01x26 - The Case of the Half-Wakened Wife

[bunniefuu]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Pretty well-done on that side,
Mrs. Shelby.

How about a drink of water?
Oh, I'd love it.

One water, coming up.

You know, you're the handiest
handyman I ever knew.

There you go.
Thank you.

Frank.

I wanna make
one point clear.

Your duties around here
do not include

the entertainment
of Mrs. Shelby.

I know what my duties include,
Mr. Shelby.

Then keep the limitations
in mind.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[BANGING ON DOOR]

All right, all right.
I'm coming, I'm coming.

Okay.
Where's Scott Shelby?

Now, just a second.

Take it easy,
little man.

Where is he?

You, uh, must be
Mr. Parker.

Who are you?

Art Williams.
I'm Mr. Shelby's accountant.

Well, Shelby promised
to send me a check for $8,500

by 11:00 this morning.

It isn't Mr. Shelby's fault,
Mr. Parker.

I didn't finish
the job yet.

I'm supposed to make out the checks
and take them out for signature this afternoon.

All right, Williams.

But you tell Shelby that if he doesn't have a check
in my hands by 6:00 tonight,

I'm gonna see him
in person.

And I won't be interested
in just the money anymore.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[CLEARS THROAT]

Oh, yes, Frank?

I'm all set to transplant
these bushes, Mrs. Shelby.

Show me
where you want them.

All right.

Frank?
Yes.

Would you mind
telling me something?

Sure.

Why do you stay here?

I'm sure you could
get a much better job.

This place is fine.

Gives me a roof
over my head,

three meals a day.

Gives me a little time off
to keep up with my writing.

Oh?

Oh, don't get me wrong.
I'm no Ernest Hemingway.

I'll probably never write The Great American Novel
or much of anything else.

Still, I--I'd like to read
some of your work.

Well, you're dignifying it,
Mrs. Shelby.

All I have
at the moment are

a couple of notebooks full of my impressions
on people and things.

Well, what's
your impression of me?

I wish I had the right
to tell you that, Mrs. Shelby.

This, uh, this where
you want them?

[DOOR OPENS]

Well, did you have a nice
afternoon with the help?

I don't know which
would please you more,

if I denied it or admitted there was
something between us?

[PHONE RINGING]

Well, answer it.

[SIGHS]

Hello.

Oh, hello, Ellen.

I'll talk to her.

Ellen, where have you been?

We've been expecting you
since 5:00.

Well, I'm sorry, Scott.

Arthur and I won't
be able to make it.

Oh.

I'm sorry.
I was looking forward to it.

Well, I'm very sorry,
Scott.

Tell Marion we'll make it
another time.

Yes, all right, Ellen.
I'll call you tomorrow.

There are several things
I want to talk about.

Yes, I will.

Goodbye.

She's not coming?

Disappointed?

Frankly, no.

I can understand that.

Now, I'll be free to keep
tabs on the situation,

so you and your handyman will
have to behave yourselves now.

That's where our record shows
that the date of the crime,

as proved, was subsequent
to the indictment.

Judgment must be reversed.

Corpus Juris Secundum,
Volume 24, Section 1710.

No, Section 1730.

Is that it?
That's it.

I'll type this up
right away.

You'll do
nothing of the kind.

Do you know what time it is?
Yeah.

Nothing wrong with your watch.
It is late.

Now get your coat
and I'll take you home.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Yes?

Sorry to bust in
on you like this,

but there was
no one out front.

Well, that's all right.

You're Perry Mason?

Yes.

Well, what do you know?

Well, I know
you have a telegram for me.

Huh?

I say, I know
you have a telegram for me.

Oh, yeah. Of course.

You'll have to sign
for it.

I'll sign for it.

Nice to meet you,
Mr. Mason.

Wait till I tell
the fellows about this.

There you are.
Thank you.

Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am.

Perry Mason.

Bad news?

"Need help desperately.
Expect to be arrested any moment.

"Please contact me
in care of Shelby,

"Glidden Cove
on Pinewood Lake."

Signed, "Frank Lawton."

Lawton?

Oh, I remember.
He was lieutenant in
your company during the w*r.

Isn't he the one that
wanted to be the writer?

That's the one.

Remember I told you
what happened to him on D-day?

Sounds like
he's still in trouble.

Della, trouble is
Frank Lawton's middle name.

He was sh*t twice
during the service.

The week he came home,
his wife was k*lled in an accident.

Looks like the jinx
is still operating.

Are we going
to Pinewood Lake?

Not we, me.

Wanna bet?

[MARION MOANING]

[PHONE RINGING]

FRANK: Hello.

Hello.

Frank? Frank!

What do you want?

This is Mr. Shelby.
I'm down at the dock.

Bring my shotgun.

Hurry! Hurry!

Mr. Shelby?

[WATER SPLASHING]

Mr. Shelby?

SCOTT: No! Don't! Don't!

[g*n f*ring]

Mr. Shelby!

Mr. Shelby!

Mr. Shelby...

[ECHOING]
Mr. Shelby!

Mr. Shelby!

Mr. Shelby!

MARION: Frank!
Mr. Shelby!

What's the matter?

What happened?
I don't know.

I heard a sh*t.

Frank, where's my husband?

Where's Scott?

[SOBBING]

[DOOR CLOSING]

DIX: All right,
we'll take over here.

Did you find him?
Did you find my husband?

Not yet, ma'am.

My men have searched
most of Glidden Cove,

but so far
there's no trace.

I can't understand it.
I just can't understand it.

I think I'm beginning to,
Mrs. Shelby.

Mr. Lawton, how long did it take you
to get down to the dock?

I don't know.

A couple of minutes,
I guess.

Maybe less.
I'm not sure.

Uh-huh.

Mr. Lawton, you said that Mr. Shelby
called you from the dock.

That's right.

Well, if he used this phone,
it was a pretty neat trick.

All right, Tanner.
Stick with it.

The divers are coming out
to help.

OFFICER:
Looking for someone?

Why, yes.

Where can I find
Frank Lawton?

Is he expecting you?
Yes.

Go on in.
Ask for Sergeant Dix.

Go ahead.

MAN ON RADIO:
Nothing in this area.

Well, move out of the cove
and start searching the lake.

Yes, sir.

What's all
the excitement for?

We're looking
for Mr. Shelby's body.

Now, is there another
shotgun in the house?

No.

This one's been fired recently,
very recently.

Who used it?

I didn't.

Okay.

You wait here.

Mr. Mason,
I'm Detective Sergeant Dix,

Sheriff's Criminal Detail.
How do you do?

This is my secretary,
Miss Street.

How do you do?
How do you do?

I understand that you were
sent for by Frank Lawton.

Well, let's say
I received a telegram,

signed Frank Lawton.

This wire was filed
at 8:30 p.m. last night.

Looks like Frank was
anticipating trouble.

That statement has
implications, Sergeant.

It was intended to.

We have reason to believe
that Frank Lawton's employer,

Scott Shelby, was m*rder*d
early this morning.

Now, he didn't like Shelby.

But I have the feeling
that Frank

is just a little stuck
on Mrs. Shelby.

I see.

Do you mind
if I talk with Frank?

Of course.
Come ahead.

Perry.

What are you
doing here?

I got a telegram
signed with your name.

You what?
Yeah.

Here it is.

I didn't send this.

Well, we'll see about that.
I'll get the original.

Look, what's going on
around here?

What am I being accused of?
I'd like to know...

Take it easy, boy.

Sheriff, if you'll excuse me,
I'd like to lie down.

DIX: Of course,
Mrs. Shelby.

I'll be outside.
Don't take too long.

FRANK: And every so often,
when Shelby had a little trouble sleeping,

he'd go down to the dock
and take a boat ride.

Claimed it relaxed him.

And you knew about
these nocturnal excursions?

I knew about them.

This Ellen Waring
you mentioned,

do you feel there was something
between her and Scott Shelby?

It was supposed
to be business.

But you don't think so?

What did Mrs. Shelby think?

I never asked her, Perry.

But you said that every time
Ellen Waring came here,

she was accompanied by their accountant,
Art Williams.

No, not every time.

And even Williams himself came out two or three times
alone to take some pictures.

He's quite a camera buff.

How did Williams
and Shelby get along?

How did Shelby
and anyone get along?

Do you know anyone else
who had trouble with Shelby?

Perry, everybody had
trouble with Shelby.

Oh, I know, he puts up
a big show here,

but this place is in mortgage
to the hilt.

He gets prospective clients
out here.

They look around a little bit,
they listen to him

and then they give him
all their money

and that's the last
they ever see of it.

He even owes me
two months pay.

Then, why did you stay?

The job wasn't
very tough.

It gave me a chance
to write.

I want a straight answer,
Frank.

Are you in love
with Marion Shelby?

Oh, I...

I imagine I could be.

Very easily,
with a little encouragement.

But there never was any.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Mr. Mason,
are you about finished?

For the moment. Why?

Would you come with me,
please?

Is he under arrest?

Not yet, but I hope you'll advise him
to cooperate.

Or you'll place him
under arrest?

That's about the size of it.

Where's his motive?

Do you recognize this?
You had no right to go...

Now, you take it easy,
mister.

Your friend here
is quite a writer.

I'd like to read you
some of his stuff.

Hmm-mmm.

"August 10th."
That was just two days ago.

"Sometimes I think
I'll never understand women.

"There's no logical reason
for Marion to put up with him.

"She's lovely and generous,

"qualities that to him
are laughable.

"When I realize how many
decent men are k*lled,

"I wonder why a man like Shelby
should be permitted to live."

That wasn't meant
to be read by anyone.

I know.

Does that answer your question
about motive, Mr. Mason?

[ELECTRIC RAZOR HUMMING]

I may be thick, Perry,
but I just don't get it.

Well,
I simply don't believe

Frank Lawton
m*rder*d Scott Shelby.

You say that because
Frank Lawton's your friend.

Yes.

I also say it because I don't think
Shelby is dead.

Oh, it's all too pat.

Shelby flimflammed everyone
he did business with.

He's being hounded by creditors,
yet he has plenty of money.

Do you think he staged this whole bit
to cover his disappearance?

Mmm-hmm.

Perry, I don't buy it.

Look, you know for a fact
he was on the dock

and all his boats
are still there.

He'd have to be a channel swimmer
to make it across that cove.

He could've had a confederate waiting
in a boat nearby.

Well...

Assume, for a moment,
you're right.

Any idea who this
confederate might be?

Well, Shelby was in business

with a woman
named Ellen Waring.

Only his connection with her seems to
have been more than just business.

That doesn't mean much.

Ellen Waring was supposed
to be a guest

at the Shelby's
last weekend.

She waited until the last
possible moment to cancel out.

Why?

You got me.

I think she was waiting
in a boat for Shelby

when he jumped off the dock.

You, uh, think that Mr. Shelby
is presently residing in Miss Waring's closet?

That's a possibility.

Perry, you're out
of your ever-loving mind.

That's also a possibility.
Come on. Let's go.

Ellen Waring lives
in apartment 3E.

Alone?
Yeah.

Find her garage.

Why the garage?

Assuming Miss Waring was
the confederate in the boat

and assuming she was the one
who brought Shelby here,

she'd have had
to use her own car.

If we're lucky, we might find something
to prove that.

All I can say is, you're doing
an awful lot of assuming.

Paul, car seat.

Soaking wet.

You know,
you could be right.

Let's take a look around.

It hasn't rained lately.

No, it hasn't.

Soaked.

While Perry was phoning you,
Sergeant,

I saw a man raise the window
in her apartment.

How do you now it was
Miss Waring's apartment?

It was the corner one
on this floor.

You know, this could be
a lot better, Mason.

I could've thought of it.

[DOORBELL BUZZING]

Yes?
Miss Ellen Waring?

Yes.

I'm a police officer.
I'd like to ask you a few questions, please.

About what?

I'd rather not discuss it out here in the hall.
May we come in?

If it's about Scott Shelby,
I don't know anything.

You'd better let me
be the judge of that.

Miss Waring,
I'm Detective Sergeant Dix

of the sheriff's office
at Pinewood.

This is Mr. Perry Mason.

Mr. Paul Drake.

I heard the news on the radio
just about 20 minutes ago.

What happened, Sergeant?
The report wasn't very clear.

Mr. Shelby jumped, fell,
or was thrown off the dock.

They said something
about his being sh*t.

DIX: We don't know.

Miss Waring, I'll come right
to the point.

Who else, besides you,

spent the night in this apartment
last night?

What do you mean?

Who's in the bedroom?

That's none
of your business.

Miss Waring,

my client, Frank Lawton,

is being held
on suspicion of m*rder.

Scott Shelby disappeared

under mysterious circumstances
last night.

Now, we have information
that you're...

Let me get this straight.

You think Scott Shelby's
in there.

Is that what you think?

My mother.

She came in from San Diego
last night.

But there was a man seen
in your window this morning,

not more than two hours ago.
Who was he?

A friend.
Arthur Williams.

Where is Mr. Williams now?

Down the hall. He has
apartment 3A on this floor.

He came in around 7:30
and we had some coffee together.

[DOORBELL BUZZING]

That's probably
Arthur now.

Come in, dear.

These gentlemen came to ask me
some questions about Scott Shelby.

Something's
happened to him.

What?
Well, I don't know exactly.

Miss Waring, when did
you use your car last?

Yesterday afternoon.

How did the seat
get wet?

There's a blanket and a pair of men's shoes
in the garage, both soaked.

You were in my garage?
Yes, ma'am.

You've got your nerve.

How did they get wet?

Well, Arthur and I are going for
our marriage license today.

Isn't that right,
darling?

Yes.

Yesterday, we decided to
have a picnic to celebrate.

Where did you go
on this picnic?

Well, we...

To an estate
in Oak Cliff

I'm trying to sell for the owner,
a Mr. Kleiner.

There's some shade trees
and a small lake,

a barbecue area
for picnics.

Art tried some fishing.

He slipped on the bank
and that's how he got wet.

Now, is there anything else
you'd like to know?

May I use your phone,
Miss Waring?

Of course.

Pinewood 65098, collect.
This is Sergeant Dix.

I'm sorry,
Miss Waring.

Oh, I suppose
I can't blame you, Mr. Mason.

But this really has
been an awful imposition.

It occurs to me

that you came here with the intention
of accusing me of m*rder.

No. Not m*rder.

Hello, Ted.

Oh, when?

There was nothing on it?

Yeah, that figures.

Yeah, yeah. I'll get there
as soon as I can.

Yeah.

Well, they found
Shelby's body.

Oh, no.

[SOBBING]
When?

About 20 minutes ago.

They fished it
out of the lake

about a mile
from the dock.

A good part of his head had been blasted away
by a shotgun charge.

Oh.

Do you have any more
theories, Mr. Mason?

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Well, this looks like
the place she described.

Easy.
Thanks.

Well, I can see how he might
have slipped and gotten wet.

Everything matches.

BLACK: And the State will prove
beyond any reasonable doubt

that the defendant, Frank Lawton,
did willfully m*rder

Scott Shelby
on the night of August 12th.

We will prove
that the motive

was his desire
for his employer's wife,

Marion Shelby.

We will show you a notebook
kept by the defendant

in which he recorded
his hatred for the deceased

and his desire to do
Mr. Shelby great bodily harm.

I call, as my first witness,

Detective Sergeant
Phillip Dix.

BLACK: Where'd you find
that notebook, Sergeant?

In Mr. Lawton's room.

And did he identify the exhibit as
his own personal property?

Yes, sir.

Thank you very much,
Sergeant.

Now, getting back
for a moment to this shotgun,

exhibit two.

Did you examine this w*apon?
I did.

And what did you discover
from your examination?

Since it belonged to the deceased,
Scott Shelby,

naturally,
his fingerprints were on it.

Naturally.

Were there
any other fingerprints?

Well, outside of mine
and the deputy's,

only the prints belonging
to the defendant, Frank Lawton.

What about the shells?

Were Mr. Shelby's
fingerprints on them?

No, sir.
One barrel was still loaded.

The other barrel
contained an empty shell.

It had been fired recently,
probably...

Objection.

If the district attorney
wishes to have this witness,

during his testimony,

give an opinion
as to whether that shotgun

had been fired recently
before his examination of it

I think the witness should first qualify
himself as an expert on firearms.

In the meantime,
the sergeant should tell us

only what he saw
and what he heard.

JUDGE: Objection sustained.
Proceed, Mr. Black.

I have no further questions.
You may cross-examine.

Thank you.
Uh, may I?

Now, Sergeant,

you just testified

that the dead man's fingerprints
were not on those shells?

Yes, sir.

Were the defendant's
fingerprints on those shells?

No, sir.

In other words, there were
no fingerprints at all

on the shells,
is that right?

Yes, sir.

And you maintain that
this is the w*apon

used to k*ll Scott Shelby,
is that right?

I do.

Can you swear that it is?

Your Honor, Mr. Mason is
hoist by his own petard.

He's just had a ruling
from the court

that Mr. Dix is not qualified
to give an expert opinion.

I'm not asking for an expert opinion,
Your Honor.

I'm asking only that the witness give
a yes or no answer

as to whether he can swear that this g*n
k*lled Scott Shelby.

I will allow the question.

Well, Sergeant?

I cannot swear that it is.

Then there might have been
some other shotgun?

Yes, sir.

No further questions.

You may step down,
Sergeant.

Now, Mrs. Shelby, did the defendant,
Frank Lawton,

ever tell you
how he felt about you?

His conduct was always
beyond reproach, Mr. Black.

At all times?

At all times.

I would like
to read an excerpt

from the defendant's
notebook.

This is dated August 1st.

I quote,

"Perhaps if I had
something to offer,

"I could go to Marion
and ask her to marry me.

"But this is just
more wishful thinking.

"As long as
her husband is alive,

"I wouldn't stand a chance."

[PEOPLE MURMURING]

Now, do you mean to say
that Frank Lawton

never told you
that he loved you?

I object, Your Honor.

Counsel is cross-examining
his own witness.

Sustained.

All right, Mrs. Shelby,

would you kindly
tell the court

exactly what occurred
on the night of August 12th,

after you were asleep?

Well, I don't know
if I was exactly asleep.

I think, you might say,
I was half-awake.

Well, did you hear anything?

Yes. I overheard loud voices
from outside the house.

Were you able to distinguish
what either of the voices said?

No, sir.

Well, were your husband
and Mr. Lawton in an argument?

I object to that,
Your Honor.

Counsel is trying
to lead the witness.

She has already testified that she
could not hear what was being said.

Sustained.

All right, Mrs. Shelby, after you were
awakened by the loud voices,

what did you do?

As I put on my robe
and slippers,

I heard a loud g*nsh*t.

I ran out of the house
and down to the dock.

When you arrived
at the dock,

what did you see
and what did you hear?

I saw Frank Lawton
leaning over the water

and calling,
"Mr. Shelby, Mr. Shelby."

And what did he have
in his hand?

A shotgun.

Thank you, Mrs. Shelby.

You may cross-examine.

Mrs. Shelby.

Mrs. Shelby, would you describe yours
as a happy marriage?

Basically, there was
very little affection

between my husband
and myself.

Not at any time?

If there was, my husband's flagrant
affair with Ellen Waring

k*lled any trace of it.

I see.

Just one more question,
Mrs. Shelby.

Did the defendant,
Frank Lawton,

ever make improper
advances toward you?

Never.

Thank you. That is all.

You may step down.

Thank you.

Now, Mrs. Williams,
were your dealings with Mr. Shelby

ever based on anything other
than a business relationship?

Absolutely not.

As a matter of fact,
while you were Mr. Shelby's partner,

you were in love with another man,
isn't that so?

Yes.

A man to whom you are now married,
Mr. Arthur Williams?

Yes.

Thank you, Mrs. Shelby.
You may cross-examine.

Would you care
for some water?

Thank you.

Mrs. Williams,

you and your husband applied
for a marriage license

the morning after the death
of Scott Shelby, is that true?

We were planning it
for some time.

The evening before,

you were supposed to be
a guest at the Shelby home.

Yes.

You didn't go.
Why not?

Well, my mother arrived
from San Diego, unexpectedly.

What did you do
that afternoon?

We went on a picnic.

And where did
that picnic take place?

At the Kleiner estate
in Oak Cliff.

Mrs. Williams, I suggest

that you were not on
any picnic that afternoon.

I suggest that you were
some other place entirely.

That's not true.
Your Honor, I object.

These questions are wholly
immaterial to the issues here.

Your Honor, I have a right to att*ck
the credibility of this witness.

That's perfectly proper
cross-examination, Mr. Black.

Proceed, Mr. Mason.

Thank you.

Now, Mrs. Williams,
what time was this supposed picnic?

What time did you get there
and what time did you leave?

We arrived around 2:00 in the afternoon
and left around 5:30.

That was on the afternoon
of August 12th,

the same day Scott Shelby was m*rder*d?
Yes.

Can you establish the fact that you were
at the Kleiner estate

between 2:00 and 5:30

on the afternoon
of August 12th?

I most certainly can.

My husband is
an amateur photographer

and he has some photographs
that were taken there that same day.

Arthur, will you show Mr. Mason
the pictures you took?

You Honor, I would like
to put Mr. Williams on the stand

to identify
these photographs

and introduce them
into evidence.

Do you have any objection
to interrupting

your cross-examination
at this time, Mr. Mason?

None at all,
Your Honor.

But it's getting
close to lunchtime.

May I suggest a recess
before Mr. Williams goes on?

Any objection, Mr. Black?
Not at all, Your Honor.

Mr. Mason needs time
to catch his breath.

I'd be very happy
to give it to him.

This court is adjourned
till 2:00 p.m.

Don't worry, Frank.

Looks like you were kind of hoist
by your own petard again.

Could be.
Paul, you're a pretty good photographer, aren't you?

Huh?
Come on, Della.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Now, Mr. Williams,
what is your profession?

I'm an accountant.

And did you do an audit
of the Scott Shelby firm,

that is Shelby and Waring?

I did.

Is that where you met Ellen Waring,
whom you later married?

Yes, sir.

Now, on the day before
you announced your marriage,

did you and Miss Waring
picnic on the Kleiner estate?

Yes, sir.

Are these the photographs
that you made at that time?

Yes.

Can you prove
that these were made

on the afternoon
of August 12th?

Yes, I can.

As you can see
by this receipt,

I took the film
to the Brighton Camera Shop

to be developed promptly at


Why do you say
promptly at 10:00?

Well, it was the first
opportunity I had.

When we got back from the picnic,
it was after 6:00

and the camera shop
was closed.

It didn't open again
until 10:00 the next morning.

I should like to
have this receipt

and these photographs
entered in evidence.

You may cross-examine.

Now, Mr. Williams,

about your audit
of Mr. Shelby's firm.

I object, Your Honor.

I put Mr. Williams
on the stand

to introduce
those photographs.

That may have been the district attorney's
purpose, Your Honor.

Nevertheless,
when he asked Mr. Williams

about his profession,
he opened the door.

I should be permitted
to pursue this on cross-examination.

Overruled. The witness
will answer the question.

Yes, I did an audit
for Shelby and Miss Waring.

Did the books balance?

Well, I don't know
exactly what you mean.

I mean, was Mr. Shelby's
personal account

exactly as it should be?

No. There was a slight
discrepancy.

Oh? How much?

$120,000.

Well, I'm glad you're so affluent,
Mr. Williams,

that you can dismiss $120,000
as a slight discrepancy.

[ALL LAUGHING]

Now, Mr. Williams,

I have here a Photostat
of Scott Shelby's personal bank account.

Would you be good enough to read the amount
of the last withdrawal?

WILLIAMS: $121,714.

Mr. Black, you'll note the withdrawal was
made in cash.

Now, uh, would you tell us
the date of that withdrawal?

August 11th.

Or the day before
Mr. Shelby was m*rder*d.

Really, Your Honor.

This whole line
of questioning is irrelevant.

It is not germane
to the m*rder of Scott Shelby.

Now I maintain it is, sir.

I maintain that it supplies
the motive for the crime.

Scott Shelby had on his person
over $120,000


he was m*rder*d.

Now, where is
that money now?

Have you any idea?

Yes, Your Honor,
I have.

You may proceed.

Thank you.

Now, Mr. Williams,
your wife testified

that you were
an amateur photographer.

That's right.

Isn't it true that
most amateur photographers

prefer to develop
and print their own pictures?

I generally do.

But on the morning
of August 13th,

you went to a photo shop
to have your film processed?

I wanted the pictures
in a hurry

and I didn't know when I could find time
to develop the roll.

See, that sounds reasonable.

Now, this is a receipt
for your film,

is marked 10:00 a.m.,
August 13th

and it is initialed J.B.
Who's J.B.?

The proprietor
of the Brighton Camera Shop.

Was it his idea to sign
this receipt in this way

or did you request it?

Well, I--I don't remember.

Let me show you
another receipt

from the Brighton Camera Shop,
Mr. Williams.

This is for
a roll of film

taken to their store
by my secretary

a little more
than an hour ago.

Do you see any notation
of time on that receipt?

No.

Then, apparently,

marking their receipts
with the exact time

is not one of their
standard operating procedures.

Well, I guess I asked
the owner to do it.

Why?

Well, I'm an accountant
by profession.

I like to have all my records
properly detailed.

I see.

What time of the day

did you make these
photographs, Mr. Williams?

I don't remember exactly.

It was between 2:00
and 5:30 in the afternoon.

Mr. Williams, will you
examine these photographs,

any one of them?

Now, is the barbecue
in that one?

Yes.
Does it show a shadow?

Yes.

If the court will
excuse me for a moment.

Mr. Williams,

in what direction

is the shadow
of the barbecue pointing?

West.

But that would indicate
that the sun is in the east, wouldn't it?

It would have to be
to cast that shadow.

I guess so.

And if the sun is
in the east,

it follows it is morning,
isn't it true?

I guess so.

Your Honor, I should like
to introduce into evidence

this photograph
taken at the lake

on the Kleiner estate
at exactly 1:55.

I should further like
to direct the attention of the court

to the fact that the afternoon
shadow cast by the barbecue

is pointing directly east

while the shadow in the photograph
taken by Mr. Williams

is pointing west.

JUDGE: Mark it
exhibit number 8.

Now, I'm going to ask you
once again, Mr. Williams.

What time of the day did
you take those photographs?

I'm not sure.

You're not sure because you were
at the Kleiner estate

for your picnic not
on the afternoon you stated,

but on the following morning
before 10:00.

You took those photographs
on the morning of August 13th.

Then you rushed
to the Brighton Camera Shop

to have them developed.

Isn't that so, Mr. Williams?

Yes.

Louder.

Yes.
Why?

What were you doing
on the afternoon of the m*rder

that you felt it essential
to have an alibi?

Well, uh, we were, uh...

We're waiting,
Mr. Williams.

Well, I...

I met with Scott Shelby
that afternoon.

He wanted to disappear.

And you were going to help him
in his disappearance?

Yes. I had a boat
and was going to wait

a short distance from the dock
for him at 11:00 that night.

How much were you to be paid
for this invaluable aid?

$10,000.

So then you figured,
why settle for only $10,000

when you could've had
more than $120,000

and no one would've
been the wiser.

No.

You mean, that thought
never crossed your mind?

Well, I didn't k*ll him.

I won't go to the gas chamber
for anybody.

I was in the boat,

but she did it.
I saw her.

MASON: Whom did you see?
Mrs. Shelby?

Yes. It was her.

He's a liar.

How can you believe
a man like that?

She gave me $10,000.

She was supposed
to pay me more later.

I've got the money at home.
I never even touched it.

Can you prove that Mrs. Shelby gave
you the money?

Yes, and I can prove
why she paid me.

I never go anywhere
without my camera

and on that night at the boat,
I had it with me.

It was loaded
with infrared film,

with an infrared
flashbulb attachment.

I didn't trust Shelby and
I wanted to protect myself.

When I heard the g*nsh*t,
I took the picture.

My wife has it now.

Is that the picture?

Your Honor.

Bailiff, bring that woman
to the bench.

Well, I don't know.

I may have had Marion
pegged all wrong, Perry.

I still don't understand
why she wanted to frame me.

Well, actually,
it was all Shelby's idea.

Even to getting my name
out of your notebook.

Marion just saw an opportunity
and took advantage of it.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Yeah?

Hi.

MASON: Well, how are you,
Sergeant?

Fine.

I see
you're going to move.

Do you blame me?
No.

We found the rest of the money
and the m*rder g*n.

They were on a plank
under the dock.

Oh, I've got something
for you, too.

Exhibit A.

Thanks.

I think I'm going
to leave the writing

to Hemingway and Steinbeck
from now on.

If you ever get a telegram
or a letter from me,

you can be sure
it's a phony.

Then how am I gonna
hear from you?

If I'm in trouble,
I'll send you a smoke signal.

Come on, Frank.
Let's get out of here.

Here you are, Sergeant.