All language subtitles for perry_mason_s10e07_scandalous_scoundrel

Yeah. Yeah, I understand.

Yes, I understand.

I understand.

Mr. Wade, I got a guy here says he was
kidnapped by Martians. Said they took

home with him and they all went swimming
in the canal. Says he's got pictures.

If that's the best we can do.

Oh, Mr.

Wade, Mr. Wade.

There's still the Reverend Stafford's ex
-chauffeur. Now, he swears that

Stafford made three attempts on his
wife's life, but he won't budge on his

price. Pay it, Brian.

You're the managing editor, not the
accountant.

It's only money.

You know, paper clips.

Oh, Michelle.

How you doing?

Can I see you alone?

That's an invitation I'll always accept.

Look, I'm a little nervous about saying
this, but I'd like to beg off the

judge's story.

Michelle, we went all through this. And
I agreed, I know.

But the more that I do, the queasier I
feel.

Nobody says it was pretty.

A lot of what we do isn't pretty.

Iran Gate wasn't pretty. Watergate
wasn't pretty. For God's sake, Harlan,

where's the comparison?

What we're doing is sleaze.

The hell it is.

We provide a service.

A kind of journalism that the people
can't get anywhere else.

Kicking the hell out of commie -loving
politicians, drugged -out actresses,

doctors who suppress cancer cures. It's
our duty under the First Amendment. I've

heard that song before, Harlan.

It's just not playing right for me.

Yeah, Michelle.

You're just tired.

Burned out.

So it goes with being a good reporter.

I need your help, sweetheart.

Those others out there?

Glorified hacks.

If I take you off the judge's story, I
may as well forget it. I can't afford

that. The paper can't afford it. Harlan,
when I came here, you promised... I

know what I promised.

Now stand by it.

Then why haven't you answered my memo?

I've sent you at least five on that
chain of nursing homes.

You get me what I want, and I'll give
you what you want.

You have my word, Michelle.

I wish I could believe that.

Believe it.

Hit a home run, baby. I'm counting on
you.

You know I know I'll be grateful.

Say a week in Bermuda.

Hawaii. Cozumel.

Anywhere you want to go.

On me. First class.

With everything thrown in.

Wonderful man.

I'm having a medal struck in his honor.

Save one for me.

I don't believe it, Paul.

Surprised, huh?

Tell me you're thrilled, too.

What on earth are you doing here? I'm
working on a case with Perry, which

us plenty of time to get reacquainted.

Want to buy me some lunch?

Paul, I am up to here with assignments.

Honestly, I'm really jammed.

Oh, sorry, this is Rick Connor, my
partner in crime. Rick, hi.

Well, um...

You know, he looks pretty confident. Why
don't you let him do a single today,

huh? I'd love to, Paul, but I'm already
late for an appointment.

Okay, well, you leave me no choice. I'm
going to come with you. I want you to

wait right here. I'll be right back.

Where is he going?

Mr. Wade.

Who are you?

You remember me, Paul Drake.

That's for you.

What is it?

It's a summons.

Complaints are liable.

Compliments of Senator Langley.

Have a nice day.

Hey, you can't come...

Oh, I was

afraid we laid it on a little thick for
that Langley feature.

Wouldn't you know the lawyer on this is
Perry Mason?

Mason?

Frank, I want you to drop everything
you're doing.

Dig up what you can on Mason.

If you can't find anything...

Invented. The usual.

Well, you consider yourself a good
friend of Judge McGill. Isn't that

Well, yes. He said hello to me every
morning.

And knowing his lovely wife, you must
have been shocked when he and that

long -legged secretary of his came
sneaking in here that night.

Very shocked.

Uh, yes, very shocked.

And you never did see them come out, did
you? She stayed here all night?

I didn't see them come out, no.

Excuse me.

Judge Sanford McGill, in line for the
state Supreme Court vacancy, has been

having a secret love affair with his
pretty long -legged secretary, a close

friend confided.

I was very shocked, the friend
explained, when the two lovebirds

classy midtown hotel and didn't come out
until morning.

Who am I kidding?

Not me.

How about you?

I wish I could.

Why did you have to show up anyway? Did
I advertise for a conscience?

Does this mean that I have to pay for
lunch?

There you are.

You're not dressed.

The party starts at two o 'clock.

We're not going.

Not going?

You don't feel well.

Oh, I'm feeling fine.

You know where the Society for Homeless
Children is holding the event this year?

Yes, at the Melbourne estate.

According to this, it was recently
purchased by Harlan Wade. Now you know

we're not going.

You're on the Society's advisory board.

We are not going.

But... Not even for the children.

If I can't get circulation up, the only
thing we'll be publishing around here is

our obituary.

Oh, nice of you folks to join us. Sorry
we're late, Harlan.

What'd you get from the door?

Nothing. He suddenly had an attack of
conscience.

Catches up to all of us sooner or later.

That's too bad.

But we'll get it.

Just up the ante.

You were supposed to see him at 10. It's
1 .30 now. Where have you been all this

time?

Working on something else.

The chain of nursing homes.

Handled right, the story could get us a
Pulitzer.

If you saw what Rick and I did this
morning, old people abandoned and dying,

you'd know what it means.

Nursing homes.

Old people.

Okay, kid.

Go win us a Pulitzer.

Thanks, Harlan.

You won't regret it.

You'll see.

Connor.

I was wrong about her, Frank.

Very wrong.

I want her out of here.

Today.

Doctor and Mrs. Clayman.

Still the most attractive couple in
town.

Glad you could come.

General, you're not leaving already.

My wife isn't feeling well. I thought
we'd go home early.

Oh, I am sorry.

I know this is a terrible imposition,
sir, but I wonder if you could pose for

just one picture with me. It isn't too
often that I get the opportunity to be

photographed with a great war hero.

Well, another time.

Oh, please, General, there may not be
another time.

I'd really appreciate it.

Well, to be quite frank, Mr. Wade, I'd
rather be photographed with a snake.

What's with him?

You.

You see, the general came by here to
help a good cause, right?

So why don't you just forget who he is?
And while you're at it, call off that

pack of wolves that call themselves
reporters because we don't need your

stories.

Understand, Harlan?

Great party.

You would pull your gun at your own
party?

Ortega, what kind of way is that for a
banker to behave?

I was merely getting your attention.

Since you don't answer phone calls.

Maybe I knew why you were calling.

I am sure you do.

It's about this smear you're planning
with me as the target.

What smear?

I'm in the business of news, human
interest.

Then you should be more careful of your
sources.

Am I clear?

Maybe we can talk later when things get
quiet. In the meantime, enjoy yourself.

I intend to.

Next time, let's try to get a few
friends here.

Who?

No, thank you. Oh, thank you.

You don't care for any?

I'm here because I promised. I said
nothing about having a good time.

Mason, I'm Harlan Wade.

Is that so?

We've never met, but I recognize you
from your pictures.

You must be Ms. Street.

Thank you. How do you do?

Would you excuse us a minute for a
little business talk?

Mr. Wade, I'm not going to discuss the
lawsuit.

I think you'll recall dates and places.

You and Miss Street.

Very inventive.

I can get bellmen, maids, hotel staff,
others who will swear to occasions when

you and Miss Street stayed together at
the same hotel. How shocked they were by

your behavior.

To buy all that, you must have a very
large editorial budget.

Largest in the world.

Mr. Wade.

I'd save your money for your attorney's
fees.

Young lady, I think we've enjoyed this
extraordinary event long enough. Mr.

Wade?

Doorman will get it.

Paul, I told you.

I've got at least three hours at the
word processor to get this story out.

Wade is never going to pinch a story.

Yes, he will. He has to.

The only way I'm ever going to get off
the informer is to make a name for

myself. This is my shot.

Good luck.

If I make it before midnight, is that
all right?

You make it before breakfast, it's all
right.

Any coffee left, Rick? I've got a ton of
work.

Michelle, I tried to find you, warn you,
but I didn't know... Did Wade say where

I was supposed to pick up my check?

Look, Michelle, getting canned isn't the
end of the world.

Why don't we go out for a drink?

Get you calmed down.

You know something, Rick?

For a second, you sounded just like him.
Don't.

You're a good guy, and he's a vicious,
sadistic hypocrite.

Michelle, where are you going?

Just show Wade what I think of him. He's
not getting away with this.

Everything okay out here?

Yeah. All right, all right.

He's doing good.

I'm gonna go back in the house. Yeah.

Don't shoot, Harlan. You could spoil a
lovely evening.

I used your bathroom to freshen up. I
hope you don't mind.

What do you want?

Harlan, I need your help.

You want me to kill the story behind
your divorce, don't you?

Oh, I'd be very grateful.

You really think I'd give up that story
for anything you've got to offer?

Good night, Marianne.

Great security. Am I ready?

Sorry, Mr. Wade. She must have... Yeah,
she must have.

Why don't you get me a pair of trunks?
I'm going to take a swim.

Sorry, Miss Bente. Mr.

Wade's in the pool. Strict instructions.

No more visitors.

Tell Mr.

Wade I don't give a damn about his
instructions.

Mr. Moretti, this is Matthew.

Yeah, I'm ready.

Yeah, right.

Mr. Wade, Michelle Binti's on her way
in.

The cleanup crew should be done with the
party now. I'm going to go secure the

place.

You have three minutes to say anything
you want to.

After that, I expect to hear good night,
thanks for the memories, and I'll see

you around.

Oh, no, it's not that easy.

You lied to me.

You're young, Michelle.

Really naive.

You knew what my paper was like when you
came to work here.

I gotta hand it to you, Wade.

You did one smooth con job on me. It
wasn't all con.

I liked you, kid.

You've been a little nicer to me.

Who knows, I might have given you
anything you wanted.

Wade, you really are a flea.

I'm only sorry I didn't see it sooner.

Careful, baby.

You could fall on your face.

I know I was speeding.

70 in the 55 zone.

Nancy, your license, please.

Step out of the car, please.

Bye. I'm afraid you'll have to come with
me, ma 'am.

What's wrong?

There's been a murder. You're wanted for
questioning.

What's going to happen to the lawsuit
now that Wade is dead?

Well, if the new management agrees to
print retractions, we'll drop the suit.

Good morning, Paul.

Good morning. Did you get to see
Michelle?

Yes. How's she holding up? She's feeling
a lot better. The parents are going to

see her.

Who do you think might have killed Wade?

I think we could fill a football stadium
with a suspect.

Why do you think they're so convinced
that Michelle did it?

The party was over. Everyone had gone
home.

Michelle was left alone with him. Then
he was found dead.

When the police finally caught up with
her, she was speeding away from the

scene.

There was one other thing.

What's that?

Her fingerprints were on the murder
weapon.

It must have happened when I was
leaving.

I slipped and grabbed the statue to keep
from falling.

Mr. Mason, are they sure that's what was
used to kill him?

I've just gone over the police report.

Wade was found floating in his pool.

Fragments of the statue were found in
his skull.

It doesn't make sense, the thought of me
wanting to kill Wade.

The prosecution's going to make a
compelling case.

Wade fired you.

You were furious. You fought.

He wouldn't relent.

You lost control, grabbed the nearest
handy object, and kept hitting him until

he was dead.

I didn't do it.

Of course you didn't do it.

Good morning.

I should have expected to see you here,
but it's always something of a surprise.

A pleasant one, I hope. Of course.

Your Honor, this was not a death
resulting from reckless conduct or even

voluntary manslaughter.

The people allege that this was a murder
of premeditation.

and deliberation by this defendant.

We respectfully request that bail be
denied.

Your Honor, I have known Michelle Bente
for almost two years, and I can assure

the court she is a responsible young
woman with substantial ties to the

community. She is a professional
journalist who... Journalist?

Your Honor...

This young woman is a procurer of
libelous misstatements and innuendos for

weekly tabloid that mocks the First
Amendment while it pads its corporate

wallet. We're all acquainted with the
confidential informer.

I would remind my distinguished
colleague, it is my client, not this

who is the accused here.

Miss Bente denies any involvement with
this death and is looking forward to her

day in court.

The court is granting bail in this case
in the amount of $200 ,000.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Okay, Wade was sitting here at the edge
of the pool.

She grabbed the statue.

Someone grabbed the statue.

And when Wade turned his head, she
smashed his skull in. I should have

left him alone with her, not the mood
she was in.

Mr. Moretti, the time is bent -y.

Left the estate.

To when you discovered the body.

How much time had elapsed?

Minutes. Three -fourths max.

Wait a minute. If you're saying somebody
else had a chance to do it, impossible.

There wasn't time.

Besides, nobody could have got off the
estate.

Everything was buttoned down tight.

Nobody in, nobody out.

You're positive?

I'm paid to be positive.

Anything else, Mr. Mason?

I understand Mr.

Wade... always carried a gun wherever he
went.

That's right.

Did he have it with him at the time he
was murdered?

I saw him put it in the pocket of his
robe just before he came after his swim.

And he put the robe over there on that
chair.

Lieutenant, there's no mention of the
gun in the police report.

Well, no gun was found.

Then it is missing.

Well, what's your point, Mr. Mason?

Well... It wasn't found on Miss Bente
when she was arrested.

This estate is certainly well guarded.

I wonder how it could have disappeared.

She must have taken it with her and
dumped it along the road.

Why would she take it, Lieutenant?

The gun wasn't the murder weapon.

How should I know?

How indeed.

Thank you both for your cooperation.

Well, what about letters?

Did Wade receive any actual death
threats?

Just your run -of -the -mill hate mail.

Let's face it, anybody who's been the
subject of one of Wade's smear jobs

love to see him dead.

Well, what about, uh, like a story that
might have still been in progress?

Kill Wade before it's even published?

Yeah, maybe.

In an attempt to keep the story from
getting to print, it's a lot stronger

motivation than revenge after the fact.

You know, that makes a lot of sense.

I think it does, too.

Except most of what Wade publishes is
just rumor, innuendo.

Maybe he had something a little bit more
concrete this time.

What were some of the stories he was
working on?

All sorts of things.

I've got notes on all of them at the
office.

Uh, notes. What about Wade's file?

Wade keeps all the juicy stuff and
evidence locked in his safe.

You have a combination?

Let's go get your notes.

I think I better get dressed first.

Michelle, let me ask you something.

If this guy was such a lowlife, why'd
you end up working for him?

Best job I could get.

Why?

This condo, car, half a dozen credit
cards, that go along with it? Yeah, it's

part of the trap.

But you know, reporters at the Informer
make three, four times the going rate of

other papers, plus all this.

You start out working there thinking
you'll just put aside a little nest egg

then leave to do something important.

But you get real used to those big
bucks.

Guess I don't have to worry about that
anymore.

No. Not anymore.

it's not locked

Arrrgh!

Harry, the simplest explanation is that
there was information that was

incriminating.

So it had to be extracted before it fell
into the wrong hands.

If that's true, why take all four files?

You're sure only four are missing?

Positive.

Wade kept them together in a special
folder.

The hot file, he called it.

When I checked the safe after the break
and it was gone, and with it all the

evidence Wade had dug up on General
Sorensen...

Oscar Ortega and the doctor and Mrs.
Clayman.

There's information on all four of them
in my notes.

Stella, are those four on the guest
list?

Yes.

They all seem to have been at the party.

All right, I'll check them out.

You have breakfast yet?

Yes, I did.

And you're still here?

Paul, we need that safe cracker.

Right away.

Michelle, if you're up to it, would you
help me, please?

Let's go.

You really love to get on his case.

Yes, I guess I do.

You want me to type up those notes?

As soon as I've checked them through.

Yeah. Miss Street, these are for you.
Where would you like me to set them?

Right over there.

That's okay. The tip's been taken care
of. Have a good day.

Oh, thank you.

Strange.

Ever see a bellhop that won't accept a
tip?

Maybe he's independently wealthy.

Where were they from?

They're from the hotel.

I guess when you take an expensive
suite, you get an expensive welcome.

Good, Gretchen.

Looks good for a green horse.

It's my day off.

I'm hungover, so if you want another
screaming session, try primotherapy.

I won't take long, but I'm in a little
jam.

I'm deeply moved.

Jack, I need some money. You've frozen
our account. Your next check will be on

time. Thursday a week, just as the
agreement says.

30 ,000, Jack. I need 30 ,000. Temporary
alimony isn't going to cover that. 30

,000 for what?

I can't say.

You're being blackmailed, aren't you?

How would you know that?

Unless you're being blackmailed too,
aren't you?

You're getting off easy. I'm supposed to
cough up a... Excuse me, may I help

you? Sorry if I'm intruding, Doctor. I'm
Michelle Bente's attorney. My name's

Mason. Well, I'm sorry for her. She
deserves a medal.

Unfortunately, I'm afraid that's all the
help I can give her.

I take it you had a problem with Harlan
Wade.

Since you're here, Mr. Mason, you
already know that. And you already know

were both at the party the day he was
killed.

Care for a beer?

No, thank you.

I hate to rush you, Mr. Mason, but my
husband and I were going over some

important business.

So if there's something you'd like to
know, please ask it and then go.

I understand from the police report you
left Wade's party so quickly nobody

seems to have seen you leave.

I left early. I was bored to tears.

If necessary, a friend will confirm that
I was home tucking my son in bed when

the happy event occurred.

Friend?

That's right.

Bobby Conwell.

Oh, yes. Bobby Conwell.

Wasn't he one of the reasons for your
pending divorce from Dr.

Clayman? Who told you that?

Wade had reporters researching rumors
about both of you.

Stay away from me, Mr. Mason.

Far away.

Oh, Jack.

What we discussed before.

I need it today.

Or I swear it'll take more than a court
order for you to visit your son again.

It's going to be one hell of a divorce,
Mason.

But you'll go down like the Titanic.

I've got enough on her to get custody of
my son and to leave her scrounging for

nickels.

I'm betting on a draw.

Doctor, just where were you when... I
was here, getting plastered, feeling

for myself.

Alone?

Of course.

Of course.

He's not there. You think he'd be at the
park?

Thanks, I'll try him there.

Grab that, I'll take this.

Well,

well, look who's here.

I'm just getting my things, Frank.

No, no, I'm glad you came by. Look,
Michelle, how much do you want for your

story? Rick, get up here and get some
pictures, will you?

Now, it's got to be an exclusive now,
because I don't want you talking to

anybody else.

Frank, that's the sickest thing I've
ever heard. And I've heard a lot around

here. Well, why? I mean, somebody's
going to do the story. It might as well

us. Sounds like Harlan Wade's
philosophy. Come on, let's go. You're

regret this. You're going to regret
this. Back off.

Come on. You got a camera. Will you use
it?

Mr. Mason.

May I sit down?

You must have made quite an impression
on my secretary to find me here. I told

her it was a matter of life and death.

My life?

Wade's death.

I mean, it is Wade we're talking about.

That's right.

And I am a suspect.

Now, why would I want to kill my friend
Wade?

I understand he had his people working
on a rumor about your bank being in the

money laundering business.

Is that its top clients are drug
dealers?

That's a lie. Is it?

For a sophisticated man, you're very
gullible, Mason.

Maybe what Wade had in his safe was
proof of your bank's dealings. Maybe

was killed to stop him from exposing
you.

What the hell is this about a safe?

It's in the late edition, Mr. Ortega.

Somebody broke into Wade's safe and took
a number of files.

Yours among them.

Why would I go to the trouble of
stealing my own file so that I could

myself?

That's right.

Whoever got into that safe called me an
hour ago.

He told me he had information that could
destroy me and my bank.

He wanted $100 ,000 for it.

And? I don't pay blackmail, Mr. Mason,
for a lot less than $100 ,000. I can

a specialist.

to deal with the situation more
permanently.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to be
at the bank before it closes.

Stunning maneuver, Pasquale. Very first
rate, but... checkmate, I'm afraid.

Oh, my dear Michelle.

You're free again.

Only on bail.

I want you to meet a good friend. How do
you do? How do you do?

Cyril's been very helpful to some of the
reporters on the paper. I'm a marvelous

character witness.

My credentials are impeccable. My record
is spotless.

And he'll testify to anything for a
price.

That's right.

A lot happy for me today.

I need some information.

Michelle tells me that you know
everything that goes on in the city.

Something tells me we're going to talk
about the underworld.

Cyril, it's important.

Last night, I had a run -in with a
safecracker.

Wide shoulders, chains on the wrist,
around the neck.

He's very good at his job.

Do you have any ideas who it might be?

Yes, he's so boring.

He's also very dangerous.

If it were you, I'd stay very wide of
him.

Well, I need his name.

Would you believe he's called Animal?

Where can we find him?

He usually frequents the Three Aces.
Probably still does.

Thanks, Cyril. I owe you one. Be
extremely careful.

This animal's no pussycat. He likes to
hurt people.

We've met.

Thank you.

Where do you suppose I can find a cab
right now?

Meaning go home like a good little girl
because Cyril says he's dangerous?

Paul, I can handle myself.

I'm sure you can. You know what? I think
I'm going to rent a car.

Paul, you're not going to find a rental
car around here.

Use mine.

I'll get a cab.

You sure?

Yeah, I'm sure.

All right. It takes me some time.

I'll call you when I have something.

Go home.

Impressive, General.

They're weekend soldiers.

They're running fast.

They'll be very effective.

In whose army?

It's hard to say.

But they'll probably wind up in Central
America.

Have you been doing this long?

No, both Captain Rivers and myself are
retired. We're volunteers, that's all.

It fills us with some long hours and
some very long days.

You don't sound like a man who's ready
for retirement.

Far from it.

Mr. Mason, what brings you here?

Some files concerning you were stolen
from Harlan Wade's safe last night.

You're certainly not suggesting that I
took them. I'm suggesting that you're

being blackmailed. Don't dance with me,
Mr. Mason.

I don't like cute politicians and clever
lawyers.

You're implying that I had something to
do with Wade's death. Well, I didn't. I

went directly home from that party, saw
my wife to bed, and fell asleep in the

den watching TV.

Would you be able to prove that?

Unfortunately, no. I didn't think I'd
have to have an alibi for a murder I had

no motive to commit.

I can think of one.

Isn't it true you were about to be
appointed to the board of directors of

South Wing Corporation?

How'd you find out about that?

What's important is Wade found out about
it.

And a scandal involving you that went
all the way back to Vietnam.

Sir, do we have to listen to this?

No.

Mr. Mason, I just owe this date his
welcome.

I enjoyed every minute of it.

Are you all right, Nathan?

All right.

We're all right. What the devil's the
matter with you?

This is a restricted area. Did you see
the warning sign back there?

If there had been a sign, General, my
driver and I surely would have seen it.

You and I both know that.

Let's see what the hell happened to it.
Yes, sir.

Well, thank you for the ride.

I enjoyed every minute of it.

What do you think?

Just great, Della.

Especially this one on Dr. Clayman.
Where'd you get it?

A Jerry Stringer from Kansas City. He
came up with it.

Would you like it poured now, or shall
we let it chill for a few minutes more?

I'm so sorry. We didn't order that. It
must be some mistake.

It was ordered for you, Miss Street.

By whom?

I wasn't given a name. Well, just leave
it right there and come back in a little

bit, would you please?

Maybe he's married.

Or maybe he's just shy.

Must be some mistake.

Well, we'll call it later.

Right now, I need you to check on the
caterer, all the temporary help at

party. I want their precise schedules,
what they did, when they left, and

you've made some plans I know nothing
about.

Never.

Never?

Hardly ever.

Get law.

Now, that'd cost you money.

And it'd mess me up.

See, I got a job. I was talking to your
friends and they were telling me you're

the best.

I ain't got no friend.

Now, come on, Adam. I mean, Mr. Randall.
What am I calling you then?

Now, we are talking about big money
here.

Not the kind of money you made last
night.

I don't know what you're talking about,
mister.

Well... Come on now, he laid the whole
thing out for me. Said you pulled it off

nice and clean.

That's why I gotta have you working for
me. I got to.

You laid what out?

Come on, Mr. Animal.

You got a short memory.

You know what I think?

I think you're fishing.

I think I know you.

Maybe you ought to get your face out of
mine before I break yours.

It's your loss.

What are you doing here?

You didn't really think I'd go home, did
you?

Here, I brought you some coffee.

Black and sugar, right?

Yes.

I did think you'd go home.

And no, I don't like sugar in my coffee.

I'm surprised you forgot.

Actually, I just guessed.

Where is he?

Right there.

Well, Doctor, you're a fine artist.

Thank you.

What's on your mind, Mason?

You told me you were on your ranch at
the time Wade

was murdered.

That's right.

Your answering service called you there
three times during that evening.

One of them was an emergency you never
picked up.

Maybe I was in the shower or asleep.

You can do better than that, Doctor.

All right.

I was at a singles bar trying to find a
girl, any girl.

I was lonely, drunk.

But I went back to the ranch alone.

Why are you picking on me, Mason? Do you
really think I killed Wade just to keep

my divorce out of his scandal sheet?

No.

But you did have something much more
damaging to hide.

What are you talking about?

A young doctor.

Much older and very rich, wife suddenly
and mysteriously dies.

Self -administered overdose of insulin.

Kansas City, 1967.

You were almost indicted. Finally, the
district attorney dropped the whole

in sufficient evidence.

You inherited $2 million, moved here.

If Wade printed the Kansas story along
with your present divorce, you would

been ruined.

I didn't kill him, Mason.

No one that I know of has said that you
did, Dr. Clayman.

No one.

Stay here.

I blew it.

No, you didn't.

You know who lives in this building?

My good buddy and photographer, Rick
Connor.

You like it?

I love it. Let's go pay him a visit.

I always wondered how Rick could afford
this place.

Maybe he couldn't. That's why he's
moonlighting. He hired the animal?

He's our blackmailer?

This is his place.

Wait a minute.

Looks like somebody beat us here.

see who it was this has not been a good
day

before

or after i'm deaf if he's alive he'll be
here

this is his second home

Another drink?

I don't think so.

You know, I never really did thank you
for getting time to take my case.

There's no time like the present.

Get out of here, Doug. I mean it.

One of your former associates?

Now I know what it feels like to be fair
game.

Oh, no.

That look familiar?

Your partner's here.

Lieutenant Donahue, referring to the
report which you're holding in your

which is marked People's Exhibit H, what
was the cause of death?

The victim died of a massive cerebral
hemorrhage resulting from watermore

by a blunt object to the base of the
skull approximately here.

This piece of carved marble is marked
People's Exhibit A.

Do you recognize it?

Yes, I do. What is it and where was it
found?

Well, that portion of the statue was
found at the bottom of the pool

the victim.

And those portions were found on the
deck nearby.

Could this have been the murder weapon?

Yes, the fragments from the statue were
found in the wound on the victim's head.

And, of course, the portions that you
see there were found.

close by the decedent's body.

Now, the statue is weighty, but it's not
terribly heavy.

Tell me, could a woman lift it, do you
think?

Objection. No foundation in proper
opinion.

Sustained.

Lieutenant, one last question.

Fingerprints were found on the smooth
portion of the statue. Were those

identified? Yes, they match those of the
defendant.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

No further questions.

Mr. Mason?

Lieutenant Donahue.

Lieutenant Donahue, the medical
examiner's report

also indicates the presence of...

several other deep bruises to the back
of Mr. Wade's neck. Is that correct?

Yes, it is.

So it's possible that the killer
inflicted additional blows to Mr.

Wade's head either before or after the
one that caused his death?

Well, I suppose... Objection calls for
conclusion on the part of the witness.

We'll draw the question.

Lieutenant...

The defense has learned that Mr. Wade
carried a gun with him at all times.

Does this agree with your findings?

Yes, we have statements to that effect.

Isn't it true Mr.

Wade had the gun with him in his robe
pocket when he went down to the pool?

According to Mr. Moretti, it is all in
my report there.

Now, when I first entered this case...

I asked you if you'd found that gun.

Now I'll ask you once again.

Have you found it?

No, sir.

Since the gun had no bearing on the
crime one way or the other, and assuming

that the defendant took it with her and
disposed of it... That's all.

That's all.

Mr. Moretti, is the woman you admitted
to the estate that night present in the

court?

Yes, he is.

Would you point her out, please?

That's her right there.

Indicating the defendant.

Now, Mr.

Moretti, were you with Mr. Wade when the
defendant arrived at the house?

Yes, I was.

Was that before or after the party had
ended?

It was a long time after the party
ended.

Was Ms. Bente expected?

Are you kidding?

Mr. Wade had just fired her that
afternoon.

So the three of you were alone by the
pool.

Then you left.

To secure the estate.

Leaving the defendant alone with her
former employer, the man who had fired

that very afternoon.

Objection. Argument.

Sustained. Strike Mr. S in the
statement.

Mr. Moretti.

How did Ms. Bente...

appeared to you? How did she seem?

Angry? Upset?

Objection.

Improper opinion.

All right, I will withdraw the question.

Mr. Moretti, only a few more questions,
but they are vital ones.

Did you see Miss Benty leave the estate
that night?

Yes, I did.

How did she leave?

She left very fast.

She peeled rubber going down the
driveway.

When was that?

It was when I was walking back to the
pool.

Right before I found Mr. Wade floating
in the pool.

How much time would you say actually
elapsed from the time you saw Ms. Bente

leave the estate until the time you
discovered Mr. Wade's body?

Two, three minutes, Max. Two to three
minutes.

Mr. Moretti.

Could anyone else have left the estate
after Ms. Bente drove off?

Absolutely not.

Not unless they could fly.

I secured the gates personally after she
left.

So let me tell you something, pal. The
beating you took last night is nothing

compared to what's coming up for you.

Give me a break.

We're going to be hanging coats off your
nose in a minute. I'm trying to help

you.

You're not the world's most popular guy
these days, you know that?

It's up to you.

Okay.

Okay.

I was in hock up to my neck.

When I found out about the stories we
were doing, I saw a chance to bail out.

So when Wade got killed, I hired the
animal.

I got my hands on the files.

All it took was a couple of phone calls.
The files, Con.

Make them public knowledge and you're
home free.

From the cops, too?

So you give them Mr. Animal and you make
a deal. Come on.

Files are in my locker.

Spartan Athletic Club.

These guys that made your face so pretty
last night.

You recognize them.

Who sent them?

Sure.

I took pleasure in having it done.

The only thing I regret is that my
people are screwed up.

I want the defile on me.

The one the blackmailer had.

All I bought was struggle.

Lately, I seem to be paying too much for
too little.

Meaning what?

Wade owed a lot of money.

He had thousands of promissory notes
floating around town.

I bought them all out by the premium.

So, if he printed any scandal about you,
you could have thrown him right into

bankruptcy. You got it.

He and I made a deal on his body.

His silence for his solvency.

You see, Mason, all you can do is nail
me for turning a two -bit blackmailer

inside out.

But as for murdering Wade, why would I
want to do that?

I had him in my pocket.

Of course you can prove all that.

Photocopies of Wade's promissory notes.

The originals are in my safe.

You want to save that girl, Mason?

You're going to have to find another
way.

What's up?

Coffee? No, thanks. I had it in the
shower.

Sorry about that.

What happened? You find Wade's missing
gun?

I'd like you to find that Lieutenant
Colonel Stanton McCauley retired as soon

you can. He lives somewhere in this
area.

How does he fit in?

He served with General Sorensen in
Vietnam.

He was one of the junior officers who
investigated the general on some rather

serious charges.

Find out if McCauley thinks any of it's
true. It's all here.

Thought you wanted to get some rest.

I was going to until I saw this.

This hits the newsstand tomorrow
morning.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

I don't remember kissing you.

Welcome to Harlan Wade's photo retouch
lab.

You might also notice that my neckline
has dropped about two or three sexy

inches.

Wait till my mother sees this.

Don't tell me your mother reads The
Confidential Informer. Are you kidding

She wouldn't miss it.

You want to get some dinner?

This doesn't bother you?

Not if it doesn't bother Paul's mother.

Come on. Let's make some more headlines.

Myth treat?

Roger that.

Excuse me. This just arrived for you.

For me?

Oh, that won't be necessary. The tip's
been taken care of. Thanks.

Well, open it.

Perfume?

$400 worth.

Sounds serious.

I just don't understand what's going on.

You know the flowers that were sent the
other day? They weren't from the hotel.

And then the champagne, and then this.

Who's sending these to me?

What does the card say?

From an admirer.

You've done it again.

Mr. Moretti, yesterday you testified
that on the night of the murder, nobody

could have left the estate after Miss
Bente did.

In fact, she was the last one out.

Is that still your testimony?

Yes, it is.

But you're not positive, are you?

I believe I told you once before, Mr.
Mason.

I'm paid to be positive.

Yes, you did.

But you told the police.

You saw Mrs.

Clayman in Mr. Wade's house long after
the other guests had gone home.

She was there all right. I saw her come
running out of his bedroom just before

he went and took his final swim.

You didn't see her leave the estate, did
you?

No.

Now, would you look at that...

Young blonde lady seated in the second
row. Miss Henderson, please stand.

You recognize her, do you not?

Yeah. I know her.

Wasn't she one of the cocktail
waitresses employed by the catering

the party?

Yeah, I believe she was.

And she left with the catering van after
Miss Bente did?

No.

Well, maybe.

Maybe she did.

Mr. Moretti, you testified earlier that
from the time Miss Venti left

to the time you discovered the body,
only two to three minutes had

elapsed. Yeah, that's pretty close to
the time.

But you're paid to be positive.

Isn't it true you delayed the...

Catering van's departure at least eight
to ten minutes while you tried to hustle

Miss Henderson's telephone number from
her?

Eight to ten minutes.

Excuse me, but it's never taken me eight
to ten minutes to get any girl's phone

number.

Eight to ten minutes, Mr. Moretti.

The gate guard, the van driver, and Miss
Henderson will all testify.

It might have been a little longer.

It was a little longer.

Thank you, Miss Henderson.

Mr. Moretti, if I now understand your
testimony correctly, it is

entirely possible that someone hiding in
the house could have gone down to the

pool, waited for Miss Bente to leave,
killed Mr. Wade, and then fled the

Objection, Your Honor. Calls for
speculation. I have no further

Honor.

Yeah, I drive that old van. Logan
Caterers.

Uses me a lot.

How many people did you drive out to the
Wade party, Mr. Forbes?

Eight, but I didn't know any of them.

You're sure it was eight?

Now, there's one thing I can do, and I
can do good.

I can drive, and I can count. And when I
say that there was eight people

penciling on that roster thing, that's
precisely how many there was, and that

precisely how many I took.

When you left the Wade estate, Mr.
Forbes, after the party was over, was

van full?

Ain't had an empty seat in the house.

How many passengers does your van carry?

Carries? Let's see now.

Let me figure this out.

It's got nine seats plus mine.

So... Nine.

In other words, Mr. Forbes, you
brought... Eight people out to the

took nine back to town.

That's right. You're pretty good.

Now, you're not trying to say that I
helped no murderer escape.

No, Mr. Forbes, it's just simple
arithmetic.

I've no further questions.

Mr. Reston.

Nothing, Your Honor.

You may step down.

Defense calls Marion Clayman to the
stand.

Mrs. Clayman, you've heard testimony to
the effect.

What I've heard is beneath contempt.

May I finish my question?

I'll finish it for you. Yes, I stayed
behind and waited for Wade after the

was over. And yes, I was in his bedroom
with him just before Mr. Moretti saw me

leave. But no, I did not kill him.

Thank you.

Mrs. Clayman, you will please restrain
yourself from doing anything more than

answering counsel's questions.

Is that understood?

Your Honor, what Mr. Mason is about to
do is to smear me with innuendos about

why I was in Mr. Wade's bed or my past
relationship with him. You are not to

anticipate counsel's questions nor
speculate on what he may be going to do.

You will simply wait for counsel's
question and respond. Is that clear?

Yes, perfectly.

Thank you.

You may continue, Mr. Mason.

Mrs. Clayman, weren't you waiting in Mr.
Wade's bedroom in order to persuade

him not to publish the story about your
impending divorce?

I guess so. In fact, you didn't want him
to publish anything in any way

that touched on the divorce. Isn't that
true?

Oh, what's the use? No, I didn't want
him to go within a million miles of it.

How did you plan to persuade him not to
publish that story?

I offered to do whatever he wanted if
he'd keep it out of his lousy paper.

And did you?

Objection, Your Honor. There is no
relevancy here. Mr. Mason is harassing

witness. Your Honor.

I'm attempting to prove that my client
wasn't the only one with the opportunity

and the motive to kill.

Sustained. I'll not allow the question.

No, it seemed he preferred to take a
cold swim. Mrs. Clayman, you are not to

answer questions to which I have already
sustained objections.

The answer will be stricken.

You may continue, Mr. Mason.

You were married.

Before your marriage to Dr. Clayman,
were you not?

That was a long time ago. I was just a
kid.

Back in Texas, wasn't it?

Yes.

Isn't it true you never divorced and you
knew you weren't divorced when you

married Dr. Clayman?

No. Mrs. Clayman, isn't it true that
Harlan Wade discovered all of this and

threatened to publish his discoveries?

Thus making your marriage to Dr. Clayman
a nullity, depriving you of support and

community property?

Mrs. Clayman?

Look, I knew that Wade had found out.

And that if he published the story, I'd
be finished, ruined.

But I didn't kill him.

Didn't you?

Mr. Moretti testified.

That he did not see you actually leave
the estate. No one else did either.

Objection, Your Honor.

Mrs. Clayman is not on trial here. Mr.
Mason is argumentative. Your Honor, I'm

merely attempting to establish that my
client might not have been the last

person to leave. That, in fact, Mrs.
Clayman could have been the ninth person

in the van.

I'm sustaining, Mr. Mason.

Mrs. Clayman, you're acquainted with
Miss Hillary Scott?

Yes, she babysits my children.

Isn't it true you had to pay Miss Scott
overtime because it was nearly midnight

when you returned from the party?

Where were you all that time?

Objection. No relevancy. Mr. Mason is
harassing and humiliating this witness.

Order. Order.

Mr.

Mason.

I have been tolerant up to now, but this
concludes this line of questioning.

Yes, it does.

Thank you, Your Honor.

No further questions.

Did she do it?

What do you think?

No.

No.

General.

Would you describe yourself as a man of
action?

I would describe myself as a former
soldier.

Who's seen combat, a great deal of
combat.

A foot and two ones.

And you've killed.

I was an airborne rager, Mr. Mason, not
a pastry chef.

Meaning you have killed.

Yes.

Have you ever killed with your bare
hands?

Objection. Relevancy.

It would appear that Mr. Mason is
attempting to put the entire state on

for murder in the bizarre hope of
distracting this court from the real

the guilt or innocence of Michelle
Bente. Your Honor, my sole purpose is to

with the real issue by proving to this
court that my client is innocent.

You may proceed, Mr. Mason.

When you did kill General, how did you
regard

your enemy?

As an enemy.

Is that how you felt about Harlan Wade?

That he was an enemy to be hated and
feared?

I wouldn't say feared.

You didn't fear him?

Even though he was going to publish
articles purporting to...

Prove that while serving in Vietnam, you
participated in the selling of millions

of dollars of medical supplies to the
black market? That you were a thief?

And worse, a traitor to humanity?

Those would have been Wade's
allegations.

All those charges made against me
weren't true. Anybody who knows me knows

they are lies.

That is fair, Holland Wade or his paper.

Wouldn't Wade's allegations, indeed,
wouldn't Wade himself have ruined your

chance to become executive vice
president of the South Wing Corporation,

position paying hundreds of thousands of
dollars a year?

Anybody would kill for reasons like that
and have to be insane, Mr.

Mason. There are many kinds of insanity,
aren't there, General?

Yes, there are.

Do you recall an occasion during the
Vietnam War when a man saved your

life by killing with his bare hands?

Isn't it true, General, that you and
Colonel McCauley were saved by a young

driver, a black belt expert, who killed
two of your attackers with his bare

hands?

What, General, is that heroic soldier's
name?

You're talking about my former aide of
camp.

My friend, Mr. James Rivers.

Captain Rivers, you heard General
Sorensen describe you as a friend.

Isn't it true that after you saved his
life, he recommended you for officer's

candidate school?

And after you were commissioned, he had
you assigned to him?

Yes, sir.

And you resigned your commission how
long after he retired?

I believe it was the very next day.

The next day?

You really are devoted.

Is that something I should be ashamed
of, Mr. May? No, no.

Now, Captain Rivers, would you please
tell the court just

where you were?

at the moment Harlan Wade was murdered.

I would imagine I was driving General
Sorensen and his wife home.

No, Captain.

You came to the party in your own car.

The gate guard noted the license number,
and if necessary, I can recall the

general. No, no, I'm sorry. I forgot.
It's my fault. You see, I usually drive

the general everywhere he goes.

But this was a special occasion, wasn't
it?

You wanted to see Wade?

You wanted to see him alone.

So you drove off, parked the car nearby,
and then walked back.

Isn't that so?

No, Mr. Mason, that is not so.

Tell me something, Captain Rivers.

Isn't it true that you are an expert in
unarmed defense?

I suppose I am.

And that if a man pulled a gun on you
and was within your reach, it might be

last thing he ever did in this life?

I think that's putting it a little
strong. Is it?

Why?

Isn't that what really happened when you
confronted Wade in the corridor of his

house? He was surprised. He pulled his
gun.

Confronted by an angry man waving a gun,
you reacted as you'd been trained to

do. You killed him with a karate blow to
the back of his neck.

Harlan Wade's body was found in his own
swimming pool.

He was dragged there, thrown into the
water, after you discovered you'd killed

him.

This statue was just window dressing,
wasn't it?

You used it on his corpse to make it
look like the murder weapon.

Oh, you were lucky, weren't you?

Lucky that the caterer's van was still
on the estate?

Lucky that there was an empty seat.

Lucky that you could pose as just
another temporary employee.

Lucky to have gotten away undetected.

Your Honor, this is pure speculation.

Your Honor, may we have a moment?

Yes, you may.

Proceed, Mr. Mason.

Captain Rivers. Now, you are way out of
line, mister, and you can't prove any of

this.

I'm afraid I can.

Captain Rivers, there's a bullet hole in
the wall of the corridor where the

murder took place.

At my request this morning, the police
removed a bullet from there.

There are traces of fabric on it.

Your Honor, all of this had absolutely
nothing to do with me.

Police at this moment are checking the
jacket you wore to the party to see if

those traces of fabric match it.

Defense is prepared to prove that this
bullet, that this bullet, taken from the

wall...

was fired from this gun.

Harlan Wade's missing gun.

The gun that you, Captain Rivers, ripped
from him after he'd fired at you.

There was a struggle, the gun was lost,
but the barrel of this gun had your

fingerprints on it.

More than that, there is final proof
that you killed Harlan Wade.

A fresh bullet wound. Somewhere on your
body, Captain Rivers, there is a fresh

bullet wound.

Thank you.

All right.

I did it. I killed him! No!

I did it.

I didn't mean to.

But, sir, I don't regret it.

And, yes, I waited.

For Wade that night in his house until
after the party, because I was

to get him off the general's back.

I was determined.

But before I could open my mouth, that
man pulled a gun on me.

Let me let me tell you about the
wonderful Mr. Wade.

That man, he feared and hated the whole
world.

And the world in return hated him, and
rightfully so.

That man was a disgrace to his
profession,

to our country, and most of all to
humanity.

And he set out to destroy one

of our greatest patriots.

And one of our greatest soldiers.

And the finest...

The

finest man that I have ever had the
honor of knowing.

And in the end, Harlan Wade destroyed
himself.

And for you, Miss Bente, all I can say
is that if you're going to work

for the devil, don't be surprised if you
get burned.

I'm sorry.

Your Honor, the people move for a
complete dismissal of all charges

defendant.

Case dismissed.

Congratulations, Counselor.

That was remarkable.

Remarkable even for you.

Well, a whole new start.

Somewhere, I'm going to find a paper, I
don't care how small, that will let me

do my job the honest way.

Perry, I'd like to thank you.

Mr. Mason.

On your way, both of you.

Bye -bye.

Goodbye, dear.

At last, we're alone.

Um, Perry.

I know who sent me the flowers, the
champagne, and the perfume.

Who? You. Why would I do that?

Because it was my birthday.

You felt sorry for me, being here so
many miles from home.

I admit nothing.

If you remember, after I was 39, I
stopped counting my birthdays.

Really? What about the pearls, the
amethyst ring, and all the other things?

Does that mean you're going to return
them when you get to be 97?

Absolutely not. That's my girl.

Don't you forget it.

Viacom.