01x22 - The Case of the Fugitive Nurse

[bunniefuu]

[music]

MAN: Stay right where you are!

Hey, what is this? Oh, no, you don't!

What is this?

Police. What's your name?

Dave Kirby.

This the man, Mrs. Morris?

Yes, that's the man.

Now, lady, you got the wrong slant on this.

Me and your husband are buddies.

Look, I wouldn't take a nickel from Doc Morris!

All right, Kirby, turn around. Hands against the wall.

Now wait a minute! You haven't... Turn around.

You live in this building?

No, that key belongs to Doc Morris.

All right!

All right, I'm in no mood for a striptease.

Can I help you a little?

I knew he was stealing from my husband.

That's a lie.

Why don't you keep your mouth shut?

How much money is there?

Depends on who's looking at it, Mrs. Morris.

For a police sergeant, it comes close to about years pay.

All right, fellow, let's go.

You heard him. Come on.

Sign here.

And if you'd please sign over here, too.

Mrs. Morris signing a crime report against Kirby, Lieutenant?

With enthusiasm.

There was over $, in that guy's shorts.

Forget it. Kirby's smelling like a rose.

What are you talking about?

RALSTON: Dr. Morris is outside.

He says he did send Kirby to the Coronet Apartments

to get the money for him.

BREWER: You hear that?

Yes.

Wanna talk to the doc?

I most certainly do.

Dr. Morris, could you come in here, please?

Hello, Janet.

Hello, Charles.

I'm Lieutenant Brewer. What's this I hear about Kirby?

It was a regrettable mistake, Lieutenant.

I explained matters to this officer.

Well, I wish you'd explain matters to me.

That apartment was rented in the name of M. Morris.

That's my name.

BREWER: Only part of it. Your first name is Charles.

And how come you forgot to mention that you're an M.D.?

I prefer not to advertise.

Funny, your wife didn't know that was your apartment.

Mind telling me what you use it for?

CHARLES: There are times, Lieutenant,

when a doctor likes to get away from it all.

The doctors I know never seem to make it.

Apparently I'm more fortunate.

All right, Doctor. I intend releasing Kirby,

and I'll see that you get your money back.

I'd appreciate it.

But I also intend to inform the Treasury Department

about your keeping all that cash in a wall safe

in an unoccupied apartment.

They may be curious, too.

This makes me look rather foolish.

On the contrary, Janet, I'm the one that looks foolish.

How did you find out about the apartment?

Well... There was no need to hire detectives!

If you'd wanted a divorce... I don't want a divorce.

Oh, you just had me watched to keep me out of trouble!

You've got to believe I had no idea

this man Kirby is a friend of yours.

You're a liar.

JANET: All I've accomplished so far, Mr. Mason,

is to make matters worse.

How long has Dr. Morris had that apartment?

About six months.

What's he using it for?

I don't wanna know.

Don't let me mislead you, Mr. Mason.

I'm not the long-suffering wife.

If Charles looked around for someone else,

it's no more than I deserve.

Have you any idea who this someone else might be?

His nurse, Gladys Strome.

Do you want a divorce?

Not at all.

But thanks to my efforts,

Charles is now having trouble with the income tax people.

They would like to know where that $, came from.

If they take legal action, I want you to defend him.

I'm sure Dr. Morris will wish to retain his own lawyer.

That money is community property. Half of it's mine.

Where can I find him?

You can get him at his office, but you'll have to do it before Friday.

He goes to Salt Lake City for a medical convention.

All right. I'll do what I can.

That's all I ask.

Thank you, Mr. Mason. Goodbye, Miss Street.

Goodbye.

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES] What do you think, Della?

I can't make up my mind.

I don't know whether she's genuinely interested

in protecting her husband

or the money.

See if you can arrange an appointment with Dr. Morris.

Good morning, Doctor.

It is now, Gladys.

What? A good morning.

[EXCLAIMS]

How can a woman fall in love with a face like that?

[CHUCKLES]

Busy night?

Yes.

All dressed up in blue uniforms and brass buttons.

You've made the papers.

Also, there was a call from the Treasury Department about an hour ago.

I told them you weren't in yet.

Good old Lieutenant Brewer. A man of his word.

What happened to Kirby?

I put him on the bus for Loganville at : this morning.

What are we going to do?

Ever look closely at a set of pathogenic bacteria?

Yes, why?

They're minute organisms,

flipping madly about, but really going nowhere.

Still, the course of nature says

that nothing can be really aimless.

So they must take a direction and destroy or be destroyed.

Charles?

Long distance.

I want to speak person-to-person with David Kirby

at Kirby's Drive-in Restaurant, Loganville, California.

Why, sure, Doc.

Look, I've spent the night in jail before.

You don't have to apologize. That's what friends are for.

Well, I could catch the next bus and be back in L.A. again by :.

'Course the old lady won't mind. I just get in her hair.

Sure, Doc.

Yeah, I'll see you later. Bye.

So!

I can't turn my back for a minute, can I?

Now, honeybunch... Oh, don't "honeybunch" me.

I knew I should've changed the combination on that thing.

Give it to me, David.

I need bus fare.

I gotta go back to Los Angeles.

Doc Morris wants me to do something for him.

You're not going! Not on my money!

Angela, I promised.

What about all the promises you made me?

Dave, you've got to stay away from Doctor Morris.

I'm telling you, he's no good. Any married man who...

No, don't say that, honeybunch.

If it wasn't for the doc, I wouldn't be alive today.

Enough steel in me to build a jail.

Yeah, and that's where you spent last night, thanks to him.

Oh, honey...

Will you fix the screens? The flies are nibbling me to death!

You take my advice, you send that by air express.

All right, Dave. Anything you say.

Oh, I'm sorry, this office is closed.

Is Dr. Morris in?

No, he isn't.

I'm Mrs. Morris.

Well, I guess I better run along.

You're Gladys Strome, aren't you?

You needn't worry, I'm not gonna make a scene.

I wasn't worried at all, Mrs. Morris.

May I? Please.

Thank you.

You know, you're nothing like I pictured you.

What did you expect?

Somebody very blonde with clutching hands.

I'm sorry to disappoint you.

I'm sorry, too.

If you were that type, you'd be fairly easy to deal with.

Miss Strome, can I ask you a favor?

That all depends.

I want you to leave my husband.

I must say, I admire your nerve.

I've been working for Dr. Morris for almost a year now,

and, to my knowledge, this is the first time you've been here.

And this is where he spends most of his life.

May I say a word in my own defense?

I was very young when... You still are.

You'd be surprised how much older I've gotten this last year.

I realize the mistakes I've made.

I want a chance to make up for them.

It's too late.

You had your chance.

I'm entitled to mine.

You asked me for a favor,

now I'm going to ask you for one.

Give him a divorce.

Charles doesn't want you.

Can't you understand that? Can't you understand...

The minister said "til death do us part."

I believe he meant that literally.

Is there anything else Mrs. Morris?

No

I think I've said it all.

Hello Doctor

Hello Mr. Reese.

Hello Charles

Coming all the way out here to see me off is a little

out of character for you isn't it Janet?

Well I thought I'd bring you some hot coffee for your trip.

Just like old times.

You didn't come all the way out here to bring me coffee.

Did Miss Stromb tell you I was in the office last night?

She told me.

Well ever since I talked to her I've been thinking things over.

I realize I've been very selfish.

I've retained a lawyer, Perry Mason.

Has he been in touch with you?

He phoned. I was too busy to see him.

Where can he get ahold of you in Salt Lake City?

At the Thompson Hotel, why?

I've asked him to start divorce proceedings.

Once again please?

Isn't that what you want?

What do you got up your sleeve?

Nothing. I just realized I've been wrong.

If I can't make you happy maybe somebody else can.

And you've already asked Mason to start proceedings?

Yes.

Alright lets talk to him. There's a phone in the operations shack.

Alright Charles, I haven't talked to Mr. Mason about a divorce.

I only reached a decision last night.

What earthly purpose could I have in lying?

I don't know but I'll find out in the long run.

And I'm sure it will cost me dearly.

Goodbye Janet and thanks for the wifely gesture.

I'm looking for the airport manager.

I'm the airport manager. Philip Connors Reese.

You wanted to see me, I'm lieutenant Trag.

Yes lieutenant. I hope I haven't put you out.

This was an airplane at one time.

Belonged to Doctor Charles Morris.

The aeronautic authorities are investigating the case.

Oh?

But there are some facts about this accident that disturb me.

Such as?

Well, Doctor Morris was talking to a radio checkpoint seconds before the crash.

I talked to the radio operator

and he told me the Doctor's exact words were

I'm very tired, I can hardly keep my eyes open.

Then he started to mumble.

Then everything was completely uninteligible.

Naturally the authorities picked up the personal effects.

But I thought you might like to examine this.

Well, I thought if Dr. Morris was drugged

There could have been something in there.

Mrs. Morris put that in the aircraft ten minutes before take off.

Where was Doctor Morris at this time.

On his way up to the operation shack.

Thank you Mr. Reese. We'll be in touch.

I know your husbands death must have been a terrible shock to you.

Shock to everyone who knew him lieutenant.

He was a great man.

He have any enemies?

Of course not!

Why do you ask?

Do you know about the effects of Morphine Sulphate?

It's a narcotic. Why?

Your husbands body was almost completely destroyed

But the coroner managed to do an autopsy.

And he found Morphine Sulphate in the stomach.

You brought your husband a container of coffee.

You think I put...

I think that if you know a good lawyer you'd better call him.

The District Attorney wants to see you.

Information, I'd like the telephone number of Mr. Perry Mason

It's Madison ----

Did the District Attorney keep you long?

About an hour.

What did he ask you?

mostly about how my husband and I got along.

If Charles had ever asked me for a divorce.

What was your answer?

That he didn't.

Now listen to me Mrs. Morris

The District Attorney's office can get the facts in five minutes

Now I want to know. Did your husband ask you for a divorce?

I agreed to give him one.

When?

The airport. Just before he took off for Salt Lake City.

Did anyone overhear that conversation?

I'm sorry Mason, time is up.

I gave you a special concession seeing Mrs. Morris

before she was processed into jail.

I know it looks as though the world has just exploded in your face.

but with time we'll get to the bottom of all this.

That bit about time was sheer poetry.

I'm glad you liked it.

I don't suppose that I'm jeopardizing

the prosecutors case by telling you

that the Doctor left Mrs. Morris a sizeable estate.

It was half hers anyway.

Oh, but he didn't have to leave her his insurance.

He carried $, worth.

And it was all payable to Mrs. Morris?

Well, guys have been m*rder*d for less.

Get my message last night?

I did.

Been here since then?

Just about

What did you find out about the nurse?

Gladis Strom. Age . Graduated from Saint Mark.

Been with the Doctor since March of last year.

Ever been married?

No. She's the sole supporter of her mother and a younger brother.

Did you talk with Miss Strom?

Couldn't, she's away on vacation.

Away on vacation? Where?

Momma didn't know.

Oh, did you hear about Doctor Morris' will?

Yes, Trag told me he left everything to his wife.

Not quite.

He left a $, bequest to Miss Strom.

That guy was really loaded.

What happened to the $, the Dr. had Kirby pick up for him?

Was it found on the plane?

No.

It isn't likely that $, in cash would burn without a trace.

Perry what are you getting at?

This Kirby, what sort of a man is he?

He's harmless. Likes to take a nip now and then.

Where does he live?

Loganville. Kirby's drive in.

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

Paul, look up Kirby. You check further on Gladis Strom.

Alright.

Hey young man, you dropped these screws.

Thank you ma'am but I've got lots more.

I'm paying you on a time and material basis

and what I paid for I'd like to recieve.

Mrs. Kirby?

Yeah?

My name is Mason, I'm an attorney.

Well I don't need any

Good because I already have a client. Mrs. Janet Morris.

Oh, it's not the making of money that concerns one

It's keeping others from take it away.

Come on in

Thank you.

Did you just recently buy this place?

Yes.

It must have called for quite an investment.

I had to put down $ in cash. That's a lot of chili and beans.

Would you care for something?

Our hamburgers are quite good. They're only cents and that includes fries.

No thank you, I'm on a diet.

Ms. Kirby, I'm looking for your husband.

Oh he's not here.

Where can I find him?

You might try skid row in Los Angeles.

He's on one of his lost weekends.

This must be a beaut. There was $ sales tax money in here.

When did you last see Mr. Kirby?

A week ago, Monday.

He had a long distance call from Doctor Morris and took off.

That would have been the th.

Yeah.

I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know when you hear from him.

Why?

Mr. Kirby had seen a great deal of Doctor Morris just before the fatal crash.

I'd like to talk with him about those meetings.

Are you implying that my husband had something to do with that?

I didn't say that.

You didn't have to. You guys are as slick as ochre

when it comes to pointing the finger of suspicion at somebody else.

Oh Frederick, are you putting three whole pickles on every hamburger plate?

Yes Mrs. Kirby.

Why?

Well, to garnish the coleslaw.

Wouldn't three half slices do just as well?

It's the waste that kills ya Frederick.

Yes Mrs. Kirby.

And speaking of waste Mr. Mason, that's all you and I are doing with one another's time.

Good bye.

Come right in Mrs. Kirby.

I think you'll find this chair comfortable.

This is our District Attorney, Mr. Burger.

How are you Ms. Kirby?

Sit down won't you?

I don't understand this. That officer downstairs with missing persons.

Now there's nothing for you to worry about.

My husbands missing and you tell me there's nothing to worry about.

What I meant was we want to help you.

You see, the last him he came to Los Angeles he got himself in a little trouble.

It seems he picked up $,.

He did that as a favor for Doctor Morris.

I'm not disputing that.

I'm just wondering if you have any idea what happened to that money?

What are you getting at?

Well just for the sake of argument

let's say Doctor Morris turned the money over to your husband.

Doctor Morris is dead.

And your husband feels no obligation to return the money.

In fact, people might think it gave Mr. Kirby a motive.

You trying to say my Dave could have k*lled Dr. Morris for that money?

We're attempting to rule out everything.

Awww, don't pull the wool over my eyes.

My Dave has his faults but he wouldn't hurt a fly.

And he loved Doctor Morris like a brother.

He did. They flew in the w*r together.

Let me ask you something.

No, let me ask you something. In the newspapers you have a perfect case against Mrs. Morris

Now all of a sudden you're hinting that Dave could be the m*rder*r.

I never said....

What made you change your mind? You afraid of her lawyer Mr. Mason?

Or did you think I'd sit still while you smear my husband?

If you've got no objections, I'm getting out of here.

I didn't know Kirby was a flyer.

Oh yes, he was a pilot in the w*r.

How long would it take you to drive up to Chadley?

You mean where the plane crashed? Two and a half to three hours.

Take two men with you. Comb in entire area.

Hey Paul!

It's a good luck medallion.

You know, a zodiac sign.

See that's Leo. I'm a Scorpio myself.

David Kirby. Clark Ave., Loganville California.

Well, I guess that clinches it.

Yeah

What made Mason think of this bit anyway?

Well, he just figured that if Dr. Morris were dead

seems awful strange that his nurse didn't run home from her vacation

after all, she was supposed to be crazy about the guy.

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

Burger had the same idea you fellas had.

Only he was a little late.

Oh, well that depends on how you look at it.

You sure saved us a lot of work.

Well, I guess this belonged to the late Mr. Kirby. Is that the way you pegged it?

Aren't you a little embarrased lieutenant?

Embarrased? Why?

You fellas were so sure Doctor Morris was k*lled in that plane.

Well, that doesn't make any real difference.

m*rder is still m*rder.

Just because Mr. Mason's client picked the wrong man doesn't alter that one bit.

Let's go boys.

Oh, I'll see you get your handkerchief back.

Thanks.

I guess it wasn't very smart of me to lose my temper with Mr. Burger.

But he had absolutely no right to make those insinuations about my Dave.

Mrs. Kirby, did you ever see this before?

huh?

Where'd you get this?

You'd better sit down.

Where'd you get it?

Found about yards from where Doctor Morris' plane crashed.

Your husband was flying that plane.

No!

No!

The state will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Janet Morris

did m*rder David Kirby in an attempt to k*ll her own husband.

We shall prove further that Mrs. Morris actually believed

her husband was flying that plane to Salt Lake City.

and that she was aware that she was residuary legitee.

Of his will and sole beneficiary of his insurance.

Mr. Reese, you were manager of the airfield where Dr. Morris kept his plane, correct?

Yes sir. I also handle operations and the coffee shop. It's a very small field.

I see. What time did Dr. Morris' plane take off?

I issued permission for his takeoff at : pm.

The plane left the ground at : / pm.

Would you have an idea about how many people were there at that time?

Yes there were several people. Eleven to be exact.

That is in addition to our regular staff.

And among that number did you see the defendant?

I did

When did you first notice her?

When she parked her car.

It was a blue Buick convertable with white and blue upholstery.

License number JRZ

She parked right next to a Pontiac station wagon. License number XYL

I see. When did you see Mrs. Morris next?

About minutes before takeoff.

She was talking to Doctor Morris on the field.

They talked for a while. When the Dr. went in to file his flight plan

Mrs. Morris placed a bottle in the doctor's plane.

Do you recognize this?

Yes sir, that's the vaccum bottle that the authorities found in the aircraft.

Thank you.

Your witness Mr. Mason.

Mr. Reese, don't you think it's unusual for a person to be able to recall

someone else's license number so readily?

Well, I have a photographic memory.

A photographic memory.

Would you be so kind as to demonstrate this gift for us.

Why certainly

Now you've just been interrogated by the district attorney

and without looking at him, please answer these questions.

What is the color of his suit?

Charcoal Gray

Color of his necktie?

Gold and black stripe.

The second button on his left sleeve is loose.

That's very good Mr. Reese.

But since you're so observant, will you please explain why you failed to notice the

substitution of David Kirby for Doctor Morris in the plane?

Well I wasn't there.

Hank, that's my assistant, called me in the office

He was having trouble with form .

Then you actually didn't see the takeoff?

No sir.

Well perhaps you noticed the defendant slipping some Morphine Sulphate into that bottle.

Well, no sir.

So as far as you know, there was no Morphine Sulphate in the bottle at all.

No sir.

As a matter of fact you can't even say the bottle contained coffee?

No.

No further questions.

I call Lieutenant Arther Trag to the stand please.

If your honor please it is nearly :.

I wonder if the court would care to take an adjournment

so that the entire testimony of the witness can be heard

at one time.

Why that's very considerate of the counselor but my direct

examination will take less then half and hour.

I'm afraid my cross-examination may be quite lengthy.

Court's adjourned until : Monday morning.

Well I guess it's another hours.

What good would that do?

Mrs. Morris we need all the time we can get.

Now just hold on.

Perry.

You're right, I couldn't get a lead on the Doc or Mrs. Strome.

They've got to be somewhere Paul.

Dr. Morris had at least thousand dollars in cash

and a wife who wouldn't give him a divorce.

He wanted to disappear.

He has Kirby fly that plane to Salt Lake City.

Now what guarantee did Morris have that Kirby wouldn't

give the show away?

Well, there's always a chance especially when

Kirby was drinking.

If Kirby's dead, that chance is eliminated.

You mean you couldn't get a thing from

Gladys Strome's family?

Nothing.

Where are they getting their money from?

You told me that Gladys was their soul support.

Come on Della.

When do you expect your daughter back Mrs. Strome?

Think she'd tell me? That girl has no consideration.

Don't gulp your food Arthur.

He has a very delicate constitution.

Yes one can tell.

But your daughter has been gone for over a month.

Aren't you worried?

Of course I'm worried. But that's what a mother

has to put up with.

If you knew the sleepless nights I spent on account of that girl.

You think she appreciates it?

Not a bit.

And you haven't heard from Gladys

since she went on vacation?

Not so much as a post card.

Too bad.

It would be worth a dollars to me just to get

in touch with her.

Arthur. Have some more meat.

Any more potatoes?

Sure.

You mean what you said about it being worth bucks

to locate Gladys?

She's in Mexico. A town called Boca de Oro.

She's using the name Hennessey.

How do you know?

She sent mom some dough yesterday.

Come on, della.

DELLA: Say goodbye to your mother for us.

I was rather expecting you or someone representing you,

Mr. Mason.

Why?

We get the Los Angeles papers.

Thank you.

It's a strange feeling for a corpse,

watching his wife being tried for his m*rder.

But you're no longer the corpse.

That's not Janet's fault.

Do the police know where I am?

Not yet.

A few things I wanted to straighten out first.

Such as?

Who k*lled Kirby?

Is there any question about that?

In my mind yes.

Janet thought I was on that plane.

The fact still remains you're very much alive.

Now, how did it happen that Kirby took your place?

I had some money...$, to be exact,

on which I'd already paid the taxes.

I thought if Kirby flew my plane to Salt Lake

and left a trail in the opposite direction...

Your wife wouldn't know where you were.

Exactly.

But you're still married to Janet.

I got a divorce three weeks ago in Boca de Oro.

It isn't legal in California.

I intend to reside permanently in Mexico.

Does that answer all your questions?

Not quite.

Will you come back to testify for Mrs. Morris?

I will not.

You're willing to see your wife go to the gas chamber?

Janet isn't my wife anymore. Gladys is.

Will you come back?

Why should I?

For the first time in my life, I'm happy.

What kind of happiness can you build on

someone else's misfortune?

Please, spare us the bromides.

Janet tried to k*ll Charles.

Then why are you afraid to see her?

All right!

Gladys and I will take the first plane

out of Boca de Oro tomorrow.

I'll be looking for you. Good night.

Good night.

[ Door opens, closes ]

What did you say that for? We can't go back!

I said we'd take the first plane out of Boca de Oro.

I didn't say in which direction.

Della, let me have that last affidavit would you please?

Morning.

Good morning.

Newspapers don't seem to think I have a chance.

When you were first arrested I told you that

time was our greatest ally.

If things go against us I'll ask for a continuous.

On what grounds can you get a continuous?

When the court learns that Dr. Morris and Miss Strome

are in Mexico, they'll want to learn why the

two have disappeared.

They're in Mexico?

I'll tell you about it later.

And if they come back like you promised?

I don't think we ought to count on it.

Were you able to find out who purchased this bottle?

Yes, sir -- the defendant.

She bought it at the Maxson drugstore.

What was the date of purchase?

FEBRUARY th.

That's hours before the m*rder.

Thank you, lieutenant.

Now, lieutenant, it has been stated that the body

of the victim was that of David Kirby.

That's correct.

But the police originally listed the dead man as

Dr. Charles Morris.

Well, the body was b*rned beyond recognition,

and there was no reason to assume it was anyone else.

Since part of the coat had torn off, it was not destroyed

in the expl*si*n.

It had been identified as belonging to Dr. Morris.

What made you finally decide that the victimwas David Kirby?

A little medallion that Mr. Kirby wore.

Having established that fact, don't you feel that under the

circumstances you should have talked to Dr. Morris?

Well yes.

Why didn't you make an effort to locate him?

We did.

Perhaps you'll be interested in knowing Morris and his nurse,

Gladys Strome, are presently residing in Boca de Oro, Mexico.

If I could find them, why couldn't the police,

with all the facilities at their command?

Your point is well taken, Mr. Mason.

And the answer is, we have.

[ Spectators murmuring ]

I have no further questions.

I call Dr. Charles Morris.

Your honor, the district attorney knows full well Morris

is the husband of the defendant, and, as such, cannot be

called upon to testify against her.

Dr. Morris is no longer the husband of the defendant.

He now resides in Boca de Oro, Mexico.

ON MARCH th, He obtained a divorce that

is legal where he now resides.

But it is not legal in the state of California!

He doesn't live in california!

It makes no difference!

Gentleman, gentleman.

Your honor, may I say one thing more?

Mr. Mason went to mexico to try to get Dr. Morris to come

back with him to testify for the defendant.

If the doctor had agreed, Mr. Mason would have maintained

that he was qualified to be a witness.

Now when he sees that Dr. Morris will testify

for the prosecution, he changes his mind

and says he cannot testify.

If it please the court, I do not make the laws.

I'm merely trying to use their provisions to protect my client.

This is a very fine point, and I know that legal

authorities are in disagreement.

However, despite Dr. Morris' intent to reside permanently

in Mexico, as far as this court is concerned,

he's still married to the defendant.

Very well. I call Gladys Strome.

Judge: Gladys strome to the stand.

Bailiff: Raise your right hand.

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

is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

I do.

Be seated.

Miss Strome...

I prefer to be called Mrs. Morris.

Of course.

When did you marry Dr. Morris?

On the th of March of this year.

How long had you known the doctor before that?

Almost a year.

I was his nurse. We worked side by side.

Do you think Dr. Morris was happy in his

marriage to the defendant?

Obviously not.

He asked her for a divorce a number of times.

And what was her answer?

Objection!

This is hearsay.

The witness would have no way of knowing the response.

Yes, I would!

I was on the extension phone whenever he talked to her.

Didn't she personally tell you how she felt on the subject?

She came to the office the day before Charles and I

left for Mexico.

Do you recall what she said?

I do.

She told me that she would never give the doctor up...

that only death would set him free.

I didn't mean it like that!

Burger: Thank you, Mrs. Morris.

You may cross-examine.

Now, Miss Strome...

the name is Mrs. Morris.

It's still Miss Strome in California.

When was the first time you went out with Dr. Morris?

About a month after I went to work for him.

You knew he was married?

Yes.

Yet you still went out with him?

I did.

Where did you spend most of those evenings?

Various places.

Are you familiar with the apartment the

doctor rented under an assumed name?

It wasn't an assumed name.

He just omitted his first name

and medical degree, isn't that right?

Weren't you surprised when you read that Kirby's body had

been originally identified as that of Dr. Morris?

Of course.

Part of that identification was due to the fact that Kirby was

wearing a suit belonging to Dr. Morris.

Charles often gave him clothes.

When did the doctor give him that particular suit?

I don't remember exactly.

Was Kirby wearing that suit on February th when he

came to Los Angeles and answered the doctor's telephone call?

I told you, I don't remember.

Very well.

We'll let that pass for the moment.

Now, Miss Strome, Kirby thought a great deal of Dr. Morris.

The doctor once saved his life.

Was Dr. Morris treating him during his various

visits to Los Angeles?

Whenever Mr. Kirby needed treatment.

Mr. Kirby wouldn't be feeling too well...

after he'd been drinking.

How was Dr. Morris treating him?

Charles gave him a sedative to calm his nerves.

Did Dr. Morris ever prescribe morphine sulfate for him?

I don't recall.

Dr. Morris had hundreds of patients.

I can't remember what he prescribed in every single case.

I have no other questions at the moment.

However, I may wish to recall this witness for further

cross-examination.

You may step down, Miss Strome.

Mrs. Kirby, did you ever see this before?

Yes. I bought it for David.

For the record... It's a medallion bearing the

zodiac sign of leo,

inscribed, "David Kirby, Clark Avenue, "

I should like this marked for exhibit.

Mrs. Kirby, I know this is a painful subject for you,

but when did you first realize that your husband was

the victim instead of Dr. Morris?

When lieutenant Tragg showed me the medallion.

Up until that time, you believed your husband was alive?

Yes.

Did you know he was going to fly Morris' plane to Salt Lake City?

No.

Wouldn't you say that if your husband's decision was a

carefully guarded secret, even from you,

it would be virtually impossible for the defendant to know

about the change in plans?

[ Bell dings ]

Information, I'd like the telephone number

of Vandorf and Cole, jewelers.

Yes, they're in Los Angeles.

Mrs. Kirby...how long were you and your husband married?

Years.

Were you happy together?

Very.

Did you understand his problem about drinking?

Yes.

He tried, but he couldn't help himself.

Sometimes he disappeared for days.

When he came home from these sessions,

did he take something to calm his nerves?

Yes. He took morphine sulfate.

Who prescribed this medication for him?

Dr. Morris.

You're, uh, sure of that?

I'm positive.

I took the prescription to the druggist myself one time.

Thank you, Mrs. Kirby.

Mrs. Kirby... did your husband carry any insurance?

I mean life insurance?

Yeah, he might have had a small policy.

How small?

$,.

What about m*llitary insurance?

He served in World w*r II, did he not?

Yeah, he had that, too.

That was for $,?

I'm not sure of the amount.

In other words, you haven't filed any claims

with the insurance companies for your husband's death?

I didn't say that!

You have filed claims?

Yes!

Oh.

Mrs. Kirby, I'm curious...

curious as to why you bought this for your husband.

Did I have to have a special reason to buy

a present for my husband?

No, but I think you had a special reason

for buying this one...

so that your husband's body could be readily identified.

What are you saying?

You knew your husband was flying Dr. Morris' plane.

He must have told you.

That's not true!

You drove out to the airport to see him off.

You gave him this medallion... a medallion made of platinum

so that it wouldn't be destroyed by fire.

You also gave him a bottle of whiskey.

The morphine sulfate was in that bottle.

That isn't so!

But your plans went down the drain when this medallion

was overlooked and the body was mistakenly identified.

It created quite a problem for you, didn't it?

No! no!

I stand corrected. It created no problem at all.

You just went to the missing persons bureau

and started the hunt for your husband.

That's when this medallion was found!

Only then could you claim his insurance.

That's a lie! You can't prove this!

When did you give your husband his present?

I don't remember.

Perhaps I can help you.

Now, look closely on the back of this medallion.

You'll see engraved the name of the jewelers, Vandorf and Cole.

According to their records, this medallion was purchased

And engraved February th, delivered to you

February th, The day of the crash.

Yet you testified you hadn't seen your husband

since the th.

I didn't!

What kind of a car do you drive, Mrs. Kirby?

Pontiac station wagon.

All right, we'll get the manager of the airport

back to the stand.

In case you haven't heard, he has a photographic memory.

He's already testified Morris' car was parked next

to a pontiac station wagon, license numbers XYL.

And according to the department of motor vehicles,

that car belongs to you.

We'll ask Mr. Reese to look at both the car and you.

If your honor please, I should like to call

Mr. Philip Reese back.

Is Mr. Reese in the court, please?

Don't bother!

I built that drive-in up from nothin'

with my own two hands. I work like a sl*ve!

Dave couldn't be bothered. Every time I asked him to do

something, he'd find an excuse.

Why should he be entitled to a half interest?

He was no good to me alive.

I figured he might be worth somethin' dead.

Della?

Della!

That's funny. She doesn't answer.

Well, she's not here.

You want me to go find her?

Think you'd have better luck than you did

with the fugitive nurse?

Touché.

I still don't figure what made you suspect Mrs. Kirby.

What would you say was her outstanding characteristic?

Well, the way she pinches pennies.

She is the tightest dame I've ever seen!

Exactly.

When I heard she'd given her husband a present,

and an expensive one at that...

you felt that she must have an ulterior motive,

and she wanted to make certain Kirby's body

was discovered so she could collect the insurance.

Oh...

how did you know Reese had seen her that day?

I didn't.

But from my experience with Mr. Reese,

I was convinced he was a man who saw everything.

[ Door opens ]

What's all this?

In case you haven't noticed, I've been losing weight.

In fact I drop about three pounds...

After every one of your cases.

From working too hard?

No, from coming back here and going without dinner.

So this time I brought my own.

Cold cuts, anyone?

Mmm! Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh, bread, please.

Pardon my fingers.

May I? Thank you.

Well, looks good.

Mm-hmm. pardon me.