03x26 - The Case of the Flighty Father

[bunniefuu]

( noirish jazz theme playing )

(funeral organ playing )

( sobbing )

( door shuts )

( door shuts )

( car starts )

( dramatic theme playing )

( car horn honks )

( door opens )

Oh, Miss Trudy?
The car's ready.

TRUDY:
Here I am, David.

Let's go.

( door shuts )

Who are you?

This is the third time
I've seen you out here.

What do you want?

I saw you
at my Mother's funeral too.

What were you doing there?

Who are you?

Trudy...

I'm your father.

( dramatic theme swells )

Her father?

MAN:
Yes, sir.

The man is Mr. Jay Holbrook.

I remember his name.

Of course,
Mr. Evanson.

Every vulture
in the family

breathing down
poor little Trudy's neck,

and now her own father.

Oh, you blockhead.

Take it easy, Uncle.

David works for Trudy, not you.

Thank you, Mr. Harper.

Besides, as one neck breather
to another,

I'd like to hear
the rest of this.

They had supper together
last night,

and now lunch again today.

Oh, no.

You can't blame her.

Trudy never saw the guy.

Didn't he run off before
she was even a year old?

What has he said to her, David?

Why is he here?

Well, I really
haven't eavesdropped.

There just hasn't been
the opportunity.

All right.

Let me know any more
that you can.

Of course, sir.

If, uh-- If that's all then,
Mr. Evanson?

Thank you, sir.

Miss Smith, I want you
to call our lawyers.

I want to arrange a conference
with them immediately.

Here.

Poor child.

Yes, only $ million dollars,
poor child.

Young man, if you have
entirely forgotten

her mother's tragic
illness and death--

Oh, my armband's just
as wide as yours is, Uncle.

It's just that
I'm from the more

envious side of the family,
remember?

We all are, sir.

Even as president
of the company,

I've had only my salary
to live on, all these years.

That's all right,
Uncle Shylock,

the family doesn't think
you're trying to lay your hands

on the whole pot,

like we think
Cousin Lawrence is.

With her father here,
even Lawrence King's influence

over Trudy may be suddenly
very unimportant.

I've heard a lot of nasty
stories about this Jay Holbrook.

What'll he try?

What's he really like?

How would I know?

Eighteen years ago
I was living in Europe.

I've never even met the man.

Think of all the gardeners
it must take.

( giggles )

Only three.

It's not in nearly as bad taste
as that National Park

of Grandmother's
up in Santa Barbara.

I guess the grounds were twice
as big when you lived here,

weren't they?

Mother sold four acres

to make room
for a new apartment house.

Didn't you even notice?

Oh?

Oh, yes, of course.

You're funny.

Some things you remember
and some you don't.

Trudy, you say your grandmother
died two years ago?

Yes.
( phone ringing )

( chuckles softly )

I guess it must seem as though
everybody's gone, doesn't it?

I mean, of those
you used to know.

Granny used to say
awful things about you,

about why you left and--

WOMAN:
Excuse me, Miss Trudy,

it's the telephone again.

Mr. Evanson has some
lawyers in his office

and your cousin Wallace
says that--

No, I don't want
to talk to anybody.

Please, leave us alone.

Mother never did want me
to listen to gossip about you.

She hated angry thoughts.

She said there are always
two sides to everything.

Trudy, I ran away because--

Well, there were just
too many acres, I guess.

Too many gardeners.

I know.

Mother never would go
outside that wall, would she?

I mean, leave this house,
leave Grandmother,

leave her family.

You see, in Freudian terms,
Mother was what they call--

There are always two sides
to everything.

Well, Mother stood up
to them in one thing anyway.

She never would
have you declared dead.

Did you know that?

Legally, I mean.

Like, after a person's
been missing seven years.

I'm glad to know that I'm still
legally alive, at least.

But I'm different from Mother
in one thing:

when I want something,
I fight for it.

( doorbell rings )

Why don't you move out
of that hotel downtown

and come up here so that
we can really get acquainted?

Excuse me.

"No" I just told you.

It's Mr. Lawrence King.

He's come to see you.

Cousin Lawrence?

Of course.

You know, it's funny
my not remembering

about that apartment house.

The place where it is,
I mean.

We had a lawn out there
for tennis.

Croquet.

Oh, yes, of course.

Croquet.
( chuckles )

Well, well,
so the prodigal returns.

Hello, Cousin Lawrence.

"Sir."

Always call me "sir",
always, Trudy.

Even when I rolled him home
from jail one night,

roaring like a locomotive.

"Why you interfering old goat,
sir," he said--

Cousin Lawrence,
I'm not going to listen to you

if you're gonna get all excited
like everyone else is doing,

just as though my own father
could come back here

only to rob Mother's grave
or steal my money.

Trudy, please. He certainly
has a right to his memories.

After all, Cousin Lawrence
is about the only one left

to actually knew me
in those days.

The only one.
That's right.

But I'm aware, Trudy,
that time changes people.

It softens things.

I wouldn't say that time
had affected you much, sir,

though I guess I may
look a little different?

You couldn't prove it by me.

Didn't she tell you?

I've been blind
for the past five years.

Well, where were we?

Uh, keep talking.

What did I interrupt?

I was about to tell
Trudy that-- Yes.

Yes, I think I will move
into the house here for a while.

( dramatic theme playing )

It was just like a wave
went over me, Mr. Mason.

Of sunlight.

Oh, not that he really means
anything to me yet,

but he's so kind
and so gentle.

I would have thought you might
have had different reaction

to the return of the man who
apparently deserted your mother.

Oh, she'd explained
it to me so many times.

They just weren't compatible,
that's all.

You see, in psychological terms
Mother was--

Trudy, why did you come to me?

There must have been a great
many family lawyers

available to you.

I want somebody I can trust,
that's why.

Tell me, what kind of a will
did your mother leave?

Everything goes to me,
I guess,

that hasn't already
been put in trust.

I get control of most
all of it by the time I'm .

Now, you say that your
parents' marriage

had never been legally erased.

Well, the fortune
was all your mother's,

so your father can't claim
any money directly.

Still, he might be able to claim
guardianship or control of you.

Mr. Mason, is it true
that a child can ask

for anyone she wants
as her guardian?

In California, yes,
if the child is over ,

b ut it could be contested,
Trudy,

and under the circumstances,

I'd certainly think
you ought to wait a while--

My Father doesn't want anything,
he only came back to see me.

He's always blamed himself
for not making things work

in the past.

You see, in Freudian terms,
my Father--

I understand, Trudy.

You're just a girl
who never had a father.

Mr. Mason, please,
couldn't you help me?

Of course
I'll help you, Trudy.

My guess is it won't
be long before

everyone in town
wants to help you.

Ten million dollars
is a powerful lot of money.

For any slick article
to get control of, that is.

Get his hands on.

Mr. Sample,
I'm employing your agency

to investigate
this man Holbrook,

not to make judgments.

Maybe I was just fishing.

There isn't an awful lot
to go on,

to follow a man
through years.

A few photos,
a couple of old addresses.

I know.

I'm afraid we all made
the mistake years back

of trying to erase Holbrook
out of the family album.

Well, we'll do
the best we can, sir.

Only, suppose we find out
that he's been

mixed up in various
shady stunts.

You'll report to me
and you keep your mouth shut.

No bonus for finding something
you can use against him?

Sir, I had plenty on this man
once before and didn't use it.

All I want is the truth,
you understand?

Just get the facts.

Oh.

Excuse me, sir, sorry.

Seven o'clock:
dinner was served.

Ten minutes after ,
Miss Trudy called for the car.

At : I delivered them
both to the theatre.

Eleven fifteen, drove home.

Next morning after breakfast,

Mr. Holbrook took a walk
about the grounds...

WALLY:
Fifty thousand dollars.

How much do you want?

How much?

I don't understand you.

Fifty thousand dollars,
plus a one-way ticket to Europe.

Wherever you wanna go.

TRUDY:
Who is it, Father? Who's there?

It's all right, Trudy.
Just me.

Listen, Mr. Holbrook,
this isn't just a bribe.

Trudy saw a lawyer.

The family is seeing .

This will be the biggest
legal tangle in history.

Think she can stand that?

Are you quite certain
you can?

Wally, you get out of here.

Go on, leave him alone.

Leave him alone,
will you?

He's my father.

( crying ):
He's my father.

( phone ringing )

Yes?

Yes, Mr. Sample?

Where?

San Francisco?

Yes, I'm in Holbrook's
apartment now.

The last place he moved to.

Well, what'd you find out
about him?

Everything checks so far,

at least in the few spots
we're sure he was various times.

He kept pretty much to himself.

Perfectly nice guy, I'm afraid.

Oh, there is something
you should know in a hurry.

( Sample speaking indistinctly )

What?

No, you must be mistaken.

I'm afraid not, Mr. King.

I thought I better
warn you before--

( doorknob rattling )

( quietly ):
Look, I'll call you back.

( hangs up )

Who are you?

Now, it's all right, friend,
the manager let me in.

Sample's the name.
All above board.

I'm representing
Mr. Lawrence King

of Los Angeles.

Cousin Lawrence.

Mean anything to you?

No.

Well, now,
let's not be hasty.

There's no doubt about this
being you, is there?

Or this? Or this?

What have you
been doing here?

Oh, I'm sorry if I messed up
your book a little,

but those clippings,
they're all Trudy, aren't they?

Pigtails, horse shows,
society stuff.

Hey, that's quite a collection
you made through the years.

I don't know
what you want here, sir,

but I know nothing absolutely
of anyone named Trudy

or Cousin Lawrence--

You have any idea
who this guy might be?

He, uh-- Looks a little
like me, doesn't he?

The guy's in Los Angeles,

polishing
a $ million dollar apple,

pretending to be you.

I--

I never wanted there
to be any trouble.

Yeah, but now
how about it?

You ready
to come out of hiding?

( sighs )

It's true,
I'm Jay Holbrook.

I'm her father.

DELLA:
But don't you know
where she went?

I-- I see.

Well, will you please be sure
that she gets the message.

Not home?

No.

But, Perry,
you said yourself

there would probably be hundreds
of people like this

making wild claims.

MASON:
I understand that,
but Trudy doesn't.

Considering
the emotional wringer

she's been through lately--

( knock on door )

Well, Paul?
Hi, Perry.

This story's only been
in the street edition so far.

Apparently this guy,
whoever he is,

flew into town
just a few hours ago.

Of course, it'll be in all
the papers before long.

Della, do you have a number
on Lawrence King?

I think so.

I, uh, thought you didn't want
to talk to her family yet.

In case you wanted to file
a suit to change

Trudy's guardianship.

All we can do now is take
the bull by the horns.

Confirming
Holbrooks' identity

will be up
to Cousin Lawrence, mostly.

Blind or not, he's the only one
who can really be sure.

( ringing )

Hello?

Mr. King's res--

( tense theme playing )

( maid screams )

( mysterious theme playing )

What are you doing here?

Waiting for you, Miss Trudy.

It's nearly :.

What of it?

I've been out driving.

Yes, I-- I've been out
getting some fresh air.

It's none of your business,
is it?

Of course not, Miss Trudy.

Only the maid asked me
to tell you that

a Mr. Mason's office
has been calling.

It's quite important.

They'll be in touch
again shortly.

Thank you.

You can go now.

I won't need anything more.
Please.

I thought you might like me
to put your car away.

I did it myself.

Goodnight.

Pardon me.

( dramatic theme playing )

( dramatic theme swells )

( dramatic theme playing )

PAUL:
"Donald J. Evanson."

I'm Donald J. Evanson.

The police sent for me.

You better not
go in there, Mr. Evanson.

This is horrible,
it's horrible.

Uh, on the phone
they said there was a fight?

There apparently
was a struggle,

your cousin
was hit over the head.

What with?

Well, we just
got here ourselves,

but I'm sure we'll find
the w*apon, all right.

Good evening, Perry.

I was at the office
when you people called.

That's where I was all day,
all evening in fact.

I haven't seen Lawrence
in some time.

Oh, look here,

there's a man you ought
to go after right away.

He's been calling himself
Jay Holbrook--

We'll get to this in just
a moment, Mr. Evanson.

Well--

Please wait over here with
this officer if you don't mind.

Mason, uh--

What's your connection
with all this?

I think I'd better explain
that a little later, lieutenant.

Oh, all right.

Well, thanks
for reporting the case.

Goodnight.

Uh-- When did it happen?

Do you know yet?

Doctor says maybe, uh,
:, :.

I couldn't seem
to calm the housekeeper

much on the telephone.

She says you tried
to pump her.

There's no help there,
I'm afraid,

except for perhaps
a few names.

She'd been out to the movies,
came back at :,

was on her way to bed,
and you called--

PAUL:
Perry?

Can I see you a minute?

We'll attend to the detective
work here around here,

if you don't mind.

What are you doing
out there?

That's my car,
ieutenant.

What's wrong?
What are you doing?

Well, go on. Ask him.

Mr. Drake just
happened to notice

that sticker on your car.

You had your car greased today,
isn't that right, sir?

Well, what of it?

Well, they list the, uh, mileage
along with the date.

We couldn't help
overhearing your statement

that you hadn't been
out of your office,

but your speedometer shows

a difference of miles since
the grease job grease job.

Well, I went out
for a while, yes.

You see--

All right.

Yes, I-I was out here, actually.

I came to talk to Lawrence--

What time?

Nine thirty,
quarter to .

Oh, but I didn't
go in the house.

Just as I stopped,

someone came running
out of the house,

got into a car.

I was curious,
so I followed

for a short distance.

You know who that person was?

I-I can't very well
shield her, can I?

It was Trudy.

Trudy Holbrook.

I telephoned Cousin Lawrence
the minute I saw that paper.

Then I went over there,
that's all.

Because when I saw
those pictures

of my father
and that other person...

Mr. Mason, where is he?

My father went out
earlier tonight

and he just never came back.

We'll worry about that when
I know what you did, Trudy.

Well, I already
knew Cousin Lawrence

had hired a detective.

Uh, David told me that,
he's the chauffeur.

I pay David and he tells me
things he sees.

That's very handy.

I know it's not very nice,
but in this family--

Cousin Lawrence admitted that
he was connected with this.

He admitted that he hired
the detective who located

and brought this man here.

What time was this,
that you talked to him?

I went over about :,
I suppose.

You stayed minutes,
a half an hour?

Not quite that long.

Did you have a fight
with your Cousin Lawrence?

Mr. Mason,

he's an old man,
and he's blind.

Then why did you come running
out of of the house?

I-- I don't know.

I-- I don't remember.

Trudy, did he tell you
why he brought this man here?

Did your cousin Lawrence
tell you that this man

is your real father?
No.

Then did he tell you
the man you'd invited

into your house was nothing
but a fraud, a pretender?

That's not true!

( sobbing ):
It's not true.

( sobbing )

All right, now.

What really happened?

He tried to tell me that
my father stole money years ago.

I screamed at him,
I said awful things.

Cousin Lawrence
lost his temper,

he grabbed me.

Go on.

He shook me,
just as though I were a baby.

I hit him,
I finally broke loose,

I ran away
as fast as I could.

Oh...

I feel so ashamed.

That poor old man.

I can still hear him
shouting after me.

But he was all right
when you left?

Of course.

He just stood there roaring
that I ought to be spanked.

( sobs )

He groped around
trying to find me.

Mr. Mason, the police
will believe me, won't they?

I don't know, Trudy.

All we can do
is wait and see.

( suspenseful theme playing )

Morning, Della,
will you please tell Paul--

Perry, this is Mr. Jay Holbrook,

he was waiting outside
when I came in.

Will you come in?

Won't you sit down?

Where have you been
all night?

Several places.

Waiting to see you
mostly, since--

Since I heard
what happened.

You didn't return home?

To Trudy's house, that is?

The police watching there
all night, I--

I thought it would be better
if I remained a free agent,

so to speak.

Why?

Until you could tell me
what to do.

All right.

You'd better start
at the beginning.

I saw the newspaper
yesterday evening.

The photos of myself
and someone else.

I haven't the slightest idea
who he is, I--

My first reaction was outrage.

Anger.

Did you think
Cousin Lawrence

might have had
something to do with it?

No, why would I?

It's logical that
vultures would gather.

The detective agency
who located this other man

is headed by a Mr. Sample.

He's considered very reliable.

Well I'm sure there'll
be many reliable claims made.

My own investigator says
there are no fingerprints

of Jay Holbrook on record.

Perhaps he hasn't been looking
in the right place.

Lawrence King told Trudy that
once you had stolen some money.

Look here, Mr. Mason.

My wife and I
were terribly unhappy.

I-- I was just too proud
to admit it was all over.

Drank too much and got into
a number of escapades.

But when I woke up one day
in a Mexican hotel

and found I got there with money
from one of the company tills,

five thousand dollars,

well, that's when
I decided to face matters.

I wrote to say goodbye,
and I've been gone ever since.

( door opens )

But I sent that money back,
of course.

There's no official record
of it.

I didn't even know I'd taken it.

No, I'm not a fugitive.

Mr. Holbrook, you say you wanted
me to tell you what to do.

What to do to help Trudy,
that's all I mean.

I think you can help her most
by staying away from her.

By going straight to the police.

By telling them
all you know.

All right.

You could use the back exit
if you like.

Thank you.

Good day.
Good day.

MASON:
What is it, Della?

You have another visitor.

Who?

Mr. Jay Holbrook.

Uh, Mr. Mason,
Mr. Holbrook.

Sit down, won't you?

I guess you want to know
what I'm doing here,

and I guess
the name bothers you.

I'm sorry about that.

It feels a little awkward
on me too

after all these years.

Of course, whoever the real
Jay Holbrook is,

the police will
probably consider him

a strong suspect
for m*rder.

On the other hand, anyone
flying under false colors

might have had even greater
reason to k*ll Lawrence King.

You don't have to intimidate me
with logic, Mr. Mason.

I know the spot I'm in.

But I'm only here
for one purpose.

To ask about Trudy?

To offer her your help,
perhaps?

I don't really have a right
to do that, do you think?

Besides, what help could I give?

Mr. Holbrook, may I ask you
a question about fingerprints?

You know, this whole
business of identity

would be all so simple

if only there were
a record of your prints.

There is now.

Oh?

Well, I was afraid when I heard
about Cousin Lawrence's death

last night and my first thought
was to get out of here,

get back to San Francisco.

I-- I was stopped
by the police.

I'm afraid I couldn't
tell them much,

and now they won't
let me leave.

I had in mind years ago.

In those days,
California driver's licenses

carried a thumb print,
didn't they?

I didn't have a license.

There was a little matter
of reckless driving, and I--

I'd come here from
another state, of course.

Massachusetts.

Trudy's grandmother
was an old battle ax

who scared my wife into
insisting on a chauffeur.

Reckless driving
and, uh, theft too?

Who told you about that?

All right.

I suppose Mr. Evanson knows,

and certainly
Cousin Lawrence did,

cause he's the one who
could have preferred charges

if I'd tried
to come back from Mexico,

but it was only
a question of $,.

Mason...

I see no reason
going into this.

I want your word to get Trudy
out of here, that's all.

What do you mean?

I haven't seen her
and I'm not going to.

I want the girl
looking forward, not back.

I want Trudy to get away
from every bit of that family,

just as soon
as she possibly can.

( knock on door )

Excuse me, Perry.
Could I see you a minute?

Uh, Mr. Holbrook,
would you excuse me?

Uh, just sit down.

So that's him, huh?

Well, well, well.

Perry,
which one is it?

I don't know.

Trudy got so carried away
with the first man she saw--

Uh, Perry.

I'm afraid she's gonna
need them both.

As a matter of fact,

she's gonna need
all the help she can get.

Tragg's on his way
to Trudy's house right now.

All they were waiting
for was to find a m*rder w*apon.

They found it.

A poker.

With all the marks on it.

Victim's hair,
Trudy's prints.

I'm afraid they got her.

She's had her th birthday,
hasn't she.

That's right, Della.

They can ask
the death penalty.

( ominous theme swells )

There was intracerebral
hemorrhaging

from the blows
on the head.

Apparently death occurred
a moment or two later.

I see.

Doctor, could these blows
have been struck

by a person physically slighter,
shorter, than the deceased?

DOCTOR:
With a w*apon the size
of a poker, yes.

BURGER:
Could the blows have been
struck by a woman?

DOCTOR:
Absolutely.

BURGER:
And you say that death occurred

not later than : p.m.,
is that correct?

DOCTOR:
It is.

BURGER:
Thank you, doctor.

BURGER:
You and the detective Mr. Sample

arrived from San Francisco
late in the afternoon.

Then after dinner, you went
by taxi to the deceased

Lawrence's King's house,
about :, is that correct?

Well, that's what
I stated, yes.

Would you tell us please what
happened at Mr. King's house.

Did, uh, Mr. Sample
remain with you?

No.

Mr. King took a lot of money
from a wall safe,

and since he couldn't see,
he asked Mr. Sample

to select $
for himself.

Then Mr. Sample left.

BURGER:
How long did you stay there,
sir?

Half an hour.

Then I went downtown
to my hotel.

You were with
Lawrence King then until :.

Did he seem upset
or disturbed?

No, sir.

I think that'll be all
for the time being.

Thank you, sir.

Your witness.

When you were
sworn in to testify,

you gave your name
as Robert Smith.

Now, how long
have you been Mr. Smith?

It's a legally recognized name,

I've used it for three years.

How many other names
have you used in the past?

Several others.

MASON:
One of which was the name
Jay Holbrook?

HOLBROOK :
Yes, sir.

Can you prove that you
really are Jay Holbrook?

Objection, Your Honor,
that question is argumentative.

While the matter of the identity
of Jay Holbrook

will certainly have
to be settled in a court of law,

defense counsel is well aware
that bringing up

that particular controversy
at this time

can prolong this hearing
for days.

I only produced
this hostile witness

to establish the location

and the attitude
of Lawrence King

one hour before his death.

What was the purpose
of your question, Mr. Mason?

I can rephrase the question,
Your Honor.

Who was the only member
of the family

who could have proved
whether you or someone else

seated in this courtroom
is actually Jay Holbrook?

Well, the deceased.

He knew.

Thank you, that'll be all.

Mr. Harper, can you tell us
anything else

that relates to the emotional
nature of your cousin?

Anything about her temper,
perhaps.

Well, uh...

I got this from her.

You're referring to a scar
approximately one inch

long over your right eye.

How did you acquire that scar,
Mr. Harper?

Last year I was playing tennis
with Trudy.

We had an argument
about the set point,

He was cheating. Always.
she suddenly blew up.

I don't think she even knew

she was going to hit me,

she just flew out of control.

Thank you, Mr. Harper,
that'll be all.

Your witness.

Uh, Mr. Harper, could you please
tell this court

the approximate evaluation
of the defendant's inheritance?

I thought everybody knew that.

Trudy will be worth almost
$ million dollars, I guess.

MASON:
And following the death
of her mother,

who is Trudy's closest
blood relative?

Exclusive of her father,
that is.

I guess Cousin Lawrence.

Mr. King
was generally considered--

I see.

Now, suppose both
Mr. King and Trudy

were somehow
out of the way,

could you tell us who might next
inherit that $ million?

This is a large family.

Mr. D.J. Evanson over there

is just as close
a cousin as I am!

MASON:
Thank you, Mr. Harper.

That'll be all.

Miss Trudy left her house
at about :, I should say.

Was she upset?

Well, I did notice that
she'd shifted all the way

into third gear
by the time

she reached the end
of the driveway.

Made her tires squeal a bit.

BURGER:
I see.

And what did
you do then?

I went back into the study
where she'd been talking

on the telephone.

I believe you said
that phone converation

was with the deceased,
is that correct?

Yes, I happened to notice
because I overheard

the word "newspaper,"

and then she spoke
his name.

She said,
"Cousin Lawrence,"

I'm positive.

Thank you, sir,
I believe that'll be all.

Cross-examine,
counsellor.

Why did the word "newspaper"
attract your attention?

Well, it only reminded me
that I hadn't read

the newspapers or the magazines
to Mr. King for several days.

In my off hours sometimes
Mr. King enjoyed my reading

and telling him
about the little things

that he could no longer
see for himself.

He paid me,
of course.

MASON:
I see. Then there

was nothing specific
about that telephone

conversation that called
your attention to it,

is that correct?

On the contrary, sir.

It was a very specific newspaper
that she waved in her hand

while she talked.

It was the one with the two
pictures of her two fathers.

Yes, and when she left,

she threw it down so angrily
that it became quite rumpled.

MASON:
That'll be all, thank you.

Yes, there were
multiple fingerprints,

both her hands.

She'd, uh,
seized the poker here,

and then again here.

Many of these prints
were smeared, of course,

but they were definitely
those of the defendant.

I see.
Now, lieutenant,

we heard the doctor testify
that the hair and blood

of the deceased matched those
found on this m*rder w*apon.

Would you tell
this court, please,

where the m*rder w*apon
was found?

Yes, it was hidden
under the seat

of the defendant's
sports car,

the one she drove
that night.

BURGER:
Thank you, lieutenant,

I think that'll be all.

Cross-examine.

Lieutenant,
if you were att*cked,

would you grab a w*apon
to defend yourself?

Yes, I suppose so.

Well, if you were a young girl

and someone much older
and stronger came after you

trying to grab you,
to strike you,

would you try
to stop him?

I don't mean
by striking back,

but perhaps by, uh,
seizing something

with which to warn
or thr*aten him?

No, I don't think I'd do that.

I just wouldn't count
on the sight of a poker

bothering a blind man.

Of course.

Mr. King was blind.

But there are certain things
in a room which have

their own distinctive
sounds of danger.

Uh, with the
court's permission...

This set of fire tools
is similar to the set

found in Mr. King's studio.

Now, lieutenant,

if you were blind,

and I told you I had
a poker in my hand,

would you believe me
and stay away or wouldn't you?

Well, if you made
all that noise.

Of course,
my fingerprints

would be on the poker,
whether I'd struck you or not.

Isn't that correct?

I guess so.

But then my blood and hair
would have to be

on the poker some way.

MASON:
Now, uh, concerning your finding

the m*rder w*apon
in Miss Holbrook's car.

The chauffeur stated that,
uh, Miss Holbrook

returned to the house
at about :.

A moment ago you stated
the house had been

placed under surveillance,

is that correct?

Well, we waited a while
before going

in with a search warrant,
that's all.

We wanted to make sure
that we got the man

who'd been calling himself,
um, Holbrook.

You're referring to the man
who was living in the house?

The, uh, man Miss Holbrook
considers her father?

That's right.

Well, what time did the police
start to watch the house?

Oh, about quarter of , maybe.

Um, they noticed you there,
for instance.

Then, lieutenant,
wasn't there plenty of time

before a quarter of
for any number of people

to have paid a quick visit

to Miss Holbrook's house
or garage?

Oh, yes, if they had any reason,
I suppose,

but we, uh, saw nothing
to indicate any other visitors.

Wouldn't the desire to place
an incriminating m*rder w*apon

in Miss Holbrook's car
have been reason enough?

Objection, Your Honor.

Sustained.

I'll withdraw
the question.

Thank you, lieutenant,
that'll be all.

Your Honor,

I have some new testimony

which I'd been hoping
to reserve for the jury trial,

but since counsel
has from time to time

sought to confuse us about
the identity of Jay Holbrook,

probably trying to cast doubts

on his client's
motives for m*rder,

I feel that we should clarify
the matter at this time

by introducing
this new testimony.

I therefore have
a question on redirect.

Ask your question, Mr. Burger.

Lieutenant, when you searched
the m*rder room,

did you find anything w
hich in your opinion

might have fallen
from Lawrence King's desk,

or from his wall safe,

which we heard
he had opened earlier?

I found a little scrap of paper

on the floor
under the wall safe, yes.

Was there writing
on this piece of paper?

Yes, sir, a telephone number.

A rural number,
little town out in the desert.

Underneath was a name:
"Constable Gus Nickels."

Your Honor, I call Gus Nickels
to the stand, please.

Excuse me.

Now, I wasn't really
constable in those days.

I only pinch-hit when my friend
Harry went fishing.

BURGER:
I see.

Now, Mr. Nickels,
will you tell us please

what occurred on the night
of March , ?

Well, this bird coming through
our town hit a light pole.

Trouble was,
he'd been drinking.

Yes, all I want you to do
is tell us

what official action
you took.

Well, I fingerprinted the bird
and threw him in a cell.

He didn't even have
a driver's license,

but his name
was Jay Holbrook.

BURGER:
And what happened the next day,
Mr. Nickels?

NICKELS:
Well, bright and early
the next morning,

this other guy comes to town
looking for the bird.

Nice fellow.
Mr. Lawrence King it was.

By then I'd figured out

Holbrook was somebody.

Anyhow, he simmered down
and they paid the bills,

so I let him loose.

Now, Mr. Nickles, what did you
do with the fingerprints

that you took in ?

Well, I kept them.

I kept the card.

BURGER:
And where is that
fingerprint card right now?

NICKELS:
I guess it's over there
on your table.

You see, I brought it in to show
to Lieutenant Tragg,

we compared it with the prints
you have in this case.

And did you find any prints

that matched the prints
on this card, Mr. Nickels?

Sure we did: his.

That's the bird
I locked up right there.

He's Jay Holbrook, all right.

( screaming ):
No, no, no!

( sobbing ):
He isn't, he isn't.

( suspenseful theme playing )

Now, how long did you then
follow the defendant's car,

Mr. Evanson?

About minutes, I'd say.

You see,
I wanted to stop her,

but she speeded up again,

and I didn't want
to drive that fast.

In other words, she got away
from you, is that it?

You might put it that way, yes.

Anyway, I turned around
and drove back to my office.

Thank you, Mr. Evanson,
I think that'll be all.

Your witness.

Uh, Mr. Evanson,
why did you follow Trudy?

Well, at first, I wasn't
entirely certain it was she.

Why not?

Didn't you recognize her?

Didn't you recognize her car?

Well, she has several,
a whole garage full.

It's just that I didn't expect
her to be there, that's all.

Oh, but I recognized her

the minute she got
to a lighted street.

It was Trudy, all right.

Uh, why didn't you expect her
to be there?

I'd talked to David
a little earlier on the phone,

and he told me that
Trudy was at home.

Mr. Evanson, years ago,
what was the attitude

of Lawrence King toward the man
whom Trudy's mother married?

Jay Holbrook?

Cousin Lawrence hated him.

I was in Europe,
but I knew that much.

What was the reason
for that hatred?

Lawrence fancied himself
the elder brother

of everybody in the family.

He was chairman of the board
in those days, you know.

He wanted to control
the family fortunes, is that it?

To be blunt about it, yes.

Your Honor, I object.

These questions
are irrelevant and immaterial,

and no proper
foundation has been laid

for them with this witness.

I'm inclined to allow
a little latitude, Mr. Burger,

since you introduced the matter
of Holbrook's behaviour

back in the 's yourself.

Proceed, counsellor.

Yes, Your Honor.

Now, Mr. Evanson,

did your Cousin Lawrence ever
mention to you that he had

rescued Jay Holbrook
from a small-town jail?

Did he ever tell you that
Holbrook had once stolen $,?

EVANSON:
Well, some time later, yes,

he told me that he'd had
to hush those things up.

MASON:
Why?

If Lawrence hated him,
if he wanted to get rid of him,

why didn't he prosecute?

Because Holbrook
was gone by then, I suppose.

He ran away.

Exactly.

He took matters into
his own hands and disappeared.

So it was never necessary
for your Cousin Lawrence

to use the threat
of prosecution against him.

But do you think
your cousin Lawrence

would have just thrown
that material away?

I-I-- I don't quite understand
the question, sir.

Isn't it reasonable
to assume he kept a record

of Holbrook's other escapades?

The ones that could be used
as evidence against him?

Yes, I suppose so.

Well, where is that record?

I don't know.

Your Honor, I would like to ask
that the court reporter

read back that portion
of the testimony

pertaining to the police
evidence as to the contents

of Lawrence King's wall safe.

Very well.

COURT REPORTER:
Uh, "Question:

"was there money?

"Answer: about
three thousand dollars

"in a roll of large bills.

"Question: How did the door
to that safe work, by the way?

"Answer:
it opened with a key

"which we found
in Mr. King's desk.

"Question: What else did you
find inside the safe?

"Answer: a couple
of insurance policies.

"Question:
and that's all?

Answer: that's all."

Thank you.

Mr. Evanson, do you have any
idea where else we might look?

No.

Why would I?

Everyone in the family
tried to destroy

memories of Holbrook,
not keep them.

We wanted his wife and Trudy
to forget him.

Yet the other day,
when a man came to see Trudy

and said he was her father,

Lawrence King somehow had enough
facts to send a detective

straight to San Francisco
to locate a second Jay Holbrook.

Now, didn't that seem
rather strange to you?

I don't know.

I had nothing to do with it.

Your Honor, may I beg
the court's indulgence.

There is only one person
who can clarify this.

The one person who has had
the most to do with it:

Jay Holbrook himself.

Now, if he could be called--

Your Honor,
it seems to me--

HOLBROOK :
Sit down.

( angrily ):
Sit down, do you hear me?

JUDGE:
Bailiff.

Bring that man forward here.

Mr. Prosecutor,
under the circumstances...?

Under the circumstances,
Your Honor,

I would have no objection
to Mr. Mason continuing.

You may step down, sir.

You will take the stand.

Just a moment, please.

Raise your right hand.

Do you solemnly
promise to swear

the testimony
you're about to give

will be the truth,
the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth?

HOLBROOK: I do.
State your name.

Jay Holbrook.

Be seated.

Mr. Holbrook,

do you recall telling me
that you once woke up

in a Mexican hotel
and discovered you had

$, which you recognized

as belonging to your
family company?

I do.

How could you tell
it was company money?

There were bands around it.
Wrappers.

MASON:
Then you do not recall
stealing that money?

HOLBROOK:
I do not.

Mr. Holbrook,
were you ever arrested

in a small desert town
by Constable Nickels?

I was not.

Where were you then in fact
on that March , ?

I was with my wife.

Trudy had been sick.

I only remember it because...

it's the last time that my wife
seemed to need me.

Did it ever occur to you
that your cousin Lawrence

might be preparing
to get rid of you?

To get rid of you
by creating escapades

which you could not disprove?

No.

MASON:
You had no idea that he might
have found an impostor?

A man who could imitate you,

who'd get caught
in country jails,

caught taking money from tills?

No.

Mr. Holbrook, hasn't it struck
you even now, years later,

how much that man over there

knows about you?

Knows about your past?

Doesn't it occur to you that
he must be that same imposter?

That your Cousin Lawrence
must have sent for him again

so that you could be gotten
rid of once and for all?

Only, what do you suppose
went wrong?

Did that imposter strike back?

Did he k*ll your cousin Lawrence

to get evidence of what
they had done together?

No. No, I didn't k*ll him.

Maybe I'm what you say I am,

but those notes
were there when I left.

King's bundle of notes
was still there.

I didn't k*ll him,
I tell you.

I didn't, I didn't!

Take that man in custody.

Bring him over here.

Do I understand, sir,

that you would testify
to material

that might have been taken
from the m*rder room?

From the safe.

I saw it open,

he had a whole bunch
of notes in there.

Yes, sir,
I'll tell anything I know,

but I didn't k*ll him.
Why would I?

There was no reason to.

That's enough.

Mr. Burger, it seems to me

a recess is called for
while you investigate

these new facts.

A moment, Your Honor.

I assume an immediate search
will be made for the material

apparently missing
from Lawrence King's safe.

It certainly will.

Then Your Honor,
may I suggest

that one other person
in this courtroom

be detained while
that search is being made?

We certainly don't want

anyone given the opportunity
to destroy such evidence.

Who is the person
you refer to, Mr. Mason?

The person who knew
where everyone was

on the night of the m*rder.

Who knew when and why Trudy
went to Lawrence King's house,

and what car she was driving.

And who, perhaps, saw a chance
for millions in blackmail.

The person to whom
those notes in the safe

would have been a motive
for m*rder.

Where are those
notes now, David?

( dramatic theme playing )

( nervously ):
Well, I'll--

I'll help in any way I can.

I've always tried
to cooperate with everyone.

If I can assist in any way

to locate...

Where are they, David?

( dramatic theme playing)

But he didn't
have to k*ll him--

Why did he k*ll
Cousin Lawrence?

David followed you
over there, Trudy.

He knew most of what
was happening by then,

and what was at stake.

He'd followed the other
two men earlier.

He kept watching,
watching everything.

At any rate, he was there
outside the room

when you had your fight
with Lawrence King.

When you left, David tried
to get into the safe,

but Mr. King caught him at it.

They fought,
David k*lled him,

Using the poker
so you'd be blamed.

David then took the papers
from the safe

and raced back home
before you got there.

Oh, how terrible.

He must have been insane.

Not far from it.

Men do strange
things sometimes.

The best of us aren't
always proud of our lives.

Oh, now, stop that.

You stop it.

Listen to her.

She'll make something
out of me yet.

Of course.

A father.

( giggling )

Anyway, everybody
can't be perfect

like Mr. Mason is.

( giggles )

Goodbye, sir,
and thank you.

Goodbye.
Goodbye.

Perfect, hm?

That's what I
keep telling you.

( dramatic theme swells )

( noirish jazz theme playing )