All language subtitles for Perry Mason S05E09 The Case of the Posthumous Painter.DVDRip.NonHI.cc.en.CBS

♪ ♪

Well, like I said,
I'm walking my dog,

when I see the man get
out of this parked convertible.

All of a sudden, the guy
walks right out into the ocean,

with all his clothes on.

Strikes me as kind of funny,

but then we get all
sorts of oddballs coming

to the beach. Well, anyway,

I take the dog in the house and
I'm getting ready for bed, when I look

out the window.

The car's still here,

but the guy ain't
nowhere in sight.

I don't see nobody
swimming, either.

So, I came down
to look at the car.

This, this note

was stuck on the steering wheel.

It says he was going
to commit suicide.

♪ ♪

Did it go okay, Jack?

Did anybody see you?

Where's the sauce?

Relax.

Relax, Austin.

It went off like a dream.

I even left a note for my widow.

Here's health to the
late Jack Culross.

Let's get in the car.

Sketches.

Unfinished work.

Nothing, I'm afraid,
of any particular value.

What a shame.

Your husband had an
amazing potential, Mrs. Culross.

And an equally amazing
talent for letting it go to waste.

My sister tells me
that Jack's paintings

were beginning to sell,

at pretty respectable
prices, too.

Yes, thanks to Vincent Kenyon

and the newspaper articles
he did on Jack's work.

If Jack had only applied
himself to painting

with the same passion
he had for high living...

Just a couple of
months of intensive work.

Look, sketches
that never grew up.

Really fine oils
started... Never finished.

Mr. Durrant, as I
told you on the phone,

I'm closing up the cottage
here and moving to my place

in Panama permanently.

Now, you handled
my husband's work.

You called to say that
you were interested

in purchasing whatever
might be left in the studio.

Do you see anything
that you want?

Jack's Three Witches canvas.

He told me when he
started it a year ago,

it would be his
most important work.

Look at it.

Waste, unforgivable waste.

When do you plan to move
out of the country, Mrs. Culross?

By the end of the week.

I'm sure you must be
hard-pressed for cash.

None of this stuff has
more than curiosity value.

If it would help, Mrs.
Culross, I'll give you $5,000

for the contents
of the studio, as is.

As I understand it,

all of the tangibles are
already in your name.

If you'll give me a title
to the pictures here,

there would be no need of
administrative proceedings.

You wouldn't have to bother
with probating the estate.

How soon can you
clear out the studio?

I'll put the seats down
in my station wagon

and, of course, send
you a check after lunch.

I... Thank you, Mr. Durrant.

Yes.

He was sick.

Jack Culross was a sick man.

Somewhere I failed him, Clint.

I wish I knew how or why.

Beautiful.

It's brilliant.

Oh, shut up, little man.

Oh, I was only admiring.

Your admiration revolts me.

Art dealers are
percentage parasites

fattening off
other men's talent.

How'd it go with my widow?

She sold.

And she'll be on
her way to Panama

and out of our way
by the end of the week.

Now that you're... you're dead,

your work will triple in value.

Couple of months, we can
exhibit and clean up a fortune.

If you could just
paint a little faster.

Don't push too far, little man.

Oh, Dr. Kenyon,
you were so right.

Everything you said in
your column was the truth.

Culross is so, so chic.

I've already bought his
Moodscape and Tenement Shadows.

Can you suggest a third?

You see, the wall will hold
three if the frames are small.

Well, I think his
Perspective in Black

might be just the thing.

Over there, before
anyone else gets it.

Oh, yes. Thank you.
Thank you, Dr. Kenyon.

Mr. Durrant.

Well, Austin, this must be

a proud and profitable moment.

That it is, Vincent...
Very profitable.

Better than 50 percent
sellout, isn't it, Miss Burnside?

Yes.

Look at them.

You'd think we were
discounting Rembrandts

in the bargain basement.

What is it, Mr. Durrant?

Excuse me.

Mrs. Culross,
Mr. Miller, I, uh...

I thought you were in Panama.

Well, how, how delightful
you could make the showing.

This particular painting

marked "sold" with a,
uh, $3,000 price tag on it...

Since the last time we saw you,

talent must've risen in price.

Uh, there's some
champagne over there,

and, uh, and, uh, Dr. Kenyon.

All the more amazing,

since the last time we saw
that painting, it was unfinished.

Um, please,
please, Mrs. Culross!

If you'll... oh, fine.

Mrs. Cul...

There's no question
of it, Mr. Mason,

at least half of that
picture was painted

after Jack killed himself.

It's a blatant forgery.

I knew it when I saw the photo

of the painting in
the Panama paper.

I came back to find
out and now I'm sure.

What explanation
did Durrant offer

for the painting
being completed?

Well, he's called
Edna a couple of times,

but she won't talk to him.

She insisted on bringing
the matter directly to you.

Mr. Mason, I don't know
anything about this art business.

I just took my sister

to Panama to help
her get set and then,

all this happens.

Well, the quicker you clear
this up, the happier I'll be.

What about the other
paintings hanging in the gallery?

I just don't know, Mr. Mason.

Jack painted in fits and starts.

He never liked to be watched.

So, you really don't know

which of the paintings
were genuine and which

were forgeries. No.

But there's no question
about The Three Witches.

It's a forgery.

I want this fraudulent
sale stopped, Mr. Mason.

Now.

When you called, my associate,

Mr. Gideon, had an idea
as regards to Three Witches.

Mrs. Culross, was there
much depth of texture

to your husband's paintings?

Well, uh, thickness of paint...

Is that what you mean
by "depth of texture"?

Yes. Yes, there was
considerable thickness.

All right.

Thank you, Mrs. Culross.

We'll, uh, look into the matter.

Thank you, Mr. Mason.

As soon as we find
something, we'll call you.

All right, now, the Atomic Age

hasn't changed the curriculum
of law school that much.

Or have you been
sneaking in a special course

on six ways to
forge a Rembrandt?

Neither... Pre-law
college physics.

I'm talking about a
thermocouple, of course.

Of course.

Perry, I, uh, suppose you
understand what he means?

Of course.

A thermocouple is a delicate
heat-measuring device.

That explains everything.

A divining rod to
locate hot paintings.

No, Della, no. You
see, the older paint gets,

the drier it becomes.

The drier it becomes,
the more heat it reflects.

Now, by measuring heat

from different parts of
the painting's surface,

we can determine
for sure and legally

if somebody else
finished the painting

of The Three Witches
after Culross died.

You got it?

Got it.

How soon can you, uh,

locate a thermocouple, David?

Inside half an hour, Mr. Mason.

Good. Let's go.

Durrant!

Hey, what are you
doing? Stop! Stop!

Stop him! Oh, never mind.

You'll never find
him in those crowds.

Should I call the
police, Mr. Durrant?

Yes, please do, right away.

Excuse me, gentlemen.

I'd better call the
insurance people.

Yes, yes! Miss
Burnside, please call the...

Call the police right away.

Uh, I'll be right
with you gentlemen.

What was that all about?

Obviously, some sort of a crank.

Just look around, gentlemen.

Take your time.

The, uh, "sold"
pictures are marked.

Uh, Mr. Durrant,

I'm attorney for
Mrs. Edna Culross.

My name is Mason.

Then... then this is
a professional visit.

Could be.

I'm interested in
buying a certain painting.

That is, if you can certify
as to its authenticity.

I'd be glad to.

Do you still have
the painting called

The Three Witches by Culross?

That sold and
delivered, I'm afraid.

A Dr. Vincent Kenyon bought
her for the Hessler collection.

But I'd be most happy to sell

and authenticate
any picture you see.

If you're interested only
in The Three Witches,

you'll have to talk to
Dr. Kenyon at the museum.

I tell you, Jack, the
man was insane.

He ripped into that
canvas as if it were human.

To him, maybe it was.

Uh, tall, thin features,
shabby clothes?

You know him then?
You've seen him before?

When's the exhibition closing?

Friday.

First, my wife comes back,

then this lawyer
shows, and now...

Close it tonight.

Cash out my share.

All of that cash for tonight?

Oh, I can't, Jack.

I have to be in
San Diego tonight.

Durrant, do what I tell you.

I like it.

But I'm afraid I don't
know very much about art.

Good art is like music.

It should be enjoyed,
not dissected.

An excellent
sentiment, Mr. Mason,

but a bit basic, perhaps.

You wanted to see me?

I'm Vincent Kenyon.

Oh, Dr. Kenyon.

I'm interested in a painting
called The Three Witches.

I was told you'd bought it.

Yes, you... you passed
it as you came in.

It's the best of the
Culross collection.

It has been suggested

that the painting was completed

by another artist
after Culross' death.

Are you Mrs. Culross' attorney?

A very emotional
woman, Mr. Mason.

Totally ignorant of art.

This canvas is genuine,

from first stroke to last.

You seem to be an expert
on Culross, Dr. Kenyon.

Oh, I should be.

I was the first to
recognize his talent.

You'd have no
objection to our verifying

your observation scientifically?

Well, inexpert handling
of a valuable canvas

is really quite out
of the question.

That's reasonable, Doctor.

But we will in no way
touch the painting.

Ah.

Well, very well.

Well, Mr. Mason,
are you satisfied?

Completely.

My thanks for your cooperation.

Well, if you'd
accepted my opinion,

you could have
saved yourself trouble.

Anyone, even with the remotest
familiarity with Culross' work,

would never begin to doubt
the authenticity of this canvas.

Obviously, you are
wasting your time.

You could be right, Dr. Kenyon.

Good day. Good day, Mr. Mason.

Mr. Mason?

According to our Mr. Expert
inside, there's no question

that the canvas was
a genuine Culross.

I suppose the
thermocouple confirmed that.

No. It confirmed that
at least a third of it

was painted six days
after Culross died.

Feeling any better, Mr. Durrant?

Oh, yes, thanks. Good.

Where's the package?

I don't have it. You what?

The man at the bank said it
wouldn't be ready until 6:00.6:00?

That's impossible. I have
to be in San Diego at 6:00.

It's absolutely imperative.

I should've left
half an hour ago.

I know and I told him that,

and he still said it
wouldn't be ready

until 6:00. Of
all the stupid...!

So, I finally told him that
I'd pick it up for you then.

No, no, I don't want
you making the trip

out here to the beach again.

That won't be
necessary, Mr. Durrant.

I can put the package
on your desk at the gallery

and then you can pick it up

on your way back from
San Diego, can't you?

Yes, I suppose you...

Well, actually,
there's no need for you

to go back to the gallery,
either, Miss Burnside.

Oh, well, I have
to do that anyway.

Oh, Mr. Durrant, I
just love your view.

You know, Mrs. Ronker called
from Pasadena about the figurine

that she ordered. She wants
it tonight instead of tomorrow.

Well, now, I'll pick up
the package at the bank,

put it on your
desk at the gallery,

pick up the figurine and
bring it out to Pasadena.

Will there be anything
else, Mr. Durrant?

Well, I... No, that'll
be fine, Linda.

And thank you, very much.

Well, good luck in San Diego.

Yes.

Thank you.

My secretary is very reliable.

And, of course, she doesn't know

that your share of the
money is in that package.

You see, the bank... I heard.

The office is much
closer than the bank.

I'll get your share of the money

and bring it back to
you here before I leave.

What's waiting for
you in San Diego?

Bankruptcy sale, I, uh...

Well, I have a, sort of
a private arrangement

with a receiver on
a few art pieces.

There are buyers
waiting and I could...

Bribe? Chisel?
Misrepresent? Steal?

Anything to turn
an honest profit.

Isn't that right, little man?

Now, listen, Jack.

If you don't...

All right, all right, Austin.

Don't feed your ulcers.

I won't keep you.

I'll stop in at your
office on my way

into town and pick
up the money myself.

Oh, uh, uh, give me a key
to the gallery back door.

Take it easy, Jack.

They won't let you on
the plane if you're drunk.

I'm not going by
plane. I'm driving.

What?

Or rather, my, uh, my
widow will be driving.

Edna?

Edna, this is your
dead husband, Jack.

♪ ♪

Jack?

Jack, are you here?

Oh, Jack, stop playing games.

Welcome home to the
prodigal husband, lover.

Oh.

You're early.

I didn't expect you
for a half hour yet.

Are you alone?

Yes, I'm alone. Good.

Oh, you look cute in black.

Cute and sexy.

Is that all you can say, Jack,

after weeks of letting
me think you were dead?

Is that all you can say?

But why? Why did you do this?

Money. What else?

And the chance for the two
of us to start all over again.

You'd like that,
wouldn't you, Edna?

Then... the suicide was just
another one of your tricks?

Hmm, a profitable one, lover...

An $80,000 profit.

Tax free.

Aw, look, you need a drink.

No.

I just need to be rid of
the sight and sound of you.

You know, I was confused
and upset when you called.

But I'm not confused anymore.

Start all over again
with you, Jack? Never.

I'd rather die first.

Edna.

Look, I know our
marriage went sour.

But it's not the
end of the world.

We can still make it.

Uh, a new start, a new home.

Your place in Panama maybe.

Panama?

Edna, please come with me.

Tonight. Now.

Oh, yes.

You're a fugitive
now, aren't you?

A fugitive looking
for a place to hide.

And I have a place...

A big, expensive
place in Panama.

No, Jack.

You've fooled and
tricked me for the last time.

Where are you going?

To the police.

To see that you get exactly

what's coming to
you. Edna, listen!

Get out.

Out!

Either you go with me,

or you sign the
place over to me.

Don't you understand?

I've got to have
a place to go to.

No. No.

Don't be a fool.

Couldn't have been
badly hurt, Mr. Mason.

All I could think of was
getting away from him.

I ran out into the street

and kept running.

You didn't return
for your purse?

No, I, I just kept going
until I found a cab.

You say he'd been drinking, huh?

Yes.

Oh, Mr. Mason, it was such
a shock finding him alive.

And the fight...

I mean... what if
he was badly hurt?

In a way, I'm still responsible.

He's... he's really sick.

You know, I have a
hunch that somewhere

we'll find a drunken painter
with a very sore head.

Now, you stay with
Della, Mrs. Culross.

We'll try and locate
your husband.

Della, we'll be back in an hour.

All right.

Well, drive 20 miles,

trade a steak for a hamburger
and not even a drunk.

Looks like he left in her car.

Let's get back to Los Angeles.

Your client's purse, Mr. Mason.

Perry?

Small caliber and,
uh, recently fired.

All right, Paul, see
if you can locate

someone to find
that car of hers.

May I see your
driver's license, please?

Okay, thanks.

Perry, your client's
car was picked up

for speeding just past Malibu.

Who was driving it?

Clint Miller, your
client's brother.

And, Perry,

he's being held on
suspicion of murder.

Murder?

Well, they found Jack
Culross in the back of the car.

Dead.

Mr. Mason...

Mr. Miller, I'm here as
your sister's attorney.

I want to help her.

Help Edna?

Well, they've arrested me.

You were driving her car.

I borrowed the car.

Edna had nothing to do with it.

Mr. Miller, don't
underestimate the police.

Durrant's secretary,
Linda Burnside,

was picked up in Pasadena.

She was at the gallery tonight.

Delivering some package.

So?

So, when the police
locate Durrant in San Diego,

they'll know what
was in that package

and its connection with the
woman who entered the gallery

to meet Jack Culross.

Woman?

The police have a witness
who saw a woman there

at about the time Culross
must've been killed.

Your sister Edna.

Now, that's impossible.

I told you that Edna
had nothing to do with it.

So far you've told
me nothing but lies.

Oh, yes, you were
driving Edna's car.

The car she left
in the parking lot

after her visit with Culross.

Well, how do you know...

Edna came to my office.

I know she was in
the gallery tonight.

Now, if that witness
sees her, he'll identify her.

Your sister's in trouble,
Mr. Miller, serious trouble.

If you really want to help
her, you must tell me the truth.

Well, I took a
cab to the gallery,

and went around to the
back door off the parking lot.

Go on.

I saw her car and Culross.

Well, I was panicky.

I didn't know how
badly hurt he was.

First I shoved him in the car,

figuring I'd take him
to a doctor afterwards.

Then I realized he
was already dead.

So then you tried to cover?

You were going to
get rid of the body?

No.

But I didn't think
it should be found

until I knew what Edna had done.

I guess I didn't really
know what to do.

I just... just kept on
driving, scared mostly.

Mr. Miller,

why did you go to the gallery?

Well, when I came
home late last night,

there was a... there
was a note from Edna,

telling me that
Culross had called her.

He was alive and she was
meeting him at the gallery.

Do you have that note?

Why... no.

As far as the police
are concerned,

that note would be as good as a
confession of murder from Edna.

They have a search warrant.

They're on their way now

to search the place you
shared with your sister.

Now, think carefully.

Did you destroy that note?

Why...?

No.

No, I left it right
there on the table.

But I didn't fire the
gun, Mr. Mason.

Believe me, I
didn't even touch it.

Edna...

when your husband phoned you,

why didn't you contact
either the police or myself?

I-I was confused and frightened.

I just didn't think, that's all.

Now, you ran from the
gallery and got into your car.

Yes.

You were trying to start the car

when your husband
jerked open the door.

When you bit him, he
dropped the gun from his hand.

Now, tell me, why
didn't you shoot him?

You make a very good
prosecutor, Mr. Mason,

but I need a lawyer
who can help me,

one who believes I'm not lying.

That may be hard
to find, Mrs. Culross.

You see, we located the
note you wrote your brother.

I'm Lieutenant
Anderson, Homicide.

You're under arrest for
the murder of Jack Culross.

Too bad she couldn't
convince you, Mr. Mason.

She'll need a good lawyer.

But you're wrong, Lieutenant.

I'm more than convinced.

I'm certain she's not guilty.

Sure you have the right place?

Walter Hutchings, apartment 33.

Well, let's go, David.

We can come back later.

Yeah.

That's the same guy
who slashed the painting

in Durrant's gallery when
Mr. Mason and I were there.

Are you sure? Yes.

Walter Hutchings?

I'd like to talk to you.

I understand
you're the witness...

Look, I've told you
people everything I know.

I was outside the gallery.

I saw the woman drive up,

pull into the alley
into the parking lot.

There's nothing more I know,
nothing more I can tell you.

What were you
doing at the gallery?

I thought it might be open.

I wanted to see the exhibit.

A friend of Culross?

Friend?

Like a rattlesnake
is your friend.

Well, feeling that way, you
mean you just wanted to see

the paintings?

You're not from the police?

Private detective,

but I happen to know
that you're the man

who slashed the
painting the afternoon

of the murder. Now, go away.

Go away, I've got nothing
more to tell you or anybody else.

There's no question
of it, Mr. Mason.

The witness who saw
Edna Culross drive up

to the gallery is the same man

we saw destroying
a Culross painting.

I got more than his name and
address from my police contact.

Walter Hutchings is on parole

from the Huntsville
Penitentiary in Texas.

Della, would you
come in, please?

Did you get a rundown
on Hutchings' record, Paul?

Yep, he was curator of
the university art gallery

in Dallas until he was sent up.

Sent up for what?

Five-year term for art bunco.

Uh, no need for notes, Della.

Just get me a seat
on the next flight...

Uh, Mr. Mason, could...?

Get me two seats on
the next flight for Dallas,

and have a rental car
meet us at the airport.

There's something else I
want you to investigate, Paul.

All right, what is it?

Do you remember that
package the secretary delivered

to Durrant's place on
the night of the murder?

Well, Durrant
says that there was

$80,000 in it for Culross...

His share of the swindle...

But there was no money
found on Culross' body.

Hutchings never should have
been sent to jail, Mr. Mason.

An error in judgment, yes,

but there never was
any criminal intent.

Where was the error, Dr. Shelby?

He bought a Matisse, which
turned out to be a fake...

And a brilliant fake.

I think it would have
fooled most anybody.

Bought it from a young
fellow named Peters,

and like a fool, he paid cash

before it was authenticated.

And?

When they found
it to be a phony,

they started looking
for young Peters,

but he had skipped, leaving
Wally holding the bag.

Do you recognize that face?

Yes, it's Peters.

If you still have the fake
painting, may we see it?

Yes, of course.

It's the, uh, Blue Waters.

The original used to be part
of the Rob Wade collection.

We saw this painting
in Los Angeles.

No, David, we saw
its twin in Los Angeles.

You're right, it's a
dead ringer, Mr. Mason.

Which one do you
think is the fake?

That's something we
have to find out, David.

The answer could be
a motive for murder.

You've heard it
testified, Lieutenant,

that death was caused
by a massive hemorrhage

as the result of
multiple bullet wounds,

which caused a
rupture of the aorta,

the spleen, and the liver.

There were two small
caliber bullets recovered

from the body.

They were marked
for identification.

I ask you if these
are the bullets.

Yes, sir.

People's exhibit one,
if it please the court.

Now, Lieutenant Anderson,
I show you this note

and ask if you can identify it.

Yes, sir, this is a note
signed by the defendant

and addressed to her brother.

And where was the note found?

We found the note in
Clint Miller's apartment.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

Your name is
Clint Robert Miller?

Yes.

You are the brother
of the defendant?

Yes.

And you reside with your sister?

Yes.

Mr. Miller,

when you returned home
on the evening of June 3,

did you find a note
from your sister

which caused you to go
to the Durrant Art Galleries?

I must respectfully decline
to answer that question

on the ground that such answer
would tend to incriminate me.

Really?

Your Honor, the
state, having foreseen

that this witness might
invoke the Fifth Amendment

for fear of being named

an accessory in this murder...

A petition for a
waiver of immunity

under section 1324
of the penal code

was made in superior
court and granted.

At this time,

I should like it
entered in the record.

Let it be entered.

Mr. Miller, by
order of the waiver,

you have been granted
immunity of prosecution

in the event your testimony
may incriminate you.

You will therefore
answer all questions

or be held in contempt.

Now, Mr. Miller, on
the night of June 3,

when you arrived home,

did you find a note
from your sister?

Yes.

And is this the note?

Yes.

Mr. Hutchings, in
addition to your visit there

on the afternoon of June 3,

on which occasion
you destroyed property,

for which action
you still face charges,

were you, on the
evening of June 3,

in the vicinity of the
Durrant Art Galleries?

I was.

At approximately 8:00 p.m.?

Yes.

Did you see an automobile
driven by a woman drive

onto the gallery parking lot?

Yes.

And is the woman who
was driving that automobile

in this courtroom today?

She is.

It's the defendant Mrs. Culross.

Mr. Durrant never said
what was in the package...

just that it was valuable
and that he needed it.

So, not knowing
that you were carrying

$80,000 in used
bills in that package,

you went from the bank
to the Durrant Gallery

and left the package
on Durrant's desk.

Now, what else did you
do and whom did you see

while you were at the
gallery, Miss Burnside?

I didn't see anyone
while I was there.

Now, Miss Burnside, the
defendant apparently arrived

at the gallery at a time
very close to the one

set by the coroner's
office as the time of death.

That's approximately 8:00.

What time was it when
you left the gallery?

7:15, certainly
no later than 7:30.

So, although the police reported

that they found no money
on the decedent's body,

in the defendant's car, or
on the person of the brother

of the defendant, or
anywhere in the gallery,

you can testify that
the money was there

when the defendant and
the murdered man met.

Objection, Your Honor.

The question calls
for a conclusion

on the part of the witness.

I'll withdraw the
question, Your Honor.

No further questions.

Thank you.

Your witness.

Miss Burnside, to date the money
in question has not been found.

It was not found in the
possession of the defendant.

Now, are you asking
this court to believe

that you casually placed $80,000
in cash on Mr. Durrant's desk,

then just left the gallery

without concern for the
safety of that money?

No, sir.

I put a package on the desk.

I didn't know there
was money in it.

Oh, come now, Miss Burnside.

You were Durrant's
confidential secretary.

Didn't you open the package
to see what it contained?

No, Mr. Mason, I did not.

Your Honor, I object

to Mr. Mason
badgering this witness.

When the police located
Miss Burnside in Pasadena,

she was searched
as a matter of routine

before she was questioned.

And may I remind Mr. Mason

that in the statement made

by the defendant
herself to the police,

she admitted that her
husband had that money

in his possession
when she arrived.

I'm sure he intended to
leave the country by plane.

Sure, Mr. Durrant?

Well, I offered to
get his ticket for him.

He told me not to bother.

His ticket and some
sort of phony passport

were taken care of.

Then, what made you think
that he'd changed his mind

about flying out of the country?

Culross told me.

He said he wasn't going
to fly, he was going by car,

and that his wife was
going to drive him.

His wife was going to drive him?

Mr. Durrant, did you
have any reason to believe

that the decedent's wife knew
he had not committed suicide?

I don't know for sure.

I only know I heard him call her

and arrange to meet
her in the gallery at 8:00.

No further questions.

Your witness.

Did the decedent say that
he had personally arranged

for his, uh, plane
ticket and passport?

No, no. He said it
was taken care of.

I'm sure of that.

Now, aside from Culross'
share of the proceeds

of your joint
conspiracy to defraud...

Aside from that $80,000...

Was there anything else
missing from your gallery?

Missing?

No, just the coffin figurine
Miss Burnside delivered.

Then, why, on the day
following the murder,

did you inventory the
contents of your gallery?

Oh, that.

Well, uh,

Culross and his wife must
have had a dilly of a fight.

There were even some
tapestries knocked off the walls.

These, uh, tapestries

that were knocked
from the walls...

They were scattered around

on the floor where
they'd fallen?

No.

Matter of fact, no.

The tapestries
were sort of folded

and stacked as if...

As if someone planned
to take them? Steal them?

Then either changed
his mind, or was

killed?

If you're trying
to say that I...

I'm not trying to say
a thing, Mr. Durrant.

Are you?

As curator of the
Hessler Museum, then,

you bought a number of
paintings at this exhibition?

Yes, Mr. Burger, I did.

Dr. Kenyon, could you
explain to this court exactly how

the death of an artist
can relate to the sale

of his work?

In an artist of
Culross' caliber,

it's the inevitable law
of supply and demand.

When the source
of the supply is dead,

prices rise, if the
paintings have merit.

Then, in effect, Dr. Kenyon,
you were the victim of a fraud.

A fraud perpetrated by Durrant,

the art dealer, by
the artist himself,

and by anyone else who knew
that Culross was alive, or who

participated in setting
up his mock suicide,

or his posthumous

exhibition.

Unfortunately, I was the
victim of just such a fraud.

Thank you, Dr. Kenyon.

That'll be all.

Your witness.

Uh, in view of the
hour, Mr. Mason,

might I suggest reserving your
examination until tomorrow?

Of course, Your Honor.

Then court will
adjourn until 10:00

tomorrow morning.

That cable arrived from
London about an hour ago.

So, Kenyon's Blue Waters
is another Culross forgery.

Do you think he knows?

I'm sure of it.

Then for Pete's sake,

why did Dr. Kenyon
promote Culross?

The payoff for blackmail
isn't always money, David.

The thing I can't
figure out, Perry,

is not just who killed Culross.

But where on earth did
the killer hide the $80,000?

The killer must have
seen Edna running away.

There was a chance the
police would arrive any moment.

And possession of that money

would have been a
confession of murder.

You know, I have
a pretty good hunch

where that money was hidden.

Della, see if you can
reach one of the judges

of the Ninth Federal
Circuit Court right away.

I must see him tonight.

Dr. Kenyon, you are
an expert on fine arts?

It has been said so.

Uh, when you
purchased the painting

titled Three Witches
for the Hessler collection,

it was in the belief that
Jack Culross was dead?

Yes.

As you previously stated,

you were the unwitting
victim of a fraud.

Well, obviously.

As you were when you
bought a forged Matisse

from Culross?

Your Honor, we protest.

The witness will
answer the question.

Well, I...

Dr. Kenyon,

did you not buy
from Jack Culross

an alleged Matisse
called Blue Waters?

Yes, I did.

Are you aware that
the genuine Blue Waters

is in a private
collection in London?

But I found that out later.

Your Honor, we protest
this irrelevant attempt

to degrade a
witness for the state.

Since this is related

to the probity of
an expert witness,

I find it most relevant
and illuminating.

Continue, Mr. Mason.

Was Culross blackmailing you

in order to promote
his career, Dr. Kenyon?

I won't answer.

I won't.

Very well.

If granted latitude, Your Honor,

we will prove the
identity of the murderer.

I should like to recall Miss
Linda Burnside to the stand.

Uh, Miss Burnside,

as secretary-bookkeeper
for the Durrant Galleries,

you know Dr. Kenyon?

Certainly. He's one
of our best customers.

At the last Culross exhibition,

did Dr. Kenyon bring other
art collectors to the preview?

Well, he gave me a
list of possible buyers

to be sent preview invitations.

In short, he helped to
promote that showing.

Very much so.

Now, this is important.

As long as you have
worked for Mr. Durrant,

can you remember
any other artist

who received the
help Dr. Kenyon gave

Jack Culross?

No, I can't remember any.

Miss Burnside,

there's a specific
pattern to this case.

One I should like
the court to consider.

Now, I wonder if you would
help me present that pattern.

If I can, Mr. Mason, certainly.

The murderer knew

that Culross hadn't
committed suicide.

Knew of the money
Culross was to receive.

Killed Culross for that money.

Now, Mr. Durrant knew this.

The prosecution claims

that the defendant and
possibly her brother knew it.

Now, let us assume
for the moment,

Miss Burnside, that
someone else also knew it.

Your Honor, I object.

Mr. Mason is using these tactics

in an obvious and
uncalled for attempt

to implicate and vilify
a distinguished citizen.

Would the court please
remind Mr. Mason

that Dr. Kenyon is not
the defendant in this case?

Mr. Burger, I did not
mention Dr. Kenyon's name.

Well, you said that...

I said, let's assume
someone else knew.

If, because of Dr. Kenyon's
relationship to the decedent,

you assume the good
doctor was implicated,

then, it's you the
court should admonish.

I think your objection

is technically well-taken,
Mr. Prosecutor,

but I'm going to overrule it,

because the court is
very much interested

in Mr. Mason's
line of reasoning.

And in view of the facts
which have been established,

the court would like

to have Mr. Mason follow
this line of reasoning to the end.

Continue, Mr. Mason.

Very well, Your Honor.

Jack Culross was greedy.

Greedy enough

to double-cross Durrant
and rob him before he left.

Now, Durrant testified
that a number of tapestries

had been taken off the
walls the night of the murder.

Think carefully.

When you delivered the
package to the gallery,

were the tapestries down,
or were they still hanging?

No, they were hanging.

I would have noticed if
there was anything different.

The next day, you helped
Durrant with his inventory.

What would you say those
tapestries were worth?

Well, between $4,000 and $5,000.

It is possible to
mail tapestries

out of the country,
isn't it, Miss Burnside?

Yes, of course.

Now, it's very
likely that Culross,

in robbing Durrant,
had an accomplice.

The accomplice was to take

the stolen tapestries
and mail them...

Uh, let us say...

To Jack Culross in Mexico City.

On the night of the murder,

the accomplice was perhaps
just leaving the gallery

with those tapestries
when the defendant arrived

earlier than expected
to meet her husband.

Miss Burnside,

would there have been someplace

where the accomplice
might have quickly hidden

in order to eavesdrop

on the meeting between
Culross and his wife?

Well, I... I suppose
one could hide

in the storage room
behind the office.

The accomplice would
then have overheard

that Culross meant to
double-cross not only Durrant,

but also the accomplice.

So, when the defendant
ran away from her husband

in the parking
lot, the accomplice

just picked up the
gun and shot him,

becoming not only a
thief, but a murderer.

Miss Burnside,

when the police
located you in Pasadena,

you were searched, were you not?

Yes, I was searched.

They searched me.

They searched my apartment.

They searched my car.

Everybody was searched.

The killer, anticipating that,

just tossed the tapestries
back into the gallery.

But that $80,000...
Where to hide that safely

and for possibly a
long period of time?

Uh, tell me, Miss Burnside...

Were there mailing containers

and stamps in
the gallery office?

Yes.

Where was the nearest mailbox?

Well, there's...

there's one right
outside the building.

Your Honor, as
you know, it is illegal

to use the mails to
secrete stolen monies.

Last night, I put this matter
before Federal Judge Noyman

of the United
States District Court.

Uh, Southern District of
California, Federal Division.

Did he issue a court
order, Mr. Mason?

Uh, yes, Your Honor.

Uh, to the office of
the postal inspector,

directing that a search be made

in Los Angeles general delivery

for a small package postmarked
the night of the murder

and addressed to one of
the principals in this case.

And was the package
with the money found?

Well, as Your Honor also knows,

the federal mails are inviolate.

But, uh...

Judge Noyman further ordered

that if such a
package were found,

delivery was to be
effected so that the package

could be subpoenaed
as evidence by this court,

to be opened only
in the presence

of the postal inspector.

Now, Your Honor, this is
Deputy Postal Inspector Johnson.

Inspector Johnson
has such a package.

If it contains the $80,000,

then the name on the package

could only be
that of one person.

The name on the package
is the name of the murderer.

All right, Inspector Johnson.

You may proceed.

Linda Burnside.

I don't want it.

It's just that he
didn't need me.

I don't want it!

Linda Burnside was in
love with your husband.

They planned the fake suicide

and the posthumous
sale of his paintings

so they could run away together.

What really tipped it all,
in addition to the money,

was the fact that
she had purchased

two plane tickets
for Mexico City.

Well, one thing
about this case...

Sure has affected
a lot of people.

Linda Burnside's been
indicted for murder,

and Durrant's in jail.

Dr. Kenyon is no longer
curator at the museum.

As a matter of fact,
I guess I'm lucky

I'm not in jail for
moving the body.

I'm afraid I actually thought

for a moment you had killed him.

Everybody did, except Mr. Mason.

I brought you one
of Jack's paintings

as a sort of memento.

I can't thank you enough

for what you did, Mr. Mason.

Say, Mr. Mason,

uh, what about the
people who were defrauded

when they bought
all those paintings?

Oh, I don't imagine there
should be any trouble.

The paintings were genuine.

How ironic.

They should be more
valuable now that he's gone.

Thank you, Edna.