05x10 - The Case of the Injured Innocent

[bunniefuu]

(theme song playing)

MAN: Only three days
before the big race.

This test is important to
you people, isn't it, Kirby?

Well, that's a neat bit of
understatement, Mr. Townley.

You see, besides putting

this deal together
for my brother-in-law,

I've, uh, got a few bucks
of my own tied up in it.

My father says
only an accident

can keep us from winning.

What should he have said,
Miss Mooney?

That he'd spent ten years
perfecting a new engine

so we would lose on Saturday?

Well, there'll be no Saturday

unless we can satisfy Walter
about the engine today.

All right, take it easy.

That's it, right there.

Now remember, Vincent,

this is a test run,
not a European road race.

I've disconnected
the tach cables,

so your ear can get used to
listening to my engine.

It'll tell you
when to downshift

better than
any contrivance.

Oh, yes, Professor,
you've told me.

Well...

you seem all set.

TOWNLEY: Just waiting
for you, Walter.

Morning, Sis.

Good morning,
sports car enthusiasts

and early risers.

Are you ready, Mr. Mooney?

Ready for this morning
and Saturday.

With Vincent
behind my engine,

they're practically handing us
the checkered flag right now.

Well, if everybody's
so confident,

how about a driver's
victory kiss in advance?

Why not?

Now let's see you earn it.

(engine revving)

(screeching)

(crashing)

He'll rest now.

It doesn't make
sense, medically.

There's no reason at all

why that man shouldn't
be able to walk.

But he can't.

It would seem so.

Seem?

Well, the paralysis

is probably just
the result of shock.

If so, a day or so should
bring him back to normal.

I forgot my lighter.

Is it dangerous to wait?

No, no, we'll
wait two days.

If he doesn't come around,
we'll get him to a hospital

for more exhaustive tests.

You said you were going to
do something to the engine

that would delay you
for a few weeks.

What happened?

That Irishman, Mooney, didn't
leave the car for five seconds.

I had to do something else,
or race Saturday.

Then they would have
made me leave here.

But what could I do?

I thought and I thought,

then I decided.

I shall have a little accident--
roll the car.

What?

(chuckles)

A dozen times,
I rolled cars before.

Nothing.

You're paralyzed,
and you mean that's nothing?

When I hear that
ambulance doctor say

that because my back was hurt,

maybe I was paralyzed,

the idea came to me.

Look, darling,

I'm no more paralyzed than you.

But it's a brilliant idea

on the spur of
a second, isn't it?

If a man is paralyzed,
he cannot walk.

And if he can't walk,

who can suspect he's able
to get up and move around?

Suspect him of what?

Darling,

to see you go on
unhappy with that man...

WOMAN: I must've left
it on the table.

Walter thought
you might like a drink.

Boy, I know
I could use one.

Kate?

Look, Sis, I...

I don't know how to say this.

That sounds like
the standard opening

to an unpleasant sermon.

I don't think
I care to hear it.

Well, perhaps you'd better.

Kate, you're not
getting too interested

in Danielli, are you?

Well, why not?

For a year, you've
been telling me

about the succession of women

that my husband's
been "interested" in.

Why shouldn't I have the
same right to happiness?

Oh, now, Kate, listen.

Don't you realize
that Walter's

been deliberately
provoking you?

The other women,
ignoring you,

even cutting off
your checking account.

Do I have to go on?

Boy, he'd like nothing better
than to catch you

with someone
like Danielli.

You still think I
should divorce Walter?

Well, at least
it'd be cleaner that way.

You think I should
expose him,

dirty his name,
destroy his dignity?

I may have
lost his love,

but I couldn't hate
him enough to do that.

Okay.

I tried, Kirby,
I tried so hard.

But... you'll stop
seeing Danielli?

The engine, the steering,
the brakes--

everything was
working like a dream.

There was nothing, no reason
at all for that accident.

All I know is
that Danielli wrecked that car,

and it's going to take me
a month to repair it

and the engine.
A month?

Townley, you're here as
Mr. Eastman's expert.

What's your
opinion?

Well, this is
a hand-built engine.

You just can't order
spare parts.

By the time you tool up
and fit each new piece,

I can't see how you'll have it
fixed in five weeks.

MOONEY:
Mr. Eastman,

I promise you
that engine will be repaired

as quickly as humanly possible.

Of course, uh, I'm not aware
of the business arrangements

between you
and your brother-in-law.

Walter, I brought you
the Mooney engine.

Now, as an investment
counselor, I strongly recommend

that you retain your option to
buy it, no matter how long

it takes.

Your counsel
has been duly noted.

It's mine to make,
and I'll make the decision.

Well, surely there's no question
in your mind

about wanting it done, sir?

But of course, it's, uh,
your money and your option.

Good night.

When Kirby first told me
about this rotary engine--

no valves, no
pistons, no cams--

it sounded like
a big moneymaker.

It still does.

Not being
an expert,

I said before I'd
risk a nickel,

they'd have to put the engine
in a car and prove it,

race it.

That's when they brought in
Danielli, about a month ago.

I put him under contract.

I brought Ralph Townley
of Columbia Motors here

to give me
an automotive man's opinion.

His company gets
first manufacturing rights

if I go through with the deal.

You going to?
No.

Another month of this is
out of the question.

My company lawyers have taken
care of the deal so far,

but now I am seeing you to wash
my hands of the entire matter.

As for Danielli,
I don't like him.

I believe the man's dishonest.

Whatever liability I have
in my contract, pay it off.

What if he's
uncooperative?

Pay him more money.

A man like that has
a price for everything.

Just make sure I need to have
nothing more to do with him.

Walter, I've been your
attorney for a long time.

We're good friends.

You're certainly no fool when
it comes to financial matters.

Why are you asking me
to abrogate a contract

which could mean millions
of dollars to you?

I'm just not interested
in the project anymore.

Man's entitled to change
his mind, isn't he?

Yes.

Perry, I want you to take care
of Danielli and the contract

by tomorrow.

But it's foolish, Mr. Mason.

Thank you.

Eastman owes me nothing.

As far as our agreement
is concerned,

consider the contract as
torn up and forgotten.

The few hundred dollars
involved means nothing.

What happened was because of
my own bad driving, wasn't it?

So you please tell them, as soon
as I'm well, I'll be gone,

but in the meantime,
no obligation.

Since you feel that way,
Mr. Danielli,

I'm sure you'll be glad to know

that Mr. Eastman appreciates
your cooperation.

He's chartered a plane,
complete with doctor and nurse.

He's arranged to have you flown

back to Italy
tomorrow.

(door opens)

(door closes)

WALTER:
Thank you, Perry.

MASON:
Not at all, Walter. Bye.

WALTER:
Bye.

(door closes)

Wasn't that Perry Mason,
your lawyer, who just left?

Well, yes, business matter.
Nothing to concern you.

Will you be dining in?

The servants
are off tonight.

Hmm, no, no,
I'll eat at the club.

Board of governors meeting.

I'll be
at Gloria Foster's party.

Yes, of course.

Have fun.

(gentle thump)

My beautiful d...
(sighs)

Was that Walter's lawyer
talking to you just now?

Yes.

Your husband breaks
the contract with me

and refuses to pay me
even one penny he owes me.

(chuckles)

Not one penny.

Vincent, no.

Yeah.

But there is more,
bambina, much more.

Tomorrow I must leave
your house.

Next week, you go
to San Francisco.

(rueful chuckle)

Your husband sends you off
to the opera season alone...

like an unwanted piece
of furniture.

I had hoped, even dreamed,
that I could...

perhaps could just see you
in San Francisco.

But tomorrow your husband
has me put on a plane

and he flies me back to Italy.

Back to Italy?

If I had money, even
a little money, I would say no.

Danielli takes nothing from you.

But I have nothing,
darling.

San Francisco could be
so wonderful.

A few weeks...

a month where there is laughter
and youth...

and love.

Or should I go back
to Italy tomorrow?

I think I'd die
if we were separated.

Oh, Vincent.

I don't want to die for love.

It's better to live for love.

To lie...

even...

even to steal for love.

Do what?

In the contract.

The money your husband
refuses to pay me.

That money is mine.

I don't understand.

Your husband's country club--

the club he goes to
tonight-- I know.

When he returns this one
special night of the week,

he brings money home
with him.

Yes, the cash receipts
for the week,

about $ , .

That is about exactly
what he owes me.

What is mine.

To a man of your
husband's millions,

$ , is nothing.

To me, to us, my darling...

it is the key to so much.

But it's wrong.

This, too.

Is this wrong?

Listen.

The North Road is the only road
back to here from the club.

Tonight, I let everybody know
that I'm going to sleep early.

I ask for sleeping pills, maybe.

You will leave to your party.

On the way,
you have an accident.

You park your car
right here...

where nobody drives who
doesn't come to this house.

You walk here to this
public telephone booth.

You call your husband
at the club.

You have a flat tire.

There's no one home here
to answer the phone.

Everyone, I already
find out,

will be gone soon
after you leave.

But your husband,

he must come to see
about your car.

It's wrong.

Oh, Vincent, no.
Listen.

All I ask you to do
is to telephone.

No more.

Then you go to
your party.

While he attends
to your tire,

it is easy for somebody else
to slip into his car...

take the money...

never be seen.

Somebody else?
Mm-hmm.

The man they
can't suspect--

the man who is
paralyzed.

No good on this side.

Park on the other side.

Oh, Vincent, can't
we just forget it?

The other side
of the road, darling.

Hurry.

You'll have a long walk yet.

Don't worry.

You lied to me.

No, darling, no.

You're going
to k*ll him!

Vincent, we can't do this.

We could never live...

Don't be a child!

When you strike the match,

the fire that follows
is of your own making.
No.

You are as deeply
committed as I am.

No, Vincent, no.

You want to spend your life
a cold, empty shell?

All right.

But I don't want you
that way.

No.

I want you proudly

as a living, breathing,
loving woman!

Oh, listen to me...

You listen to me!

A phone call, just
a little phone call,

or else I-I have
to leave tomorrow.

I warn you, Katrina.

I warn you.

If you love me,

you'll trust me.

And because I love you,

everything will
be all right.

Everything.

Go.

Make the phone call.

(panting)

(buzzing)

North Hollywood Hills
Country Club. Good evening.

(panting):
My husband's at a meeting.

Would you please t-tell him...

Hello? Who is this?

My-my car's on the North Road.

I just left it.
I ju... I walked here.

Mrs. Eastman?

Is this you, Mrs. Eastman?

Don't let him leave.

Make him stay there!

Don't let Walter leave the club!

I'm sorry, Mrs. Eastman,
I haven't seen your husband.

But the board meeting broke up
half an hour ago.

What?

Oh, no!

Mr. Eastman's probably
on his way home right now.

He has to take the North Road,
doesn't he?

I'm sure he'll see your
car if you had trouble.

No.

(gasps)

(sighs)

Help me, please, help me.

What is it?
What's happened?

I want to go back up there.
Please, take me.

Back where?
Where is your car?

Behind you, on the cliffs
on the North Road.

But we just came that way.

We didn't see your car.
Are you sure?

Don't stand there.

It may be too late already.

All right.

It's Walter down there!
Wait!

Mrs. Eastman!

Walter! Walter!

(sobbing)

Walter? Walter?

Walter!

(sobbing continues)

It's not Eastman.

It's Danielli.

(gasps, sighs)

Mr. Mooney called the
authorities from a pay phone.

They ask him to wait.

Erin, his daughter,
drove Kate home.

When I heard what happened,

I called for you, as well
as a doctor for Kate.

Walter, why did
your wife think

she was going to find you dead
at the bottom of that gully?

Perry, you don't understand.

Kate's upstairs.

Sick. Upset.

I understand, Walter.

But some questions
need to be answered.

Now, did you see
Danielli at all?

No.

He was here at : .

I heard the radio
blasting in his room

when I left for the club.

But you didn't go to the club.

No.

I drove out, but I had
so many things on my mind,

I knew I'd be of no help.

So, I turned around

and parked in the hills
at the horseshoe turn.

I just sat there
in the car...

thinking.

How long would you say
you stayed there?

Mmm, couple of hours,
maybe longer.

I came back here
and went to my room.

That must've been around : ,

'cause I heard you in there
about that time.

You were here then, also?

Oh, I've been here since
maybe quarter of : .

Mr. Mooney can tell you.

I was in the garage,
working with him.

How long were you
with Mr. Mooney?

Well, when I first drove in,
there was...

one other car parked outside.

And I saw lights on
in the garage

that Mooney was using
for his shop, so I went in.

Was he there?

Yes.

And ready to
commit mayhem.

Mayhem?

Not on me. Danielli.

See, Townley
had told him

that Danielli refused
to ever drive a car

with a Mooney engine
in it again.

Now, it was obviously
impossible,

but Danielli thought
the test failure

was somehow due
to the new engine.

Well, the only way
I could quiet Mooney down

was to check out the car
wreckage and the engine.

I know a little about motors.

Now, as far as I could tell,
Mooney was right.

The engine had nothing to do
with Danielli's turning over

during that test run.

But by that time, I was grease
up to my elbows,

so I came to the house
to clean up.

Is that when you heard
Mr. Eastman in his room?

Yes.

Did you see or hear
Danielli earlier?

Well, yes.

It was when I first came home,
quite a bit earlier.

I heard Danielli's voice
from his room.

It was an argument,
and he was yelling.

Who was he arguing with?

Well, I'm not sure.

But I thought
it might be Townley,

because it was his car
that was parked in the drive.

Was Mr. Mooney with you
when you checked out

the wrecked racing car?
No.

No, he left when I started,
and it took me quite some time.

Well, as I started
for the side door,

after I'd finished
in the garage,

there was Walter's car.

Now, you say you
thought you, um,

heard Mr. Townley.

Did you see him?

No.

By the time I got up
to Walter's room,

Danielli's room was quiet.

And Townley's car was
no longer outside.

So, I took a shower.

Well, we'd better
find Mr. Townley.

He's at the club.
I put him up there.

MASON:
Paul...

take my car.

Check for Mr. Townley
at the club.

Will do.

Mr. Eastman,

Dr. Bell would like
to see you.

MASON:
Go ahead, Walter.

Looks as though Miss Mooney
could stand a cup of coffee.

I'll get it
for you.

In regards to your story,
Miss Mooney,

one or two questions.

Now, when you
and your father...

(door shuts)

Mr. Mason, if that's
the police,

they'll be bringing
my father home.

I think he can tell you much
better than I what happened.

Then I'd better talk
to the police

and to your father.

Will you excuse me?

Oh, would you ask Ellis

to come out
and see me, please?

Here you are.
Thank you.

(door shuts)

Good evening,
Lieutenant Anderson.

Well, what brings so
eminent a counselor

to an accident
investigation?

Perhaps the same thing that
brought the homicide squad,

instead of the traffic detail.

Could be. Traffic
took one look at it

and said it was
our kettle of fish.

You're here on a fishing
expedition, Andy?

Here inside the city limits,
it's always open season

when the police go fishing.

(door opens nearby)
You represent
Eastman, Perry?

Well, I have recently.

Corporate matters, investments.

You know this
Danielli?

Mr. Mason?

Oh, yes, Ellis.

Would you please
call me a cab?

I... I'll be with
Mr. Mooney.

If Mr. Drake should
happen to call,

tell him I'll join
him at the club.

ANDERSON:
Drake, huh?

Then you knew this
was no accident?

That, Andy,
is a wishful assumption.

Now, if you'll excuse me,
and if you have no objection,

I think I'll speak
with Mr. Mooney.

Be my guest.

Sergeant.

Mr. Mason.

Mr. Mooney.

Hello.

You're from
the police?

No. No, my name is Mason.

I'm Mr. Eastman's attorney.

I have been talking with
him and with your daughter.

I know what's
happened.

I, uh, just wondered
if I might ask you
a few questions.

Surely.

What have I got
to lose, Mr. Mason?

I didn't k*ll Danielli.

There's no proof anyone
k*lled him, is there?

Well, there's no question
that the police are puzzled

as to how a paralyzed man
got in a wrecked car

at the foot of a cliff.

Why would that add up to m*rder?

Because there are a lot
of people around here

who have good reason
to hate him.

You, Mr. Mooney?

All kinds of reasons.

Lying about my engine.

Plaguing my daughter
with his attentions.

Did you see Danielli

here at the house
earlier this evening?

No, but I tried to.

What time was that?

Right after Kirby said
he checked my engine.

I remembered something
and went out.

That's when I noticed
Ralph Townley's car

parked here by the house.

Seeing Townley's car
made me wonder.

What was he doing here at
the house when nobody was home?

Nobody but Danielli,
that is.

There's a connection?

I think so.

Maybe Townley's
been bribing Danielli

to make my engine
look bad.

Representing Eastman--

that sounds unlikely,
don't you think?

Maybe.

But wait.

I washed up
and put on my jacket.

By that time,
Townley's car was gone,

and so was Danielli.

You saw Danielli leave?

No, but his room was empty.

I found something on the floor
that convinced me

that both of them
were out to ruin me.

That's when Erin and I started
for the country club.

I was going to have
it out with him,

or them, once
and for all.

I beg your pardon,
Mr. Mason. Uh...

your cab is here, sir.

Thank you, Ellis.

What was it that you found on
the floor of Danielli's room?

Kirby Evans told us he heard you
arguing with Danielli.

He did.

But with the way
Danielli screamed,

I'm amazed
that anyone could hear me.

Is that when
Danielli tore up the check?

What check?

The check written by you
to Danielli for $ , .

I tore up that check, Mr. Mason.

Do you mind telling me
what that check was for?

There was nothing mysterious
about it.

I was here to give Walter
an expert opinion

on the Mooney engine.

So, you made a deal
with Danielli

to get his opinion,
as a top driver,

on the engine's merits.

Exactly.

I was already sure
that the engine was all

Mooney claimed it to be,
and more.

But I still wanted
Danielli's report.

Did you get it?

No.

The conniver must have thought
his opinion was priceless.

He asked for more money.

Well, I'd already
written a check for $ , .

We argued.

I told him
it was $ , or nothing.

He still wouldn't produce
the report.

So, I tore up the check

and left.

What time did you leave
Eastman's?

: , thereabouts.

But the, uh,
club watchman said

you didn't get back here
till around : .

I drove around for a while,
trying to calm down.

Look, I had nothing
to do with the m*rder.

What makes you think
Danielli was m*rder*d?

What do you mean?

Your man Drake here said

the police were all over
the place.

The police also investigate
accidental deaths, Mr. Townley.

(sighs)

Mrs. Eastman, it's Dr. Bell.

This will only take
a few seconds.

No. No. I'm sick.

Mrs. Eastman, I've
got to talk to you.

I'm Lieutenant
Anderson.

Mrs. Eastman,

I've... I brought
your husband.

No, no.

Walter's dead.

Don't lie to me.

Kate, won't you
listen, please?

Vincent...

(panting)

he wanted me to help him.

He wanted
to meet me

in-in San...
San Francisco.

The money was his,
the money from the club.

He said it was his.

You can't
k*ll him.

I won't let you
k*ll Walter.

Don't-Don't let Walter
leave the club.

Ple... Please don't let him.

Don't let Walter leave the club!

He mustn't leave the club.

(crying)
Oh... don't

Now, now.

Nurse.

She doesn't make sense.

We won't learn anything
from her now.

I'm not sure I haven't
learned a great deal from her.

What do you mean?

Mr. Eastman?

Would you mind
answering a question for me?

Andy, can't
this wait?

Sorry.

It's all right.

What is it you want
to know, Lieutenant?

I checked.

You were expected,

but you never showed up
at your club last night.

Where were you,
Mr. Eastman?

No place.

At least no place where
anybody else was present.

Before I came home,

I spent a couple of hours
just sitting in my car

parked on horseshoe turn.

Well, boys?

Not a sign of any
tracks, Lieutenant.

Uh, Mr. Eastman,

once more, just to
make absolutely sure,

is this where you parked your
car last night for two hours?

Yes.

The front wheels
were practically

at the edge of the precipice.

But there are no marks of
your car or any car here

on the horseshoe bend.

What?!

Isn't that rather
odd, Mr. Eastman?

Because we did find tire marks
of your car further down.

Just a few feet from where
Vincent Danielli was k*lled

and thrown over the cliff
into the gully.

Mr. Eastman, I'm sorry, but...

you're under arrest for m*rder.

Kate's all right, Walter.
She's in very capable hands.

Now at this point,
it might be wise

if you gave some
thought to yourself.

Myself?

(chuckles)

None of this
would have happened

if I had worried
a little more about her.

Walter...

tire tracks made
by your car

were found on the
top of that cliff.

There's something else.

Paul Drake found
the glove compartment

in your car
had been forced open.

Now, did you break the lock?

Why should I do that?

Walter, tell me this.

What prompted you to drive
way out to the horseshoe bend,

park, and just sit there
for two hours?

It... It was something,
Ellis, the butler, told me.

He'd accidentally seen Danielli,

well, forcing his attentions
on Kate.

As you've guessed,

there's been a succession
of men in Kate's life.

Up to then,
it was just suspicion.

Now I knew.

But I had to ask myself why.

Why?

Then, that night,

for the first time,

I faced the truth.

Kate is lovely,

young, full of life.

In my own ordered,
preoccupied rut of a life,

I'd ignored her.

Taken her for granted.

Robbed her of every chance
for happiness.

I...

I literally threw her
into Danielli's arms.

BURGER: Now, Doctor, I show you
People's Exhibit One.

This wrench
has been identified

as being part
of a distinctive matched set

belonging to the defendant.

Could a wrench
such as that have been used

to k*ll Vincent Danielli?

It could.

BURGER:
And were there any bits
of physical evidence

discovered in connection
with this particular wrench?

Yes, it was subjected
to laboratory analysis,

and revealed both hairs
and blood

of the same type
as the decedent's

were adhered to it.

BURGER: Thank you, Doctor.
That'll be all.

Now, Mr. Ellis,

did you ever observe anything

which might have made
Mr. Eastman...

resentful of his guest,
Mr. Danielli?

Yes.

I saw Mr. Danielli holding
Mrs. Eastman in his arms.

BURGER: Do you know if Mr.
Eastman knew about this?

Yes.

It was on the afternoon
of the m*rder.

I went and told him.

I told him I had seen
Mr. Danielli making love

to Miss Mooney,

and on another occasion,
to Mrs. Eastman, his wife.

What was Mr. Eastman's reaction?

He said I was a dirty liar,
and he fired me.

Mr. Ellis, if he fired you
that afternoon,

why were you still
at the house that night?

He changed his mind
and asked me to stay.

BURGER: Really?
When was this?

ELLIS: When Mr. Eastman
returned from his drive,

and before they brought
Mrs. Eastman home,

he said he was sorry

and offered me a good raise
if I would stay.

And what else did Mr. Eastman
say to you at this time?

He asked me--
or rather, he ordered me--

to forget what I had seen

and what I
had said.

BURGER:
Mr. Mooney, we believe

that the decedent,
Vincent Danielli,

thought he was going to be alone
in the house that night.

We believe
that was part of his plan,

to dupe or force Mrs. Eastman

into helping him rob
or k*ll Mr. Eastman.

It's the contention
of the prosecution

that the defendant also
had some plans for that night,

and that he thus set in motion
a train of events

which resulted in

his being the m*rder*r
instead of the victim.

As, for example, Mr. Mooney,

you and your daughter
were given theater tickets

that night by Mr. Eastman.

Now, why didn't you go
to that show?

Well, it was because
of my daughter.

BURGER:
What about
your daughter?

You see, I'd forbidden her
to see Danielli.

Against my wishes,

she went to the house earlier,
hoping to see him.

Go on, Mr. Mooney.

Well, it was something
that Erin saw or heard--

she wouldn't say--
that upset her.

Well, just as I got to
Vincent Danielli's door,

I heard Vincent
inside his room.

All right, Miss Mooney,

what did you hear
from inside the room?

Well, Vincent-- Mr. Danielli--

was having a violent argument
with another man.

This other man was
yelling at the top

of his voice, saying
he'd had all he could stand,

and that he knew
about Mr. Danielli and...

his wife.
Go on, Miss Mooney.

Well, anyway,
the other man said

he wouldn't put up with it
any longer,

and he'd see to it that it came
to an end, once and for all.

Now, Miss Mooney,
about this other man--

the one who was arguing
in the decedent's room,

threatening to put an end
to it, once and for all--

did you recognize his voice?

Is he in
this court today?

Would you point him out
to us, please?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, too, Miss Mooney.

I'm afraid you'll have to.

Who was the man, Miss Mooney?

It was the defendant,
Mr. Eastman.

Thank you, Miss Mooney.

Thank you
very much.

Your witness,
Counselor.

The things he said
about Kate.

Please, Perry.

Does it all have
to come out?

No questions.

Where was this wrench--
now identified

as the m*rder w*apon--
found, Lieutenant?

About ten yards
from the body.

BURGER:
Was there any other evidence
found at the actual scene

of the crime
on top of the cliff?

A tire impression in a soft spot
on the shoulder of the highway.

I show you now
People's Exhibit Two.

Uh, if the court please,
in the interest of saving time,

the defense stipulates
that those two plaster casts

are those
of the right front tire

found on the
defendant's car.

Thank you,
Mr. Mason.

Lieutenant, I ask
if you recognize this.

Yes, sir.

It has my
mark on it.

Would you describe
the exhibit to us, please?

These are
the unfinished portions

of a cigar that has been smoked.

The blended tobaccos in it

are of a distinctive,
imported variety.

We discovered
that this cigar was one

of a private lot manufactured
exclusively for one person.

And who is that one person?

The defendant, Walter Eastman.

BURGER:
Did you have
this cigar butt

subjected to further
examination?

Yes. We had the laboratory
analyze the saliva on it

for a blood group determination.

The results
were an exact blood group match

with the defendant's blood
and saliva.

And where exactly was this
partly-smoked cigar found?

Where we found the tire marks
of the defendant's car,

and where the decedent,
Vincent Danielli, was k*lled.

(door closes)

Kate, I know you've been
through a good deal.

Now, this may be unpleasant,
but it is important.

Anything.

I want to help Walter.

Do you know that Walter
was thinking

of divorcing you six months ago?

Walter divorcing me?

You must be joking.

If anything,
it would be the other

way around.

Other way around?

Yes. I... I understand
the divorce courts

frown on men
who have romantic flings

with a succession
of other women.

They also frown on women
who do the same.

One mistake.

Vincent Danielli.

I was a fool
to think I loved him.

But it was never more than talk,
Mr. Mason.

Let's imagine for a moment

that you had decided
to divorce Walter.

All these women you spoke of--
his, uh, romantic flings--

could you have produced
their names in court?

Even one name?

Yes.

Kate, do you still love Walter?

Heaven help both of us.

I still love him.

Do you mean to say you
didn't see Danielli that night?

No, I don't mean
to say that.

'Cause I did see him.

Would you please tell us
under what circumstances?

Well, I saw him earlier
in the evening.

Then, I saw him again when
your police dragged me

down to the gully
to identify his body.

All right, now, let's go back
to my earlier question.

I ask you now again...

didn't you see
your brother-in-law,

the defendant, that night?

Yes, I saw him, too...

locked up in his library,
with the police trying

to browbeat a
confession out of him.

I have no more questions
of this witness.

Yours, Mr. Mason.
You're welcome to him.

Mr. Evans, I believe you stated
you overheard a violent argument

that particular night.

Yes.

It was an argument coming
from Danielli's room.

MASON: You heard
Danielli's voice?

EVANS: Loud enough
to wake the dead.

Could, uh, this have been
the same verbal fight

overheard by Miss Mooney?

The fight between Mr. Eastman
and the decedent?

No.

No, it wasn't Walter's voice.

Now, I'm not sure, but...

well, it could have
been Ralph Townley.

Well, after my argument
with Danielli,

I just drove around.

I didn't get back to the
club till about : .

Now, in checking the club,
Mr. Townley, we found

that you had a late
dinner reservation for two.

But you didn't eat
at the club.

How do you account
for that, Mr. Townley?

Well, I canceled the
reservation earlier,

after I received a phone
call from Walter Eastman.

BURGER:
What did Mr. Eastman
say in that phone call?

Well, he changed his mind

about joining me at
the club for supper.

I told him that I wanted

to talk over the Mooney
engine with him.

Well, he, uh...
he became angry.

Said something I didn't quite
understand about Danielli.

Then he told me there
was nothing left

to talk about, in
regard to the motor.

He asked me to tell
the club officials

that he wouldn't be at
the meeting that night,

and then he just
hung up on me.

The defendant,
in his statement to the police,

claimed that it was only
because of his conversation

with Ellis the butler
that he drove his car

to horseshoe turn
and just sat there,

instead of going
to the club.

Now, that conversation
took place at : .

Miss Mooney testified

that she heard a
violent altercation

between the defendant
and Danielli

that took place
at : .

Now, what time was it

when Walter Eastman
phoned you?

It was quarter
past : .

So, it was because
of his quarrel with Danielli

and not simply because of what
Ellis the butler told him,

that Walter Eastman changed his
mind about going to the club.

Thank you,
Mr. Townley.

That'll be all.
Your witness.

Mr. Townley...

isn't it a fact
that you gave Danielli

a check for $ , ?

It is.

Is that all the money
you paid him?

Didn't you give him
at least one other payment,

just the evening
before the car was tested?

Mr. Townley,
we're prepared

to put a witness on the stand
who will testify that...

he saw you in the bar
of the country club

hand over to Mr. Danielli
a large amount of cash.

It was a loan.

He was giving me an expert
opinion on the Mooney engine.

Wouldn't it be more accurate
to say that you paid him

to give Walter Eastman
an expert opinion of the motor?

An opinion that the
motor was no good?

That Mr. Eastman should
drop his option on it?

Well... well,
that would be ridiculous.

That engine's bound
to make several fortunes.

Yes, Mr. Townley.

That's why you wanted Eastman
out of the deal.

Now, Danielli
threatened

to expose you to Eastman,
did he not?

That's why you
fought with him.

He wanted money--
big money.

Not just your paltry
thousand or so dollars.

Uh, Your Honor,
may I have a few seconds?

I respectfully request
the court's permission

the excuse this witness
for the moment...

and recall
Lieutenant Anderson.

You can step down, Mr. Townley.

Lieutenant, you testified

that you impounded
Mr. Eastman's car as evidence.

I did.

And, of course, you
examined that car thoroughly.

I did,
and so did two other officers.

And, of course, you took notice

that the glove compartment lock
had been forced.

Yes, of course.

Was there anything
in that glove compartment?

Yes, there was.

The list is here.

Would you read it
to the court, please?

One book paper matches,
L.A. County road maps,

guarantee on
-volt battery,

Auto Club membership card
and service directory,

pair of pigskin gloves,
one flashlight,

extra fuses,

gas mileage records,
and one cleaning cloth.

That's it.

Directing your attention
to the battery guarantee--

did it occur to you

that one other guarantee
should have been there?

I don't quite understand
the question.

Wouldn't a man methodical enough

to keep a battery guarantee
in his glove compartment

also keep the guarantee
for his tires there?

Yes. I suppose he might.

Now, isn't it possible,
Lieutenant,

that that glove compartment
had been forced open

and that guarantee removed
because it was not the guarantee

for the right front tire
found on Mr. Eastman's car?

Are you asking me
if I think the tire was switched

after Danielli was k*lled?

That's what I'm asking you.

No, I don't think so.

Do you know how long it takes
to change a tire, Counselor?

Unhappily,
from past experience, yes.

Do you know
how much time it takes

to change an entire wheel

on a sports car
that has knock-off hubs?

Why, uh,
practically no time at all.

MASON:
Isn't it possible that the
person who k*lled Danielli,

about to leave the
scene of the crime,

suddenly realized
he must have driven

at least one
of his wheels

onto the soft shoulder
of that cliff top?

Well, sure.

The defendant, uh,
in his own car.

The defendant certainly
wouldn't have left

those incriminating
marks there.

No, Lieutenant,
it was not the defendant,

but the m*rder*r,

who had a car the same make
of the defendant's,

but with a registered set
of tires of its own--

tires which could be
identified and traced.

ANDERSON: So, to save his
own neck, he changed wheels,

putting the incriminating
tire on Eastman's car.

MASON: And then broke into
Mr. Eastman's glove compartment.

Well, there's only one
person who could do that.

The owner of
the other car--

Kirby Evans.

Yes.

Yes. I k*lled him.

He deserved to be k*lled.

You needed Danielli
out of the way

so you could once more
control your sister,

and through your sister,
her husband's total fortune.

To get that fortune,

you did frame Mr. Eastman
for the m*rder, did you not?

Yes.

Yes, that's right.

When I came back home,

I had seen Walter parked
up there at the horseshoe turn.

I knew he wasn't at the club.

It was a wrench that I had taken

a day or so earlier
from Walter's car

that I used to k*ll Danielli.

And then, when I saw
the tire marks that my car made

on the soft dirt
where I'd k*lled Danielli,

the whole thing came to me.

You see, it was so easy.

There was the cigar

in my car ashtray
that Walter had smoked.

I threw it out on the cliff top.

Then I drove back
and changed wheels.

I put my wheel,
the one that left the marks,

on Walter's car.

And then,
in the middle of the night,

I went to the horseshoe turn,
and I rubbed out the tire marks

that Walter had made
that proved he had been there.

And now... now, with Kate
still married to Walter,

I could get all his money.

You see?

I could get all
of Walter's money.

All of it.

All of it...

MASON:
For over a year, he
lied to both of you...

inventing love affairs
that just hadn't happened,

inciting each of you
against the other.

I had Paul
check the names

of Walter's so-called
lady friends.

They were nonexistent.

Just as the stories

he told Walter about Kate
weren't true.

But why?

Oh, he hoped
for a divorce,

a large settlement
on his sister--

a settlement he could,
uh, take over.

The perpetual
promoter.

Poor, sick man
with sick dreams.

DRAKE:
Speaking of dreams,

Mooney booted that car
with his engine in it

to an easy first place
in the, uh, Palisades Race.

Are you going to go through
with the deal, Mr. Eastman?

I don't know.

It all depends
on Perry.

Oh?

Can I legally
exercise my option,

but turn it over
to another company

for development
and retain a percentage?

Well, I think
a good lawyer

should be able to
work that out.

(chuckles)

(theme music plays)