
and the evidence
of a mastoid operation,
which we found.
What about the autopsy?
The body wasn't completely
consumed by flames.
Andrew Taylor died of
a .-caliber b*llet
through his heart.
Which made it m*rder.
How'd you know,
Perry?
I didn't.
How did you guess?
More of a hunch, lieutenant.
What's your interest
in this case?
I don't know if I have
an interest at all now.
May be finished.
( rings )
Hello.
Hello?
Mrs. Taylor?
Yes? Uh--
Who is this?
I'm sorry, but
the line isn't clear.
If you would like evidence
that your husband
did not steal that money
from his father's safe,
you can find it
at the Valley Vista Motel
in North Hollywood.
Bungalow .
What do you know
about this? Uh--
Who is it?
( line clicks dead )
Hello? Hello?
She'll probably leave
right away.
You'd better start out.
Okay.
Fifteen thousand?
( ringing )
Hello?
JANICE: Mrs. Walters.
Your husband is in town,
at the Valley Vista Motel.
Bungalow .
( gasps )
What's that?
Howard?
He wants to see you.
Howard?
Is Howard--?
( line clicks dead )
( pushing cradle )
Hello?
He--
( doorbell rings )
( exhales )
( doorbell rings )
Good evening.
Mrs. Walters?
What is it?
Who are you?
This is Miss Street.
My name is Mason.
Wait a minute.
What do you want?
I'm an attorney.
Now, if it's more
convenient for you
to talk at another time--
Why, yes, it would be.
I represent a member
of the Taylor family.
I just wanted to find out
if you'd heard
from your husband
recently.
Why, no. Not since
the plane crash.
Must have been a relief
to you to discover
that...Andrew Taylor
had been impersonating
your husband?
Impersonating Howard?
Yes, it was a relief.
Of course I-- I feel
sorry for Andy.
Really, Mr. Mason,
I apologize for being rude--
Not at all.
Haven't you been worried,
not hearing from your husband?
Oh, yes. Yes,
terribly worried.
And don't you think it odd
that none of the stolen money
was found in the wreckage?
Are you implying my husband
had something to do
with the stolen money,
Mr. Mason?
If you haven't heard from him.
He frequently
goes on long trips.
Without keeping in touch?
Sometimes.
Now, look here, I don't have
to answer your questions.
I beg
your pardon.
We're, uh, sorry
to have disturbed you.
Come on, Della.
( dramatic theme playing )
( car starts )
She didn't go in.
And the police, Perry.
Uh-huh.
( car approaches )
( car door closes )
Sorry. You'll
have to stand back.
My name is Mason.
Okay, Mason.
I'll see the reporters
spell the name right.
What happened?
It'll be in
the morning papers.
Hastings?
Uh-- Oh.
Well, hello, lieutenant.
Well, I was kind of
expecting you, Perry.
Then you know
more than I do.
I wasn't expecting
to be here.
m*rder?
Uh-huh.
Who is it?
The one we were looking for:
Walters.
When did it happen?
Well, we can't be sure.
About an hour ago,
the manager here
thought he heard
a backfire.
And it could've
been then.
Uh, we'll have the whole
story in a few minutes.
Oh?
Yes, we have the k*ller.
She came back for her g*n,
we caught her.
Who's "her"?
Andrew Taylor's wife:
Carol Taylor.
( dramatic theme playing )
And that's my story, ma'am.
I was with Mr. Walters
all the time
he was up in the mountains...
so I feel like
I know you personal-like.
What do you know about me
personal-like?
Oh, this and that.
You weren't his wife,
but he was in love with you.
Crazy about you.
I can't believe Howard
talked to you like that.
Well, he didn't. Not directly.
But when we first met up,
he was out of his head.
Delirious.
Of course, I didn't connect up
anything he was saying
till he...
mentioned $,.
What about $,?
Seems like you're
holdin' it for him.
Am I?
'Course, now you can
get to keep it.
Can I?
Mr. Walters
ain't in no condition
to ask for his share.
Isn't he?
No.
Why not?
'Cause he's dead,
Miss Janice.
You know that.
And that nice-lookin',
apple-cheeked young feller
in there knows it too.
I mean the one you was
with this evening
at the Valley Vista Motel...
a little before
the cops came.
Roger.
What do you want?
Well, I'm
a stranger in town.
I heard so much about
Los Angeles from Howard,
I had to see it
for myself.
I ain't lyin' when I tell you
it's left me flat busted.
That means
you want money?
That's right.
Well, why do you think
we should give you money?
If you don't know why,
there's no use my telling you.
I'm in
the wrong place.
All right.
You're in the wrong
place.
Yes, ma'am.
Uh, just a second.
Where
you going?
To the right place,
I reckon.
Where?
Police station.
Oh, what makes you think
we were at the motel tonight?
Saw you, that's why.
Oh, that means you were there.
That's right.
So you could have
k*lled Howard Walters.
Sure.
I guess I could have.
I didn't though.
How much money
do you want?
Would $
be too much?
Well, Walters knew
the combination of the safe.
The police figure
he gave you the combination
just before
he left on his trip.
That you stole the money.
Walters picked up
Andy by plane in Fresno,
and then with Andy
already dead,
he deliberately
crashed the plane.
It just doesn't
make sense.
They believe that when
Walters returned...
you met him at the motel
and k*lled him,
in order to keep
the $, for yourself.
It isn't true.
I don't have
anybody's money!
Why would they say
I stole that money if I--
They found $,
in your home.
In my home?
But I didn't steal
any money.
Mr. Mason, I--
I'd never conspire
to steal or--
Or m*rder.
What were you doing
in that bungalow?
I--
I just went to talk
to Mr. Walters.
I found him dead.
How did you know
where he was?
I received
a telephone call.
From whom?
( exhales )
Man's voice? Woman's?
A-- A woman's.
I-I'm not sure.
It was muffled-like,
fuzzy.
What did the voice say?
It said if I wanted
evidence to prove
that Andy didn't steal
his father's money, I--
I should go to
the Valley Vista Motel,
Bungalow .
If Walters was dead,
how did you get in?
The door was open.
How many times were you
in Walters' bungalow tonight?
Once.
Just once!
( sobbing )
Had you figured out
that Walters k*lled Andy?
Mr. Mason...
if you had told me
the police believe
that I shot Mr. Walters
because he k*lled Andy,
I'd say it makes sense,
even if it isn't true.
Yes, Mr. Mason,
I figured it out.
And if you don't want to
represent me, I--
Mrs. Taylor.
It'll be a privilege
to represent you.
( dramatic theme playing )
( dramatic theme playing )
And, uh, death
was instantaneous.
The b*llet passing through
the heart
and lodging in the spine.
And I show you now
this b*llet
and ask you if you can
identify it.
Yes, sir.
It has my mark.
That is the lethal b*llet.
Thank you, doctor.
Your witness.
( b*llet clatters on table )
Uh, doctor, did you perform
an autopsy on the decedent?
Yes, sir.
Did you find evidence
of a recently broken leg?
Yes, I did.
Thank you, doctor.
That'll be all.
You may
stand down, doctor.
MAN:
Well, I
got a call from Unit --
that's in back
of the court
--so I went over
and I knocked on the door.
So I was outside when I heard
something like a shot.
Well, at that time, I thought
it was a car backfiring
outside of Bungalow
number .
And what time
was that?
Well, it was about
a quarter to .
And what did you
do then?
Well...not getting
any answer to my knock,
I went out toward the street
to see what had happened,
and that's when I saw
this woman coming out
from behind
the bungalows.
She was running
pretty scared.
BURGER:
I see. Thank you, sir.
Your witness.
( clears throat )
( door opens, closes )
Now, this, uh--
This woman you saw,
did you recognize her?
MAN: No, sir.
And was that the only noise
you heard that evening
that sounded like
a shot or a backfire?
Uh, yes, sir.
Now, excepting the time
you went to Unit
at a quarter of ,
were you in your office
at all times
between : and
Oh, yes, sir.
And from your office
or from Unit ,
could you have seen anyone who
might have called at Bungalow ?
Well, no, I couldn't swear
to who called there.
But I could've
heard anything
that sounded like
a shot plain enough.
MASON:
Thank you. That'll be all.
ROGER:
My job at Taylor Maid
is head bookkeeper.
I take care of expense
accounts and vouchers,
and the bookkeeping
on payrolls, and so on.
BURGER:
I see.
Now, could you tell us,
in that capacity,
the whereabouts of
Mr. Andrew Taylor
at a.m.
on the morning of
January th?
That's the day of
the airplane crash.
Yes, sir. Andy--
Andrew Taylor was
in Fresno.
He called the office
collect from there.
Did anyone else
call the office
from Fresno
that same morning?
Yes, sir.
Mr. Howard Walters.
May I show you
these...paper ribbons
and ask if you can...
identify them for us?
Yes. It's
a currency package marker,
printed to our order
at Taylor Maid.
To enclose $, in cash
for a bank deposit.
And where do you keep
these packages of money?
In the safe in
our executive offices.
Until they're deposited.
I see.
Thank you, Mr. Porter.
Your witness.
Uh, Mr. Porter...
as I understand it,
both Howard Walters
and Andrew Taylor
were in Fresno Monday
morning, January th?
That's right.
Uh, thank you.
That'll be all.
JUDGE:
You may stand down,
Mr. Porter.
Uh, $,
was taken out of the safe
sometime near midnight,
the evening of Sunday,
January th.
And who knew the combination
to that safe, Mr. Taylor?
Myself. Andrew.
And Howard
Walters.
Now, it's been established
that Howard Walters
was out of town that night,
is that correct?
That's right.
He phoned me at home
Sunday evening
from Fresno.
Your witness.
Mr. Taylor...
the fact that
only three people
knew the combination of
the safe doesn't rule out
one of the three telling
a fourth party, does it?
No, sir.
Then Howard Walters could've
told a fourth party,
could he not?
Yes, sir.
As a matter of fact,
has it not occurred to you
that someone could've
robbed the safe Sunday evening
while Mr. Walters
was establishing an alibi
for himself in Fresno?
Yes, sir.
Thank you.
That'll be all.
Uh, just a moment, Mr. Taylor.
One question on
a redirect, please.
Uh, Mr. Taylor, you just
testified that Howard Walters
could've given a fourth party
the combination of that safe.
Couldn't that fourth party
have been the defendant?
I thought of it, yes.
Uh, that's all, Mr. Taylor.
Thank you.
And now, lieutenant, would you
tell this court, please,
what happened at approximately
minutes before :
on the evening
of March th.
Well, a call sent me to
the Valley Vista Motel,
Bungalow .
And what did you find
when you got there?
When I got there,
Mrs. Andrew Taylor,
the defendant,
had been taken
into custody.
Did you have a conversation
with Mrs. Taylor at that time?
Yes, sir. I asked the defendant
what she was doing there...
and she answered by repeating
over and over again,
"That's my g*n.
That's my g*n."
I show you now
this .-caliber g*n,
and ask if you
recognize it.
Yes, sir. That has
my identifying mark on it.
It's the g*n found
in the m*rder room,
and has been
checked out by, uh,
Ballistics as
the m*rder w*apon.
Uh, did you also check
the registration of this g*n?
Yes, sir. It's registered
in the name
of Carol Taylor,
the defendant.
And when you subsequently
searched the defendant's home,
what did you find there?
Well, the search of
the defendant's home turned up
three packages of money,
$, in each,
and each package
wrapped in one of these.
We found them buried
under a planter box.
Thank you, lieutenant.
That'll be all.
Your witness.
Lieutenant, who
reported the m*rder?
It was a phone tip.
Anonymous.
We couldn't even identify
if it was a man or a woman.
And by the time
you reached the motel,
a prowl car had arrived?
Yes, sir. Just in time
for our officer
to catch the defendant
going out
the window again.
Again? Had they caught
the defendant
going out the window
once before?
Oh, no. No, no, no, no.
It's just
a figure of speech.
Just a figure of speech.
Now, lieutenant...
you were aware
of the autopsy report
on the decedent's broken leg?
Yes.
Then after instituting
some research,
you must have found out where
Mr. Walters spent
the seven weeks
between the time
his plane crashed
on January th,
and his reappearance
on March th?
Yes, sir.
In the cabin of a prospector
by the name of Zachary Davis.
Did you speak with
this Zachary Davis?
Heh. Still
looking for him.
I see.
Now, when you examined
the body of Andrew Taylor,
you found a b*llet
to be the cause of death.
May I ask if that b*llet was
fired from the m*rder w*apon
introduced in evidence
during this hearing?
Yes, sir. It was.
And as I understand it...
what transpired could
have gone like this:
Walters met the unsuspecting
young Taylor in Fresno,
offered him a lift
in the company plane,
shot the boy with his own g*n,
caused the plane to crash,
while he, Walters,
bailed out.
Yes, sir. It could've
happened like that.
Then Walters brought that g*n
back to Los Angeles,
where he himself
was k*lled with it?
Yeah. Could've been like that.
Thank you, lieutenant.
That'll be all.
I couldn't really identify
the voice on the phone...
except that
it was a woman.
And what did this woman's
voice say to you?
She said that Howard
was in town.
And then she told me
where Howard was staying.
And what time
was this?
Time?
No, I don't know.
About
after .
Thank you, Ms. Walters.
Your witness.
Now, you say this voice
on the telephone
was unidentifiable,
Mrs. Walters?
Yes.
Then it could have been
almost anyone?
Almost any woman.
Now, when you drove to the motel
and saw the police there,
you didn't go in.
You hadn't seen your husband
for almost two months,
you knew he was there,
and still you didn't go in.
You drove away.
Why?
Uh, I was afraid.
Isn't it true, Mrs. Walters,
that seeing the police
at the motel
was no surprise to you?
Isn't it true
that you had visited
with your husband
earlier?
That you drove away
because you had either
k*lled him or had knowledge
of his death?
No.
No. No, I wouldn't.
No?
That's all, thank you.
Gentlemen...
if you have
no objections,
I'll call a somewhat
early recess this afternoon.
I have no objections,
Your Honor.
No objection,
Your Honor.
Very well.
Court is adjourned till
: tomorrow morning.
Perry. I checked out
Della's message on Unit .
A Milton Smith moved in
the same night Walters did.
Good, Paul.
Let's go.
( dramatic theme playing )
( mysterious theme playing )
Can I help
you folks?
May we come in,
Mr. Smith?
Or should I say
Davis?
Come in.
Why, you're the lawyer
fellow, Mason.
I expect you know
that Howard Walters
spent some time
at my cabin in the Sierras.
Is that it?
Is that what you want?
How much
did he tell you
about the money
he'd stolen?
He didn't tell me anything,
Mr. Mason.
What about the woman?
His accomplice?
I don't know anything
about any woman.
( knocking )
MAN: Open up. Police.
Well, surprise.
I didn't expect you here.
I expected you,
lieutenant.
Mr. Zachary Davis?
Yes, sir?
You'll have to come
with me, Mr. Davis.
The district attorney's office
wants you for questioning.
Aren't you forgetting
something, lieutenant?
What?
Money.
What money?
I'd guess most of the money
stolen from
the Taylor Maid offices.
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
Well, the first few days,
he was delirious.
He kept talkin' about
this woman
he was supposed to meet
at the cabin.
She was supposed to bring
the money with her.
Did he mention the name
of this woman?
Yes, sir. Carol.
Just Carol?
Uh, Carol Taylor.
They planned to k*ll
her husband
and make it seem
like it was Walters
died in the plane.
It isn't true.
Now, why did you follow
Howard Walters
to Los Angeles,
Mr. Davis?
Well, I'm gettin' a little
old, Mr. Prosecutor.
I guess I've seen so many others
stake a claim and get rich...
while mine always
petered out.
I guess I figured this was
one claim I couldn't lose on.
Mm, go on.
Well, I was keeping
tabs on Walters.
And a little before
on the night of the m*rder,
I spotted
this woman, her...
bringing along a suitcase
to Walter's bungalow.
What happened then?
Uh, then I went back
to my room.
Well, in a little while,
I heard this shot.
Well, it sounded like
a shot to me anyway, but--
But I wasn't gonna meddle
in anybody's business.
But then I got to thinki''
about that suitcase...
and Walters,
and the woman and all,
so I went to
Walters' bungalow,
and there was
no answer.
So I went in.
Well, he was dead
all right,
and the suitcase
was there...
so I took it.
Would you please point
to the woman that you saw
enter Howard Walters' room
at the Valley Vista Motel?
Her.
BURGER:
Let the record show
that the witness is pointing
at the defendant,
Carol Taylor.
Thank you, Mr. Davis.
You may cross-examine,
Mr. Mason.
( clears throat )
( clears throat )
Mr. Davis...
haven't you made a mistake
in this story of yours?
Mistake?
Haven't you substituted
the name of Carol Taylor
for that of
Janice Atkins.
ZACK:
I don't know
any Janice Atkins.
MASON:
But you paid her a visit
yesterday afternoon.
You must be
mistaken.
No, I have the report
of a private detective.
Well...he must be mistaken.
According to his report...
you entered her apartment
house empty-handed...
you came out minutes later
carrying a valise.
No, sir.
The detective further reported
that while you were
in Miss Atkins' apartment,
you were joined by...
Roger Porter.
No, sir.
Weren't you blackmailing them,
Mr. Davis?
I told you how
I found that money.
It is possible,
Mr. Davis,
that by perjuring
yourself,
you are also
involving yourself
as an accessory
after the fact.
Your Honor...
I protest.
Counsel's intimidating
this witness.
There seem to be
some discrepancies here,
Mr. Prosecutor.
Mr. Mason.
Do you, in fact,
have proof that the witness
called on this person
named Janice Atkins?
Yes, Your Honor.
If counsel has no objection,
I'd like Mr. Davis to step down
while I call
Miss Janice Atkins to the stand.
No objection,
Your Honor.
Miss Atkins
will come forward.
You may step down, Mr. Davis.
Raise your right hand.
Do you solemnly swear
the testimony you're about
to give shall be the truth,
the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth?
I do.
State your name.
Janice Atkins.
Be seated, please.
Miss Atkins...
do you know
the previous witness,
Mr. Zachary Davis?
No.
Did he call on you yesterday
afternoon at your apartment?
No.
Now, you're under oath...
and the allegation
has been made
that the witness
did call on you.
That one Roger Porter
joined you.
And that the witness
departed
with a valise
filled with money.
Maybe he saw somebody else
in my apartment house.
May I, Your Honor?
All right, counselor.
Now, the witness, Zachary Davis,
stated that he got
that valise from Howard Walters.
But Howard Walters did not live
at your apartment house.
All I know is he didn't
get any valise or--
Or any money from me.
MASON:
Now, didn't Mr. Davis blackmail
you for that money?
JANICE:
No.
Uh, did you call
the defendant on the phone
and tell her she could get
evidence of the innocence
of her husband at
the Valley Vista Motel?
No.
And when she went to
that motel, did you,
or your accomplice,
Roger Porter,
plant $,
of the stolen money
in the defendant's
home?
No.
Fifteen thousand was found
in the defendant's home,
$, was found
in the valise.
Leaving an undiscovered
,.
I don't know anything
about it.
I must warn you, Miss Atkins,
that a search warrant
will be issued.
That your apartment
will be searched before
you have an opportunity
to return to it
and remove
any incriminating evidence.
I caution you
as I cautioned Mr. Davis.
That by perjuring yourself now,
even if you're not
guilty of m*rder,
you may be indicted as
an accessory after the fact.
Or did you really k*ll
Howard Walters,
the man with whom
you conspired,
to rob and m*rder?
No, I didn't.
You didn't k*ll him?
No.
But you did steal $,
from the Taylor Maid safe?
Mm, yes,
but I didn't conspire
to k*ll Andy Taylor.
I didn't know that was
part of Howard's plan.
And you did plant $,
in the defendant's home,
to make it appear
she was guilty?
Yes.
Yes, but I didn't k*ll Howard.
He did.
Roger did.
( whispers ):
No. Don't do that
to me, Janice.
( people murmuring )
Order! Order
in the court.
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
If Your Honor please,
I think we may get
to the bottom of this case
if I'm allowed to finish
my cross-examination
of Zachary Davis.
Mr. Davis.
Well, you c-- Can't
blame a fella
for trying to keep
his skirts clean.
So, okay, it was Janice Atkins
and Roger Porter
all the time.
What about the defendant,
Carol Taylor?
She had nothing
to do with it.
Uh, would you explain
to this court
why you
perjured yourself?
Well, l-like I said,
just to keep my skirts clean.
How dirty are they?
Well, I, uh...
I admit I tried to
move in on all that money.
The, uh,
first try for ,
well...
that was just to test out
if I could make a strike
there at all.
I'd say your skirts are
dirtier than that, Mr. Davis.
But not as dirty
as theirs, though.
They k*lled Walters,
didn't they?
MASON:
No.
ZACK:
Then who did?
His wife?
MASON:
No.
ZACK:
The young man's father?
Old man Taylor
himself?
MASON:
No.
You figure me.
It had to be you, Mr. Davis.
How's that?
From the evidence.
The sound of the shot
that k*lled Walters.
You said you heard it
in your room.
That's right.
But you weren't in your room.
Sure I was.
When the motel manager
knocked on your door,
you didn't answer.
At the time
he heard the shot.
There's some mistake there.
Yours, Mr. Davis.
You called the manager
to your room
to keep him away
from Bungalow .
That was
your mistake.
In not getting an answer
when he knocked on your door,
he put the lie to your alibi.
( sighs )
Well, I--
That's real tricky.
Real complicated and tricky.
Uh, I guess m*rder's
like that.
No, sir.
m*rder is usually very simple.
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
It's the getting away with it
that's real complicated
and tricky.
Mr. Mason,
I want to thank you
for supporting
my daughter-in-law...
and for being patient with
my obstinate stupidity.
We all need to learn
a little tolerance
at one time or another.
It's unfortunate that
sometimes the learning comes...
after a man's death.
Yes.
I haven't had
your bill yet, Mr. Mason...
so, uh, I've left
the amount here blank.
You fill it out
any way you want to.
Well, thank you.
Thank you,
Mr. Mason.
That's a--
( door opens )
That's a great
idea.
Uh, why don't you just, uh...
( door closes )
...fill my check out
like that.
Uh, blank.
Just sign it.
( chuckles )
All right, Paul.
( noirish jazz theme playing )
( noirish jazz theme playing )