03x03 - The Case of the Garrulous Gambler

[bunniefuu]

( noirish jazz theme playing )

GRANGER:
Well, the pot's right.

WALLACE:
You call these cards, Granger?

GRANGER:
Can't win every hand.

Can't do it
with these cards.

Oh, stop crying, boys.

Thanks, honey.

Anybody else?

How about you,
Mr. Wallace?

No, thank you.

How many, Clay?

I'll take one.

He flushing, Doris?

Well, I've had enough
for one night.

Here's my stack.
I'm exactly even.

I'm glad you could join us,
Mr. Earnshaw.

I'll try you again
the next time I'm in town.

That's all right,
I'll get the door.

Good night,
everybody.

ALL:
Night.
Night.

You all right
if we go on with the game?

Wallace?

I'm out!

Now let's see
who's got all the power.

What do you say,
Benton?

LARRY:
I'll take two.

GRANGER:
Dealer takes three.

All right, Clay.
It's your bet.

I'll check.

That case,
I'll bet two blues.

Your two, two better.

I'll fold.

You drew
three cards?

That's right.

I ought to raise
you back. What--?

What you got?

GRANGER:
Read 'em and weep.

I discarded
the seven of diamonds.

Ah, you're crazy.

Wallace, you saw my hand.
Oh.

I-- I don't remember.

Well, I do.

You calling me
a cheat?

Take it easy, Granger.
He didn't mean to put--

Stay out
of this, Clay.

This is between
myself and Benton.

I figure you
owe me an apology.

WALLACE:
Now, come on fellas,
let's break this up.

Somebody could
get hurt.

What do you say, Mr. Benton?
I'm getting out of here.

( dramatic theme playing )

( g*nsh*t )

( g*n drops on floor )

Is he...?

I-I-- I didn't
mean it, Johnny.

Y-you saw it was
his own fault.

I know it.

Well, what
should we do, Johnny?

Let me think.

I know what we should do.

We should call the cops.

Oh, no,
Johnny, we can't.

Yeah. It'd be a rat race.

They'd be asking a lot of
embarrassing questions.

Well, then what, Johnny?
I'm in an awful spot.

There are other things
you don't know about.

Wait a minute.

Granger hasn't got any family.
Nobody will miss him,

and nobody will ask questions
if he just disappears.

Disappears? How?

There's a lot of beach
around this house.

Look, Larry...you get lost.

The less you know, the better.
Doris, get his coat.

( dramatic theme playing )

( suspenseful theme playing )

( knock on door )

I'm sorry to bother you,
Mr. Larry,

but you have a visitor.
Who?

He wouldn't give me his name,
just his card.

He said
you'd understand.

Hi, Larry.

What's the idea, Wallace?

Hey, this is a nice place
you got here.

Oh, I hope you don't
mind me helping myself.

See, I'm a sucker for flowers.

What do you want,
Wallace?

Well, I don't know exactly
how to put this kid, but, uh,

last night when
that trouble started

between you and Mike Granger--
You left in a hurry.

Yeah. Heh-heh. You see,
I'm the sort of a guy

that, well, likes to
stay clear of the cops.

How about you?

You can let that go
until later, Mickey.

Yes, sir.

All right, Wallace.
What is it?

Well, about five minutes
after you left last night,

Johnny Clay come out
carrying Mike Granger.

He looked awful dead
to me, kid.

You're out of your mind.

So why do you suppose
he buried him

in back of
his beach house?

Look, Wallace,
it was an accident.

Oh, sure it was. You didn't
know the g*n was loaded.

It wasn't even my g*n.
You know that yourself.

So you could've taken it away
from Granger and then shot him.

No. He was holding it
when it went off.

Ask Johnny and Doris.

Look, kid, let me tell you

something about
Johnny and Doris.

Do you think they'd
have covered for you

if they could afford the cops
snooping into their lives?

So do you think they're gonna
protect you from the police?

Y-you don't understand.

No.

No, I don't.

Well, maybe you'll have
better luck with a jury.

Personally,
I wouldn't give odds.

Wallace.

What do you want?

Money.

You know me, Larry.
I'm not a pig.

I'll take grand,
forget the whole thing.

Where would I get
that kind of money?

You kidding?

Well, this place
belongs to my brother.

So?

I'll have to think it over.

No, sure, Larry.
I'm not gonna rush you.

I'll be back tomorrow.

That doesn't give me
much time.

I got confidence in you, boy.

( slow, dramatic theme playing )

Lots of confidence.

( suspenseful theme playing )

Johnny.

I'm scared.

Come here.

Now, listen, honey.

There's
absolutely nothing to--

( phone ringing )

Hello?

That you, Johnny?
JOHNNY: Yeah?

Ben Wallace.
I just saw our boy.

We're in. The first
bite's grand.

He give you trouble?

No, not a bit.

I told him I'd be back
tomorrow for the dough.

Nice going, Wallace.

We play this pigeon right,
we'll make a fortune.

Right.

What did I tell you,
sweetie?

There's not a thing
to worry about.

( phone ringing )

Hello?

Yeah, Johnny?

( dramatic theme playing )

It is?

JOHNNY:
So all you have to do
is stay out of circulation,

and we'll milk this
for all it's worth.

You got enough
magazines and things

to keep you from getting bored?

Who's bored? I got dreams.

What? Don't worry.

Nobody will ever find me
where I'm holed up.

And Johnny,
just keep in touch.

I want a running account
of how the money's coming in.

Okay.

( slow, suspenseful
theme playing )

Would you please ask my brother
to step in here?

You wanted to see me?

Yes, I did.

Sit down.

Want you to
take a look at these.

They're all alike,
and all signed by me.

So naturally the bank
accepted them without question.

Well...?

Well, what?

You know that's
not my signature.

You've had enough practice
copying it.

That's right.
Throw it up to me.

All right,
so I made a mistake.

Mistake?!

You've made hundreds
of them.

Sure.

And my biggest mistake
was to be your brother.

But you can't really
hold that against me.

I'm sorry, kid.

Sure you are.

Look, I've always tried
to do my best for you.

Let's not start that.

Everybody knows
how much you did for me,

and how I'm the ungrateful
kid brother.

But then, look at
the paragon of virtue

I'm being compared with.

Well, I'm sick and tired
of competing.

I just want to know what
kind of a jam you're in.

Now, who's
Ben Wallace?

I know he's got some sort of
connection with Johnny Clay.

And you've been seeing
a lot of Mr. Clay lately.

Where did you
pick that up?

A detective named
Paul Drake.

So you've been
checking on me again.

Look, I just don't want you
to get into trouble.

Now, what's this Clay
got on you?

Why don't you
ask this Paul Drake?

He seems to know
all the answers.

Larry!

Larry!

STEVE:
After I spoke
to Mr. Drake,

he suggested I have
a talk with you.

I'd say a talk with Mr. Clay

would be
more profitable.

I tried it, but
I didn't get very far.

He said he wasn't
my brother's keeper.

What makes you think
your brother needs a lawyer?

I'm a hunch player,
Mr. Mason.

Many's a time
I've drilled a well

where there was no indication
of oil for miles.

Now you have a hunch
that your brother's

being blackmailed.

It can't be anything else.

How big are those poker games?

Two-dollar
limit.

Oh, your brother could lose
a few hundred dollars

in a game like that,
but hardly ,.

That's the way I figure.

Mr. Mason, he's in trouble,
and I've gotta help him.

Isn't it about time
he learned to help himself?

I just want him to have
the things that I missed out on.

All right, Mr. Benton.

I'll look into it.

Good.

Goodbye, Miss Street.
Goodbye.

Thanks.

( door closes )

Well, what
do you think?

I like him.
What else?

Oh, he's a good,
solid citizen.

Not overly imaginative,
but...

if he thinks his brother
is headed for trouble,

I'll bet he is.

( slow jazz playing
on speakers )

Gin.

Oh, no, honey.
Not again.

( doorbell buzzes )

Hi, Johnny,
Doris.

Well, what
happened to you?

What the devil
are you doing here?

I had to
talk to you.

What is it?
Granger getting restless?

Yeah, but he's
all right.

He's complaining about
not getting any dough yet.

And that fleabag he's in
makes him feel like

he's back in stir.

But he's behaving.

So, what are you
doing here?

Larry got that money
by forging checks.

So what?

I don't like it,
Johnny.

Maybe we ought to
cut out.

Are you kidding?

We got a career
in this thing.

( sighs )

Now, look...while
I'm running this operation,

we do it my way.

We're clean so far,
and we can keep it clean.

And profitable.
Until I blow the whistle.

Now you take care of your end
and I'll take care of mine.

Okay. If that's the way
you want it, Johnny.

That's the way
it's gonna be.

( suspenseful theme playing )

Mrs. Bradley?

My name's Paul Drake.

I told Mr. Phillips I'd have
the rent on Friday.

My baby's been sick, and
I haven't been able to work.

You don't understand,
Mrs. Bradley.

I'm not a bill collector.
I'm a detective.

I'd like to ask you
a few questions.

May I come in?

Thank you.

You'll have to excuse
the way the place looks.

That's, uh,
perfectly all right.

You said you were
a policeman?

No, I'm
a private detective.

But I thought--
Mrs. Bradley...

do you know this man?

( exhales )

Where did you get this?

Then you do know him?

He's my husband.

Where did you get it?

One of my operatives
took it this morning.

( slow, dramatic theme playing )

You mean Johnny's here?

In Los Angeles?

Yes, but...

he calls himself
Johnny Clay now.

His name's John Bradley.

He--

He left me two years ago.

I never
knew why. I--

I just came home one day, and--

And he was gone.

Where is he, Mr. Drake?

Please tell me.

Please.

Once I found out
his real name was Bradley,

it was strictly
routine.

How did you find out
his name was Bradley?

Checked the set of prints
I lifted off his car.

He'd done time.

Also, I spoke to
his wife.

She's in a bad way.

Did you tell Mrs. Bradley where
she could find her husband?

No, I didn't.

I thought you ought to
hear about it first.

Does he have
any close friends?

( scoffs )
Well, I don't know if

you'd call 'em friends,

but he used to play
poker every week,

and there were always
two regulars.

A Ben Wallace and a guy
by the name of, uh,

Mike Granger.

This Granger
served time for as*ault.

Anything on Wallace?
Nope.

Where can we
find this Granger?

We can't.

He had a room
at the Byrnes Hotel.

A week ago, on August th,

he told the clerk he was
gonna play a little cards.

He hasn't
been back since.

And hours later,
Larry Benton

forged his first check
for $,.

Hm, like the man says,
lots of bits and pieces,

but they just
don't add up.

Hm.

Have to keep after
this Granger, Paul.

You know, what this thing
needs is a catalyst.

Did Clay have
a girlfriend?

Yeah. Girl by the name
of Doris Shackley.

I got the impression
she's crazy about him.

I wonder what would happen
if she suddenly heard that

he was married and
had deserted his wife?

She may know it already.

Let's find out.

( slow, suspenseful theme
playing )

( doorbell buzzes )

( doorbell buzzes )

Pardon me.

Is Mr. Bradley
at home?

Well, you've got
the wrong house, mister.

There's no Bradley here.

Isn't this
Ocean Drive?

Yes.

Maybe you know him better
as Johnny Clay.

Who are you?

My name is Mason.
Perry Mason.

Oh. You're that lawyer,
aren't you?

Well, I don't know
if I'm "that" lawyer,

but I am an attorney.

What do you want with Johnny?

I'd like to talk
to him...

about several things.

Such as?

His wife, for one.

Heh. You don't know
what you're talking about.

Johnny isn't married.

Yes, he is.

His wife's name
is Nora Bradley.

He deserted her
and their child

two years ago.

That's a lie.

She's living,
if you can call it that,

at Sinclair Avenue.

No. You're lying.

You're lying.

I am sorry,
Miss Shackley.

I wish I were.

And you have no idea
where my brother went?

I asked him,
but you know Mr. Larry.

He just drove off.

So you've been
checking on me again.

All right, Mickey.

You can serve dinner whenever
you're ready.
Yes, sir.

Where have you been?

What's the matter? Did you
call your detectives off?

I just talked to
Perry Mason.

He might be able
to help us.

I don't need any help.

You sign my name to $,
worth of checks and you have--

I knew your money
was all you cared about.

Well, here.

( dramatic theme playing )

How did you
get this from Clay?

I just walked up
to him and said:

"Johnny, my brother
is unhappy with me.

Will you please
give me $,?"

Very funny.
You stole it.

You got your money.
What are you griping about?

You idiot. Do you want to
go to jail for robbery?

What are you gonna do?

I'm gonna get to the bottom
of this thing right now.

( dramatic theme playing )

Hold it.

Just stay
right where you are.

You know,
I wouldn't be surprised

if maybe the cops
will wanna talk to you.

Operator,
get me the police.

I told you all of it.
The truth. All I know.

Did you?

Did you tell me why
you first went to see Clay?

What made you suspect that
your brother k*lled him?

I didn't.

Then why'd you wipe
the m*rder w*apon clean?

Don't you realize
you destroyed

any chance the police
might have

of finding the real k*ller?

Or would that
be you, Steve?

No. I was only there
for a minute.

He was dead
when I walked in.

Then the question is,

was he dead when
your brother walked in?

My brother
wasn't there.

Look, Mason...

if you involve
Larry in this,

I'll get
another attorney,

so help me.

That's your privilege.

But at no time while
I'm representing you

will I work
in a straitjacket.

Mason.

Go ahead.
Do what you think best.

Well, counselor.

Been in to see
your client?

That's right,
lieutenant.

I hope you advised him
to change his story.

What story?

That he'd only been in Clay's
living room for a minute

when Wallace
walked in.

Well, what's wrong
with that?

Well, if he never left
the living room,

how come I found
his fingerprints

all over the bathroom?

Gives you something
to think about, doesn't it?

( suspenseful theme playing )

( doorbell rings )

We'd like to see
Larry Benton.

You're Mr. Mason,
aren't you?

That's right.

Come in, please.

He asked me to say
he wasn't home.

Oh? But where is he?

In the study.

Who the devil are you?

My name is Mason.
This is Miss Street.

She called you
this afternoon

and asked you
to drop by my office.

I was busy.

I can
see that.

Hey, what's the idea?

The idea is
I want to talk to you,

and I don't want
any muddy answers.

Now, I suggest
you sit down.

Della?

Do you realize
your brother

is faced with a first-degree
m*rder charge?

Why don't you ask me
how much sleep I've gotten

since they
arrested him?

I'd rather know why Steve
went to Clay's beach house.

What reason did
Steve give?
I'm asking you.

He went there to have it out
with him about the money.

The , the police
found in that briefcase?

I'd brought it here
to give him.

How'd you
get it?

Just walked in and took it.

Oh, it wasn't that simple.

Didn't Clay try to
stop you?

He wasn't
home.

That's the truth.

How'd you get in?

Where'd you get this?

There's no point in involving
an innocent party.

Now, listen, young fellow,
you're in no position

to decide who's innocent.

Now, where'd you get it?

I got a phone call from
Doris Shackley last night.

She told me
Clay masterminded the plot

to shake me down.

Why was Clay blackmailing you?

They made me think
I'd k*lled a man.

Mike Granger?

How did you know?

He hasn't returned to
his hotel since that night.

Sure.

He's holing up somewhere.
It was all a frame.

Granger wasn't hurt at all.

Clay and Ben Wallace
cooked up the whole thing.

That still doesn't explain
how you got this.

Doris told me
if I wanted to see Clay,

I'd find the key
under the mat.

He wasn't there.
I swear.

I only stayed
a couple of minutes.

I left around :.

It must've taken you
more than a couple of minutes

to find that money.

No. She said
it was

in a briefcase
in the closet.

Doris was certainly
obliging, wasn't she?

You told Paul
you wanted a catalyst.

Well, you really
got one.

Let's go.

Mr. Mason.

Steve didn't
k*ll him.

He'll appreciate
the vote of confidence.

( slow, suspenseful
theme playing )

Paul, you have to
find Mike Granger.

I've tried.
Well, try again.

He must be
around somewhere.

He was part of
this badger game,

Clay double-crossed
him, and--

( intercom buzzes )

Yes, Della?

DELLA ( on intercom ):
Mrs. Bradley's here.

Oh, send her in.
I'll get the door.

Come in, Ms. Bradley.

Mrs. Bradley,
this is Perry Mason.

How do you do?
Won't you sit down?

I must tell you
how much I appreciate

your coming down
at a time like this.

Well, Mr. Drake
was very kind to me.

I, uh, hope the baby's
feeling better.

Would you like
some coffee?

No, thank you.

Tell me, uh...

when was the last time
you saw Mr. Clay?

( scoffs )
His name is Bradley.

John Nelson Bradley.

Yes, I'm sorry.

It was about two years ago

when he left me and the baby.

And you never
saw him after that?

H-how could I?
I didn't know where he was.

But Mr. Drake told you
he was living in Los Angeles

under the name of
Johnny Clay.

He didn't tell me where.

But you could've looked
him up in the phone book.

He had an unlisted
number.

Then you did try
to find him?

Well, of course I did.

Is there anything
wrong with that?

I've been searching
for my husband for two years.

I wanted him back.

You're very tolerant.

I loved Johnny.

No matter what he did,
I wanted him back.

Then you must've been

very grateful to
Doris Shackley.

Who?

Doris Shackley.

Didn't she tell you where
you could locate your husband?

I don't know what you're
trying to do, Mr. Mason.

I only came here because
Mr. Drake asked me to.

I hope you understand
my position, Mrs. Bradley.

My client is charged
with first-degree m*rder.

Mrs. Bradley...

I wish you'd accept this
in the spirit

in which it's offered.

I know you must have
had some expenses.

I don't want
your money.

( slow, dramatic theme playing )

( door opens )

I knew she wouldn't take it.
( door closes )

Why?

Mm. She just didn't
impress me as that kind.

Did she impress you as the kind
who would file a claim

for her husband's insurance
less than hours

after he was m*rder*d?

She do that?

Yes, she did.

( doorbell buzzes )

( sedate theme playing )

Good morning.

What do you want?

Well, inasmuch as you refused
an invitation to drop by--

I've got nothing
to say to you.

But I might have something
to say to the district attorney.

Mr. Burger takes
a very dim view

of a witness disappearing
hours before a hearing.

May we come in?

I understand you
followed through

on Nora Bradley.

Well, didn't you
look into

Johnny's marital status
with Nora?

I couldn't be bothered.

I thought you were
in love with Johnny.

I've been in love
a hundred times.

Someday I might even
write a book about it.

I'll send you a copy.

All right.

Anything else
you wanna know?

Where can I find
Mike Granger?

Try the Byrnes
Hotel.

That the best you can do?

Sorry.

Do you think Mr. Wallace
might be more helpful?

I wouldn't know.

Come on out,
join the party.

Next time
you go calling,

park more than
a block away.

Anyone can read
a registration slip.

Thanks.
I'll remember it.

You got anything more
to say to these two, Doris?

Then why don't you both
clear out?

I'd still like to

find out how to
locate Mr. Granger.

Well, why don't you
ask Larry Benton.

( grunts )
DORIS:
Ben!

Allow me.

Weren't you ever taught
not to point these things?

Let's go, Paul.

Oh, uh...

try ice packs.

It'll reduce the swelling
in no time.

Well, don't just
stand there. Get some ice.

( knock on door )

Sorry to disturb you,
Perry, but...

uh, you have
company.

I hope you forgive
this intrusion.

I'm always glad to
see you, lieutenant.

Well, let's say
sometimes you're...

gladder than others.

I hate to interrupt
your homework,

but, uh, Mr. Burger wonders
if you're familiar

with that section
of the penal code

which covers
intimidating a witness,

for the state.

What did Mr. Wallace say?

That you and Paul Drake
manhandled him.

Well, I'm sure I don't
have to tell you

that Wallace is lying.

Unfortunately, he has
a witness to

substantiate the charge.

Doris Shackley?
Moreover,

you removed
from his person

and against his will
a valuable w*apon.

A . caliber
Smith & Wesson revolver

that he is duly
licensed to carry.

Mr. Burger knew that
you were discouraged

about Benton's
chances...

but he didn't think
you were this desperate.

Well...

see you
in court.

( slow, suspenseful
theme playing )

( door closes )

( dramatic theme playing )

DR. VICTOR:
On examination
we found that the deceased

had been struck
four times on the head

with a blunt
instrument.

And any one of the blows
might've proved fatal.

The examination disclosed
death was instantaneous.

Now, Dr. Victor...

would you say that this was
such a blunt instrument?

In my opinion, yes.

And is this poker
the one

that was found at
the scene of the crime,

and subsequently
examined by you?

Yes, sir, it is.

If it please the court,

I should like this poker
marked for identification.

Mr. Mason?

No objections.

Now, Dr. Victor...

were you able to establish
the time of death?

I would say the victim died
between and : p.m.

on the evening
of September th.

Thank you, sir.
That'll be all.

Your witness.

No questions.

TRAGG:
In accordance with
our usual procedure,

we subjected this
to a precipitin test.

And on this end,
we found traces of blood.

I see.

Now, lieutenant, can you
identify this object for us?

Oh, yes, sir.
That has my mark.

Where and how did
you find it?

Well, I removed it
from the defendant's coat

when I searched him
at the scene of the crime.

And would you tell us please
what these spots are?

They're bloodstains.

The same blood type
as the deceased.

Thank you, lieutenant.
Think that'll be all.

Cross-examine.

Lieutenant, you testified
you saw the body

at the scene of the crime.

Yes, sir.

Would you say there was
a great amount of bleeding?

Well, there always is
in cases of this kind.

Was the defendant
splattered with blood?

Well, his handkerchief
was.

What about
Mr. Benton himself?

Well, there were
a few bloodstains

on, uh, the cuffs
of his pants.

Anywhere else?

His hands, for example?

No. No, sir.

Well, in
your experience,

wouldn't you say
that was unusual?

Yes. Yes, sir.

Thank you, lieutenant.
That's all.

You may stand down,
lieutenant.

Just a minute,
lieutenant.

I have one or two questions
on redirect.

Let's see if we can't
clear up a point

that Mr. Mason seems to
consider a contradiction.

You testified
that the defendant

said he was only
in the living room.

Is that correct?

That's
right.

Did you find his fingerprints
in the living room?

Yes, sir.

Were his fingerprints found
anywhere else in the house?

In the bathroom.

Whereabouts in
the bathroom?

Near the washbowl.

I think that
may help Mr. Mason.

Thank you, lieutenant.

Hm.

Have you any questions
on re-cross?

Yes, Your Honor.

Lieutenant, isn't it true
that there's no possible way

for an expert to tell when
a set of fingerprints were left?

Yes, sir.

Did you ask Mr. Benton

if he'd ever paid a visit
to the deceased before?

He didn't claim he had.

But you did not
ask him

that specific
question?

( clears throat )
No, sir.

Thank you.

BURGER:
I call Lawrence Benton
to the stand, please.

I don't know.

I may have seen it.
I'm not sure.

It has
the name "John Clay"

stamped in
the middle of it.

Doesn't that
help at all?

No, sir.

The sum of $, was found
in that briefcase, Mr. Benton.

Isn't it true that the deceased

originally
got that money from you?

MASON:
Objection.

The district attorney
is leading the witness.

If Your Honor please,

it seems to me the court has
seen enough of this witness

to be convinced
of his hostility.

You may ask
your leading question.

Thank you,
Your Honor.

Your Honor...

I further object on the ground
that the question

calls for a conclusion
of the witness.

So far there's been
nothing in the testimony

to show that
this particular money

can be identified
in any way.

The witness can
testify

as to whether he was
being blackmailed,

but he cannot testify as to
this particular money

unless he has a list of
the numbers on the bills,

or can otherwise
identify it.

I think the point
is well-taken.

Your Honor--
Objection is sustained.

Mr. Benton...

why was Johnny Clay
blackmailing you?

Because I wouldn't
listen to my brother.

He was always
trying to protect me,

and like a fool,
I hated him for it.

And in order to protect you
from Clay, he had to k*ll him.

That's a lie.

Johnny was dead
when Steve walked in.

Were you there, Mr. Benton?

Your witness.

( slow, suspenseful theme
playing )

No questions.

( slow, suspenseful theme
playing )

Then, a couple of days
before Johnny was m*rder*d,

the defendant
dropped by to see him.

He showed Johnny
some canceled checks.

Did you have a chance
to see those checks?

Yes. There were
four of them.

For $, each.
Made out to cash.

Are these the checks?

Yes.

( inhales )

He claimed Johnny
wound up with the money.

Johnny told him
he was crazy.

What did the defendant do then?

He hit Johnny...

and then he told him

if he didn't lay off
his kid brother,

he'd be back and
take care of him.

Are you certain
those were his exact words?

Quote, "I'll take
care of you," unquote?

Yes, sir.

Thank you,
Miss Shackley.

That'll be all.
Your witness.

Miss Shackley,
you testified that

two days before
Mr. Clay's m*rder,

you witnessed
an altercation

between him
and the defendant.

That's right.

And the defendant struck
the deceased at that time?

He certainly did.

Johnny had a nosebleed that
looked like it would never stop.

There was blood
all over the place.

I suppose it also splattered
on the defendant.

Yes.

Uh, where did Mr. Benton
wash up before he left?

Did he wash in the bathroom
at that time?

I don't remember.

You're under oath,
Miss Shackley.

I said I don't
remember.

Would you remember a call
you made to Nora Bradley

on the night
of the m*rder?

I didn't call her.

Then you believed me
when I told you

the deceased
was married?

It didn't make
any difference to me.

Then why did you call
Larry Benton

and tell him that Mr. Clay
was behind a blackmail scheme

to shake him down?

Wasn't that an act of
a jealous woman?

I was only kidding.

How was I to know Larry
would take me seriously?

I'd say you had

an oddly developed sense
of humor, Miss Shackley.

That'll be all.

You may stand down.

And when I walked into
the beach house,

he was wiping his fingerprints
off the poker.

Now, Mr. Wallace,
when you say "he,"

to whom are
you referring?

Him. Steve Benton.

BURGER:
Did you recognize him
at once?

Yes. I played,
uh, cards

every week with
his brother, Larry.

He showed me
a picture of

the two of 'em
together once.

I see. Now, when
you recognized Mr. Benton,

what did you say
and what did you do?

I told him to stay where he was
and I called the police.

I think that's all,
Mr. Wallace. Thank you.

Your witness.

Mr. Wallace...

you would have us believe

that you had cornered
a dangerous k*ller,

and that he obeyed your command
to stay where he was

while you summoned
the police?

Oh, uh, I forgot to
mention I had a g*n.

Now, I'd like to
pursue the matter

of those weekly
card games, Mr. Wallace.

BURGER:
I object to that,
Your Honor.

That question is improper
cross-examination.

Nothing was asked this witness
about any weekly card games.

If the court please...

the district attorney
asked Mr. Wallace

how he recognized
the defendant.

The witness responded that
he had seen a picture of him

at one of
the weekly card games.

I think Mr. Burger
opened the door.

You may proceed.

MASON:
Thank you,
Your Honor.

Now, Mr. Wallace...

who were the regulars
at those games?

Oh, me, Johnny Clay
and Larry Benton.

What about
Mike Granger?

Oh, he played
once in a while.

I believe
the last card game

in which Mr. Granger
participated was on August th.

It's possible.
I don't remember.

Perhaps I can
refresh your memory.

There was an argument
that night

between Mr. Granger
and Larry Benton.

Mr. Benton accused
Granger of cheating.

Do you remember that?
Yes.

Well, what happened?

I don't know.
I left right after that.

Yet you showed up the next
morning at the Benton residence

and demanded $,
of the defendant's brother.

That's a lie.

You did not appear at
the Benton residence

the next morning?
No!

Will Mickey Fong
please stand?

Do you want to change
your testimony now, Mr. Wallace?

( sighs )

All right, I was there.

And for the purpose
of blackmail.

I wouldn't call it blackmail.

What else would you call it?

Isn't it true that
you blackmailed Larry Benton

when, in fact,
he had done nothing at all?

( aggressively ):
Why don't you ask him?

I'm asking you.

Wasn't this just
a clumsy blackmail scheme

based on a trumped-up
k*lling?

That's what
you say.

That's what
Doris Shackley said.

She was just trying to
get Johnny in trouble.

Granger's dead. You can't
call that trumped-up.

And Larry Benton
k*lled him?

Yes, I saw Johnny
bury the body.

Well, if you saw
Granger being buried,

then you should have

no difficulty in showing us
where he was buried.

Well, it was
pretty dark that night.

I can't be sure just where.

The...general area

will be sufficient.

If it please the court...

Your Honor, in view of
this witness' testimony...

I'd like at this time
to ask for a recess.

I certainly think
it is in order.

Court stands adjourned
until : tomorrow morning.

( slow, suspenseful
theme playing )

Any more ideas,
Mr. Wallace?

It was around here
somewhere.

I told you,
it was dark that night.

But light enough for you
to see Johnny Clay bury a body.

Yes!

Why don't we take
a look over there?

BRICE:
Lieutenant!

Told you
I wasn't lying.

No, you weren't.

Nice family
you represent.

( crowd murmuring )

( tapping )

Your Honor.

Mr. Burger.

May we approach the bench?
You may.

If the court please, at
this time, we should like

to introduce evidence
of the m*rder of Mike Granger.

If Your Honor
please,

I think the introduction
of such evidence is improper.

Your Honor,
the state contends

that this prior m*rder
of Mike Granger

provides the basic motive

for the m*rder of
the deceased in this case.

While the introduction
of evidence of another crime

is ordinarily improper...

nevertheless, when it is
an inseparable part

of the motivation
of the crime being tried,

the law is that the evidence
can be admitted...

but purely for the purpose
of proving motivation.

That's our sole
purpose, Your Honor.

Very well. You may proceed.

I recall
Lieutenant Arthur Tragg.

And apparently, nothing
was removed from the body.

We found his wallet
in this coat.

And what caused
this hole?

The fatal b*llet.
Thank you, lieutenant.

Re-cross, Mr. Mason?

Mr. Burger.

Lieutenant, how can you be sure
that the body you discovered

was that of
Mike Granger?

Well, for one thing,
he was positively identified

by Doris Shackley
and, uh, Ben Wallace,

who knew him.

And for another?

That jacket was identified
by the cleaners

as belonging to
Mr. Granger.

It...bears his mark.

No, you can't
see it that way.

Um, they use an ink

that's only visible
under ultraviolet light.

Oh. Would you mind

demonstrating that
for the court?

No, not at all.

TRAGG:
The name Wilson Cleaners
is self-explanatory.

MASON:
And the number , I assume,
refers to the customer?

Who happened to be
Mr. Granger.

Uh, what do these
other numbers mean?

Those are the dates on which
the coat was cleaned.

Oh, one thing puzzles me,
lieutenant.

Yes, sir?

According to
the dry cleaners,

the last time
this coat was serviced

was on the th day
of the eighth month.

That's correct.
August th.

Yet we all heard
Mr. Wallace testify

that Granger was m*rder*d
on the night of August th,

three days
earlier.

How would you
explain that?

I can't.

I'd like to hear, uh...

Mr. Wallace try.

I would be very much
interested myself.

Will Mr. Wallace come forward?

Look...Your Honor,

he's got this
all wrong--

You will
be quiet, sir!

You have made a serious
accusation, counselor.

Are you saying that this man
is guilty of willful perjury?

Yes, I am,
Your Honor.

I further contend he's
guilty of the murders

of Mike Granger
and Johnny Clay.

He doesn't know
what he's talking about.

BURGER:
Your Honor.

I know this is
most unusual...

but the district
attorney's office

is much more concerned
with justice

than it is
with convictions.

I therefore
have no objection

to hearing
Mr. Mason out.

JUDGE:
Very well.

Thank you, Mr. Burger.

The motive for both the m*rder
of Granger and Clay

was the same.

Twenty thousand dollars
in blackmail money.

Funny, I didn't wind up
with a nickel.

That's why
you m*rder*d Clay.

You came to him
that evening

and demanded your share
of the blackmail money.

But Clay couldn't
produce the briefcase

because Larry Benton
had removed it.

I tell you,
you got this all wrong.

No, you thought Clay
was double-crossing you.

And after all
you'd done.

You even
disposed of Granger

so the money would only
have to be split two ways.

Your Honor,
he's making this up.

He can't prove
a word of it.

I think I can.

Lieutenant Tragg...

has an autopsy been performed
on Mr. Granger's body?

Well, it hasn't
been completed,

but I can show you
the cause of death.

This is a, uh,
.-caliber b*llet.

Do you recall
my turning over to you

a .-caliber g*n?

The g*n that, uh,
Wallace claimed

that you forcibly
took away from him?

MASON:
That's right.

How long will it take you
to run a comparison test?

Oh, well, with luck, I could
make the test in minutes,

provided that I get a--
A positive match.

MASON:
Your Honor, I would like
to request a -minute recess.

I'm satisfied that
Lieutenant Tragg

can get a positive match
in that time,

since this fatal b*llet
seems to be in good condition.

Well, sir, have you anything
to say for yourself?

The district attorney will
take Mr. Wallace into custody...

and hold for due process,
pending a court hearing.

This court stands adjourned
until : this afternoon.

( dramatic theme playing )

( dramatic theme playing )

You know, there is one thing
I don't understand.

Go on, Paul.

What made you think
of Wallace in the first place?

When I became convinced
that Granger was dead.

And what convinced you of that?

Well, I don't believe there's
honor among thieves.

When that
$, showed up,

none of it having
been distributed,

I wondered what had happened
to Mr. Granger.

Yeah. Now that
you mention it,

doesn't seem exactly logical
he'd take off without his cut.

Not in a thousand years.

You notice how much Mr. Wallace
was on the scene.

The big problem was
to bedevil Wallace

into leading us
to Granger's body.

You gotta admit
you were pretty lucky.

Suppose Granger
didn't believe in

keeping his dry cleaner
so busy.

Oh, I think the results
would've been the same.

I'm sure the autopsy
will show that...

Mr. Granger died
after August th.

( clock tower chiming )

Any further questions?

Nope.

Well, I have one.

Oh?

Just once,
do you suppose

we could get out of here
before midnight?

( chiming continuing )

Let's go, Cinderella.
We'd better hurry.

( sighs )

( chiming continuing )

( noirish jazz theme playing )