07x22 - The Case of the Garrulous Go-Between

[bunniefuu]

(theme song playing)

♪♪

WOMAN: Remember,
now, do not be afraid.

I saw nothing but success
for this alliance.

Go, and I will see you
day after tomorrow.

(car door closes, engine starts)

♪♪

If I'm too early, Madame Zillia,
I'll wait outside.

No, child, come in.

Oh, before I forget,
the English court

advanced me part of the estate.

The funds were finally
transferred from London.

Imagine! The balance of the
estate will be mine in a week.

I-I can hardly wait to do
all the things you suggest.

Not I, my dear.

The powers merely use my
unworthy self as an instrument.

Well, anyway,
I'm a lady of means again,

and it's about time I paid you.

I hope a thousand dollars
will be enough.

You're far too generous,
my dear.

You're getting yourself
situated...

No. You've been
kind enough to trust me

with nearly a month of readings.

And besides, you've been
an absolute genius

in foreseeing my future.

You flatter me, Miss Scott.

Please call me Amy.

Why, if it hadn't been for you,

I might never
have found my ring.

Then you did find it?

Exactly where you
said it would be--

on the windowsill
in the kitchen.

It's amazing! I don't even
remember slipping it off.

And the young man you
were so eager to see again--

still no trace of him.

No, Madame Zillia, but...
I'm still hoping.

Let us see what we can learn.

(sizzling)

Hear us, O Great and Divine
Goddess !sis.

Hear us, and grant me,
your humble worshipper,

the secret of your power.

Before me again
is this young woman,

imploring to heed
the lesson of your wisdom.

Show us, we beg,
what will befall her.

(sizzling)

(sizzling)

I see a young woman
entering a doorway.

I cannot make out...

Yes, it is you.

But your face...

There is great concern
for something...

for someone.

Is it someone you care for,
someone you care about?

It's a man, isn't it?
A young man.

ZILLIA:
There is...

there is great affection
you feel for...

B-But I cannot clearly see.

Your face is clouded

by some shadow.

And your dress, it is dark.

Dark black.

Oh, b-but what...

I'm wearing black?

Oh, please, Madame Zillia,
what do you see?

A shadow of a silhouette.

The young man,
does it concern him?

To that which is dear to you

and near to you...

I see death.

♪♪

- (gasps)
- Oh, dear, dear me,

I didn't mean to startle you.

- Mr. Bundy. -You've been seeing
that clairvoyant, haven't you,

and she's upset you.

Oh, no. Uh...
do you know, it's amazing,

she is absolutely uncanny!

Nonsense, Miss Scott,
utter nonsense.

Why, do you know that
last week I discovered

that she'd been at work
on my friend Binky--

Lord Heathcomb--
and his wife.

Wouldn't be at all surprised

if this so-called look
into the future turned out to be

nothing more than a rather
expensive bit of self-delusion.

But, now, you did tell me
about another friend of yours.

Oh, you mean
that nabob from India.

Why, yes, I suppose he did make
a few thousand on the market

following her advice, but you
mustn't be influenced by that.

I mean, after all,
any good broker...

Now, you can't be so harsh
on her, Mr. Bundy.

Do you remember my ring,
the one I said I'd lost?

And I suppose she told you
exactly where to look for it.

No doubt near a basin.

Why, yes, it was in the kitchen.

Well, it's only logical.

You know, anyone would think
to look in a bathroom first.

She knew that. The kitchen was
the only other obvious place.

I suppose you could be right.

I certainly would hate to think

what she just told me
might come true.

Of course I'm right.

I've dealt with all sorts
in my travels.

(chuckles)
I once met

a palmist in Palermo.

Or was it a tea-leaf reader
in Tel Aviv? ...

Oh, uh, before I forget,
I have the rent check here.

Oh. Well, you know, ever since
I've inherited these flats,

they've become rather
a hobby with me.

I'd love to have you just as
a guest, but my accountants...

Mr. Bundy, you're the sweetest,

kindest landlord
I've ever known.

- Bless you, my dear.
- Thank you.

As Shakespeare once said--
or was it Milton?

Oh, no, no, no, I remember now.

It was Lord Tennyson.

Now, what was it
I was going to say?

Never mind, Mr. Bundy,
you'll think of it later.

It was Kipling all along!

Mr. Drake!

- You found him? -Yep.
And the sooner we get going,

the better our chances
of not losing him.

I'll be with you in a minute.

Oh, Dora, I don't know
what time I'll be home.

- Would you feed Petey
for me, please? -Yeah.

I've got enough to do
without worrying about a bird!

Miss Scott, you'd better
prepare yourself for the fact

that Tommy Stiller,
the man you've been looking for,

may not be exactly
as you remembered him.

Did something happen to him?

I'll let you be
the judge of that.

I'd say Tommy's taking
his father's recent su1c1de

pretty hard.

Tommy never was very strong.

I'm sorry it took
so long to find him,

but a man can get
very lost in a city.

I knew you'd find him.

How? By looking
in a crystal ball?

Is this it?

I'm afraid so.
Wait here a minute.

He's in that bar.

You've completed your job,
Mr. Drake-- if you'll

just send me your bill.

Well, you're not
going in there alone?

Yes, I am.

All right. I'll wait here
and take you back.

That won't be necessary.

Good-bye, Mr. Drake,
and-and thank you.

AMY:
Tommy, wait!

TOMMY: It's just no good.
Just leave me alone.

-I want to help!
- It's all my fault.

All mine.
Don't you understand?

But it isn't, Tommy!
That's why I had to find you.

Can't you leave me alone?!

Come on.
I'll take you home.

Thank you.

I'm quite all right now,
Mr. Drake, I assure you.

Miss Scott,
I don't mean to pry...

Then don't.

I don't know what it is,
but you're up to something.

- Am I?
- Hiring me at the same time

you're throwing away good money
on some phony fortune teller.

Oh, I know about it,
at least that you're seeing her.

Believe me,
I'm only trying to help.

If there's anything
I can do for you...

If there is, Mr. Drake,
I have your phone number.

Come here a moment.

MAN:
That's her.

Are you sure?

I saw her picture enough times

when I was working
in his office.

(woman screams)

- What was that?
- I'd better go look.

(rapid knocking)

What is it?

What's wrong?

This morning she... she
prophesied there'd be a death,

someone close to me, but...

Well... I never thought
it would be Petey.

(crying):
What have I started?

I'm sorry, Petey.

(sobs)

The more I think about this,
the more I don't like it.

I think she's being set up
for a beautiful fleecing.

Well, why don't you tell her so?

She won't listen.

People addicted
to fortune-telling seldom do.

Just how much of a believer
is Miss Scott?

Well, this afternoon
when I took her home,

I stayed there to check
on this clairvoyant.

I heard a scream,
nosed around, and found

that Miss Scott's pet canary
had just mysteriously died.

One of the oldest tricks
in the world,

and successful if
the victim is gullible.

A fortune teller
makes a dark prophecy,

then sends a confederate
to make it come true.

That's what I figured.

I wonder... I wonder if Dora,
the cleaning woman,

could be Madame Zillia's
accomplice.

Madame Zillia?

You know her?

By reputation.

Pretty big-time operator,
isn't she?

You know, Perry, there are
movie stars and millionaires

in this town
who wouldn't even think

of taking a bath without first
consulting that dame.

No wonder you're worried.

An innocent young girl
involving herself like that.

I know, but what do I do
about it?

More to the point,

what does Madame Zillia plan
to do about it?

AMY:
Madame Zillia.

Miss Scott, I must insist
that you never see me anymore.

What?!

In the glass this morning,

there was something else,
something which worries me.

Madame Zillia,
I'll have the rest of the money

to you by the end of the week.

But you can't do this to me.

I'm depending on you.
I need you!

You are engaged
in some perilous venture.

For what reason,
I cannot clearly see.

But I know that it can only end

in tragic circumstances
for all concerned.

What are you talking about?

I think you know, and I suggest
you change your course

before it's too late.

ZILLIA:
But what did you do?

Please, this is urgent.
Urgent, I tell you.

No, I'll explain later, but...

I see.

What are you...?

Shh.

Yes.

Yes. Go on.

Wait a minute.

(quietly):
Come on, let's get out of here.

Eavesdropping, Miss Scott,
is-is...

Just trust me, Mr. Bundy.

Well, it's still
rather disturbing.

I just had to find out what
she was up to, don't you see?

See? See what?
Now, look here, Miss Scott,

I have a right
to some explanation.

Mr. Bundy, if you'll just
wait a minute

while I make one phone call.

(sighs)

Dickerson, Drake.

Young lady,
I have a shepherd's pie

in the oven that needs tending,

and I have a guest dropping in
to see me,

but I'm not leaving here

until I get some sort of
explanation for this...

Mr. Bundy. Mr. Bundy, please.

(phone buzzing)

Oh.

Well?

(Amy sighs)

I've just got
to tell someone. I...

(Amy sighs)

Madame Zillia--
oh, you were right, Mr. Bundy.

She's all you said
she was and more.

What are you talking about?

I've been going to her
all this time, but not for real.

Not the way she thinks.

Proof, Mr. Bundy, proof.

I'll show you.

No. No, it's got to be here.

Well, now, for pity's sake,
Miss Scott,

what is it?
What frightens you so?

Mr. Bundy, I need help.

Help?

In that drawer, I had a...

(door opens)

I, uh...

Oh, did-did you say
shepherd's pie, Mr. Bundy?

Why, that sounds wonderful.

Oh, yeah, yeah. Well, delighted,
my dear. Delighted.

Yes, well, then,
you will join me.

- Yeah, mm.
- Of course.

Uh, Dora, did you clean in here
this afternoon?

First thing this morning,
except for linen.

I just got that.

Well, I better hurry,
or I'll miss my bus.

Ten minutes.
It'll take me just that time

-to get rid of my guest.
-(door closes)

Well, now, you come right in.

I don't know
what the trouble is, my dear.

I'm sure I can help you.

(door opens and closes)

No, that's fine, Al.

I'll be in touch later.

Well?

Madame Zillia does have
an accomplice, doesn't she?

Yup, it's a team--
the Great Zacharys.

That's how their mind-reading
act was billed ten years ago.

Only Madame Zillia
was the accomplice.

Then who's the mastermind?

A guy who owns the apartment
house-- Victor Bundy.

Oh.

Dora, I thought
you'd gone home.

...I got all the way
to the bus stop

before I realized
I'd forgot my glasses.

Well, uh, I'm late.

Well, you go on ahead
to Mr. Bundy's.

I have a key
to let myself in with.

Mr. Bundy?

Mr. Bundy!

Mr. Bundy?

Mr. Bundy, it's Amy Scott.

Oh!

Mr. Bundy.

Well, apparently,
she's not home.

Which apartment is Bundy's?

Over there.

Oh. You startled me.

You're working
kind of late, Dora.

There's a phone call
for Miss Scott.

I was just looking for her.

Well, so are we.
Is she visiting Mr. Bundy?

Well, she's supposed to be,
but I've been trying--

I don't know for how long--
and there's just no answer.

Is there another entrance?

Around the side. I'll show you.

Hello? Mr. Bundy?

Bundy?

Paul?

Is he...?

I'm afraid so.

I, uh, must ask you to stay.

I better find her, Perry.

Police headquarters.

AMY: But I didn't run away,
Mr. Mason.

I've been waiting
down in Mr. Drake's office

for over minutes.

Anyway, why would anyone think
I would want to k*ll Mr. Bundy?

He was my friend.

One of the few
I had here in town.

There's a witness who knows that
you went to Bundy's apartment

less than minutes
before we discovered his body.

I was invited to supper.
I already told you that, and

when I got there, he was dead.

Then why didn't you go
to the police?

That's nearly two hours...

Well, may-maybe I did
drive around for a while, but...

well, I came to Mr. Drake's
office, didn't I?

(phone ringing)

Excuse me.

Hello?

Perry, this is Paul.

I haven't located
the girl yet, but...

Call off your search, Paul.

Miss Scott's right here.

Well, don't let her go.

Hey, is that the police?

Perry, there's something
she hasn't told us yet.

Paul, where are you?

In a fleabag hotel.
The Regency West.

With Tommy Stiller, the fellow
Amy Scott had me looking for.

And Perry,
Amy Scott isn't her real name,

and she's not
Tommy's heartthrob.

She's his sister--
Arnel Stiller.

Don't leave.
I'll come there.

Now, let's begin again,
Miss Stiller.

Stiller?

That's right.
Arnel Stiller, isn't it?

How did Mr. Drake find that out?

That isn't as important
as what this will mean

when the police start
questioning you.

But-but why?
I already told you.

Victor Bundy was my dear friend.

Or-or at least I thought he was.

I mean, I-l had no reason
to want to k*ll him.

We had a little research done
this afternoon

on a name that came up earlier
in reference to Tommy.

It was the name of your father--
Leonard Stiller.

You know what happened
to my father?

His business failure?

His subsequent su1c1de, yes.

But the police will find,
as easily as we did,

that your father was also
a client of Madame Zillia's.

And that the man
who was just m*rder*d--

Victor Bundy--
was really her partner.

Oh, no.

Well?

I was in Paris,
studying at the Design Academy,

when Daddy died.

That project was to be his...

his biggest achievement
as a master-builder.

He was a genius, Mr. Mason.

But like
so many creative people,

he wasn't very practical.

He even believed
in a fortuneteller.

And somehow he was tricked.

Tricked
into getting himself involved

in something which ruined him.

And you returned here
to prove that?

Yes. To expose Madame Zillia.

To give her a chance
to think I had money,

to do to me
what was done to him.

It may sound ridiculous
to you, Mr. Mason,

but I just thought if I had
the chance to prove that...

What's the matter,
Mr. Mason?

You've just given yourself the
necessary motive, Miss Stiller.

Motive for the m*rder
of Victor Bundy.

Oh, that sister of mine.

She's just plain wrong,
that's all.

It wasn't Madame Zillia
who caused the mess.

It was me.

If I'd done a better job
in those days,

double-checked everything

instead of delegating the work
to Kern...

Kern?

Yeah, Howard Kern.

He and I made up Dad's staff,

along with, uh, Joyce Carlton,
who was the secretary.

Then you don't believe

Madame Zillia was responsible
for anything?

Nah, unless it was
to get Dad interested

in the Center Project
to begin with.

I'll admit
she had influence on him.

Do you blame yourself for
your father's ruin? His death?

Well, I was in charge
of the financial end, see?

The backers were supposed
to come up with the end money.

Didn't you have guarantees
of security?

Nothing worth the paper
it was written on.

Strictly illusory.

Dad was ruined.

Tillitson and Hartley,

the company that wanted
the project for themselves,

got it for half its value.

Did you or your father know
Victor Bundy?

Never heard of him
until tonight.

DRAKE:
When tonight?

Neither of us mentioned
Bundy's name to you.

Maybe, uh, you didn't.

Uh, maybe...
Arnel told me.

MASON:
When?

She didn't know where you lived,
she couldn't have called.

I, uh...

I called her.

The phone company still provides
information service.

Under what name?

You drew a blank when
I mentioned Amy Scott.

Look, where's Arnel?

You said you knew where she was.

Haven't I told you guys enough
so you can...?

You did see your sister earlier
tonight, didn't you?

Couldn't have been here,
it must have been at her place.

At the apartment building

where Victor Bundy
was bludgeoned to death.

No, no...

Tommy, couldn't Victor Bundy
have been responsible

for at least some
of your father's troubles?

No, no, I tell you!

If you want to point a finger,
point it at Joyce Carlton.

Or better still,
go talk to Kern.

Sure, go see Howard Kern.

After three and a half years
of loyal service

as kind of a glorified
office boy,

I went down the drain

with Leonard Stiller
and Associates.

Hmm. It isn't exactly
"down the drain”

to go from
"glorified office boy"

to vice-president
of a new company.

Especially when
it's Tillitson and Hartley,

the company
that got the same project.

They wanted someone familiar
with the details.

I was the most likely choice.

Well, what's so wrong in that?

Listen, there was
a lack of communication

around Stiller and Associates

you could've driven
a truck through.

It's no wonder
the whole deal fell through.

How would you account for that?

I'd file it
under Leonard Stiller: Personal.

You mean his wife's

eventual filing for divorce?

She found out he was sneaking

around corners with another
woman.

Joyce Carlton, his secretary?

I didn't say that.

But is that what you meant?

Was Joyce Carlton,
the other woman,

not mentioned in the divorce?

I'd have
to be Joyce Carlton herself

to answer that, wouldn't I?

That's right, Joyce Carlton.

Well, you checked the office
where she works.

Didn't they tell you
where she was going?

Only that Miss Carlton had left
rather suddenly on a vacation.

Where she was going? No.

Too bad.

Well, they didn't tell me
because they didn't know,

but they were pretty sure
you would.

Oh, I might.

And then again, I might not.

(lounge music playing)

Hello, Miss Carlton.

Have we met?

Swanky resort hotels,
even off season like this,

the keynote is informality,
Joyce.

You know,
I'd suspect you of being

a frustrated social director,
except for one thing.

What's that?

Joyce Carlton isn't the name
I'm registered under.

Shall we start again?

I'm Paul Drake.

I'm a private investigator
working on an insurance case.

You know, we have mutual friends
from Stiller and Associates.

I understand
you once worked there

as Leonard Stiller's
private secretary.

Are you asking me or telling me?

Both, maybe.

You know,
you're a very attractive woman.

And I suppose you want to know,
just out of curiosity,

of course, just how private
some private secretaries are?

Might fill in a couple
of missing pieces

in the picture puzzle, yeah.

Mr. Drake, who sent you here?

His no-good, crybaby son

or the longsuffering wife
back in England?

Doesn't sound much as if you

particularly
like either of them.

Well, should I?

Is it now a status symbol

for the "other woman" to carry
on a warm social correspondence

with the family
now that the object

of their mutual affection
is no longer on the scene?

Okay, which is it?

Bitter or just sarcastic?

Maybe neither.

Maybe my payoff
just wasn't big enough.

Howard Kern seems
to have done all right.

You don't say.

So did Victor Bundy.

Howard Kern takes care
of his good friends.

So I noticed.

An expensive place, this.

"Another Tillitson
and Hartley Hotel."

Either you're
well-fixed financially,

or you've got a pretty good in
with the company brass.

Mr. Drake...

May I present Howard Kern,

vice president
of Tillitson and Hartley.

Bartender, I'll have
an old-fashioned please.

Does it amuse you, Mr. Mason?

I haven't done that
since high school chemistry.

Modern science has learned
a great deal from the ancients.

But I'm sure
you did not come here

to discuss the practice
of my worship.

The afternoon of the m*rder,

why did you tell Arnel Stiller
she was not to see you anymore?

I could sense
difficulties ahead.

I think we'd save considerable
time and effort, Madame Zillia,

by not deceiving one another.

Where a clairvoyant has the gift
of precognition,

there's sometimes
a critical line of demarcation

between what is theatrical
and what is true.

Neither deceiving one another
nor deliberately lying.

I didn't know
what she was looking for.

I only knew that it was serious

and she could get
into bad trouble.

I liked the girl,
Mr. Mason.

I didn't want her hurt.

Once the poor fish
had taken the bait,

would the Great Zachary
allow you to free your victim?

The curtain fell
on that act years ago.

No, Victor Bundy
was not calling the turns.

I knew nothing of what was going
on between him and the girl.

Or Victor Bundy and Howard Kern?

Victor always liked
to dabble in real estate.

With Kern?

I suppose so; I don't know.

Even when Kern wasn't

the Tillitson and Hartley
vice president,

when he was merely an office boy
for Leonard Stiller?

Mr. Mason, please believe me.

I had nothing to do with
whatever business manipulations

put Leonard Stiller
into bankruptcy.

Why would I want to destroy him?

He was my friend,

one of the finest men
I've ever known.

Is that why you were preparing
to cheat his daughter?

I knew her as Amy Scott,

not as Leonard Stiller's
daughter.

But learning the truth,
you went to her,

warned her to stay away
from you?

No.

You didn't know who she really
was that afternoon?

I told you, no.

I was frightened for her.

I don't know why.

I just sensed it or saw it.

Here in your crystal ball,
you "saw it."

Is that what you want me
to believe?

No, please, Mr. Mason.

The crystal ball
failed to tell the future

of your good friend,
Leonard Stiller.

Look into it now.

Can you see what tomorrow holds
for his daughter?

Tomorrow?

What do you mean?

Less than an hour ago,

she was arrested for the m*rder
of Victor Bundy.

(sobs)

No!

Victor had called and asked me
to come right over.

It was the middle
of a busy afternoon,

but I went thinking it was
about some business deal.

And was it?

No.
All he had me do was wait around

so I could identify
Miss Stiller for him.

Had Bundy already begun
to suspect who she was?

He may have.

I do know he was very worried.

Worried about what
she was up to.

Worried about what
she might have found out.

Madame Zillia,
did you have occasion

to converse
with the deceased that day?

Twice. Once in the morning,

then late sometime
in the afternoon.

Well, did he seem worried
to you?

Can you tell us anything at all
about his attitude?

I really don't remember.

BURGER: I must insist
that you answer my question.

Your background,

your secret working relationship

with Mr. Bundy is how
out in the open, you know.

For you to withhold testimony...

All right,
I guess he was acting strangely.

But he wouldn't tell me why,
and it wasn't for me to ask.

Victor would plan these things.

I merely said
what I was told to say.

BURGER:
I see.

And what instructions

did he give that day
concerning Miss Stiller?

I was to tell the girl
I would not see her any more.

Certainly he gave you
some inkling

of his reason for that request.

ZILLIA: From the way Victor
acted, I could only guess

that he'd decided
she was dangerous

and a threat to us in some way.

I had no idea then, of course,

that she was
Leonard Stiller's daughter.

Yes, I went to see
Madame Zillia that night.

I didn't know Arnel...

That she lived there, too.

BURGER:
But you said earlier

that you never arrived
at Madame Zillia's bungalow.

Now, why not, Mr. Stiller?

I, uh, I bumped into my sister.

BURGER: All right,
tell us what happened.

She came running
out of this apartment.

The one we've already indicated
belonged to Victor Bundy?

Yes.

I asked her
what she was doing there.

She didn't tell me.

Only that we'd better hurry
and go.

Did she say anything at that
time about what had happened?

Only that I shouldn't tell
anyone that I'd been there.

She promised to explain later.

Seeing how upset she was,
I didn't push it.

Mr. Stiller,

why did you go to Madame
Zillia's in the first place?

I'd seen Arnel earlier that day.

She'd said
I shouldn't blame myself

for what had happened to Dad.

She said she was working
on Madame Zillia

and getting
to the bottom of things.

Didn't you detect a threat
of some kind?

A threat that when she got
to the bottom of things,

-she would...
- Objection, Your Honor.

The question is leading
and suggestive.

It calls for a conclusion
on the part of the witness.

JUDGE:
Sustained.

Well, Miss Scott,
or Miss Stiller,

if that's her real name,

she said she was going
to Mr. Bundy's.

And about what time was that?

Well, let's see,
I missed the : bus,

having to go back
for my glasses.

Oh, I'd say
it was straight up : .

And you said you spent
a quarter of an hour

in a fruitless search
for those glasses,

and then went to Bundy's
apartment

to summon Miss Stiller

because she was wanted
on the phone again?

Well, it was long distance.

I figured it might be important.

Then of your own knowledge,

Miss Stiller was
in Bundy's apartment

for at least minutes?

DORA:
Oh, my, yes.

Maybe even .

BURGER: Now, can you tell us

who was calling Miss Stiller
on long distance?

It was New York City.

The operator said
a Mr. Anton Burnfield.

BURGER: And had you ever heard
that name previously?

DORA: A couple days before.

I'd accidentally picked up
an extension phone,

and I heard her talking to him.

At least, I figured it was him;
that's what she called him.

I see; now, what did you
accidentally overhear?

As far as I could figure it out,

she said he had a picture
of Madame Zillia

and her partner.

Miss Stiller wanted to know
why he hadn't sent it.

To your knowledge,
did Miss Stiller

ever receive that photograph?

DORA:
Maybe.

Maybe not.

I don't get a chance
to see her mail.

For the benefit of the court,

we will bring out
in later testimony

the fact that Anton Burnfield is
a theatrical booking agent who,

more than ten years ago,
represented a mind-reading act

known professionally
as the Great Zacharys.

That team composed of the woman
now known as Madame Zillia,

and the decedent , Victor Bundy.

Mr. Mason, your witness.

No questions.

We found that fingerprints taken
from the m*rder w*apon

matched those
of the defendant's.

The coroner has already
testified

that the approximate
time of death was around : ,

which coincides exactly
with the young lady's visit.

Objection, Your Honor.

JUDGE:
Sustained.

(clears throat) Would you care
to rephrase that, Lieutenant?

The coroner estimated
the time of death

as anywhere between :
and : in the evening.

Now, Lieutenant,
what can you tell us

about a tape-recording device

which was found in the ashes
of Victor Bundy's fireplace?

Well, it was
a medium-priced one,

Japanese made and sold

at only one store
in Southern California.

They have a record
and serial number

showing that the defendant,

Arnel Stiller,

purchased
that exact tape-recorder.

And now, Lieutenant, in the
course of your investigation,

did you check the possibility
that the decedent, Victor Bundy,

was in any way involved in the
events

leading up to the bankruptcy
of Leonard Stiller,

the defendant's late father?

ANDERSON: Yes, we made
a preliminary check

of Victor Bundy's
financial situation,

and we also examined the records
of Tillitson and Hartley,

who later took over
Stiller's building project.

As yet, we have no evidence
of complicity

or payoff to Bundy.

In other words, Victor Bundy
never made a nickel

-on the deal?
- That's right.

Not as far as we know now.

Lieutenant, do you recognize
this envelope?

Yes, it's one of the items

we found
in Victor Bundy's apartment.

Lieutenant Anderson,
would you please describe

the contents
of this envelope for us?

Well, it's an old picture
of Madame Zillia

and the deceased, Victor Bundy.

BURGER: And do you remember

the names on the envelope,
Lieutenant?

Who sent it and
to whom is it addressed?

ANDERSON: It's from
a Burnfield Theatrical Agency

in New York City,

addressed to Miss Amy Scott,
the defendant.

♪♪

Darling, no.

What happened? The man
on the phone said you were dy...

Oh, no, no, it isn't true.

I love you.

I've always loved you.

(gasps)
You!

-(gasps) -MASON:
It was my idea, Miss Carlton.

There's little difference
between a critically ill patient

and a defendant
in a m*rder trial.

With either of them, it
sometimes takes radical surgery

to save a life.

I'm Perry Mason, Miss Carlton.

I sent the message
that brought you here.

Oh, of all the cheap, dirty...

It was the only way
I could find something out.

I'm sorry for that.

And for this, too.

What is it?

A subpoena, Miss Carlton...

ordering you to appear in
Superior Court tomorrow morning.

♪♪

(buzzer sounds)

BAILIFF:
Remain seated and come to order.

Court is again in session.

You may proceed, Mr. Burger.

Your Honor, the People rest.

The prosecution feels
that it has presented

a more than adequate
prima facie case,

and it moves at this time
that the defendant,

Arnel Stiller, be bound over
for trial in Superior Court

on a charge of m*rder.

JUDGE:
Mr. Mason?

If the court please, although
it is unusual for the defense

to present evidence
at a preliminary examination,

in this case I will do so.

And as my first witness,
I call Tommy Stiller.

Yes, Mr. Mason, I knew
from both my parents

that they were planning
to be divorced.

I just couldn't believe it.

Did your father tell you why

he and your mother were
contemplating divorce?

No, not a word.

And your mother?

Well, she, uh...

she only said that...

that there was another woman.

You discovered the identity
of that other woman?

TOMMY:
Yes.

MASON:
What happened then?

Mother filed for divorce,

went to Europe
to join my sister,

who was studying there.

And it was... it was then
that Dad's whole project--

thanks to me--

blew up in his face.

The whole world just...

just about came to end for me
when he, uh...

when he took his life.

MASON: Now, you admitted
that you had discovered

the identity of the other woman.

Who was she?

My father's secretary,

Joyce Carlton.

MASON: And how
did you learn who she was?

TOMMY: Well, they'd always
been close, Dad and Joyce,

but I guess I never
really had it figured it out

until Howard Kern tipped me off.

MASON:
Mr. Kern...

was it you who
told Tommy Stiller

that his father
and Joyce Carlton

were romantically involved?

I tried not to let him
hear those rumors.

I knew how much
it would upset him.

(chuckles): But, uh...
no, the boy's memory's

playing tricks on him,
or he's lying.

Well, I certainly knew no facts
that would have proved...

Mr. Kern, Leonard Stiller's wife
employed a private detective

to obtain evidence
before she filed for divorce.

Now, that detective conferred
with you, did he not?

Well, he... he may have.

Yes.

His report, which we
will subsequently mark

as Defensive Exhibit F
for identification only,

his report speaks
of clandestine meetings,

surreptitious purchases
of jewelry

for someone
other than his wife--

many items, none of which
is damning in itself,

but which together present
an unmistakable portrait

of a philandering husband.

Now, glance through this,
please.

M-Mr. Mason,
I'm not sure I understand

what this report
has to do with me.

I'll try to make it clear,
Mr. Kern,

to you and to the court.

Now, page six,

referring to a weekend
in San Francisco.

Who is identified as the woman
with Leonard Stiller?

I...

MASON:
Right there at the bottom.

Joyce Carlton.

MASON:
Page eight.

Over a period of months,
dinner for two

in a private dining room
in an out-of-the-way restaurant.

The name, Mr. Kern?

Joyce Carlton.

Page ten.

The name?

KERN:
Joyce Carlton.

Page . The name?

Joy...

(hoarsely):
Joyce Carlton.

MASON:
And on the last page.

The summary by the detective.

Please read the top paragraph.

"In the majority
of instances cited,

"though there was proof
of association with a woman,

the only clue to the identity
of the woman was from..."

Louder, please, Mr. Kern,
so that the court can hear.

"...was from...

"from statements made by...

Howard Kern."

- No, it's a lie! It's a lie!
-(gavel pounding)

There was nothing
between Leonard and me! Nothing!

-I never loved him! Never!
It was you -Order!

- Who made up those stories!
- Order! Bailiff!

You made people believe them!

You made Tommy listen!

You made him hate me!

- JUDGE: Order! Order!
-(gavel pounding)

Well, Mr. Kern,

why did you build up
this elaborate lie?

Well, I... I had to keep Joyce
away from the family.

Don't you see?

I didn't think she...
really knew anything.

But I couldn't have them compare
notes, add two and two...

carry on investigation

after investigation.

MASON:
Investigation into what?

The way Victor and I had...
had tricked the old man

so that Tillitson and Hartley
could pick up the project.

Despite Lieutenant Anderson's
testimony,

you were paid off by Tillitson
and Hartley, weren't you?

Yes, yes.

Through a dummy corporation.

Bundy didn't inherit those
apartments, he bought them,

with his share of the payoff.

I had absolutely nothing
to do with any scheme

to break Leonard Stiller.

Not even as part of your, um...

your readings into the future?

- No, please, you...
- We've just heard

that your partner
participated in a payoff.

My partner did
many things on his own.

Now, you did hear the testimony
that Mr. Bundy used

his payoff to buy
those apartments.

ZILLIA: Until a few moments ago
here in the court,

I honestly thought that

he had inherited them.

You must believe,
I'm only the sensitive. I...

I know nothing
of such business matters.

MASON:
All right, then,

did Leonard Stiller
confide in you

about his emotional problems?

I don't understand.

According to
the detective's report,

there was another woman.

Leonard Stiller must have
spoken of her, mentioned her.

A casual reference
to Joyce Carlton, perhaps?

He was not in love
with Joyce Carlton.

Madame Zillia,
how can you be so positive?

Miss Carlton certainly
is attractive, wouldn't you say?

ZILLIA:
Yes, very attractive.

She has youth, freshness.

Something a man of Mr. Stiller's
age often finds irresistible.

Leonard was not
that kind of man.

He desired substance, maturity.

Then it was his wife
whom he loved?

No, he was just weak,

afraid to strike out
and take what he really wanted.

That leaves only you,
Madame Zillia.

Madame Zillia,
tell us the truth.

When did you discover
that Amy Scott

was really Arnel Stiller?

(exhales)

It... was the day of the m*rder.

I saw Howard Kern there
talking to Victor.

And suddenly I realized
what it was about the girl

that had bothered me,
made me always feel there was...

something special about her.

But you also checked
a few facts, didn't you?

I..

I found the truth about her.

And more.

I found the truth about Victor

and his inheritance.

I made many calls.

I called Howard Kern.

Victor had taken
advantage of me,

of my love for
Leonard Stiller, and...

Leonard's feeling for me.

They defrauded him.

They separated me...

from the man I loved
by bankrupting...

Before Arnel went
to Victor's that night...

you had already been there.

To... confront Victor Bundy
with what you'd discovered?

He was wild at me.

When I told him
I was going to the girl

and expose what he'd done,
he-he twisted my arm!

"You fool," he said,
"you stupid fool!

"If you open your mouth,
they'll discover

"that Stiller didn't just
fall off that roof!

They'll discover that
he found out things, too."”

Yes, Mr. Mason, he admitted it.

He admitted that
he k*lled Leonard Stiller

and made it look like su1c1de!

I... I don't know
what happened then.

But suddenly...

Victor was lying there... dead.

And I was...

...I was holding
the bloody poker!

I was...

Before you take off
for England to see your mother,

we thought we'd like
to say good-bye again

and wish you bon voyage.

How can I ever thank you both
for all you've done?

I have a message for you
from Madame Zillia.

She said that
she wanted you to know

that if you'd been
bound over for trial,

she planned to come
forward and confess.

You know, Mr. Mason,
I believe she would have.

-I do, too.
-(horn honks)

Well, there's your trip
to the airport.

Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Stiller.

I have you both to thank
for that, and so do they.

Bye.

Hey, we're a regular
couple of Cupids.

(car door closes)

- You know, I just can't see it.
- What?

You with a bow and arrow.

Oh? What about you, with wings?

(theme song playing)