Original subtitles

(soft music) (cat meowing)

(car engine whirring)

(soft piano music)

(tires screeching)

(tense orchestral music)

(cat screeching)

(orchestral music)

(feet stamping)

(woman screaming)

(woman screaming)

(orchestral music)

- A bulletin that's just in.

Two months ago, Charles Kruschen, millionaire husband

of former model Magdalene Kruschen,

offered a $10,000 reward for information

leading to the capture of his wife's murderer.

Today, through a dramatic turn of events,

Kruschen himself has been charged with the brutal slaying

of his wife Magdalene Kruschen,

who was found bludgeoned to death in her home.

Charles Kruschen, her husband, was charged with the murder,

and later released on a $100,000 bond.

The insurance money, another woman,

and a bad marriage are said to have been the motive.

A dramatic international twist has been added

to this story.

It was revealed in France that at the request

of Metro police, Pauline Corte, a Parisian socialite,

was taken in by Paris police for questioning in the case.

(tense music) (camera shutters clicking)

- All right, fellas, give us a break now, will you?

All right, we'll get to you later.

All right, you'll get a statement later on.

Please, excuse me.

Nothing right now. - Do you think it's fair?

- We'll get to you later.

We'll get it worked out.

Please, please, give us a chance now, will you?

All right, hang on.

Back up, please.

(car whirring)

(dog barking)

- [Judge] ls there anything you'd like to say

before receiving your sentence?

- My father was shot by the Nazis.

Before he died, he said that the war

with the Nazis would be over soon,

that we would finally defeat them.

So, it was important to do something with my life

so that my children had a better chance than I did.

(soft piano music)

He told me to choose my woman well.

Said they were like apples, and although some of them

might look ripe and sweet,

underneath, they could be sour and dry.

And he laughed.

In all that pain, he laughed.

(clock ticking)

19 years ago... No.

It's 2O now.

2O years ago.

(somber music)

(metal clattering)

(crowd yelling) (flames cracklmg)

(guns firing) (flames crackling)

(guns firing)

(tank wh_ir_ring) (guns flrlng)

(explosions booming) (guns firing)

I cut my way through a barbed wire fence

to escape from Hungary.

And I dreamed of coming to Canada.

I dreamed about the freedom Canada would give me.

(insects chirping)

- What's taking him so long?

- It's a wide fence.

- Something's not right, I can sense it.

- He'll do it.

He'll do it.

- Well, I'm worried.

- Jesus Christ!

(guns firipg) (dog barklng)

(dog barking)

(guns firing)

(dog barking)

(guns firing)

(Charles whistling)

That's his call.

(guns firing)

You go first.

(guns firing)

I can take care of myself if I'm last.

Now go.

(dog barking) (guns firlng)

Quick.

(dogs barking)

- Come on.

Come on.

(dogs barking)

Come on.

- I can't believe it.

(dogs barking)

(alarm wailing) (dogs barking)

- Open fire! (guns firing)

- [Zanopek] lsen.

Help me.

(guns firing)

- Out in the open! (guns firing)

(thrilling music) (guns firing)

- [Charles] Cross the river and we'll be safe.

(guns firing) (dramatic music)

- He's dead.

(guns firing) (somber music)

(birds cawing) (dogs barking)

(guests applauding)

Ladies and gentlemen.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?

Thank you, thank you.

I would like to propose a toast,

and I think you all know who to.

A toast to my best friend, Charles.

(guests applauding)

The man I escaped from Hungary with many years ago.

A toast to his newly found success,

and to the occasion of the citation which His Worship,

the mayor, will present him later as Metro Man of the Year.

(guests applauding)

Now, this man, this man saved my life many years ago.

It's something which I think he might regret

from time to time.

(guests laughing)

But we came to this country with maybe $5 in our pockets,

and our firstjob was in a slaughterhouse plucking chickens.

(chickens clucking)

(metal rattling)

So we knew what it was like,

if you'll excuse the expression, to work your ass off.

(metal rattling) (chickens clucking)

(wings fluttering)

To Charles, to Magdalene, and to many years of happiness.

- [Guests] Charles and Magdalene.

(guests muttering) (glasses clinking)

- His Worship, the mayor.

(guests applauding)

- Oh, thank you, Mr. lsen.

Thank you.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

On behalf of this city, I am proud to honor Charles Kruschen

as Metro Man of the Year.

It is his imagination and his foresight and his hard work

that have made Toronto one of the most progressive

and one of the most beautiful cities in North America.

(guests applauding) - Thank you very, very much.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you very, very much.

(soft piano music)

- Yeah.

Yeah.

Lovely.

Uh-huh.

Good, now feel it.

That's good! Good, very good.

Beautiful.

Oh. - Why, hello there.

- That's very good, Charles.

Thank you.

Could you please leave now?

- One shot. - I am trying

to make a living here.

You have absolutely no idea what it costs--

- One shot, one shot, one shot.

- Excuse me, Magdalene Schlitz,

this is my idiot friend Charles Kruschen.

- Very pleased to meet you.

- Very pleased to meet you, too.

Oh, what a gentleman.

- Thank you.

- There have been many tragedies talked

of in this courtroom.

The tragedy of my friend, Gershen lsen,

who shared those same dreams, turning against me.

- I told you she was mine.

You had your pick of every other goddamn model

in this place.

Now, move into your second costumes.

Helen! Get 'em in their second outfits.

- [Helen] Okay, girls, come on, hurry.

- You must feel fantastic, man.

Huh? Does it feel good, does it?

Knowing that you were banging the most beautiful model

that I ever had, does it feel good?

- Don't.

- Well, let me tell you something, Charles.

All she is is a money-grubbing little nothing

from a little village near Hamburg,

who's going to wind up as a fat hausfrau.

That's right.

Not even a good whore.

'Cause you see, Charles-- Charles! All she's got

is that face, those tits,

and an ever open door of a cunt.

But of course, I don't have to tell you about that, do I?

- Look, you.

Look at me, you.

You nothing!

Look at me.

I stopped in here to tell you

we're getting married tomorrow.

We're getting married tomorrow!

- You and Magdalene?

- Yeah.

- Jesus Christ.

(both laughing)

That's wonderful news.

That's wonderful news.

(orchestral music)

(guests applauding)

- Mr. Mayor, thank you very, very much.

Thank you, thank you, thank you,

thank you, thank you.

Thank you for both Magdalene and myself,

and to this country that made it all possible.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

(orchestral _m_usic) (plane whlrrlng)

(wheels squealing)

- [Announcer] Air Canada Flight 747 now arriving

at Gate 19 from Paris and Brussels.

Passengers may be met at the customs area in Terminal Two.

(soft piano music)

- There she is. - There she is.

- Okay, get into it now. (camera shutters clicking)

- Ms. Corte, how long have you known about the murder?

- I have nothing to say.

- How long have you and Charles Kruschen been lovers?

- Nothing, please.

- Where are you staying?

Staying in a hotel?

Ms. Corte, when did you find out about the murder?

Ms. Corte, you're a friend of the accused.

Ms. Corte, did he invite you over here?

Ms. Corte, did he invite you over here?

Ms. Corte, do you have any comments about the murder?

- Hyatt Regency, please. (car revving)

- [Reporter] Right here.

- The defense calls Pauline Corte.

- Call Pauline Corte.

Pauline Corte.

(gallery murmuring)

Take the Bible in your right hand.

Do you swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

- Ido.

(soft pleasant music)

- [Magdalene] Charles, this is a friend of the family

over from Paris for a short visit.

Charles Kruschen, Pauline Corte.

Bonjour.

(orchestral music)

- [Charles] You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

- [Pauline] You've said that five times today.

- [Charles] Sometimes I get lost for words.

Why can't you stay longer?

There's so much we could do, so much we could see.

- [Pauline] I have to get back to university.

- [Charles] Please stay.

I love you.

I love you, I love you, I love you.

You know that?

- [Pauline] You only think you do.

- Ms. Corte, how long have you been having a relationship

with Mr. Kruschen?

- I fell in love with him over the years.

But there was never anything sexual

before I came to Canada the second time.

He was very lonely.

(orchestral music)

(triumphant music)

(hooves clopping)

(geese quacking)

(pleasant violin music)

(horns blowing)

(gulls cawing)

(glasses clinking)

- [Charles] I love you.

(romantic music)

(Pauline moaning)

- Didn't it concern you that he was already married?

- He planned to get a divorce.

And then I would come over and we'd get married.

Everyone tries to make him evil.

He wanted love.

(bass music)

(light clicking)

(clock ticking)

- I think I'll go and have a brandy.

I don't feel tired.

- Hm?

- I said I think I'll go and have a brandy.

- Oh.

(soft piano music)

(insects chirping) (clock ticking)

(heels clacking) (distorted music)

(clock ticking)

(box thudding)

(clock bell ringing)

(construction machines whirring)

- Okay, that's fine, that's fine.

(machines whirring) (hammers banging)

(car revving) (hammers banglng)

(phone ringing)

- Good morning, Kruschen Construction.

You can't go in there.

You can'tjust barge...

I'm sorry.

Mr. Kruschen is a very busy man.

If you'll kindly just wait out...

(guns firing)

- That's okay.

That's okay.

Zanopek.

(guns firing)

My God...

(guns firing) (alarm walllng)

So, what happened, for God's sake?

What happened?

- I wondered when you might ask.

You haven't forgotten the circumstances?

- Of course not.

How could I?

- Guilty people sometimes forget.

Yeah, they forget... like leaving me stranded

on that riverbank when we were so close to freedom.

- We tried to get you, but you didn't move.

So, we thought that-- - You thought!

You thought!

Chivas Regal.

Courvoisier.

Hennessy.

That's pretty good. - Yeah.

- One of the pleasures of living.

- Yeah, the pleasures of living.

Are you enjoying your little game, hm?

Are you enjoying your little game, whatever it is?

I feel guilty. All right?

I feel guilty.

Now, either get it over with or get out.

Say what you've come for, what you want, but--

- You're a busy man, huh?

I'm sorry.

I had forgotten.

(phone ringipg) (tense muslc)

- Right now, you need help.

I have just the right cure for tension.

Why don't we go upstairs, huh?

On the other hand, though... I mean, we did it before.

Remember?

(ice clinking)

Come, baby.

(flame crackling) (romantic music)

- He told me that it's not a crime to love or be loved.

And I believe that.

And I believe I can give him that happiness.

- Sweetheart? - Mm-hmm?

- Sweetheart, I did something awful today.

- What?

- I bought myselfa car, but a very tiny, little, small one.

- What was wrong with the other one?

It only had about 10,000 miles on it.

- Yes, honey, I know, but I just felt it was too big for me.

You're not angry, are you?

Hey, are you angry, sweetheart?

No.

I was afraid that you were going to be mad at me, you know?

Oh, it's not quite as small,

you know, as those little Minis.

- What is it?

- What is it? - Yeah.

- A Porsche 911 Targa.

- A what?

- A Porsche.

- Do you realize how much they cost?

- Well, of course I realize how much they cost, darling.

I bought it.

- $24,000.

(Magdalene clicking tongue)

- Uh-uh, no, you're wrong.

It's not 24, it's $27,000 with all the extras, you know?

- You goddamn little whore.

You little whore.

For the first time in months, you come on strong.

All loving.

A sexy Magdalene in heat.

Panfing.

All ready for me.

Planned.

Consummate actress.

- Thank you very much.

But you fell for it, didn't you?

Just like all men.

Couldn't leave it alone, could you?

Well, all right, I'm going to pay

for the goddamn car myself.

" How?

How are you gonna pay for it?

10 tricks a night?

- You know something, Charles?

I just don't give a shit.

- You little...

(Magdalene shrieking)

(slaps landing)

- He's not a cruel man.

Or vicious.

He didn't want this tragedy.

All he wanted was freedom.

And the best for her, as well.

(water splashing)

- Jesus Christ, it's only money, Charles.

- That's true, it's only money.

- Patch it up.

Oh, this feels good.

At least it proves I was right about you and Magdalene, huh?

- Yes, yes, you were right.

- It's been quite a week,

what with Zanopek showing up.

Magdalene seems quite captivated by him, doesn't she?

- She feels sorry for him.

- [Trainer] Good, good.

(gloves smacking)

- Go around, three, six. - Clean out.

Stick and move.

Stick and move, body only.

- Roll up! Now roll, roll.

Right.

Walk.

(pad thudding)

(boxer panting)

Okay, George, come on.

Roll, roll, roll.

That a boy.

Yeah.

(Zanopek laughing)

- [Trainer] There you go.

Gotta clean the room.

Now, drop down chin on him.

- Do the red one. - Yeah.

(bell dinging) - Wiggle out.

- Hey, George. George, come here.

I want you to meet a friend of mine.

Magdalene, this is George Weiller, a buddy of mine.

Perhaps you remember him, he was a heavyweight boxing champ

for five years.

- Hello.

- Pleased to meet you, ma'am.

- [Zanopek] George, this is Mrs. Magdalene Kruschen.

- I've seen you fight against Muhammad Ali on television,

oh, a long time ago.

- Yeah, that was a good fight, but I lost.

That was before the guys fighting Ali made big money.

- But you never get knocked off your feet, eh, George?

- Excuse me, ma'am, I have to go.

I'm in training.

- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt.

- Not at all.

- [Zanopek] Ciao, George.

- He's a big boy, huh?

Can I give you a lift home?

- If it's not out of your way.

- Not at all.

- My place is not as nice as yours.

- Don't be silly.

That's all right.

Come on, get in.

(engine revving)

(engine revving)

- Now, Mr. lsen, you were once the best friend

of the accused, is that not so?

- Yes.

- In fact, you celebrated life together.

Freedom.

Is that not right?

- Yes.

- Then why did you suddenly turn against your best friend?

- I didn't.

- We know you're protected under the Canada Evidence Act,

but Why?

- I am protected because I discussed ways

of getting rid of Magdalene with Charles.

And the police informed me that I could be held

as guilty as anyone of conspiring.

- You know something?

- What?

- The other night in my study,

- I found myself thinking of ways of killing Magdalene.

- You what? - There!

- How? - Actually planning it.

(dramatic music)

(tires screeching)

(Magdalene thudding) (tires squealing)

- Well, she could fall from a building.

An accident, you know? - Oh, come on, Gershen.

Come on, what are we doing?

- There's the pool.

- What about it?

- Well, you see, you could rig the railing.

She goes to get out of the water,

she touches the railing-- (claps) zap!

(water splashing) (tense music)

(explosion crackling) (Magdalene screaming)

(water sloshing)

- Mr. lsen.

How many times did you have sexual intercourse

with Mrs. Kruschen?

(gallery murmuring)

- Three or four times.

(gallery murmuring)

- When?

- This year.

I don't remember the dates.

- Where?

- In my studio.

(soft music)

- I want to model for you again.

You offered once, and I'm here to take you up on it.

- [Gershen] But you told me that Charles didn't want you--

- I lied.

I lied.

I would like you to take some test shots of me.

You know, it's been a long time since I last--

- All right, all right.

We'll set up an appointment for sometime next week.

- Now, Gershen, now.

- No.

No, I don't think it's wise.

I'm sure that Charles would be a little upset--

- Fuck Charles.

- What?

- Fuck Charles.

(romantic music)

- Shall we begin with the peasant outfit?

- Shall we begin with the peasant outfit?

- You seduced her.

- No.

No, I didn't.

I was taking photographs of her and...

(camera shutter clicking) (romantic music)

All right.

Just try and relax.

- Oh, I'm very relaxed.

(camera shutter clicking)

(camera shutter clicking)

- I think we're finished now, Magdalene.

- I don't think we're finished, Gershen.

Go ahead.

Keep shooting.

(romantic music)

Go on.

- Have you gone crazy?

- Maybe.

Oh, don't worry, I'm quite sane.

(camera shutter clicking)

Do you still think I'm beautiful?

(camera shutter clicking)

- Shit.

- You're out of film?

(Magdalene laughing)

(Magdalene clapping)

(romantic music)

- She seduced you.

And I suppose she was blackmailing you.

(soft music)

- Why the hell did you bring them here?

- Athing of beauty is a thing of beauty.

I thought you'd at least want to see them.

- Well, how very generous of you.

Hey, Why?

I mean, how could you take advantage

of that moment we had between us?

(Gershen laughing)

- Moment between us.

What moment between us?

Come on, don't give me that bullshit.

All right.

And since we're being direct, I'll tell you what I want.

I want money.

So you can call it revenge,

you can call it whatever the hell you want.

- Uh, Gershen, revenge against whom?

- You.

- Oh, come on.

- Now, you listen to me, goddammit.

You think that I have money, huh?

I'm a successful photographer, huh?

I'm in debt up to here trying

to keep up with that son of a bitch.

Yburhusband.

Do you have any idea how much I hate him?

Do you have any idea?

He got everything that I wanted.

He got the money.

And he got you.

(soft music)

- [Announcer] For 6802.

6802, contact 2271.

(soft music)

This is your last call for Air Canada Flight 746 for Paris,

now boarding at Gate 23.

Please have your boarding passes ready.

This is your last call for Air Canada Flight 746 for Paris,

now boarding at Gate 23.

Thank you.

(plane whirring)

(orchestral music)

(thudding)

(gentle piano music)

- "Dear Charles.

It seems like an eternity since we were together.

I've been lonely ever since.

Longing for you.

To touch you.

For you to touch me.

In the middle of a happy party with crowds

of people around me, I feel lonely,

lonely without you in my arms making--

making love to me.

When we meet again, I know that anything before

and from then on would be nothing.

Pauline.

P.S.

I miss you, hugs and kisses."

(letter crinkling)

Oh, my dear God.

Oh, God.

(Diano music)

Bitch.

(car revving)

Hello, there.

Nice to see you again.

- Never mind the preliminaries.

Let's get down to the money.

(car horn honking)

- All right.

How would you like to make $10,000?

Look.

I want my husband beaten.

Beaten until he's dead, do you hear me?

- Dead?

No, no, no, no.

I only break arms and legs.

- Now, you listen to me.

It's worth $10,000 to me to see him dead.

Now, you go and kill him, okay?

I want to see him dead.

Got that?

(tires squealing)

- Look, Zano, she's a crazy woman, man.

If she's serious, I don't want any part of it.

- Dummy.

Shoulda been nice to her.

Stupid insulting her.

She's worth 10 big ones.

Besides, she's got a different plan.

- What's the difference, man?

I don't like her idea.

I don't like her act.

How reliable is this girl?

- I know her good enough.

Screwed her a couple of times.

- That's not good enough.

I don't like her idea.

If she's willing to do that to her husband,

then she'll double-cross us.

She's likely to blow the whistle on us,

man, after we drop off her old man.

- No.

We get the money in advance.

(Diano music)

- Oh.

My mistake.

That was fun.

That was fun.

That was fun.

Are we ready for bed, hm?

Are we ready for bed?

- I don't want to go to bed yet, Daddy.

- You want to go to bed because I love you very much.

- I love you, too, Daddy.

- And we're gonna go to bed on the horsey's back.

How's that? Wanna go to bed on the horsey's back?

- Yeah. - Okay, okay.

Let's go.

The horsey's getting ready.

And you'll get on the horsey's back.

That's it.

On the horsey's back.

- Giddy up, Daddy. - Are we ready?

We're ready. - Giddy up.

- Okay. - Giddy up, Daddy-

- Oh, here we go. - Giddy up, Daddy.

- Oh boy. - Giddy up, Daddy.

Giddy up, Daddy. - Oh, we're getting near-

- Giddy up, Daddy. - Near the stable.

- Giddy up, Daddy. - Oh, the horsey's getting

so tired. - Giddy up, Daddy.

Giddy up, Daddy, giddy up, Daddy, giddy up, Daddy-

- There we go.

(Charles sighing)

Now we go to sleep.

Okay, the horsy's tired.

Angela's tired.

Everybody's tired.

There we are.

There we are.

Oh.

Would you like Daddy to tell you a story?

- Yes, please, Daddy.

_ QkaY-

Once upon a time, a farm boy fell in love

with a beautiful princess.

And she fell in love with him also.

And they lived a life of total happiness.

Until one day, he realized that she was slowly

turning to stone.

And eventually, all he had was a beautiful statue

to look at.

He could no longer love her, or be comforted by her.

And finally, he couldn't stand it any longer,

so he smashed it to pieces. - Charles!

- And no one lived happily ever after.

- That's a sad story, Daddy.

Tell me another one.

- Yes, well, I'll tell you a happy story tomorrow, okay?

Now, be a good girl and go to sleep...

And have some sweet dreams, and Daddy loves you, hm?

Goodnight.

Goodnight, little girl.

- Lovely story, Charles.

(tense orchestral music)

(camera shutter clicking)

- Nice.

Nice.

Good, I like that.

Oh, oh.

- What's the matter?

Did I startle you?

- No, you didn't startle me.

I was just concentrating on their pictures.

I'm sure you can understand why.

I'm just about done anyway.

Okay, girls, take five, huh?

- Remember our talk about my problem?

- Yeah.

So what?

Are things worse now between you and Magdalene?

- I found a real expert.

Of course, it's gonna cost a lot.

Maybe 20,000, even more, I don't know.

- Don't you think that you should give it more thought?

- No.

- [Lawyer] Mrs. Elliot.

You are a cousin of Magdalene Kruschen,

and you were visiting her at the time of her murder.

Can you remember any pertinent conversations

you had with her concerning this case?

- She once told me that if Charles was dead,

she'd be very rich.

(gallery murmuring)

She told me that she'd fallen out of love with him.

Simple as that.

That at one time, she had been very much in love with him.

You see, Charles was always working.

They had different interests.

- What happened that night?

- I suggested we go to the mall.

- Where was Magdalene?

- She decided to stay home.

(jazzy music)

(children yelling) (birds chirping)

(whistle blowing)

(car revving)

- [Radio Announcer] It's been one of the hottest summers

of the last decade.

Today's high, 89 degrees.

Tomorrow will continue to be hot and sunny

with an expected high in the downtown area of 9o degrees.

The suburbs can expect the same hot and muggy temperature.

We interrupt this program

to bring you a special police bulletin.

John MacGregor, who escaped yesterday

from the Queen Street Hospital for the Criminally Insane

for the brutal murders of two Metro girls last year,

today was recognized in the Metro area

by a former witness at his murder case.

MacGregor is slim, balding, and six feet in height.

He is described as extremely dangerous.

Anyone having information as to the whereabouts

of a man fitting that description

is asked to contact Police Chief Parker

at Metro headquarters.

(tires squealing) (tense music)

(girl screaming)

(lgaves rustli_ng) (glrls screamlng)

- Shut up.

(John panting)

(tense music) (heavy breathing)

(birds cawing) (dark music)

(John panting)

- Way down. - No.

I don't want to look down.

No. - Come on.

- No.

No.

(orchestral music)

(soft music) (birds chirping)

(cat meowing)

- This is good.

I do like that.

(cat screeching)

(insects chirping)

(Magdalene screaming)

(soft orchestral music)

(soft piano music)

- It's Magdalene.

' Oh, my God!

Oh, my God.

(car horn honking)

Oh.

Magdalene.

Oh, Magdalene.

Oh, my God.

Oh.

Magdalene.

(Charles sobbing)

Magdalene.

Magdalene!

(Charles screaming)

(Barrington sighing)

- Chief Parker.

- Yes.

- How long have you been a police officer?

- Nine years.

- And before you joined the force?

- I ran a hardware store.

- Ah.

(radio chattering)

- All right.

Get the other side.

All right, fellas, move around.

We gotta get the clothes off.

NOW lift.

Lift her.

That's it.

That's it.

Gently.

I'm almost done.

All right.

Lift her gently, that's it.

Good.

(bag rustling)

All right, I'll pull this out, all right?

You ready?

All right, you guys lift, and I'll slip underneath.

Up she goes.

That's it.

(radio chattering)

(bag rustling)

- Mr. Parker, you're not a doctor, are you?

- No.

- Nor a pathologist.

- No.

- Then why did you remove the fingernails from the deceased?

- Well, to preserve any evidence

that might be attached to them.

- Mm-hmm.

What did you use?

- Pliers.

(gallery murmuring)

- Well, didn't it occur to you

that you might damage evidence,

that that was the job to be done by a pathologist

under ideal, skilled conditions?

- No, sir.

I just did what I thought was necessary.

(radio chattering) (cover rustling)

(car door slamming)

(engine revving)

- Would you consider your surveillance of Kruschen unusual?

- No, sir.

Do you think someone might have had a grudge

or whatever you want to call it against your wife?

- No, no.

- [Parker] You think someone

might have been an affair with her?

- Oh, I don't know.

How do you know that sort of thing

when you're not communicating?

- You yourself said she was making an extra effort.

Thanks.

- But only recently.

- What about you?

hey

What is this?

What is this?

I'm not a suspect, am I?

- I didn't say that.

- Goddammit, why aren't you doing something?

Why aren't you out there looking for the person who did it?

Look, look, look.

I don't have to be treated in this manner.

I'm not some motorcycle punk

you've dragged in off the street.

I'm a wealthy man!

Can I make a phone call to my lawyer?

- Be my guest.

- I don't want to call this minute.

I just wanted to know how you're gonna treat this,

treat me-- as a man who just lost his wife,

or as a suspected murderer.

- Mr. Kruschen, we're investigating the death of your wife

and the circumstances surrounding it.

All I want's the truth, all right?

- Okay, can I go now? - Any time.

- You're a very unorthodox policeman, aren't you?

- I wouldn't say that, sir, no.

- Wiring up people for sound,

tapping telephones without court authorization.

Now, about those tapes.

How many in all did you make?

- 8o.

- But we only heard eight.

What about the other 72?

(gallery murmuring)

- [Parker] Well, they're either erased or destroyed.

- Why?

- They're either worn out

or we needed the tapes for other things.

- And the evidence on them?

- I didn't think it was pertinent to the case.

- Oh.

So you're the prosecutor now, making those decisions.

Or was it that there was evidence

on those tapes that hurt your case against Kruschen?

(gallery murmuring)

- Not in my opinion.

(cars whirring)

- [Charles] Gershen, there's nothing to worry about.

You know that and I know that.

- [Gershen] That's easy for you.

Yeah, you're all right, you weren't there.

They're leaning on me pretty hard.

They're making it rough.

- [Charles] Does he suspect me?

- Yes.

He knows about the million dollar insurance policy

you took out on Magdalene.

- That was almost a year ago.

We took one out on each other.

- He didn't mention anything about that.

- Why is he leaning on you? (Gershen clearing throat)

(funeral organ music)

- You remember that time by the pool?

We discussed several plans.

He said I could be as guilty as you are as an accessory.

- [Charles] Have they arrested you?

- No, they haven't.

What would I be doing here if they'd arrested me?

But they've gone through my apartment, you know, the studio.

Taken bed linen, clothes, papers, you name it.

Now they want me to take a lie detector test.

Now what am I gonna say?

- They can't make you do that without arresting you,

and there's no way they will.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Gershen, we know the truth.

Would I be talking to you like this if I thought--

- [Gershen] Why would they go through my clothes?

- [Charles] Because whoever did it

would have blood all over their clothes.

- Now.

Here are some of the transcripts

of those taped conversations.

Not all of them, but that's not your fault.

So.

Here we have you, the best friend, taking advantage

of his grief, standing over the body of the deceased,

right in the funeral chapel.

Oh, how delicately they investigated this crime.

Taking advantage of his hospitality.

(gallery murmuring)

Now, tell me, Mr. lsen, would you agree with me

that the word "killing" didn't take place

in those conversations

except when you were under orders from the police?

- I don't remember.

(cars whirring)

They're leaning on me pretty hard.

They're making it rough.

- [Charles] Does he suspect me?

- [Gershen] Yes.

He knows about the million dollar insurance policy

you took out on Magdalene.

- [Charles] That was almost a year ago.

We took one out on each other.

- [Gershen] He didn't mention anything about that.

Why is he leaning on me?

- Give me that radio mic, will you?

You're doing good, Gershen.

Pretty bloody good.

But we need more.

We need an outright confession from him.

- No.

No.

I've already done too much.

I was his best friend, you know?

- Look, I'll tell you something.

You are a likely suspect for her murder, you know?

Blackmailing her with those nude photos.

Look, you help me,

and I'll guarantee you'll be in the clear.

Look, help me nail that rich son of a bitch, Gershen.

(fist smacking)

- [Priest] Hail Mary, full of grace, the lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit

of thy womb, Jesus.

(somber music) (guests murmuring)

(birds cawing)

(birds cawing)

- Did you form any opinion

as to whether lsen was the murderer?

- I found him to be innocent.

- Of course, you would never make a deal

with a blackmailer, would you?

(gallery murmuring)

- You're a very meticulous man, Mr. Isen.

So, we dug a little further. All routine, of course.

Out of her bank account into yours.

Now, there were some very,

shall we say, coincidental withdrawals and deposits.

All cash, then they stopped.

- That doesn't prove anything.

- You know, blackmail can put you away for quite awhile.

People have been known to kill

for payments that all of a sudden stopped.

- Well, I didn't! - Did you kill in Hungary?

- That was different.

- Killing's killing.

She was alone long enough for you...

Gershen.

Maybe at some time, Kruschen gave some hint.

Well, he said things weren't going well.

He told you that himself one afternoon.

Maybe he might've said something to his best friend,

however vague.

(phone ringing)

- Well...

Yeah.

There were a couple of times when...

- When what, Gershen?

(dramatic music)

- All right, fellas, give us a break now, will you?

All right. - We'll get to you later.

- All right, take it easy.

- You'll get a statement later on.

Please, excuse me.

Nothing right now. - Do you think it's fair?

- We'll get to you later. We'll get it worked out now.

Please, please, give us a chance now, will you?

All right, hang on.

Back up, please.

(dramatic music)

(wheel screeching)

- [Lawyer] What happened that night?

- I refused.

She said to make it look like a robbery.

And we'd have 1o big ones.

- So what did you say?

- I said, "No, no, sweetheart.

I don't kill people.

I only break arms and legs."

(gallery laughing)

(dramatic music) (camera shutter clicking)

- Tell me about Zanopek.

- Zanopek came to my flat one night about 1o o'clock.

Said he made a big score.

He had a garbage bag full of bloody clothes.

- He had bloody clothes on the night of the murder?

You expect us to believe that?

- So he said.

Apparently, she asked him to do the job on Kruschen.

Zanopek went over there to collect some more bread.

- Tell me something.

You hate Charles, don't you?

Well, I'm starting to hate him myself.

Hey, maybe you can help me.

You see, to me you're different from Charles, even Gershen.

You are more of a rebel.

Someone who lives from day to day.

Right?

- Sure.

- Uh-huh.

(soft piano music)

Can you help me?

(cat meowing)

- She refused to give him any more money.

Didn't want to give him any more down payment.

And threatened to go to the police.

So, he did her in, took the money anyway.

(er_1gine revying) (slrens walllng)

The police wanted to question him about it.

Zanopek resisted, and they chased him through the streets.

(car crashing) (tires squealing)

(sirens wailing) (tires squealing)

(tires squealing)

(engine revving)

(guns firing) (glass shattering)

(car horn honking) (dog barking)

(guns firing)

(guns firi_n_g) (alarm walllng)

(dog barking)

(dramatic music)

(birds cawing)

(cell door slamming)

- Mr. MacGregor.

You have been charged with the murder of two young women

and the attempted murder of a 16-year-old girl.

Now, both these murders took place

in the same area that Magdalene Kruschen was murdered.

Mr. MacGregor, didn't you also kill Mrs. Kruschen?

- No.

I'm innocent of all those charges.

Look at me.

Do I look like the kind of person that would hurt somebody?

(birds cawing) (tense music)

(knife twanging)

(knife twanging)

No.

That's not me.

- The defense rests.

(soft music) (clock ticking)

(birds chirping)

(violin music)

(phone ringing)

- Hello?

- [Caller] Why don't go back to France, you cunt?

You probably made him do it.

Whore! Whore! Whore!

(Pauline sobbing)

- All rise.

(dramatic music)

(Diano music)

The jury is present, My Lord.

Foreman, please stand.

Members of the jury, have you agreed upon your verdict?

How say yQu?

Do you find the prisoner guilty or not guilty?

- Guilty as charged.

(gallery murmuring)

- Mr. Barrington, do you wish to have the jury polled?

- Yes, My Lord.

- Members of the jury, when I call your number,

if you agree with the verdict, please stand.

If you disagree, please remain seated.

Number one.

- [Charles Voiceover] Why would I wanna kill her when,

obviously, divorce is the sensible way out?

- [Court Clerk] Number two.

- [Charles Voiceover] Why would I wanna kill my wife

and destroy the happiness that I found?

- [Court Clerk] Number three.

- [Charles Voiceover] Was I pre-judged

because of my wealth?

- On behalf of the city,

I am proud to honor Charles Kruschen.

- [Court Clerk] Number four.

- [Charles Voiceover] Was my mistake

that I married a beautiful woman?

- Gershen, there's nothing to worry about.

You know that and I know that.

- Number five.

- [Charles Voiceover] The illegal methods

of a chief of police who saw me that night

and just decided I had killed my wife.

- She's dead.

There's nothing you can do.

- [Court Clerk] Number six.

- [Charles Voiceover] I know I talked about murdering her,

but it was just that, talk.

(tires screeching) (Magdalene thudding)

That's all it was, talk.

- [Court Clerk] Number seven.

- [Charles Voiceover] I don't know

how you reach that verdict.

- She refused to give him any more money.

- [Charles Voiceover] Based on the evidence presented.

- Preserve any evidence that might be attached to them.

- [Court Clerk] Number eight.

- [Charles Voiceover] The evidence given by my friend lsen,

whose life I saved once, and he then chose

to betray me to the police.

- [Court Clerk] Number nine.

- Well, I didn't.

(pipe thudding)

- [Charles Voiceover] Zanopek.

(metal banging)

Magdalene.

- Do I look like somebody that would hurt--

- [Charles Voiceover] God, ah, Magdalene.

(metal banging)

Magdalene, Magdalene, Magdalene, my God!

- [Court Clerk] Number 12.

- [Charles Voiceover] Oh, Magdalene, Magdalene.

- Any chick willing to do that

to her husband can't be trusted.

- [Charles Voiceover] Magdalene, God!

Magdalene.

(dramatic music)

- Dear Pauline.

These last two years in prison have been awful.

Yesterday, the highest court, the Supreme Court,

rejected my plea for a retrial.

Now I know I'll spend most of my life in jail.

The barber in here put chemicals in my hair,

and it started to fall out.

Then my head had to be shaved.

The food is so bad that...

The food is so bad that my face has broken out in boils.

I would hate you to see me right now.

I think of Magdalene and Angela, and I dream of you.

(somber piano music)

I know you believe I'm innocent.

(somber piano music)

A remote hope that my name will be cleared

will keep me alive.

(somber piano music)

I love you.

Charles.

P.S.

I miss you.

Hugs and kisses.

(somber piano music)

(prison bars clacking) (somber piano music)

(prison bars clacking)

(footsteps)

(prison bars clacking)

(dark music) (cell door slamming)

(soft music)