01x11 - Death Casts a Spell

[bunniefuu]

[Woman] Tonight on
m*rder, She Wrote.

Men fear him. Women adore him.

- Never heard of him.
- I'm completely under his spell.

You really think I might have k*lled
the louse? How did I get in the room?

A trapeze act? What
kind of a trapeze act?

I took my clothes off on a swing.
That doesn't make me a daredevil.

I'm not sorry he's dead,
but I didn't have to k*ll him.

I've got six witnesses, five suspects,
one very dead body and no case.

- I... I wanna follow that cream car.
- Climb aboard.

[Tires Screech]

♪ [Drumroll]

♪ [Trumpet Fanfare]

[Laughter, Applause]

♪ [Fanfare Ends] [Man]
Ladies and gentlemen,

observe the power of hypnosis!

Now, volunteers,
when I clap my hands,

you will each become
your favorite animal.

[Clucking]

[Chattering] [Squawking]

[Audience Laughing]

[Squawking]

What have we here,
a wounded elephant?

[Laughing Continues]

Phony. Ah, come on, Bud.

The guy's a two-bit
fraud. You know that.

Stop!

And now, volunteers,
when I clap my hands,

you will each of you
be yourself again,

but this time, totally naked!

[Audience Laughing]

Ladies and gentlemen,
the great Cagliostro!

♪ [Trumpet Fanfare] [Applause]

Joe, I swear I
couldn't help myself.

Don't be ridiculous.
He uses hypnosis.

It's terrifying. I'm
completely under his spell.

Regina, do you
think I'm an idiot?

You can't make people
do things against their will...

Even under hypnosis!

Not unless they really
deep down want to anyway.

I admit I... I was
attracted to him,

but I... I never intended
to do anything about it.

Now he won't let me go.

Please, you've got
to believe me, Joe.

Oh, my darling.

You won't have to worry
about Cagliostro anymore.

What are you gonna do?

I just signed the bum...

to a three-year,
million-dollar contract.

Well, if he thinks that entitles him to
bed privileges with my beautiful wife,

he's got a surprise
in store for him.

Joe! Wait!

You won't be able to wear that.
Can't wear these great costumes.

Great audience, isn't
it? Yes. Wonderful crowd.

Enjoy it while you can, Cagliostro.
Tonight is your last performance.

Last performance? What
do you mean, old boy?

I want you out of
this hotel tonight.

Let me remind you,
Joe. My contract entitles

me to a million dollars
over three years,

whether I appear
at your hotel or not.

Throwing you out on
your butt will be worth it.

I wouldn't try that, my friend.

It might cost you more than you
imagine... Including the fair Regina.

[Grunts] Come on.

You're out, you hear
me? I'll get you, Cagliostro!

Here we are, Mrs. Fletcher.
A lakeside suite... 1241.

Oh, that sounds fine. Uh, do you
need a credit card or something?

Oh, no, no. That won't be necessary.
We've arranged to bill your publisher.

Oh? Really? How nice.

Uh, I wonder if you could tell me the
room number of Miss Dean... Marilyn Dean?

She's my editor. Thank
you. Dean. Let me check.

Mrs. Fletcher. There you are.

Joan, I didn't know you were
coming. I was so worried about you.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Fletcher. I
don't have Miss Dean registered.

Oh? Oh, I guess I
should have told you.,

Uh, Marilyn won't be
getting here until tomorrow.

Oh. Uh, Mrs. Fletcher, I'm
sure you're probably pretty tired,

and maybe a little
hungry, and they've got this

terrific restaurant
right around the corner.

And I can tell you
about my... I mean our...

I... I mean Marilyn's
idea for your new book.

Uh, excuse me, Joan, but
what idea for what new book?

♪ [Elegant Piano]
Anyway, Marilyn thinks it's an

absolutely sensational
backdrop for a mystery.

The master hypnotist with the...

With the art of illusion
to cloud men's minds.

Men fear him. Women adore him.

Joan, forgive me, but I have
known Marilyn far too long...

to accept this idea
as coming from her.

Now, that urgent telegram
summoning me to get here...

may have been signed by her,
but I suspect that she did not send it.

[Sighs] I'm sorry,
Mrs. Fletcher.

I... I was afraid if I signed
my name you wouldn't come.

I mean, after all, who am
I? I'm just an assistant editor.

All I ever get to
do is proofread.

[Sighs] Now I guess I
won't even be doing that.

Why?

Because when Mr. Winfield
finds out what I did,

me and my blue pencil are
gonna be out on the street.

Now, Joan, you acted
impetuously, to say the very least,

but I'm certainly not going to
say anything to him about it.

Well, see, it's not that simple.

- I sent him a telegram too.
- Oh, dear.

I was so sure you'd
flip for Cagliostro, I...

I never even considered for a
minute that you’d hate the idea.

I've already seen
his show five times.

Tonight I even taped it. I...

[Sighs] Oh, boy.

Well, now, that isn't
gonna solve anything.

Now, look, Joan, I'll tell
you what we're gonna do.

I'll remain here this evening.

Then tomorrow, you
can call up Mr. Winfield...

and tell him that I wasn't
the least bit intrigued with

this character of Cagliostro
and flew back to Maine.

Mrs. Fletcher, you're terrific. I
don't know how to thank you.

Well, just don't send
any more telegrams.

[Exhales Deeply] Oh,
my gosh, there he is!

Cagliostro?

[Laughing] I think it was the
lady who was the elephant.

- Yeah, the elephant lady was...
- Strange, I've never heard of him.

Are you kidding? He's probably
the best hypnotist in the world.

He came from England
several years ago.

And there's an exciting air
of mystery about his past,

but he won't
divulge a bit of it.

Uh, sorry.

Let's order. I'm starved.

So am I.

Double Gibson, rocks.

[Giggles] Ahhh.

[Slurring] I'm still waiting
for that interview, Cagliostro.

Or do I simply call
you "Amazing"?

Hey. Come on, Bud.

You know very well I never
give interviews, Mr. Michaels.

What's the matter?

Too many skeletons
rattling around in the closet?

What about Surrey Street?

Or what about the last time
you saw Reggie Downes?

Sir, you're disturbing us. Leave me
alone or I'll have Zack remove you.

[Chuckles] You can remove
me, all right, Cagliostro...

Or whatever your
name really is...

But you can't remove the truth.

I'm going to keep on digging.

Me and lots of other reporters.

There's too much dirt
under the carpet, fella.

It'll come out sooner or later!

Mr. Michaels, I'm going
to make you an offer.

Meet me in my suite
in half an hour, and I

will give you every
detail of my past life.

Any other journalists that
care to attend are welcome.

You may print
anything that you wish,

providing you can remember it.

What's that supposed to mean?

My one condition is that
I will hypnotize you first.

Proving what?

That if I am, as you say, nothing but a
charlatan, you have nothing to worry about.

If, on the other hand, I am indeed
the world's greatest hypnotist,

I will accomplish what
no other hypnotist can do...

Permanently prevent you from
remembering one word that you hear.

Now, accept my offer
or leave me alone.

I don't believe it. I mean, you
couldn't write that scene if you tried.

I certainly couldn't.

Would you excuse
me, Mrs. Fletcher?

Uh, Joan. Joan, uh, wait.

If he thinks he can get me
under his spell, he's crazy.

But you've gotta go, Bud. Otherwise
you'll look like a fool... or a coward.

You think I care what
that creep thinks?

Let him stage his show.

Me, I... I'm going up to
my room and pass out.

Bud, please. Let me
know how it all turns out.

Me? Yeah.

Yeah, you're taking my place.

Listen, Andy, your old man
was a hell of a newsman,

and you'll be one too.

Now, go round up some of
the local boys and call his bluff.

I'll see ya at breakfast.

Mr. Cagliostro. Yes?

I... I'm sorry to bother you, but I
was in the restaurant just now and...

And I thought you'd
want to know that a

fabulously famous author
is staying in the hotel,

and... and I think maybe I can get
her to participate in your demonstration.

And just which fabulously
famous author would that be?

J.B. Fletcher,
the mystery writer.

Mrs. Fletcher? Well, I would
be honored to have her attend.

We will begin
promptly in 20 minutes.

Thanks. We'll be here.

♪ [Lounge Keyboard]

Hello. Mrs.
Fletcher, isn't it? Yes.

Well, I thought I recognized
you. I'm Andy Townsend.

I work for Bud
Michaels, the columnist.

Well, I wouldn't expect
you to recognize his name...

Unless you buy your reading material
at the supermarket checkout counter.

Oh, I see.

Well, Mr. Townsend, I have a dire
feeling we're both in the same predicament.

I think my editor's assistant is trying to
wangle me into the same press session.

- I guess you saw what happened.
- Uh, pretty hard not to.

Well, I hope you will attend.

I managed to scare up a
few of the local reporters,

but having you in the group
would give it a real touch of class.

Well, thanks, but, uh,
I'm heading for my bed.

I'm going to go to sleep...
the old-fashioned way.

Good night.

It's you, isn't it? I
beg your pardon?

[Gasps] It is you!

Nurse Beecham! Oh, I'd
recognize you anyplace.

I watch Doctors After
Hours every afternoon.

You're my favorite character.

Look, I'm so sorry to disappoint
you, but I am not Nurse Beecham.

Oh, I understand. Fans
can be so bothersome.

It'll be our secret. Well,
that's very considerate,

but I assure you that
my name is J.B. Fletcher.

Oh, of course you
are, of course you are.

You know, the ladies in my bridge
club would be so thrilled to meet you.

It'll just take a minute.
They're right in at the crap table.

Uh, Mr. Townsend.
Mr. Townsend! Mr. Townsend!

Uh, look, I am a writer.

I wrote this book.

This is my picture.
I am J.B. Fletcher.

No, you're not!

- Mrs. Fletcher!
- Slow down.

I ran down the stairs.
The elevator's too slow.

Mrs. Fletcher, we're in. He's honored,
absolutely honored that you're coming.

Joan, I am not coming.

And I am not horning
in on that charade.

But you've been invited.

I mean, you're a writer.
Aren't you the least bit curious?

Ah. Welcome, ladies
and gentlemen, welcome.

Sit down, please. Please,
make yourselves comfortable.

Uh, let me explain.

Mr. Michaels, the
man for whom this was

arranged, has not
seen fit to join us tonight.

However, we do welcome
his representative.

Now, before we begin, I'm
going to ask all of you to relax.

Clear from your minds all
worries and anxieties, hmm?

[Person Clears Throat, Coughs]

You will only remember
that you heard me...

say important and
revealing things about myself,

but you will not
remember what they are.

That memory will remain
erased from your mind for all time.

Very good. You
may lower your arms.

Now, my story begins
in a small flat in London,

not far from Trafalgar
Square, in 1972.

Sorry we're late. We just couldn't
get the elevator to move any faster.

I'm sorry, honey. The
show's already started.

Look, I couldn't open this door if
I wanted to. I don't have the key.

[Glass Shatters]

Mr. Cagliostro, you okay?

- I didn't like the sound of that.
- Mr. Cagliostro!

Mr. Cagliostro,
everything all right?

What's going on here? Something's
happened inside and we... we can't get in.

Open up!

[Camera Shutter Clicking]

How do you like this one?

Six eye witnesses and
they can't tell me a thing.

Where the hell is
that psychologist?

Yambert? Should
be here any minute.

I understand you were just outside
when the m*rder took place, Miss Fletcher.

Well, not exactly. I was outside
when the glass was broken.

And it's Mrs. Fletcher.

Did you see or hear anything
that might help to identify the k*ller?

I'm afraid not. It was all over
by the time we entered the room.

Are you staying here
at the hotel? Mmm-hmm.

Don't check out for the next few
hours. We'll be talking to you later.

Ma'am, this is a crime scene.

Please. Please don't
go wandering around.

Lieutenant, don't you
think that's curious?

What's that? The
hole in the glass.

I mean, it's too far from the lock
for a normal human being to reach,

unless they had a six-foot arm.

Yeah, of course.
Anybody can, uh, see that.

But then why break the glass?

Excuse me.

What do you think?

Uh, yeah, they're under.

I know that. How do
we get 'em out of it?

Perhaps I can help.

You're a hypnotist too? No, no.

But a friend of mine taped
Cagliostro's show tonight,

and perhaps we
could play back the part

where he brings the
people out of the trance.

I mean, it might work
on the witnesses too.

[Cagliostro] When I count
to three and snap my fingers,

you will wake up.

You will feel refreshed,
alert and happy,

and all things will be
as I said they would be.

One, two, three.

[Snaps Fingers] Awaken.

Hey. What's going
on? What happened?

- Hey. What is this?
- All right now, just relax folks.

Does anyone remember what
happened after Cagliostro put you under?

Did he put us under?
I don't remember that.

Where is Cagliostro? Okay, okay.

Everybody go with Mr. Yambert
here, and we'll explain everything later.

Now wait a minute. We're the press.
We have a right to know what's going on.

I know. And you're also
witnesses to a crime,

and right now that's
a little more important.

So, please, go with Mr. Yambert.

We'll explain later. Just go.
Did you see what happened?

Mrs. Fletcher! Oh, hi.

Uh, I'm so sorry. I
overslept. [Exhales Deeply]

Oh, you're smart. Anybody who jogs in
this thin air needs their head examined.

I'm awfully sorry.

It's all my fault for getting
you dragged into this thing.

Well, not exactly dragged in.

As a matter of fact, last night
Lieutenant Bergkamp said I was free to go.

Oh. Thank God for that.

I spent a terrible night
worrying. I feel so responsible.

- When are you leaving?
- Soon I guess.

You know, Joan, one thing you
said really brought me up short.

You said, "You're a writer.
Aren't you the least bit curious?"

Well, yes, I am a writer,

and I am more than a little bit
curious about how that man was k*lled.

You mean you're going to
stay to solve the mystery?

I said I was
curious, that's all.

I'll probably leave
in the morning. Right.

Six people sitting there, eyes
wide open, witnessing a m*rder,

and not one of them can
tell us what happened.

Unbelievable.

Yeah. Unbelievable.

Dr. Yambert, I have
difficulty in believing...

that six people could just
have their memories erased.

Uh, not erased. Blocked by a
powerful posthypnotic suggestion.

A memory lock, if you will.

You've never been hypnotized,
have you, Mrs. Fletcher?

No. No, I haven't.

So naturally you're skeptical...

that an intelligent person who, uh,
doesn't wish to be put under a spell...

can be forced to do so
against his or her will.

The thought had occurred to me.

Well, would you like a
graphic demonstration...

Just to satisfy your curiosity?

Would you, uh, like
me to hypnotize you?

Yes, but I don't
think it will work.

Well, why don't we just
see, hmm? [Chuckles]

All right, now just relax.

Close your eyes. Clear your
mind. You're in a safe place.

That's right. Now just listen
to the sound of my voice...

so peaceful, so
relaxing and restful.

You have a feeling of well-being.
You're floating on a soft cloud.

Now, uh, when I count to
three and snap my fingers,

you will come out
and feel just fine.

And you won't remember
anything that's happened.

One, two, three.

I'm sorry, Dr. Yambert, but I warned
you that I wouldn't be a very good subject.

Oh, no, you did just fine.

Uh, would you like to listen?

Uh, listen? Uh,
uh, listen to what?

[Yambert] Uh, now tell me
what you really think of my office.

Uh, answer as a barfly
who's had one too many.

[Jessica Slurring] Say, honey, where’d
you pick up all this junk, at a swap meet?

Mm-hmm. All right. And
now you’re Park A venue rich.

How do you like my office?

[Jessica, Enunciating Meticulously]
Frankly, the decor is simply grotesque.

[Laughing] But if you
must wear that jacket,

at least have the
decency to have it pressed.

[Stops Tape Machine]

Uh, so what do you think of,
uh, hypnosis now, Mrs. Fletcher?

Oh! I'll tell you as
soon as I stop blushing.

[Chuckling] Ohhh!

[Knocking On Door]

What do you want?

I said, "What do you
want?" Now that he's dead,

we have a little matter
of money to discuss.

[Noisy Chattering]

Hello. Oh, hi.

I hope I'm, uh, not disturbing
you. Are you kidding?

Listen. This machine talks.

[Jackpot Drums Clacking]

[Electronic Voice] Too
bad. Try again. [Laughing]

Here. Go ahead, give it a try. Oh, no, no,
no, thank you. I've already lost my quota.

[Chuckles]

[Sighs] I suppose it must
have been, uh, quite an ordeal...

[Electronic Voice] Try again. I
mean, the police questioning.

Questioning? It was
more like an inquisition.

I kept tellin' them I
didn't remember a thing,

and they just kept askin' me the
same questions over and over again.

I was ready to confess just to
get 'em off my back. [Chuckles]

You know, I noticed that Mr. Michaels
was quite intoxicated last night.

Yeah. That's been bothering me.

Michaels drinks like a
fish, but he never shows it.

But he was drunk
after a couple of sh*ts.

Perhaps he has
a medical problem.

No. I mean, except for a
pickled liver, Bud's in great shape.

You know, I've seen him
toss back eight martinis...

and then run 50 straight
balls at a pool table.

Yeah, for some reason,

when he staggered
toward the lift,

I just kept thinking
that he was faking it.

Why?

Well, Michaels is a funny guy.

I mean, he tries to act real tough, but
underneath it all he's a pussycat. Too bad.

Yeah, I think that it was his way of
trying to give me a shot at a big story...

The way... the way my
old man used to do for him.

The only thing is, he
didn't know how big.

[Woman On P.A.] Andy
Townsend. Paging Andy Townsend.

Speaking of the great guy,
he seems to be up and about,

and it's not even noon yet.

Excuse me.

[Electronic Voice] Come on.
Be a sport. I'm ready to pay off.

[Loud Whirring] Sorry,
you can't come in here.

[Whirring Continues] Well,
well, Mrs. Fletcher. Come on in!

Oh, thank you,
Lieutenant. Excuse me.

Well, Mrs. Fletcher, would you like a
quote or two, maybe some pictures?

How about a shot of me in
profile, looking like a damned fool?

- I beg your pardon, Lieutenant?
- Your assistant told me about your book.

I don't suppose there's
much I can do to stop it.

Lieutenant, there is no book.

Joan has a very
hyperactive imagination.

But even if I was
writing up this story, you

certainly wouldn't come
off looking like a fool.

I think you're doing a fine
job, under the circumstances.

Oh. Well, thanks.

Look, I am as
baffled as you are,

but if I can be of any help...

[Loud Hammering]

We do have one promising
suspect in Mr. Kellijian.

Yes, but the trouble is you'll have
trouble making a case against him.

Oh? Why?

Well, because despite his anger over
Cagliostro having an affair with his wife,

and his... his threats
earlier that evening,

the one fact that is not
easily explained away...

is how could he possibly
walk off that elevator...

only seconds after
the glass was broken?

Suppose he had an accomplice.

A man with Kellijian's
power and money...

could hire somebody to
break the glass after he left.

Well, all right. But how did the
accomplice get off the balcony?

Because it seems that's
the only means of escape...

considering all this.

I don't want you
talking to her, that's all.

Come on, Bud. She's a nice lady.

And she could be
crimping my act.

Listen, Andy, if anybody's
going to figure out...

how that phony got
k*lled, and by whom,

it's going to be yours truly.

Could be my ticket
back to the top. Now, stop

answering questions
and start asking a few.

Hello. Hiya.

Whoo. A
sophisticated-looking bicycle.

Actually, I just jog usually.

Too tough on the legs.

It's Mrs. Fletcher, right?
Mrs. Fletcher? Uh-huh.

Yeah. I used to exercise for
my work. Now it's just this habit.

Uh, Miss Diamond, you used to
work for Mr. Cagliostro, didn't you?

Yeah.

I wonder if you could, uh, maybe
clear up a couple of things about him.

What are you
doing, writing a book?

Strange. Everybody
asks me that question.

Well, I got no secrets, so
what do you wanna know?

Well, for one thing, why Mr. Michaels
had such an intense dislike for him.

Bud Michaels. Now
there's a character for you.

Cagliostro used to
brag about Michaels.

He knew him when Michaels
was a correspondent in London.

I mean, when he was a real newsman...
Not the trashy gossip he writes now.

Michaels tried to prove
that Cagliostro used

hypnosis to pull off
this blackmail scheme.

Really? Uh-huh.

Only Cagliostro was too
smart for Michaels. [Giggles]

He tricked him into printing a bunch
of lies and then sued him for libel.

It cost his wire
service big bucks.

And then Michaels and
his bureau chief were fired.

And Michaels didn't
work for at least a year.

Then he finally started
doin' the crap he's doin' now.

Mm. No wonder Mr. Michaels
hated him so much.

Yeah.

We all had a hard spot in
our hearts for Cagliostro.

But you did go
on working for him.

Oh, come on. A job's a job.

I've sure had worse. [Chuckles]

Like that sleaze joint in
Vegas where he caught my act.

Act? What kind of act?

I was a stripper.

A daring young lady who took
it all off on the flying trapeze.

[Sighs]

This is Andy Townsend.
I'm calling for Bud Michaels.

Yeah, look, he asked me
to get some background...

on a gal who used to
work for you in your club,

a Sheri Diamond.

Yeah, that's her.

She did, huh? A trapeze act?

What kind of a trapeze act?

Oh, you're kidding.

Mr. Kellijian.

What is it, Liz, more bad
news? I'm afraid so, sir.

A dozen more cancellations
already this morning.

These are early checkouts.

All these police.
People are nervous.

Why the hell couldn't he
have died at some other hotel?

Good morning, Mr. Michaels.

Is it? I hadn't noticed.

- Mind if I join you for a moment?
- Not at all.

Thank you.

I, uh... I allow myself one hour
of fresh air a day. [Chuckles]

I've still got another
15 minutes. Uh-huh.

Care for a snort?
Oh, no, no. Thank you.

Uh, nurse, one more time.

Well, Mrs. Fletcher, wanna
talk about the weather,

or, uh, shall we lie to each
other about the Cagliostro k*lling?

- [Chuckles]
- Look.

We're both trying to
get a scoop on this one,

and we'll get along just fine if
we don't get in each other's way.

I'm not in competition
with you, Mr. Michaels.

In fact, my interest in this
case is strictly curiosity.

And maybe a book?

Well, even if that were the case, I could
hardly scoop you, could I? [Chuckles]

No, I was just hoping that maybe
we could pool information, you know.

Great. I don't know a thing. No?

Well, maybe you could
tell me one thing. sh**t.

Why did you pretend to be drunk last night
and not attend Cagliostro's demonstration?

Pretend?

[Chuckles] Hey, that's
pretty good, honey.

Remind me not to invite you
to my Friday night poker games.

[Chuckles]

Look, I knew it was
going to be a sideshow.

I didn't want to lower
myself to his level.

- So you went upstairs.
- To bed.

Can anybody vouch for that?

Uh, well, maybe 10 years ago.

You really think I might
have k*lled the louse?

Swell idea, but how
did I get in the room?

Well, I'll be damned!

Excuse me.

Joan.

Mrs. Fletcher, I think they're onto
something. At least it's an idea.

Well, I'm afraid it's
not a very good one.

I found out something
about... Here she is now.

Okay, I'm here.
What's this all about?

Miss Diamond, I was wondering if
you wouldn't mind helping us out...

by telling us if you
think it's possible...

for anyone to get down
to Cagliostro's room...

from off the roof.

How would I know? Well, I thought
since you used to be a trapeze artist...

I took my clothes off on a swing.
That doesn't make me a daredevil.

Please. Just take a look, okay?

- Lemme go!
- [Joan] Okay, okay.

I've got better things to
do than... [Breathes Deeply]

deal with your stupid ideas.

What's goin' on here? It worked.

She gave herself away. She what?

When I saw what the lieutenant
was up to, I asked her to come here.

Don't you see? She
used to be a trapeze artist.

She... She lowered
herself off the roof...

and swung onto Cagliostro's
balcony and k*lled him.

And when I confronted her with the
idea of reenacting the crime, she freaked.

She has a point, Mrs. Fletcher.

I'm sorry, Lieutenant,
but what was her motive?

She gained nothing from Cagliostro's
death except unemployment.

Anyway, that
contraption over there...

took several men and a
great deal of time to set up.

Now, how could she
have done that, on her own,

in the half hour that elapsed between
Cagliostro's challenge and his death?

There has to be an answer.

Well, I'm afraid that is not it.

Lieutenant, what the hell are you doing
up on my roof without my permission?

I don't need your
permission, Kellijian.

We're investigating a
m*rder. Hey, don't I know it.

Cops are all over the place.
They're drivin' my guests away.

You keep this up, I'm
gonna be out of business.

When the hell are you
gonna wrap this up?

At the rate we're goin', maybe
by ski season. Excuse me.

They are really doing
their best, Mr. Kellijian.

Yeah, their best.
That's the trouble.

I don't blame you for
being upset. I mean,

it's a terrible thing
to be under suspicion.

Me? I didn't k*ll him.

Well, you and he had
a violent argument.

That's a personal matter.
That's none of your business.

Well, I doubt the police
will see it as personal.

An unfaithful mate is the
oldest motive in the world.

So you know about that, huh?

Well, I had another way
of getting even with him.

I called my attorney. We found
a way to break his contract.

It's called a morals clause. I was going
to kick him out without paying him a cent.

- I didn't have to k*ll him.
- Why did you attack him
earlier that evening then?

Because it made me feel good.

I'm not sorry he's dead,
but I didn't have to k*ll him.

And by the way,
neither did my wife.

Before I went up to Cagliostro's suite
last night, Regina and I were together.

Excuse me.

But even if there are
two Kellijians with a

motive, how did either of
them get into that room?

That's the puzzle. Those
inside didn't have motives,

and those with motives
couldn't get inside.

[Watch Beeping]

Ah. It's time to call New York.

A friend of a friend of a friend
used to work with Zack Bernard.

Maybe I can learn something.
Well, I certainly hope so.

Excuse me, young man. Do you know
where I can find a taxi around here?

One will be around in a
minute. Oh, that'll be too late.

I want to follow that cream car.
You're kidding. Like in the movies?

Well, yes, but I'm afraid it's
too late. No way. Climb aboard.

Climb? Yeah. Hey, you
wanna catch that car or not?

Well, yes, but
please be careful.

Hang on. Here we go!

[Tires Screech]

What was that all about?

I think that is what is referred
to as a payoff. [Chuckles]

Oh. Mrs. Fletcher.
Please, come in. Thank you.

You have no idea how relieved I am that
you have proof of my husband's innocence.

Oh, I'm afraid
that's not quite true.

I wanted to talk
to you privately,

but I wasn't sure that you'd
see me if I told you why.

I followed you an hour ago. I saw
you give that cash to Zack Bernard.

I suppose you want your cut too.

No, Mrs. Kellijian.

But I'm here because I have to
tell Lieutenant Bergkamp what I saw,

and I wanted to give you
a chance to explain first.

Well, I should
have known better.

But I didn't know what else
to do. He's blackmailing me.

Well, you could
have told the police.

Mrs. Fletcher, if it was
something I could tell the police,

I wouldn't have to
pay him, would I?

Then you'd rather be implicated
in the Cagliostro m*rder?

- It adds up to the same thing.
- Oh?

I was involved with Cagliostro.

I suppose I wanted to be.

There was something about him.

Anyway, I tried to stop seeing him,
but he threatened to make trouble.

I was scared. I didn't
see any other way.

I offered Zack a lot
of money to k*ll him.

Oh, my.

The next day, he called and
asked me to come to his hotel room...

to discuss the details.

Then he said
he'd think about it.

He never mentioned it
again... Until yesterday.

What I didn't know was that he recorded
that conversation at our second meeting.

But even if he has no alibi,

there's no way that Kellijian could
have personally k*lled Cagliostro.

Zack could have
been his accomplice.

No, Zack could have let someone
in before Cagliostro arrived.

Well, that would eliminate
Michaels and Regina Kellijian,

because they were both seen
in the restaurant with Cagliostro.

That leaves only Sheri Diamond.

Yeah.

If Zack let her in beforehand,

she could have k*lled Cagliostro
and then left by the balcony.

She broke the glass
to create a false trail,

and then climbed down
to the balcony below.

But Sheri didn't have
a motive. Didn't she?

When we nabbed Zack at the state
line with the money, he spilled everything.

Sheri was in love
with Cagliostro.

But she was too
available to be interesting.

What a great concept:

jealous trapeze artist
murders famous hypnotist.

Great concept maybe, but
not a great case for a jury.

Look, I'm afraid
it's too far-fetched.

We keep goin' around
in the same circles.

I've got six witnesses, five suspects,
one very dead body, and no case.

Six competent, intelligent,
observant newsmen and women...

actually witness a m*rder
and can't tell me a thing.

They might as well be
deaf, dumb and blind.

Lieutenant, say that again.

I said I've got six witnesses.

No, no, no, no, no.
What you said afterwards.

They might as well be deaf,
dumb and blind. That's it.

Of course. That's what?

I think we may have found
a way of solving our problem.

[Sighs] That sounded
strangely like a sigh of relief.

Oh, it was.

Mrs. Fletcher and that lieutenant
just cracked the m*rder case.

No kidding?

It's gonna make
a hell of a book.

So, who... who did it?

Oh, I don't think
I should divulge.

Hey, it'll hit the
streets sooner or later.

Why not give me the scoop?

Okay, but you have to
promise that you can't

print anything until
they get the final proof.

- Honey, you've got my word.
- Okay.

Well, this is what
they think happened.

You see, Sheri Diamond used to be a
trapeze artist in Vegas. She had an act.

Mr. Townsend, we need
your help. Sure. What's up?

Well, we've narrowed
the suspects down to one.

But without a witness,
we can't prove a thing.

Lieutenant, you know
as well as I do that I

can't remember what
happened. I know, I know.

But we found a hypnotist who thinks
he can break Cagliostro's memory lock.

Really? That's great. Right.

So if he can put you under,

he might make you
remember everything.

So, who did it? I can't
tell you ahead of time.

For your testimony to be
valid, you have to tell us.

Now, can you meet us in
Cagliostro's suite in about 20 minutes?

You're very
relaxed. All is well.

You're safe, secure and serene.

You're floating on a
soft, billowing cloud.

You're at peace. You're
happy and content.

I want you to go now...

to the last time you
were in this room.

You will remember everything,

every little detail with crystal
clarity, at my command.

Now, tell me everything you see.

[Townsend] I remember
Cagliostro's voice,

and then suddenly, behind me, I
heard a sound of someone at the window.

[No Audible Dialogue]

All right, bring him out
of it. We've heard enough.

When I snap my fingers, you will awaken
and remember everything you've seen.

Hey. I can remember
what happened.

It was Sheri, and she
escaped out the window!

I'm sorry, Mr. Townsend,
but it didn't happen that way.

Well, I was there.
Sheri k*lled him.

Well, that's what we
wanted you to believe,

so Joan planted that
story with Mr. Michaels,

knowing that he would tell you.

But I'm afraid it couldn't
have been Sheri.

It was obvious from the
way she behaved on the roof.

She was nervous, seemed afraid.

A little checking
confirmed my hunch.

She was almost
k*lled in a fall last year,

and ever since,
she's been seeing a

psychiatrist for a severe
case of acrophobia.

She's afraid of heights.

That can't be. I saw
her, and I was in a trance.

A trance?

Let me introduce our hypnotist.

Jake Callucci.

He's the blackjack dealer
from the casino next door.

He doesn't know the
first thing about hypnosis.

Dr. Yambert coached
him in what to say.

You weren't in a
trance just now,

and you weren't in
a trance last night.

You cleverly
discovered how to outwit

Cagliostro's most
powerful tool... his voice.

You put earplugs in your ears
before you came up to the room.

In effect, you became
temporarily deaf.

That's why you didn't respond
when I called to you in the lobby...

Because you couldn't hear me.

Upstairs in the room, you pretended
to be in a trance like the others.

Then you surprised Cagliostro...

and stabbed him to death with
a steak knife from the restaurant.

[Huffs] No wonder
you're a writer.

You've got one hell of
an imagination. [Chuckling]

Lieutenant Bergkamp confirmed that
you bought your earplugs in the gift shop.

And your reference to
the elevator as a lift...

suggested that you had
spent some time in England.

And I'm sure that some digging around
will turn up a connection with Cagliostro.

[Exhales Deeply]

I'll save you the trouble.

My father was Bud
Michaels's bureau chief,

and as such, he okayed the article that
Cagliostro tricked Michaels into writing.

So when Cagliostro
sued Michaels,

my father was named too.

And when Michaels's
career was destroyed,

my father's was
destroyed along with it.

He just couldn't face
starting over again, so...

[Breathes Deeply]

he k... he k*lled himself.

I wanted to get
Cagliostro... for years...

but I just could
never figure out how.

But when this thing
dropped into my lap,

the whole plan came
to me just like that.

Forgot to count to three.

I just wanted to say
thanks. [Chuckling]

You know, I'm liable to call you the
next time I've got a mystery on my hands.

Well, as long as it isn't involved
with a locked room, please.

[Laughing] I promise.

Mrs. Fletcher!

I... I just talked to New York.

Mr. Winfield is ecstatic, and the
salespeople are wild about the story!

I mean, if you, uh,
really want to write it.

Oh, all right, I give up. Look,
it's an interesting puzzle.

I'll give it a
try. Oh, terrific.

Uh, there's just one slight
problem. Well, isn't there always?

They don't like the new ending.
They love it with Sheri as the k*ller,

and they asked if... if maybe you wouldn't
mind bending the truth just a little.

A little?