06x27 - The Case of the Potted Planter

[bunniefuu]

[Scooter approaching]

[Whistling]

Roy Mooney,
I think you're positively

the most loathsome person
I know!

Hey, baby.
What are you doing out so late?

This is the last time
you'll ever stand me up!

Stand you up?

Oh, your school dance!

Gee kid, I'm sorry.

I said I'd make it if I could--

You promised!

And I told all the kids
you were going to be there.

And all evening they saw me
dancing with just boys!

It was humiliating!

The boss made me work--

You used the same excuse
for my birthday party.

And what about
last Saturday night?

No transportation.

I mean, how did you expect me
to get to town--walk?

Yes!

miles?

I've got better uses
for my energy.

Melinda...

What's your hurry?
You just got here.

I said what I came to say.

That's not what you came for.

Oh, Roy, if it weren't for you,

I'd just die
in this awful cow town.

But why are you so mean to me?

I told you.
I've been, you know, busy.

I've got other things
to do besides--

[Vehicle approaching]

- But, Roy--
- Shh!

Sounds like
my Uncle Martin's truck.

Come on. If he finds you here,
he'll tell your old man.

But you've got lipstick!

That's a woman's hanky.

What? Oh yeah!

Well, you gave me that
the last time we were...

That's not mine.

"A"! Who's "A"?

So that's why you've been
too busy to keep dates with me!

Who is "A"?!

Come on!

[Vehicle nears]

Roy!

Stay here. I'll get rid of him.

Mooney!

Right here, Uncle Martin.

You're supposed
to be sorting bulbs.

All finished.

Oh, did you happen
to see my wife drive by?

She back from town yet?

Haven't seen her
since she left the house.

What were you doing
out there just now?

Um, chasing away some kids
from town.

They're all gone now,
Uncle Martin.

Are they?

Then whose is this?

I hadn't noticed it.

I'll teach those delinquents
a lesson!

- Aw, now, look, Uncle Martin--
- Give me a hand!

Maybe if they have
to walk home once,

they'll stay out of
other people's property!

Get in.

You said you were finished
with those bulbs, didn't you?

Yeah.

Get in the truck.
I'll drive you home.

[Vehicle approaches]

Hello there. Do girls still have
to walk home these days?

I'm not walking home.

You live in town, don't you?

Climb in, sweetie.

Virtue needs more reward
than it usually gets.

It's very nice of you.

My feet hurt.

Soak them in warm water
and Epsom salts.

Is that what you did?

On a few occasions,
and a very long time ago.

I'm Mrs. Martin Walden.

Oh!

Oh?

Oh, I just mean that
my father knows your husband.

Radio: Station KRT concludes...

That's him. Nelson Tarr.

Radio: We'll return
to the air at : am.

My husband sold him
the radio station.

So you're Melinda Tarr.

Do you know my father?

Yes, we've met.

Is there going to be trouble
about you being out so late?

Since my mother d*ed,
he's been awful strict.

I just hope I get home first.

Well, fasten your safety belt.

If we don't make it in time,

tell him you went
for a ride with Andy.

That's short for Andrea.

Melinda?

[Dialing]

[Phone rings]

Hello?

Oh, hi, Mr. Tarr.

Well, no, I didn't exactly
take her to the dance.

We sort of met there,
kind of informal, you know.

Apparently, you didn't
bring her home, either.

What do you mean
she took your scooter?

Well, I guess she just
felt like a little ride.

She's borrowed it lots of times
when she knows I don't need it.

I'll see that she gets it back
to you, Jimmie. Goodnight.

The lights are on.

Your father must have run
all the way home

from his radio station.

It's only a couple of blocks.

Thank you very much,
Mrs. Walden.

Sweetie, don't get involved
with the wrong kind of boy.

Next time you might have
to walk the whole miles home.

[Door shuts]

Oh, I must've dropped my hanky.

No, it's mine.

Goodnight, Melinda.

[Footsteps approaching]

I was under the impression
curfew was : .

I'm sorry.

Who brought you home?

Andrea Walden.

The both of you
on a motor scooter?

Scooter?

Daddy, did you have
to check up on me?

Melinda, I did not check--

What about Jimmie's scooter?

You know he needs it
for his deliveries.

I don't have it.
I mean, it broke down.

That's why I had to walk home.

I'll get it back tomorrow,
don't worry.

She says you used
to call her Andy.

Hmm?

Oh, Melinda,

I, uh, I wish you would
stay away from Mrs. Walden.

Why? Is something
the matter with her?

Just because she used
to be an actress?

Oh, no, of course not. It's--

it's just that there's
a peculiar situation there.

I mean, I might have
some business problems

with her husband.

She's so beautiful.

I'll bet a lot of men
are in love with her.

That's no way to talk about her,
Melinda. She's a married woman.

Yes, I know.

[Door closes]

How was the movie?

There were a couple
of old friends in the cast

that was fun.

Made you homesick, eh?

Not particularly.

They're still playing
second leads.

I probably would be, too.

You see anybody
you knew in town?

Just your sister.

Frances?
She never goes to the movies.

I saw her
in front of the hospital.

Oh, I did pick up
a girl on the road.

She was walking home
from a date.

I'll bet she was!

Maybe those kids'll think twice
about trespassing, after this.

What did you do to them?

I found their motor scooter
down by the greenhouse.

So I locked it up.

You didn't!

Martin, you'll make
a lot of friends that way.

That's one thing
I don't worry about.

My wife has all the friends.

And away we go!
Martin, can't you for once--

Who was it this time?
Tell the truth now.

Well, don't you already know?

I'm surprised
you didn't follow me.

By any chance, are you riding
a motor scooter these nights?

You're asking
if it was me down by the green--

where Roy Mooney works?

Oh, that's very flattering!

Me and the hired hand--
and your own nephew, at that!

I noticed you mending
a shirt for him the other day.

And he is a man, isn't he?

Martin, I think you're sick!

I'm going to bed before I--

[Dialing]

Mr. Pinter?

Martin Walden.

I want you to come out here
tomorrow.

I have a certain legal matter
for you to handle.

It isn't my scooter, Roy!
I've got to get it back.

I told you,
Walden's got it locked up.

He says the owner can come
and get it any time.

But I can't go to him.

If he finds out it was me,
he might tell my father.

Doesn't your old man
approve of me?

He doesn't even know about you.

But I'm afraid
he wouldn't if he did.

Please, Roy.
Mr. Walden's your uncle.

That doesn't mean a thing!

Then what about his wife?

What about her?

Maybe she could be persuaded
to help.

Why should she?

Maybe to make sure
that nothing leaked out

about her and a--
a certain gentleman.

Don't call me names.

And keep your voice down!

They're talking about
that Mrs. Walden.

Quiet!

I wonder who she's
playing around with now?

Did you hear anything?

Uh-huh.

Who is it? Tell me!

No. No. You'd spread it
all over town.

I ought to slap your face!

Anyway, I already know
who it is.

It's that Mr. Hearn at the bank.
Chris Hearn.

Nah, that's old stuff.

It's somebody else now.

Girls?

Now, who is it?

You know, Aunt Frances,

when those kids get through
sh**ting off their mouths,

Andrea isn't the only one
who may have to leave town.

Have you grown fond
of living here?

It's the end of nowhere!

Listen, the sooner
I leave Palmetto,

the better I'll like it.
But I want to go in one piece.

Nonsense, Roy!

You're being well paid for
any risks you'd have to take.

Yeah, but how much
will you make out of it?

I'm not doing this for money.
It's to protect Martin.

Given enough time
that woman would ruin him!

Ah, come off it!

You're not paying me $ ,
to frame her unless--

Don't you talk to me like that!

I'm only exposing Andrea
for what she really is--

a grasping, immoral woman.

She's just been too clever
to get caught.

But this time I'm going to make
sure the whole town knows.

Martin will have to divorce her.

And then you'll move back
out to the farm, huh?

If my brother asks me to, yes.

He needs someone
to take care of him.

Look, Mr. Hearn,
I know the bank is closed.

But if I could
just talk to you about this.

I've just been reading
your letter. I--

Well, sure.

Thank you, Mr. Hearn!
I'll be over there in minutes.

Thank you.

Oh, Harvey,
will you watch the store.

I've got to go over to the bank.

May I come in?

Well, of course.

Andy, what's wrong with
that crazy husband of yours?

Do you know what he's done
about my station here?

He sold my note on it
to the bank!

Now they're threatening
to foreclose!

Unless I come up with
the first months payments,

they'll take the station
away from me and--

Nelson...

Andy...

What's the matter?

Well, I'm leaving Martin.

You're what?

Well, I really
don't have much choice.

You see, he almost threw me
out of the house just now.

Why? What possible reason--

I told you you ought
to keep up with the gossip.

Everybody else knows
what a wicked woman I am.

Would you stop talking nonsense!

Well, he's become
more and more suspicious.

But today he became
almost completely insane!

I guess he's heard
some new silly gossip.

He almost started hitting me...

and, uh, Nelson...

Andy, can you stay here
for a while?

I've got to go over
to the bank.

But I'll be right back.

I'll help you with this.

Honest I will.

Well, I'm surprised
that Mr. Walden didn't

inform you himself.

The first I knew was when
I got your letter, Mr. Hearn.

Well, it's the bank's business
to see that payments

are made promptly, including all
delinquent installments--

But I haven't paid anything
on the principal for months.

That was part of my agreement
with Walden--

I was to pay the interest
payments for the first months.

Oh, really? Well, I'll have to
check over the contracts again--

It was a verbal agreement.

Oh, I see.

Well, you certainly know
that that isn't binding.

Now, Mr. Tarr, we want you
to make a go of this venture,

How long do I have?

Well, uh...

Let's say we could
stretch ourselves to...

the end of the month.

Or you'll foreclose?

Well, let's not consider
that possibility yet.

Well, let's!

I want you to talk to somebody

who understands
all the legal words.

May I?

Go right ahead.

Yes. I understand
your bank's position, Mr. Hearn.

It was a sale with recourse.

Yes, I think I have
the general idea.

Would you put Nelson Tarr
back on the phone, please?

Nelson, I'd like to read
that contract.

In fact, I wish I'd read it
before you signed it

Well, just keep it
simple, Perry.

I'm a radio announcer, not--

I don't want
to get into a big legal hassle.

A sale with recourse means
the bank can come back on Walden

for any payments you fail
to make.

If he doesn't pay,
the bank can foreclose.

And there goes my down payment?

That's right.

But that's $ , !

Every cent
I could scrape together!

It's still possible Walden might
honor that verbal agreement.

At least you'd have
your months.

Of course I'll give it a try.

All right, Nelson. Good-bye.

Do you want me to cancel
your appointments?

Well, certainly Nelson Tarr
can't afford to lose $ , !

[Dialing]

Chris? Andrea Walden.

Well, hello stranger.

How did you know
I was working late?

I just took a chance.
I hope I'm not interrupting.

Well, never.

Nelson Tarr?

No, he bolted out of here
about an hour ago.

I think he went out to do
battle with your husband.

Aren't you at home?

Well, no. I'm still
in town waiting--

what I mean is, I called
the house and nobody answered.

I guess they could be
down at the greenhouse.

Thanks, Chris.

Mr. Walden?

It's Melinda Tarr.
I came out to get my scooter.

Mr. Walden, are you in there?

[Horn honks]

[Scooter engine running]

[Engine accelerates, slows]

[Engine stops]

Mr. Walden--

Take it easy. I'll get you
out of here in a moment.

He's in the greenhouse.
I think he's dead.

What?!

Here, I'll take care of her.
I'm a nurse.

Thank God you've come along.

I'm afraid she's badly hurt.

She's all right.

Here--help me get her to my car.

My name is Pinter.

I was on my way
to see Martin Walden.

- Maybe you know him.
- He's my brother.

Oh, I'm a lawyer.
Here's my card.

We've got to get her
to the hospital.

I'll follow you
in a few minutes.

The girl mumbled something
just before passing out.

I think it should be
looked into.

I'm calling Mr. Nelson Tarr.
Is he there, please?

Thank you.

"David Pinter--
Attorney at Law."

It's funny Mr. Walden would
bring a lawyer over from Vegas.

That's what the man told me,
George, and he gave me his card.

I don't know anything
more than that.

Well, any lawyer
who doesn't know the laws

covering motor vehicle
accidents...

He said he'd follow me
into town.

Well, if he doesn't show
in a couple more minutes...

Honey, get me
the police station, will you?

Doctor?

A nice solid concussion,
but the X-rays show no fracture.

Here you are, Chief Delehanty.

Apparently the station's
been trying to get you.

Sergeant, there's a man named
David Pinter driving a blue--

Where?!

Pinter's over there now?!

Oh.

Yeah. Right away.

Tell them to wait for me.

Uh. stick around a minute,
will you, Doc?

Ma'am, I'm afraid I have
to tell you your brother,

Mr. Walden, is dead.

[Sighs]

Probably smashed on the temple
with that pot.

Then you think it was m*rder.

Well, there are handier ways
to commit su1c1de.

But the door was locked
from the inside.

I had to break the glass there
to get in.

Spring locked.

All the k*ller would have
had to do

was close the door behind him.

I wish I knew what that
Tarr girl was doing out here.

The kid on the scooter?

Come on, Chief,
she's only a child.

Sure, sure.

And Mr. Walden was only
the richest man in town.

Oh, brother, is this one
going to be trouble!

Nelson?

Miss Street, Perry.

Thank you for coming out,

but it's too late.

We heard your newscast about
Mr. Walden on the car radio.

I saved one item just for you.

I guess
I'm the one who k*lled him.

You guess you're the one?

I went out there to discuss
that verbal agreement with him.

It didn't take too long to turn
into a verbal disagreement.

Walden got personal and...

I belted him in the mouth.

Sit down, Della.

All right, then what happened?

Well, he went down,

and he cracked his head
against the table.

You said on the newscast
he was struck with a flowerpot.

That was the police theory

until I had told 'em
what had happened.

Walden must've knocked
the flowerpot off the table

when he fell against it.

Why didn't the police hold you?

The bank manager, Mr. Hearn,
put up the bail

to keep the station operating.

So you're out on bail.
What was the charge?

Manslaughter.

Nelson, what time did your fight
with Walden occur?

Oh, I guess a little after : .

I was listening to the garden
hour on my way out to Walden's.

How did it happen that
the police didn't get there

until well after : ?

Because of Melinda's accident,
I guess.

She was out there around : .

But she fell off her scooter
while going for help.

She told this guy Pinter,
a stranger,

and I guess he couldn't even
find the greenhouse for a while.

- Excuse me.
- Just a moment, please.

Thank you.

Hello. You're Perry Mason.

David Pinter.
I practice in Las Vegas.

Oh, yes. Mr. Pinter.

Well, I see somebody
didn't waste any time

getting a lawyer
out from the city

or maybe
I shouldn't have said that.

Well, I didn't intend
to publicize it for a while.

Maybe I didn't
recognize you then. That help?

It would help more
if you'd give me what you know.

Mr. Walden had asked me to drive
over to discuss a legal problem.

Just as I turned off
the highway,

this scooter was right there
in my headlights.

The girl's all right
this morning, isn't she?

Ordering milk shakes already.

I can tell you that was a pretty
shaky moment last night.

The girl bleeding,
dying for all I knew,

mumbling something
about Mr. Walden

being dead in the greenhouse.

Luckily, that nurse came by.

What nurse?

Mr. Walden's sister Frances.
She's very efficient.

Where did she come from?

I don't know. There are
a lot of roads through there.

I suppose...

I really don't know
where she came from.

I had some business
to discuss with my brother.

I drove out to his place.
But I walked in on a...

domestic quarrel,
so I backed out again.

I went for a drive.

I thought that by supper time

things would have settled down
a bit.

I was just on my way back
when I saw the accident.

Miss Walden, you don't have
to answer this next question.

I don't have to answer
any of your questions, do I?

Mr. Pinter, was Martin Walden's
legal problem a divorce action?

I don't think
I ought to discuss that.

Most of your work is in divorce,
isn't it?

Yes.

When did my brother
decide on a divorce?

He first considered it
about years ago

and then changed his mind.

Then he came to my office
last week.

Last week?!

You had no inkling of this,
Miss Walden?

He did phone me from Las Vegas,

but I thought
he was up there to...

No, he certainly didn't say
anything about a divorce.

But I imagine the grounds
were infidelity.

Does that answer your question?

Yes. Thank you.

But it poses another one.

The name of the other man?

I couldn't tell you.

It may be common knowledge
around town,

but I simply don't know.

Mrs. Walden:
Yes, I understand, Mr. Hale.

But why do the police
need to come here again?

Oh, you mean, to the house!

Well, I've certainly tried
to answer everything

as best I know how.

[Doorbell rings]

Of course, Mr. Hale, but there's
someone at the door, and--

All right.

Yes. I'll be here.

Mrs. Walden?
My name is Perry Mason.

Oh, yes.
I heard you were in town.

May I come in?

What is it you want, Mr. Mason?

Well, I wanted to meet you.

I've heard a good deal
about you.

I could imagine!

They say lovely things about me
in Palmetto.

That attitude
may well change now.

Oh, do you really think
my bereavement will win

that much sympathy?

I couldn't say.

But the richest woman in any
town usually commands respect.

Oh, look--I--
I'm just all upset now.

The district attorney
just phoned and--

well, if you're here
about Nelson Tarr,

I mean if you're his lawyer--

[Rattling]

Now wait a minute.
I've got a right to be here.

This is my uncle's house.

Hello, Andrea.

I just came over to see if there
was anything I could do.

Mr. Mason, Roy Mooney.

Roy Mooney?

Why, yes. Melinda Tarr
was telling my secretary--

Now, it's a lie!

Whatever Melinda
says about Andrea and me.

Why would she lie?

Because she's jealous!

For no good reason at all!
Just kid gossip!

So don't go making something
out of my being here!

I just came over to pick up
a jacket she was mending for me.

That's all!

I don't think you're helping
the situation any, Roy.

Now, look--there's nothing
between Mrs. Walden and me.

Nothing! Tell him, Andrea.

I doubt, Mr. Mason,
wants to be lied to.

Mrs. Walden, my only concern is
in trying to help Nelson Tarr.

- So--
- So now you've found out

what you wanted to find,
isn't that right?

Goodbye, Mr. Mason!

No, listen to me! Wait!

I only came in here to get--

You--you let him think we were--

Why didn't you tell him
the truth?!

Isn't this what you've been
wanting people to believe?

No! Now they've got to know
the truth! Right?!

What are you trying to do?

The truth according
to Aunt Frances?

I know what you've been doing,
and I know who put you up to it!

Now, you live with
your lying gossip!

Mr. Hale, my client has already
admitted punching Walden.

I know. I know.

And in California a k*lling
with a fist is presumed

to be manslaughter. But here.
Take a look at this.

Coroner's report?

Oh, the flowerpot.

Well, if Walden knocked it off
the table when he fell--

No, Mr. Mason.
The pot didn't fall.

It was swung with enormous
and willful force.

In other words,
Martin Walden was m*rder*d.

Well, I suspected almost
from the start

that someone had gone into the
greenhouse after Nelson left.

And, since certain people
would stand to profit greatly

from the death
of such a wealthy man, well...

Chris, come in here, please.

This is Mr. Hearn.

He's manager of the bank,
handled all of Walden's affairs.

Now, only his local investments,
remember?

He had holdings elsewhere?

Well, so I was led to believe.

For some time he'd been selling
off his properties in town

to re-invest in Los Angeles,
so he said.

Now, the district attorney's
asked me to investigate

and I've found out there were
no such investments.

Apparently Mr. Walden d*ed
almost bankrupt.

Perhaps his wife was unaware
of that fact.

No, no.

I think Andrea had a pretty good
idea of this all the time.

Then a man with ambition

who might've been close
to his wife--

I see you've already heard
some of our gossip, Mr. Mason.

Well, let's just say I think
I know the name of the man--

So does Mr. Tarr.

Isn't it true, that you
were Andrea Walden's lover

before and after
she married Walden?

No! That is not true!

Well, I guess we'll just
have to prove that in court,

won't we?

Mr. Mason, we're charging your
client with first degree m*rder.

Then what happened, Melinda?

Well, I had to get back
the scooter!

Jimmie needed it
for his deliveries.

So I phoned Mr. Walden.

And he said to come out
and get it.

He'd leave it down
by the greenhouse.

He agreed so easily?

Well, I did have to beg him
a little.

In my office didn't you tell me
you had to appeal to Mr. Walden

on the basis
of a family friendship?

Well, my father did buy
the radio station from him.

That's what persuaded him
to release the scooter?

Maybe not exactly, no.

Well, what else
did you tell him?

Well, I--I mentioned

that my father was also
a friend of Mrs. Walden.

But didn't Mr. Walden
already know that?

I thought he did, or I wouldn't
have said anything!

But--but I guess he didn't.

I didn't know it myself until...

Oh, Daddy, I'm sorry!

I'm sorry!

Mr. Walden came to my office
in Las Vegas about years ago

and consulted about a divorce.

Apparently there was
a reconciliation

because he dropped the matter.

Did you have any further contact
with him after that?

Not professionally.

I frequently ran into him
in the casinos, however.

Do you mean he was gambling?

Well, uh,

losing would be
a more accurate description.

I remember seeing him drop

nearly $ ,
on different occasions.

A couple of weeks ago the matter
of the divorce came up again.

And the night before the m*rder

he called me and asked me
to drive over here to see him.

For what purpose?

Well, he didn't specify
on the telephone.

However,
he had on several occasions

mentioned that if the divorce
were to come up again,

he wanted me to represent him.

So I assumed that that was the
legal problem he referred to.

Did he ever indicate to you

what would be his grounds
for divorce?

Not in so many words.

He did mention, however, that
his wife was having an affair

with, as he put it,

one of her
old Hollywood cronies.

For the past years, Mr. Walden
has disposed of holdings

worth no less than
a quarter of a million dollars.

So that on the day of his death
how much was left?

Practically nothing.

And as far as I've been able
to find out, everything is gone.

Mr. Hearn, besides yourself,

was there anyone else in
Palmetto who might have known

the deceased
was approaching bankruptcy?

Well, as far as I know,
just his wife.

Mr. Mason?

Mr. Hearn,

was it through you
that Mrs. Walden

learned of her husband's
insolvency?

Well, I told her that Martin
had lost a great deal of money

and if he didn't stop making bad
investments he'd go broke.

Was concern for him
your only motive, Mr. Hearn?

It was a sufficient one.

Weren't you perhaps motivated

by friendship and concern
for Mrs. Walden?

Yes, I consider
Mrs. Walden a friend.

But that's all she's ever been
regardless of any gossip

you might have picked up
along the way.

If there was any truth
in such gossip,

do you think for one minute
Mr. Walden would have

continued to have done
business with me?

Hmm. I'm sure I don't know,
Mr. Hearn.

That's all.

The witness may step down.

I call Dr. Oldham to the stand.

The cause of death was a blow
on the temple by a heavy object.

From tiny fragments
imbedded in the wound

I'm satisfied Martin Walden
was struck by a flowerpot.

Thank you, Doctor.
No more questions. Your witness.

From previous testimony, Doctor,

the time of death
has been put forth

as approximately : pm.

Now, couldn't you be
a little more definite?

Fixing a time of death is always
a bit speculative.

And in this case, our most
reliable factor of measurement--

body temperature--

has been confused by the place
where the m*rder occurred.

The extreme temperature
in the hothouse

probably inhibited the rate
of cooling of the body,

so that, uh--

What you're saying is that
in this case,

the time of death cannot be
determined

with any accuracy whatsoever?

No. No, it really can't.

And therefore, the m*rder
may have been committed

an hour later than : ?

Well, an hour later
or even an hour earlier.

Earlier, Doctor?

Well, there's really, uh--

there's really no way
of pin-pointing it.

Thank you very much.

What's that mean?

Maybe somebody finished Walden
off after I left the greenhouse?

Or before.

You mean he was already dead
when I got there?

Don't you know?

Look, I told you I had a quarrel
with him, and I hit him.

Do you think I'd lie
about a thing like that?!

You might, if you're
protecting someone.

Are you?

Yes, I knew Nelson Tarr

when we both worked together
in radio years ago.

Mrs. Walden, some years ago,
was an operation

performed on you
in a Los Angeles hospital?

Yes, for appendicitis.

I hold here in my hand
a statement from that hospital

showing the bill was paid
in full by the defendant.

That was a loan.

I repaid it as soon as
I got back to work.

Is that the only way
you repaid him?

I'm referring, Mrs. Walden,

to the purchase by the defendant
of your husband's radio station.

I told him it was for sale.

Was your husband aware
of what you did?

No.

But Martin was anxious
to dispose of the property

and I knew Nelson Tarr
had always wanted to own

a small radio station.

Did the defendant tell you this
before moving to Palmetto?

It was in a letter.

Oh, then you'd been
corresponding with him?

Just Christmas cards--
nothing more--

with occasionally
a note enclosed.

What were your relations
with the defendant

after he came to Palmetto?

We were friends,
though we seldom saw each other.

Mrs. Walden, in a statement
given by you in my office,

did you not admit to several
recent, clandestine meetings

with the defendant
at out of the way roadhouses?

Well, I...

I met Nelson a few times.

But it was only because I was so
upset about Martin. You see--

And weren't you so concerned
about my discovering this,

you tried to lead people believe

it was Roy Mooney
you were involved with?!

No! I mean, I didn't
want people finding out--

And on the day of the m*rder,

was it Nelson Tarr,
the man whom your husband

accused you of having
an affair with?!

But that wasn't true!

Thank you, Mrs. Walden.
I believe that's all.

Mr. Mason?

Mrs. Walden,
how did you meet your husband?

Well, he wanted to publicize
his nursery

in the garden supplement
of the Sunday papers.

The advertising agency wanted
a lay-out with a girl in it.

I got the job and came up here
with a photographer.

Naturally, I met Mr. Walden,
and after that

he came to Hollywood several
times to see me.

After you were married did
he become jealous, possessive?

Yes.

And did he ever accuse you of
being involved with other men?

- Yes.
- Nelson Tarr for one?

It didn't matter.
It was any man.

He'd pull names out of the air.

Now following the quarrel
on the day of the m*rder,

what did you do?

- I left the house.
- And?

And I took my troubles
to Nelson Tarr.

According to previous testimony,

the defendant left the radio
station to go to the bank

and later, to the greenhouse.

Now, how long did you stay
in that office of his?

Until Mr. Tarr returned.

You were alone all that time?

Except for the other announcer.

But the other announcer
was occupied in the studio,

wasn't he, Mrs. Walden?

Yes.

Then actually, there is no one
who can verify your claim

that you remained in his office.
Isn't that so?

I suppose so.

Mr. Mooney, you didn't appear

until long after the body had
been discovered and taken away.

But since you admit you
were in a nearby field,

can you explain how it was

that you didn't see or hear
all that activity?

Sure. I, uh, wasn't working
in that field.

It was dark already.

I'd tuned on my portable radio.
I was listening to the fights.

I suppose someone
can verify that.

I was alone.

Tell me, were you on friendly
terms with Mrs. Walden?

I never had anything
to do with her.

And anyone who says I did
is a liar.

But didn't you have a
handkerchief in your possession

the night before?

A woman's handkerchief with
a monogrammed "A" in the corner?

How did it come
into your possession?

Did you borrow it?
Did you steal it?

- Now look--
- And if so, why?

Why, Mr. Mooney?

- I don't know!
- It's a very simple question.

Why did you flaunt Mrs. Walden's
handkerchief

in front of Melinda Tarr?

Objection, Your Honor!

Counsel is badgering
the witness.

He has asked questions
without allowing the witness

to complete any one
of his answers!

I think you might slow down
a little, Mr. Mason.

Very well, Your Honor.

Mr. Mooney,

would you please tell this court

how you acquired a handkerchief
belonging to Mrs. Walden?

It was given to me.

By Mrs. Walden?

No. My Aunt Frances.

I don't know
why I didn't realize it,

but that's exactly
what Roy was doing--

using me to start a rumor
about Andrea.

It seems to have worked.

But I didn't tell anybody.

Well, it's obvious
it was Frances

who was trying to break up
the marriage.

But apparently the whole stunt
was unnecessary.

Why?

Because Mr. Walden was already
secretly intending

to divorce Andrea.

- [Phone ringing]
- Excuse me.

Go on, Della. I'm interested.

Well, isn't that
the irony of the whole thing?

The fact that both of them were
plotting independently

of each other
for the same result?

It's for you, Mr. Mason.
Las Vegas calling.

Hello.

Yes, Paul. What have you got?

Well, not too much so far,
Perry.

I did find out
that Walden's a bad loser.

He cries to the bartenders
a lot.

But none of them ever remember
seeing him with a woman.

Wait a minute.

[Loud talking]

OK. Now, I can hear you.

You may be looking
for the wrong type, Paul.

I'm sending you pictures
of Frances Walden.

His sister?!

She told me he phoned her
from there once.

I want to know
if he called her other times.

What was the name?

Well, you'd better check
that out at the same time.

But hurry, Paul.

I watched my brother become
nervous, dispirited,

on the verge of a breakdown.

The cause of it all
was his wife!

That's why he gambled
his money away! That little--

Well, anyway,

I just knew that the marriage
had to end one way or another!

But why was it necessary
to fabricate an incident if,

as you testified,

there were actual grounds
already existing?

Somehow, she was able
to convince Martin

that it was all
completely innocent.

But by that time, it appears
your plan was no longer needed

because Martin Walden
had decided

to go on with the divorce
for other reasons.

Late that afternoon,
I overheard Martin accuse Andrea

of having carried on an affair
with the defendant

over a period of years.

He said that she had arranged
for him to buy the station

so he could be near her.

And that not only was
he finished with her

but that he would break her
lover financially.

Thank you, Miss Walden.

Your witness, Counselor.

Counselor?

Shortly after the m*rder
was committed, Miss Walden,

did you not categorically deny

knowing with whom Mrs. Walden
was accused of consorting?

I told you I didn't know.

And yet, directly thereafter--
scandal or not--

you went to the district
attorney and named Nelson Tarr.

By that time I began to suspect

that my brother's death
was not manslaughter

but deliberate m*rder.

What planted this suspicion?

Well, when I heard
from Mr. Pinter

that Martin was going to get
a divorce,

I knew that Andrea could be of
no financial help to Nelson Tarr

unless Martin would die
before the divorce went through.

Then you knew that your brother
had sold Nelson's note

on the radio station
to the bank?

Certainly. He told me that.

Did you also know that
he was gambling regularly?

No. No, I didn't.

You never accompanied him on
any of those trips to Las Vegas?

As far as I know, those trips
were to the High Sierras--

fishing trips.

Now just a moment, Miss Walden.

When I talked to you on the day
after the m*rder,

you mentioned that your brother
had phoned you from Las Vegas.

Yes, Mr. Mason,
you're quite right.

I did not think it significant
at the time

that he called from Las Vegas.

There's bass fishing there,
I believe.

Miss Walden, how many times

did you phone your brother
in Las Vegas?

Never. Oh, no, I'm sorry.

That one time he called me,
I was on duty at the hospital.

He left a number,
and I called back--

if that's what you want
to think of as my calling.

One moment, please.

Miss Walden,
who is Edward Montrose?

I haven't the slightest idea.

You didn't know that your
brother was registered

under that name at the ranch

where he was staying
in Las Vegas?

Certainly not. I called
the number and Martin answered.

I can think of no reason
why he should want

to use a different name.

Then let me suggest one.

years ago your brother
considered divorcing his wife

for an alleged indiscretion.

He didn't proceed because
he had no proof of the affair.

Probably because
it never happened.

In any case,
he realized a divorce

would mean paying alimony.

And very likely a large alimony
since his wife

had given up a career of her own
to marry him.

Your Honor, I find all this
theorizing extremely irrelevant.

I'm not so certain it is,
Mr. Hale. Proceed, Mr. Mason.

To escape paying alimony,

I submit Martin Walden
conceived a plan

of converting his holdings
into cash

and then putting that money
out of his wife's reach.

Your Honor,
this is sheer speculation!

May it please the court,

I am prepared to introduce
evidence proving

that the telephone number
this woman called

was a room occupied by a man

who registered
as Edward Montrose

but who was identified
from photographs

as her deceased brother!

All right, Your Honor--

Furthermore, I can show
that recent cash purchases

of securities have been made,
in several different cities,

by a man who called himself
Edward Montrose.

Go ahead, Mr. Mason.

Now, Miss Walden,

I submit that this whole plan
was no secret to you.

And when you went
to the greenhouse

and saw your brother lying there
apparently dead,

you decided all that money he'd
hidden under another identity

- could be yours.
- No!

Realizing then that your brother
was still alive,

didn't you take that flowerpot--

No! That's a lie!

I didn't know what he did
with the money until--

Until what, Miss Walden?

Until after he was dead.
I mean--

Until someone told you
about the money,

isn't that
what you were going to say?

No.

Because of course someone else
must have known

about your brother's
double identity.

Someone must have helped
Edward Montrose

with his new investments.

I don't know who it was.

Oh, yes, you do, Miss Walden!

You're only keeping quiet
because you still hope

to get some of that money.
Isn't that right?

Well, she shouldn't get it!
She shouldn't--

I doubt if anyone could have
counted on getting that money

after your brother's death

without Edward Montrose's
power of attorney.

Miss Walden,
I'm sure the court will explain

that you can only make yourself
an accomplice

by remaining silent

or a perjurer
by continuing to lie!

It was Mr. Pinter.

Mr. Pinter told Martin
how to do that,

how to hide his money
in new investments.

He--he handled all that.

I knew that Martin was
too stingy

to ever lose money gambling.

When I guessed what Mr. Pinter
had done, I accused him of it.

Until then, I...

I had no idea that he was
the one who k*lled Martin!

Oh, Daddy!

It's all right, baby.
It's all right now. Don't cry.

Melinda, you go with Della.

I'll even buy you a malt.

Your father and I will join you
in a few minutes.

Daddy, should I invite Andrea?

Later, maybe.

This one's just for you and me.