04x12 - The Case of the Larcenous Lady

[bunniefuu]

( noirish jazz theme playing )

( uneasy theme playing )

I'll put it
to you bluntly, mayor.

Ever since the death
of Roger Pearson,

the governor has been
looking for a replacement.

To head up
the crime commission?

That's right.

Well, that's a very
responsible job.

Sure it is.
Oh, thank you.

That's why
the governor

hasn't made
the appointment yet.

Now it's come down
to two men.

You mean
I'm one of them?

That's right.

Arnold Webberly's
the other.

He's a fine man.
A great attorney.

Yes, he is.

I understand
you're friends.

Yes.
Good friends.

Although most of his legal
practice is in Los Angeles,

he still lives
here in town.

Of course,
he has the advantage

of being free
to take the job.

I'm still mayor
here in Upton.

Well, your term is up
this year, Jim.

This is a once
in a lifetime opportunity.

MAN:
The job would wait.

Of course, I'm only
the governor's birddog

to sound you out.

The governor still has
to make the decision.

But he wants to know if
you're interested, Henderson.

What do you say?

It's up to you, Jim.

You know
I wouldn't interfere.

But it is a big step up,
isn't it, Mr. Carter?

A big step.

Yes, yes,
I'm interested.

Good. Good.

Now, why don't you
come along with me?

We'll talk this thing out.
Very well.

The governor wants to att*ck
the narcotics problem,

juvenile delinquency.

JIM:
I'll be very happy
to talk with the governor.

( suspenseful theme playing )

It's been a great
pleasure meeting you,

Mrs. Henderson.

We think a great deal of
your husband in Sacramento.

Thank you.

We think a great deal
of him here in Upton too.

( chuckles )

(car starts )

Tom?

Our deal's off.
Something's come up.

I'm sorry.

I can't afford
to take any chances now.

My husband's career
is at stake.

( telephone ringing )

( tense theme playing )

( ringing continues )

Yes, Tom?

Mona, I don't know
what you're up to now,

but you can't
pull out on me,

I won't stand still for it.

I've got more than
, dollars

tied up in options.

I'll have to make it up
to you in some other way.

We're going ahead.

Just as soon as
the information I need

reaches the mayor's office,
you're going to

pass it on to me
as per our agreement.

Or I go right
to the newspapers

and dump the whole thing
on their front pages.

Make up your mind, Mona.

All right.

But you haven't even paid me
for what I've done so far.

I've got it, ,

waiting for you.

No.
I can't come to you.

I'll have
to arrange something.

Let me see--

The Highway Hotel
on .

After you register
in your room,

wait for me there.

Or I may send Jim's secretary,
Susan Connolly.

I've have to be
very careful, Tom.

All right. What time?

Well, um...

Make it about
half past .

( suspenseful theme playing )

MRS. HENDERSON:
I know it's an imposition,

Susan, but when I told Jim
I'd do the errand for him,

I completely forgot I promised
I'd be at the club

and on the first tee
by .

Well, it's no imposition
at all, Mrs. Henderson.

I'm glad to help.

I'll explain
to Mr. Henderson.

You said the Highway Hotel
on .

Yes,
that's right.

Mr. Stratton will be
waiting for you in the lobby.

He'll give you
an envelope for me

and that's all
there is to it.

I think it's wonderful news
about Mr. Henderson.

Yes, it is.

Even if he doesn't get
the appointment.

But he will.

I only wish
there was something

I could do to help.

Oh, you've been
a tremendous help,

Susan, just being
his secretary.

And you are helping out,
right now.

( tense theme playing )

Highway Hotel.

One moment, please.

Yes, ma'am,
may I help you?

Yes, I was supposed to meet
a Mr. Stratton here.

Would you have him
paged for me please?

Are you Miss Connolly?
Yes.

A message was left
to have you

meet Mr. Stratton
in his room.

Room .
Thank you.

( dramatic theme playing )

Are you
Susan Connolly?

Yes, sir.

You'd better sign
this receipt, Miss Connolly.

All right.
Right there.

Ten thousand dollars.

Didn't you know
what you were picking up?

Oh, no. I didn't.

You better count it,
Miss Connolly.

I wouldn't want
any misunderstandings.

( dramatic theme playing )

MAN:
Well, here it is.

You never saw
two more surprised people.

Who are they, anyway?

Never mind.
Whoops.

You did say
dollars.

That's right.

One hundred dollars.

Thank you.
Thank you.

What are you going to do
with the photograph anyway?

Oh, that dollars
answers all questions, Frank.

I have one question

I've been meaning
to ask you for a long time.

And I've had one answer

I've been meaning
to tell you for a long time.

I don't know
how you mean that.

Now you know.

( closes door )

What did you do after
the photograph was taken?

Nothing.
I was bewildered.

I still don't understand
what it's all about.

Did you take the money?
No.

What about
the receipt you signed?

Oh, no.

Mr. Stratton has it.

Not very smart,
Miss Connolly.

But I was confused.

I didn't know
what I was doing.

What did you do after
you left the hotel room?

I went back
to the office.

I tried to reach
Mr. Henderson and couldn't,

he was with Mr. Carter
somewhere.

Then I tried to get in touch
with Mrs. Henderson.

You said she told you
she had a golf date.

I called the club,

the starter said she didn't
keep her appointment.

Then I just couldn't stand
it any more, Mr. Mason.

I came here to you,
for help.

Do you know
of any connection

between Mrs. Henderson
and this Thomas Stratton?

No, I--

I didn't even know who
he was until I looked him up.

What'd you found out?

Just that he's
a real estate dealer.

You mentioned
Henderson was seeing

a man by the name
of Carter.

Yes, well,
that's another thing.

Mr. Henderson's up
for an appointment

to head the governor's
new crime commission.

And if a word of scandal
or anything unethical

were to be connected
with him it would--

It would hurt.
Yes.

And you wouldn't
want that.

No.
Of course not.

Other than
what you told me,

did Stratton give you
any clue to all of this?

Well, he did say
a very curious thing.

He said,
"I wonder what else

Mona Henderson
has to cover up?"

Julia, oh,

you must know about, uh,

the governor's appointment
by now.

Mm-hm. Makes us
sort of competitors

after all these years.

Oh, this is the putter
that won you

the Reno Woman's Open,
isn't it?

Mm-hm.

Oh, you played
splendidly.

I remember when you went
to Reno for the tournament.

Or was it
for the tournament?

What do you mean?

Oh, I remember how positively
brilliant Arnold was

as the attorney in the
Brigham-Putnam civil case,

that was right around the time
you went for tournament,

wasn't it, Julia?
Well, yes, but...

That was his biggest case,

put him right
in the big league.

"Noted lawyer unearths
surprise witness."

What are you getting at?

The surprise witness'
name was Buonanova.

A striking-looking man,

hunchback, if I recall.

Mona--

Isn't it odd
he didn't come forward

with his sensational
testimony,

until after you had a little
talk with him in Reno.

Are you suggesting I did
something wrong in Reno?

You met Mr. Buonanova
in Reno,

on June th, last year.

On June th,
he appeared in Los Angeles

with sensational testimony
for your husband.

How do you know all this?

I've got evidence.

You're accusing me
of suborning perjury.

That's right.
It's not true.

Well, the question is,

since this is
such a delicate period

in your husband's public life,

what will
the newspapers believe?

I've done nothing wrong.

You're twisting
the circumstances around.

Arnold had been looking
for Buonanova for a long time.

I just happened
to see him there.

He had just returned
from Europe

and he didn't even know
Arnold was looking for him.

Think it over,
Julia.

I'm sure you don't want
the slightest hint of scandal

to touch your husband.

True or not,
it will hurt him.

Mona.

Mona,
I can't believe this.

We've been
such good friends.

What do you want?

I want your husband
to tell William Carter

that he's not interested
in the governor's appointment.

Well,
I've got something,

I don't know
how much good it'll do.

First of all,
His Honor Mayor Henderson

hasn't been back in
his office all afternoon.

You know where he's been?
No.

Did you speak to Mr. Stratton?
No.

Mona Henderson?
No.

But you did say
you have something.

I hope.

If two and two
add up right.

The City of Upton
is , strong,

give or take a few.

During the last
years,

the population expl*si*n
has been fourfold.

Fourfold?
What does that mean?

It means that
at a special election

the citizens voted in
school and sewer bonds.

And Mr. Stratton?

Has been buying up options
on certain parcels of land.

Has the planning commission
selected sites and so on?

I don't know.
What do you think?

It's quite possible
that Mr. Stratton

might have a direct line

right into the planning
commission's office.

Or through
Mona Henderson

directly into
the mayor's office.

Getting a picture
of Susan Connolly

in that badger setup
could have been

Mona Henderson's way
of clearing her own skirts,

making it appear
that the defection

came from
the mayor's secretary

and not mayor
or the mayor's wife.

Della?

DELLA ( over speaker ):
Yes, Perry. Right here.

Della, keep trying
the Henderson home,

would you, please?

I'd like to make an appointment
with Mrs. Henderson,

make it about : .

( tense theme playing )

Oh, hello.

My name is Mason.
I'm an attorney.

I have an appointment
with your wife,

that is, if you're
James Henderson.

Yes, I am.
Come along,

I haven't spoken to my wife
in the last few hours.

( g*nsh*t )

What was that?

It sounded like a sh*t.

Mona?

Mona?

( dramatic theme playing )

( tires screech )

HENDERSON:
Mason.

Mason, my wife...

Mason--?

Yes.
She's dead.

If someone was here
in the house,

they must have run out
the back way.

We'd better
call the police.

It must--

It must have been...

It must have been who?

Henderson. You were
just going to tell me

who was here,
who have fired that sh*t.

No.

No, Mr. Mason.

I was going to do
no such thing.

( mysterious theme playing )

Didn't you say we'd better
call the police?

( dialing phone )

You've got just about
seconds to talk to me

before the police
get here, Mr. Mayor.

I have nothing
to talk to you about.

I don't even know
why you're here.

Susan Connolly is why.

I don't understand.

You mean you haven't
spoken to her

since lunchtime?
About what?

Ten thousand dollars
in cash.

About your wife
and a man named Stratton.

About the governor
appointing someone

as head of the new
crime commission.

I talked to Susan
on the phone.

I didn't see her.

( siren wailing )

And we'll probably have
no further chance

to talk alone.

Once again,
Mr. Henderson,

have you any idea
of who k*lled your wife?

No.

( suspenseful theme playing )

( tense theme playing )

I was home all evening,
Mr. Mason.

I heard about Mrs. Henderson
on the radio.

I called you
at : last night.

Oh, I-- I must have gone out
for a paper.

I called you again
at : and again at : .

If you were at home,

why didn't you answer
your telephone?

What kind of car do you drive,
Miss Connolly?

A two-tone hardtop.

Red and grey?

Yes.

I saw your car
at : last night

in front of the house
next door to the Hendersons.

I heard the sh*t,

heard someone running
behind the hedge,

out into the street.

I saw your car pull out
and drive away.

What did you do with
the shoes you'd been wearing?

What do you mean?

You left your footprints
on the walkway as you ran.

Why did you k*ll
Mona Henderson?

But I didn't.
I didn't.

But you did fired
that sh*t

before you ran
out of the house.

Yes.
Why?

Because of Mr. Henderson's
appointment to the crime...

Oh, I'm sorry,
Mr. Mason.

I only wanted to help.

The police want
to talk to me.

What should I tell them?

( dramatic theme playing )

I think you'd better
tell them the truth.

All of it?

Everything?

Including the f*ring,
the sh*t and the shoes.

Everything.

Susan,

are you
in love with him?

He doesn't even know
I'm alive.

( dramatic theme playing )

( rings doorbell )

Oh, hello,
Mr. Mason.

Sergeant, I'd like
to see James Henderson.

He's in the study.
You can go on in.

We've finished
our investigation.

Thank you.

HENDERSON:
I know this tragedy
can be the cause

of some embarrassment
at the capital.

I also know that Arnold Webberly
would make a fine appointee.

Oh. Come in.

Sorry to intrude.

Perry Mason,
Julia Webberly.

Mrs. Webberly.
How do you do?

William Carter.
Mr. Mason.

Mr. Carter,
a privilege.

State committeeman,
aren't you?

That's right,
counselor.

Oh, I've been told what
good personal friends

the Webberly's
and the Hendersons have been,

despite the present rivalry.

Jim, I know how dreadful
this has been for you.

Please, let me know if there's
anything I can do to help.

Thank you,
Julia.

I'll run along.

Goodbye, gentlemen.
Mrs. Webberly.

As far as withdrawing,
Henderson,

well, I'd sleep
on it a bit.

Of course I haven't
spoken to the governor,

but unless
I'm mistaken,

I don't think he's
going to be influenced

unless there's really something
to be influenced about.

All right,
I'll think it over.

Good.

Always wanted
to meet you, counselor.

Sorry it had to be like this.

Mr. Carter.

Jim.

Still nothing to tell me,
Mr. Henderson?

Nothing.

What have you
told the police?

Just the truth,
Mr. Mason.

Now, I have so many things
to take care of.

Yes, of course.

How many years had you
been married, Mr. Henderson?

Oh, about six years.

No children?
No.

That's your car,
Mr. Henderson?

Oh, no. No.
It's Julia Webber--

Webberly's.

( commotion upstairs )

( dramatic theme playing )

I'm looking
for something, Jim.

I-- I didn't want
to bother you about it,

but I left it here
last week.

A glove.

It must be a pretty
important glove.

Do you think Mrs. Henderson
deliberately hid it?

Oh, I'm sorry.

MASON:
What are you looking for,
Mrs. Webberly?

My glove.

Were you here looking
for it last night?

Or perhaps your husband
came here for the glove.

My husband is
in San Francisco on a case.

He's been there
for several days.

Mrs. Webberly,
if you have nothing to hide,

it's better
to be cooperative.

In a courtroom, sometimes,
the wrong impression--

I've nothing to hide.

But you were searching
for something in here.

MRS. WEBBERLY:
My glove, Mr. Mason.

That's all.

Just my glove.

I'm sorry, Jim.

( suspenseful theme playing )

( knock at door )

Wow, Mrs. Webberly.

Frank, I'll like
to talk to you.

Sure.

Isn't it terrible
about Mona Henderson?

Yes.

It's about Mona
I'm here.

Just think.

She had an appointment
with me just the other day

for some golf lessons,

wanted to correct
her backswing.

Frank, do you remember
last year

in Reno when
I won the tournament?

Well, of course I remember.

Well, at the dinner when
they presented the cup--

Oh,
wasn't that something?

There's the picture
right there.

That girl photographer
did a fine job.

Oh, I'll treasure
that picture as a classic.

All the fanfare
of a trophy presentation,

the only thing missing
was the winner.

Of course, you can be seen

in the background there
talking with someone.

I'd like that picture,
Frank.

Of course.

Take it.

I've got some copies.

Copies? Why?

Oh,
I'm a sentimental guy.

Not all of my pupils
win golf tournaments.

Well. Thanks
for the picture.

Seems to me I remember
that hunchback, Mrs. Webberly.

Didn't he figure
in that civil case

your husband
was trying?

Got a sensational verdict

the day after
that picture was taken.

Worth millions
in publicity and money.

Some people could say
it was more than luck

you running
into that witness.

Even though you
and I both know

it was really innocent.

How's your backswing,
Mrs. Webberly?

Need some lessons?

Do I?

Oh,

about a half dozen
should fix you up all right.

My extra-special ones,
at dollars a lesson.

( dramatic theme playing )

I appreciate
your reluctance,

Mr. Stratton,
but you must--

I did nothing
illegal or unethical.

Mason,
what do you want?

How well do you know
Susan Connolly?

Henderson's secretary?

I don't know her
well at all.

Had you had any business
dealings with her?

No.

Nothing involving
a large sum of money?

No.

What about Mona Henderson?

What about her?

Business dealings with her?

No.

Mr. Stratton,
a photograph was taken

in room O
at the Highway Hotel--

There is no photograph
of me in any hotel room.

( rings )

Excuse me.
I'm on my way.

Hello.

Who?

Just a second.

Who are you?

You don't know me,
Mr. Stratton,

but I saw you yesterday
with a young woman

named Susan Connolly

in room
of the Highway Hotel.

What do you want?

Well, I happen to know
you were engaged

in a business deal
with Mona Henderson.

Now, I'm not greedy...

I wasn't in any hotel room
with any young woman.

I'm not engaged in any deal
with anyone,

and nobody's gonna
blackmail me.

Do you understand, fellow?
Nobody.

That's too bad.

Along with you,
it's the Connolly girl

who's gonna be hurt,
Stratton.

( tense theme playing )

The district attorney's office,
please.

( upbeat theme playing )

--state will prove that Susan
Connolly, the defendant,

did use the good offices
of her employer,

Mayor James Henderson,

to obtain classified
information,

to dispose of same
for illegal profit.

And did coerce, blackmail
is a more appropriate word,

lie, cheat and steal,

and when discovered
at her nefarious practices

by the deceased,
Mona Henderson,

did m*rder her without
pity of compunction.

Arnold Webberly.

You can adjudge me a hostile
witness all you like,

I categorically deny I had
any business dealings

with the mayor,
James Henderson, or his wife.

What about the mayor's
secretary, Susan Connolly?

Or with her.

Now, isn't it true that
you met with the defendant

in a hotel room
at the Highway Hotel

for the purpose of giving her
, dollars

in exchange for
confidential information

relating to
the land sites

selected
for civic development?

No.

Did you purchase options
to buy certain lots

and rights of ways

as enumerated here
on these locations?

Yes. I do have
options on them.

Fourteen of them.

All of them
were recommended

by the Planning
Commission.

And from this group
four will be purchased.

Don't you think
it's strange, Mr. Stratton,

that you have options
on all locations?

No.

Real estate's my business.
I'm good at it.

Besides, that's what I went

to see Henderson
about that night.

To make a deal
to save the city some money

since I owned
all the options.

What night was this?

The Wednesday
Mrs. Henderson was k*lled.

PROSECUTOR:
And what time was that?

About : .

And did you see
Mr. Henderson?

No. He wasn't home.
Was anybody at home?

Mrs. Henderson.

But I only stayed there
a few minutes.

Mrs. Henderson didn't
know what time

the mayor would arrive,

and she was expecting
someone any minute.

PROSECUTOR:
Was she?

At approximately :
on the evening

of March nd,
the evening of her m*rder,

she expected
a visitor?

Did she say who,
Mr. Stratton?

Miss Connolly,
Susan Connolly.

PROSECUTOR:
Thank you.
Cross examine.

This deal you spoke of,
Mr. Stratton...

now, uh, why would you
have made a deal with the city

when you held all the lots?

Wouldn't the city
have to come to you?

I just wanted to expedite
the whole thing.

Directly with the mayor?

Weren't there other agencies
of the civic government

that would've
taken care of that?

I thought the mayor could
set the wheels in motion.

Why would you go
to his home?

Not to his office?

I wanted to make sure
I'd see him.

Then you called the mayor
before going to his home.

No.

Why not?

I just assumed
he'd be there.

I suggest, Mr. Stratton
that you went

to the mayor's home
not to see him,

but to see his wife,
Mona Henderson.

No, what would I
want to see her for?

A photograph. Isn't it true
that you were photographed

in a hotel room in the midst
of what would be interpreted

as an illegal payoff?

I said it before,

there is no photograph of me
in any hotel room.

MASON:
What happened to the photograph,
Mr. Stratton?

Did you buy it
from the deceased?

Did you destroyed it?

No.

Did you k*lled for it,
Mr. Stratton?

No.

That's all.

Yes, sir,
I knew Mrs. Henderson.

Please tell the court
what happened

on the morning
of March nd?

Well, she came to my cottage.

She was all upset.

She said she'd just found out
that her husband's secretary

had been selling
some information

to a real estate dealer.

And why did Mrs. Henderson
tell this to you?

Well, she was worried about
the mayor's reputation,

he was up for some
kind of an appointment,

and she said she'd
just overhead something

in the office about a date
that Miss Connolly had made

with this Stratton
at the Highway Hotel.

PROSECUTOR:
Go on, Mr. Sykes.

Well, she knew I took pictures
of some of the golfing events

and wanted me to get
a photograph of the meeting,

to get the proof
on Susan Connolly.

I show you
this photograph,

and ask if you
can identify it.

Yes, sir. That's the picture
I took all right.

That's Susan Connolly
and that's Thomas Stratton.

PROSECUTOR:
I ask this photograph be marked
State's Exhibit G.

Mr. Mason?

No objection,
Your Honor.

Now, Mr. Sykes,

what else did the decedent
say to you?

She said she'd found out
that Susan Connolly

was in love
with her husband

and was blackmailing
Mrs. Webberly.

Now, how could
the defendant

blackmail
Mrs. Webberly?

Well, I'll have to explain
the background.

Go right ahead.

Ah, Mrs. Webberly won

a woman's golf tournament
in Reno last year.

At the presentation dinner,

she happened
to catch sight of a man

that her husband
needed as a witness

in a civil case
in Los Angeles.

It was just
a lucky accident.

She excused herself
and went to plead

with this fellow
to help her husband.

At that moment,
one of those girls

in short skirts took
a picture at the table.

In back of us Mrs. Webberly
was talking with this fellow.

And as a memento
of this tournament,

did you keep one
of the pictures?

Yes. Along with
a lot of others,

that I keep on my wall,
in the living room.

I see.
Go on, Mr. Sykes.

Well, that witness
turned up in Los Angeles

the very next day

and helped Mrs. Webberly's
husband win a handsome verdict.

And that's why she
came to me on that day.

PROSECUTOR:
Would you please
explain that, Mr. Sykes?

She said she'd been
approached by Susan Connolly,

who told her the picture
could be interpreted

as suborning perjury--

You know,
buying false testimony.

--and unless her husband
declared himself

unavailable as head of
the new crime commission,

she would send a copy
of the picture to the papers.

Object, Your Honor.

Most of this testimony
is been pure hearsay.

I have refrained
from objecting

because I wanted to hear
the extent of the testimony,

but I now ask that it be
stricken from the record,

I further ask
that the court to admonished

the district attorney

and assign the question
to misconduct.

I agree.

Objection sustained.

The answer
will be stricken.

I'd like to ask
Mr. Thorne

why he is not presenting
best evidence.

We are trying to reach
Mrs. Webberly, Your Honor.

This evidence only came
to our attention

an hour before court
convened this morning.

If the court please,

I am asking this witness
to recount what Mrs. Webberly

told him only for the purpose
of showing background.

I will stipulate that
this present testimony

will go only to the state
of mind of Mr. Sykes

at that time and will
not be held as evidence

of actions on the part of
Susan Connolly, the defendant.

I will,
promise the court however

that we intend to put
Mrs. Webberly on the stand

to prove the conversation
at firsthand.

We are now finished
with this witness.

Since this is a hearing
addressed entirely

to the discretion
of the court,

I will refrain from ruling
on the motion to strike

until Mrs. Webberly
has been placed on the stand.

Cross examine,
Mr. Mason.

Under the circumstances,
I would like to defer

my cross examination
of this witness

until Mrs. Webberly
has testified, Your Honor.

Unless I there is
vigorous opposition

from the district attorney,

I will permit
this unusual procedure.

No opposition at all,
Your Honor.

You may step down.

Call your
next witness.

Sergeant Ralph Reynolds
to the stand.

Defendant's fingerprints
were found

on the sill of
the service room window

and on the windowpane itself.

Now, I show you
this revolver

and ask if you
can identify it.

Yes.
It's the m*rder w*apon,

registered to
James M. Henderson.

It was found
in the m*rder room.

Now this box
of cartridges.

. 's for the revolver.

We found it in a drawer
in the m*rder room.

Defense will stipulate
the fatal b*llet

came from that
box of cartridges.

Now I show you
these moulages

and ask if you
can identify them.

Defense will further
stipulate the defendant

was at the scene
of the m*rder.

Then I have
no more questions.

Your witness.

Sergeant,

the revolver holds
how many cartridges?

Six.

How many unexploded
cartridges were in the g*n?

There were five
unexploded cartridges

and one empty
cartridge case.

There seems to be
seven cartridges missing

from this new box.

Perhaps, uh,

two b*ll*ts
were fired from the g*n.

REYNOLDS:
Well, only one was found.

Perhaps after the first
b*llet was fired,

the revolver
was reloaded.

We found only one b*llet
in deceased's body.

There is a window
in the m*rder room

that looks onto the rear
of the house,

is there not, Sergeant?
Yes.

MASON:
A sh*t could have been
fired from the g*n

out through that window,
could it not?

Well, yes,
I suppose.

Thank you sergeant,
That will be all.

James Henderson
to the stand.

MAN:
You swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth
and nothing but the truth?

MR. HENDERSON: I do.
MAN: State your name.

James Henderson.
Be seated.

I call your attention,
Mr. Henderson,

to the evening
of Wednesday, March nd.

Yes, sir?

THORNE:
Please tell the court
what transpired

when you arrived
at about : ,

approximately the same time
as Perry Mason,

the defense attorney.

I was about to open
my front door

when I heard something
that sounded like a sh*t

from inside of the house.

THORNE:
What did you do?

I went inside.

Mason stayed
at the front door.

I found my wife
in the study,

dead.

I went back for Mason.

Are you familiar with

your secretary's automobile,
Mr. Henderson?

( tense theme playing )

Yes.

I ask if you noticed anything

in the front of your home
on the street at that moment?

Mr. Henderson, you will
answer the question.

Yes.

What did you see?

A car driving away.

Did you recognize
the car?

Yes.

It was Susan's.

THORNE:
Did you know Miss Connolly
would be at your home?

No.

Had you reason to believe
she would be at your home?

Now, I have refrained from
indulging in legal theatrics,

I could put the defense
attorney himself on the stand

to corroborate all
the evidence surrounding

this particular time
of evening at your home,

but this evidence
has been educed

for the court without it.

Now I ask you,
Mr. Henderson,

did you have reason
to believe your secretary,

Susan Connolly,
would be at your home?

Yes, yes, she--

She phoned me.

She told me
she was going to be there.

( dramatic theme playing )

(telephone ringing )

Hi, Perry.

He went into his house
about minutes ago.

What about the police?

Well, Sergeant Reynolds's
been in there

for about
five minutes now.

Ah, wait a minute,
he's just coming out,

which probably means that
Julia Webberly is not there.

But Arnold Webberly is.

Oh, no. You stay
right where you are, Paul.

We need Julia Webberly.

All right, Perry.

No sign of her yet.

Perry, if we do get
her to testify,

she'll prove Frank Sykes
is lying, won't she?

And that would mean
that it wasn't Susan

who did the blackmailing,
it was Mona.

That's where Sykes
has been so clever, Della.

He's given Webberly
a clean bill of health.

He's said to Julia in effect,
"Here I've cleared you,

"I've established the innocence
of that meeting in Reno,

now you've got to back me
up on the story I told."

So all Julia has to do

is go along with
Sykes's story

and her husband will probably
get the appointment.

It's my guess that right now
she's making a decision.

One way or the other,

we'll find out
what it is in court.

( dramatic theme playing )

MASON:
I'd like a complete picture

of what happened,
Mr. Henderson.

You said the defendant told you
she was going to your home.

Yes, she did.

When and how
did she tell you?

At about a : .

On the phone.

Where were you
at the time?

In my office.

After the call,
what did you do?

I finished up some work

and went home,
met you there.

That revolver sh*t
we both heard.

Did you suspect
that it was Susan who fired it?

Let me hypothesize,
Mr. Henderson.

How long does it
take you to drive

from your office
to your home?

Um, about ten minutes.

Takes Miss Connolly about, uh,

a half an hour
from her place.

What does that mean?

Well, hadn't she told you
what really happened

concerning Mrs. Stratton,
your wife,

and the hotel room?

Yes. She had.

MASON:
You then realized
your own wife

had deceived you.

Now, isn't it possible that

when Mrs. Connolly arrived
at your home

and found your wife dead,
she jumped to the conclusion

that you'd k*lled her?

And isn't that why,

when she saw us
at the front door

she fired a sh*t
to confuse the issue,

to protect you,

to cover you with an alibi?

No further questions.

She must've been there
all the time, Perry.

She and her husband
came out together.

JUDGE:
Call your next witness.

Your Honor, the prosecution
rests its case.

We have proved
the m*rder was committed

and we have established
the grave probability

that it was perpetrated
by the defendant.

We therefore ask
Miss Susan Connolly

be bound over
for trial by jury.

Mr. Mason?

Well, Your Honor,
it was my understanding

that the prosecution
was going to put

Julia Webberly
on the stand.

The prosecution feels
its case is concluded.

But, Your Honor--
JUDGE: Just a moment, Mr. Mason.

Now, Mr. Thorne,

you will call Mrs. Julia
Webberly to the stand.

I recall your promise
to produce her.

Your Honor, we are not
prepared at this time

to examine Mrs. Webberly.

I'm not inclined to argue
with you, Mr. Thorne.

I want Mrs. Julia Webberly
on the stand

and I want the defense
to have the opportunity

to cross-examine her.

If you make
no direct examination,

I will permit the cross
the greatest latitude.

Now what do you say,
Mr. Thorne?

The prosecution
does not wish

to examine Mrs. Webberly
at this time.

Julia Webberly,
come to the stand.

Swear the witness in.

MAN:
Do you swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth
and nothing but the truth?

I was frightened.

If the newspapers printed
the story, true or not,

I felt I could
never convince anyone

that it was all
innocent and aboveboard and--

Well,
at the time, anyway,

just a happy coincidence.

And then my husband told me

what Frank Sykes said
in court this morning

and I realized that Frank
was giving me a chance

to make sure of the governor's
appointment for Arnold.

All I'd have to do was
corroborate the story.

It was very tempting.

But it was a lie, Mr. Mason.

There wasn't a word of truth
in Frank Sykes' testimony.

Then it wasn't
Susan Connolly

who blackmailed you with
the photograph, Mrs. Webberly?

No.

It was
Mona Henderson first.

And second?

Frank Sykes.

You understand,
the blackmail this time

was purely for money.

Six thousand dollars.

Thank you, Mrs. Webberly.

That'll be all.

Now, Your Honor,

I would like to
cross-examine Frank Sykes

as stipulated
this morning.

Frank Sykes
to the stand.

I will remind you,
Mr. Sykes,

you're still under oath.

Well, you can't
hang a guy

for trying to make
a living, can you?

The truth is then, is that
it was Mona Henderson,

and not the defendant,
who had this illegal

deal with Thomas Stratton?

Well, you'll have to ask
Stratton about that yourself.

Well, I intend to.

How did Mona Henderson
get the photograph

of Julia Webberly
and Buonanova?

She saw it
in my room.

Took it right off
from under my nose.

How did you find out
about it, Mr. Sykes?

Well, I got a call
from Mrs. Webberly.

About the photograph?

That's right.
She was pretty upset.

MASON:
What time
was that call?

It was that evening,
about, oh, : , I guess.

And at that time
it occurred to you

that this photograph
could be

an instrument
for blackmail?

SYKES:
Right, yes it did.

Kind of late.

I could never put
two and two together,

like Mona Henderson.

After Mrs. Webberly spoke
to you, what did you do?

Ah, what was
there to do?

I would think you might
have tried to find out

what Mona Henderson had seen
in this photograph,

what it was about it that
upset Mrs. Webberly so much.

Well, I did phone Mona.

And she told you

what you wanted to know
on the telephone?

That's right.

Then you went to see her.

No.

Then how did you get
this photograph back?

You did get it back,
did you not?

You showed it
to Mrs. Webberly later on.

Yes, that's right.
Uh, uh--

I got the photograph back
the next morning.

At the Henderson's home?
That's right.

But I was at
the Henderson home

the next morning,
Mr. Sykes.

So were the police.
Now, how could you--?

I guess it was
the same afternoon then,

and I just don't
recall exactly.

But it couldn't have been
that same afternoon.

You testified you first
heard about it

when Mrs. Webberly
called you,

about : that evening.

So it must've been
after : that evening

when you called
Mona Henderson.

Yes.
I guess it was.

And it must
have been close to :

when you arrived
at the Henderson home.

I don't know the exact time.

Well, was probably

between : and : ,

because at a :
you had already left

and Mrs. Henderson
had already been sh*t.

Now, it was between
: and : ,

was it not, Mr. Sykes?

What happened
during that time?

Nothing happened.

I asked for the photograph back
and she gave it to me.

And she just handed
the photograph over to you?

Just like that.
What else could she do?

Oh, any number of things.

She could have laughed
at you, for instance.

Laugh? No, she didn't laugh.
She could have told you

to go peddle
your golf lessons.

She could have said no
to your blackmail demands,

sending your dreams
of getting your hands

on a lot of money
right out the window.

And what did she say
to you, Mr. Sykes?

She got angry.

She threatened you?

She tried to sh**t me.

She went for the g*n
and I grabbed it from her.

And it went off.

She just stood there looking
at me with the queerest look

not believing it,
if you know what I mean,

not believing that
I'd really sh**t her.

Rotten luck.

Everything was going fine.

It's rotten luck.

( dramatic theme playing )

I've told Carter

I'm not available
for the appointment

and I think the governor
couldn't do better

than Arnold Webberly.

Was a brave thing
you did, Susan.

Even if it was illegal.

She will have to face charges,
won't she, Mr. Mason?

Carter indicated he would use
whatever influence he has

to get the court
to grant Susan probation.

That, uh--

That g*n...

How did it get in to
your home, Mr. Henderson?

Oh, I brought it home.

From the office.

And the box
of cartridges too.

Certainly had me guessing
for a while.

You thought
that I k*lled Mona?

The details fit so well.

Any plans, Susan?

Not for a while.

Mr. Henderson?

Oh, my job
is waiting for me.

And speaking of jobs,

thank you so much.

Mayor Henderson.

Thank you,
Mr. Mason.

Susan.
Good bye.

Good bye.
Good bye.

DELLA:
Good luck.

( cheerful theme playing )

( door closes )

What about us?

Plans?
I've got some.

I'm not talking
about our jobs.

I am.

Here. Take a note.

New French restaurant,
just opened up,

specializes in rack
of lamb, mint sauce,

lyonnaise potatoes--

( French theme playing )

crêpes suzette.

Mm?

( laughs )

( noirish jazz theme playing )