07x07 - The Case of the Bigamous Spouse

[bunniefuu]

(theme song playing)

(whistling)

I'm coming, I'm coming.

Keep your hat on.

Honey, where do you keep
your butter?

(whistling stops)

There, you see, didn't hurt.

Whoops.

(chuckles)
Sorry, wrong room.

Gwynn, don't be silly.

We're having a fight,
that's all.

Oh, well, when you make up,

remind me
to turn on the sprinklers.

- Morning, Gwynn.
- Morning.

Felton was just telling me
he has to go away

on another one
of his trips tomorrow.

-I was planning...
- Darling, you knew

I had to make these trips
before we were even married.

Now, can't we just...?

I'm not arguing.

I'm just...

Be calm, everybody.

I play a great game of gin.

That's why you asked Gwynn

to live here while I'm gone,
isn't it?

To keep you company.

Felton, I said I wasn't arguing,
and yes, of course,

we'll get along fine
while you're gone, but...

Could I please have
some more coffee?

(laughing):
Sorry, honey.

Why? Old married people
are supposed to disagree.

Six months isn't very old.

It's just that when your...

BOTH: ...husband's gone
almost half the time...

(laughter)

Anybody want to hear about
the world's finest encyclopedia?

More than , illustrations
in full color.

No.

Well, I really ought to be out

ringing doorbells by now,
anyway.

Fight on.

WOMAN:
Gwynn?

I just hope that someday

you find as wonderful a man
as I have.

.

Mom.

She may be expecting me.

I had her name
on my prospect list.

Oh, for heaven's sakes.

- What's the matter?
- Who's that?

I mean, it looks exactly
like somebody I know.

GIRL:
That just looks like nothing.

Here, this is
the picture of him I like.

It's my daddy, of course.

WOMAN: Is there something
I can do for you?

Hmm?

It's a book lady,
and she says...

Mrs. Gillette, uh,

m-my name,
my name is Gwynn Elston

of the Children's Encyclopedia,
and I, uh...

Excuse me.

Do you know my daddy?

Do you?

- Mommy, she said...
- No, I, uh,

I don't think so.

I was just starting
to admire the picture.

That's enough, darling.

You run along now.

Poor child,
she's always like this,

waiting for her father
to come home.

Can't eat, can't sleep.

My husband Frank there
is a traveling man, you see.

Never home
more than half the time,

but tomorrow, thank goodness,
he'll be here,

and, well, never mind.

Just what is it you want,
Miss Elston?

Uh...

Um.

Children's Encyclopedia.

It's absolutely the best bargain
for children.

More than , illustrations
in full color,

and you must have sent
in our coupons,

because we had your name
on our prospect list.

FELTON:
Gwynn, Nell.

What are you doing in my desk?

Nothing. The wastebasket
was just, uh...

Yes, you were;
you were going through my desk.

Oh, Felton, I was not.

I just made out a list of
prospects here the other night,

and I wanted to check
the original, that's all.

You haven't seen it, have you?

Kid, I wouldn't even know
what you mean by a prospect...

What's the matter?

Didn't I put enough tonic
in this?

No, I was just waiting
for you and Nell, that's all.

We're on our third already.

You drink ordinary Manhattans

like the rest
of the poor people.

Felton, I told you I don't need
anything special,

-not to go to any bother for me.
- Sure, sure.

I know, just a visiting
wallpaper, that's you.

Felton.

What are you shaking about?

Bad day at the office, kid?

No.

Bitten by a dog maybe?

What do you do all day, kid?

- Felton, please.
- Hmm?

Besides nosing into
other people's houses, I mean.

I-It's just that I didn't want
Nell coming in and seeing...

Just that you didn't want Nell
to see you making a pass at me.

I know.

All right, Felton,

I'm sorry I slapped your face
the other night.

But it seems to me that
any man who doesn't respect

the institution of marriage
any more than you do...

What are you talking about, hmm?

It's just that Nell's
so sensitive, that's all.

I mean, maybe you've been
married to other women before

-who aren't so nice.
- Maybe what?

I've never been married before.

What gave you that idea?

Nothing, nothing,
it's just that, uh...

It's just that you love
to butt in.

Well, here.

Now you've got something
to talk about.

You filthy...

Only you're not going to,
are you?

Pure little protector of Nell.

Now, just drink your drink.

You're not going to tell
about anything ever.

Do you hear me?

(sobbing)

♪♪

Poison?

You think he poisoned
your drink?

MASON: Why on earth
would he do that, Miss Elston?

Because I know about him,
don't you understand?

Because he knows I know.

He's a bigamist,

and if I tell people,
he could go to prison.

Now, slow down.

Felton Grimes may be
a thoroughly unpleasant person,

but as yet
you have no real proof.

Unpleasant?

He's awful.

Ever since I came
into that house, he's baited me,

he's teased me,
he's made passes.

He's been trying
to get me out of there,

don't you see, any way he can.

Yes, of course,

but for you to call him
a bigamist,

to file a complaint,
to actually accuse him

of trying to do you harm...

All right, maybe I am being
hysterical about that part.

When I think of trying
to tell...

I understand, Miss Elston.

What really bothers you is
whether to tell your friend Nell

what's been happening.

And how can I tell her?

How can I ever tell her?

Well, I don't think
you should say a word just yet.

We'll let Paul Drake dig
into this first.

Find out if Felton Grimes
and Frank Gillette

are one and the same.

Then, if you do need protection,
Paul will have someone...

But what about the encyclopedia?

The what?

Well, yesterday,
over at Mrs. Gillette's

I was so flustered that all
I could think of to do was...

sell her one.

But surely just selling her
an encyclopedia

can't further involve you?

Yes, but I have to go back
to the house.

She kept the order forms.

She said she couldn't sign them

without talking it over
with her husband first.

I don't think he gives her
as much money

as he gives Nell, incidentally.

Anyway, if I do go back there,
he'll be there,

and then he will try
and k*ll me.

No, no, Mrs. Gillette's husband
has seen the forms,

seen your name.

If he is Felton Grimes,
then the last thing

in the world he'd do
is to let you see him there.

You mean I should just go?

All alone?

Act innocent?

For the time being, Gwynn,

it's the only way
you can stay out of danger.

There you are, Miss Elston.

Thank you. Now, you'll receive
the books in about two weeks.

I know, I know.

You just said that.

Oh, I do wish Frank hadn't
had to go out tonight.

I'm sure you'd have enjoyed
meeting each other.

Yes, I'm sure, but...

Why don't you have another cup
of coffee with me?

Oh, no.

That is, I really do have
some other calls

to make tonight, and, uh...

- (footfalls approaching)
- Wait a minute.

Oh, it's you, darling.

Don't say it; I'll go to bed.

Hi.

Well, I really
must be going now.

Do you know the trouble
with you, Miss Elston?

You work too hard.

You're much too nervous.

What you need is a good husband.

Good night, Mrs. Gillette.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

(doorbell ringing)

MAN:
Nobody home, lady.

Mr. Baxter's gone
to Bakersfield, I'm afraid.

Please, I want to use
a telephone.

Oh, well, I-l just finished
locking up in there, but ...

Yeah, here,
you're shaking like a leaf.

What's the matter?
Car trouble?

Well, yes, in a way.

There's a man out there
I'm afraid of.

- He's following me.
- On this property?

Well, we'll just see about that.

No, no, no, wait,
he might be dangerous.

Me, too, lady; I've been
caretaker here for years.

I've been running them off
in batches.

Well, his car is parked up there
near the street.

He was over by my car,
and then he came after me.

He's right over the...

Well, I don't see nothing.

But, then,
what's his car doing here?

I know it's his car.

The registration says Felt...

I mean, Frank Gillette.

Gillette?

Gillette-- that's some neighbor
around here, I think.

You know, folks
are always using this place

for a spare parking lot,

and that's not
to mention the kids.

I keep telling Mr. Baxter,
we ought to have chain-link...

But I saw him--
he was right there.

Ma'am, you sure
that you saw somebody?

Yes.

The trees and the shadows
play tricks, you know,

and, besides,
if it's some neighbor's car

that you're worried about,
that don't make good sense,

and this Gillette--
he's a, a good, friendly fella.

He-He's a family man,
if you know what I mean.

Well, I guess I'm sorry
I bothered you.

My car is right up there.

Well, I'll walk you across and
I'll call in a prowler's report

from downtown if you like.

Oh, no, no, don't bother,
just watch me a minute.

And, look, I, I-l didn't mean
that I was afraid of...

well, anyone specific.

You misunderstood me.

I- mean, uh...

Thank you.

(engine starts)

(gasps)

Hey, take it easy,
don't get scared.

I just lost some keys
along here someplace.

You see, I was parked here
earlier this afternoon and I...

Well, excuse me, lady,
if I gave you a jolt.

No, I thought you were...

It's all right.

(tires screeching)

Yes, of course you were afraid
it was Frank Gillette, but...

Well, then
I suddenly remembered,

you said you'd have
Paul Drake take care of things,

I mean, have somebody protect me
if necessary,

and that man had been acting
like some sort of detective.

Now, wait a minute, Gwynn, wait.

Della, see if Paul
is in his office.

I need him right away.

DELLA (over speaker):
Right, Perry.

Gwynn.

Well, then, anyway, this morning
everything seemed so different.

I mean, maybe
I have been letting

my imagination run away with me.

Check what?

Oh, handwriting.

Well, I have got his signature
on that order form.

I kept it for you to look at

along with the prospect list,
remember?

Yes, that paper
you said you left

on Felton Grimes' desk
the other night.

-(knocking)
-I would like to see...

-(door opens)
- Hang on again.

I was down at the lab, Perry.

Della says you have
the girl on the phone now.

- Here, look.
- Paul, did you have a man

watching Gwynn Elston
last night?

No, why?

Gwynn, you'd better come down
to my office right away.

Can you do that without telling
anyone where you're going?

Well, yes, I-l suppose so,

but none of this seems
so urgent now.

Yes, of course I trust you,
Mr. Mason.

Yes.

Whatever you say.

Hey, you're all dressed.

I thought
we were going shopping later.

I have an errand that ...

Nell, did you see
a list that...?

Oh, no, I must have dropped it.

Take it easy, honey,
one sentence at a time.

Let's start with shopping
and go from there.

No, never mind,
I know where to find it.

No way of telling the amount,
I suppose.

No, not just from that piece
of tissue she gave you,

but, Perry,
Joe is the best chemist in town

and he's prepared to swear that,

in that gin and tonic
she didn't drink last night...

"I find definite traces
of strychnine.”

I

Oh.

Yes, yes, that's Frank.

That's my husband.

- All right, Mrs. Gillette.
- Oh, Frank.

- All right, Mrs. Gillette.
- Frank, darling.

- Thank you, thank you, thank
you. She can talk later. -Frank.

Better help her back
to her house, Sergeant.

Now, what time did you find
the body, Mr. Baxter?

Oh, about minutes ago,
maybe half an hour.

I called the police right away.

You see, I've been
up in Bakersfield

the last couple days
on business.

My caretaker was going
to spend the night in town,

so there hasn't been anyone
in the house since yesterday.

Anybody else here
when you found the body?

No, oh, except my taxi driver
over there, of course.

I had car trouble,
had to take a plane in.

Only, what's the point
of all this?

I drive in the driveway,
see a strange car there,

and a body lying on the ground?

I just have
to know these things.

It did happen on your property,
Mr. Baxter.

Well, maybe that man Gillette
was a neighbor of mine,

but I swear, I never laid eyes
on him before in my life.

Besides, your own doctor said
he died last night, didn't he?

- Oh, uh, Evans.
- Yes, sir.

Uh, what about the g*n?

There's no fingerprints,
Lieutenant,

but it has
the same serial number

that's on that permit in the
compartment of Gillette's car.

You mean he was shot
with his own g*n?

All right, get a couple men

and start combing
every inch of this ground.

Yes, sir.

Well, look who's here.

Morning, Lieutenant.

Looking for somebody?

No, no, I was just driving by,
saw the police cars,

and thought I'd stop
and check the action.

Mm-hmm.

Do you know this man?

No.

Name Gillette means nothing
to you, I suppose.

Who?

Oh, is that the man
you say was k*lled, Sergeant?

What's going on here anyhow?

Here, take a look at this.

Compact?

Yes, Paul, it's a compact
with initials on it.

We found it lying
under the body over there.

So, now, just tell us:
who is G.E.?

General Electric?

But I don't know
how it got there.

I don't even remember having
that compact in my purse.

Maybe when I dropped
the paper...

Oh, I found your list
and your form

before I even saw the
police cars parked by the house,

but, Perry, if you ever send me
on an errand like that again

without telling me
there's been a m*rder...

Oh, don't blame him.

I was so scared
when I saw the body,

I stopped looking,
that's all.

I drove back here
as fast as I could,

-but then he said we'd better
go back and get... -Yeah,

so I remove evidence
from the scene of a crime.

Now, take it easy, Paul.

When you picked those papers up,

you didn't know
there had been a crime.

There was no intent
to remove evidence,

no connection you knew of.

Now that we've seen them,
of course,

you should turn them over.

Why is this stuff so important?

I don't need any handwriting
to tell me

that the dead guy
was a bigamist.

Why not?

Let's hear
what you have on Grimes.

Well, for one thing, his
real name was Frank Gillette.

He was born right here in L.A.

Ordinary working stiff
with one wife and a kid

till about a year ago

when he moved
into that better neighborhood,

but nobody seems to know
what his new job was.

He was just traveling a lot,

and shortly after that
he married your friend Nell

under the name of Grimes.

Yeah, about six months ago, but
I told you he had lots of money.

He was always giving her
furs or jewelry.

Don't ask me how he struck it
rich-- I don't know that yet--

but he sure didn't inherit
his dough.

What do you mean?

Well, I checked the names
on the birth certificate.

His mother died a charity case.

Apparently
his father deserted them,

but the father had rather an
unusual name-- Gorman Gillette.

One of my men remembered an item
in a Bakersfield paper...

Bakersfield?

(door opens)

They're here, Perry.

Paul, you must
have been followed.

The police?

Gwynn, just tell them
what happened this morning.

Nothing yet about bigamy.

(door opens)

Don't answer any questions,
young lady.

Don't say a word
without your lawyer.

Oh, hello, Andy.

Lieutenant Anderson,
Miss Elston.

Oh, how do you do?

It's such a relief to know
who to tell everything to.

I had the most horrible
experience this morning,

but Mr. Mason says
that you'll understand,

you always do.

You see, I sell encyclopedias,

and on one of my calls
yesterday,

my purse broke
and I lost some things--

oh, a compact, a...

If you don't mind, Miss Elston,

we have a car
and more privacy outside.

Perry, what's the big idea?

Time, Paul, time.

She's in much more trouble
than she knows.

Now, what about the man
who might be the father?

Huh?
Oh, uh, Gorman Gillette.

Well, he was
sort of an old hermit.

Lived all alone in a one-room
shack up in the hills.

Place called Pinehaven--
it's near Bakersfield.

Was, lived?

Perry, the notice
about Gorman Gillette

in the paper two days ago
was a death notice.

Well, that can't be coincidence.

Both father and son dead
within...

Small town, man with no friends.

Probably not buried yet.

I wonder if he really was
my long lost Uncle Henry.

If what?

Della, we're going to Pinehaven.

There's certainly no law that I
know of against claiming a body.

Perry, are you out of your mind?

The old man died
a natural death.

At least give me
a chance to prove he was

-the m*rder*d man's father.
-(door opens)

All right, Drake,
you didn't think we were going

to leave without you, did you?

Just you wait, buddy,
your time will come.

Uh, pneumonia it was.

At least that's what
the doc figured.

Uh, Callahan stopped by
to say hello

and found Gorman Gillette, uh,
just dead there in his shack.

There was no, um, autopsy or...?

Oh, gosh, no, Mr. Mason.

Uh, Doc knows his business,

and of course
with no relatives we knew of,

no, no friends,
no enemies either, I guess...

But didn't Mr. Gillette ever
speak about any of his family?

Not that I know of.

Oh, neighbors say
there was some younger fella--

used to visit the old hermit
once in a while from town.

Drove a red and white car.

Called the boy Frank.

Does that mean anything?

It might confirm a good deal.

Then, you think
old Gillette, uh,

might be
your long lost uncle, then?

Why don't you have a look
and see, Mr. Mason?

You'll find he's resting
very peacefully in there.

Of course, the trouble is,

I haven't seen my uncle
for so many years.

Oh, but sometimes
there's a family resemblance.

I rather pride myself
on continuity of expression,

y-you might say.

No, I'm afraid
I'd need more help than that.

Maybe if I might meet
your friend the doctor

or talk to some of the people
around here.

Have you show me that shack

where Mr. Gillette was living,
for instance.

Well, I, I sort of did plan

to do a little fishing
this afternoon.

Besides, what if we spend
all that time

and then find out
he's not your uncle?

What about the burial expenses,
Mr. Bolton?

I suppose the county
will handle all that.

Well, if nobody else does.

Trouble is, they haven't upped
the budget in years.

When business is
as slow as mine is--

uh, thankfully slow,
you understand...

MASON:
Mm-hmm, of course.

I want you to understand
that I'd like

to contribute to those expenses,

even if we're disappointed
in what we find.

Now, would $ help?

Help?

Mr. Mason,
can I show you some caskets?

No, not yet.

I'll just go in
and pay my respects first.

Sure, sure,
while I'm calling the doc

and a couple of neighbors, too,
we might check.

-Only the best.

-(increases volume) -Right away,
Mr. Mason, right away.

Della, let me have
your lipstick.

(decreases volume)

There you are, Della.

Have the taxi driver take this
straight into Los Angeles,

right to Paul's office.

Well, go on.
It's the old man's fingerprints.

(Della clicks tongue)

(coyote howls in distance)

(vehicle approaching)

(car door opens)

(car door closes)

(door creaks)

Where's Mr. Bolton?

I let him go home.

Haven't had much luck, eh?

Well, I did turn up
one neighbor who remembered

hearing Gorman Gillette call
his visitor from town "son,"

but I guess we already knew
that much about Frank.

If Frank suddenly
became rich last year,

he... certainly didn't spend
much on his father, did he?

Perry, was that doctor
absolutely sure?

Natural death--
old man died of pneumonia.

That's all it was.

Well, but, then,
I don't see what...

Perry, I just talked
to Gertie back at the office,

and Gwynn Elston has told
the police everything,

everything there is to know,

so now they think she might
have k*lled Frank Gillette.

Don't you think we should be
back in Los Angeles?

What about that man Gwynn saw
watching her last night,

the one she thought
was a detective?

No luck-- police are looking
for him, too.

But, of course...

no one but Gwynn actually
saw this man, you know.

What I mean is, maybe
we're on a wild-goose chase.

Maybe the connection between
the father's death and...

Della, what would you say
about an old man

who apparently read
only Western stories,

every cowboy yarn ever printed,

and yet carefully saved
one dog-eared copy

of Suburban Landscaping?

(Della exhales)

There's no accounting
for someone's reading taste.

- But I don't see...
-(muffled ringing)

What's that?

That is a contraption
called a telephone.

I guess Frank chipped in
at least that much

to keep in touch
with the old man.

Hello?

Yes, speaking.
Put him on.

The police must have dug up some
new evidence I don't know about.

Anyway, your client
is being charged

with first-degree m*rder.

No luck on
the old man's fingerprints?

Well, I don't think
it means anything,

but Gorman Gillette's prints
are on record.

Seems he's an ex-con,
served a sentence once

for armed robbery.

Incidentally, had a sidekick
named Halsey who got away.

The FBI is still
looking for Halsey

for some old m*rder case
or something.

You've done it, Paul.
Good work.

Now, I want
to get out a subpoena

and have you serve it fast.

Also, find a secondhand
magazine stand

-and buy me a copy of...
- The date's October , Perry.

But last year, Della.
A year ago.

And look at that picture.

Paul, we're leaving
for Los Angeles right now.

Hold it. Subpoena who?

What are you talking about?

A defense witness.

We need just one witness
for that girl's defense.

George Belding Baxter.

(door opens)

All right, where is he?

- Where's Mason? -Oh, is,
is there's something I can...?

Never mind. Sit still.
I can find him myself.

Mr. Mason, my name
is George Belding Baxter.

How do you do, Mr. Baxter?

- This is Mr. Paul Drake.
- Never mind.

What the devil are
you trying to do to me?

I'm supposed to be
on a plane to Honolulu.

The petroleum board
can't start their meeting

until I get there.
Don't you realize...?

Hey, now, wait a minute.
You're not talking

about that little subpoena
I sent you?

Little subpoena? Do you know
what it would cost me

to spend a whole day in court,
maybe even two days?

But you found
the m*rder*d man's body.

Surely the district attorney has
already asked you to testify.

I've already given him
an affidavit.

That's all Hamilton Burger wants
for this-this hearing.

Here, sit down.
We'll talk about it.

Now, look, I, uh, I don't mean
to be a pill about this,

-but...
- Cigarette?

No, thanks.
The point is, Mason,

I don't know anything that could

help this girl.
I was in Bakersfield

when it happened.

Why, I never even heard

of, uh, Gwynn Elston
or this Frank Gillette.

So how could I possibly help?

- What do you want me for?
- I'd rather

explain that later, Mr. Baxter.

Della, it's almost
time for lunch.

- Why don't you make us a drink?
- Oh, of course.

Mr. Baxter, what will you have,
bourbon or scotch?

No, no, bad stomach.
But you go ahead.

Anyway, I've made my point.

And I think you see it.

I'm a busy man
with a trip to Honolulu

that can't be postponed.

You'll stay right here,
and in court,

for just as long
as Gwynn Elston needs you.

All right, then,
I want to tell you

that I have a man who's going
to serve you with some papers,

with a motion
to quash that subpoena,

claiming that you're
deliberately abusing

the process of the court.

Not to mention
a civil suit against you

for damages
in the amount of $ ,

for interfering
with my business.

Now are you going
to be reasonable?

No, Mr. Baxter, I am not.

Perry, he means it.

- A man like that can be very...
- Paul, you were starting

to tell me about your search
for the man

that was watching Gwynn
the other night.

I was starting to tell you
I don't think he even exists,

because the police department
stopped looking for him.

So, that's how they built
a case against her.

- Huh? -Well, suppose
they've stopped looking

because they found him.

Suppose he's the one with
just the evidence Burger needed.

Perry, you are spending
your time

on things that
still don't make sense.

Della, we've heard
all the facts of this case.

Can't you figure out
what must tie them together,

tie all these people together?

There you are, Paul.

Get your fingerprint kit.

That's our case right there.

Well, Gwynn said
she had to go someplace

to see an encyclopedia customer.

And that was the last time
I saw her that evening.

It was about : , : .

Well, she must have
been away quite a while.

- What time did you go to bed?
- Early.

About : , I suppose.

I had a book I wanted to finish.

And did you finish it? How
many chapters would you say...?

Mr. Burger, I told you before,
I don't know how long I read!

I fell asleep reading, and
I don't know what time it was.

But the defendant's visit
to a single customer

had already kept her away
from home until when, : ?

: ? : ?

I told you,
I don't know what time!

BURGER:
As a matter of fact,

it could have been
after midnight, couldn't it?

Because in spite

of the closeness of your rooms,
you already testified that

you did not hear Gwynn Elston
return to the house that night.

- No, no, I did not!
- Thank you.

How long were you gone, Gwynn?

Not long, honestly.
I came back right away.

Then why didn't she hear you?

Well, I didn't want to face Nell
after seeing his other wife,

so I coasted in the drive
and tiptoed up the stairs.

Mrs. Grimes,
how did your husband

and the defendant
get along together?

Oh, very well.

Did you ever
hear him express anger

at the fact that
she was living there with you?

It was only a week.

Mrs. Grimes, I realize
these are leading questions,

but you have been instructed
to answer them.

Did you ever hear him
threatening her?

Did you ever
hear her threatening him?

I won't answer
a thing like that.

Do you want me
to bring in a neighbor

who could have heard
such things?

Mrs. Grimes, you know now
what your husband really was.

Can't you admit that he
and the defendant fought?

That either one of them
was sufficiently upset

to have been quite capable
of k*lling the other?

I won't answer you!

Your Honor,
just because this witness

has been declared unfriendly
doesn't mean the prosecutor

-can keep on...
- Never mind, Your Honor.

I withdraw the question.

- Cross-examine, Mr. Mason?
- No questions, Mr. Burger.

I call Mrs. Frank Gillette
to the stand.

I'm absolutely positive.

Miss Elston

left my house
at ten minutes before : .

Thank you, Mrs. Gillette.

Now, what time did you expect
your husband back that night?

He...

Frank often went out
rather late, so...

I wasn't really worried until,
well, the following morning.

I see.

Now, Mrs. Gillette,
we heard a statement

from a chemist
concerning strychnine

on some facial tissue.

We also heard evidence
suggesting prior trouble

or even worse between
the defendant and your husband.

Oh, but Frank wouldn't
have tried to k*ll her.

I know he wouldn't.

He was such a good man.

BURGER: I'm sure he was,
Mrs. Gillette, in your eyes.

You see, in the eyes of the law,
he was a bigamist.

Now, on that night of his death,

before he went out,
did he say or do anything

-out of the ordinary?
- Well...

he was very...

upset... and nervous.

Yes...

he did say he had something...

unpleasant to attend to.

Thank you.
That'll be all.

Counselor?

How did your husband
earn his living, Mrs. Gillette?

MRS. GILLETTE: Well,
I don't know much about his job,

but a little less
than a year ago,

he started to do
a good deal of traveling.

It could have been
in sales, I think.

It was quite a good job.

I do know that.

But, of course,
he was really only traveling

as far as another wife.

So is it possible
that that new job

which enabled him
to afford such luxuries

was more likely in some business
like blackmail, for instance?

- Your Honor!
- All right, I'll withdraw one.

No more questions.

I'd say the defendant
drove away about : .

And me, I walked through
the grounds to my own jalopy

and, uh, drove out
the back way, downtown.

And you're absolutely sure that
you saw no one but Miss Elston

on the estate
or on the street that night?

No, not a soul.

We found blood of
the same type as Gillette's

on the defendant's compact.

We also found traces
of that same blood

in the footprints I spoke of.

Prints made by shoes of
the same size worn by defendant.

And those marks
definitely indicated

a struggle with Gillette.

So they just couldn't
have been made earlier

or later the next day.

You see, when the man
discovered the body

at : the next morning...

Objection, Your Honor.
That's hearsay.

- I don't think I... -Stating
when the man found the body.

JUDGE:
Sustained.

BURGER: Well, if it
would please, Counselor,

I can easily introduce
a confirming affidavit

made by the person
who discovered

Frank Gillette's dead body.

And I would object
to any such affidavit

on the ground that
it is not best evidence.

What do you mean, Mr. Mason?

When that man he refers to
is sitting right here

in this courtroom--
Mr. George Belding Baxter.

BURGER:
Your Honor, I'm only trying

to make clear
a few simple facts regarding...

Never mind, Mr. Burger.

I think I would agree.

If you want to discuss
the finding of the body,

then put Mr. Baxter
on the stand,

not a piece of paper.

I did not touch anything,
nor did my taxi driver

who saw what I saw.

It was between
: a.m. and :

when we ran into the house
and telephoned the police.

That's it.
That's all I can tell you.

Thank you, Mr. Baxter.

Thank you for satisfying

counselor's passion
for the legalities.

Your witness.

Mr. Baxter...

does the name Gorman Gillette

-mean anything to you?
- Who?

The father of the m*rder*d man,
an ex-convict, incidentally.

It seems that he and a man
named Halsey once took...

Objection, Your Honor.

This witness has testified
only for the prosecution.

There's been no groundwork
laid for...

Sustained.

Mr. Baxter,

my investigator tells me you've
been quite a successful man

for a number of years.

How many years?

BURGER:
Objection. That's irrelevant.

JUDGE:
Sustained.

Well, perhaps you can tell us

where and when
you got your start.

Beyond six or eight years ago,

we can't seem to find
any record of you that...

BURGER:
Objection, Your Honor.

Sustained.

Mr. Baxter,

have you always

been known as Mr. Baxter?

BURGER: Objection.
Of all the improper...

Never mind.

Mr. Mason,

I don't quite know
what you're trying to get at,

but I do know that you're very
well aware of the procedure.

Now, this man is not
your witness yet.

In my courtroom, sir,

you will confine yourself
to proper cross-examination.

I beg the court's pardon.

I call Mr. Carl Jasper
to the stand.

Yes, I'm a private detective,

but I guess not much of one,
at least not that night

because the girl saw me.

You see, Frank Gillette
had hired me to watch his house

and check on this girl who would
call on his wife that night.

That's what I was doing there,
watching.

And afterward,
did you have a chance

to report to Mr. Gillette?

Yes, I did.

About three, four minutes
after Miss Elston drove away,

Gillette came strolling
down the sidewalk.

I guess he'd been
wandering around,

waiting to see
what had happened.

What did you say
to Mr. Gillette at that time?

I told him I goofed,

and he'd better get another man
on the job.

But he seemed all jittery.

Said maybe he'd handle
the thing himself.

He said this dame--
that is, the defendant there--

knew too much,
knew something about him,

but he was working to fix her.

I figure he expected
some sort of a meeting.

BURGER: Just what he said,
Mr. Jasper, please.

Did you hear him say
anything else?

Mr. Burger,
the way he was acting,

I didn't want to hear any more.

It was just fine by me to get
away from a case like that.

So we said good night,
and that's it.

And what happened then,
Mr. Jasper?

Well, by then it was
maybe minutes later

by the time I picked up
my car and all.

But driving back
toward town took me

past the Baxter estate again,

and I almost ran into a car that
was driving without its lights.

It was headed back
toward that same place there.

It was her car,

the defendant's.

BURGER: And did you see who was
driving that car, Mr. Jasper?

I did.

It was her.

All alone.

The defendant, Miss Elston.

Oh, Mr. Mason,
please believe me.

I didn't stop again.

I just drove by there once more.

I was curious about that man...

You just couldn't resist.

Why didn't you tell me about it?

It didn't seem important

and then later it seemed
terribly foolish.

But really, I didn't see anyone.

Not the man or Gillette
or anyone.

And then those headlights hit me
coming around the corner,

and it scared me,
so I went straight home.

I did.

All right, Gwynn, all right.

It's just that Mr. Burger's
been able to wind up

a pretty convincing
circumstantial case,

enough to have you bound over
for a jury trial.

But you've got a defense, Perry.

Yes, you said there's so much
more involved in this case

than even the police know.

(door opens)

Where have you been?

Sorry, but I had to double-check
with the FBI.

They want Halsey, all right;
he's way up on their list.

And you've found him for them,
haven't you?

Did you see the look
in Mr. Baxter's eyes

when you questioned him
about his past?

Perry, your idea is that
Frank Gillette got his money

from blackmailing Baxter
because Baxter is really...

Hold it, hold it, hold it.

Baxter is not Halsey.

I'm afraid you've been barking
up a tree that doesn't exist.

Baxter's fingerprints
are not on file anyplace.

There isn't even a similarity
between his and Halsey's prints.

DELLA:
Now what are you going to do?

I call Mr. George Belding Baxter
to the stand,

and in view of the fact
that Mr. Baxter has seen fit

to object to this appearance
in court

and has even tried to bring
charges against me for it,

I'd like to ask that he be ruled

an unfriendly witness,
Your Honor.

I know the circumstances.

So ruled.

I remind the witness
that he is still under oath.

Mr. Baxter, perhaps my earlier
questioning of you

deserves a little explanation.

As I'm sure the police
are aware by this time,

Frank Gillette's father died
a natural death

just a day
before Frank's m*rder.

Now, I'm going to show you
a magazine

similar to one found
in the father's effects

and ask you to identify
this pic...

You Honor, are we once more
going to be subjected

to these completely extraneous,
irrelevant...?

The witness is now testifying
for the defense, Mr. Burger.

Answer the question, Mr. Baxter.

It's a year-old magazine
which Gorman Gillette kept

and folded open to this page.

Do you recognize anyone pictured
on the page?

Yes, that's...

That's me there.

Can you tell us why this picture

might have had significance
to Gorman Gillette?

Well, I...

I really don't...

Is it possible that,
in this picture,

he recognized someone
from his past?

Someone who had disappeared?

Assumed another identity
perhaps?

No, I told you I never saw
nor heard of Gorman Gillette

before in my life,
so how could my picture...?

But you're not the only person
in that photograph, Mr. Baxter.

Now, who is that?

You mean Corley Ketchum,
my caretaker there?

Now, why didn't you
notice him before?

Is there any reason
your caretaker

couldn't really be a wanted
criminal by the name of Halsey?

I really don't...

Why can't you answer
that question?

Why have you fought coming
into court so much?

Why should you protect a man
if he really may be...

Mr. Baxter,

what is the relationship
between you and your caretaker?

Answer the question, sir.

Answer him, George.

He's my brother.

Our real name is Halsey.

Yes, and when he got in trouble
a number of years ago,

I took care of him the way
he'd always taken care of me.

The only trouble was, I, I began
to make a great deal of money,

and that brings notoriety,

so we, we got the idea of, of
his remaining in the background,

just, just being the caretaker.

Only, then Gorman Gillette saw
this picture and came to you.

Is that right?

No, no, the old man
never gave us any trouble,

but somehow
his son found out about us.

MASON:
And asked you for money?

BAXTER:
No, he asked my brother.

Frank moved next door,

and his demands were steady
but not enormous,

so, yes, we paid him blackmail.

Until when?

How did you finally stop it?

I didn't k*ll him
if that's what you mean,

but after his father died,

Frank apparently felt free
to ask for a great deal more--

a quarter of a million dollars
to be exact.

When did he ask you?

Where?

Not in Bakersfield, surely.

At my house the night
he was m*rder*d.

Yeah, that's right.

Uh, my brother drove down
from Bakersfield,

and, uh, him and Gillette was--

uh, well, no,
th-the three of us,

uh, were sitting
right there in the house,

uh, when the young lady, uh,
come running up for help,

and, uh, me-- I went outside
and shooed her away--

I-I'm sorry, ma'am--

and Gillette-- he went out and
got rid of that detective fella.

Go on.

Well, uh, Gillette--
uh, he kept on, uh, arguing

for a few more minutes
and, um, you know, uh,

he was acting all crazy,

you know, saying that, uh,

he needed the money
to get out of the country,

and he said that, uh,
he might even be accused

of trying to poison somebody.

MASON:
But what happened then?

KETCHUM:
Uh, well,

uh, we, uh--
oh, no, uh, it's my brother--

uh, he said we'll get
as much money as possible

before morning, and, uh,

then we got rid of him.

See, now, he left.

Y-You got to believe me,
Mr. Mason.

George and me--
we was just sitting there,

talking about how this thing
was getting all out of hand

and I'd have to give myself up
to the police,

and we heard something.

See, it sounded like a, a car
backfiring out in the driveway.

Well, I went out to see,

and there was Frank Gillette
laying there dead.

Well, there was nothing left
for us to do

but George to go back
to Bakersfield

and me to hustle on downtown

because we hadn't k*lled him,
neither one of us.

Wait a minute.

Where was Frank Gillette's car?

Oh, that was, uh,
in front of the house,

just like it was
the next morning.

See, he just drove in
to turn around,

and the m*rder*r...

Oh, now, look,
I didn't touch nothing.

I didn't touch one single thing.

Didn't you hear anything
besides that single shot,

see anything besides?

Oh, yes, sir, yes, I did, uh...

I heard heels, uh,

like the sound
of a woman running,

uh, running away
down the street.

All right, that's enough.

Mr. Burger, I'm going
to recess for hours

so that you can conduct
a full and proper investigation

of this case.

Your Honor, please,

there's one more witness
I'd like to put on the stand.

Well, I'm not sure.

The defendant, Your Honor.

Well, yes, I told you I wasn't
sure about that compact.

But if it wasn't in your purse,

who else might have had it
that night?

Who else might have perhaps
intentionally placed it

under Frank Gillette's body?

Oh, no, Mr. Mason, I don't...

Gwynn...

what size shoes does
your friend Nell wear?

ELSTON: Well, we went
shopping together...

MASON:
What size?

Same as mine, I guess.

Did you hear Nell say in court

that she didn't hear you come
home because she was asleep?

But I tiptoed...

Did you stop to see whether
she was even in her room?

ELSTON:
No.

Oh, no, Nell.

Oh, no.

Nell, look at me.

Tell them you didn't do it.

Nell.

(sobbing)

So Nell followed you over there.

A place as big as that,

she could hide for hours
and not be found.

Anyway, when Gillette finally
came out of his meeting

and started to move his car,

Nell stopped him and accused him
of being what he was.

They fought and that was that.

You mean she knew all along
that he was a bigamist?

She must have suspected it
for the past week or two.

That's probably why
she got you to live there--

to do her investigating for her.

I don't understand, Perry.

Well, one thing bothered me
all along--

the striking coincidence
that, in this huge city,

one of your customers
should just happen

to be her husband's other wife.

Here, look at this.

See the typing
on the last name-- Gillette?

ELSTON:
It's different than the others.

You mean she just took my list

and added it on
with her own typewriter?

(clicks tongue)
Oh.

I still say poor Nell.

Poor world.

(theme song playing)