Original subtitles

Christina can be pretty tough. She doesn't get what she wants. Obviously

she wanted you. Now I guess she's after you.

Tonight on Murder, She Wrote. A silent alarm. Dennis, you're losing your touch.

He threatened to kill me. Was he serious?

He said I never lived to enjoy my freedom. You get yourself sideways of an

irate husband and I'm supposed to clean up your mess. Is that how it goes? The

man threatened her life and then he made good on her. That's your business.

Oh, again.

You know, all afternoon I've been fighting the War of the Roses with some

Japanese Beatles.

So far, the Beatles have been winning. But all of that is going to come to a

screeching halt, I hope.

I have a new story that I think you'll find interesting.

It involves my dear friend Dennis Danton. You remember Dennis, the one

-time jewel thief who is now working as an investigator for a major San

Francisco casualty company?

His latest adventure began a month ago at an elegant restaurant in the heart of

the city.

A party was being thrown by one of his closest friends, the ex-professional

tennis player, Ryan Donovan.

Well, since I still don't know what prompted this happy occasion, I will

merely wish you a happy occasion.

You're very good health, Ryan.

May you enjoy it long after your backhands deserted you.

Thanks, Dennis. My backhand deserted me years ago.

Why do you think I left the tour?

I thought you'd gotten too old to run around after tennis balls.

You guys know this fellow actually beat me once six years ago back east when I

could still play. He whipped my butt. My finest hour. Next day, I stopped playing

altogether. And for the past six years, I've been able to say in all honesty,

the last time I played tennis, I beat Ryan Donovan.

So what's the scoop, Ryan? What are we celebrating?

My freedom.

After three years, Alice and I decided to call it quits.

Looks like you've got some competition, Dennis.

Pardon? Oh, with the ladies.

You may lose your ranking as number one man about town now that Ryan's on the

loose again.

That, I'm afraid, would be no contest. I concede already.

Excuse me.

I thought I saw a familiar face.

Hello, Dennis.

Christina, you look marvelous. Oh, thank you. Well, a few pounds here, a few

pounds there. I've been working out.

The last time I saw you was, oh, Lord, the reception for the Canadian Prime

Minister. Now, when was that?

Oh, it was over a year ago.

Where's Ben?

He's not here.

Oh, I love that song.

Care to dance?

I'd be delighted.

So, what about you? Here alone?

Not anymore.

It's amazing how you can be so elusive and still stay so attractive.

Perhaps one depends on the other.

Dear sweet Dennis.

Would you like to come up?

Oh, no, no. I must get back. Oh, please, Dennis.

I'd like to talk.

All right.

Ben and I have been separated for several weeks now. We had a terrible

fight, aired it all out.

There's no going back. I'm sorry.

I've always liked Ben. He has a certain charming earthiness.

He's a slob.

There was never any good between us. God knows I tried.

I must have been out of my mind showing up at Ryan's party tonight alone.

I guess I just wanted to prove to myself that I was still desirable as a woman.

There's never been any question about that.

Dear, sweet Dennis.

Always the right response at the right moment.

Once in a while, I even detect a note of sincerity.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that.

It's just that I've spent four years trying to make a relationship work

and...

Well, I guess that's something you haven't had much experience with. On the

contrary. I spent 24 years of my life working very hard to make a wonderful

marriage even better.

Oh, Dennis, I didn't know.

Elizabeth and I were young, too young probably. The early years were difficult

for both of us.

But we learned to adapt after Riley came to depend on her for everything.

I couldn't imagine life without her.

And then the doctor told us she was going to die.

It was long and it was painful.

And when it was over, I thank God for releasing her from her agony.

I am so sorry.

Oh, don't be.

I have wonderful memories.

In that sense, I'm blessed.

But would I do it again with someone else? I don't know.

I'm not sure.

I think...

I'm afraid it will never be the same again.

Oh, I'm sorry, Christine.

You wanted to talk and I've done all the talking.

No, no, don't be silly.

I think I'd better go.

Please don't.

Christina.

I need someone with me tonight.

I'm not asking for any more than that.

Well, good morning, or should I say good afternoon?

Back from lunch so soon, right? It was only 3 o'clock.

I had to go get my dress for my cousin Bernice's wedding.

I'm a bridesmaid. That makes 14 straight performances in a supporting role, but

who's counting?

Mr. Butler was looking for you this morning.

What a surprise. Probably wants my report on the Trebecki case. Among other

things, and his mood was not pleasant.

When is it ever?

Here we are.

Now.

I have to interview an antique dealer in Carmel, and it's a lovely day for a

drive. Is that an invitation?

Sorry, I only have room in my car for two.

Ooh, business with pleasure. Who is it this time?

Rhoda, dear, allow me to maintain a little air of mystery.

Oh, sure, freeze me out. Just wait till the next time you want me to tell some

babe you've been called away to Kuala Lumpur.

That's odd.

Beer, dear.

If Robert comes looking for me, tell him I'm hot on the trail of the Hope

Diamond. I didn't know it was missing. It isn't, but Robert doesn't know that.

I came on at nine.

Mrs. Hillinger was gone when I got here.

Are you sure?

Sure, I'm sure. Some guy sent her a dozen roses, right? So I called her up

to tell her. No answer. I still got them over there on the desk.

What did you check her apartment?

What for?

Out is out.

She said last night that she was going to sleep late this morning.

Oh, you must be Dennis.

I looked at the car, and I like to keep up on things.

Why don't we check her apartment, just to be sure?

Sure of what?

Sometime during the night, she didn't suffer from a cerebral incident or a

coronary occlusion or worse.

You know, Mac... Dennis.

Dennis. You've got a morbid imagination.

Christina?

Just don't touch anything, all right?

I shouldn't be doing this.

Hey, what are you doing?

Pop, are you there? It's Danny.

Look, if you're there, pick up. I know it's early, but I got to go. Hey, buddy,

that's a private conversation.

Oh, look, it's 7.30 on... Wednesday morning, the tax guys were here again

yesterday, said that you had an appointment with them.

I stalled them, but they're not real happy. So get back to me, okay, Pop?

Consolidated casualty, Dennis Stanton's office.

It's me, dear heart.

There you are.

I'm on the way back from Carmel.

Anything happening? Aside from half a dozen messages, not much.

Robert Butler.

Robert Butler.

Robert Butler.

The fourth time he called, he left a message. It's unrepeatable. And two

calls from a Mrs. Hillinger.

Did she leave a number?

Yeah, right here.

Hello? Christine, it's Dennis.

Oh, Dennis, thank God it's you.

What is it?

What's happened?

It's Ben, my husband.

Look, I've got to see you right away.

Of course.

A motel in Tiburon just off the interstate.

Belvedere's. It's the first bungalow. You can't miss it.

Well, I'm about an hour and a half away, but I'll get there as soon as I can.

Look at that face.

No, please.

I think you should see a doctor. No, I'm all right, really.

Who did this?

Ben?

After last night, I went to see him.

He's been staying at our place at San Rafael the past few weeks.

I wanted to have it all with him.

I had no idea what a sick, possessive man he is.

Look, last night may not have meant much to you.

And to me.

Thanks for saying that.

I mean it.

Your husband's not only a bully, he's a fool as well.

I told him I wanted a divorce.

Don't worry, Dennis, I have no designs on you.

But you are the key that has suddenly opened the door to the rest of my life.

When you told him, is that when he struck you?

He threatened to kill me.

Was he serious?

Oh, yes.

He said he couldn't stop me from divorcing him, but he said I'd never

live to enjoy my freedom.

I think we'd better go to the police.

What are they going to do?

Protect me for the rest of my life?

Christina.

Besides, even if they could, you know, they don't get involved in domestic

quarrels. Christina, threatening someone with murder is a crime.

At the very least, the police can do is to put Ben on notice.

Keep him at bay.

I doubt very much if he wants to spend the rest of his life in prison.

Please, you must protect yourself.

All right.

But it won't be just for me.

He may know about us, Dennis, about last night.

He had a lot of friends at that party. Someone may have told him.

He said a couple of things, veiled things, as if he knew something.

Will you follow to that motel?

No, I don't think so. Why?

We've picked up company.

That's Ben's car.

Are you sure?

Of course I'm sure. Speed up. Let's get away from him. And let him know we're on

to him now. There's a police station about ten blocks from here.

I may even lure him to the front door.

Operator, this is an emergency.

Connect me right away with the San Rafael Police Headquarters.

You sure it was your husband's car? Yes.

Did you see the license plate? I did, Lieutenant.

Personalized, BJH 60.

His initials. He bought that car for himself for his 60th birthday.

Ishamini!

Yes, sir? Get an APB on this car.

Late model, dark Mercedes.

Lieutenant, he's been staying the last few weeks at our place in San Rafael.

Ishamini, why don't you call the San Rafael authorities, check him out.

Miss Helen, do you want to go with Officer Ishamini?

Give him a description of your husband, address, that sort of thing? Certainly.

Okay, thank you.

This way, ma'am.

Who the hell do you think I am, a social worker? No, no, Perry, your blood

pressure. No, you get yourself sideways of an irate husband and I'm supposed to

clean up your mess. Is that how it goes? The man threatened her life and then he

made good on her. That's your business.

No. What do you want me to do? Put a round-the-clock guard on her? Even if I

wanted to, which I don't. I don't have the manpower to cover all the

domestic... This was an attempt on our lives. I have the dents in my car to

prove it.

Gee, I hope you've got a good insurance company.

Then you're not going to do anything.

Oh, not exactly.

I'm going to pick this guy up, if I can.

Then I'm going to get his side of the story.

Then I'm going to decide what, if anything, I'm going to do about it.

As always, Perry.

Your understanding leaves me awestruck.

Hey, you're the one who sneaked into the wrong bedroom, buddy boy, not me. Have a

nice evening.

How long will you be with us, Mr. Schneider? A day or so.

I'll just leave the checkout date open.

Will that be a king-sized bed or two doubles?

Makes no difference.

May I see a major credit card?

Why don't you just put this on account?

Luggage? Yeah, I lost it.

It should arrive in the morning.

Of course.

It's room 1233.

The elevators are to your left.

Have a nice evening.

Have the same to you.

Very nice.

I'd still rather have gone to your place. Now, I'm the only one who knows

you're booked here, Mrs. Snyder.

Let's keep it that way until I talk to your husband.

It'll be very dreary for you here, but don't leave this room. If you need

something from one of the shops in the lobby, have a bellman bring it up, order

your meals from room service, and under no circumstances let anyone know where

you are.

You're not staying?

Oh, tempting, but no.

Dennis, I'm sorry I dragged you into this. Drag? Don't be silly. No one threw

a rope around Monday.

Try and sleep.

When will I ever learn?

Play with fire, you wind up with blisters.

Don't be angry with me. It's not quite as sordid as it seems.

Oh, you disagree.

Forgive me, darling, but weren't you the one who told me to get on with my life

and not curl up in some corner like a hermit?

You were lying.

Well, of course you were.

It's all your fault, you know.

If you hadn't gone on ahead so damn soon...

Stanton. Oh, good morning, Lieutenant.

Just so you know, I was up half the night trying to find your pal Hellinger.

Concerned for me, were you?

Not really.

I went home, went to bed, then I woke up in this cold sweat because I had visions

of this headline.

Stanton dead, Catalano being investigated for dereliction of duty.

That's more like it.

We came up in...

The San Rafael police checked out Hellinger's place last night around 3 a

.m. It's locked up tight, no car anywhere.

What about his office in the city?

I said empty, Stanton. Zip. Zero.

Daywatch has been given a description of him and his car. That's the best I can

do for you.

Well, thank you, Perry.

Now, if I run across him, or if he tries to run across me again, I'll let you

know.

Thank you.

Bye.

Oh, where have you been? I've been worried sick.

I checked out San Rafael.

Ben's car's there. He isn't.

Are you all right?

Bored silly.

Have you ever tried watching television at 10 in the morning?

Not if I can help it.

Look, sit tight for a while longer.

I've got a couple more stops to make, then I'm going down to Ben's offices to

poke around.

Oh, Dennis, be careful.

The police may have told his sons, Danny and Joey, about us. I'm not one of their

favorite people, and Danny's got a terrible temper.

I've got to go after myself, dear heart.

I'll call you later.

Rose, get Joey and tell him to get in here now.

Thanks for holding on there, Mr. Brennan.

You know, I think the problem is that the man that you spoke to, my brother

Joe, he used the wrong price schedule in order to give you that quote.

Oh, no, sir, no.

No, it's our fault. We intend to take responsibility for it.

And if you have any further problems, please call and ask for me personally.

And thank you. Bye.

What's up, Danny?

What is the matter with you, Joey?

For four years, Pop and I have been trying to cram this business into that

rockhead of yours, and you still screw up.

What? What?

The Brennan job. We're gonna eat 900 bucks because you got chop suey for

brains. Would you get off my back?

It's not my idea I'm working here. It's the old man's, okay?

Oh, yeah?

Well, what are you gonna do instead? You gonna go to law school? You gonna be a

doctor? You gonna find somebody else who is gonna pay you what you drag out of

this company every week? In your dreams, pal.

Do you know where the old man is?

No.

Rosie said the cops are looking for him.

Yeah, well, the cops are crazy. You know, Poppy probably went off the towel

for a couple of days. Probably got away from her.

Mr. Hellinger.

Mr. Hellinger.

I'm Danny Hellinger. Can I help you?

I'm Dennis Stanton.

I'm looking for your father.

You're the guy that told the cops my father tried to kill you.

Uh, leave us alone here, Joey.

Come on, Danny.

Go on and get out.

Mr. Stanton?

Okay, what's going on?

Precisely what I want to know from you, Mr. Herringer.

Last night your father, or a reasonable facsimile, ran me off the road.

You and my stepmother, you mean?

The lady asked me for help after your father used her as a punching bag.

Is that what you used her for the night before?

You have an ugly sense of humor.

Yes, well, I'm not very polite when it comes to Christina.

Yes, Rose?

Leon Vandermeer is on the line, sir.

Tell him I'll call him right back.

Leon Vandermeer? That's pretty high-powered legal advice.

Not that it's any of your business.

Look, Stan, I don't know where my father is, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell

you. When was the last time you saw him?

That's none of your business. Now, look, I'm busy.

Two days ago.

He failed to show up for a meeting with the tax people.

Now, how long before that was he missing?

He's not missing. I saw him Sunday morning. Now, goodbye, Mr. Stanton.

Listen, take some advice.

Stay away from Christina.

My father, he's an old man. He's in love with her. He doesn't know any better.

But I do.

If you hear from him, call me.

Yes, yes, fine, fine. Yes, right, right.

Well, thanks for using your phone.

No problem.

You sure you don't want to work out? I could do some sweats. Oh, no, no, no.

No,

the lady's bored, silly, and threatening mutely if I don't get back to her right

away.

Anything serious?

No, not really.

Tell me about Ben and Christine Hellinger.

What about them?

Well... I'm caught up in rather a strange situation, Ryan.

Since you invited them to your party, I thought you may be able to fill in some

blanks.

You know, Ben, older guy, sort of a roughneck.

San Francisco didn't exactly warm to him despite his success.

That's the kind of town this is.

It's hard to buy your way in.

And the lady?

Socially ambitious.

She wanted to come in from the cold.

Juice?

No, no, no.

Christina and I had a fling last year.

It was falling apart between Allison and me even then.

Christina started getting serious. I reminded her she had a husband. We had a

blowout. That was that.

Ben's been missing since last Sunday.

He probably needed a change of scenery.

Christina can be pretty tough. She doesn't get what she wants.

Obviously, she wanted you.

And now I guess she's after you.

Ah!

Good evening, officer.

May I see your license, please, sir?

What's wrong? Did I miss a stop sign?

Could you step out of the car, please, sir?

Well, I'm quite sure I wasn't speeding.

Face the car, hands spread in front of you.

Oh, now, really?

Right hand behind your back, please.

Well, not even a breatharizer test. Now the left.

May I ask what this is all about?

Sure.

That 6 p.m. and all points bulletin went out on you and your car, Mr. Stanton.

You won it for questioning the murder of a man named Benjamin Hellinger.

Ah,

I'm delighted I finally found a way to amuse you, Lieutenant.

I'm a sucker for the Three Stooges, too.

Might I sit down? When I tell you to.

Wait outside.

Well, you finally blew it, Stanton. I knew you would. You mean, once a thief,

always a killer. Doesn't quite follow. No, what follows is you've got a natural

bar in contempt for the law. Now, this time, the stakes are a little bigger.

Sit down! Oh, thank you very much.

We finally got you this time, buddy boy.

Now, I'm only sorry we've got to turn you over to the San Rafael cops, who, by

the way, are on their way here to pick you up. Well, before they get here, why

not fill me in? Just what exactly am I being charged with?

Oh, you want to know what we got?

I'll tell you what we got.

Around 4 o'clock, the San Rafael cops get a tip that you've been lurking

around the Hellinger place.

Now, they find Hellinger's Mercedes in the garage. It wasn't too tough to

figure out that you found him.

I didn't. But go on.

Well, when they went inside, they found him in a steam shower with an ice pick

through his heart. Now, they call a forensic guy to dust for prints. He

finds a lot of fresh ones all over the car, inside the house, and they're not

the victims.

Oh, never mind.

I rest my case.

Well, for what it's worth, I didn't kill him, and there was no body in that

shower. when I was there at 10 o'clock this morning.

For what it's worth, I don't believe you.

Oh, think, Lieutenant.

Do you really think that I'm stupid enough to commit such a clumsy and

obvious murder?

Yes. Or brave enough to kill a man face to face with an ice pick?

Well, now, that part doesn't fit, but I can live with it.

This, um, tip, where did it come from?

Over the phone. They didn't leave a name.

What?

We'll be right out.

Oh, by the way, the San Rafael jail, you're just gonna love the cuisine.

It's okay, Charlie. He's not going anywhere.

Walk around the front and get behind me if you think we're you.

Now.

Get some help!

Excuse me. I wonder if you could help me.

My wife seems to have fallen asleep, and I've forgotten my key card.

I got nobody in there, sir. That's a checkout.

Mrs. Schneider checked out just after 6 o'clock.

We refunded $102.12 from the cash she'd given us on account.

Strange she didn't mention me when she called.

Oh, by the way, I can't remember whether she called collect or charge it to the

room. It was...

Around 4 o'clock, Sandra fell.

Oh, yes, yes, yes. Here it is.

555-4851.

The call was made at 4.15, and she did charge it to the room.

I'll have a take a look.

Excuse me, Mr.

Schneider. Do you have some sort of identification?

Of course.

Well, never mind. I'll check it with my wife when I get home.

Thank you, Sandra.

Let me get this straight, Mrs.

Ellinger. Last night after you and Stanton left my office, you went to a

hotel? Yes, the Albion. But he didn't stay.

He was concerned about my safety.

And his own, of course. He was very angry.

He told me to stay in the room until he found my husband and had it out with

him.

But I never thought he'd kill him. You've got to believe me.

You stayed in this hotel, what, all night, all the next day?

Yes.

I had breakfast sent up around 8 and lunch shortly past 1.

The maid came in sometime in the morning to make up the room.

I don't remember exactly when.

Oh, and around 3 o'clock, I had some magazines set up at the newsstand.

Dennis told me not to leave the room for any reason.

We'll check it out.

Why did you leave? Did Stanton call you?

No, I saw the report of my husband's death in the news. I was frightened.

I just wanted to get home.

That's when I called you.

I'm posting a man here in the apartment just in case Stanton comes here looking

for you.

Thank you.

You got nothing to worry about, Mrs. Hellinger.

We're gonna get him.

Silent alarm. Dennis, you're losing your touch.

Is he?

Sir, I don't know. Oh, don't be ridiculous. You always know.

Have you read this yet? Three times they mentioned consolidated casualty. Oh, and

this is nice.

Dennis Stanton, convicted two years ago for grand theft, received a suspended

sentence and five years probation.

Well, that's just going to do wonders for our reputation.

Sir, honestly, I have no idea where he is, but... Now, listen, Miss Markowitz.

The minute he calls, I want to know about it. You understand?

Yes, sir.

And I'm not going to take any heat for this guy.

I mean, the next thing you know, you'll be seeing my name in the paper.

Consolidated Casualty, Mr. Stanton's office.

Like hiring him was my idea, which it wasn't.

Oh, hi, Mom.

Do I take that to mean that you can't talk now?

You got that right. The guy's a real schlemiel.

Oh, I see Robert's there with you.

Of course he is.

Wait, Mom, why are you crying?

Who's got shingles?

Oh.

Miss Markowitz, remember what I said the minute he called.

Yes, sir.

Where are you? No, don't tell me. I don't want to know.

For the record, dear heart, I did not kill that man.

You think I don't know that? So who did?

I'm working on it. Though I have a pretty fair idea that Widow Herringer,

with a little help from a friend... A few weeks ago, Ben Herringer changed his

will, leaving his half of the community property to his son Denny.

How did you find that out?

You don't need to know that either.

Now listen carefully.

The night before last, Christine Hellinger stayed at the Albion Hotel

registered with the name of Schneider, room 1233.

She made one phone call to the San Rafael police.

That was the anonymous tip that led them to me. But before that, she had to have

made at least one other call. Now, I need you to find out that number.

How am I supposed to do that?

Well, that friend of yours, the computer hacker.

Sheldon? You want me to call Sheldon? It took me three months to get that guy off

my back.

You know, Rhoda...

If this miscarriage of justice succeeds, more than likely you'll find yourself

back in the secretarial pool.

I'll get right on it. Good girl. I'll be in touch.

Catalano.

Where are you?

In material.

Now listen to me carefully, Lieutenant.

I'm going to help you win a depart mental commendation for solving the

Hellinger murder.

No, we got it solved.

You get your butt in here before you get a shot off. There are three things you

have to do. First, have forensics check over the entire house for traces of

blood. He wasn't killed in that steam room. We know that. It was the living

room. Why you stuck him in the shower, I haven't figured out yet.

Two, ask those San Rafael patrolmen if the freezer chest in the garage was

padlocked when they found the body.

Freezer chest?

And third, find out from the pathologist if any of Hellinger's internal organs

showed evidence of frozen tissue.

Look, quit trying to cloud the issue and just get in here and give yourself up.

I'll be in touch.

Wait a minute.

Stand.

Yes, sir.

Give me the medical examiner.

You always drive that skillfully.

Only when I'm aiding and abetting a felon.

You okay?

Oh, never better.

Did you get it?

I want you to know that this is costing me dinner with Sheldon and his parents

Saturday night.

Remind me to put you in for a raise.

Put me in for a raise.

5558290. Now, unless I'm mistaken, this is either the Hellinger office or Danny

Hellinger's home number.

You're mistaken.

I already checked it out. The number is listed to Joseph Hellinger.

Brother Joey?

But of course it is!

Left of the light, Rhoda. Then three blocks and pull over.

Wait a minute, that's a police station.

Yes, I've decided to give myself up.

Come in.

Here he is, Lieutenant.

So, you finally got smart. Good thinking. Now, before you settle the

lecture, Lieutenant, I think I figured this out. That makes two of us. Would

you mind closing the door on your way out?

Yes, sir.

The pathologists report internal organs do show signs of having been frozen.

In the garage freezer chest, no doubt.

Yeah, the San Rafael cops said there was no padlock on the chest when they

investigated. It was empty.

Well, it was locked when I was there earlier in the morning. So someone, not

Mrs. Hellinger, came back after I left, removed the body from the freezer, stuck

it in the steam shower to thaw out in an attempt to mask the real time of death.

Which could have been as long ago as Sunday or Monday.

And I was out of town until Tuesday morning.

Well, for the record, Stanton, I no longer consider you a suspect.

Oh.

Just a gullible patsy. A misdemeanor at worst.

So, uh, who did kill the guy?

Christina Hellinger. Huh?

But she needed help to create the illusion that he was still alive while I

was being set up. Help from who?

From her stepson, Joey, a wastrel with a love of money.

Now, his father had cut him out of his will and left everything to his elder

son, Danny.

I'm sure... that Joey agreed to help the widow out for a hefty slice of her

inheritance. Yeah, but can we take that to court?

I doubt it. On the other hand, if you set two untrustworthy people on a

collision course, anything can happen.

Now, may I suggest a plan of action? No. All right, let's hear it.

Firstly, alert the media that I've been recaptured. Secondly, make sure that

Christina Hellinger knows about it.

Ryan, Christina Hellinger.

Well, I'm fine now, but it's been a terrible ordeal.

I guess you heard they caught Dennis Stanton trying to leave town.

I can't imagine why he did it.

I suppose if you've lived most of your life outside the law, murder comes easy.

Ryan, I know this probably seems inappropriate this soon, but I'd like to

see you. I mean, now that you and Allison are no longer together.

Well, I just thought you might be feeling a little lonely, and God knows I

could use someone to talk to right now.

Of course.

Well, perhaps when you get back.

You will call me.

Yes, I understand.

Sorry I bothered you.

Too bad, Christine.

More rejection.

Dennis, but they arrested you again.

Oh, arrest is one thing. Keeping me behind bars is quite another matter.

Since your doorman knows me by sight, I dropped in through your bedroom window.

Oh, not the curtains.

When we meant so much to each other.

What do you want?

Well, you, of course.

I realize I'm not quite the social lion that Ryan Donovan is, nor nearly as

wealthy, but I do have my attributes.

You must be crazy.

I do know that you killed Ben.

In a fit of anger, I'm sure, no one would commit such a sloppy, premeditated

murder.

You are crazy.

All right, if I can't have you.

Let's settle for cash.

A small share of your inheritance. I must warn you, Christina, you...

You know, your plan won't work.

The pathologists aren't stupid. They'll know that Ben was killed several days

ago and his body frozen.

And then, of course, you always run the risk that... Joey will talk.

By the way, did he inflict those bruises on your face, or will they do it

yourself? I don't know what you're talking about.

On the other hand, we do have a reasonable alternative.

Suppose, for the sake of argument, that you and I were together at my place on

Sunday all day and all evening.

I could swear to it.

I'm listening.

As for Joey, well, he was furious with his father. He drove to San Rafael to

confront him.

They got into a terrible row over the new will, and he stabbed him with the

ice pick.

In a panic, he stuffed the body into the freezer while he figured out what to do

next.

When he saw you and I together at Ryan Donovan's party, it came to him.

He drove his father's car to make it appear that Ben was still alive, and

then framed me for murder.

You, of course, were completely blameless in the whole affair.

Joey will claim otherwise.

Who will believe him?

He's never liked you anyway.

Striking out at you would be only natural.

Any sort of personal involvement between you and me, that wouldn't be part of it.

No offense.

But all things considered, I'd rather have the money.

All right.

How much?

Say a million.

And what's to stop you from coming back a year from now for, oh, say, another

million? The threat of jam.

Having purged myself, I could hardly go to the police without implicating myself

as an accessory after the fact.

Your move, Joey.

What kind of deal can I make?

Oh, listen to this one.

Marvelous. The case was broken open through the efforts of Dennis Stanton,

an investigator for consolidated casualty, at one time considered a prime

suspect in the murder.

Crazy lady.

She thought she had a chance with Ryan Donovan. And everything that went with

him. Now, she is what I call a social climber.

Terrific job.

Really terrific job.

Thank you, Robert. How nice of you to say so, considering I didn't save the

company one thin dime.

Money. What's that?

I'm talking about press.

I'm talking about the kind of publicity that money can't buy.

No chance of me converting that enthusiasm to a few days off.

Days off.

Not a chance. As a matter of fact, I have a couple of new cases for you.

If things keep going the way they're going, I might get that transfer to the

New York office.

Ciao.

New York.

New York.

This one's yours.

I'll take this one. Right.

Thank you.