All language subtitles for perry_mason_s10e28_grimacing_governor

How do you feel to be the frontrunner in
the race for governor?

Well, you know, politics is a lot like
the circus. It's always better to be in

front leading the parade than in back
sweeping up after the elephant.

No, no, seriously, seriously, there are
no guarantees in this or any other

election. Do you think your recent surge
in the polls reflects voter interest in

your programs or simply a rejection of
incumbent Governor Allison?

I think it's a little bit of both. I
think the voters have taken a look at

Governor Allison's record and decided I
might do better.

How much will the voters like you and
the program when they see this?

Where'd you get this?

What is this?

That's a press release just issued by a
young woman who claims to be your

mistress. Now, according to this woman,
you and she had an affair while your

wife lay dying in a hospital.

Waiting for your comment.

Mr. Richard, do you have a comment on
that, Mr. Richard? What is your comment

that? Is that true, what they say right
there?

Mr. Richard.

Morning,

John.

Who's campaigning here, Harlan? You
already got my vote. I appreciate that.

Where's McKenzie?

Roping.

Morning, Bill!

Morning,

Harlan.

Thanks for seeing me, Bill.

Yeah.

Guess you know why I'm here.

I saw the news on the TV.

All lies.

Didn't have anything to do with that
girl.

Did you know her?

Met her at a fundraiser, had my picture
taken with her.

Then, you know, she started to call the
office.

And I didn't feel good about that, so I
didn't take the call.

You've got to believe me, Bill. Oh,
hell, I believe you. I don't think

got the imagination to take up with a
girl like that.

Will you talk to her for me?

Just see what it's going to take to get
rid of her.

Harlan. I've never cared for your
politics. As a matter of fact, I'm

Allison. But you've always been straight
with me, even when you were the DA.

So I'll be glad to look into it for you.

Thank you, Bill.

Don't thank me yet.

I got a feeling this ain't going to be
easy.

Check it out.

Beauty, isn't she?

Sure is.

Now, what's an old man like you need
with a sweet little bike like this?

Well, that's a good question.

I guess I don't rightly know, except it
suits me.

I'm sweet myself.

You look like a leader to me.

You think so?

I surely do.

So I know I can count on you to
guarantee that this bike will look just

when I come back as it does right now.

Sure thing, old man.

Appreciate it.

You got a lot of faith in me, my friend.

Oh, I sure do.

I got your watch, too.

That's more.

I'm Bill McKenzie.

I know you.

A lawyer, right?

You weren't easy to find.

You're here to convince me to retract my
story.

So, what is Harlan offering?

He's not offering one thin dime.

Just a chance to tell the truth before I
have to call you in court.

Harlan Richards had an affair with me.
You seen the picture?

Oh, now, Miss Moore used to be the
camera, never lied.

But with the tabloids and all that's
over, you could take my head and put it

another man's body and swear that I was
in love with Saddam Hussein.

Just what are you offering?

I can't for the life of me figure out
why a beautiful...

An apparently nice young woman like you
would want to destroy a man as decent as

Harlan Richards.

Wreck his election, his political
future, bring this grief to him and his

daughter. Why are you doing this, Miss
Moore?

I have no choice.

You don't.

Whatever your personal grudge against
him, I feel obliged to warn you that

you're committing libel and tampering
with the electoral process.

Now, Mr. Richards is at this hotel.

Here's his number.

Please, if you won't talk to me, talk to
him.

Where is

everybody?

Send them all home. It's been a long,
hard day.

Well, I'm afraid I'm not going to make
it any easier. I come up dry with Violet

Moore.

Damn that woman.

She's lying.

Why is she doing this to me?

She wouldn't say, but whoever put her up
to it planted a tape recorder in her

purse. You're not going to give up,
Harlan.

You listen to him, Daddy.

Hi.

Bill, any luck with her yet?

Afraid not.

I tell you, you give me five minutes
alone with that Miss Violet Moore.

And I'll get the truth out of her. Now,
Karen, you're a loyal daughter. And I

admire your spirit, but that's a
wretched idea, and you know it.

Well, what are we supposed to do?

All I can do is stand by my denial and
continue the campaign.

You saw today's poll.

Unless we do something, we are going to
lose.

Then we lose.

I'm real sorry about all this.

Enough to vote for me?

You take care.

You too, Karen.

Thanks.

Harlan Richards.

This is Violet Moore.

What is it, Miss Moore?

Look, I've been thinking things over,
and I've decided that I really can't go

through with this frame -up thing.

Mr. Richards, it's just not right.

I'm very relieved, Miss Moore.

Are you willing to make a public
retraction?

I don't know if I can do that.

It would be a little chancy.

Who put you up to this, Miss Moore?

You know what? I really can't get into
this over the phone.

See, if they found out that I called
you, well, I don't know what they'd do.

Miss Moore, if you'll come forward and
tell your story, I guarantee you my

protection.

I tell you what, I could meet you
tomorrow morning at 8, say, in

your hotel, in the coffee shop.

I'll be there.

Okay.

I didn't hear you come in.

My father didn't commit suicide.

God, Bill.

I know. I know. I'm so sorry.

He's dead, Bill.

I know.

They are saying he threw himself out the
window. He wouldn't have done it.

I know. Let me sort this out with the
sergeant. Can you sit over here for a

minute? Yeah. It'll be all right here.

Yeah. All right.

Bad business, Joe.

What'd you find?

Nothing complicated.

He opened the window and jumped out.

Just like that?

Just like that.

Come on, Karen.

You come back to the ranch with me.

I guess I don't understand it, Bill.
Neither do I.

We interrupt this program for a special
news brief.

Here's Dale Scott.

The medical examiner's office has
officially concluded that gubernatorial

candidate Harlan Richards' death was
suicide.

Richards was recently accused by a
former campaign worker, Violet Moore, of

having an affair with her, and she was
charging him with sexual harassment.

Apparently distraught over the scandal,
Mr. Richards jumped from his hotel room

window, dying instantly.

State political experts agree that the
death of Harlan Richards guarantees the

re -election of his opponent, incumbent
Governor Ryan Allison.

We'll have more on the death of Harlan
Richards, including reactions from

the country.

I might as well say what everybody's
thinking.

Congratulations on the second term,
Governor Allison. We lucked out.

I didn't want it this way.

Everybody knows that, Ryan. Dan, you
keep quiet about luck.

Folks will think we're dancing on
Harlan's grave.

Lighten up, pal. This is good news for
us all, so why not admit it?

Yeah, it's a gift horse.

Why look at the mouth?

Absolutely.

I'm Harlan Richards' daughter.

I've been looking for you for four
months. I need your help.

Do I look like I can help anybody?

My father didn't commit suicide. He was
murdered.

And whoever put you up to framing him is
behind it.

I'm sorry.

You're wasting your time.

Who used you to make it look like my
father had a reason to kill himself? I

to know what you know.

Look, lady, I got enough trouble, see?

Just leave me alone.

I'll make it worth your while.

Leah?

How much?

Fifty thousand.

In advance.

And I'll tell you what I know.

I can get you fifty thousand dollars.

Now you tell me what happened.

First I get my money.

I'll tell you this much.

The frame -up.

My father's death.

It was all about getting Allison elected
governor.

You get me my money, see?

And I'll tell you something even better.

It's 8 o 'clock.

Yeah, that's what I mean.

Afraid that just cold cereal cooks off
of the flu.

Oh, then I'm cooking lunch.

Good morning. Morning, Della. Good
morning, Bill.

Thank you for inviting us. Oh, the
branch is beautiful, and the sky is

incredible. Oh, I knew you'd take to it,
Della. Lord knows you need a vacation.

You, too.

Trip, where are you out? You want to
just rest today.

No, sir.

You promised me ranching, and that's why
I'm here.

Good man.

Oh, Bill.

How many for lunch, and what time do you
want it? Just the ranch hands and us,

12 o 'clock. There'll be 15.

Great, great.

Microwave in the kitchen?

Oh, I never use them. Makes food taste
like the Sunday paper.

Oh, I like real home cooking, Della. The
stores are in the basement. Ken, I'll

see you at the stable.

He doesn't have a microwave.

Uh -huh, 15 for lunch.

Not good enough food for a fifth man.
Well, you had to volunteer.

While you're here roasting an entire
cow, I'll be out on the range riding

horses.

Most of the men who settled these parts,
including my daddy, came here young and

illiterate.

So they developed terrific memories and
powers of observation. They could tell

stories they heard 50 years ago.

And track strays across a high rock
country.

That's lunch.

Boys got racing blood.

Okay, boys.

Anybody there for a second?

Come on back up.

All right, help yourself.

How about some bread here?

You want bread?

Okay. Looks mighty fine, Della.

Ranch hands eat like they're gonna be
hung in the morning, don't they? They

don't even chew.

No, just swallow.

Ah, time for lunch, Karen.

Uh, Della, this is a good friend of
mine, Karen Richards.

This is Della Street, Karen, the best
city lady I know.

Oh, Bill, thank you. Bill told me all
about you. Thank you. Nice to see you,

hon. Um, Bill, can we talk?

Sure thing.

Excuse us.

Certainly, dear.

Harlan Richards' daughter.

I know.

Poor thing.

So, uh, this was all about getting
Allison re -elected?

That's what Violet said.

Well, tracking down Violet Moore was
good detective work, Karen, but I don't

like that part about the money.

Yeah, uh, well, I was hoping I could
borrow it from you.

Well, boy, that's quite a lot of money.
Bill, I will pay you back every penny. I

promise, as soon as these dates end.
Well, even if you do pay her, how do you

know this woman is going to keep up her
end of the bargain?

Why don't you go back and stay at your
daddy's ranch and let me look into this?

Fine. If you don't want to help me, loan
me the money, I will take it up with

the governor myself.

Oh, Karen.

I'm sorry I bothered you.

Now, don't go getting reckless.

Great first session, Governor.

Thanks, Bobby. Hey, you work on mending
those political fences back home. I'm

going to need you next session.

Lots of protection. Thank you.

Bye.

Got the whole legislature eating out of
your hands. You sure know how to work

them. I meant what I said. Bobby's a
good man.

And I don't work people out.

How long are you going to be in
Washington? I leave this evening.

You'll see me.

I think we need to talk, Governor.

Karen, I don't think this is the time or
the place.

Oh, then when is it?

Your office keeps putting me off.

Well, I wasn't aware of that. You call
me next week, we'll get together.

No, I think we'll talk right now.

I know what you've done.

You created this whole Violet Moore
scandal. My father didn't commit

was murdered and you're behind it.
Listen, I know you're upset and you

know what you're saying.

So you think about this and you call me
when you can talk rationally.

Rationally? You're a liar!

Have her arrested for attempted assault
and battery.

Oh, that's all right.

Karen, I'm sorry you're feeling this
way, huh?

Just get her out of here. Just get her
out. It's not going to be this easy,

Governor. You're going to pay, I swear
it!

Governor Allison, what are you doing
here? You'll miss your plane.

Something's come up, Rosemary.

I'm not going to Washington.

But for right now, I don't want to tell
anyone I'm in town.

What is it?

I'll help you.

Oh, that's very kind of you, Rosemary,
but this is private.

I've got to make some calls, see some
people, and if you'll just place the

calls, you can leave.

Whatever you say, Governor.

This is Governor Allison.

I'd like to speak with you privately.

If you think you can talk me into
setting up, you are wrong.

Karen, I have questions of my own about
your father's death.

I want to hear what you know and
investigate further.

Are you trying to tell me you had
nothing to do with this?

Well, I didn't expect you to believe me,
but I may have an idea who did this.

You come to my office at 10 o 'clock.

I'll leave the side door open.

I'll be waiting.

We have a lot to talk about.

Governor Allison?

Governor.

Where's both of you?

When you got to the governor's office,
did you see anyone else?

No. The statehouse was deserted.

Except for the security guard who found
me in Allison's office.

Was anyone leaving the building when you
went in?

No. Why?

Well, I got bad news for you, so I'll
give it to you straight.

Governor Allison's wife, Emily, claims
she was with her husband in his office

until 10 o 'clock last night.

She says he was alive and well when she
left him, and she saw you coming in the

building as she was going out.

That is a damn lie.

She wasn't there.

Well, the police don't believe her, do
they?

Right now, it's your word against hers.

Violet admitted that Allison was
involved in my father's death, and now

being framed for exposing the truth.

My father's murder and Allison's are
connected.

That could well be.

But right now we got our hands full with
this one case. Now, if we try playing

more than one hand at a time, we're
going home with our pockets empty.

You understand?

Yeah.

But I don't like it.

We'll see what we can do about that.

Got her out on bail.

Sent her over to her daddy's ranch till
the hearing.

They find prints.

Yeah, including Karen's on the murder
weapon.

There's a letter opener.

You must have touched it when she found
him.

Sounds like you got your hands full with
this one.

Like swatting flies. Della?

You! Come sit and have coffee.

Bill.

Did you ever think about getting a
dishwasher?

Oh, waste of water, waste of
electricity.

You still have to scrub the pots.

It sure is nice of you to pitch in,
though.

Glad to help.

Ken, Ken, my foreman tells me that you
did yourself proud this morning.

You never tried branding cattle before,
did you?

Never saw one outside of a movie.

They sure kick a lot, don't they?

Oh, worse than mules.

One of them can get you.

I'm fine, really.

Well, I'm sure going to hate to leave
you two out here all by yourself, but I

got to move into town for the duration.

Got to be near my office.

Bill, about your case.

Della and I want to help out. Oh,
absolutely.

Oh, well, I could use your help, but I
promise you two weeks out here on the

ranch. Oh, well, we've really had great
fun, Bill, but just

show me your file. No, you start
arguing, Bill. We insist.

Okay, I'll book rooms for you at the
hotel then.

You sure you wouldn't rather stay out
here on the ranch and have fun?

Morning, Joe.

Thought your breakfast might have wore
off, but now... Coffee, donuts, chips.

Fred, coffee break, courtesy of Mr.
McKenzie.

Joe, Ken Malansky.

Good investigator.

Works for Perry Mason.

Sergeant Joe Whitehorse, Ken.

Nice to meet you, Sergeant.

Oh. Find anything?

We found a letter from Miss Richards
typed on our hotel stationery.

It's a threat to the governor.

Exactly. What does it say?

That unless the governor admits his
responsibility for the murder of her

the same thing will happen to him.

A typed letter?

That's a frame -up, Joe.

Maybe.

But you know the prosecution's going to
call it key evidence.

The place is all yours.

Enjoy your stay, Mr. Molesky.

How did he know what was in that bag?

It's Navajo. We can smell right through
plastic containers, even when they're

sealed.

Or maybe it's because I always bring him
coffee, donuts, and chips.

What's bothering you?

Let's get our own photographer in here.

Take a look around and see if anything
catches your eye.

Well, yes, I think so, too.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Bill McKenzie, you should be ashamed of
yourself.

Defending Karen Richards?

Governor Allison was a good man.

He was a great man.

That nothing girl cut him down.

She's innocent, Ms. Sutter, or I
wouldn't be here.

You can't really believe that.

I believe it, and I mean to prove it.

Any idea why Governor Allison canceled
his trip to Washington?

No.

He didn't confide in me.

What was he doing here in his office
that night, do you know?

Yes, he was talking to your Miss
Richards.

I placed the call myself.

Did he tell you what that call was
about?

I assume that he was telling her to come
to her senses and stop making all

those crazy accusations.

He would do that, you know.

Give someone a chance to back off.

Instead, she killed him.

So, you didn't actually hear the phone
conversation?

I'm not in the habit of listening to the
governor's phone conversations.

Oh, no offense, Miss Sutter. I just had
to ask.

Did the governor make any other phone
calls that night?

A few.

I'd be much obliged if you'd give me
those names.

Here's his phone log.

So, let me see now.

These people all knew that the governor
was in his office that night and not on

a plane to Washington.

Well, that makes them all suspects, Mr.
Sutter.

Does that include me?

I hadn't thought of that.

Thank you, Mr. Sutter.

Now, the names on that phone log were
the only people who knew the governor

would be in his office that night. Dan
Dixon.

Old political hack.

He's been Speaker of the House since I
was in diapers.

John Orlando.

Lieutenant Governor.

Smooth, slick.

He came into office with Allison.

Al Reinhart.

Young, aggressive, win at all costs.

And Mrs. Emily Allison.

Professional, sweet, young thing.

Now, Della, I'd be much obliged if you
would dig real deep into their

backgrounds.

Shouldn't be too difficult.

They're all public figures.

Well, I can tell you plenty.

Well, it's the private stuff we need.
You know, the skeletons rattling around

their closets.

This woman, Violet Moore, you told me
about, is she still using the name

Charlotte Webb and stripping in the same
club?

I don't know.

Good question, Ken.

Find Violet Moore.

Now, Karen, we're going to go over that
night once more.

Again?

From the beginning.

Excuse me.

You know where I can find the owner?

Who wants to know?

Name's Malansky. I'm working with Bill
McKenzie. I'm looking for Charlotte

Well, you came to the wrong place. She
up and quit.

Could I trouble you for Charlotte's home
address?

Well, there's no trouble.

I ain't got it.

Well, it'll probably be on your
employment application if you could just

up for me.

Why don't you just talk to my personal
secretary?

I think we could probably work something
out here.

It's me.

Just had a run -in with a guy named
Molanski.

He knows about Lilac.

Looking for something.

Who are you?

My name is Smolanski. I'm a friend of
Charlotte Webb's.

Rang the front bell, but nobody
answered.

I didn't hear no bell.

Maybe it's broken.

I'm looking for Charlotte. You know
where I can find her?

Right this minute.

I suppose she's off somewhere doing
something she likes.

And you?

You like throwing clothes around a room?

Violet asked me to pack some of her
things, and I'm afraid I'm not too tidy.

I'm afraid you're not telling the truth.

I'm afraid you're right.

Thank you, miss.

Ah, Mr.

McKenzie, what can I do for you?

Uh, I guess you know I'm representing
Karen Richard.

I've heard, and I won't hold it against
you, but I will tell you straight out,

that girl killed the best man who ever
lived.

Well, I'm aware that you and Allison
were close.

We were partners in our law firm,
Allison and Reinhart, until Ryan was

governor. Now, Allison called you the
night he was murdered.

What did he want?

Just to bounce around a couple ideas he
had about the next session of

legislature.

That was the last time I spoke to Ryan.

Forgive me if some of these questions
are a little painful.

There was an incident about a year ago.

You and your wife were at a party where
Allison was over imbibing in some of his

favorite sipping whiskey.

The three of you left together and on
the way home there was an accident and

your wife was killed.

Is that right?

That is right.

I'm sorry.

The way I hear it, you were so taken up
with grief you couldn't work for a

couple of months.

Now, Ryan kindly gave me a leave of
absence.

Now, You and Allison both reported that
you were the one driving that night,

that you hadn't been drinking, so you
took the wheel.

Well, that's exactly what happened.

Officially, yeah, but the rumor circling
around town is that Allison was driving

drunk and that you took the blame
because if he'd been charged with a

driving felony, he'd never been elected.

That's not a rumor.

That's a lie spread by Ryan's political
enemies, and you shouldn't listen to

them. I try not to. Well, then why are
you bringing it up?

What does that accident have to do with
Ryan's murder?

It could make you a suspect.

Me?

That is a libelous and malicious
accusation, sir.

It's not an accusation.

Oh, I'm just supposing.

I don't make accusations. I can't back
up.

Then use your head, man.

If I was so loyal to Governor Allison
that I take the blame for an accident he

caused, why would I turn around and kill
him? I don't have the answer to that.

But one answer might be that once
Allison was re -elected and you didn't

him anymore, you could do what you
wanted to all along.

Kill the man who caused your wife's
death.

Just suppose.

I won't take up any more of your time.

Thank you, Mr. Reinhart.

still. Something might be busted.

Do you want me to call 911?

They'll be here in a flash.

All right.

I think.

Those guys who were here, where'd they
go?

I don't know. When I got here, you were
alone.

You mind telling me what's going on?

First, my name's Ken Malansky. Hello.

Hello, Jennifer Taylor.

I live here.

What are you doing here?

I'm looking for Charlotte Webb.

Oh. We're roommates, just for the last
few months. Before her, I moved with a

fella named Ted, took off with my
stereo.

Looks like you have bad luck with
roommates.

Charlotte isn't Charlotte. She's Violet
Moore, the woman who got Harlan Richards

involved in a sex scandal.

You mean I've been sleeping under the
same roof as a celebrity and I didn't

know? Are you a reporter?

Ask me anything.

She always drank Diet Cola for
breakfast. Look, I'm not a reporter.

I'm looking for Violet because she's in
trouble. Somebody's after her.

You mean bad guys?

Well, they're not Boy Scouts.

Charlotte. I mean, Violet.

She's in real trouble.

I have to find her before they do.

Can you help me, Jennifer?

You kidding?

Look, I work down at Sewing Safe. You
know, 17 locations throughout the state

serve your homemaking needs.

Help you save a celebrity from bad guys?

Life don't get more exciting.

Let's hope not.

What can you tell me about Violet?

She was a cat in a room full of rocking
chairs, always about to fly out of her

skin. Then, last night, she tells me
she's going to check into a motel for a

couple of nights. She doesn't say why.

Wants me to come back and pack up her
stuff and bring it to her.

That's why I came home early.

Well, where is this motel? I saw it to
you. Well, why not tell me?

No, sir. When reporters come around
hunting down this story, I want to know

happened. You'll probably wind up on a
roll, though.

Come on. Let's go.

Wait till the girls at the Sew and Save
hear about this.

Hey.

Why don't you put a sign up out there in
that parking lot warning folks about

the fresh asphalt?

I could have ruined my best boots.

Guess the state expects folks to know
that every time that the Monday hits 90

degrees, it gets a little sticky.

Well, let me have some newspaper, will
you?

Great blue salted snake.

Oh, you want a drink, McKenzie? No, no,
no. Just let me have some paper. I want

to clean my boots.

We can reschedule.

No, no. Let's get on with it.

Now, look.

The governor called you the night he was
killed. So that means you knew he

wasn't going to Washington.

Of course I knew.

The governor never changed plans without
informing me first.

Now, we were friends as well as
colleagues.

I reckon you need all the friends you
can get when you're being...

investigated by the State Ethics
Committee.

Oh, now, Mr. McKenzie, you don't want to
believe all that talk about not taking

bribes. You're savvy enough to know that
those charges are trumped up by my

political opponents.

Boy, that sounds like a campaign speech
to me.

Allison always sided you against your
opponents, didn't he?

Until lately.

Right to the end.

He was always standing right there
beside me.

Officially, yeah.

But, uh, I've been going over all the
governor's press statements about you,

I don't believe he ever once said that
you didn't do anything wrong.

Just said he wouldn't interfere with the
investigating committee.

Now, that was the proper thing for him
to do.

But not too supportive.

Just what is your point, Mr. McKinley?
My point is this.

If Allison was still alive, you'd be out
there alone now, twisting in the wind.

You're saying Ryan's death benefits me?

Well, everybody knows you and Lieutenant
Governor Orlando are close. Now he's

the governor.

And I see by this morning's paper that
your investigation's been put on hold

now. Isn't that coincidental?

Doesn't that give you a pretty good
motive for murder?

You know...

LPJs to spin out stories like that. All
speculation, what ifs.

Some folks took offense, but I always
found it delightful.

You know, imagination makes a politician
interesting.

But I never did like it very much, and a
lawyer concerned, as he should be, with

the facts.

Now, the night Ryan Allison died, he
gave me his solemn promise.

That he'd stand by me in my committee
fight.

Your voice is sincere.

Your smile is steady, and you look a man
straight in the eyes.

When you're making a point, if I was a
voter, I'd be downright dazzled.

Instead, I'm sitting here trying to
figure out whether what you're telling

a God's honest truth or an LBJ story.

I'll try to take that as a compliment,
Mr. McKenzie.

Now, that promise he made, the one he
gave you the night you met him in his

office. No, no, no.

I never did see the governor that night.
I only spoke to him on the phone.

I spent most of that evening taking my
ease at the Cattleman's Club, where I've

been a member for years.

Join me there for dinner some night.

Anything else I can do to help you?

You don't clean boots, do you?

Mr. Dixon.

I'm sure we'll be speaking again.

It's room number two.

Oh, my God.

Wait here.

The Sundown Motel, room number two.

Yes, Violet Moore.

Yes, she's dead.

Look, I gotta get back there.

Malansky, Ken Malansky.

M -A -L, just like it sounds.

What's going on, Sergeant?

You reported her murder, Mr. Malansky?
Yeah, Violet Moore.

Where's Jennifer?

I arrived here with Jennifer Taylor, her
roommate.

Miss Moore was dead on the floor, shot
by the look of it.

Saw a man go out the bathroom window.

Pursued him.

He got away.

Will you step this way?

After you.

Where's the body?

Where's Jennifer?

Not here.

We checked every room in the motel. No
sign of Violet Moore or anything that

looks like a murder.

I don't get it.

This is your idea of a joke, Mr.
Malansky? This is no joke.

Then get some rest, Mr. Malansky.

Please forgive me for intruding, Ms.
Allison. It's got to be a very, very

time for you.

Well, would you like some coffee?

No, thank you, ma 'am. Something
stronger?

No, I'm fine. All right, please.

Thank you.

We never prepare for things like this,
are we?

Murder.

It happens to other people.

People we don't know.

I still expect Ryan to come through that
door.

Yes, ma 'am.

His friends and colleagues.

They're wonderful to me.

They sent letters and cards and stopped
by to see me.

I've given each one of them something of
Ryan's to remember him by.

Well, wasn't that thoughtful?

How can you defend Karen Richards?

I know who you are and I know what
people say about you.

I thought you were an honorable man.

I'm a particular man, Mrs. Allison, and
a fortunate one.

I'm not obliged to defend anybody that I
don't believe to be innocent.

Karen Richards is innocent.

Why did you come here?

I need to ask you a few questions, and
you don't have to respond, of course,

I thought maybe the answers might come
easier here in the comfort of your home

than in court.

Questions? The night your husband was
killed, can you tell me what you did and

saw?

I went to Ryan's office, and I was with
him from 9 .30 to just before 10.

When did you see Miss Richards?

As I was driving away from the state
house.

From the parking lot?

Yes. Well, you must have got a good look
at her. That lot's very brightly lit.

That's right.

Well, how come you saw her and she
didn't see you?

Maybe she was so intent on killing my
husband, she didn't notice me or

else. She looked furious.

Are there any other questions, Mr.
McKenzie?

No, ma 'am.

No, you've been most helpful.

You seriously think I killed my husband?

I know Karen Richards didn't.

What possible motive would I have?

Well, I've been asking myself that very
question, and I'm stumped.

Good day, Miss Allison.

Excuse me.

I was wondering if you know your
neighbor.

Charlotte Webb?

Oh, sure. Pretty girl.

We ain't spoke, but we've waved.

What about a roommate, Jennifer Taylor?

She ain't got a roommate.

This pretty girl, brown hair, about this
tall?

Nope, never seen her.

Excuse me, I got washed soaking.

Mind you, don't forget my flower box.

I know her.

Jennifer Taylor.

Yeah, I seen her coming and going over
at Charlotte's.

Seen her where she works.

You frequent the so -and -so.

Drifters.

Strip club.

Jennifer strips there?

You seen her?

Every chance I get.

Thanks.

McKenzie's dug up enough dirt to bury us
all.

Maybe you, buddy.

I'm clean as a whistle.

Save the pious act for the voters. Hell,
I know better.

Are you accusing me of something, Dan?

Gentlemen, gentlemen, let's not shoot
ourselves in the foot arguing. All this

going to turn out just fine so long as
we stick together.

Uh, excuse me.

Uh, I don't want to interrupt, but I
didn't see a secretary out here

What a pleasure.

Come right in.

Please. Sit down. Yes, sir.

You caught us smack in the middle of a
policy meeting.

Oh, well, that's some job you fellas
have. Trying to figure out what the

want and then giving it to them.

That's what politicians do, Mr.
McKenzie.

Oh, I used to think so.

Oh, sounds like you don't care for
politicians.

Oh, I do some.

Yeah, Lincoln was a politician and
Jefferson and a few others. Of course,

haven't seen their like in some time.
But with a little luck, we will again

someday.

In the meantime, you're busy trying to
destroy this administration.

You misread me, gentlemen.

All I'm after here is the truth.

So if whichever one of you fellas killed
the governor will just step forward,

then we'll be done with it.

I've got work to do.

Talk to you later, John.

You don't really believe one of them,
did you?

I believe Karen Richards didn't.

What about me?

You think I did it?

Allison's dead and you're the governor.

Isn't that what you always wanted?

It's a fake, Mr. McKenzie.

Could be.

Can you tell me where you were the night
Allison was killed?

Surely.

I was at a fundraising dinner at the
Drake Hotel from about 7 till midnight.

Governor Allison called me there about
9.

You didn't go to the State House to see
him that night?

No, we just spoke on the phone.

You're welcome to check that with the
folks at the fundraiser.

All 250 of them.

I will, Governor.

I'll check them all.

Yes, I do believe you will.

In that case, there is something I
should add.

Yeah. During the course of that evening,
I met a young lady.

Very attractive.

Keen interest in politics.

We went upstairs to my hotel suite where
we spent an hour in private.

You understand, Mr. McKenzie, that no
gentleman would reveal that young lady's

name. Wouldn't dream of asking, Mr.
Orlando.

So, you can't prove that you were at
that fundraiser the whole evening, is

it? Maybe not, but you can't prove I
wasn't.

Where have you been?

Why weren't you at your desk?

Mr. McKenzie told me he wanted a cup of
coffee, so I had to go all the way down

to the commissary to get it. Oh, thank
you, thank you. I'll drink this on the

way out. Thank you.

Did I do anything wrong?

I don't know if Jennifer's alive or
dead. All I know is that she worked at

strip club.

Well, that neighbor saw her coming and
going at Violet Moore's, and maybe she

lives somewhere else. And her real
address would probably be on file at the

strip club.

The owner, Donovan, may be waiting for
you.

Probably. Well, let me take a run at it.
What am I supposed to do?

Well, come here. Give Del a hand sorting
through these police reports.

Here you are.

Live dangerously.

I'm Bill McKenzie. I

need to get a look at Jennifer Taylor's
employment file.

Forget about it. You're not getting
nothing but right out of here.

I warned you.

Take care of him, Will.

Yes, sir.

You okay, Mr. McKenzie? Yeah, I'm fine,
Will. How are you? You and your brother

staying out of trouble?

You got my kid brother off on that
murder rap. I promised you that I'd keep

both clean. Good man.

Give me a hand here, Will. See if you
can find an address on Jennifer Taylor.

Sure, Mr. McKenzie. I'll make it sound
good.

That's me.

I'm a friend of Jennifer Taylor's. I
tried knocking, but I guess she's not

there. Any idea where she is?

Uh, she just said she had to go away for
a couple of days.

I said I'd feed her cat.

I like that she left already.

I guess that's why she left a message
for me to check on the cat.

There's nothing wrong with the cat. Did
you feed it?

I was just going to.

I think I'd better have a look.

Looks like I got here just in time. This
cat's in terrible shape.

I fed it yesterday.

Yesterday? This was a pedigreed balcony.

Pedigreed? Yeah, I mean, it was one
meal. It throws its whole metabolism

you have any idea what a cat like this
cost?

I thought it was just a stray.

Yeah, well, if people knew what this cat
was worth, it wouldn't be safe.

Look, if you've got things to do, I can
take it from here. It's okay,

sweetheart. Oh, uh, yeah.

Uh, sure.

You need anything.

Let me know. Yeah.

What happened next, Sergeant Whitehorse?

After we received... Oh,

I had a notion or two she thought was
worth checking. That lady worked too

When we arrived at the governor's
office, we found him dead from an

stab wound to the chest.

Who else was present? A security guard
and Miss Richards.

I show you People's Exhibit 15.

Have you seen this before, Sergeant?

Yes. Where was that?

I discovered it while conducting an
examination of the crime scene.

The governor's office?

Yes.

Will you read that letter to the court?

I won't let you get away with what
you've done.

Either you clear my father's name, or I
swear you'll pay.

Will you read the signature, please?

Karen Richards.

I never wrote that.

I know.

No further questions.

Mr. McKenzie?

Uh, Mr. Whitehorse, uh, was that letter
handwritten or typed?

The letter was typed.

And the signature?

Typed. Now, you have no knowledge that
Karen Richards typed it, do you? No,

Now, Sergeant, I'll call your attention
to People's Exhibit 13

and ask if you can identify it.

Yes, it has my mark.

Is this the murder weapon that killed
Governor Allison?

Yes, sir, it is.

I have no further questions.

I'm telling you, Miss Taylor never got
her prescription.

You filled it yourself?

Okay, well, listen, make sure it goes
out this afternoon. Now, she's staying

a friend's. Do you have the address?

1414 Mesa. That's right.

So you got a clear look at the
defendant?

Yes, I did.

She practically ran into me. She was in
such a hurry.

Did she appear upset?

She looked like she was in a rage.

Did you attempt to stop her?

Well, I never dreamed she could get past
our security.

No further questions.

That's a total lie.

Yes, I know.

No questions, but defense reserves the
right to recall this witness at a later

time.

The people rest.

Call your first witness, Mr. McKenzie.

I call Rosemary Sutter to the stand.

Now, Miss Sutter, would you tell us what
duties you performed as Governor

Allison's executive assistant?

I was responsible for his schedule, his
travel arrangements, his speaking

engagements, his daily agenda.

I screened and placed all his phone
calls. I took dictation, and I processed

mail. Would it be right to say that on a
day -to -day basis, you looked after

the governor's life?

I only did what an executive assistant
does, Mr. McKenzie.

Oh, I think you're being too modest.

Miss Sutter, didn't people around the
governor keep telling him how lucky he

to have an executive assistant as
devoted as you?

I took my work seriously, if that's what
you mean.

You say that you processed the
governor's mail.

Does that mean you opened and read it?

Yes, generally. The only exception would
be letters marked personal.

Did you open and read this letter,
People's Exhibit 15?

allegedly sent by Karen Richards and
written on stationery from the Stanford

Hotel?

No, I did not. This letter was marked
personal.

However, the day the governor received
it, he showed it to me. The letter

disturbed him, and for good reason, as
it turns out.

Your Honor, move to strike all the
witnesses' response after the word no.

Granted. It shall be stricken.

Now, the day after the murder, you went
over to the Stanford Hotel, didn't you?

I did not.

The desk clerk at the hotel is present
in this courtroom, Mr. Butler.

Mr. Butler is ready to testify that the
morning after Governor Allison was

killed, he saw you in the hotel lobby.
Now, what were you doing there, Miss

Sutter?

The press was all over me at the
Statehouse, demanding that I make a

They wouldn't let me alone.

I needed some peace and quiet, so I went
over to the hotel for breakfast. The

same hotel that Karen Richards had
stayed in.

You know what I think, Miss Sutter?

I think that you went over to the
Stanford Hotel for the express purpose

getting some of this hotel stationery,
and then you typed this threatening

letter over Miss Richards' name.

Now, if you like... I can produce expert
testimony that this letter was typed on

your typewriter.

Am I right about that, Miss Sutter?

Your Honor, would you please direct the
witness to answer the question?

Miss Sutter?

I didn't want the press or the police to
go snooping into the governor's private

affairs.

Starting rumors about him.

Creating a scandal.

So, you were being loyal to the governor
when you wrote this letter, weren't

you?

It seemed obvious to me that Karen
Richards had killed him.

I was just trying to protect his name.

Is that so bad?

Did you write this letter?

Yes, I did.

Thank you, Mr. Sutter.

A prescription from Mr. Palin. Sign
here.

Thank you.

Thanks. Thank you.

It astounds me.

Any guy can come in off the street,
break into your house.

I mean, what is the world coming to?

I'm looking for Jennifer Taylor.

I don't know anybody by that name.

Mr. Steele, her prescription was
delivered here.

What are you, a cop?

You broke into my house, and you're
asking me questions?

You've got a lot of nerve.

So do you. Yeah, she was here with me.
She lived here. But then I kicked her

out. You know why?

Because she was sloppy and a loser.

Anything else? Do you know where she
went? I have no idea, and I couldn't

less. Is that about it?

Get him out of here.

Thanks for your hospitality.

The defense calls Governor John Orlando
to the stand.

You're the governor of the state, are
you not, Governor Orlando?

Yes, I am.

And just how did you become governor?

As lieutenant governor, I was sworn in
after Governor Allison was murdered.

If you would kindly tell us where you
were the night Governor Allison was

murdered. I was at the Drake Hotel
attending a political fundraiser.

At this fundraiser, did you run into
anyone besides other politicians?

A young woman, perhaps?

Yes, I did.

She approached me, told me she was
interested in politics, and asked if we

talk in private.

Did you agree to that?

Of course. Why wouldn't I?

Where did this private conversation take
place?

Upstairs in my hotel suite.

In the living room of my hotel suite.

I am a bachelor, Mr. McKenzie. I'm
allowed to entertain young ladies as

can. Now, you live two blocks away from
the Drake Hotel.

Why would you book a hotel room so close
to your home?

Very often during political functions,
it's convenient to have a suite for

private discussions.

Do you recall what time you and the
young lady went upstairs?

I'd say between 9 .30 and 10.

And what time did she leave?

I don't really recall.

That late?

Governor Orlando, what was this young
woman's name?

Mr. McKenzie, I cannot compromise her by
revealing her name.

Oh, I understand.

In that case, I have no further
questions.

No questions, Your Honor.

Defense calls as its next witness Robert
Fowler.

Now, Mr. Fowler, will you tell us what
you do for a living?

I'm a waiter employed by the Drake
Hotel.

And were you on duty the night Governor
Allison was killed?

Yes. I was working room service that
night.

And on that night, did you have occasion
to deliver room service room 228?

Yeah.

Governor Orlando ordered champagne, and
I delivered it to his suite.

What time was that?

About a quarter to ten.

Now, while you were in this hotel suite,
did you see anyone else besides the

governor? No, but I knew there was a
woman in the room.

How'd you know that?

Well, I saw a lady's suit jacket tossed
over the back of a chair.

It was gray and had a watch hanging on
the lapel.

Oh. What kind of a watch?

A watch in an antique gold setting.

Had roses on it. Looked very old.

Maybe Edwardian.

Why, are you an expert on antique
jewelry?

Not exactly, but my father was a
jeweler, so I always noticed nice pieces

that.

Antique lapel watch.

Now, would you be able to recognize this
watch if you saw it again?

Sure. I've never seen anything like it.

If the court please, I would ask Mrs.
Emily Allison to stand.

Objection, Your Honor. I don't see the
relevancy.

Mr. McKenzie, what's this all about?
Your Honor, there are several people who

had reason to wish Governor Allison dead
besides Miss Richards. In a matter as

grave as this, I would ask for the
widest possible latitude. I assure Your

that this pursuit is not frivolous.

You may proceed.

Objection overruled. Thank you, Your
Honor.

Mrs. Allison.

Thank you. So that Mr. Fowler can get a
better look at that lapel watch you're

wearing.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Allison.

Now, Mr. Fowler, take your time.

Is this the same watch that you saw in
the hotel suite that night?

The same.

Thank you, Mr. Fowler.

No more questions?

No questions.

The fence calls Emily Allison to the
stand.

Mrs. Allison, you've heard Mr.

Fowler's testimony. Now, remembering
that you're under oath, were you the

in the hotel suite with Governor Orlando
that night?

Yes, I was.

What were you doing there with the
governor?

I don't think that's anyone's business.

Oh, Mrs. Allison, I have no interest
whatever in your personal life, but your

actions on the night of the murder are
of considerable importance, given your

earlier testimony. Now, how long were
you in that hotel suite with the

I don't recall.

What if I told you that I could produce
a witness who would swear that you were

there for over an hour?

Is that possible?

Now, in your earlier testimony, you
stated that you went to your...

husband's office the night he was killed
and stayed with him till almost 10 o

'clock. Am I correct?

Yes. Yet we now know you were with
Governor Orlando at that hour.

You also stated that as you left the
statehouse, you saw Karen Richards going

in. Am I correct?

Yes.

Now that your memory has had time to
sort itself out, Mrs. Allison, would you

like to reconsider your testimony?

I was mistaken.

I didn't see Karen Richards that
evening.

Because you weren't there.

No more questions.

No questions.

I called Dan Dixon to the stand.

Mr. Dixon, did you speak to Governor
Allison the night he was killed?

Yes, I did. I spoke to him on the phone.

Not face to face in his office?

I was at the Cattleman's Club all night
till almost midnight.

Well, now that's an interesting point,
Mr.

Dixon. On the day Governor Allison was
killed, a legislature adjourned after

everybody left. Maintenance men filled
in a lot of potholes in the parking lot

with fresh asphalt.

Late that night, the asphalt was still
soft. Now, if I told you that the

of your tire tread was found in that
asphalt, Mr. Dixon...

Could that freshen up your recollection?

No, I might have driven over there the
next morning.

Oh, no.

The asphalt was hard in the morning.

You were there that night, weren't you?

I went there to ask him to back me
against the committee that's

me. So, you were alone with Governor
Allison in his office that night.

distraught over the possible ruination
of your career, and you want us to

believe that you did not have the motive
and the opportunity to kill him? I

wasn't alone.

I brought someone with me.

Who was that?

Mr. Clayton Morley.

He's the contractor who's been accused
of making payoffs to get state business

thrown his way.

Well, he wanted to make his appeal to
the governor in person.

So...

He went in with me, and he came out with
me.

Bring him in and ask him.

Nothing further.

No questions.

Court is adjourned until tomorrow at 9 a
.m.

How's our side doing?

Oh, we're holding our own. Just hang in
there.

What's going on?

Well, we knocked down Emily Allison's
testimony, but since she wasn't there,

couldn't have killed him.

Orlando's a liar, but now he's got an
alibi. So is Dixon. I don't think

Sutter did it, so Reinhardt is our only
suspect.

I'll be dogged on if I know how to prove
it. I think you can.

I've got something.

Mr. Steele is expecting me.

Johnny, it's been a while.

Let's make it fast, my friend, because
in a minute I'm going to kick you off my

spread. I know you're hiding this girl
for the life of me. I don't know why.

But unless you produce her, I'll be back
in an hour with a warrant for your

arrest.

For what?

Obstruction of justice.

Obstruction of justice.

Listen, cowboy, you'll never make it
stick.

You're concealing a witness crucial to a
murder investigation. That's a

chargeable offense.

Now make sure it sticks.

Bill!

That's what I found.

I thought you were dead.

That death was set up so we'd stop
looking for her.

You gotta come with us, miss.

She doesn't have to go with anybody, do
you, sweetheart?

You made sexual accusations against
Harlan Richard, so his death would look

a suicide, but you and I know better
about that, don't we, Miss Moore?

Violet. You want Karen Richard
convicted, Miss Moore, for a murder she

commit? You got one death on your
conscience, you want two?

Violet, would you wait for me in the
study, please?

Do you like being pushed around by this
fellow, Miss Moore?

You're going to live this way the rest
of your life.

It's what he wants more important than
doing right.

Johnny.

Did you ever really love me?

Sure I loved you. And I treated you
okay.

Getting her hooked on drugs was okay.
Nobody can hook anybody on drugs. They

it to themselves.

But you knew when you threw me out of
the house that time that I would do

anything for money.

Anything for you.

Including lie about having an affair
with Harlan Richards, didn't you?

You're a junkie. She's lying. Not now
she isn't.

Jennifer Taylor.

She's the one that set me up.

I figured you work for Johnny. Anything
he wants. Anytime he wants it.

Should have gone when you could, fellas.

Can't let them go.

Oh, heck, Miss Moore.

Let's get out of here. I'm warning you.

You got those photos of the crime scene?

Amisota's at the office from the
governor's files.

Mr. McKenzie?

I'd like to recall Rosemary Sutter to
the stand.

Now, Miss Sutter, I'm going to show you
a list of documents which the police

found in Governor Allison's office.

I want you to examine this list
carefully.

Now, to the best of your knowledge, is
this list complete?

No, sir, it's not.

What's missing?

A fax was sent to Governor Allison's
office at 7 .49, the night he was

Well, how can you be so sure of the date
and the time?

The governor asked me to check the ID
number and to get a duplicate.

What was so important about this
particular fax?

It was a document that he'd requested.

An audit of the Pharmacol Corporation.

And why was the Pharmacol Corporation so
interesting?

They were doing a lot of construction
for the state, and Governor Allison had

heard rumors that it was really a front
for organized crime.

He was conducting a private
investigation.

And this fact that came in that night
was part of the evidence? Yes. He asked

to obtain the duplicate as discreetly as
possible.

Thank you. Now, I'm going to show you
Defense Exhibit G, Miss Sutter.

This is a picture of the governor's desk
as it was normally kept. Now, is this

accurate? Is that the way it normally
looked?

Yes. Yes, it is.

Thank you, Miss Sutter.

You've been very helpful.

What is Johnny Steele to you, Miss
Moore?

We were lovers.

Did you live with him for a period of
time?

For about two years.

And when did you stop living with him?

About six months ago.

Is it true that Mr.

Steele is currently under indictment by
the federal government on racketeering

charges?

Objection. Relevancy.

This is all going to tie together, Your
Honor.

Overruled.

Yes.

Do you know of any connection between
Johnny Steele and the Pharmacol

Corporation? Sure. He practically owns
it.

And did he have a special interest in
the last gubernatorial election?

Yes. He said that if Allison had won,
that he could keep all his dirty little

deals a secret.

He told you that?

Yeah, he told me that.

Now, for a while there, it looked like
Harlan Richards might win the election.

What, if anything, did Johnny Steele do
about that?

He had me make sexual accusations
against Harlan Richards.

How did he get you to do that?

When I lived with him, he started me on
drugs.

I got hooked.

And then when he got sick of me, he
kicked me out.

Said I was a junkie.

I'd never be anything else.

So when he came around again and wanted
me to lie for him, he knew I'd do it. I

needed the money.

I had to have the money.

For drugs?

Yes.

Were these accusations true?

Did you have an affair with Mr.

Richards?

No, I never did.

Miss Moore, are you telling this court
that Johnny Steele convinced you to tell

a lie that was going to ruin a decent
man's reputation?

Yeah, but it wasn't Johnny's idea. See,
he said he had no choice in the matter,

that he had to do it for his partner.

Who was his partner?

Al Reinhardt, the Attorney General.

Thank you, Miss Moore.

I appreciate what it took for you to
come forward today.

No more questions.

No questions.

Defense calls Al Reinhart to the stand.

Mr. Reinhart, I'd like you to examine
Defense Exhibit H,

which I'm handing to you now.

Mr. Reinhart, before you became Attorney
General, were you and Governor Allison

partner in a law firm?

Yes, we were.

Mr. Reinhart, would you describe this...

Document to the court.

It's a standard contract for legal
representation between my firm and the

client. And according to this contract,
who was Allison and Reinhart

representing?

The Pharmacol Corporation.

Were you aware that Johnny Steele
controlled the Pharmacol Corporation

agreed to represent it? No, I was not.

No, I had no direct contact with Mr.
Steele.

We merely did some routine legal work
for them, contract review, that sort of

thing. So while your partner, Allison,
was busy being governor, you involved

law firm with a known racketeer.

I had no knowledge of that connection.

Oh, we've heard testimony that Johnny
Steele wanted Allison re -elected. Now

know why.

It wasn't Governor Allison Johnny Steele
wanted in the statehouse. It was you,

his silent partner in crime, the
attorney general.

That is a lie. I have no connection
whatsoever to Johnny Steele. Isn't it

that you masterminded the sexual
accusations against Harlan Richards so

death would look like a suicide? As far
as I know, Harlan jumped out that

window.

Am I being accused of a crime you can't
prove even happened?

Oh, I don't have to do that, Mr. Ryan.

I have evidence to prove that you killed
Governor Allison.

Objection. Relevancy. We're not here to
try the Attorney General, Your Honor.

Karen Richards is on trial for murder.

Any evidence to the contrary should be
admissible.

You may proceed, Mr. McKenzie.

Objection overruled.

Thank you, Your Honor.

You knew that Governor Allison was
quietly investigating the Pharmacol

Corporation, didn't you? And that
worried you.

I have no idea what you're talking
about.

When Allison got that fax and called you
demanding that you come to his office,

you knew the jig was up, didn't you?

You knew you were going to jail.

And you figured the only way to save
your neck was to kill him. Now, that's

it went, wasn't it?

No.

Mr.

Reinhart, would you identify this
object?

People's Exhibit 13 for the court.

It's a solid gold letter opener.

There's an inscription there on the
blade. Will you read it?

The voting's done.

We won.

And the date, 11 -5 -93.

Where did this letter opener come from,
Mr. Reinhart?

Governor Allison's wife, Emily, had this
made as a memento of his election

victory. Was this one of a kind, or were
there others?

Well, Mrs. Allison gave letter openers
to the small group of people closest to

Ryan.

You still have your letter opener, Mr.
Reinhart? Of course.

I'm going to show you Defense Exhibit J,
a receipt from Tyler's Jewelers over on

Alma Street.

It's a bill for a letter opener they
made for you with the inscription, the

voting is done, we won, and the date, 11
-5 -93.

What do you know about this, Mr.
Reinhart?

I lost the letter opener Mrs. Allison
gave me when I moved into my new office

the State House, so I asked my assistant
to order a copy.

An identical copy?

Of course.

It's not what you got.

It wasn't identical.

My copy was identical in every respect,
except one.

It always bothered me how someone having
a heated argument with the governor

could have taken the letter opener off
his desk and then cross clear around

and stab him with it without his trying
to get up and defend himself.

But just supposing.

What if he wasn't stabbed with his own
letter opener? What do you think of

Mr. Reinhardt?

I wouldn't know.

Oh, but you would, Mr.

Reinhardt. You took this letter opener,
the one you had made from your office to

use as a weapon when Allison called you
in on the carpet.

After you stabbed him with it, you took
the one on the governor's desk with you

when you left, thinking that nobody
would ever notice the exchange.

But fate was toiling against you.

The original letter openers were solid
gold.

Your copy was gold plate, overlapped.

It says so right here on this receipt.

With the district attorney's permission,
we'll demonstrate.

No objection.

I reckon your assistant was trying to
save you money, Mr. Reinhardt.

The murder weapon was your letter
opener, wasn't it?

I'd better not say anything further.

That's a good choice.

Move for dismissal.

People have no objection.

Case dismissed.

Court is adjourned.

Thank you for me and for my father. I'm
so glad we got this sorted out.

Congratulations, Bill. Ken, I never
could have done it without you.

Come on, let's go back to the ranch and
have some fun. I wouldn't want to put

you out. Oh, put me out. Listen, I can
use your help. You know, I got the

sweetest little vegetable garden that
Della is just going to love. Della asked

me to give you this.

Uh, wait a minute. Doggone it.

Seems like Della's best friend Lila has
sprained her ankle and Della has gone to

Hawaii to help her out.

Hawaii?

That's quite a trip.

Well, Ken, it's just you and me.

Listen, we got fences to mend.

Just all to clean up. Bill, thanks, but
you know what? Oh, don't thank me. This

is a treat.

Bob, if you're waiting for me, you're
backing up.

Viacom.