01x27 - The Case of the Desperate Daughter

[bunniefuu]

[LIVELY BIG BAND MUSIC PLAYS]

What happened last night?

I was busy.

You could have phoned,
or was it too much trouble?

It was too much trouble.

Don't be like that, Gary.
How about tonight?

What do you say, honey?

You're spillin' my beer.

Excuse me.

Perhaps you can give me
some assistance.

That station wagon outside
belongs to you?

On the door is painted
"Bannister Farms."

It belongs to my boss,
Mr. Bannister.

Allow me
to introduce myself.

My name is Stefan Riker.

May I?

Help yourself.

Would you care
for another beer?

No.

Perhaps something to eat?

Look, Mr. Riker, let's not
waste time breaking the ice.

I gotta pick up my boss' wife
in a couple of minutes.

Which is exactly
why I'm here.

Have you ever seen
this lady before?

No, can't say that I have.

You're sure?

I'm positive.

If I'd ever run across
a number like this,

you can bet your life
I'd remember.

But if my luck changes,
I'll let you know.

I'll keep a hold of this
just in case.

Why are we
stopping here, Gary?

I thought maybe we ought to
have a little talk,
Mrs. Bannister.

I was having a beer
in Hennessy's bar

when this fellow
came up to me

and started asking me
a few questions.

Said his name
was Stefan Riker.

And he had
a picture of you.

You must be mistaken.

Uh-uh. No, no.
It was you.

But don't you worry
about a thing,
Mrs. Bannister.

I didn't let on
it was you.

I can't explain,
but I'm very grateful
to you, Gary.

I kind of thought
maybe you would be.

You know, ever since
the first time we met,

I've had a great big yen
for you.

Let go of me.

Oh, it's all right.

I can keep my mouth shut.

I guess I kind of forgot
I was just a hired hand.

Are we going
to go home now?

Sure, Mrs. Bannister.

Anything you say.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

117.

For six furlongs?

Get rid of him.

Mrs. Bannister's
awful fond of that horse.

I'm not in the business
of raising pets.

Get rid of him.

Okay.

[EXHALES]

Where's Lisa?
Upstairs.

Having another one
of her headaches?

Is it any wonder?

Just what do you mean
by that?

You don't appreciate
a single thing
she's done for us!

Look at how wonderful
she's been!

[DOORBELL RINGS]
Even my own mother wasn't...

I hate to interrupt
your spirited defense
of your stepmother,

but don't you think
you'd better answer that?

Good evening.
Yes?

I wonder
if I could see Frau...

That is to say,
Mrs. Bannister.
I'm her cousin.

Her cousin?
Oh, please come in!

Thank you.

Won't you please
come this way?

I know Lisa
will be delighted.

Thank you.

How long have you been
in this country?

Approximately two weeks.

Where did you come from?

East Germany.

That's the part
the commies control.

I could tell you stories,
Herr Bannister.

Hello, Lisa.

Well, aren't you
going to say anything?

Liebsten?

This is your cousin, Stefan.

Oh, we must forgive her,
Herr Bannister.

I'm sure that
I'm the last person
in the world

she expected to see.

I can understand that,

since she told me
she had no living relatives.

DORIS: Lisa!

Lisa?

What have you got there?

[PILLS CLATTERING]

It's the only way.

You don't know
what you're saying!

I would rather die
than go back.

Go back where?

Lisa, listen to me.

Who is Stefan Riker?

A man I once knew
in Berlin.

He's a friend
of my father's.

I thought
your father's dead.

My father's name
is Hans Gerbhart.

He's the real head
of the Communist Party
in East Germany.

The man
who is responsible...

But they can't
hold you responsible
for what your father is!

This is America, Lisa.

But I have no right
to be here.

I'm in this country
illegally.

My passport was forged.

Then they can
send you back.

So you see why those pills
are the only solution?

Oh, don't say that.

Promise me, Lisa,
you won't do
anything foolish.

I'll think of something.

[CLASSICAL PIANO MUSIC
PLAYING]

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Oh!

Miss Bannister, is it not?

It most certainly is.

Aren't you going
to invite me in?

Please.

You must excuse me,
I'm astonished
by your metamorphosis.

What a lovely room.

I'm glad you approve.

You wouldn't consider me
inhospitable

if I asked you
what you were doing here?

I could say
I was in the neighborhood.

That would
hardly be the truth.

Uh-huh.

Actually, I'm very curious
about you.

That's unfortunate.

You see,
Miss Bannister...
Doris.

I'm not the sort of man
you should
interest yourself in.

That's exactly
what does interest me.

You know,
I have a curious feeling

that underneath
that bold exterior,

you're really
quite frightened.

That's very funny.

Shall we see?

So, you're not frightened,
huh?

[BIRDS TWITTERING]

Good morning.

That'll be all
for now, Gary.

Well, if you want me...
I'll let you know.

That's all you gotta do.

Done all right for yourself
the past three months.

Pardon?

This car, those clothes.

[CHUCKLES] This is
a land of opportunity,
Herr Bannister.

You think I don't know
what's been going on here?

I want it to stop.

Otherwise?
Otherwise, we...

Oh, Lisa, your entrance
was most unfortunate.

I believe your husband
was about to thr*aten me.

I never wanna see you
here again.

Do you understand?

I'm sorry you feel that way,
Herr Bannister.

As far as I can say,

you and your family
are always welcome
at my home.

Auf wiedersehen.

And in People v. Bernard,


Supreme Court held
that such testimony
on the part of the witness,

was clearly inadmissible
and grounds for reversal.

In view of these authorities,

we feel
that the writ of Coram Nobis
should be granted.

And if it isn't, Mr. Hudson
will go to the gas chamber
Friday.

I'll type this right up.

[DOOR OPENING]

Well, if we were
in England now,

I'd be able to say,
"That must be the charwoman."

It's only 1:30.

She doesn't get here
till 3:00.

Mind if I investigate?

Afraid someone
might steal the rug?

No, that's insured.

I was worried about
the switchboard.

Hello.

Could I help you?

I...

I would like to see
Perry Mason.

I found that
in my pocket.

What's your name, dear?

I don't know.

That's why I came here.

I was hoping
Mr. Mason knew me.

Oh, here.

Sit down right over here.
I'll get you
a drink of water.

You're very kind.

Are you Perry Mason?

Yes.

Have you ever
seen me before?

Why, no.

She must have been
in an accident.

She found this
in her pocket.

How did you get here?

A man gave me a ride.

Can you remember
where this man
picked you up?

I think the sign said,
"Canyon Road."

Could it have been
Sunset Canyon Road?

Della, call the garage.
Have them bring my car around.

I'll take her
to Lakewood Street Receiving.

Right.

[TELEPHONE DIALING]

Information,
I want the phone number
of Perry Mason.

Has she been
identified yet?
No.

[TELEPHONE RINGING]
I just don't understand it.

Yes?

All right, Gertie,
put him on.

It's an Edward Bannister.

Hello?
Yes, Mr. Bannister.

Hold on just one minute,
please.

He says
he's her father.

Yes, Mr. Bannister.

What can I do for you?

A great deal, I hope.

That was my daughter, Doris,

who walked into your office
last night.

Well, of course I'm sure!

Have you called
the authorities?

Why not?

First of all,
I just this minute
saw the paper.

I don't get up too early.

Don't you think it's strange
none of her friends
have identified her?

She has none.

Now, listen, Mason,

do you suppose you could
get Doris out of there,

and do whatever else
is necessary?

Well, it's nothing
you couldn't handle.

I'm crippled.

Oh, I'm very sorry.
I'll do what I can.

Oh, incidentally,

I think
Doris was wandering around
Sunset Canyon Road last night.

Does she know anyone
around there?

She's been seeing a great deal
of a man named Stefan Riker.

I think he has a house
somewhere near there.

No. No, that's R-I-K-E-R.

Get the phone book,
will you, Della?

And what's your address?

All right,
I'll be in touch.

Well, we've a client,
Miss Doris Bannister.

Why does she need a lawyer?

That's what intrigues me.

She's been seeing a man
named Stefan Riker.

See if he's listed, will you?
It's R-I-K-E-R.

[MUMBLING] R-I...

R-I...

Stefan.
Mmm-hmm.

Richer... Rikard...

Riker. Riker.
Here it is.

Stefan Riker,


Get your coat.

We're going
to the hospital?

No, we're gonna see
Mr. Riker first.

Her father
didn't identify her

because he'd just
seen the paper.

Her friends
didn't come forward because
apparently she has none.

I'd like to find out
what Mr. Riker has
for an excuse.

TRAGG:
Oh, I'd say about 2:00.

Yeah.

Sure, we'll be here
another hour anyway.

Now, what's this?
Hot stuff.

They're all
from the same gal.
A Doris Bannister.

"Sometimes I feel
you're only using me
as an excuse to see her.

"I know I seem like
a jealous female,
always spying on you.

"But, remember, darling,
you belong to me."

That's nothing.
You ought to read
some of the others.

[CHUCKLES]
I can hardly wait.

Excuse me, Lieutenant.

TRAGG: Where'd this
come from?

QUINCEY: Found it
out by the driveway.

k*ller must have
dropped it accidentally.

Good work, Quincey.
Thank you, Lieutenant.

When you get a minute,
Sergeant Marlowe
would like to see you outside.

Yeah. Uh, let me know
when you trace this.

Yes, sir.
Come on, Davis.

Don't forget
to get a sh*t of this.

TRAGG: Marlowe?

I thought you'd wanna
see this, Lieutenant.

Yeah.

She must have been keeping
an eye on her boyfriend

before she went in
to k*ll him.
Looks like.

I'd like to meet
that Doris Bannister.

I think
that can be arranged.

Yeah.

Let's go.

Seen enough?

Too much.

That was Sergeant Davis
of the Homicide Division.

It's a m*rder,
all right.

DORIS: Why are you asking me
all these questions?

Can't you leave me alone?

I just wanna help you,
Doris.

My name isn't Doris.

Then what is your name?

I can't remember.

Mr. Mason.

Well, it's unquestionably
general amnesia.

I'd like to move her
to a private sanitarium

with your permission,
of course.
Well...

You're worried about
your responsibilities,
and you're quite right.

But as Miss Bannister's
attorney,

I'm prepared
to give you a release.

And I'm sure
it would be perfectly legal.

Hello, counselor.

Well, hello, Lieutenant.
What's homicide doing here?

Well, what homicide
does everywhere,
investigating a m*rder.

A fellow named,
uh, Stefan Riker.

Do I understand
that you're, uh,
representing this girl?

And she shouldn't
be disturbed.

She won't be.

He's going to
make sure of that.

Well, hello, Mr. Drake.

Hi. I was afraid
you'd be gone.

Any luck?
Nope.

What did you find out?

Police think
Miss Bannister
k*lled Riker.

I had that feeling
when I saw Tragg.

The way they figure it,
Doris was crazy about the guy,
and he was two-timing her.

How do you see it?

I don't.

The only one
who can tell me anything
is my client.

And she's suffering
from loss of memory.

How do you go about
fighting it?

Strictly a rear-guard action.

Just wait
for the district attorney
to advance theories

and do your best
to knock them down.

By the way, has anyone
from the DA's office
seen Doris yet?

Burger talked to her himself.

She claims
she can't remember a thing.

From what I hear,
that suits Mr. Burger
just fine.

He feels
she's using it to cover up
just because she has no alibi.

Do you think it's an act?
I hope not.

Amnesia is generally induced
by a severe shock.

Well, committing a m*rder
might come under that heading.

So would
an automobile accident.

How would Doris get out
to Sunset Canyon Road?

No, no, the police
would have a record
if she'd been in an accident.

Not if she were driving alone
and ran off the road.

You might never find the car
in these hills.

But you, uh,
want me to try.

Well, I'd like you
to try.

Anything else?

Yes. Yes,
just on the chance

that Burger
is right about Riker
and there is another woman,

you might try
to find her, too.

Goodbye.

EDWARD: Lisa,
stop fidgeting.

I'm sorry, Edward.

Do you think
it will be much longer?

[DOOR OPENING]

Doris!

Oh, Doris.

Darling, how do you feel?

Darling, it's Lisa.

Don't you know me?

Take me back, please.

MASON: Just a moment.

Doris, do you remember me?

You're Perry Mason.

You said
you wanted to help me.

I do.
And so do they.

All right, matron,
we'll call you.

Now let's stop
this nonsense.

You know perfectly well
who we are.

Now, I've got you
the finest lawyer
that money can buy.

That's enough,
Mr. Bannister.

She's my daughter.

And she's my client.

You do want me
to represent you,
don't you, Doris?

Do you know
what you're accused of?

They say I k*lled a man.

A man named Stefan Riker.

What do you remember?

Just coming
into your office

and everyone
asking me questions.

That's all?

Matron?

Doris...

You let Mason know
if you need anything.

Doris,

I'll be in
to see you tomorrow.

This is ridiculous.

Well, can't you see
it's all an act?

Do you think
she k*lled Stefan Riker?

Of course not.

Then why should
she pretend amnesia?

Well, how should I know?

She must have
some crazy reason.

Look, Mason,
I don't fool myself
about anything.

You see these legs?

I was thrown by a horse


Doctors said
they'd fix me up
as good as new.

I knew they were lying.
I got rid of all of them.

I can't stand anybody
trying to make a fool of me.

What happened
to the horse?

Huh?

The one that threw you?

Well, I had him destroyed.

Is that
what you're trying to do
to you're daughter?

Goodbye, Mrs. Bannister.

[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

You want anything else,
Mr. Marshall?

How about you?
No, not just now,
thank you.

I'm sorry
I can't be any help,
Mr. Mason.

You never know
unless you try, Gary.

Look, I'd cut off my hand
up to here for the Bannisters.

They're real swell people.

Now, there's a few people
who got the wrong idea
about the old man.

His bark's
worse than his bite.

What do you think
about Mrs. Bannister?

A real lady.

They don't come any finer.

Is it true
that Doris lost her memory?

Mmm-hmm.

Well, that's too bad.
She sure is a nice girl.

I hope they go easy on her.

Do you think
she k*lled Riker?

Of course not.

How well did you know him?

Didn't know him at all.

Just saw him around the ranch
a couple of times.

Hey, I gotta go.

Heavy date?

Helene?
No, it's all right, Gary.
I'll take care of it.

Well, like they say,
hasta la vista.

Well, I think
this should take care
of everything.

Well, thanks.

Mr. Marshall
a friend of yours?

Mr. Marshall's
a very loyal, devoted friend

of Gary Marshall
and no one else.

I heard him
feeding you that line
about the Bannisters.

Oh? Was it a line?

Well, he was always knocking
the whole family to me.

Really?

And you know
that Riker fellow?

The man who was m*rder*d?

[TELEPHONE RINGING]
Mmm-hmm.

Well, Gary used to meet him
in here all the time.

Oh, now,
you must be mistaken.

Don't tell me.

Excuse me.
You Perry Mason?
Yes.

There's a phone call
for you. Over here.

Thanks.

Hello?

Yes, Paul.

I got good news.

You can now prove
your client's amnesia
is the genuine article.

I just found her car.

I don't see
how she got out of it alive.

Then she was
in an accident?

Sunset Canyon Road.

I'll meet you there
in half an hour.

Well,
there it is.
Yeah.

How in the world did your men
ever spot the car
from up there?

Faulkner's half bird dog
on his father's side.

Wish I'd brought along
my hiking boots.

Now let Burger claim
she's faking amnesia.

She's lucky
she just lost
her memory.

Paul...
Huh?

It's in neutral.

So it is.

You couldn't very well
drive a car in neutral.

She must have
pushed this thing
off the hill.

The crash might have
jarred it into neutral.

Could be.

Huh. Kind of looks
like she's using you
for a patsy.

She wrote that herself.

[LEAVES RUSTLING]

Well, it proves
that great minds
run on the same channel.

As soon as I saw
your car parked up there,

I figured, "What's good enough
for my friend Mason
is good enough for me."

And the State will prove
beyond any reasonable doubt

that the defendant,
Doris Bannister,

was in love
with the deceased.

That she jealously
spied on him constantly,

and that when she discovered
there was another woman,

she k*lled him.

And then pretended
to be suffering from amnesia

in an attempt
to avoid the consequences
of what she had done.

On that first morning
when you
examined the defendant,

what did you find?

Well,
I thought she was suffering
from general amnesia.

General amnesia?

Yes, sir.
There seemed to be
total loss of memory.

When you say
there seemed to be
total loss of memory, Doctor,

do you mean
that you subsequently
changed your mind?

Yes, sir. I am certain now
that Miss Bannister
never suffered from amnesia.

Then you think
she was faking?

Definitely, sir.

Thank you, Doctor.

Oh, Doctor,
one thing more.

Did Miss Bannister
have any visitors

on her first day
in the hospital?

Yes, she had.
Mr. Perry Mason.

Her attorney?

Yes, he said he wanted
to move the patient
to a private sanitarium.

And what happened
to prevent this move?

The police arrived.

I see.
Thank you, Doctor.

Your witness.

Doctor,

you testified
you subsequently
changed your mind

about Miss Bannister's
amnesia.

Yes, sir. Further physical
examination proved

that there was
nothing wrong with her.

Isn't it true, Doctor,

that amnesia
can be psychic in origin?

That Miss Bannister
might be well organically

and still suffer
from a loss of memory?

There's nothing to indicate
that this is the case here.

For example,
she had no trouble

with difficult problems
in algebra.

But wouldn't she be able
to do problems

if she suffered
from partial amnesia?

She would still remember
isolated facts

and have the ability
to associate.

Yes, but she's supposed
to be suffering

from general amnesia,
not partial.

And who made
the first diagnosis
of general amnesia?

I did, sir.

Thank you, Doctor.

Oh, Doctor,

one more thing.

In regard to
my underhanded effort

in trying to remove
Miss Bannister
from the county hospital,

uh, let me
read you an article

from the Times,
dated February 1st.

"Our county hospitals
are badly overcrowded.

"In many cases,
patients must be moved out
before they should be.

"The situation
cries for relief."

Now, does that sound familiar?

Yes, sir.
I said that in an interview.

Yes, you did.

Thank you again, Doctor.
That's all.

Would you explain this exhibit
to the court, please,
Lieutenant?

It's a plaster cast
we made of the ground

directly beneath
the rear window
of Mr. Riker's apartment.

Did you find anything
on the premises

which could have caused
these imprints?

Yes,
that aluminum ladder there.

This is marked
State's Exhibit 3.

If you place
the rear legs of the ladder
in that plaster cast, it...

Like this?

You'll notice they fit.

Yes, they do fit.

Where was this ladder situated
when you found it, Lieutenant?

Right next to the rear window
of, uh, Mr. Riker's apartment.

BURGER: And did you
climb it yourself?
TRAGG: I did.

What were you able to see?

Well, I had
an unobstructed view

of everything
that went on in the room.

Did you find any fingerprints
on the ladder?

Yes, sir.

The defendant's.

I think that about
covers the matter, Lieutenant.

BURGER: Will the clerk
please return the ladder
to the exhibit table?

Your witness.
Just a moment.

May I, Mr. Burger?

Of course.

Lieutenant Tragg,

isn't it true
that the fingerprints
on this ladder

might have been left there
days or even weeks
before the m*rder?

Might have been.

And isn't it possible

that the defendant
could have used
the ladder indoors

and left her fingerprints
on it at that time?

Anything is possible,
Mr. Mason.

Now, Lieutenant,
how do you explain the fact

that no trace
of the defendant's footprints

were found on the ground
near this ladder?

Because there's a stone path
near the window,

and the defendant could
step directly from that
to the ladder.

Now, Lieutenant,
the ferrules of this ladder

do not fit
this cross section exactly.

Well, naturally,
not exactly.

With any weight on the ladder,
it would move around,

and consequently,
the holes would be enlarged.

I see.

All right, clerk,
I'm through with the exhibit.
Thank you.

Lieutenant Tragg,
as I understand your position,

if the ferrules
of that ladder
had fit perfectly,

that would be
definite proof

that the prints
were made by that ladder?

That is correct.

But since
they did not fit perfectly,

that still proves
the prints were
made by the ladder?

I must say, Lieutenant,

I just do not understand
your logic.

Uh, no further questions.

You may step down.

Raise your right hand,
please.

Do you solemnly swear
the testimony you're about
to give in the cause

now pending in this court,
to be the truth,
the whole truth?

I do.
State your name.

Uh, Lisa Bannister.

Be seated, please.

Mrs. Bannister,
you knew the deceased,
Stefan Riker,

very well, didn't you?

I knew him.

Then you were aware
that he was in love
with the defendant?

I object,
Your Honor.

Counsel's
leading the witness.

I'll withdraw the question.

If the court please, however,
this is an adverse witness.

She has refused
to testify for the State,

and she has repeatedly avoided
service of summons.

I see.
You may proceed, Mr. Burger.

Mrs. Bannister, you're very
fond of your stepdaughter,
are you not?

Oh, yes, I am.

During a vacation
last summer,

I understand that
you wrote to each other daily.
Is that correct?

Yes.

I show you now this letter,

and ask if it is
in your stepdaughter's
handwriting.

I'm not sure.

BURGER: Mrs. Bannister,
you're under oath.

Well, I tell you,
I'm not sure.

Mrs. Bannister, you testified
only a few seconds ago,

that you
and your stepdaughter

exchanged daily letters
during your vacation.

How long
was this vacation?

A month.

Then you must have seen


Surely you're familiar
with her handwriting.

Now, I ask you again,

is this letter in your
stepdaughter's handwriting?

Yes.

Thank you.

If it please the court,

I would like
to read this letter
into the record.

Proceed.

It's dated March 7th.

"Darling,
why do you lie to me?

"I know you saw her
again on Monday.

"It's times like this
I get so mad I could k*ll you.

"Sweetheart,
don't do this to me,

"not if you love
your Doris."

I should like this marked
as an exhibit for the State.

Thank you, Mrs. Bannister.
Your witness.

Mrs. Bannister, how long
had you known Stefan Riker?

Since I was 19.

But I thought
you were cousins.

Uh, we were distant cousins.

I had never met him
until 1947.

And where did that meeting
take place?

In Berlin.

Which at that time
was occupied
by the Soviet Union?

Yes.

Were you fond of Riker?

I hated him.

Yet he was a constant guest
at your home.

I tried to prevent it.

I begged Doris
not to see him.

But she ignored
your advice.

Yes.

Mrs. Bannister,

I would like to quote
from this letter
Mr. Burger just read.

"I know you saw her
again on Monday."

Now, do you know
who this woman was

that Riker
saw again on Monday?

No.

Mrs. Bannister,
I'd like to remind you,
you're still under oath.

I tell you, I don't know.

Did you ever visit Riker
in his apartment?

No.

Did you ever
meet him elsewhere?

No! Why must you make
these horrible accusations?

Because I don't believe
you're telling the truth.

Thank you, Mrs. Bannister.
That's all.

Why did you have
to do that to her?

Why did you have
to humiliate her?

So you've finally decided
to give up
that amnesia routine.

I'm not giving up anything.

Listen to me, Doris.
No one believes
you had amnesia.

But when you had
the doctor
on the stand...

It was part of my job
to discredit the doctor.

But when the court
adds up the evidence,

the phony accident,
the way you used
that ladder...

I didn't use the ladder.

How can you be sure?

You had amnesia, remember?

All right, Mr. Mason.
I k*lled him.

What?

Stefan and I
quarreled that night
and I left.

I drove around for a while,

and then, about midnight,
I went back.

I got on that ladder
and looked in.

He was with
that woman again.

What's her name?

I never did find out.

When she left,
I went in and sh*t him.

All right.

You were in the apartment.
But after Riker was k*lled.
No!

What did you see there
that made you think your
stepmother had k*lled him?

What?
I can't think of anyone else
you'd be trying to protect.

You're right.

Now, isn't that funny?

After all those fairytales
you hear about
the wicked stepmother.

No one ever did
as much for me.

So you repay her kindness
by suspecting her of m*rder?

You know, I'm beginning
to believe your father.
You are mixed up.

You make a childish gesture
and endanger your own life
and Lisa's.

And all for nothing.
It wasn't all for nothing!

You're still insisting
Lisa is guilty
so you can take bows?

I tell you,
she was there that night!

I got there around midnight.
Stefan was already dead.

In his hand
was Lisa's medallion.

The chain was broken.

What kind of a medallion
was this?

It was round.
About this big.

It had a little gold horse
on one side.

My father gave it to her
on their first anniversary.

I took it out of Stefan's hand
and threw it away.

And on that kind of evidence,
you decided Lisa was guilty?

The fact she was seeing Stefan
doesn't mean a thing.

You don't k*ll
the man you love.

She wasn't in love with him!
She hated him!

She hated him
even more than I did.

Your letters
certainly sound like it.

Well, I had to pretend
to be jealous
to keep him away from her.

Otherwise, I thought he...

What's his hold on Lisa?

You'll never find out.

I mean it, Mr. Mason.

You baited me
into telling you this
to justify my actions,

but if you repeat this story,
I'll swear you made it up!

Yes. Will you hold on
just one minute, please?

Perry, I have Mr. Bannister.

Thanks. Hello?

Yes, Mason?

Mr. Bannister, I know
it's difficult for you
to talk,

so I'll put my questions
so they can be answered
simply.

Do you understand?

I understand.

Now, is your wife
wearing the medallion

you gave her for your
first wedding anniversary?

No.

Uh, come to think of it,

I haven't seen it
in several weeks.

Well, do you think
you can secure it

or a copy of it for me
before court convenes
tomorrow?

But why do you want it?

I can't tell you
about that now,
but it is important.

A Mr. Paul Drake

will meet you
at the Fenway parking lot
tomorrow.

You can give it to him there.

It's right next
to the courthouse.

Right.

Well, at least
mother nature's
on our side.

Morning, Mr. Drake.

Can I help you,
Mr. Bannister?

I can manage.

Did you get the medallion?

I couldn't.
And I tried, believe me.

I phoned New York
last night,

but they said it would take
three or four days
to get a copy.

Mr. Mason's gonna be
awfully disappointed.

How do you suppose I feel?
She's still my daughter.

[BIRDS TWITTERING]

I call Edward Bannister,
please.

BAILIFF: Edward Bannister
to the stand.

Raise your right hand,
please.

Do you solemnly swear
the testimony you're about
to give in the cause

now pending in this court
to be the truth,
the whole truth?

I do.
State your name.

Edward Bannister.
Be seated, please.

Were you in court
the day your wife testified,
Mr. Bannister?

I was.

Then you must have heard
the testimony

of the ballistics expert,
Mr. Redfield.

Well, I don't remember it.

I'll be happy
to refresh your memory.

He testified that it was
a b*llet from this g*n
that k*lled Stefan Riker.

Have you ever seen
this w*apon before?

Well, Mr. Bannister?

It looks like a g*n
that I own,

except that mine
isn't chipped.

I assure you, it is yours.

It was purchased from
the Acme Sporting Goods
company, three years ago.

It was charged to
the Bannister Farms account.

Now, how long has it been
since you saw this w*apon,
Mr. Bannister?

Oh, it must have been
eight or nine months ago.

And where was it
habitually kept?

Uh, in the tack room
in the stables.

Whereabouts
in the tack room?
In a desk.

Does your daughter know
where this w*apon is kept?

Well, yes.

I see.
Thank you very much, sir,
that's all.

You may cross-examine.

MASON: Oh, may I?
Of course.

Thank you.

Mr. Bannister,

how many employees
do you have at your ranch?

About 12.

Are they all permitted
to use the tack room?

No, no. Just the foreman.

What is
your foreman's name?

Gary Marshall.

Well, does Mr. Marshall
occasionally use the desk
in your tack room?

Yes. It was put there
expressly for his purpose.

Yet Mr. Marshall
never informed you
the g*n was missing?

No.

Did you present your wife
with any gifts

on the occasion of your
first wedding anniversary?

I gave her a check for $5,000,
a mink coat,

and a gold medallion.

Would you describe
the medallion for us?

Well, it was


about the size
of a half dollar,

and it had a figure
of a horse on it.

How did, uh, Mrs. Bannister
customarily wear
this medallion?

On a thin gold chain
around her neck.

Your Honor,
aren't we getting
pretty far afield?

If the court please,

Stefan Riker had
such a medallion in his hand
the night he was m*rder*d.

That's a lie!
You mustn't believe him!

[BANGING GAVEL]

We will have order.

Miss Bannister,
this is a court of law.

You will refrain
from such outbursts
in the future.

But he has no right...
If Your Honor please...

Mr. Mason
is determined to confuse
the issues in this case.

There's absolutely
no evidence whatever

that a gold medallion
was found
in the deceased's hand!

There's no such evidence,
Your Honor, because
it was removed by an intruder.

If Mr. Mason has
such intimate knowledge
of the scene on the crime,

we would be most happy for him
to take the stand and testify!

Gentlemen!

This is a court of law.

You will conduct yourselves
accordingly.

I beg your pardon,
Your Honor.

I also beg
the court's pardon,

but if the court will allow me
to continue, I believe
I can show such evidence.

You may continue.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Now, Mr. Bannister,
can you remember the last time

you saw your wife
wearing the medallion?

Yes, it was the night
of the horse show in Beverly.

Do you recall
the exact date?

March 27th.

Or two days before
the m*rder of Stefan Riker?

To the best
of your knowledge,

does your wife
still have possession
of that medallion?

I looked in her
jewelry box last night.

Was it there?
No.

Have you any idea
where it could have
disappeared to?

Your Honor, I object!

Counsel is asking this witness
for the rankest form
of hearsay.

I disagree with
my distinguished colleague.

It's not hearsay at all.
It's the best possible
evidence.

Mr. Bannister
is not venturing an opinion.

He's relating
a positive fact.

He knows the medallion
was in the dead man's hand

because he placed it
there himself.

What?

Do you realize
what you're saying?

Perfectly.

You placed that medallion
in Riker's hands

in an effort
to incriminate your wife,

just as you
deliberately dropped that g*n
near the driveway.

That's ridiculous!

You thought that your wife
and Stefan Riker
were having an affair

which began in Germany.

And it pleased
your distorted sense of irony

to k*ll your rival
and frame your wife
for his m*rder.

Only your daughter
intervened!

That's nonsense!
I didn't even know
where Riker lived!

You were never
at Riker's home at all?
Never.

But you were
in court yesterday,

when Lieutenant Tragg
introduced this ladder

and this plaster cast,
were you not?

Are you trying to say
that I climbed that ladder?

Not at all.

As the court will remember,

this ladder does not exactly
fit those impressions.

The State maintains
this was due to the fact

that the ladder had wobbled,
moved around a bit
enlarging those holes.

Now, if the court
will bear with me...

These are imprints

made less
than one half an hour ago,
by Mr. Bannister.

These two holes
were made by his canes.

If the court would like
to examine the exhibit?

The court would.

And so would the prosecution.

Now, you'll notice
a slight indentation...

Uh, Mr. Mason,

perhaps it would be better
if you stepped up here
behind the bench.

Thank you,
Your Honor.

Now, you'll notice
a slight indentation here.

Now, the same indentation
is present

in the State's exhibit
of the plaster cast
supposedly made by the ladder.

If Mr. Burger
will be kind enough

to show us the ferrules
on the bottom of the ladder?

Now Your Honor will notice
that there is nothing
on either of these ferrules

which would cause
such a mark.

Then what did cause it,
Mr. Mason?

Mr. Bannister, may I see
one of your canes, please?

No, the other one.

Now, Your Honor
will observe

that the ferrule
on the bottom of this cane
was apparently loose,

and so Mr. Bannister
put a tack in it
to keep it from coming off.

What are you talking about?

I submit that
on the night of the m*rder,

you stood outside
Stefan Riker's window

to see if he was alone
before you went in
and k*lled him.

That's a lie!

Hi.
Burger just called.

He wanted to know if you were
going to defend Bannister,

and when I said no,
he was very disappointed.

He also wanted to know
how you got on to Bannister.

What did you tell him?

I told him we never divulge
professional secrets.
Good girl.

But just
for my own information,
what was it?

Well, in the first place,
Bannister had
the best possible motive.

He thought Lisa
was betraying him.

And when Doris told me
about the medallion,

I just felt
that it had to be Bannister.

It was all in character.

Can you imagine anyone
tearing that necklace
off your neck

without your knowing it?

Then it must have been
a frame.

And poor little Doris,
by, uh, upsetting it,
put her neck in the noose.

That's the story.

No, not quite.

What kind of a hold
do you suppose
Riker had on Lisa?

I have no idea.

Well, they both came
from East Germany.

Do you think
there could have been
a connection there?

Now, suppose when Lisa
came into this country,

she got in by...
Della,

I have as much curiosity
as the next person.

But if Doris was willing
to go to the gas chamber
to protect Lisa's secret,

I think just this once,
we ought not to pry.

What do you think?

I think
you've got something there.

After all,
every woman's entitled
to at least one secret.

[CHUCKLES] What's yours?

You'll never know.