04x10 - The Case of the Loquacious Liar

[bunniefuu]

( noirish jazz theme playing )

( phone ringing )

Mm?

Lester, this is Sam Crane.
Did I wake you?

Mm-hm.

Well, I'm glad I did.

You promised to be at the office
at : .

( groans )

For crying out loud, Sam,
it's only .

Lester, please, just be here.
For your sake as well as mine.

Sam, I'm only minutes
from the office.

At sharp, I'll walk
in that door, fully dressed,

and throw mud right
in my stepfather's eye.

Okay?

Okay.

( g*n cocks )
( ominous theme playing )

Come on, out of bed,
sleepyhead.

W-Who are you?
What do you want?

Are you going
to steal my car?

You're insured.
What are you worried about?

Come on,
let's have breakfast.

Inside.

Come on, move.

Sit down.

Sit down.

Well, what do you like?

Rye? Scotch?

Bourbon? Gin?

Drink it.

Drink.

( gags, coughs )

( laughs )

That's what you get for gulping.

Now, drink it slow,
sonny, but drink.

Look, if-- If you're
trying to make me drunk,

I already am.

I think you're faking, sonny.

Drink it.

Please...

Drink.

( tense theme playing )

( tense theme swells )

( suspenseful theme playing )

Lester?

(phone rings)

Hello?

Marge?
This is Sam Crane.

Where in blazes is that
boyfriend of yours?

I just walked in, Sam.

I don't think he's here.

Is his car still there?

No, his car's gone.

Is something wrong, Sam?

He was due here at a meeting
a few minutes ago, that's all.

No need to worry
if he's on his way.

Goodbye, Marge.

Lester must be almost here.

It's nearly : .

He could have walked
here by now.

Judson.

I don't think
the Martin Boat Company

is going to flounder if we wait
just a few more minutes.

I've been waiting a few years
for that stepson of mine

to decide whether
he's a leech or a human being.

You seem pretty certain that
he's not going to show up.

Sam, your contract
as president

is subject to annual approval
by the stockholders.

That's us.

I've got my wife's proxy
in my pocket

and Lois is voting with me.

Lester and I own
the majority of stock.

He's on my side.

Yes, but anytime Lester doesn't
show up, you're finished.

Now, let's face it, Sam.

Sooner or later
he's going to read

one of your antiquated
sales reports.

We're still making a profit,
aren't we?

I know an Indian
who makes a profit

building canoes
out of tree trunks.

If I were running this company

the way it ought to be run--
Now, stop it.

Both of you. Stop it.

Sam, think of all the things you
could do if you retired.

The places you could go.

And I was the one that suggested

a woman head our public
relations department.

Sam, when you and Mr. Martin

gave me the few little shares
that I own,

it was because you valued
my work, my opinion.

Now I'm saying that it's time
for you to step aside

and let somebody else take over.

I don't care
if it's Mr. Bailey here

or the man in the moon.

(clock bell rings)

Judson, you've got to give
me a little more time.

Why should I?

Because there's such
a thing as ethics.

You may be legally
entitled to call a vote

right this very minute,
but if you do,

I'll have corporation lawyers
on your neck forever.

What do you want me
to do, Sam?

I want you to postpone
the meeting

until I locate Lester.

He may have had
an accident.

All right.

I'll postpone till
: this evening,

if you give me your
absolute assurance

you won't try any more
delaying tactics.

You have my word.

( mysterious theme playing )

You play rough.

That didn't hurt,
did it?

Jud, do you really think
Lester will show up?

Oh, let's not worry
about Lester.

Your last chance, sonny,
still want to argue?

(bird squawks)

( mysterious theme playing )

( suspenseful theme playing )

( g*nsh*t )

(phone ringing)

Hello?

Oh, Sam, I'm busy
in the darkroom right now,

can I-- What?

He called from where?

From the other side of town.

Somebody filled him
full of liquor,

drove him miles
into the country

and tried to k*ll him.

Sam, Lester's all right,
isn't he?

Yes, Lester is all right,

but that's why Bailey
was so sure

he wouldn't show up
at the meeting this morning.

Bailey must be behind this.

Now, Marge, Lester wants you
to do him a favor, will you?

Well, yes, of course.

All right, I told Lester
I overheard Bailey

making a date with someone
to meet him at Corelli's Bar.

Now, if that someone should
happen to be the man

who took Lester for a ride,

and you can get a picture
of them together,

we'll nail Judson Bailey
once and for all.

Lester wants you to take
one of your small cameras

to Corelli's Bar,

and if you should see Bailey
talking to a man with a...

with a dark suit
and a light tie...

( whirring )
(piano playing gently)

I guess this is the last Scotch
I'll taste in some time.

They have Scotch in Mexico City,
haven't they?

You ever been in Mexico City,
Mr. Bailey?

A few times.

You'll enjoy
the bullfights.

No, thanks.

I tried that once
down in Tijuana.

I don't think they should make
a sport out of k*lling. Do you?

I really haven't given
it much thought.

No, sir.

k*lling's a serious business.

( shutter clicks )

Well, I'm wound up here,
so I guess I better be gone.

Been a pleasure, Mr. Bailey.
Real pleasure.

Hi.
Hi.

Who was your friend?

Oh, him?
Oh, just a guy.

I better call Emma and tell her
I won't be home to dinner.

What are you
looking at?

That girl.

I thought she
looked familiar.

Lester's girlfriend.
What's her name?

Oh, Marge Fuller.

She just slipped a camera
into her purse.

Well, she's a professional
photographer.

And are you
a professional model?

She take my picture?

I don't think she was doing
a character study

of the bartender.

Judson, it's just not fair,
that's all.

I was planning on us
going to the theater tonight.

Well, I know you said
there was an : meeting,

but that can't last more
than a minute or two.

If you don't think Lester
is going to be there anyway...

Judson, I'm not arguing,
I'm just--

All right, Judson. Yes.

Goodbye.

( hangs up )

Hello, mother.

Lester, what's happened?

Where on earth have you been?

It's not where I've been
that's important,

it's where I'm going
and you're going with me.

What are you
talking about?

Mother, there's going
to be a meeting at the office

tonight at : .
I want you to be there.

But I don't know anything
about business.

Judson has my power
of attorney.

I want you to take that power
of attorney away from him.

Do what?

Mother, you've got
to do as I say,

or sooner or later
this man will destroy you,

the way he tried to destroy me.

Destroy?

Why, darling,
Judson's your own stepfather.

Well, he just tried
to have me k*lled.

I don't believe you.

When I woke up
this morning

I found a man pointing
a g*n in my face.

Oh, Lester, no--

He drove me to a place
in the sticks.

We fought, and when
I grabbed his g*n he ran.

Mother, look at me.
Look at me!

It was my stepfather,

your husband,
who hired that man.

Don't you understand?

No. No, that's not true.

Why would Judson have
anything to do with--

Why do you think he married
you in the first place?

Judson Bailey
wants our company.

He'll do anything
in the world to get it.

Judson is a fine man.

He loves me.

I know you don't like him,
but it's only natural

when you loved
your father so.

Mother.

I'm going to have
the proof of what I say.

I'm sorry if it hurts you.

But please believe me.

Please do as I ask.

It's not true.
Not one single word.

I'll show you that
proof tonight.

I'll show you a picture
of the man who did this.

I'll show it to everyone.

Mother...

( ominous theme playing )

The picture's gone, Lester.

How did it happen?

Well, I was just
finishing the print,

when I got a call from
Sam Crane's secretary.

She said he wanted
to see me right away.

But it wasn't
his secretary.

She hadn't even
called me at all.

And the picture
Miss Fuller took

of this man
and Bailey was stolen?

That's right.

Negative and print.
She only made one.

Did you notify the police?

No. I came directly to you.

Let's get back to this man
who kidnapped you.

What makes you think
Bailey hired him?

Well, who else would
want to see me dead?

You see, Jud conned my mother

into giving him half the stock
my father left her in his will.

He even tried to push Sam Crane
out and take his job.

He's tried every way
he could think of

to cheat me out of my share.

And now this.

If your suspicions
are correct, Lester,

your stepfather could be charged
with attempted m*rder.

You mean, we ought
to go to the police?

If your suspicions
are correct.

Right now they're
only suspicions,

and since
it's a family matter...

If I only had
that picture.

We'll see what my
investigator comes up with,

and I'll have him check
the registration of this g*n.

What do I do
in the meantime?

Well, you have no choice but
to go to that meeting tonight

if you want to protect

Mr. Crane's position
in the company.

I'd feel a whole lot better
if you were there with me.

All right.
I'll meet you there.

( ringing )

( door opens )

Emma.

Hello, Sam, Lois.

Hello, Mrs. Bailey.
It's nice to see you.

Where's Judson?

He'll be here
any minute.

Please sit down, Emma.

Thank you, Sam.

Yes?
What can we do for you?

My name is Mason.

I came here at the request
of Mr. Lester Martin.

He's not here yet.

I'm Sam Crane and this is--

Oh, Lieutenant Tragg.
Mason.

Lieutenant?

Police Department.

I take it you're
Mrs. Bailey.

I was told at your house
you could be reached here.

Yes. That's right.

There's going
to be a meeting here.

Mrs. Bailey, I've been
on the force for years,

and I've never found
an easy way of saying this.

Your husband
has been m*rder*d.

m*rder*d, oh!

( dramatic theme swells )

Good morning, Perry.

Good morning, Paul.

Pour him some coffee,
will you, Della?

Thanks.
Well, I see the bloodhounds

are out looking
for your client.

If you still want
to call him that.

I can't say
I blame them,

since the m*rder was committed
at Lester's place.

Well, that's where
he was heading

when he left here
last evening, wasn't it?

Mm-hm. Said he was going

to change clothes
for that meeting.

Here you are.

Thanks.

"Blunt instrument,

signs of a struggle
that raged through the house."

Well, he's done
about the worst thing

a man can do under
the circumstances,

but until I find out
why he disappeared--

I know, he gets
the benefit of the doubt.

What have you found
so far, Paul?

I'm afraid it's not gonna
make you very happy.

On that g*n he claimed he took
away from a hired k*ller,

there were no finger prints
except his own,

and as for registration,
it was part of a lot

that was stolen
several years ago.

Mm-hm.

And whoever ransacked
Marge Fuller's studio apartment

and took that photograph
was real lucky.

Didn't leave a trace to go on.

Doesn't Miss Fuller have
any idea where Lester is now?

Nope, and I think
she's telling the truth.

All right, then.

We'll just have to backtrack
from the time of the m*rder.

How far back?

Well, I want to know what Bailey
was doing at Lester's house,

everything he did last night.

Della, I'm going
to see Mrs. Bailey.

Last night she was too upset
to make any sense.

Right, Perry.

Paul, get me a list
of everything

that was found
on the body.

And I'd like to know what
the police found at the house.

All right, Perry.

And Della,
get hold of Marge Fuller.

I'll meet you both
at Corelli's Bar in an hour.

Corelli's Bar?

Ask Miss Fuller to bring
her camera along.

Make sure it's loaded.

Bye, beautiful.

You're going to help my son,
aren't you, Mr. Mason?

You're going to help Lester?

Not unless I can
find him, Mrs. Bailey.

I thought he might be trying

to locate the man
he met yesterday.

I don't know
who you mean.

Yes, you do.

Though apparently you
haven't told any of it

to the police yet.
Why not?

Told--

Told what,
Mr. Mason?

Now, look here.

Your son came to my office
not long after he left you,

yesterday afternoon.

He told me all about the man
who tried to k*ll him.

( sobbing ):
No, Mr. Mason, no.

It's been a nightmare.

I'll never wake up from it.

I've done nothing
but harm to Lester,

but if only I'd listened.

Didn't you believe his story
about the k*ller?

Well, what else
could I think?

To say such awful
things about anyone.

Did you tell
your husband about it?

When?

Where did you talk
to your husband?

After Lester left,
I telephoned Judson

at a place called
Corelli's Bar.

He was busy with
a client there yesterday.

But not too busy
to listen to the story

of his hiring someone
to k*ll Lester?

Or someone at least
who was supposed

to get Lester
out of the way?

I couldn't help it.

I thought Lester
was out of his mind.

He'd said some things
that...hurt me.

Oh, Mr. Mason, I wish
I could take it all back.

If I'd only kept quiet,

Judson might never
have been k*lled.

What was your husband's
reaction to all this?

He asked me to repeat it.

To repeat every word.

He was so deadly quiet
that I began to be scared.

And then he hung up.

I tried to call him back
and I couldn't reach him.

Next thing I heard,
two hours later,

he was dead.

Somehow...

I know it's all my fault.

It was just a little
after when I got here.

Mr. Bailey was already
over there at the bar,

talking to the man.

How did you
recognize the man?

I was given a description
by Mr. Crane.

He got it on the phone
from Lester.

I'm sure it was the right man,
all right.

Did Mr. Bailey see you
take the picture?

No.

Do you think
anyone else saw you?

I guess that's possible.

Miss Rogers might have.

Miss Lois Rogers?

Yes. I saw her
at the bar on my way out.

Was she with anyone?

Yes, she was with
Mr. Bailey, of course.

Why "of course"?

Lester says they met here almost
every day, Lois and Bailey.

Miss Fuller, Bailey was
about my size, wasn't he?

Yes.

Do you any have pictures of him?

Just something from a magazine,
perhaps a side view?

Well, I did some photo work for
their publicity department once.

Yes, I think I could
come up with something.

Good.

Now pick up someone

who looks like the man
Bailey was talking to.

Oh, well, let's see.

He was a little smaller

than that one.

There.

The one in the dark suit, maybe.

At least, if he'd keep
his back turned,

that's the way
he was sitting.

Is this the same table
you were at yesterday?

Yes.

You get the idea,
don't you?

Snap it as fast
as you can.

( cash register dings )

Hot enough for you?

It's hot enough.

It just ain't
quiet enough.

( shutter clicks )

( doorbell buzzes )

Miss Rogers?

Oh, Mr. Mason.

May I come in for a moment?
I'd like to talk to you.

Of course.

But I've already told
the police all I know.

You're wasting your time,

unless you enjoy
seeing a woman cry.

I'm sorry.

Last night, I didn't realize
that Mr. Bailey's death

had been such a great
personal loss.

It was a loss to everyone
in the company.

He was a fine man.

But I suppose some lawyer
with a bag of tricks

will get his m*rder*r off
with a slap on the wrist.

So far, Miss Rogers,
I represent only Lester.

Do you have
some information

that would suggest
that he's the m*rder*r?

Oh, of course not.

Don't mind me.
I'm just upset, that's all.

Here.

Thank you.

I really came here to ask
about a man in a picture.

A what?

A man in a picture.

This was taken inside,
on high speed film.

At a place called
Corelli's Bar.

Where did you get that?

Wait just a minute.
It's the only print we have.

You recognize it?

Well, that's Judson Bailey,
there, isn't it?

It just surprised me
seeing him, that's all.

Actually this is the man
I'm interested in.

Do you know him?

Well, how could I?

In this view,
his face isn't even turned.

"In this view"?

And there's another
picture somewhere?

What difference
does it make?

I had no idea I'd
overlooked a picture.

Yes, I stole
the other one.

Why?

I don't know why.
Judson asked me to and I did.

Then you did see Marge Fuller
snap Mr. Bailey's picture?

Yes, but he didn't seem
so upset about it then.

It wasn't until his wife
phoned a few minutes later.

When he came back from
the phone booth, he was livid.

Did he tell you why?

Did he tell you what she'd said?

Well, he talked
about the picture.

He said he wanted me to get
it for him. He didn't care how.

And so you impersonated
Mr. Crane's secretary,

to get Marge away
from her apartment?

Yes.

Then about : ,
I met Jud back at the bar.

I gave him the picture
and he left.

Did he say where he was going?

He said he was going
to look for his stepson.

For Lester.

But I-I don't know why
he was so upset.

Mr. Mason,
who is that other man?

I have no idea who he is,

but that's not Mr. Bailey.
That's me.

( dramatic theme playing )

(piano playing gently)

Hello, Perry.
Now, here's the list:

a wallet with dollars in it,
car keys,

identification,
and credit cards.

No, the only picture was
on Bailey's driver's license.

I'm positive.

There was no such picture
on the body.

Mr. Crane, I've managed

to reconstruct
Bailey's activities

up to the time
he went to see Lester.

Well, that's very interesting,

but why do you come
to me about it?

Because I think he might
have come to see you.

Don't be ridiculous.

I know what the penalty
is for harboring--

Yesterday,
when Lester wanted help

in trying to prove what
his stepfather was up to,

you were the first one
he got in touch with.

And you want me to tell him
to give himself up,

to explain that he's
making his own case worse,

but I simply don't
know where he is.

I haven't heard one word.

Yesterday you telephoned
Marge Fuller

and suggested that she try
to get a picture of Bailey

talking to the man

who had kidnapped Lester.

What of it?

That picture somehow
got into Bailey's hands.

At least, he had it with him
when he went looking for Lester.

Well?

Well, the picture
has now disappeared.

There are several possibilities.

One is that Lester has it.

Did he show it to you?

Did he do what?

Mr. Crane,
I've had an investigator

watching your house,

but not your
beach cabin.

I've stood about
enough of this.

If Lester committed m*rder,
or even came close to it,

he must feel that
finding that kidnapper

is his only hope
of proving self-defense.

Now, for the last time,
Mr. Crane--

You get out of here.

How many times
do I have to say it?

Lester did not
come to me for help,

and I haven't
the faintest idea where--

Sam, I've got to talk to you.

It's all right, Emma.

Mr. Mason was just leaving.

EMMA:
Oh, no, Mr. Mason, please.

That Lieutenant
just called me.

They've caught Lester.

They found him.

Where, Mrs. Bailey?

Well, there's a little
beach cabin that Sam owns.

Oh, Sam doesn't know
anything about it.

I'm the one who told him
to go there, to wait.

Well, don't look like that.
Both of you.

Is there anything
wrong with a mother

trying to protect
her own son?

( sobbing )
( ominous theme swells )

( dramatic theme playing )

Then Bailey accused you
of trying to frame him?

That's right.

He pretended he didn't know
the guy in the picture.

He even claimed he wasn't trying
to get his hands on our company.

And when you argued
about it he hit you?

I tried to hit him back,
but he caught me off balance.

That was it.

How long were you
unconscious?

I don't know.

It could have been
five minutes or half an hour.

When I came to,
I went looking for him.

With a metal vase
in your hand?

But I never used it.

That's when I saw him lying
there dead in the kitchen.

Please, y-you've got
to believe me.

It would have been
a lot easier

if you volunteered this
information hours ago.

Hiding out was
mother's idea.

Until she could get
Sam Crane's advice.

You went straight
to your mother,

the night of the m*rder?

No, of course not.

Not till this morning.

I guess I was just too scared
to turn myself in.

And I had the crazy hope I could
still find that guy someplace.

Mr. Mason,

nobody will believe a thing
I say unless I do find him.

The picture that Bailey
had of himself and that man,

did you take it out
of Bailey's pocket

after you found
his body in the kitchen?

But that's all I took.

I didn't touch anything else.

When the police took
it from you, did they--?

They didn't see it.

I hid it in Sam Crane's
place at the beach.

Well, why didn't you say so?

We'll have to turn it in,
of course,

but at least it'll give
Paul Drake a head start.

If he has a good photo
to go on--

You mean, you'll keep
looking for the guy?

You do believe me?

You'll defend me, in spite
of all the dumb things I've--

Dumb is right, Lester.

We all do dumb things.

That doesn't mean
we're all murderers.

HOXIE:
There were multiple
fractures above the right ear,

causing a severe
internal hemorrhage

and almost
instant death.

SAMPSON:
I show you this
metal vase, Dr. Hoxie.

Could such an object cause
the wounds you describe?

Yes, sir, it could.

I ask this w*apon to be entered
in evidence as Exhibit A.

We would have to object
to that, Your Honor.

That's a metal vase,
not a w*apon.

Sustained.

Is that your only objection
to admitting this exhibit?

Yes, Your Honor.

So ordered.

I have no more
questions, doctor.

Cross-examine.

Doctor Hoxie, could the butt
of a g*n, properly applied,

also cause the damage
you described?

Yes, sir.

Could a fireplace poker
cause similar damage?

Yes, indeed.

A hammer?

A human skull
can be cracked open

by any heavy blunt instrument
if the man hits hard enough.

MASON:
Or a woman?

HOXIE:
Or a woman.

Thank you, doctor.

No further questions.

Lieutenant, what fingerprints
did you find on the vase?

Only the defendant's.

Of course, that's natural,
since it was in his house,

or his family's,

but will you explain the prints
a little more fully?

Well, even in your own house

you don't generally pick up
a vase like this.

SAMPSON:
Would you show the court
exactly where the prints were?

The thumb here and two
or three impressions smeared

where he'd shifted his grip.

And would you say the prints
indicated the firmness

with which he gripped the vase?

Absolutely.

He gripped it with
all his strength.

Your witness.

Lt. Tragg,
did you find any traces

of the victim's hair
or blood on the vase?

No, sir.

Thank you, lieutenant.
That'll be all.

One question, Your Honor,
on redirect.

In all your police experience,
lieutenant,

in cases where a m*rder w*apon
was as slick and hard

as this heavy metal vase,

have you ever known
hair and blood to remain?

To adhere to such
a polished surface?

Very seldom.

Thank you.

Now, Mr. Crane,
do you recall any previous times

when the defendant quarreled
with his stepfather?

Well, there may have been
little arguments, I suppose.

As an unfriendly witness,

will you please answer
just "yes" or "no."

Do you recall, for instance,
having lunch with the defendant

just nine days
before the m*rder?

I may have, I don't exactly--

Mr. Crane, we're prepared
to subpoena a waiter

and two busboys who do recall
that day very well.

Now. Isn't it true
that at said luncheon,

the defendant threatened
his stepfather, Mr. Bailey,

and in a voice which could be
heard all over the restaurant?

I don't remember
his raising his voice--

Yes or no, Mr. Crane.

Did Lester Martin say he'd
get Mr. Bailey thrown out

of your boat company even
if he had to frame him to do it?

But Lester had had
a drink or two--

"Get him thrown out
of your boat company

even if he had
to frame him to do it?"

Yes.

Yes, Lester said that.

Thank you.

Your witness.

Mr. Crane,

you are fond of the defendant,
are you not?

Of course. I've known him
since he was a boy.

You were also fond

of the position you hold
in the company?

Well, of course.

Did Judson Bailey
thr*aten that position?

Yes, I suppose he did.

Tell us, Mr. Crane,

how do you feel
about Mrs. Bailey?

The defendant's mother?

Objection, Your Honor.

The witness's private affairs
are immaterial and irrelevant.

Mr. Mason, I'll have
to sustain that objection

unless you can show some
justifiable purpose here.

MASON:
I hope to show prejudice

on the part of this witness,
Your Honor.

Very well.
Overruled. Proceed.

Now, Mr. Crane,
after her first husband died,

did you ask Mrs. Bailey
to marry you?

Yes, many times.

And she turned you down?

Yes, she preferred
to marry a conniving,

thieving...

Well, you're quite right,
Mr. Mason.

If anyone had a reason
to k*ll the man, it was I.

And then you told your husband
this fantastic story

that the defendant told you,

of a professional gunman being
hired by Bailey to k*ll him?

Yes or no?

Yes.

And your husband's anger
was so great that he hung up,

and when you tried
to call him back

you were unable to reach him?
Yes or no?

Yes.

And the next you knew
of Judson Bailey,

he'd been m*rder*d?

Yes.

They fought many times,
your husband and your son?

Their apparent hatred
was mutual?

Yes.

Yes, yes...

I realize that stealing
the picture was wrong,

but I had to get
it for Mr. Bailey.

What were his words
when you handed it to him?

Well, he was bewildered
and angry.

He said that Lester
was trying to frame him.

SAMPSON:
What did Mr. Bailey do then?

LOIS:
Well, he left me.

He said he was going
to look for Lester.

Do you recall the last words
he spoke to you?

Yes, I do.

He said, "Lois, I'm going
to take this phony photograph

and shove it down that
little conniver's throat."

Thank you, Miss Rogers.

That's all for now.

Miss Rogers,

how long does it take to drive
from your apartment

to Lester's house
up in the canyon?

I don't know.

Well, you have been there,
haven't you?

A few times.

Those few times,

were you a guest
of Mr. and Mrs. Bailey's?

I don't know what you mean.

Well, those times
that you did go there,

were you a guest
of Mr. Bailey?

Mrs. Bailey? Or both?

Mr. Bailey.

Then you and he were more
than just business associates?

We were good friends.

Did Mrs. Bailey
suspect how good?

We object, Your Honor.

This witness cannot
possibly know what was

in Mrs. Bailey's mind.

Then I withdraw the question,
Your Honor,

and ask in its place,

did Mrs. Bailey
ever say anything to you

which would indicate

that she suspected
you and her husband?

Object, Your Honor.

This question now calls
for hearsay evidence

and is not proper
cross-examination.

I am trying to show the bias
of the witness, Your Honor.

If the court please,

he's trying to show the bias

of a dead man's widow.
Of Mrs. Bailey.

The question is preliminary,
Your Honor.

If the witness admits that she
and Mrs. Bailey conversed,

then I proposed to show
the entire conversation.

Of course we talked.

From the time she accused me
until I admitted that--

The witness will refrain
from volunteering statements.

However, in view
of the circumstances,

I'll overrule
the original objection.

Proceed, Mr. Mason.

Your Honor.

Miss Rogers,

were you and Mr. Bailey lovers?

Yes, we were.

She knew about it too.

Even though she tried to pretend
that it wasn't so.

She thought she could get him
back that way, by pretending,

by always pretending.

Miss Rogers,
had Judson Bailey ever suggested

that you and he be married?

Yes, he had,
and I'd answered yes.

And she knew about that too.

Well, my cottage is just across
from the Martin place.

I went out to the kitchen
for a drink of water,

and I could hear them
just as clear

as if I was
in the room with them.

They were yelling
at the top of their lungs.

And what time was this again,
Mrs. Stone?

It was around :
in the evening.

SAMPSON:
And you're positive
you recognized the voices?

Absolutely.

It was Lester Martin
and Mr. Judson Bailey.

I've heard them both over there
fighting for years.

Simply years.

SAMPSON:
Now, how long did you listen
from your kitchen window?

Oh, just a few minutes.

Then I went into the living room
to watch television.

Do you mean you then just walked
back into your living room?

You just stopped eavesdropping
on a fight like that?

Well, it isn't as if I'd heard
screaming or g*nshots.

( crowd laughs )

( gavel tapping )

Anyway, it did begin
to bother me.

After a few minutes
I got to thinking,

so I went back out
and had another look.

SAMPSON:
And what did you see when you
looked out your kitchen window?

I saw Lester Martin
run out the back door,

get in his car,
and drive away.

Thank you.

Your witness, counselor.

JUDGE:
Gentlemen,

since it is approaching
the noon hour,

and if you have no objection,
Mr. Mason--?

MASON:
I have no objection, Your Honor.

--court will recess
until : this afternoon.

What's the cast for, Perry?

Oh, no serious injury.

Doctor feels it should be
immobilized for a few weeks.

That's all.

I thought maybe you were feeling
your bruises from the D.A.

Well, I hope it's nothing
serious, Perry.

Things may be more serious
than he knows.

I hope you got a lead
on that man in the picture,

we certainly can use him.

Why, what's the matter?

Nothing. Nothing at all.

Except they've shown about
everything that's necessary

to bind Lester
over for trial.

Well, in theory,
he should be easy.

Guy with a moustache, the scar,
and of course, by now,

the police
are looking for him too,

but Perry,
this guy'll never show up.

If he can even read he's
halfway to China by this time.

How can he be
of any help to you anyway?

No matter what that man
was hired to do,

it will only confirm
more trouble

between Lester and Bailey.

I wouldn't be too sure
about that, Della.

Paul, I think
I know where to find

a man like that in a hurry.

A man just like that.

Yeah? Where?

Police Call Central Casting.
Come on.

( suspenseful theme swells )

Are you ready for your
cross-examination, Mr. Mason?

Yes, Your Honor.

Mrs. Stone,

in your position
as an outstanding citizen

of this community,
I know you'll want to give

an absolutely honest
and a very complete picture

of what happened
that evening.

Yes, sir.

Now, after you'd heard the fight

and returned
to your living room,

how long would you say
you watched television?

Would you say
ten minutes?

Well, six or seven, maybe.

During that time,

did you see anyone else
enter Lester's house?

How could I? I was watching TV.

It's a good point,
Mrs. Stone.

( chuckles )

So it's quite possible then

that someone else
could have come and gone

without your knowing about it?

Well, yes,
if you put it that way.

but then, I'm a pretty
observant person.

Not snoopy, you understand,

but I do catch most

of the comings
and goings around me.

You do?

Now, would you tell us,
for instance,

whether there were
any comings or goings

on the morning
preceding the m*rder?

STONE:
Well, let's see...

There was one man.

Then the girl.

That's all there was.

One man?

And he drove away
with Lester Martin.

That would be about :
or in the morning.

Would you recognize this man
if you saw him again?

Oh, yes, I think so.

He was there just
before the girl came.

That Fuller girl,

Lester's friend.

Thank you, Mrs. Stone.
That'll be all.

The same girl that was
there in the evening.

That's the one I mean.

Which evening, Mrs. Stone?

That same day as the m*rder.

Around : .

"I was alone in my house
from until .

Then I left
and I didn't come back."

Now, this is a portion
of a statement

that the defendant voluntarily

made to the police
at the time of his arrest.

It has already been entered
in evidence as Exhibit D.

Miss Fuller,
is this a true statement?

But he was frightened.
He wanted to protect me.

Did the defendant lie
in his statement to the police,

or did he not?

He lied.

I was there.

I got there about : .

And what time did you leave?

I left at : .

Leaving the defendant
still there? Alone in his house?

Yes.

SAMPSON:
Thank you. That's all.

What was the purpose
of your visit

to Lester that evening,
Miss Fuller?

Well, to see if Lester
was all right.

He'd been through
a terrible experience.

A man had tried to kidnap him.

Concerning the picture
you took of that same man

talking to Judson Bailey
at Corelli's Bar:

on whose instructions

did you take
that picture?

SAMPSON:
Your Honor,

the deceased
is not on trial here,

and even if he were,

a picture of him talking
to another man at a bar

proves only one thing:

that the person
who snapped that picture

knew how to operate a camera.

I take it you don't
intend to introduce

this particular picture
into evidence, Mr. Prosecutor?

Not until the jury trial,
Your Honor.

We see no reason to waste
the court's time now

with secondary evidence
which only corroborates

another of defendant's
lies about his stepfather.

We're quite willing to concede
that there was a lie

connected with
the photograph in question,

but a lie which the defense
feels should be explored,

because the man who posed
with Judson Bailey

in that photograph
was quite real.

What's he trying
to do to me?

Shh.

And since the prosecutor
has repeatedly suggested

that the defendant
in some way

attempted to frame
the deceased

with said photograph,

I ask that we continue
this line of questioning

until the whole matter
has been clarified.

And to that point, Your Honor,

I would like
to recall a witness.

Which witness?

Mr. Sam Crane.

If you have no objection,
Mr. Prosecutor,

I'd like to understand
this matter

a little more fully myself.

Very well, Your Honor.

Well, Lester phoned me
from what he said

was a service station
on the edge of town.

And that's when you first heard
the defendant's story

of narrowly averting death
at the hands of a hired k*ller?

Yes, that's right.

Mr. Crane,

did Lester Martin describe
his assailant to you?

Yes, in great detail.

He wanted to find
the man, naturally.

Do you recall any
of that description?

Yes. Lester said the man
was tall, six feet,

had black, curly hair.

He said he wore a dark
shirt with a white tie.

He had bushy eyebrows,

and a scar
on his left cheek.

Anything more?

Uh, yes, yes.
He had a black mustache.

That's him!

He's the one who came
to the cottage in the morning.

Order.
Order, please.

Your Honor, I wonder
if I might now recall someone.

Your Honor,
there's a proper time

for defense to parade
his witnesses in here.

He certainly can wait a few
minutes to question that man.

I said, recall someone.

One of your witnesses,
Mr. Prosecutor.

Miss Lois Rogers.

JUDGE:
You may step down, sir.

Miss Rogers, will you
take the stand, please?

May I remind you, Miss Rogers,
that you are still under oath.

Now, Miss Rogers,

you testified that when you met
Judson Bailey in Corelli's,

he had been talking
to a man at the bar.

That's right.

Do you recall your exact
conversation with Mr. Bailey?

Well, I asked Judson who the man
was and he said, "Just a guy."

But he wasn't just a guy,
of course.

Later on, Judson was very
upset about the same man.

MASON:
But couldn't he have been
"just a guy," Miss Rogers?

I don't understand.

Couldn't he have been
some stranger

who just struck up
a conversation with Mr. Bailey?

No.

Everyone here has described him.

I mean, Marge Fuller
certainly knew

who she was taking
a picture of, didn't she?

It must have been the same man.

That man could still have been
a stranger to Mr. Bailey.

Well, I guess so.

Someone else could have hired
that man, could they not?

Arranged the picture-taking?

Arranged it all so that
Judson Bailey would be blamed?

Stop it, stop it, stop it.

( crowd murmuring )

I hired him.

I did it.
He'll tell you so himself.

I'm sorry, Lester.

The man wouldn't
have k*lled you,

I told him to let you
talk him out of it.

To frighten you.

To make you believe
Bailey had hired him.

You understand, don't you, Emma?

I had to make you hate Judson.

That's why I wanted
to frame him.

When I got to the house,
he and--

He and Lester had been fighting.

He had the picture
and knew what I'd done.

I had to k*ll him then.

You understand, don't you Emma?

I had to k*ll him.

Bailiff, you'll take
Mr. Crane into custody.

Mr. Mason, I'll rule
favorably on a motion

to dismiss the charges
against your client.

Court's adjourned.

My friend,

for an impersonation like that,
you've earned your bucks.

( dramatic theme swells )

Thank you.

Somehow I never figured
Sam to be the m*rder*r.

Well, if everyone was telling
the truth, it had to be Sam.

What do you mean?

Well, in the first place,
it kept bothering me

that Judson Bailey had accused
you of framing him.

Everybody said he was so
completely outraged,

so angry at the accusations.

So if Bailey had
told the truth,

then someone else must
have hired the kidnapper.

That's right. Who told
Marge to take that picture

and exactly
where to take it?

And exactly when,
and exactly what

the hired man looked like.

Sam Crane told his man
to go to Corelli's Bar,

strike up a conversation
with Bailey

and leave after you'd had
time to take that picture.

I don't know why
I didn't get it

when you did practically

the same thing
right in front of me.

Don't worry, I miss things
like that all the time.

( shutter clicks )

Excuse me,

but didn't you want
your picture taken?

( all laughing )

( noirish jazz theme playing )