04x28 - The Case of the Guilty Clients

[bunniefuu]

( noirish jazz theme playing )

And that was not the only time
he struck her.

Oh, no.

Again not long afterwards
when they were having guests

for an out-of-door...
barbering?

Barbecue?

Yes. Thank you. Barbecue.

Uh, when Lola accidentally
tipped the steaks

into the fire,
he lost his temper with her.

Mr. Patton, the president
of his company, was there.

He saw it.
He can tell you.

There were many people there,
Your Honor.

When the steaks
fell in the fire,

he spanked me
in front of everybody.

Well, that's not quite true,
Your Honor.

When I suggested that the steaks
were overdone,

she threw 'em
into the fire.

You said they were worthless,
What was I supposed to do?

I did not say
they were worthless,

and as for that spanking--

Mr. Bronson,
it was my understanding

you were not going
to contest this action.

Well, Your Honor,
I'm not just gonna stay here

and let her make me
into some kind of a sadist.

You are a sadist.

JUDGE:
That's quite enough.

I realize you're both
under an emotional strain.

The breakup of a marriage
causes deep wounds,

painful wounds.

But you must remember
this is a court of law.

( sighs )

Yes, sir.

Is there any possibility at all,
Mrs. Bronson,

of a reconciliation,

of your going back
to your husband?

I'd rather be dead.

Well, that goes for me too.

Very well.

Plaintiff is granted
an interlocutory degree.

( dramatic theme playing )

You have your divorce,
Mrs. Bronson.

Sadist.

Oh, I wish now
I'd really belted you.

Try it. Just try it.

( gavel banging )

Thank you for your help,
Mr. Gillman.

Perry,
thanks for coming out.

Old friend in court
never hurts.

She signed the agreement,
just as you drew it up.

I gathered that from the fact
you weren't contesting,

and there was no objection

to giving you a day option
on her company stock.

She wanted to get rid of me
so bad

that she probably would have
given me the stock itself,

if I had asked for it.

A hundred thousand shares
is a high price to pay

to get rid of even you,
Jeff.

Well, she's done it.
And we've got what we want.

Control of Bronson Aircraft,

with her option,
and your shares and mine.

( door closes )

( horn honks )

Who is that?

Bill Ryder.
Our chief test pilot.

Well, that's that.
Goodbye, Lola.

Shall we, uh,
get a drink or something?

I'd better get back
to Los Angeles, Jeff.

Can I give you a lift,
Mr. Patton?

Well, thanks,
but I gotta go over

to the test center
with Jeff.

You know, our new plane gets
its final checkout tomorrow.

Yes, I know. Good luck.

( plane engine starting )

How's it going, Clarence?

Oh. Both engines sweet
and smooth as China silk.

Too bad the test's tomorrow,
instead of today.

Eh, Jeff, you wanna
check 'em now?

I just design planes,
Clarence.

You make 'em run.

If you say the engines are okay,
they're okay.

Give them another check
in the morning, though.

Figured to about an hour
before takeoff.

Good.

Well, got your seat belt
fastened, baby?

Yes.

Afternoon, gentlemen.

Pleasure to see you again.

I thought I told you
to stay away from here, Walker.

Heh, heh. Now, Mr. Bronson,

it happens that I'm here
by invitation.

Well, I thought you ought
to hear his latest offer, Jeff.

I told you,
and I told you too, Walker.

No offers,
late or otherwise.

Now you've got things
a little twisted, son.

You see,
I'm selling, not buying.

Selling? Selling what?

Well, let's call it, uh,
insurance.

I have here
a confidential report

on the Bronson Aircraft
Company.

"Company has exhausted
cash reserves

"perfecting an experimental
executive plane

"that will outperform
all similar aircraft.

"Should plane be successfully
tested and certified,

"company's common stock,

"now selling at slightly
under $ ,

will rise sharply."

Now, I might add
that should the plane

be unsuccessfully tested,
the stock will drop sharply.

No argument about that.

So why not insure,
Mr. Bronson?

One hundred thousand dollars
for half of your share

of the company.

Fifty thousand dollars to Patton
for half of his share.

Now, if the plane is
successfully tested,

we all share in the bonanza.

If it's unsuccessful,

well, then, you'd salvage
a tidy little nest egg.

Jeff.
Sorry to break in.

I'm all cleared
to take off for LA.

Mind if I give Lola a lift?

Why should I mind?

Well, it being a company plane,
me being a diplomat,

uh, just thought I'd ask.

Well, you can take her.
Welcome.

A pleasure, boss.

You were about
to say something, Mr. Bronson?

Something quite simple,
Mr. Walker.

You've been trying
to move in on our company

for nearly a year now,
and I'm fed up.

Jeff, he's only making
a perfectly reasonable offer.

Okay. I'm unreasonable.

Walker, I don't want to see,
hear or smell you again, ever.

Is that clear?

( aircraft engine humming )

Court.

You helped Dad
build up this company,

became president
when he d*ed,

and you know how he dreamed
and worked for this plane.

I know, Jeff.

You also know
Walker's reputation.

You give him a foothold,

and the next thing you know
he's in control.

And once in control,
he'll sell us to Conair

or Skycraft so they can
junk our plane

to protect their own
production lines.

Now, I'm not gonna sit quiet
for that,

not when it's no longer
a dream, but a reality.

Jeff, what if reality
comes unglued tomorrow?

It won't.

That plane'll take anything
we or the FAA can give it.

Court...

You haven't already accepted
Walker's offer, have you?

What? No, of course not.

Good.

By tomorrow, you'll wonder
why you ever listened to him.

I hope so.

Jeff, about you and Lola.

I, uh...
I'm really very sorry.

I wish I could say the same.

Jeff.

Hello, Violet.

W-was that Bill
just taking off?

Well, darn him.

Was he supposed to see you
before he left?

Well, when you live
in the sagebrush

and your husband
lives in the city,

it would be rather nice
if he stopped

to wave to you once in a while,
don't you think?
Yeah.

Say, Lola wasn't with him,
was she?

Yes, she was. Why?

Well, then get out
another glass, Dad.

We're going to drink
a confusion.

A confusion?

Yep. To Lola and Bill.

Why include Lola?

Well, why not?

Bill's been buzzing
around her

like a bee around a daffodil
for the last six months.

Or didn't you know that?

No, I didn't.

I've had other problems.
All right.

To Lola and Bill.

A confusion.

A confusion.

Well, baby, let's celebrate.

Celebrate what?

Oh, you being a free woman

and me about to come into
a big inheritance.

Bill, what are you doing?
The plane will crash.

Ah, not a chance.
It's on a*t*matic pilot.

But what if we meet
another plane?

You don't wanna
live forever, do you?

Besides...

Here, have--
Have a little of this.

It'll help you relax.

No, thanks.

Better change your mind,
honey.

I'm gonna really tie one on.

Bill, you have the test flight
tomorrow morning, don't you?

Oh, I could fly that plane
in my sleep. You kidding?

Besides, gonna have
a little help

from my trusty friend
in the back.

LOLA:
Your parachute?

Know something else?

You're gonna bail out
on this okay too.

I'm seeing to that.

See to what?

Don't you worry.

Just you be grateful.

In fact, how about
a little gratitude in advance?

You know, Lola,
ever since I saw you

down in Argentina that day,

you've had me in a tailspin.

Now that Jeffy's
gone bye-bye...

Bill, don't. Stop it.

Stop it.

Oh, well.

It's not so good
out of a bottle anyway.

But just wait till I open
that bottle of champagne.

Ho-ho.

( dramatic theme playing )

( knocking on door )

Who is it?

Jeff.

Jeff.

What do you want?

Where's Lola?

She's gone to bed.

You can't go in there.

Okay.

You give her the message.

You tell her to stay away
from Bill Ryder.

What do you care
what happens to Lola now?

I'll tell you...

She's a silly,
no-use, extravagant dame...

but I brought her here
from Argentina,

and lived with her
for three years,

and I feel responsible for her.

Like you would a stray cat
that you picked up.

Stray cat, am I?

Silly? No-use?
Extravagant?

Well, let me tell you
what you are: a stupid ox.

And as far as Bill Ryder goes,
I will see him when,

how, and as often
as I like. So?

So it's your funeral.

But, uh,
let me tell you this.

I won't be
among the mourners.

( door closes )

( plane engine humming )

Well, Lola.

I didn't expect
to see you here.

I decided to come,
that's all.

I'm still reading you
loud and clear, Bill.

Stand by.

He's at , feet and
the clouds are just above him.

Tell him he's gotta climb
to , feet.

Clouds or no clouds.

Ground to Flyboy.
Ground to Flyboy.

Climb to , feet.

Does he have to go up
that high, Jeff?

That's part
of the final test.

We're asking the FAA
for a certification

for , feet,
and we wanna make sure

the plane has a little left
to spare.

Oh, I see.

Jeff.

He's past now.

We want instrument readings
at .

Certainly gets up there fast,
doesn't he?

You know,
that's not only the speed,

it's the streamlining.

Modulair-flow,
Jeff calls it.

I know.

You know, if we can just pass
these tests today,

we could capture the executive
plane market

for the whole country, Lola.

And the way Jeff's
increased the speed--

I know all that, Court.

KELLER ( over radio ):
Are you above the clouds yet?

Just pulling out now.

What's your altimeter reading?

Twenty thousand feet.

Still got plenty of climb left
in her.

Bill, this is Jeff.
That's far enough.

Level out now, level out.
Do you read me?

Read you loud and clear.

How soon you want me
to jump off the high board?

Start your dive
whenever you're ready,

and don't forget, a sharp
pullout at , feet.

Wilco.
Sharp pullout at , feet.

Here goes.

( plane approaching )

Three hundred, .
Three fifty.

She's really moving now.

Three seventy-five.

Four hundred.

Yeah, got some vibration
in the tail section.

End runs aren't working.

Pieces falling off the wings.

Bill. Pull out. Pull out.
Never mind the test.

Can't pull out. Stick's dead.

Pieces flying off the wings.
End run's aren't working.

I can't do anything. I can't.

JEFF:
Bill. Come in, Bill.
What's happening?

Come in, come in.

Jeff, the plane.

( suspenseful theme playing )

( loud boom )

Get the firefighting rig,
Joe, Harry.

Jeff.
Jeff, look up there.

Thank heaven.

What do you think
went wrong?

I don't know.

( sirens wailing faintly )

I don't know, but it's
a major disaster for all of us.

And for the company.

What is it
you're thinking, Lola?

You haven't said a word
since we came back.

Is it about the loss of
your money in Jeff's business?

You know
I was against that.

I know.

And I was against
your marrying Jeff as well.

How right I was.

But just think, darling.

Now we can go back
to Argentina.

Back to the estancia.

I'm not so sure
about the estancia, Conception.

Aren't you going back
to Argentina?

Oh, of course I am.

But I put nearly $ ,
into Jeff's company,

part of which I borrowed.

And to pay it back,

it may be necessary
to sell my land, that's all.

That's all?

Lola, an O'Higgins
has been estanciero in that part

for over a hundred years.

Oh, for heaven's sake.

I'm fed up with ranch life,

and it's my money, isn't it?

Of course. I forget.
I am only your poor cousin.

But I am also
an O'Higgins.

( phone ringing )

Hello.

A Mr. Walker?

Thank you.

He told them at the desk
he was to come right up.

What does he want?

I don't know, but I'd like
to talk to him alone.

( knocking on door )

Come in.

Leander Walker, Mrs. Bronson,
and very much at your service.

So you said on the phone,
Mr. Walker.

But what is this service
you are so anxious to render me?

( chuckling )

Now that I like.
Right to the point.

Very unusual for a lady.

Especially one so lovely.

I have here a check for you,
a very substantial check,

and also a document
for you to sign.

Fifty thousand dollars?

In payment for your
Bronson Aircraft stock

at cents a share.

That's very generous of you,
Mr. Walker, but Jeff--

I mean my ex-husband has
a -day option on the stock.

Well, what of it?

He couldn't pick up
his option at ten cents a share,

which is probably more
than the stock is worth now.

If that's so, why are you
offering me so much more?

Oh, part of a deal I made
with an admirer of yours.

Just who is this admirer?

He said you'd know.

Now, if you'll just
sign this,

giving me possession
the day after

your ex-husband's option
expires--

I think you'd better leave,
Mr. Walker.

You're refusing my offer.

I'm asking you to leave
right now, please.

( dramatic theme playing )

Have you lost your mind, Lola?

What are you doing?
Who are you calling?

An admirer of mine.

Operator.

All right, Violet.

If you want the unvarnished
truth, we are through.

Have been for months.

Me living here,
you out in the sagebrush.

Never seeing each other.

Like strangers when we do.

Now, why don't you just
be a good girl and run along?

Just like that, huh?

Nine years and now I can just
run along like a good girl.

For nothing.

For not even a share of, um,
today's profits at all.

Profits?

You think I wrecked
that plane this morning?

Well, didn't you?

Oh, Vi, your imagination
just gets bigger and bigger

all the time.
Ha-ha!

No, dear, I think you mean
my ears do, don't you?

You see, that's one advantage
of being ignored so much.

You hear all sorts of things.

Now,
suppose I told Jeff

about your meetings
with that man Walker.

Do you think he'd k*ll you...

or just cr*pple you for life?

( doorbell rings )

Who's that?

How should I know?

Well, suppose we find out.

You're so anxious
to get rid of me.

All right, you win.

You'll get your cut,
Violet, only--

Uh, half.

Half?

All right, half.
Only, get outta here.

Use the French doors,
will you?

( laughing )

And I'll call you tomorrow.

Oh, no, dear.
I'll call you.

( doorbell rings )

Well,
am I glad to see you.

Didn't I hear voices?

Oh, sure. On the radio.

Say,
how about some champagne?

I just happen to have a bottle
in the icebox.

Behind that's
another bottle.

I'd rather have a brandy.

Oh, good.
I got even more of that.

Say, Lola...

I wondered if you would
explain something to me.

What?

Well, Leander Walker phoned
after you did.

Told me you didn't wanna
accept his check.

Why?

Perhaps first I wanted to see
how much...gratitude

I was expected to show.

Well, first I thought--

And besides,
I wanted to know more

about what you did today.

Oh, got a haircut.

Shaved a second time,
just for you, and--

What you did about the plane.

Lola, I thought you said
you're through with Jeff.

I am.

Okay, then what do you care

what happens to him,
or his plane

or the company
for that matter?

Then you did wreck the plane.

Well, did or didn't,

you're getting your share,
aren't you?

You're gonna
come out all right.

Walker's gonna buy your stock
at a special price.

Now let's get back
to that gratitude bit.

Maybe I should be grateful
to Mr. Walker instead.

Did he suggest that?

Look, uh,
just between you and me,

maybe I didn't fly that plane
as good as I could have.

I didn't realize
you were so clever.

It sounded over the radio

as if the plane
really was falling apart.

Maybe I should've
gone on the stage.

I'll tell you one thing,
though.

I almost waited too long
to jump.

That would have been
a pity,

because then you wouldn't
be able to telephone Jeff

and tell him all about this.

Ho-ho. Telephone Jeff?
You gotta be kidding.

No, I'm not kidding.

Hey, uh,
put that thing down.

I know how to use this,

and I will
unless you do what I say.

Now, go and dial Jeff's number.

Look, Lola, take it easy.

You don't care for Jeff anymore,

he's the only one
getting hurt by this thing.

Why don't you just relax, hon?

Dial the number.

( suspenseful theme playing )

( g*nsh*t )

( doorbell rings )

( ringing doorbell )

( suspenseful theme continues )

( g*nsh*t )

( phone ringing )

( phone continues ringing )

( glass breaking )

Lola was gone, then,
for an hour and a half?

Yes.

She left around : ,

and she returned about
five minutes after midnight.

When she came in, she looked
as though she'd seen a ghost.

And later, when I tried to
find out what had happened,

she wouldn't even
let me in her room.

And that's when
you called Jeff?

No, no. I called Jeff earlier.

That's the first time
I tried to place a call

to Mr. Bill Ryder.

To, um, ask him
what had happened?

CONCEPTION:
Yes.

Uh, tell me, Miss O'Higgins,
why did you call Jeff?

Well, shortly after Lola left
I became alarmed.

I knew perfectly well she was
going to the house of Mr. Ryder,

and I didn't think
that she should.

So I called Jeff
for advice.

And, uh, what was his advice?

He said, "Leave Ryder to me,"
and then he hung up.

And since : this morning

I have been placing call
after call to Mr. Ryder,

and I haven't gotten any answer.

Wouldn't that,
on top of how Lola looked,

make one wonder if something
had not happened, Mr. Mason?

Jeff didn't answer
at the club.

All right, do you have
Mr. Ryder's telephone number?

Yes. Empire - .

If something has happened
to Mr. Ryder,

just what is it you'd like us
to do, Miss O'Higgins?

I want you to protect Lola
in every way that you can.

The same even if nothing
has happened.

This Mr. Ryder seems to have
some kind of a hold over her.

I'm sure of it
from her manner.

And you want us to find out
what that hold is?

Yes, so it can be dealt with.

No answer.

Well, I can't commit myself
as far as representing Lola

or Jeff or anyone,
Miss O'Higgins,

until I find out
what actually has happened.

We'll be in touch
with you later.

Paul.

( ominous theme playing )

Well, Perry?

Well, Paul?

( doorbell rings )

Perry.

MASON:
Glass.

Think the wind did this, Paul?

PAUL:
Well, if it did,
it also unlocked the door.

Maybe we've caught up
with Mr. Ryder. Mm-hm?

( sighs )

I'd say somebody else
caught up with him first.

Somebody with a g*n.

And...

At exactly : last night,
if this clock's right.

Which pretty well clears
Lola Bronson.

She'd have a hard time
making the or so miles

to her hotel
in five or six minutes.

Mm-hm. And she doesn't
look like the type

to be knocking over
the furniture, either.

From the look of things,

I'd say that Ryder
discovered a prowler,

struggled with him and, uh,
got k*lled in the process.

Somehow I don't think so,
Paul.

Operator,
I'd like police headquarters.

( indistinct speech )

Yes, emergency.

( indistinct speech )

Central police?

Lt. Tragg, Homicide, please.

TRAGG:
Well, that's good of you to call
me, Perry.

Normally, you're not quite
so thoughtful.

You've been here all the time,
lieutenant?

No, no.

This, uh, lady,
Mrs. Violet Ryder,

came in through this door

and discovered
her husband's body.

Called police
and they notified me.

Mrs. Ryder, wouldn't you like
to wait in the car

with the driver?

Yes, I would, thank you.

Well, now, Perry,
could we have your story?

Yes, Paul and I came here
to see Mr. Ryder

on behalf of, uh,
some stockholders

of the Bronson Aircraft Company.

He was their chief test pilot.

Yes, so I am told.

We, uh, noted the broken door,

and when we investigated
we saw the body.

And then,
as good citizens should,

we put in a call to the police.

Well, then,
now as good citizens,

would you and Paul
mind clearing out

so that we can get to work?

Or, uh, should you wait

on behalf of your stockholders,
Perry?

No. No need to stay,
lieutenant.

Come on, Paul.

( dramatic theme playing )

Perry.

You were right.
It wasn't a burglary.

Glass only on the outside.

Broken from the inside.

Uh-huh, and if Tragg
hasn't already seen that,

he will soon.
We'd better move.

I want you to find Jeff Bronson,
bring him back to my office.

In the meantime,
I'll talk to Lola Bronson.

All right.

Of course I'm shocked.

Death by v*olence
is always shocking.

But why did you
find it necessary

to come here and tell me
in person?

When I saw Mr. Mason today,
I told him about

your going to Bill Ryder's house
last night, darling.

And now you believe it was I
who k*lled him?

Lola, Mr. Mason isn't here
to accuse you of anything.

He's here to help you.

But why should I want
or need help?

I was never
in the house at all.

I did drive there,

But at the door
I heard voices

and I just went away.

Tell me, what time was it

when you heard
these voices inside?

Eleven or perhaps
a few minutes after. Why?

Did one of the voices
belong to Jeff?

No.

Besides, what would he
be doing there?

Miss O'Higgins
called him last night,

told him you were there.

CONCEPTION:
I'll explain later, darling.

But Jeff
couldn't have been there.

It was minutes past

when I called him
at his number.

( phone rings )

Hello.

( indistinct speech )

Yes, he's here.

Mr. Drake.

Thank you.

Hello, Paul.

Any luck with--

Oh.

Yes, I see.

Thanks.

Well, whether Jeff
was there or not,

he's been picked up
by the police.

On what charge?

m*rder.

( dramatic theme playing )

Dr. Willard, you have
traced for us

the path of the b*llet

through the rib cage
of the deceased

and into one
of the ventricles of the heart.

How far would you say
the p*stol was held

from the decedent's body at
the time of the fatal sh**ting?

Ten to inches,

judging from the severity
and the extent

of the powder burns.

Did you discover
anything unusual

when you examined the body?

Yes, there was a mild contusion,
or bump,

on the back
of the deceased's head.

BURGER:
Now, as an experienced
pathologist

who has examined
hundreds of bodies,

would you say, doctor,
that the decedent

had engaged
in a violent struggle

with some adversary
immediately before death?

I would say there had been
no violent struggle with anyone.

I see. Thank you, doctor.
That'll be all.

Your witness.

Doctor, in your opinion,
from the condition of the body,

could the deceased have engaged
in a mild struggle

with someone
before death occurred?

I suppose so, with someone
either unwilling or unable

to exert much strength.

A woman, perhaps?

( mysterious theme playing )

Perhaps.

MASON:
Thank you, doctor.
That'll be all.

The moment I saw
the glass on the ground

outside the French door, I--
I knew it wasn't burglary,

even though somebody obviously
wanted us to think that it was.

I see.

Now, lieutenant,
I show you three b*ll*ts.

One of them
has already been identified

as having been found
in the deceased's body.

Now, I ask if you recognize
these two slugs.

TRAGG:
Yes, sir. They have my
identification marks on them.

This one was found in the wall
of the deceased's living room,

and, uh, this one from a log
in the fireplace.

How do you account for the fact
that three sh*ts were fired?

Well, quite easily.

The m*rder sh*t,
and then two more

to bolster the burglary idea,

to make it look like
there had been a struggle.

Your Honor,

I move that both question
and answer be stricken.

The district attorney
has enticed this witness

into a conclusion.

Objection sustained.

Question and answer will be
stricken from the record.

Yes. I look at the stars through
my telescope almost every night.

Yes,
and what did you observe

in the general vicinity
of the Ryder house?

Well, I made
my usual observations

about the time
I got home from work,

that's, uh, near to midnight.

Made my usual sweep
of the sky and city.

We're only interested in the
decedent's house, Mr. Phinney.

Well, I saw a man
come out about : ,

through the French doors.

Got into a car
parked about a half block away.

Got the license number when he
passed under the street light.

That's how
they caught him so quick,

when I gave that number
to the police.

You're sure about
remembering the number?

Excellent memory.

Recall the license number.

Also recall another man

tried the doorbell
a little bit later.

No answer, so he left.

You later saw another person

try to get into the Ryder house,
and then leave?

Do you recognize that person
in this courtroom today?

Yeah, that's him
sitting right over there.

KELLER:
Well, sir, I was just looking
for a place to sleep.

See, I'd been in town
checking on jobs,

since it looked like the company
was going broke in a hurry.

Anyway, it was too late
to get back to the field,

so I thought I'd stay with Bill.

Done it before.

Dropped by there twice that
night, there was no one home,

so I went to a motel
down the street.

I wanna go back now to something
that took place earlier.

I call your attention
to the scene

between Violet Ryder
and the defendant

at the test center's
administration bungalow

the night before
the m*rder.

Loaded. Both of 'em.

Had pretty well finished
a whole bottle of whiskey

before I joined them.

BURGER:
What were they doing
at that time?

KELLER:
Well, telling how
they fell in love.

Violet was saying how
she was just a hat check girl

when Ryder first met her.

And, uh, Jeff was telling
how he and Ryder

had been forced down once
in Argentina,

and how Lola
rode up to the plane

looking like a goddess
on horseback.

Fell in love with her the minute
he saw her, Jeff said.

And then, well, then they
started drinking confusions.

And Violet, why, she suggested
a k*lling swap.

BURGER:
k*lling swap?

KELLER:
Yeah, uh, suggested
she k*ll Lola

and that, uh,
Jeff k*ll Ryder

to pay 'em back
for all the trouble they caused.

And no one any the wiser.

And, uh, well, they--
They drank to that.

'Course I suppose
they was just kidding.

Well, of course
we were just kidding.

Well, if we were gonna do
anything like that,

you don't think
we'd talk about it

in front of a-- Of a sub-cretin
of a mechanic, do you?

Mrs. Ryder,
you must confine yourself

to answering Mr. Mason's
questions.

I don't want
to have to warn you again.

Okay, Your Honor.

You have described how
you found your husband's body,

Mrs. Ryder, but you haven't
yet told us

when you last saw him alive.

Now, when was that?

Well, I guess it was
just after

he parachuted down
that morning.

You're certain you didn't
see him later?

Later that evening?

No. No. Of course not.

Oh, look, Mr. Mason,
I wish I had've been with him.

Then none of this
would ever have happened.

Never.

Now, lieutenant,
I recalled you at this time

because you are the one charged
with the Ballistics tests

on this p*stol already
introduced in evidence

as People's Exhibit Four.

I'm the one.

Now, to review for a moment,

you heard how
the arresting officer,

having given the defendant's
license number

by our friend
with the telescope,

went to Mr. Bronson's club
downtown and impounded his car?

How he waited there
for the defendant to return

and took him into custody
for questioning?

Yes, sir, I heard.

BURGER:
I am, of course,
leading this witness,

but since this is purely
preliminary,

I trust there is no objection.

JUDGE:
You may proceed, Mr. Burger.

You have heard also,
have you not,

how when a proper search
was made of the defendant's car,

the officer found this p*stol
and also this wallet,

identified as belonging
to the deceased,

wrapped in rags and hidden
under the spare tire

in the trunk
of the defendant's car.

TRAGG:
I heard the officer so testify.

Now, lieutenant,
I ask you what you found

when the officer turned
this p*stol over to you

for ballistic tests.

I found it was registered
to Jefferson Bronson,

the defendant.

I, uh, found that a test slug
matched all three slugs

fired from the p*stol
found in the m*rder room.

BURGER:
And that meant what?

TRAGG:
That the fatal b*llet,
and the other two,

came from the defendant's
p*stol.

No. This is all wrong.

Jeff didn't k*ll Bill Ryder.

He couldn't have
because I k*lled him.

Don't pay any attention to her,
Your Honor.

Sit down.
I k*lled Ryder.

I told Mr. Mason
I was never in the house,

that I was being framed,
but that was a lie.

We fought over the g*n
and I sh*t him.

Then I tried to make it look
like a burglary.

That isn't true. I did it.
I k*lled him.

She's lying. I k*lled him.

( crowd murmuring )

( gavel banging )

BURGER:
Mrs. Bronson,
counsel for both sides

are trying to get this
straightened out

at the suggestion
of the court.

So would you please start your
story over from the beginning

and tell it carefully
and truthfully.

I got him to admit

he'd deliberately wrecked
Jeff's plane.

And then I took out
the p*stol

Jeff gave me when we moved out
to the desert.

I never gave her that g*n.

You'll have your say
in a minute, Jeff.

In the meantime, hold off.

I wanted to make him
call Jeff and confess.

But then he turned off
the lights and grabbed me.

The p*stol fired and he fell.

and when I got the lights
on again, he was dead.

Oh, that's all malarkey.

She was never in the house.

The body wasn't where
she said it was,

and what about the glass that
she claims she drank out of?

And the p*stol.

Conception, did I give Lola
a p*stol?

No, you did not.

Conception.

There, you see, all lies.

Well, won't somebody
believe me?

I'm telling the truth.
I swear I am.

Mrs. Bronson,
would you and your cousin

please wait in the reception
room for a few moments?

Thank you.

Now, Mr. Bronson,
let's have the highlights

of your story again,
if you don't mind.

Well, Conception called me
about : ,

told me she was worried
about Lola

being at Ryder's alone.

I told her
I'd take care of Ryder,

or something like that.

So I got my g*n
and I drove over.

I'd already figured out
what he'd done that morning,

and when he let me in
and I saw no Lola,

I accused him
of wrecking the plane.

He got sore and came at me
with a poker,

so I sh*t him.

That's when I got
the idea of the fake burglary.

And then I fired
another sh*t.

There were two extra slugs
found in the living room, Jeff.

I mean two extra sh*ts,

to make the struggle look like
it was bigger than it was.

And the glass with the whiskey?

You wiped it clean and put it
with the others?

Look, Perry.

If Lola had been in the house,
which she hadn't,

why should I cover for her?
Now, we're all through.

MASON:
Why is she covering for you?

Well, who knows
why a woman does anything?

Would you please return
the prisoner to his cell?

Thank you, Mr. Bronson.

( dramatic theme playing )

Well, Perry, which one
would you rather defend?

Which one are you going
to prosecute?

( dramatic theme swells )

Well, one thing is certain:
They both can't be guilty.

But I'd hate the thought of it
being either one of them.

They're such nice people.

( knocking on door )

MASON:
Nice but stubborn.
Hello, Paul.

Hi, Perry.

What's Burger gonna do,
do you know yet?

Oh, he'll continue against Jeff,
probably,

if only to prove he was right.

And of course
he has Jeff nailed.

w*apon. Opportunity.

What better motive
than jealousy?

Not to mention
wrecking a man's plane,

ruining his company.

If it weren't
for that third b*llet...

Third b*llet?

Jeff said that
he fired two sh*ts,

then amended his story
hastily

when I reminded him that, uh,
Tragg had recovered three slugs.

Somebody else could have fired
that p*stol?

It isn't likely,

but it's about the only thing
we have to go on.

Perry, maybe something
I just found out

fits in with that third b*llet.

Remember you asked us
to check the whereabouts

of Violet Ryder
the night of the m*rder?

What have you come up with?

I had one of my men
check the register

of the motel
where Clarence Keller

stayed that night.

Violet was registered there too,

not three blocks
from the Ryder house.

Well, all right.
So I was in town.

What does that prove?

It proves perjury,
Mrs. Ryder,

and a possible jail term.

Now, would you like
to go to jail?

Oh, no. No.

Oh, please, Mr. Mason,
what do you want from me?

I want the truth.

Now, you did pay a visit to your
husband that night, didn't you?

Well, yes, but--

Well, I knew he was
getting some money

for that plane
that he'd wrecked,

and, well, I just wanted
to talk to him about it,

but he pushed me
right out of the house.

Oh, look, Mr. Mason,

If I told the police one thing
I'd have to tell them the other.

And I mean,
their knowing about the plane

couldn't help anyone,

and, well, I was afraid
it might just

make things worse for Jeff,
that's all.

Now, this money
your husband was getting.

Did you expect to receive
a share of it?

Yes.

But only because
I was Bill's wife.

I mean, there was
nothing special that I knew.

Well, look, Mr. Mason, why don't
you talk to Courtney Patton?

He must have been in
on the deal too.

Yeah. I double-crossed Jeff.

( slurring ):
I sold Leander Walker
half my stock for $ , .

Insurance, he called it.

I'm ashamed.

Aren't you more ashamed
of being involved with Ryder

in wrecking Jeff's plane?

Oh, now, look, Mr. Mason,

I didn't know anything
about that.

That wreck cost me plenty,

because I-I still had stock
in the company then.

PAUL:
Still had?

I sold Walker the rest
of my stock three days ago

for cents a share.

He's been trying to get hold
of the company for three months.

The only way
he could think of.

Where can we find Walker?

He was at the Sunset-Ritz,
but not now.

He could be anywhere.

Waiter, wait a minute.
I want another drink.

Paul.

Paul,
I want an all-out search.

Also a re-check
on all telephone calls

made from Ryder's place
the night of the m*rder.

Maybe he was in communication
with Walker.

Mr. Mason,
just for your information,

I've decided not to proceed
against Lola Bronson.

I don't even want her
as a material witness.

As far as I'm concerned,
she can clear out right now.

There are just too many holes
in her story.

As for Mr. Bronson, you can
either plead guilty as charged,

or I'll proceed
with the prosecution.

Perry.

Here's the list
of the phone calls

made the night of the m*rder.

At least, the toll calls.

And, uh, check those made
from Ryder's house.

One to Patton,
one to the Sunset-Ritz.

One downtown to Jeff.

Ryder never called me
that night, Perry.

Only, uh, Conception.

The important one
is from the Sunset-Ritz.

Walker just checked out
and took a cab to the airport.

Paul, get your car
out of the lot.

Meet me out front.

All right.

What are you going
to do, Perry?

First I'm going to tell
Mr. Burger and Judge Abernathy

that we've found
the m*rder*r.

( dramatic theme playing )

Thank you.

Ah, I was about to despair
of you, ladies.

Mr. Walker.

At your service again,
Mrs. Bronson.

And yours too,
Miss O'Higgins.

Shall we board the plane?

I think we better
check our tickets first.

Mr. Walker.

Mason.

Afraid you're gonna
miss your flight, Mr. Walker.

This is Sergeant Brice.

He has a warrant
for your arrest.

Arrest? On what grounds?

Conspiracy to defraud,
industrial sabotage,

Isn't that why you're leaving
for South America?

I'm leaving for South America

because that's where
Mrs. Bronson

is going to sell me
her stocks.

Mr. Walker, who told you
I'd do that?

Your cousin.
Miss O'Higgins.

All right, Mr. Walker.
Let's go.

Why, Conception?

And why didn't you tell me?

I'll tell you on the plane.

MASON:
Lola.

Just a moment.

I'm afraid there are
a lot of things

she hasn't told you.

What?

She hasn't told you
that she followed you

to Ryder's house that night,

that she was watching
while you struggled with him.

Watching when that p*stol
went off.

That she must have
seen him fall against a chair

and knock himself
unconscious.

Unconscious?

But he was dead.

No, he wasn't,

because after you ran out,

she got hold of the g*n

and she k*lled him.

Isn't that right,
Conception?

But how could I
have done it?

I was at the hotel
telephoning Jeff

at that very moment.

You called Jeff
not from the hotel,

but from Ryder's house
after Ryder was dead.

We have a record
of that telephone call.

Conception.

He was an evil man.

I knew he would never rest
until he got you.

After you ran,
he picked himself up

and he went
to pour himself a drink.

I took the p*stol.

But he laughed
when I told him

he should never see you again,

or I would have him
arrested

for what he'd done
to Jeff.

He laughed when I told him

that you were going back
to South America with me.

He laughed,
and he took my arm

and he twisted it.

And I sh*t him.

Your Honor, in view
of the new evidence

unearthed
by my esteemed colleague,

the state will not oppose

a defense motion
for dismissal.

The defense so moves.

Very well.

Case dismissed,
with the defendant

to be released
from custody at once.

Court is recessed
for minutes.

Well, so ends the mystery
of the three sh*ts.

One fired by Lola, one by Jeff
and one fired by Conception.

I still have a mystery.

Why Walker's continued eagerness
to buy Bronson's stock?

Well, once in control,

then by threatening to build
another test plane,

he could force one of the other
aircraft companies

to buy him out.

Only now, the banks are lending
Jeff the money

to build the plane himself.

Well,
I have another mystery.

She's full of them, sure.

Oh, no, now, really.

You said that Conception
called Jeff

figuring he'd go
to Ryder's house,

think Lola k*lled him

and then either cover up for her
or take the blame himself?

He did both.

But with the divorce,

how could Conception think

that Jeff still
loved Lola enough to do that?

Take a look.

( mysterious theme playing )

( noirish jazz theme playing )