02x24 - The Case of the Calendar Girl

[bunniefuu]

( noirish jazz theme playing )

( mysterious theme playing )

( dog barking )

( barking )

Would you, uh,
excuse me a moment, Mr. Andrews?

I'm washing some prints.
I wanna take them out.

Okay.

Are you interested
in photography?

Not very.

It's a hobby of mine.

That's very interesting,
Mr. Borden,

but it isn't what I came
to see you about.

Of course.

You knew that
I had the contract

for the new school
out on th Street.

Yes, I'd heard.

What's the matter?
Your bid too cheap?

No, my bid
was all right.

Labor troubles?

No.

Don't tell me you're
having inspector troubles.

Aren't you building
to specifications?

Yes,
I'm following specs.

But the inspectors
are using microscopes.

Riding me, delaying me,
hamstringing me.

I'm going broke.

Yes, those inspectors
can be rather pesky.

Well, now, what brings
you to me, Mr. Andrews?

Well, when I complained
to one of 'em,

he said,
why don't I get smart?

Go see Wilfred Borden.

Yes, it's true.

I do specialize in
public relations, technically.

But I don't use bribery.

And I do need
political influence,

and that costs me money,
Mr. Andrews.

Dollar diplomacy.

How much?

Five thousand to start with.

We'll make other arrangements
as we go along.

And I'll have the cash
for you in the morning.

Oh, Mr. Andrews.

It's too bad we couldn't have
come to an understanding

before you started
construction.

However, you don't have to worry
about the inspectors anymore.

Listen, don't be mistaken
about me, Borden.

If my troubles with
the inspectors are over,

my troubles with my self-respect
are just beginning.

Now, our association
will last only as long

as I can't figure a way
to get rid of you.

( dramatic theme playing )

( uneasy theme playing )

( engine starts )

( tires screeching )

( dramatic theme playing )

( engine shuts off )

ANDREWS:
Anybody hurt?

You all right, miss?

WOMAN:
Help!

Help!

Help!

Are you hurt?

( moans )

W-who are you?

I was driving
the other car.

Oh.

Listen,
can you stand up?

( gasps )

I better get you
to a doctor.

Oh, no. No--
No, I'll be all right.

If you could just
drive me home...

Oh, could I borrow this
for a minute?

Sure.

Oh, thank you.

Listen, are you sure
you don't wanna see a doctor?

I-if I need one,

there's one that lives
right in my apartment building.

Uh, you will drive me home?

Of course.

Oh, uh, my name
is Beatrice Cornell.

George Andrews. Uh...

Oh, Mr. Andrews.

Well, it was all my fault.

I saw something in the road,
a dog or cat or...

Anyway, I swerved
to avoid it, and...

But I-I'm covered.

Now, they'll take care
of everything.

Did you get my--?
My license number?

Yes, I have it.

( sighs )

Y-you know, I guess I am
a little bit shook up.

Do you know where the Dorman
Apartments are, on Rossmore?

Well, I'll find them.
( sighs )

Fine.

( mysterious theme playing )

You've been very nice.

You know, you haven't
complained once

about my running into you
or what a bad driver I am.

Perhaps we could
see each other again.

I hope so.

Well, you know how
to reach me, Mr. Andrews.

Good night.

Night.

( dramatic theme playing )

Hello,
would you rush a cab

to the Dorman Apartments
on Rossmore, please?

I'll be waiting outside.

( soft jazz music
plays on radio )

Is Frank still
in the bedroom?

He's still
sleeping it off, Loretta.

He really
tied one on.

Boy, it sure took you
a long time

to get those
cigarettes.

Here.

Frank?

FRANK:
Hm?

Oh, Frank.
Yeah, what?

Wake up, come on.
Get up. Frank.

Wake up. Come on.

( sighs heavily )

( groans )

Sorry, Lorie,
I guess I had one too many.

Oh, Frank, you have
a job to do for Mr. Borden.

You're supposed to pick up
one of his dogs at the vet's

and take it back to him
at : .

Hey, that's right.
What time is it?

It's a quarter of .

Boy, he's really
gonna be sore.

Come on, you better get started.

Come on.

Yeah,
see you later, baby.

( door closes )

( soft music playing on piano )

Oh, good evening, Mr. Mason.
George.

Will you
come this way?

Mr. Mason,
I thought I recognized you.

I need legal advice,
Mr. Mason,

and my own attorney's
out of town.

My name's George Andrews,

and I realize this is a terrible
time to approach you--

I'm sorry, Mr. Andrews.
You see, I...

All right, sit down.
Let's hear about it.

Thank you.

Something, uh--

Something very strange happened
just a little while ago.

Uh, I'm a contractor executing
bids on a school building.

She said her name
was Beatrice Cornell.

I didn't ask to see
her driver's license.

I don't know why.

Did you get the number
of her license plates?

Yes, it was,
uh, CVX- .

Go on, Mr. Andrews.

Well, in the moonlight
I could see her feet and legs

and she was wearing
open-toed shoes,

I could swear it.

I suppose she was.

Well, when I got back
with the flashlight,

she had changed them.

That sounds idiotic,
doesn't it?

Are you positive?

No. But I think so.

Did you report
the accident?

No.

Why not?

Well, I'm involved in
rather a delicate situation

with Wilfred Borden.

Wilfred Borden?

He's kind of a political
Mr. Fix-It, isn't he?

That's where I was tonight.

If my construction troubles
were to stop suddenly

and I was linked to a visit
with Borden,

it would really hurt.

All right. I'll see
if I can get in touch

with this Beatrice Cornell,

and arrange to have
a doctor call on her.

Uh, she said
she wouldn't need one.

Hm. I'm your attorney.
Let her say that to me.

Della, see if you can
reach her by phone.

Mm-hm.

( rings )

Beatrice Cornell speaking.

( Perry speaking indistinctly )
Who?

My name is Mason.

I'm an attorney
representing George Andrews.

MASON ( on phone ):
He owns the car you ran into
this evening, Miss Cornell.

The car I ran into?

What are you talking about,
Mr. Mason?

Didn't you have
an accident this evening?

That'd be the trick of the week.
I don't own a car.

I'm very sorry
to disturb you.

Thank you.

Good night.

Mr. Andrews, when you
first saw this young woman,

you said she had
a very faint pulse.

That's right.

I think we'd better get out
to the Borden estate.

Now?

We're dealing with two women,
Mr. Andrews.

One calling herself
Beatrice Cornell,

the other injured,
possibly badly,

and possibly still wandering
around helplessly

in the vicinity
of the accident.

Let's go.

( mysterious theme playing )

John Milton Carson.

A friend of yours, Andrews?

No, she led me to believe
it was her car.

Also that her name
was Beatrice Cornell.

This place
gives me the willies, Perry.

It's almost : .
There's nobody here.

Let's go, hm?

( dog barking )

( alarm bell ringing )

What was that?
Sounds like an alarm.

Let's get outta here.

( barking )

Oh!

( moaning )

( barking, growling )

There's a phone there.
I'll try the house.

Hello?

Hello?!

Hello, there's been
an accident.

Might be a young woman
seriously injured

and wandering around helplessly
on the grounds.

And with your dogs
running loose, why--

Wait a moment.

Hello?

Della, take the line,
will you?

The woman said
she'd find out

whether Mr. Borden
could be disturbed.

Hello?

Uh, Mr. Borden,
this is an emergency.

Your dogs are loose, and--

I know, but there may be a dazed
young woman inside the gates.

Hello, Mr. Borden?

Look, the responsibility
is now yours.

We can't get
inside the gates.

All right.
See that you do.

He said he'd
round up the dogs.

( dog whistle )

( dramatic theme playing )

( serious theme playing )

Morning, Paul.
Morning, Perry.

Morning, Della.
Morning.

Sleep well?

No. I was worried about
a young woman who might be hurt

and who might be wandering
around the estate--

And who might've met up
with some Doberman pinschers.

Right.

There was nothing
in the paper though, Perry.

Well, maybe no news
is good news.

Paul, I'd, uh, like you
to do a job for me.

I'm looking
for a young woman.

Okay.

Light hair,
about or ,

brown eyes,
about -foot- ,

nice legs.

Her name?

I don't know.

Address?

I don't know that either.

But I do have
a lead for you.

Last night around : ,
she was involved in an accident

with our client,
George Andrews.

Happened right outside
the Borden estate in Vista Mesa.

Wait a minute.

I just heard it on
the car radio this morning

that, uh, Wilfred Borden
was m*rder*d last night.

Where? What time last night?

It was only a flash.

It just came over the wire,

but I can more details
around headquarters.

This woman is
much more important now.

She may have been
driving a stolen car,

and she gave our client
the name of Beatrice Cornell.

He dropped her off at the
Dorman Apartments on Rossmore.

About what time
would that have been?

I figure about
a quarter of .

She might've called a cab
the minute your client left.

I'll check it out.

Uh, if I draw a blank,

do you want me to follow up
this Beatrice Cornell angle

at the Dorman Apartments?

No, I'll be working on that one.

Della, get hold
of George Andrews.

Have him wait here
in the office till I get back.

Right.

Bye, beautiful.

Bye.

( ominous theme playing )

Look, Mr. Mason,
I know a dozen young women.

Any one of them could've used
my name and address.

Good-looking, light hair,
long, shapely legs?

They've all got
long, shapely legs.

They're photographers' models.

I represent them.

Between that and my
telephone answering service,

I make a good living.

Photographers' models?
They work for amateurs?

What have you got
in mind?

Hiring one of them.

Which one?

One whom I believe
was in an accident last night

at the Borden estate,

around the time
Mr. Borden was m*rder*d.

Mr. Borden, m*rder*d?

Did you know him?
Well, he's--

Well, he was
an amateur photographer.

Sometimes he got models
through me.

Recently?

No, not for several months.

I think he made a private deal
with some model

for some special kind
of calendar pinups.

Now that's what
I'll want: pinups.

Do you have any photographs
of those models?

Yes.

I assume you know
what you're looking for?

Yes, I do.

I'd like you to get in touch
with all your models

and find out
which one of them

might not be able
to pose in a bikini.

CORNELL:
Well, what good will that do?

MASON:
Just tell them
I wanna discuss

a business proposition
with them.

Well, Miss Cornell?

All right.
I'll call them.

Here's my address.

I'll be waiting for them.

( suspenseful theme playing )

WOMAN:
Well, if you're looking
for bruises, Mr. Mason,

we can always
get a makeup man.

I'm afraid it
wouldn't work, Miss Drew.

I need the real thing.

Well, there's always
another time.

This should cover
your inconvenience.

Thank you, Mr. Mason.

You're welcome.

Goodbye, Miss Drew.
Goodbye.

Oh, hi, Dawn.
Hi, Patti.

I'm Dawn Manning.
Miss Cornell sent me.

Come in, Miss Manning.

Uh, Mr. Mason, I don't want
any misunderstanding.

My legs are not
at their best right now.

I was in an accident
last night,

and I'm all bruised
and skinned.

Badly?

Well...

I hope we can wait
a few days.

Well, as a matter of fact,
Miss Manning,

I'm interested
in the bruises.

They were caused
by an automobile accident

last night,
weren't they?

What is this?

Miss Cornell said this was
a legitimate posing job.

It is.

From the moment you left home,
you've been under salary,

at the regular rates.

Well, what's this bit
about an accident?

Well,
I'm an attorney

representing a man
involved in the accident.

Here, sit down.

The accident
happened outside

the Borden estate,
didn't it?

Yes.

Were you driving alone?

No,
I wasn't driving at all.

Another woman was driving.

Oh? Who?

I don't know.

I was leaving a studio party
in Vista Mesa,

and when I went downstairs,

this woman
offered me a lift.

You'd never seen her before?

No, and that's
funny too,

because she seemed to know
who I was.

At least,
she knew my name

and that I had been married
to Frank Fettridge.

He works
for Wilfred Borden.

How do you mean
you had been married?

Well, let's say
we're getting a divorce.

Would you tell me
how the accident happened?

Well, we were
driving along,

and she asked
if I would mind

if she stopped off
to see a friend very briefly.

Then she mentioned
very casually

that she understood
my divorce from Frank

had never gone through.

And at that moment,

she started to swing
into Wilfred Borden's driveway.

I sensed a trap
and grabbed at the wheel.

Another car was coming
out of the gate,

and, well,
the cars hit.

And the car I was in
skidded around

and went into the hedges.

And then?

And then I don't know.

I passed out.

But I must've sailed
out of the car

and skidded along the dirt
to get these bruises.

What happened
after you came to?

Well, the car was against a tree
and the woman was gone.

I made it to the highway,
and after about five minutes,

I caught a bus for town.

Do you know what time it was
when you caught the bus?

I know exactly.
It was : .

( phone rings )

Excuse me.

Yes?
DELLA ( on phone ): Perry?

Paul just called.
He was right.

A Skyline cab
picked up the woman

at the Dorman Apartments
at : .

Mm-hm. He drove her
to the Ogden Apartments,

Ogden Way.

Did he get the name?

Uh-huh, Loretta Harper,
Apartment E.

Incidentally, Perry,

Paul wanted you to know
that the wrecked car was stolen.

( Perry speaking indistinctly )

No, no, I still haven't heard
from Mr. Andrews.

All right, Della,
keep trying.

Miss Manning, I understand
you're quite good friends

with Loretta Harper.

I never heard of her.

Am I through now?

Yes.

Except for the pictures.

Oh, do you still want them,
bruises and all?

Bruises and all.

Okay,
where do I change?

Right in there
will be all right.

Thank you.

( quiet dramatic theme playing )

Yes?

My name is Mason,
Miss Harper.

I'm an attorney.

May I speak to you
for a few minutes?

Can you tell me
what it's about?

The accident last night.

Come in.

Just what accident
are you talking about?

The one where you grabbed
Dawn Manning,

dragged her out of the car,
took her place,

and then called for help.

Please sit down, Mr. Mason.

Now, just what was it
that you wanted to know

about the accident?

How did you happen
to be driving a stolen car?

I, driving a stolen car?

Weren't you?

Why, no, of course not.

Besides,
I wasn't driving.

She was.

Why, if anyone
stole that car,

Dawn Manning stole it.

How did you
happen to be with her?

She forced me
to get into that car.

Where was this,
Miss Harper?

Right in front
of the apartment house.

( sighs )

I'd had a few friends
in last night,

and when we ran out
of cigarettes,

I went out to get some.

She was just waiting for me
there at the curb.

Then what?

She leaned across the seat
and opened the door

and pointed that g*n at me

and told me to get in.
And you got in?

Oh, you bet I got in.
She was nearly hysterical.

She started to drive
like crazy

and she said Frank Fettridge
had told her they were divorced,

And-- And then
she found out

that he hadn't
gone through with it, and...

Oh, I don't know.

A whole bunch of stuff
like that.

This, uh,
Frank Fettridge:

he'd be the one
who works for Mr. Borden?

Worked, Mr. Mason.

Mr. Borden was m*rder*d
last night,

or this morning sometime.

I heard it on the radio.

How do you know Fettridge?

He's my boyfriend.

And they are divorced,
Mr. Mason.

Frank and I
are going to get married.

Do you suppose I might be able
to talk with him?

Why, sure.
He's probably out at--

What's the matter?

That half-smoked cigarette
you just picked up

had no lipstick on it
before you started smoking it.

Frank.

This is Mr. Mason, Frank.

Yes, I know about him.
It's, uh, Perry Mason, Lorie.

We don't have to answer
any questions.

That's right,
Mr. Fettridge.

But what do
I have to hide?

Why shouldn't I
tell the truth?

Just general principles, baby.
Don't ever offer anything.

It can come back
to haunt you.

That's quite true,
Miss Harper.

But sometimes, if it is
the truth you're telling,

it saves
embarrassment and trouble.

The way things stand now,

either you or Miss Manning
have been lying.

Why, sure.

You wouldn't expect a woman
who would use a g*n

to pull a kidnap stunt to tell
the truth, now, would you?

Are you able to corroborate

any part of her story,
Mr. Fettridge?

All of it.

There's just one thing
I'd like you to tell me.

Why did you lie
to George Andrews?

Why did you give him
someone else's name and address?

Because I didn't want to
become involved, Mr. Mason,

and I still don't.

It seems you are involved,
Miss Harper.

Mr. Fettridge.

( suspenseful theme playing )

The body was discovered

at this morning
by the cleaning woman.

There's a small photo lab
and studio right off the den.

He was lying in there,
a . slug in his chest.

What else, Paul?

On Borden's desk,

on his date pad
for yesterday was written:

"G. Andrews. : p.m."

What--?
( rings )

Yes, Della?

Oh?

Well, send him in.

Hello, Mr. Mason, I--

Mr. Drake,
Mr. Andrews.

Mr. G. Andrews.

How do you do?

How do you do?

All right, Paul.

You were telling me
of the developments

in the Borden m*rder.

The police found
fingerprints in the den,

which checked out to be
those of George Andrews,

a contractor putting up
a schoolhouse on th Street.

Go on, Paul.

Mm, the police tried to find
Mr. Andrews and couldn't.

We weren't able
to find him either.

I wasn't home all day.

Then Homicide
started checking.

They found out
the way Borden works,

also that George Andrews
had resisted pressure

as long as he could.

Then last night
he visited Borden,

the police think,
to pay him off.

I was facing ruin.

When you left him,
was Borden still alive?

Yes.
MASON: Was he alone?

As far as I know.

Did you go back
to the Borden place last night

after we'd been there?

No.

The police are very likely
waiting for you at home.

They'll wanna ask you
some questions.

( phone rings )

Yes, Della?

All right.
Send him in.

This is very considerate
of you, Perry.

I thought I'd have to wait
until your client had left.

Uh, you're Mr. Andrews,
aren't you?

Yes.

Yours?

No.

I never
saw it before.

We found this
in the glove compartment

of your car downstairs.

It's a Colt . .

This is Lieutenant Tragg
of Homicide.

You know Borden was k*lled
with a Colt . ?

I tell ya,
it isn't my g*n.

TRAGG:
Oh, sure it isn't.

It's just that Ballistics
will want to play around with it

before giving you
a clean bill of health.

Let's go.

What do you want with me?

I don't know how
the g*n got in my car.

You'd better go along
with the lieutenant.

My, you're cooperative today,
aren't you?

( dramatic theme playing )

( forlorn theme playing )

The b*llet entered the chest

slightly to the left
of the median line,

tearing one corner off
of the heart.

Was there a great deal
of bleeding, doctor?

Quite a bit.

And what type of blood
was it?

Type AB, a rather rare
blood grouping.

Less than percent
of the people have it.

BURGER:
And where you able to establish
the time of death?

Between the hours
of : and : p.m.,

Monday, March th.

Thank you, doctor.

Your witness.

No questions.

I call Lieutenant
Arthur Tragg, please.

Now, lieutenant, I show you
this . -caliber Colt a*t*matic,

previously identified
by Ballistics

as being the m*rder w*apon,
and marked people's Exhibit A.

I ask you
if you recognize it.

Yes, I do.

I found this
in the glove compartment

of the defendant's car
the day following the m*rder.

Did you also
have occasion to search

the defendant's apartment?

I did.

And what
did you find there?

Well, I found
a suit of clothes

with rust-colored spots
all over it.

They proved to be blood.

BURGER:
What type blood?

Type AB.

The same rare type as that of
the deceased, Wilfred Borden?

That's right.

Thank you, lieutenant.
That'll be all.

Cross-examine.

I remember that,
Mr. Mason.

I've been meaning to have
the suit cleaned

for a long time now.

I'm subject to nosebleed.

What type is your blood?

I don't know.

No questions.

MAN:
My hardware store
is pretty large.

We have petty thefts
regularly.

We didn't discover
the g*n was missing

until inventory time.

But you did discover
it was missing

prior to Monday, March th,
of this year?

Oh, yes, sir.

We discovered it
over a year ago.

Then almost anyone
could have taken the g*n?

Anybody who got
into the store.

Thank you, sir,
that'll be all.

Cross-examine.

MASON:
No questions.

JUDGE:
Witness may stand down.

I call Mr. Jasper Horn
to the stand, please.

I'm foreman
of the school construction job

on th Street.

Are you acquainted with
the defendant in this case,

George Andrews?

Sure,
he's my boss.

BURGER:
Would you recite for us, please,

the gist of the conversation
you had with Mr. Andrews

on Monday, March the th?

Sure. It was like
a lot of other conversations.

I told him I felt sure

that we was gonna
keep on having trouble

with the inspectors
and the suppliers

unless he made a deal
with Borden.

"Made a deal"?

Yeah. Chilled the heat.

Played ball...
Paid him off.

And what was Mr. Andrews' reply
to this suggestion?

Same as always.

He said he would sh**t Borden
through his conniving heart

before he'd pay tribute.

BURGER:
I see.

That's all, Mr. Horn. Thank you.

To you, counselor.

Mr. Horn, on Monday,
March the th,

did, uh, Mr. Andrews
also tell you

he was going to
see Mr. Borden?

Yes, sir, he said
he had an appointment with him

for that evening.

And Tuesday, after his visit
with Mr. Borden?

Well, Tuesday
the story was different.

The inspectors told me
they felt sure

there wouldn't be
any more trouble.

Then it would appear
Mr. Andrews did pay the tribute,

would it not?

I object, Your Honor.

I'll withdraw the question.

I'm through
with the witness.

I call Frank Fettridge
to the stand, please.

JUDGE:
Mr. Fettridge.

You may step down.

Mr. Fettridge, you were employed
by the late Wilfred Borden?

Yes.

In what capacity?

Sort of general assistant.

I did whatever
needed to be done.

Calling your attention now
to Monday, March the th,

the evening of the m*rder,

would you tell us
what transpired, please?

Yes.

Well, about half past ,
a phone call came in,

and I made an appointment
for Mr. Andrews

to see Mr. Borden
sometime that evening

between : and : .

And what did you do,
Mr. Fettridge?

Well, I had a date
that evening,

so I left early,
around, um, : .

You left Mr. Borden alone,
is that correct?

That's right.

Thank you.
That'll be all.

Cross-examine.

There's a, um, high fence
surrounding the estate,

is there not?

There is.

Do the electric gates work
by a timing device?

Yes, they close
at : at night

and open at
in the morning.

Now, the room in which
Mr. Borden was found dead,

was it kept locked?

It has a spring lock on it.

Did Mr. Borden sometimes work
with photographers' models

in that room?

Objection,
Your Honor.

That's improper
cross-examination.

It calls for matters
that are completely extraneous.

The objection is sustained.

I have no further questions.

JUDGE:
You may stand down.

If it please the court,

since this is
a preliminary hearing,

the prosecution feels
that it has made its case.

We have shown that a m*rder
was indeed committed,

and probable reason to believe
that the defendant committed it.

The state rests.

I think you could've
rested earlier

and still have been
entitled to an order

binding the defendant over.

May the court please,

counsel realizes defense

normally does not put on
its case at this time.

However, there is
a peculiarity in the case.

What peculiarity?

The time element.

If my client
did commit the m*rder,

he must've done so
before : .

The evidence doesn't so show,
Mr. Mason.

The state has not made
such a contention.

The state
has adduced evidence

which can be made to so show,
Your Honor.

And defense proposes
to show conclusively

that the crime
was not committed prior to : ,

and that Wilfred Borden was
alive and well long after .

That, of course,
would be a perfect defense,

if you can establish it.

We'll have to wait until
the afternoon session, however.

Court will take
a recess until : .

Hi, Perry.

All right, Paul,

have your man
serve the subpoenas.

On his way.

We need one of them
to establish

the time of the accident
as : .

To prove that Andrews
had left the grounds by then?

That's right.

That one would be
Loretta Harper, Perry,

but what about the other one,
Dawn Manning?

One or the other
is lying.

Cold logic
points to Dawn Manning.

Why?

There's a half-hour
unaccounted for in her story.

But she was unconscious
during that time.

That's what she says,
Della.

You willing
to take her word for it?

( dramatic theme playing )

Are you ready to proceed

with the case for
the defense, Mr. Mason?

Yes, Your Honor.

I call Miss Della Street
to the stand.

Do you solemnly swear
that the testimony

you're about to give
shall be the truth,

the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth?

I do.
State your name.

Della Street.
Be seated, please.

MASON:
Now, Miss Street,

when and where
did you first see the defendant?

DELLA:
On the evening of Monday,
March th,

at Dessault's Restaurant.

MASON:
What was the time?

DELLA:
Approximately
five after .

MASON:
And what happened?

The defendant asked you
to do certain things,

and then the three of us
left Dessault's Restaurant.

And where did we go?

To your office.

And after that?

We drove out
to Wilfred Borden's place,

parked the car
outside the gate,

and looked around
for about minutes.

MASON:
And then what happened?

An alarm sounded,

the electric gate
started closing,

floodlights went on,

and some dogs
came running after us.

Go on, Miss Street.

Well, we got out all right,
but we were afraid there was

a young woman dazed
within the grounds,

and since the dogs were loose,
we wanted to notify the house.

There was a phone
at the gate, and, uh--

Should I go on with
the conversation on the phone?

Please do.

A voice answered,
and he said it was Mr. Borden,

and I said, "Mr. Borden--"

Objection, Your Honor.

The witness could not possibly
tell who was on the other end.

The witness did not state
who was at the other end,

only that the person
who answered the phone

said he was Mr. Borden.

Overruled.

Proceed, Miss Street.

Thank you.

I told him
it was an emergency,

and, uh,
he said something

about the dogs always
being loose at that time.

And you took the phone.

And after I'd hung up,
what happened, Miss Street?

We drove Mr. Andrews
back to Dessault's Restaurant,

where he picked up
his car.

What time was it then?

A bit after : .

So you can vouch for
the whereabouts of the defendant

from five minutes after
until :

on the night
of the m*rder?

Yes, sir, I can.

Thank you, Miss Street.

You may cross-examine.

We have no questions
of this witness, Your Honor.

No cross-examination?

No, Your Honor.

The court is aware,
Mr. Burger,

that Miss Street could not
positively identify the deceased

as being on the other end
of that telephone conversation.

But the fact that he identified
himself as Borden

and that the prosecution's
own witnesses testified

the only person left
in the house at that time

was Wilfred Borden,

makes a very strong presumption
that it was indeed he.

Yes, Your Honor,
we understand that.

It's just that we don't want to
establish our rebuttal

by cross-examination.

That's, uh,
our case, Your Honor.

It would seem,
Mr. Prosecutor,

that we now have
a very material difference

in the situation.

If it please the court,

we should like to put on some
rebuttal evidence for the state,

which we feel sure will clarify
the entire situation.

JUDGE:
Very well. Proceed.

You may stand down,
Miss Street.

BURGER:
We would like to recall
Frank Fettridge.

Mr. Fettridge, you heard
Miss Street's testimony?

Yes, sir.

Do you know anything at all

about the conversation
that she related for us?

Yes,
I know all about it.

She gave
a very faithful account.

I was the person
at the other end of the line.

You mean,
you were the person

who said you were
Wilfred Borden?

That's right.

Did you usually
answer the telephone

in Mr. Borden's name?

Not usually,
but frequently.

As a regular part
of your duties

in connection with
your position with Mr. Borden,

is that correct?

Yes, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Fettridge.

Your witness.

Now, you told the court
that you had a date that night

and that you
left the house at : ?

That's right.
But I came back.

What time?

Around of ,
quarter of.

Alone?

No.
Who was with you?

Dr. Margaret Callison.

Who is she?

A veterinarian.

We were returning
one of the dogs.

She, uh, wanted to talk
with Mr. Borden.

Well, while we were
waiting in the den

for him to come out
of his studio,

the gate phone rang.

She answered the phone
because I was mixing drinks.

Then when I came out,

I spoke to your secretary,
Miss Street.

What do you mean you were
waiting for Mr. Borden

to come out of his studio?

The door was closed.

It's always closed
when he's working in there.

Well, why didn't you go in?

( chuckles )

If I'd opened that door

and interrupted him
taking pictures,

I'd have been fired
on the spot.

Now, uh, let me
get this straight

about Dr. Callison.

She was treating
one of the dogs?

That's right.

And you were to get the dog?

Yes.
What time?

: .

What time
did you get the dog?

Around : .

You were late. Why?

I overslept.

You overslept?

( sighs ):
Well, if you must know,

at this party
at my fiancée's,

I, uh, had a couple too many
to drink, and passed out.

Who is your fiancée?

FETTRIDGE:
Uh, Loretta Harper.

Are you a married man,
Mr. Fettridge?

No, I'm divorced.

MASON:
To whom were you married?

FETTRIDGE:
Uh, to a model.

She goes under the name
of Dawn Manning.

And when was
your divorce decree granted?

Yesterday.

Where?
Reno, Nevada.

I take it you flew up to Reno,
obtained the decree,

and then flew back here
in order to appear as a witness?

FETTRIDGE:
Yes, sir.

MASON:
You'd previously filed suit
for this divorce,

the issue had been joined,

but you never
went through with it?

FETTRIDGE:
That's right.

Now, I ask you,
Mr. Fettridge,

if it was possible
for someone

to have been with Mr. Borden
in his studio

during the time
you and Dr. Callison

were at the house.

Well, when I first
came into the den,

I called out for Mr. Borden.

Did you get a response?

Yes.

A woman's voice called back,
"Go away, Frank."

Did you recognize the voice?

Yes, I did.

It was my wife--

My former wife,
Dawn Manning.

It's a lie!

It's a lie.

Order.

If I have another
outburst like that,

I'll put you in the custody
of the bailiff.

Proceed, Mr. Mason.

All right.

Now, at the time you heard
Dawn Manning's voice,

where was Dr. Callison?

She'd taken the dog
back to the kennel.

If it please the court,

at this time I would like
to recall Mr. Harvey Dennison.

The owner
of the hardware store?

I have no objection,
Your Honor.

JUDGE:
Mr. Dennison.

MASON:
Mr. Dennison,
are you acquainted

with a young woman
by the name of Dawn Manning?

DENNISON:
I am.

Was she ever in your employ?

She was.

When?

About two years ago.

Was she in your employ

at the time the . Colt

was found to be missing
from your stock?

DENNISON:
Yes, she was.

MASON:
Thank you, Mr. Dennison.

That'll be all.

Just a minute, Mr. Mason.

You've made an accusation
that Dawn Manning

stole the g*n in this case.

Mr. Dennison,

have you any evidence whatever
that she did?

None, whatever.

BURGER:
Thank you. That's all.

( scoffs )

You Honor, it's apparent that in
spite of the desperate efforts

of the defense counsel to drag
someone else into this case,

that the defendant
has no alibi,

that nothing material
has been changed,

and I fail to see what
additional evidence is necessary

for the prosecution
to be entitled to an order

binding the defendant over it.

Now, just a moment,
Mr. Burger.

Your Honor,

the prosecution has been
putting on rebuttal evidence.

Well, I just finished that.

That completes our case.

Then, You Honor,
I wish to put on

some further evidence
of my own in surrebuttal.

I would like to call
to the stand,

Miss Loretta Harper.

Loretta Harper
will come forward and be sworn.

Now, Miss Harper,

do you know
Frank Fettridge?

I do.

Do you know his former wife,
Dawn Manning?

Yes.

Will you please tell this court
exactly what happened

in or about the Borden estate
at approximately :

on Monday, March th?

Yes, sir.

We had an accident.

Who's we?

Dawn Manning and I.

She was driving the car
with one hand,

holding a g*n on me
with the other.

Then another car,
driven by the defendant,

George Andrews,
turned out of the driveway--

Objection, Your Honor.

Counsel is now getting into
something completely extraneous.

Objection
overruled.

We're concerned here
with events which happened

on the premises
where the m*rder took place

at a time when
expert medical testimony

indicates
it could've happened.

Proceed, Miss Harper.

Yes, sir.

Well, the car that, uh,
Dawn Manning and I were in,

went through a hedge.

We were both throw clear,
but she was knocked out.

And what did the defendant do?

Well, first of all,

he came around
to see if anybody was hurt.

And then he went back to his car
to get a flashlight.

What did you do
while he was gone?

I dragged Dawn Manning
out of sight,

and then I took her place,

so that when
Mr. Andrews came back

he would think there'd been
only me in the car.

Then what, Miss Harper?

Oh, well,
then he just drove me away.

Leaving Dawn Manning
unconscious on the ground?

Oh, but she wasn't
really unconscious, not then.

Uh...maybe still dazed.

Because, you see,
when I went back to the car

to get my coat
and my bag--

Well, I looked
where I had left her

and she was gone.

What time was this,
Miss Harper?

Oh, : .

Maybe five or six minutes after,
I guess.

And the g*n, Miss Harper?
What happened to the g*n?

Well, I don't know.

( laughs )

I never
thought about it.

Thank you.

Your witness.

No questions, Your Honor.

You may stand down.

It has occurred to me,
Your Honor,

that if Mr. Borden were
engaged in taking photographs

in his studio
on the night of the m*rder,

some evidence of it
must exist

and is probably in the hands
of the authorities.

Mr. Burger?

Well, Your Honor,
there was some exposed film

on Mr. Borden's camera,
but there's no positive way

of telling when
the pictures were taken.

Are the prints
available?

Yes.
May we see them?

Yes.

Miss Dawn Manning
will come forward.

Am I anticipating you,
Mr. Mason?

Did you wish to put
this witness on the stand?

Oh, thank you,
Your Honor,

but I wonder
if I might first call

a previous prosecution witness:
Mr. Frank Fettridge.

What possible purpose
could we serve

in calling him,
Your Honor?

I can see now where
an investigation

of Dawn Manning
might be in order, but--

There still remain
one or two small points

I'd like to clear up.

You're excused,
Miss Manning.

Mr. Fettridge.

You're still under oath,
Mr. Fettridge.

Take the stand.

You must realize now

that grave suspicion
attaches to your former wife

in the m*rder
of Wilfred Borden.

Therefore,
please answer carefully.

I'm always careful, Mr. Mason.

Are you?

Yes, I imagine it must've been
quite a problem,

wondering or being
absolutely certain

that it was Dawn's voice
you heard inside the studio.

Not wondering
if it was her voice,

but if I should
say anything.

MASON:
I see.

You're positive, then?

FETTRIDGE:
Yes.

But she denies it?

She always was
a little liar.

I guess she grew up
to be a big one.

Now, when Dawn worked

at Dennison's Hardware,

you would pick her up
at work sometimes?

Yes.

As a matter of fact,
you were well-known

to the other employees
in the store, were you not?

Yes.

So then it would have been
just as easy for you

to have taken
a . Colt from the store

as it would've been
for Dawn?

But I didn't.

May I, Your Honor?

Yes, Mr. Mason.

Now, Mr. Fettridge,

I ask you to look
at those photographs.

They were printed
from film found

in Mr. Borden's
studio camera.

FETTRIDGE:
Dawn.

That proves she was
in there that night.

No, Mr. Fettridge,

it proves she was not
in there that night.

What?

Do you recognize that?

FETTRIDGE:
Sure. It's Dawn
in the same bikini.

That's right.

I took that one myself
on Tuesday morning,

the day after the m*rder.

The day after
the automobile accident.

I don't see what that's
got to do with any--

If Dawn had been in the studio
that night after :

posing for
those photographs,

where are the bruises?

Isn't it true
that those photographs

had been taken days before?

And that Mr. Borden
hadn't developed them?

And isn't it true
that you've lied?

Lied about the voice
inside the studio?

And isn't it true that
in reality you were the one--?

No!

No, I didn't k*ll him.

How could I?

I was in Loretta's apartment.

Sleeping off a little
too much to drink?

Yes.

In the bedroom?
Yes.

Beside an open window
and a fire escape,

with just enough time
to slip out, k*ll Mr. Borden,

and return before anyone
knew you were gone.

I...

I...

( slow dramatic theme playing )

...had it all--

All worked out.

All figured out.

Where'd I go wrong?

What did I do
that wasn't right?

You committed a m*rder,
Mr. Fettridge.

( dramatic theme playing )

( solemn theme playing )

Why did he k*ll Borden,
Mr. Mason?

Paul found that out.

Borden caught
Fettridge stealing.

You see, in Borden's
line of work,

he dealt in payoffs
under the table, in cash.

Was Loretta Harper
in on the scheme?

She was.

Hamilton Burger
is drawing up indictments

against
both of them.

Well, then it was
no accident

when she picked up
Dawn Manning.

Borden had taken
those photos of Dawn before.

They were gonna show
that she was there that night.

Then when you
got in the way,

they decided
to frame you instead.

And it was no problem
to locate your car

and put the g*n
in the glove compartment.

The way I see it,

Dawn Manning got by
by the skin of her teeth.

( sighs )

The way I see it,
there's more skin than teeth.

( all chuckle )

( noirish jazz theme playing )