04x27 - The Case of the Grumbling Grandfather

[bunniefuu]

( noirish jazz theme playing )

( upbeat theme playing )

Here, here, here, here,
just a minute out there.

Just a minute.

Just a-- Oh.

Oh, it's you, sir.

Evening, Mr. Gideon.

I was just driving by.

Good many lights upstairs,
wouldn't you say?

Oh. We're very careful about
the electricity, Mr. Gideon.

Uh, some of the folks
are working late, I guess.

Well, I'm not.

You mean there's a light
up in your office?

You wait,
I'll take a look, sir.

Oh, no, you don't.

That cleaning woman
is nipping my whisky,

I'm gonna catch her myself,
thank you.

( typewriter clacking )

Who's here?
Who's in here?

Who's here?
Who's in here?

Hey.

David.

Oh, hi, Granddad.

What on earth
are you doing here?

Well, it's too early
for nightclubs

and a little late
for the racetrack.

GIDEON:
What's that? Blackstone?

Yeah.

Say, the moth's really fly out
of that one, don't they?

You mean to say
you came here to read?

To study?

Well, don't look
so surprised.

You always said come in, help
myself any time I wanted to.

Sure, what can a guy do
but read?

There aren't any good pictures
in Blackstone.

I'm sorry, David.

You know, I never realized that
you were back in law school.

Well, I've been
thinking about it.

I mean,
I spoke to the dean

and it's just a matter of making
up an examination or two.

You can do it too.

Not gonna be easy.

See, I never finished.

The reason I've kept all those
law books all these years

just to remind me.

Oh, I admit I did think
your Uncle Lucius

would go back to law school
but, uh, no.

Guess he never quite
had it in him.

David, I can't tell you what
this would mean to me.

Sure, Granddad, but maybe I
shouldn't use your office now.

No, no. I'll leave.
I won't interrupt.

You just make yourself
comfortable, son.

Pitch in.

Now, uh,

you want a nightcap,

when you get through
you just help yourself,

because, I mean, after all,

the watchman will get it
if you don't.

I'm gonna be awfully
proud of you, David.

( ominous theme playing )

( inhales )

( sighs ):
Oh, dear.

Shh.

Your grandfather would
absolutely k*ll me.

He'd have me skinned,
fried and basted in acid.

It's your fault,
David.

Following me
into the building like this.

You know I'm supposed to be
working

for Mr. Comminger tonight.

Well, he's not so easy to fool,
that grandfather of mine.

He raised me
since I was a kid.

"You just make yourself
comfortable, son.

Pitch in."

( dramatic theme playing )

I tell you, two glasses
were used, not one.

Look, why do you suppose they
polish this edge so carefully?

Take off some lipstick,
wouldn't you say?

Oh, yes, sir, I suppose
it could have been lipstick.

But I'm an accountant,
not a detective.

That woman was here.

Now, you'll admit that she was
supposed to be helping you,

and she didn't show up.

I've been using her
to help check back

Mr. Lucius Gideon's records,
that's all.

Comminger, I asked you
to investigate and document

my son's recent mismanagement
of this company,

and nothing else.

But I obviously have to consult
Lucius's private records.

And since Dorine
was his private secretary...

Why do you suppose my son
committed su1c1de?

Because he drank too much?

Because he was foolish?

It is commonly known,
Mr. Gideon,

that Lucius was in poor health.

And there was certainly
nothing improper

between him and Miss Hopkins
that I know of.

And for you to suggest
anything...

Oh, you're all the same.
Every one of you.

Silk, perfume and a pretty leg.

Off roll your heads
like so many useless pumpkins.

Yes, sir.

Is that all, sir?

( sighs ):
Oh, I don't know.

I came in here this morning
and find this.

You were right
about his Uncle Lucius.

He was ill, weak and foolish.

But David is different.

David can be like his own father
used to be.

Now, look, Comminger, I know
that you have to use this woman

to straighten out our books.

And I still want you to find out
every bit of truth for me.

But I don't want Dorine Hopkins

within , miles
of my grandson.

Never again, do you hear that?

( dramatic theme playing )

( gasps )

Oh, David, it's you.

Well,
who'd you think it was?

( chuckles )

Dorine,
where have you been?

Look, David, I haven't got
much time right now.

We're going to the Red Ox
for lunch,

and you're going to explain to
me why you've moved three times

in the last three days.

Look, David, I can't, okay?

It's because of my grandfather,
isn't it?

Well, he's not gonna run
your life or mine either.

David, your grandfather
doesn't have

a thing in the world
to do with it.

Darling, I've got to go.

You're a very sweet boy

and maybe we'll see each other
again sometime, hm?

Dorine, don't you know
how I feel about you?

( sighs )

Yes, David.

Every time you look at me,
you shake.

Well, you are
the most beautiful--

Now, look, darling, there are
plenty of pretty college girls

with pom-poms instead of me
with all my problems.

Darling, I've got to go.

You're laughing at me,
aren't you?

No, David.

I'm telling you goodbye.

( dramatic theme playing )

( ominous theme playing )

Hey, you.
Let go of her.

b*at it, kid.
Please--

Listen, I said let go.
Listen, punk--

No, Dav--!

Did he hurt you?
No.

You all right?
What was that guy trying to do?

David, you idiot,
he's my husband.

David, please,
you've got to get out of here.

I'm not going until I know
you're all right

and until you explain.

David, look, I--
I'll meet you for lunch.

I'll do anything you say,
but please, please go.

Thank you.

Well, now, just what kind
of an explanation

do you feel you deserve?

Do you think I should apologize
to you just for having a husband

and not telling you
about it?

David, can't you
do something

other than just sit there
and stare?

Yeah.

Ow.

He really slugged you,
didn't he?

It doesn't make any difference,
David.

I should have k*lled him.

Don't say that.

W hat do you expect me
to say?

Darling,
listen to me.

My husband is very unimportant
because I don't like him.

I haven't liked him
for years and years and years.

That's why I went to work
for your Uncle Lucius,

as a matter of fact:

to get away from Tony.

Why didn't you divorce him?

Because I couldn't--
Hello.

Uh, two martinis, please.
Yes, sir.

You'll just
have to trust me, David.

I can't get a divorce from Tony

until I get something back
from him.

And I can't get those things
back until I--

I give him something.

Well, what?

Get what?

If you'd just tell me
the kind of trouble you're in...

It wouldn't do any good,
David.

Tony has some
very rough friends, and--

Oh, look, if you think I'm
afraid of Tony and his rough--

Uh, two martinis,
please,

and we're in a little bit
of a hurry.

Excuse me, sir, may I see
your driver's license?

Look, if you don't think
I'm even years old...

WAITRESS:
Well, it's just that the boss--

Well, you understand.

I'm terribly sorry.
I'll get your drinks right away.

Sure.

All right, so maybe you are a
couple of years older than I am.

But I'm gonna help you
whether you like it or not.

Can you help me find
$ , , David?

( dramatic theme playing )

( door opens )

( door closes )

Well, David, still home?

I thought you were
going out.

Yeah, well, I was just waiting
for a phone call.

Well, I'll see you,
Granddad.

Wait a minute.

I got a call from Peterson
at the bank today.

He said you were in
inquiring about the money

your mother left you
and if there was any way

of getting it out of trust.

Oh, that. I was just curious,
that's all.

Yes, yes, of course.

I understand that you dropped in
at a couple of,

uh, used-car lots,

and wanted to know what you
could get for your automobile.

What do you do,
have somebody follow me around

every place I go?
"Six hundred dollars plus ,

government bond: ."

What is she up to?

Why is she after you?

What is this woman
trying to--?

It's none of your business.

I'm sorry, Granddad.

And I'm sorry about lying to you
the other night,

about her being in your office,
and all.

I understand.

No, you don't.

She's been chasing you

ever since she set eyes on you.

Granddad,
I've been chasing her.

A boy of your age
never comprehends

what a woman like that does,
how she can work.

David--
Listen to me.

You want to know how
this really started?

Because I was curious as to why
Uncle Lucius k*lled himself

and because
I couldn't stand to see

anybody as unhappy
as Dorine was.

You don't know what
you're talking about.

Don't I?

You kicked Dorine out
of a good job

the minute Uncle Lucius
was dead. Why?

You won't ever talk about it.
Why?

You won't even say why you
got that guy Comminger

sniffing around the office.
Why?

And none of that
is any of your business.

Well, I know this.

Whatever's happened to Dorine is
our fault, our family's fault.

And you just won't admit it.

Oh, you poor,
stupid young whelp.

This cheap,
conniving dame

leads you around
by the nose.

Why, she's nothing but a--

( phone rings )

Yeah?

Oh.

Uh, look, I'm afraid
I haven't quite done

what you wanted me to yet.

But I don't want you
to do anything, now, silly.

Don't you understand? I got
all the money all by myself.

( laughing ):
Yes, the whole , .

You see, I sold my fur coat

and I had a couple of bonds
and I got some money for my car.

Well, anyway, that doesn't make
any difference.

The point is this:
I'm on my way now to pay Tony.

And I thought, well,

if you'd like to meet me
at my place,

I'll be there in about
minutes.

I thought maybe you'd like
to help me celebrate.

I mean, you were so sweet
to try to help me

when there wasn't anybody else
to turn to.

I'll be right there.

Bye.

Boy, how wrong can anybody be
about people?

David. Son.

( dramatic theme playing )

( car engine revving )

DORINE:
Tony! Tony!

( Dorine screams )

Dorine, what happened?

( sobbing )

Dorine, Dorine, Dorine,

Dorine, Dorine.

What happened?

( sobbing )

He laughed at me.

He wouldn't stop laughing.

Tony? That was Tony?

( hyperventilating ):
He--

I went to his place.

I gave him the money.

He-- He had all the papers
I wanted

right in his hands
in a brown envelope, and--

And then he just put it back
in a bureau drawer

and he started laughing.

All right, he wouldn't
give you the envelope.

I begged with him,
I argued with him, and--

And then he-- He hit me,

and then he made me get back
in the car.

And now he's got the car
and the money.

What's the number
of that place?

( sobbing )

.

It's on Pine.

Oh, David, if only I'd waited
for you to come with me.

I'll get your envelope.

David, what if he
should come back?

I'll get there first.

David...

David, wait!

Be careful!

( ominous theme playing )

( cats mewling )

( dog barking )

( creaking )

( dramatic theme playing )

( groans )

( sighs )

( menacing theme playing )

Tony.

( dramatic theme playing )

JUDGE:
The witness may step down.

MAN:
I call...

( buzzing )

DELLA ( over intercom ):
Perry, Mr. Gideon on the line.

A Mr. J.J. Gideon.

I told him how busy you were,
but he insisted.

Gideon?

Same as the boy in the papers
this week? Dave Gideon?

That's right.
This is the boy's grandfather.

Uh, switch him on, Della.

MASON ( over phone ):
This is Perry Mason.

Hello. Hello, Mr. Mason?

I've got to see you
right away.

This may not take over an hour
of your time,

and I'll pay you
anything you want

if you'll only get here quickly.

Where are you, Mr. Gideon?

But hasn't the hearing
already--?

Oh, I see.

Yes.

Yes, I will.

Right away.

Della, I'm going
to the county courthouse.

Apparently Hamilton Burger
is winning a case.

Now, Mr. Farrell,
to review,

we heard the doctor testify
that death was caused

by a blow alongside the head

with some sort
of a blunt object,

minutes
to an hour and a half

prior to the arrival
of the police at : .

We also heard testimony
indicating

that Tony Montgomery put up
a fight against his m*rder*r.

Now you stated that you
came to call on Mr. Montgomery

that night on a matter
of business,

and that your cab arrived at
exactly : , is that correct?

FARRELL:
That's right.

There weren't any lights on
inside when I got there

so I told the driver to wait.

Well, like I told you,
I went up, found the door open,

saw the body there
in the kitchen

and hurried back
to yell to the taxi man.

So it was then,
a moment or two after : ,

when you say you saw a man
running across the yard?

There's just no question
about who I saw.

It was him. The defendant.

BURGER:
The police reported

that when they picked
David Gideon up

some minutes later,

that he was reasonably
neat and clean.

FARRELL:
And I can tell you

he wasn't that way
when I saw him.

There was a big dark smear,

could have been dirt or blood,
on one cheek.

His shirttail was half out and
his whole appearance was a mess.

As though he,
just like the deceased,

had recently been in a fight.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

Cross-examine.

No questions.

The witness may step down.

May it please the court,

having amply demonstrated
both motive and opportunity,

having proven beyond any doubt
David Gideon's angry presence

at the scene of the m*rder,
the State sees no reason

for presenting further testimony
at this time.

Very well, Mr. Burger.

Does the defense wish
to introduce evidence

or make any statement?

No, Your Honor.
Not at this time.

There seems to be
sufficient evidence.

The defendant will be held for
trial on a date to be set later.

Court will adjourn
for minutes.

Hello, Perry.

I told Mr. Gideon
a couple of days ago

to ask you
to take over here.

I gather the boy hasn't been
much help to you, Avery.

He will be with you, Mr. Mason.
I'm sure he will.

Now, the only thing
that's holding him back now

is because his mind
is not clear.

You see,
he was knocked unconscious.

Well, well, well.

Excuse me.

The Marines are landing a little
late, aren't they, Perry?

Hello, Hamilton.

Or did you just drop by
to watch me deliver my windup?

I really wasn't
at my best today.

You know how it is sometimes
when almost too much evidence

is on your side.

You trying
to tell me something?

Only that that boy
has no chance at all.

Even your kind of tricks
wouldn't help him.

Why, Hamilton.

Tricks?

( ominous theme playing )

Any possibilities
so far, Paul?

No, not yet.

But I've got three men scattered
in the crowd out there.

Let me know the minute
you spot anything.

All right.

Okay, Mr. Mason.
Here he is.

Judge's order says keep it down
to minutes or so.

No more than that.

This kind of thing attracts
a lot of people, you know.

I know.
Thank you, sergeant.

We'll talk right here
in the kitchen.

I hope you're not going to be
too disappointed.

I guess the only reason
you could arrange this

was because I didn't seem
to remember certain things.

Only... well, there just isn't
much more I can tell you

about what happened here.

Let's jog your memory a little.

You say you got here
a few minutes after ,

tangled with a man
you couldn't see.

When you came to, on the floor,
it was almost : .

The envelope you took
from the bureau was gone.

That's right, only I don't know

if it was Tony
who hit me or not.

Anyway, he must
have been k*lled

during the time
I was unconscious.

I found him here against
the chair where he'd fallen.

Well, that's all I know,
Mr. Mason. Honest.

That man Farrell testified
at the hearing

that when he saw you run away
from here, you were dirty.

A mess. This place doesn't look
very dirty to me.

Well, I'd been
on the floor there.

I mean, he just must have meant
bloody, disheveled,

don't you think?

Look, David,
one way or another,

Dorine Hopkins
got you into all this.

Now, she still won't tell
what was in that envelope.

But it's not relevant.

How do you know?

I don't really.

But I'm sure she'd tell
if it was.

I know she wants to help.

Her husband had taken her car.

It isn't very likely that she
could have got over here

in time to k*ll Tony herself.

So why are you still
shielding the girl?

That's what you're doing,
isn't it?

Still hiding information
because of--

Mr. Mason,

I bet I've followed every case
you ever defended

since I was in high school.

You have no idea how glad I felt

when they told me you were
actually going to defend me.

I feel very confident.

David, you're scared to death
and you know it.

But you can get me off.

I know you can get me off,
Mr. Mason.

( door opens )
PAUL: Hi, sarge.

I just brought these cigarettes

that Mr. Mason wanted
from his car, okay?

Okay.

What's up, Paul?

There's a dame
in a long beige coat

with a skimpy mink collar.

My men said she walked by here
twice last night.

Also the night before.

( ominous theme playing )

Know who it is?

Yeah, it's a woman
that does typing, I think,

in my grandfather's office.

Ah, here we are.

Oh, hello, Sue.

You sent for me, Mr. Comminger?
Yes.

This is Mr. Mason. Miss Franks.
Hello.

Mr. Mason is young David's
lawyer, you know.

Yes, I know.
I've read the papers.

I asked to have
some typing done.

That shouldn't take you
too long, Sue.

Just a few company records
Mr. Mason needs copies of.

Anything I can do
to help.

I just now discovered that Tony
Montgomery once worked here.

Along with his wife.

Well, not exactly with,
I'd say.

The records say one month
in the shipping department

five years ago.

And then he was fired for being
drunk on the job.

That's just about the time
they separated, I guess.

Wasn't it, Sue?
You were here then, Miss Franks?

Well, I really don't remember
him too well.

I'll type this for you.

You did know Tony Montgomery,
though?

Just casually, that's all.

Mr. Comminger here said

he'd seen you a couple of times
at the racetrack,

just last year,
with Tony Montgomery.

If Mr. Comminger had looked
more closely,

I'm sure he would have seen
my mother too.

We go every Saturday,
my mother and I.

I don't see any harm in that,
nor in the fact

that we might just bump
into all sorts of people there.

Of course there's no harm.

I only thought you might
be able to tell us

something more about Tony.

He's such
a shadowy sort of figure.

But if we know he followed
the races, for instance.

Not half as much as he followed
the dice.

You mean, like in Nevada?

Las Vegas?

How should I know?

I never went there with him.

He wasn't my husband,
you know.

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I'll get started on this
right away.

( typewriter keys clicking )

( tense theme playing )

It's all in the court record,
Mr. Mason.

My acquaintance with
Tony Montgomery

was strictly business.

What sort of business?
Gambling?

Don't be silly. When you live
in a town like this,

you either leave it alone
or you go broke.

Me, I prefer fishing.

But I find your business is
called a "collection service."

That's part of gambling,
isn't it?

It's part of the automobile
rental business,

also the used car trade.

You should see how many buyers

don't keep up
with their payments.

Was that what you were going to
call on Tony Montgomery about?

A used car?

I like to stay out of trouble,
Mr. Mason.

Besides, I'm a witness
for the prosecution.

You went there to collect
a gambling debt,

isn't that right?
Now, you know,

gambling debts can't be
collected legally in California.

All I want to know is whom you
were collecting the debt for.

Just one of the big houses
in town.

Not any one individual.

And there was nothing personal
between him and me.

Nothing like that.

How much did Montgomery owe
the gambling house?

Ten thousand dollars.

I'd been after him for it
for quite a while.

You talked to him before?

Yeah. Here in Vegas,
before he went to L.A.

And then on the telephone,
a couple of times a day.

Sounds like you were pushing him
pretty hard.

Nah. No, I don't use
rough stuff, Mr. Mason.

It's just how they said
to handle him, that's all.

"They"?

Other boys in my trade.

It seems that Montgomery
used to walk out on a debt

every few months or so.

And the, uh, houses still
allowed him to gamble here.

Come on, Mr. Farrell.

What else did the boys
in your trade tell you?

They said push the guy hard
enough and he'd push his wife.

They said, his wife,
she always makes good.

( suspenseful theme playing )

I didn't expect you in so early.

I flew in last night.

I think it's time for me to go
after Dorine Hopkins, Della.

I've got the amm*nit*on now.
So if you'll just phone her...

Mm-hm. Wait a minute.

Paul just called in
about that Sue Franks.

The woman you've had him
watching.

Well?

Perry,
she's out at that house again.

The place where the m*rder was.

Only this time she's gone
digging in the garden.

( suspenseful theme playing )

Welcome to open house.

What's going on?

The world's getting
too crowded.

Remember the story
about one elephant

following another elephant?

Well, meet the last elephant
in line.

Well, Mr. Mason.
Hello, Sergeant Brice.

Sorry we had to intrude,

but when my men saw this woman
digging behind a bush

and then saw her come up
with this brown envelope...

PAUL:
Perry, it's the right one.

I should say Miss Franks has
quite a bit of explaining to do.

PAUL:
Well, actually,
her explanation's quite simple.

She knew where the envelope was

because she saw a man hide it
there the night of the m*rder.

Your client, David Gideon.
I see.

What else, sergeant?

Well, it's not surprising
the boy was trying

to get rid of it
before he was caught.

Obviously, he was shielding
someone all along.

Yes, I knew that.

Yes, but Perry,
maybe not the same person.

Wait till you get a load
of those notes.

Apparently, David was trying
to protect his whole family.

His dead Uncle Lucius,
and his grandfather.

( mysterious theme playing )

So at about : you went into
the kitchen and saw the body.

What then?

Well, then I remembered
the envelope.

It was still on the floor,

by the place where
I'd been slugged.

I lit some matches to see
what sort of stuff was in it.

Mr. Mason, do you know

that since my Uncle Lucius d*ed
three months ago,

my grandfather has paid
Dorine Hopkins $ ?

There were three
separate payments.

Her husband kept Photostats
of the checks,

besides those pictures.

Let's skip all that
for a minute.

Now, you say you went out
the back way

and ditched that envelope.
Why?

Well, that was about : ,

and I didn't want that guy
Farrell to stop me.

I mean,
I didn't want to risk

anybody else seeing
the envelope.

I know how much
it could hurt my grandfather.

Did you see any other cars there
besides Farrell's taxi?

Well, there was a car parked in
the driveway, probably Tony's,

but the back wheels were off

and the rear end
was partially removed,

so it couldn't have been driven
for some time.

There was a new convertible
parked across the street

when I got there,
but it was gone when I left.

And I remember wondering where
Tony had parked Dorine's car.

It was in the drugstore
parking lot at the corner.

Oh.

Mr. Mason, if my grandfather
gave Dorine $ --

Apparently, she turned it
right over to her husband

to take care of his various
gambling debts, David.

Tony was the blackmailer,
not Dorine.

But why did Grandad
pay anything?

I mean, a few pictures
of Uncle Lucius and Dorine.

So maybe they were really
mixed up,

it doesn't hurt anybody now.

Just a nice, foolish ex-playboy

and the kind of dame you can
meet any day of the week.

I mean, who cares?

David, your grandfather has
a man checking into records.

It begins to look as though
your Uncle Lucius

may have mismanaged his company
out of nearly $ , .

Oh.
Naturally, your grandfather

wanted to keep it as quiet
as possible

until he has all the answers.

Besides,
he was thinking about you.

About leaving you
a good name.

Mm.

Look what I'm doing
for his good name.

Not to mention yours, of course.

Mine?

Well, sir, I'd sure hate to be
the guy to spoil your record.

But didn't David ask about me,
Mr. Mason?

Didn't he even want me
to come and visit him?

I guess I forgot to mention
the possibility

of your being able
to do that.

You mean, you think I've done
enough damage already?

I didn't say that.

But surely David
can't mean much to you.

Mr. Mason,

it's one thing to tell
an attractive boy

you're older than he is.

It's quite another
to tell it to yourself.

BURGER:
Now, Mr. Comminger,

as a qualified witness in
these fiscal investigations,

do you think it possible
that Lucius Gideon

was really an embezzler?

In other words, could he have
withheld certain investments

rather than simply
mismanaging them?

Well, I've found nothing
to indicate that.

It's scarcely possible.

No, no,

there was nothing criminal
about Lucius Gideon.

He was, just, well,
stupid, I'm afraid.

Did you find anything
of a personal nature

connecting him and the wife
of the deceased?

May it please the Court, since
Defense has already stipulated

to the description of material
found in People's Exhibit ,

the brown envelope--
I withdraw the question,

Your Honor. And I'm finished
with this witness.

Mr. Comminger, in the course
of your investigations,

have you found anyone else
besides Lucius Gideon

whom Dorine Hopkins might be
involved with?

That is to say,
who her friends are?

Whom she, uh, goes out with
in the evenings?

No, except for the defendant,
David, there,

that's all I know about.

What, um--
What about yourself?

I beg pardon?

Well, hasn't she been helping
you in the evenings?

Haven't you taken her to dinner
many times?

But that's business.

Our relationship
has only been business.

MASON:
That's all, thank you.

Tony shoved the money
into his pocket.

I know that policeman said
that they never found it later,

but that's what he did with it,
all of it. Ten thousand dollars.

Then he struck me.

Three, four, five times,

I-I-I don't remember
how often.

And then he made me get back
into the car.

What time was this,
do you remember that?

Well, about : , I think.

I was only there a few minutes.

Well, anyway,

I started to get behind
the wheel of my car,

and, well, all of a sudden,
Tony shoved me over

and said that he was going
to drive me home.

He had been drinking and--

Well, it seemed like he was
driving about miles an hour.

But he took you
to your rooming house?

Mm-hm.

And what then?

Well, he hadn't told me that he
was going to keep my car.

He just did it.

He drove up alongside the curb

and he reached across me
to open my door,

and then he started to laugh.

As I got out of the car,
all of a sudden,

he roared off down the street,

and the next thing I knew,
I was on the ground.

And David was standing there.

And he reached down and--

And started to help me up.

Poor David.

( sobbing )

Poor David.

Yes, sir, I saw the defendant
get into his car.

He sure did sound like
he was in a hurry,

way he skidded them tires
out of there.

They made a frightful noise.

Uh, did you happen to notice
the time, sir?

Indeed I did.

I was walking Alexander,
that's my wife's little dog.

I wanted to be sure I was home
in time for the news,

so I was checking my watch.

And exactly what time was it
that David Gideon

left the young woman
and drove off in such haste?

Uh, seven minutes
before p.m.

I see.
What did you do then?

Well, when Miss Hopkins
got out the car,

she kind of hurt her ankle
a little.

So I helped her inside
of my house,

and my wife gave the ankle
a good soaking.

And she was there until, oh,
uh, : , I guess.

Do you mean to say
that Dorine Hopkins

was actually inside your house

from the moment
that the defendant

drove off after Tony Montgomery
until an hour later?

Yes, sir,
that's what I'm saying.

( with French accent ):
Mon cher, monsieur,

I am positive that's the man
who got hit.

He over there,
he grabbed him over here,

and then he yelled,
"Let go of that girl!"

And the girl is that
red-head over there.

And you say that this fight
took place

the day before the m*rder?

Oui, monsieur,
right next door to my house.

And then one of the men

told the other, uh,
"b*at it, kid,"

and then him, David Gideon,

he hit that Tony Montgomery
so hard,

why, I thought he k*lled him
right then and then.

And of course he didn't die
until the next day, yes? No?

Uh-huh?

David came running out
of Mr. Montgomery's house

and down the steps.

He stopped, and then he ran
behind those bushes.

He kicked up some dirt
and I saw the envelope drop.

And then he scratched
the dirt back again

and I saw him running.

I see.
Go on, Miss Franks.

Well, that's all there was.

About David, I mean.

Because then I heard
a car drive off,

and a shout, and two men
went into the house,

and before I knew it,
the sirens were screaming

and I thought I'd better leave.

You hadn't done anything wrong.

Why did you think
you better leave?

Well, I'd watched from there
sometimes before, you know.

It always made me nervous.

Why had you watched
Tony Montgomery's house before,

Miss Franks?

Because Mr. Gideon, Sr.
had asked me to.

To keep an eye
on that man and his wife.

He didn't trust either
of those people one inch.

Now, Miss Franks,

you say that you were there
for or minutes.

During that time, did you see
anyone besides David Gideon

enter or leave that house?

Not until the taxi came.

Thank you, Miss Franks.
That will be all.

Your witness.

Miss Franks, when was
the last time Mr. Gideon

asked you to spy on anyone?

I don't remember, exactly.

Can you tell us
the exact date

when he ever asked you
to do such a thing?

I'm not very good on dates,
Mr. Mason.

I know he definitely asked me
about Dorine Hopkins.

But isn't it true that watching

Tony Montgomery's
place of residence

was strictly your own idea?

Didn't you often watch for him,
hoping to talk to him,

hoping he'd talk to you,

perhaps because he'd
once given you reason

to think he cared for you?

For instance, isn't it true
that you went to the racetrack

week after week
just to meet him there,

or at least catch
a glimpse of him,

or perhaps to loan him money?

I hated Tony.

It isn't true.
None of it's true.

You can't ask me these things.

Very well, I'll ask you
something different:

Do you drive a convertible?

No.

No, my mother always
insists on a sedan.

But by any chance were you
driving a convertible

the night of the m*rder?

No, of course I wasn't.

I-I took a bus there
that night. What on earth--?

Miss Franks, your memory wasn't
entirely accurate a moment ago.

So let me ask you
something else over again.

Now, during all the time
that you were there

watching for Tony,
watching his house,

are you absolutely certain

that you saw no one come
or go but the defendant?

SUE:
Of course I'm certain.

There wasn't anybody
on the street.

There weren't even any cars
parked on the street.

There was--

No, now--
Now, wait a minute.

That's funny.
I think there was a car there.

It drove away just
as I got there.

It was a convertible.

Miss Franks, why didn't you
recall that in your testimony

at the preliminary hearing?

Well, because I didn't
really see the car. I mean,

I don't know whose car it was,
or who was driving, or anything.

But you saw it.

Thank you,
Miss Franks.

I have no further questions.

( suspenseful theme playing )

I've exactly eight minutes.
What about you?

Same, Perry.
David might have made it

a couple of minutes faster,
but I doubt it.

Paul, the important thing is,
this place was under almost

steady observation that night.

Perry, I've had a man
working on that hunch of yours

for three days with no results.

Yes, but now that Miss Franks
has spoken out,

it isn't just a hunch.

So put ten men on the job.

Look at it this way, Paul:

If David told me the truth,
and he did,

there's only one way
this m*rder could have happened.

( dramatic theme playing )

Your statement, Mr. Farrell,

was that the boy
looked scared to death?

That's right.

He jumped into his car
and drove away.

That was at : .

BURGER:
And what happened then?

Well, I shouted
to my taxi driver

and he spotted
the boy's license number.

Then he came up to the house.
The driver, that is.

Well,
he looked at the body too.

We didn't touch anything.

Then we ran across
and woke up the neighbor

and called the police.

And I guess that's it.

That's a very clear narration,
Mr. Farrell. Thank you.

Your witness, counselor.

Mr. Farrell, you flew in from
Las Vegas earlier that same day,

is that correct?
That's right.

And you checked in
at the West Los Angeles Hotel?

That's right.

I believe you stated earlier

that you had made
a : appointment

with Tony Montgomery.

That you made the appointment
by telephone from Las Vegas.

That's right.

He said he might be able
to tell me something

about the money
he owed a client of mine.

He said his wife was scraping
it up from a sucker.

MASON:
Your return plane reservation

was made for the following
afternoon, wasn't it?

Yeah.

What did you intend to do
between your appointment

with the deceased
and the following afternoon?

Say, what is all this?

So I know a few girls in L.A.

Sure, I had a couple of dates.

Besides, I wanted
to do some shopping,

pick up a new sport coat.

Your Honor, I object to that.

There's certainly
been no foundation laid

for that sort
of a quiz program.

I'm a little curious as to what
your purpose is, Mr. Mason.

May it please the court,

I hope to make my purpose
quite clear very shortly.

I'll withhold the ruling
on the objection for the moment.

You may proceed, Mr. Mason.

Now, Mr. Farrell, Los Angeles
is a large and scattered city.

There's considerable distance
between theatres, stores,

a hotel, and possible
girlfriend's apartment.

Now, tell us:

Did you intend to take a taxi

to all those places,
Mr. Farrell?

Sure.

Sure, why not?

Now, do you recall once
telling me that in addition

to gambling houses,

you sometimes do work
for used car men

and automobile
rental companies?

That's right.

Don't they ever extend
courtesy to you?

Aren't you at least familiar
with their rates and so on?

Well, this trip
I just figured--

Now,
be careful how you answer.

Didn't you, Mr. Farrell,

pick up a rental car
at the airport

to use in Los Angeles?

And then later
hurriedly return that car?

No.

Look in the company records.
You won't find that I had a car.

Yes,
that's been the difficulty.

The rental services
have no such record.

Why is that, Mr. Farrell?

Because they don't bother
to record a courtesy assignment?

Your Honor, I see no reason
for this badgering.

May it please the court,

Defense has just
located a witness,

a young attendant from
a hotel parking lot

who recalls seeing Mr. Farrell

on the afternoon in question.

All right, yes.

I did have a rental car
for a while during the day,

but what of it?

It was a taxi I took out

to Tony Montgomery's
place at : .

Just answer the questions
that are addressed to you, sir,

but I sternly remind you
that you are under oath.

You may continue,
Mr. Mason.

MASON:
Mr. Farrell,
you state that you

took a taxi when you
went there at : .

Was that because you wanted
to be with someone?

Mr. Farrell,

was that your second trip

to Tony Montgomery's home
that evening?

Yes. Yes, it was.

MASON:
And what time was it that you
went there the first time?

That you drove
the rental car out there?

I don't remember exactly.

A little before .

What sort of a car was it,
Mr. Farrell?

It was a new convertible.

And so were you inside the house
when the defendant arrived there

shortly after ?

Were you surprised by him?

Did you struggle with
the defendant in the dark

and hit him on the head?

No. I don't have to answer that.

MASON:
Was there $ ,
in that house?

And if there was,
did you take it?

I didn't touch any of the money.
No.

It wasn't there.

But you were there,
weren't you?

Now, did you strike
David Gideon and knock him out?

I won't answer.

Give me a chance to think.

Your Honor,
I don't want to lie.

I don't want any trouble.

Give me a chance to think.

Your Honor,
if the Prosecution would

have no objection to the recall
of one of their witnesses,

I think we may get the answer
to this and other questions

a lot more quickly.
Which witness?

Mr. Lawrence Comminger.

( crowd murmuring )

I never met
Tony Montgomery.

I didn't ask if you'd met him,
I asked if you k*lled him.

No. No.

But if Mr. Farrell really
arrived at Tony's place

before : and if,
as Miss Franks testified,

no one else entered there after
she saw the convertible depart--

David k*lled him!

He was there.
The police said he k*lled him!

From this testimony,
Mr. Comminger,

isn't it a lot more likely
that Tony Montgomery

was already dead before
David or Mr. Farrell got there?

I don't know.

Then tell us this:

Did you ever drive
Dorine Hopkin's car?

What?
Wasn't it really you

who drove Dorine Hopkins

back to her rooming
house that night?

Yes.

Yes, it was.

But I didn't know anything
about the m*rder.

I had a call from her
about, uh, : ,

she picked me up
and asked me to drop her off,

and leave the car
for her husband.

There's a parking lot
in back of a drugstore.

But didn't it occur
to you later, Mr. Comminger,

that when Dorine picked you up,
her husband was already dead?

Just as he was already dead
when she telephoned

the defendant, David,
at his home?

No, no, I never thought of that.

And why not?

Does Dorine Hopkins have
some sort of hold over you

that stops you from thinking?

No! No, of course not.
We hardly know each other.

Has your investigation
of the Gideon Company

revealed facts
that are different

from those you reported,
for instance?

Have you perhaps found
some of that $ ,

which Lucius Gideon
supposedly lost?

I won't answer that.

Are you the latest partner,
the latest boyfriend,

Mr. Comminger,
in a long line of boyfriends?

I didn't commit m*rder!

I don't know anything
about m*rder!

Was it Dorine then
who k*lled her husband?

I don't know. Why would she?
It wouldn't make sense.

Oh, but it would make sense,
wouldn't it, Mr. Comminger?

Everything would
fit just perfectly.

If you could answer
a second question:

Did Dorine Hopkins
also m*rder Lucius Gideon?

No! No!

No! No!

No! No!

No! No! No!

( dramatic theme playing )

MASON:
Apparently Dorine
was in the process

of juggling the company books

when your Uncle Lucius
caught her at it.

That's when she k*lled him.

And successfully made
it look like su1c1de.

I suppose she would have
cleared out then,

only, uh, Lawrence Comminger

discovered the embezzlement
almost immediately.

And I would pick him
to investigate.

Dorine apparently persuaded him

to help cover the embezzlement
in return

for half of that
hundred thousand.

Only then along came

her blackmailing husband Tony
with his hand out.

When did you get on to her,
Mason, I mean, for sure?

When I realized what Farrell
had done that night,

and why he was keeping
quiet about it.

See, Farrell had found
the body too,

but then Dave showed up

and Farrell had to slug him
to get away without being seen.

Then he returned at :
with a taxi driver

to publicly find the body,

but Farrell was afraid
to tell what he knew

because he was afraid
he'd be accused

of stealing $ , .

You see,
he hadn't found it.

Well, where was it?

No place.
It never was there.

Dorine was waiting
for you to raise it

when she got into a fight
with her husband,

k*lled him, and then staged
herself the perfect alibi.

Well, at least when I get
mixed up with a woman,

it's sure a woman.

Grandad was the only man alive
who had her really pegged.

That's the first time
in my life

I was ever right
about a woman.

Well, here's your book back,
Mr. Mason.

What's that?
Blackstone?

Well, a guy has to read
something when he's in jail,

but now I'm out.

Now, look here, son--

Oh,
I expect he'll be around

to borrow a few more,
Mr. Gideon.

Sure, Grandad, you may
be proud of me yet.

( dramatic theme playing )

( noirish jazz theme playing )