Original subtitles

Mrs. Richland, I'm sorry to bother you.

A development has come up in your husband's murder investigation.

What sort of development?

At 10 a .m. tomorrow morning, I'm asking the D .A. to file murder charges.

Against you.

Against me?

That's right.

It's ridiculous.

Well, it's not standard procedure, but I'm willing to give you a chance to come

talk about it.

Before we file, you're under no obligation.

Where do you want to talk?

Downtown.

I'd be happy to give you a lift.

Am I under arrest? No.

I'll drive myself. I know the way.

It was just after 10 p .m. on the 14th.

Douglas Brayfield left the Dufferin building after his regular Wednesday

session with Dr. Paul Richland.

Brayfield headed across Bathurst where he waited for the number 22 Crosstown

bus.

Rachel said Dr. Richland left the Dufferin building at 10 .10 p .m.

The Brayfield bus was late.

He saw a woman who looked like a prostitute approach Richland.

According to Brayfield, the woman went directly up to the victim's Mercedes.

No sidewalk negotiation.

She obviously knew him, and knew him well.

At 6 .15, the next morning, in a west side parking lot, a transient spotted

victim in his car, a Mercedes.

One bullet, small caliber, back of the head.

That was two weeks ago today.

A lot's happened since then.

Mirror, mirror on the wall.

What are you looking at, Nick?

Graduated from college summa cum laude.

Got her doctorate in three years.

Published 14 papers.

Serves on the board of the State Psychological Association.

Successful practice.

No mental illness, no drug or alcohol abuse.

She doesn't look like the murderous from the flinky black hooker dress type,

Frank. Oh, what type does she look like, Mendoza?

Type you'd like to wake up in the morning with? Maybe do the New York

crossword puzzle?

Look, I'm just saying.

No, you're thinking.

With that brain that's tucked away in your shorts.

She's dirty.

You can bet on it.

Comfortable?

Comfortable? In these chairs.

Oh, they'll keep me awake. It's the same kind of my office. I keep my people

involved.

Coffee. No, thank you.

You mind if I smoke?

It's against the law to smoke in a public building, detective.

And I don't care.

Be aware, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.

You have the right to have a lawyer present. I do not need a lawyer.

Mrs. Richland has waived her right to have a lawyer present.

I read your statement.

It's almost all about your husband.

He's the one that was murdered.

Yes, well, I'd like to know about you and your relationship with him.

I've known Paul.

I knew Paul for nine years.

Well, we have all day.

Why don't you start at the beginning?

When I first met Paul, I was living with my best friend, Donna, cutting hair at

a salon downtown and wondering.

About?

What we were going to do with the rest of our lives.

Okay, here's the plan.

We are going to pool all of our tips, every single penny, so that in six

we will have enough to buy our own place.

Hey, are you listening, girl?

We're talking about the future here.

Not my future.

Oh, and you think that is?

School. You hated school. I don't think it, Dora. I know it.

I'm going to graduate with honors and I'm going to be a psychologist, okay?

Okay, all right. Thank you, Pissy. I'm not being Pissy. I'm just tired of

not taking you seriously. I'm going to do this.

I hope you do. I swear to God. But do you want to work for ten bucks a head in

the meantime?

No way.

I'm going to get myself a real job.

I've got an interview tomorrow with a psychologist who works with kids.

Miss Cox.

Dr. Richland.

Come in.

Make yourself comfortable.

So you're a student at the junior college?

My second year.

It took me a while to decide that I wanted to go to college.

Actually, it took me a long time because I wasn't only ready when I was younger.

Why did you decide to go to college?

I realized that I didn't want to be trimming split ends for the rest of my

Part of my practice involves treating children with extreme separation

Kids who've lost everything that's given them any sense of security and safety.

A parent's death.

Worse, our parents abandon them. Often they've been abused.

They're lost, scared, alone.

I'm developing a therapeutic environment in which these children can feel truly

safe again.

Sounds exciting.

Would you read from this?

In your normal voice.

There was once Miller who was very poor, but he had a beautiful daughter.

Now, it once happened that he had occasion to speak with the king, and in

to give himself an air of importance, he said, I have a daughter who can spin

gold out of straw.

It's all right?

Perfect.

He hired me that day in his office.

I met him at an interview with lots of people.

Why so fast? And why you? No training, no education?

I don't know why he hired me.

But I didn't care. I just wanted to grow and learn.

Paul helped me. He encouraged me. He taught me.

It's the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me.

Try this.

You can do it.

Good job.

Kim.

Here, let's see what we've got here.

That's what you look like.

Big happy sign.

Here we go.

Hey!

Uh -oh.

She's back.

Long day.

I don't know what I'd do without you. I don't mind. I love this.

Gets me to feel like work.

Are you hungry?

I'm starving.

Great. We can grab a bite at a little joint. I eat it all the time.

Never been to this part of town before.

Devons Avenue.

I volunteer at the free clinic.

I have for years. It's an important part of the work I do, too.

It's priceless education, Mary.

And humbling, too.

Any one of us could be out there.

It's arrogant to think that we're special and they're different.

We're not.

And they're not.

I ordered for both of us. I hope you don't mind.

No one's ever ordered anything for me before.

The French know less.

That's what you call a little joint.

Oh, I've been coming here so long it feels like home.

It's nothing like my home.

I'd like to see where you live sometime.

Oh, I don't think so.

Why not?

Well, two girls crammed into one room can get ugly.

People coming and going and stuff everywhere.

Creative chaos.

Sounds like fun. Every day must be a new adventure.

Oh, it used to be.

Now every day's important.

Time's pressure.

I want to do something with my eye.

You are, Mary.

And you're going to do something very special.

You think so?

Absolutely.

I saw all the promise the first day I met you.

The defining moment in history of humanity.

Adam and Eve eat from the tree of knowledge and become conscious of who

they are, both good and evil.

We're all like Adam and Eve, imperfection, striving for grace.

You're close to perfection tonight.

You want me to stop?

No.

I just want to remember everything about tonight.

The house.

The night. You.

It's all like a fairy tale that was never supposed to happen.

Not to me.

Why not to you?

Mary, there's so much I want to do for you.

Things I want to show you and share with you.

Why are you doing all this for me?

I've been given so much.

My wonderful family, private schools, Yale.

I want to give something back.

You have, Paul.

You do every day.

This Mrs. Richland's got an interesting little fairy tale, doesn't she?

Fairy tale?

Born from the wrong side of town, meets her knight in shining armor, sweeps her

off her feet, takes her to his castle, gives her a new life.

Worked for Cinderella in Snow White.

That's because the fairy tale ended before it got ugly.

Ah, hopeless romantic.

Yeah, well, you're not married.

I've been married three times.

No one lives happily ever after.

We were very happy.

You were?

How old was Dr. Richler when you met?

Forty -three. And you were?

Age never mattered to either of us.

Would you say he was a mentor?

Initially.

He was the first person who encouraged me to be the best I could be.

He was always showing me new things, taking me places I hadn't been before.

Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle.

That must have been pretty heady.

Confusing, actually.

My mother always told me that it was vain to draw attention to myself.

Well, but still, that's quite a change.

I am Dr. Richland. I had money, a million -dollar house, a career.

You were doing split ads.

Paul didn't care what I did.

What did his family think?

Both his parents had died before we met.

Well, how did your family feel about it?

After all, Dr. Richland was quite a catch.

My parents were dead as well, and Paul was not a catch. We loved each other for

who we were, period.

It's beautiful here.

Mm -hmm.

Where are we?

The place we're going to get married.

I've waited all my life for you, Mary.

I knew I was going to ask you to marry me the day we met.

And I knew you were going to say yes.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to propose a toast.

This is quite a day.

And those of you who know me well are going to be stunned to find me

All I am going to do, and this will say it all for me, is to introduce you to my

wife, Mrs. Paul Richland.

For those of you who don't know me that well my name is actually Mary, not Paul.

I'm so sorry.

I'm such an idiot.

I would never do anything to hurt you or embarrass you. Never.

Paul, that wasn't important.

You were just excited.

But you are my wife, aren't you?

Forever. Till death do us part, for better or for worse.

What, Paul?

What's wrong?

You're the better.

I'm the worse.

I'm the worst.

You're the psychologist, Doctor. What exactly does that mean?

My husband was a complex person.

Like all of us, he had issues he was dealing with.

Like everyone else, Detective.

Imperfections, striving.

What was that?

Grace. Right, Grace.

Your husband liked being controlled, didn't he?

Sometimes.

I've never met a man who didn't.

Well, he dressed you, educated you, changed your hairstyle.

When we first met, things changed pretty quickly.

You did.

You changed.

How did Dr. Richland feel about that?

I'm confused. My husband's dead. Why are you asking me all these questions?

Dr. Richland was 52 when he was killed. He suffered from hypertension, angina,

and arthritis.

He was on medication for all three.

Small amounts, which he carefully regulated. He wasn't a drug addict,

Given his medical record, he must have been paying a huge premium for the life

insurance policy you took out on him.

What life insurance policy?

This one.

Two million dollars.

What did it cost you?

Eight, ten grand a year?

I've never seen this before.

Come on, Mrs. Richland. You're the owner. You're the beneficiary. That's

signature, right?

Paul must have put it in my name so that it wouldn't be part of our joint assets

if he died.

Paul handled all our finances. He was always asking me to sign things.

I must not have noticed it.

You're telling me you don't remember signing a $2 million life insurance

You know, I arrested a woman once who killed her husband because he wouldn't

change the kitty litter.

I don't need money.

And for you to suggest that I killed my husband for insurance... Well, according

to your bank statement, your savings account is empty.

Your checking account has been overdrawn for two months.

I'd say you're pretty close to being broke.

Two million dollars would go a long way towards balancing a checkbook.

You didn't say much in there.

This is your case.

The silence was deafening. You trying to tell me something?

Let me ask you something, Frank.

What is it about that lady that jerks your chain so hard?

Me?

Attitude, innuendo, body language.

You've already made up your mind about her.

I've been doing this for 20 years.

You get a feel for things.

A feel for things.

So you feel she's guilty.

It's true.

I wouldn't waste my time if I wasn't sure.

When did you make Detective?

Five months ago.

I'll take care of him.

All right?

Here he comes.

Hello, Clark.

Nice of you to join us.

It's almost 11 o 'clock, Rousseau. What is this, the Spanish Inquisition? I'm

doing your client a favor.

You wouldn't do the Pope a favor. No, no, let's not bring religion into this.

Mary Richland didn't kill anyone.

None of your clients ever do.

Come on.

Let the record show that Mrs. Richland's lawyer has been called and is present.

Now, where were we?

Oh, yeah.

Two million dollar life insurance policy.

I love my husband very much, detective.

He wasn't perfect and neither am I.

But we worked hard to have a good marriage.

And did you have a good marriage?

My God, these flowers are beautiful.

So beautiful.

Whose are those?

Yours.

Mine?

Well, I have my own clothes.

You're my wife now.

This is the beginning of a whole new life for both of us.

I want everything to start fresh.

I felt uncomfortable at first.

bringing so little to the marriage, but never bothered Paul.

In fact, I think he liked it that way.

Why? Because the less I had, the more he could give to me.

And he gave and he gave to the woman he waited all his life for. It's a hard

habit to kick, isn't it?

Don't answer that question, Mary.

I told you before, Paul gave me more than material things.

He encouraged me to finish college early, get started on my Ph .D. sooner.

He helped me apply to graduate school.

Who paid for college?

Paul. Who paid for graduate school?

Paul.

Husbands and wives often support one another for school.

And when you graduated, he gave you a present, didn't he?

What'd he give you?

A car.

What kind of car?

Mercedes -Benz.

A 450 convertible, wasn't it?

You know, most people get a fountain pen or a wristwatch when they graduate. You

got a $70 ,000 car. Would you describe that as unusual, Dr. Richland?

What is the point of these questions?

You asked for it, didn't you?

I never asked him for it. In fact, the car embarrassed me.

Everyone I knew who was at school or working could barely afford gas.

What kind of car do you drive now?

A BMW.

Oh.

Expensive cars don't embarrass you anymore.

I picked it out myself.

I paid for it with money that I earned.

You said your husband handled the finances.

The family finances. I maintained a personal account of my own. You had your

personal account. Why?

Because I wanted something that was mine.

Because I worked hard to get my own degree and my own practice.

And how did your husband feel about that?

What do you think?

Paint really brightens it up, doesn't it?

You hate cream. I should have gone with the gray. It's beautiful.

I just don't understand why you want your own office when the one in my suite

twice as big and free.

Because it's in your suite, and I really want to have my own office, Paul.

The directory downstairs lists you as Dr. Cost.

Are you going to practice using your own name? Yes.

You're my wife, Mary.

Your name is Richland now.

And so is yours, and you're so well -known, and I just want to make sure I

succeed on my own.

I'm going to lose you.

You are going to do things that I could only dream of doing. You are a wonderful

therapist. You've done tremendous things.

I'm a charlatan.

Charlatan? What do you mean by that?

I don't know.

I see you kept your great name.

I only use it in my practice.

Because you don't like being told what to do, do you?

You must have gotten tired of Paul controlling every aspect of your life,

you?

Doctor, was your marriage in trouble?

Every marriage has its issues, Detective Rousseau.

My husband and I chose to work ours out as they came up.

What sort of issues?

None of your business, Detective.

You know, you kindly allowed us to search your home.

We found his dress.

I assume it belongs to you.

Yes, I haven't worn it in years.

My husband bought it for me as a costume for a Halloween party.

What were you supposed to be?

A prostitute.

He wanted me to dress that way.

sexy tonight.

I'm starting to feel like the blue plate specialist.

You're only looking.

I'm a psychologist. I know what I'm thinking.

You know what I'm thinking?

Yes, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Why? It's Halloween, a time when we can act out our wildest fantasies.

Yours or mine?

Both.

Well, I've never fantasized about being a hooker before.

Never?

Well, maybe once when I was young and furious.

Really?

Perhaps we should go get a bite to eat.

What did you have in mind?

You have a very vivid imagination.

Thank you.

Well, at least the crappy candy I used to get stuck with.

You said you haven't worn this dress for some time.

Not since that Halloween.

But you kept it. Why?

To be honest, I'd forgotten I still had it.

Is one of the issues you and your husband confronting sexual problems?

That is totally irrelevant.

It's relevant, Snowden. Trust me.

Your husband was older than you, sick, taking medication, and affected his

libido.

Where are you taking this?

I told you I loved him. I didn't kill him.

You sure you haven't worn this dress more recently? I mean, for other little

fantasies to spice up a dying marriage.

That's it? My client is not answering any more questions? At 10 .15 on the

Dr. Richland was killed, a patient of his saw a woman get into his car near

office. The dress the woman was wearing is identical to this one.

What does any of this have to do with my client?

Excellent question, so that's why you get 300 bucks an hour.

The eyewitness.

picked your client's picture out of 200 photos.

It's impossible. I was with a patient until 10 .30.

That would be Mr. Brian Simons. That's right. Why was he seeing you?

I won't discuss that. Were you aware Mr. Simons has a criminal record?

Yes.

How would you describe his psychological state of mind?

I wouldn't. I won't. Ah, yes.

Well, okay.

Let's see.

Mr. Simons was arrested three times.

Car theft, assault.

An armed robbery.

Not a serial killer, but not exactly a candidate for mayor either.

How long have you been seeing Mr. Simons?

Just over two years.

You must know him very well.

I think so.

Do you find him attractive?

No comment.

Where are you going with this? I understand your husband knew Mr. Simons.

met once.

Where?

At a reading.

Brian... Mr. Simons.

We're giving a reading of a novel he was writing.

I still think it's inappropriate for you to be here.

I've been encouraging Brian to write for months. It's important that I show him

my support.

This is my first time, so I'm a little shaky.

But before I begin, I want to dedicate this book to Mary.

I couldn't have done this without you.

What the hell was that all about?

Shallow waters.

Dedication. Giving his thanks. Morning was the hardest for him.

For what?

For being there, for being his friend.

You're not his friend, you're his therapist.

His heart moved with a heavy step

that echoed in his chest.

And he felt the expectations.

He knew it couldn't be filled.

What the hell is going on between you and that kid? He pulled his pillow hard

over his eyes, trying to find the hole. Let's go. I said let's go.

Let's go.

Hey, wait a minute.

Get away from her.

Brian, it's all right. It's all right. No. No, it's not. You stay out of this.

This is my wife. If you hurt her, if you even touch her, it'll be the last thing

that you do. Do you got that?

The time of your husband's death was approximately 11 .15 p .m. You stated

were with Mr. Simons until 10 .35 p .m. Did anyone see you and Mr. Simons at

your office that night?

Not that I know of. Did you go directly home after your session?

I dropped Mr. Simons off at his apartment, then I went home.

Isn't that rather unusual for a therapist to drive a patient home?

His car was in the shop.

I gave him a lift.

Where did you think your husband was at that hour?

Working late at the free clinic?

At 1 .15 a .m., you received a call from Mr. Simons. Is that correct?

Yes. He called you at home late.

Is that common?

It had been a difficult session. He was upset.

According to telephone records here, you talked for nearly 45 minutes.

About what?

I won't discuss that.

I think you talked about your husband's murder. That's it. No more.

I think you talked this confused, troubled patient of yours into helping

murder your husband.

How did you do that?

Did you convince him that you were scared of your husband?

That he was going to hurt you? Mary, come on. Let's go.

I did not kill my husband. I think you did.

I've got a body, motives, and I've got a crook who's probably an accomplice and

a ton of circumstantial evidence.

And no murder weapon.

And you can't file charges without one.

You bastard.

You said you were going to file charges against me. This whole thing was a

trick.

I'll find the gun.

And when I do, I'm going to arrest you for first -degree murder.

Clark, you're the executive who calls the state. You've known him for years.

he ever mention any financial problems?

Paul's always been a very private person, Mary. He never discussed money

me. Oh, me?

Paul's accountant, Bob Oberman. He's handling the estate accounting.

He'll have some answers.

I never met Bob Oberman.

Whenever I asked Paul, he always said we were just doing fine. We were always

doing just fine.

Hey, look, it doesn't matter for me. You know, I mean, the woman's a

professional. She's worked hard to make a life for herself.

She married a wife.

All she wanted was money. She would have married the guy and then I'd done a

damn thing. Except to get her nails painted. I need bonbons. Look, it's all

there. Enough evidence to convince any jury.

All I need is the gun.

All you need.

All?

That's right. It's my job.

Yours too.

You know, people with money think they can get away with whatever the hell they

want. Go out and buy themselves an Armani raincoat when the crap hits the

Is that what's bugging you, Frank?

The fact that she's got money and you don't?

Maybe you're the one who thinks about climbing the social ladder wrong or two.

You think about that, son.

Brian, what are you doing here?

What the hell is going on?

The police are at my place. They're hassling me about the murder.

What did you tell them?

That I killed your husband? Is that what you told them? Of course not.

Then why are they after me?

Ryan, I know you're upset, but we can't discuss this here.

Call me at the office and we'll make an appointment, all right?

No! I don't want a damn appointment. I want to talk to you about this now.

Ryan, let go of my arm.

Right now.

Look, I know you're upset and you're scared.

Call me.

We'll get together as soon as possible.

Hi, Mr. Ricklin. Your husband's office?

PowerPoints.

Excuse me. Is there a directory for doctors who work in this clinic?

Who are you looking for?

Dr. Paul Richland.

No.

No, Dr. Richland.

Pardon me? Dr.

Richland doesn't work here.

That's impossible.

Please, could you try this again? It's extremely important.

I've worked here for six months. I've never heard his name.

Sorry. Oh, Dr. Brower.

Dr. Brower runs our clinic.

Doctor, this lady was asking about a doctor. Dr. Paul Richland, psychologist.

He's been volunteering here for years. Oh, not here.

Maybe the clinic downtown.

No, no, no, not downtown. Here.

He has his practice, his office. It's in the Dufferin building. It's only three

blocks from here.

He's been volunteering for years, two, three nights a week.

There's got to be some mistake.

Dufferin building, hold on.

I do remember Paul Richland.

What do you mean, remember?

Because of the Dufferin.

I've always loved that building. He took me over and showed me his office.

When? At least five years ago.

He came in to talk about helping out down here, but nothing ever came of it.

Are you a friend of his?

I was his wife.

Are you all right?

I'm there.

Oh, what a book.

But come on, hide it. Hide it.

Bending it on what? I don't know.

There's nothing left.

Even the pension plan's gone.

And you had no idea there was anything going on?

Paul didn't talk much about himself.

I tried to respect that.

Maybe I just didn't want to know.

I'm a psychologist. How could I not have seen or suspected something?

Because, Mary, you're a person first, and then a shrink.

I mean, you loved this guy. You trusted him.

It's allowed.

Do you think it was another woman?

I don't know. I mean, anything's possible.

Paul and I hadn't made love for a long time.

We didn't have much of a sex life anymore.

I thought sex was fantastic with you guys.

I was first.

Then I finished school and I got my license and Paul seemed to lose interest

me. I guess I thought things would change. You know what changed, Mary?

It was you.

Me? Paul completely took over your life. He called all the shots and you just

sort of disappeared for a while.

Why didn't you say anything?

Do you think you would have listened?

No.

It hurts to hear it now.

Rose Moritz, $100.

Commodore apartment, $825.

and I asked her to call me and make an appointment.

Open the damn door and let me in, Mary.

No, leave me alone, please.

Go away.

911, can you hear me?

Someone outside my house.

Yes, I saw him. Do they have a weapon? A weapon? God, I don't know. Just send

someone here as soon as you can. Please.

down for you. You set this up.

I am not taking the fall for the murder.

No, it is not going to work. I am not going down for you.

Working late again, doctor?

No, he tried to force his way into my house.

Seems agitated.

It's a very astute observation, detective.

What's he mean about, uh...

Taking the fall for the murder.

I have no idea.

I mean, he came out here in the middle of the night shouting something about

murder. What murder do you think he was talking about?

I told you I have no idea.

Take a stab.

Are you done?

I'm going to get to the truth, Doctor.

You don't give a damn about the truth. You're convinced you know what happened.

You know I'm guilty.

Well, you're wrong.

Dead wrong.

What?

Rose Morris?

It depends. Who are you?

Paul Richmond's wife, Mary.

How did you find me?

From checks that Paul wrote to you.

Who are you?

I'm Paul's mother.

I can't believe I'm standing here.

I'm starting to feel like Alice after she fell down that hole in Wonderland. I

know the feeling, sweetie.

Please sit down.

He told me you died in a yachting accident near Corfu years ago.

He knew I always wanted to go to Greece.

He told me your father was in the oil business, that you were a Vanderbilt.

I was a dancer on Broadway until I got knocked up by a director from

L .A.

It killed my career.

But I still had my look.

I modeled.

I... cocktail.

Me and Paul lived in two rooms in the village.

He went to PS 14.

He won a scholarship to City College.

He told me you went to Eaton and Yale.

Maybe he did in his mind.

I never minded our lives.

But Paul was determined to change his, even if it meant making things up.

Over the years, I think he started to believe his own story.

I never sensed for a minute that he was lying.

That's why he didn't tell you about me, Mary.

I knew the truth.

He never told Alicia about me either.

Alicia? His first wife.

His wife?

Didn't he tell you about her?

He lied about everything else.

I spent my whole life trying to understand people, to accept them.

But this... The man you loved tried so hard to

be good.

He took care of me.

He... He bought me books so I'd read.

And look, he bought me all these dresses so I'd look pretty.

I never wore any of these things. I'm too stubborn, too old.

Hell, these outfits are for girls.

Rose, do you have any idea who killed Paul?

Or what happened that night?

No.

But the last time he was here, he was beside himself in tears.

He said he'd made a mess of his life.

And if you found out, you'd leave him.

There was another woman, wasn't there?

There was always another woman, Miss Paul.

It broke up his first marriage.

And it would have broken up yours.

This woman.

DePaul mentioned her name.

What was her name, Rose? You've got to tell me.

Rita was all I ever heard.

Rita?

Did he...

Anything about where she lived, what she did. Anything to help me find her.

All he said was that she was young, uneducated, completely different from

Except for the way she looked.

The way she looked?

He thought you were the most beautiful woman in the world.

He liked it that this girl looked like you.

Paul's dead.

Maybe it'd be best if you just let it all go.

I can't let it go, Rose.

Please believe that I killed Paul.

Why would they think you killed him?

He was your husband.

What a complete stranger.

Rita, baby, where were you last night, huh?

Oh, sorry.

I've never seen you around. Are you the girl on the block?

No, you're no Rita.

Yeah, you ain't her.

Tell me, baby, you want a date?

What? You know someone called Rita? Never heard of her. Rita?

Mm -hmm.

Excuse

me.

I, uh, had a couple who could help me.

I bet it surprised me.

I'm looking for a woman.

A woman?

Okay, baby, I'm surprised.

I think she may live or work around here.

Her name might be Weva.

What exactly? I think she might know my husband.

Sorry, honey, we can't help you. We don't know anybody's husband.

Have you

seen

Rita?

Hey! You still looking for Rita? Yes, you know Rita?

Maybe.

Order.

sister behind the scenes.

Are you like her sister or something?

Sister? You're what?

Rita?

Maybe.

I'm Paul Richland's wife.

Hey, put your hands off me, lady.

I don't know anything about the doc.

You called him doc.

You didn't know him. How do you know he's the doctor?

Go home, lady.

Please, I just want to talk to you. Excuse me.

What the hell are you doing?

I just want to talk to Rita.

I think you're in the wrong neighborhood, sweetheart.

I think you ought to get out of here before you get hurt.

Now.

Did you enjoy your time on the avenue, Doctor?

Why are you following me?

This is harassment.

You know, that neighborhood's less than a block away from where your husband was

last seen alive.

You told me you never went down there. I don't.

I'm beginning to wonder about you.

The Commodore, the avenue.

You certainly get around for a woman who never gets around.

I found a woman, a prostitute, who I think is the woman he was talking to

he was killed.

Your husband... What's the polite question?

Did your husband enjoy the company of hookers?

She called him Doc and she was wearing the same dress that he got for me.

Halloween costume.

And she looked a lot like me.

Enough for someone to mistake me for her sister or for me. It happened twice.

What's her name?

Rita. Last name?

I don't know.

Hmm.

A hooker who looks like you has your dress do your husband.

That's a nice, tidy series of coincidence.

I don't care. She knew Paul.

You have to talk to her.

Meanwhile, I have a coincidence.

We found a gun.

About a half mile from where your husband's body was found.

A 9mm automatic.

Registered to you.

To me.

Do you own a 9mm automatic?

Paul got me a gun for self -defense. I have no idea what kind it was.

Do you still have it?

Kept in the house.

Do you still have it?

It's gone. I have no idea what happened to it.

Now you know.

Call your lawyer.

I'll expect you at the station, 9 a .m.

We'll need your fingerprints.

I hated that gun, Clark.

I didn't even want it around the house.

Paul thought it was a great idea.

Well, the question is, how did it walk out of the house?

Any burglaries?

How deeper?

Mrs. Faff is 65 years old. She's worked for Paul for 20 years. She wouldn't even

take a quarter.

Paul.

I guess.

Why would he need to take the gun?

Well, look, if the ballistics tests don't match, it doesn't matter where

found it.

And if they do match, what then?

Thanks for your cooperation, Doctor.

I know how difficult this is for you.

He's convinced I killed Paul?

Doesn't matter what he thinks, he still needs facts.

Well, you believe me, don't you?

Of course, 100%.

Rita?

Oh, my God, what happened to you?

You did, you dumb bitch.

Just get the hell out of here before he kills us both.

You need to go to a hospital. I'm going to call 911.

No. No, God, please.

You need to get to a doctor.

Come on, you're going to my car. Get the hell off of me, lady.

I'm calling 911.

before with ballistics. The 9mm automatic we found? The gun that killed

Richland. What about the prints?

Forensics lifted two sets of prints. They're working on a third. We'll have

results back later this afternoon.

Mrs. Richland didn't pull the trigger.

How do you know that?

The autopsy shows that the bullet entered Richland's head just to the

the posterior cranial median. That strongly suggests a right -handed

Look at the signature on Mrs. Richland's statement.

She's left -handed.

So she used her right hand.

Her weak hand to kill her husband in cold blood?

Doubt it.

What about Simon's?

Simon's signature on the personal effects sheet he signed over a county

He's a lefty, too.

Look, I don't care if one of them pulled the trigger with a big toe.

Their prints are on the gun.

That's all the D .A .D.'s to file charges.

Well, there's no broken bones and your EEG looks normal, but you've probably

sustained a concussion.

We'll keep you here overnight. If you have any dizziness or nausea, let the

nurse know immediately.

Thank you, Doctor.

You

are

not going anywhere.

Watch me. What you need is to rest.

All right.

I'll tell Rick I had a headache tonight. Rick, is that who beat you up?

What's it to you?

Why are you protecting him? You should have him arrested, put in jail.

What planet are you from?

Whoever did this to you is an animal.

Yeah, well, it's a jungle out there.

Anyway, what goes down in my life isn't any of your business. Oh, yes, it is.

Why?

You one of those rich, bitch, bleeding hearts who wants to save the world?

Like your old man thought he was going to do? All I want is to find out who

murdered my husband, and I'll do whatever that takes, you understand?

I don't know jack about your husband.

You... You talk to me, or you talk to the police.

Look.

I didn't have anything to do with this.

I liked Doc.

How long did you know him?

You don't need to know the details.

I need to know the details.

Okay.

I met Doc on the avenue one night.

He was in his Mercedes watching me.

He wasn't a cop, so I let him watch.

Free advertising, right?

Kept showing up.

One night I went over and I started asking him what he was looking for, and

said I reminded him of someone.

We went for a coffee.

I ended up talking half the night.

What did you talk about?

Just stuff.

Where I was from.

Where I went to school.

Where my dad worked.

What I did when I wasn't hooking.

It was so thick.

Not the first night.

For a while, actually, and then it was never really that big a deal.

I don't think he really dug it.

You asked.

Go on.

Sex wasn't a thing.

He wanted something more than my body.

What did you want?

Me.

He wanted to make me into something that he had created.

Excuse me. You're going to have to go now.

What am I supposed to do now?

Stay here.

You'll be safe. No one knows who you are.

I'll give you my number.

Just call me.

If you need anything at all.

I'll be back in the morning, early, okay?

You're not gonna call the cops, are you?

No.

Lady.

For what it's worth, Doc was the nicest John I've ever known.

I'm sorry to come by so late, but I didn't want to call.

What's wrong?

The ballistic tests are back.

Your gun is the one that killed Paul.

My God.

That's only half the bad news.

What threat?

They found three sets of prints on the gun.

Yours, Paul's, and a third that they haven't identified yet.

Well, of course they found our fingerprints on the gun, Clark.

It's been in the house for years. We've been practicing with it at the firing

range.

What does this mean? What can they do with this?

Well, the DA is filing murder charges tomorrow morning, Mary.

I don't believe it.

They're charging me with murdering my own husband?

Like I'm some sort of cold -blooded killer?

I'm sorry, Mary.

No, I don't want sorry. I want sanity. This is crazy.

I didn't kill Paul.

I know that, Mary.

Why don't they? Why are they doing this to me?

I've known the D .A. a long time. He's going to let me take you downtown for

booking, quietly.

Are they going to put me in jail?

Go ahead, Clark. I'm a big girl.

Yes. You'll go to jail.

Bail?

Not in a murder case.

So this time tomorrow night I'm going to find myself in a cell somewhere?

I've already started making calls to some of the best criminal lawyers in the

country. My own dream team?

How am I going to pay for that?

Don't worry about that now.

God, Clark, nothing's ever going to be the same again. Not ever.

We're going to fight this, Mary.

And win.

I promise you.

I wish you didn't have to make promises like that.

You're wrong about this.

I'll have to let the DA decide about that.

I know there's another set of fingerprints on that gun besides mine

Forensics are still working on those. We've got Mr. Simons in custody and the

off chance that they're his. They're not his. He doesn't know anything about

this.

Have you talked to that woman I told you about yet?

What? One who looks like you, dresses like you, that one?

Well, she knew my husband.

And there's a man named Rick, her pimp or boyfriend or something. He beat her

for talking to me.

She's at St. Charles right now. At the hospital? What's the point?

Why would she say anything to incriminate herself? Because she's a

She knows what happened to Paul. Then have your attorney subpoena her.

I gotta warn you, hookers make rotten witnesses.

They offend jurors and prosecutors, eat them for lunch.

She's not safe.

He could kill her.

How many at 19 hours?

I'm going home to see if my wife has left me yet. What about the hooker?

Where are you going, Russo?

He's trying to save his marriage.

Again? He's tenacious.

I met the wife.

All right, all right.

What do you got?

I finally got some good prints. You know, you were so positive it was that

Simon's prints.

Negativo.

They're not his.

Told you.

I want to know who they belong to and fast.

Hey, I'm working on it. Art takes time, all right?

Have you seen Rita?

I'm not a cop. I'm Dr. Richland's wife.

He said you took her to the hospital.

Paid for everything.

She was hurt. Someone beat the hell out of her.

Rick. He's a mean bastard.

Crazy, too.

She left the hospital. Did she come here tonight?

About half an hour ago.

She borrowed about a hundred bucks for a bus ticket.

Said she was going to pack her things up at the Bayshore Hotel, then head out to

Iowa. Iowa?

Her brother lives out there.

She figured Rick wouldn't find her there.

Hey, Rita didn't do anything.

She dug the duck.

We all did.

you doing here? Get out!

You can't run away from that.

Rick will only find you if you please.

Take my chances. I am your only chance.

Then I got them totally screwed, huh?

I'll tell the police you're cooperating. I'll even hire you a lawyer if you need

one.

Don't be stupid.

No.

Please.

Come on, let's get out of here.

Come on.

You know, someone should make a movie about me. I am that good.

Richard Hansen.

You go to the hospital, see if the hook is still there. I'll work the avenue.

Far out.

It's even cooler than I imagined.

What do you mean?

Doc told me all about this place.

I used to dream about seeing it for real, you know?

I mean, Rick, we even drove out one time to see if it really existed.

I couldn't believe it at first, a place like this.

It was all real.

You know, I've been loving to play it.

Yes, you did.

Yeah. Dougie.

He was like in awe of you.

You know?

He used to say he wasn't good enough for you.

Maybe that's why he hung with me.

Because I wasn't anybody.

You know, one really strange thing.

He started telling me I was.

That anything was possible if I wanted it bad enough.

But he wanted it better than me.

And he started buying me stuff.

Books, clothes, jewelry, you know.

He said it was for me.

I wasn't.

It was his trip.

So I played him.

I don't know much, but I know men.

You know what they want more than anything?

What do men want, Rita?

Control.

But you give it to them and they get bored.

You know, and they'll chase you from Monday to Sunday to get it.

So I'd never do what Doc wanted.

Told him he would never change me.

I drove him nuts.

He spent more money.

Even gave Rick five grand once to get him to move out.

Figured if Doc was good for five grand, he was good for fifty.

So Rick...

started borrowing money off Doc.

They both knew he was never going to pay it back.

Why did Paul keep giving him money?

Near the shrink.

He said he was looking for the Doc's old lady. You know what I think?

Riedel's with her. That Rick bastard will find her.

Rick kept hitting on Doc for more and more money.

Finally, when Doc said no more, Rick got furious.

Started threatening her.

Oh, you're not going anywhere tonight except to work for me. She's not working

tonight. Hey, you butt out of this, man. She was mine before she met you, and

she'll be mine when you're just a memory.

Come on, get up.

Come on, get up.

Don't you ever talk to me like that again, or I'll kick your rich sorry ass.

Rick had been strung out for months.

He needed more and more money to stay high, and when Doc stopped paying him,

told me to make it.

Are you okay?

Doc started planning to send me to my brother's place in Iowa.

The night he died, we were going to fly out together.

I'm sorry.

I met Paul in front of his office.

We were going to stop by the motel.

where I had a bag ready to go.

I'd seen Rick at the bar about a half hour before.

He was loaded as usual.

I told Janet just to keep him drinking.

Huh?

Going somewhere, Rita?

Hmm? I'll tell you where you're going. You're not going anywhere.

Not now.

Not ever.

You understand me?

Get off of her, Rick.

Hey, look at this.

The dog thinks he's a tough guy. He's got a gun.

Leave the bag, Rita. We'll get more things for you later. Rita, sit down.

I'm not telling her what to do anymore.

Do you think you're dealing with sleep and beauty here, Doc?

She's some cheap whore that's going to screw you one way or another.

That's what she does for a living.

That's all she is. This has nothing to do with who she is.

Go out to the car, Rita.

I'll be right behind you.

God,

Rick, stop!

body in a Mercedes and dumped him in a parking lot.

I should have gone to the police, but he said he would kill me if I ratted on

him, and he would have.

Game's over.

Who do you think you're dealing with, Rita, huh?

Coward. Yeah.

Stay there.

Get up.

Get up.

Please. You'll wait in the car.

All right?

Now, get in the car.

Get in the car.

Hey!

No, no, no, no, no.

You open the car. Incredibly stupid woman, you know that?

You killed my husband.

Paul? Paul was a little confused.

He started thinking he was a tough guy.

But he wasn't.

He didn't deserve to die.

Come on, you're the shrink. Don't you get it?

Paul wanted to die. He was bored. He was bored with this. He was bored with you.

Thought he'd take a little walk on the wild side. Yeah, it was out on the edge.

You know what? It's not sexy. It's not cool. It's not exciting. It sucks.

And I guess he had to learn the hard way.

Huh? Yes, come.

Save that for Paul.

You okay?

I'm fine.

We're about to wrap it up here.

Good.

Look, this has been pretty rough on you, I know.

But it's going to be fine.

Thank you.

For believing me.

I'm going to need statements from both of you.

Now? 10 a .m. downtown.

You better come along with me. Why does she have to go?

To make sure she shows up.

She'll be there.

She'll be there, detective.

Look.

Mrs. Richland.

Sometimes you can go wrong.

Trying too hard to do the right thing.

For what it's worth, I am sorry.

For what it's worth, I believe you.

Yeah. I guess it is.

I don't get it.

Doc had everything.

What was he looking for?

Himself, maybe.

Hmm.

I'm trying as hard as she can not to show it.

I felt the same way when I went for that interview with Paul. I wanted to change

my life so badly.

Go give her a shot.

That's all she needs.

Thanks. I have to go back to work.

Are you okay?

I'm fine.