All language subtitles for 1 - Prescription Murder-eng

[Woman] Composer?
[Man] I am not, uh,
Irving Berlin

More classical than that
No I am not Berlioz

[Woman]
Another one
I am not Brahms

Are you a famous
New York conductor?
No I am not Leonard Bernstein

- Are you a famous murderer?
- Good try
I am not Lizzie Borden

I hope you stump him, darling,
because I am running out of B's

All right Are you a well-known,
18th-century English jurist?

A typical lawyer's question, Burt
No I am not Sir William Blackstone
Cynthia?

I pass You know, every time
we play Botticelli with you,
I feel like a dropout

Do I see the flutter of white flags?

- Go ahead Tell us who it is
- No, no, no Please
Let's keep guessing

[Burt]
We'll be here all night
Come on, Ray

It's very simple...
josef Breuer
Who?

Breuer He and Freud
coauthored Studies on Hysteria

That's unfair, Dr Flemming
You're a psychiatrist You should have
picked someone everyone knew

Well, like who, honey? Last time
we played the game you were stumped
by 'Alexander Graham Bell "

Has my husband flnished
dazzling you with his intelligence?

Because I have
a little surprise for everyone

Everyone ready?

[Mouths Word]

[Guests Gasp]
Henri at the Denise found out
about our anniversary He insisted

I insist we get at this
while it's cold
Oh, how marvelous

I think a toast is in order...

to our host and hostess
on the 1 Oth anniversary
of their horrible mistake

Oh!
You'd better rephrase that,
counselor

Pleasure, Your Honor...
to the two flnest people I ever knew

Here's to 1 O more years
of happiness
[Guests Afflrming, Applauding]

[Telephone Rings]
Excuse me

Bubbly, anybody?
[Ringing Continues]

Hello

Now?

Can't it wait?

We're having a party here

All right
I'll be there as soon as I can

Believe me
Anything Henri chooses is superb
He's got the best wine cellar in town

Excuse me
Excuse me, dear
Surely

What is it, darling?
It's a patient
I'm afraid I have to leave

This is our anniversary
But it's an emergency
He's having an anxiety attack

You're not a family doctor
You don't have to go chasing off
every time somebody runs out of tranquilizers

Darling, we've been
through this before
I won't allow you to leave We have guests

And they shouldn't see us
arguing, should they?

Now, make my excuses
I'll try to get back before they leave

[Door Opens, Closes]

[Gasping, Laughing]

Do you love me?

[Sighs]
How much?
This much

Well, actually,
I should be strangling you
Why?

You know I was giving a party
I had to see you

When I'm alone... I don't know, l...
I get confused

Second thoughts?
A few

[Sighs]
It's a natural reaction
under the circumstances

I keep wishin'
there was some other way

There isn't
But if you talked to her...
if I talked to her...

joan, don't be naive
We have one alternative
We decided that a long time ago

It's funny
I can't even picture what she looks like
Are we really so different?

- Completely
- All right I'm younger
than she is I'm prettier

But, uh, she's probably
more intelligent than I am

Mm-hmm

lt... It's a kind
of destructive intelligence

Why me?
What have I got to offer?

A typical actress... too many bit parts
and too much ambition

I like ambition

For all the good it's done me
It brought you to me,
didn't it?

[Chuckling]
With my nails gnawed off
and every neurosis in the book

I was in great shape,
wasn't I?
It's not a bad shape at all

Ray
Yeah

Ray, you do love me,
don't you?
Very much

I won't disappoint you
tomorrow
I never thought you would

[Sighs]

[Door Closes]

I didn't think you'd be up

Don't bother to undress
You're sleeping in the guest room
I've turned down the bed

- Carol...
- I think you should know
I'm calling my lawyers in the morning

It's been a long day
Do we have to start on that again?

You'll have to indulge me
just this one last time, deary

It's lucky for you I'm too well bred
to throw a tantrum

All right Fire away

Six months ago I gave you a choice
between me and your...

[Groans]
how shall I put it...

extracurricular activity

- I made that choice
- I wanted a husband in fact,

not just in appearance

If you refused,
I'd divorce you
There was a catch to that, as I recall

Well, naturally, you don't think
I'm going to make it easy for you?

I'd create as much scandal as I possibly could
and ruin your practice entirely

Aside from taking every penny that I've got

Those were my terms

You accepted them until tonight

Carol, none of this is necessary
I told you, I was with a patient

Till 1:OO in the morning?
What are you doing,
giving discount rates?

On my way home I dropped by to see Dr Cobb
He was the referral psychoanalyst,
and we discussed the case

Do you really expect me
to believe that?
Well, call him

What's that going to prove?
He's a friend of yours
Well, his wife is a friend of yours Talk to her

[Sighs]

[Footsteps Departing]

[Removes Handset, Dialing]

Hang up Hang up

I haven't seen Cobb
for two weeks
[Slams Handset]

Then you've been lying to me

Oh, but not the way you think

[Sighs]

Well, I guess the game's up

I stopped by the hospital
to see Dr Rosales

We talked about the trip
you and I were going to take to Acapulco

- Acapulco?
- Yeah We leave tomorrow night

Well, I thought we could use
a couple of days in the sun,
just you and me

Happy anniversary, darling

Oh, Ray, darling
[Sniffles]
Hmm

That's why I stopped in to see Rosales
He's from Mexico, and I thought maybe

he could flll me in on what to do
when we got there

Why didn't you tell me?
Well, I was saving it for breakfast
I wanted it to be a surprise

[Laughing]
And I almost ruined it
[Kisses]

Oh, darling
Say, you're going to have
a big day tomorrow

Why don't you get some sleep?

I think I'll read for a while

Ray?

You can go in now,
Miss Hudson
Thank you

Oh, darling, you're tense
A little

Did you get any sleep last night?
No Well, maybe an hour or two

Take one of these
when you get home
What are they?

Sleeping pills I want you
to get some rest this afternoon
Can't I'm working

This is an odd time to be
pursuing your career, isn't it?
How many chances do I get?

It's a good part
Let's concentrate on the part
you're playing tonight

You think it'll flt?
Might be a little big

Noticeably?
No I don't think so

Shall I take it home with me?
No I don't want you wearing it
until it's necessary

Now, this photograph
is the best one I have of her

In the others, she's standing
off in the distance
or wearing sunglasses

Notice the makeup
She uses a heavy eyebrow pencil

What about the wig?

I'll get it from the studio
makeup department today
They'll never know it's missing

Good You take that
along with you as reference,
but be sure you bring it back tonight

Now, what about the timing?

I'll be at your apartment
at 9:OO
But no sooner

And how do you get there?
Car?

You're testing me

Do you mind?
No I suppose we both
have to be sure about things

I won't drive I'll come by bus
I'll get off a few blocks away and walk

Right Use the back entrance to the garage,
then take the service elevator

- Apartment number?
- You're in the penthouse
I ring the bell twice

Anything else?
joan?

The sunglasses
Good girl
And a large purse for the dress

Are you sure of everything?
Shall I do it over again?
No I don't want to talk about it anymore

Ah, but it'll be flne
I promise you

just pretend you're working on a role,
right down to the props

[Quietly]
I'll see you tonight

10.00
Thank you very much

The plane's leaving
on schedule
Then you'd better hurry

Oh, darling, let's not rush
Here, let me help you with that

You're a brilliant man,
but you're not very mechanical
That's what wives are for

That and other things

Burt Gordon called today
Anything important?

NoJust to wish us a pleasant trip

He could use a vacation himself
You know he's prosecuting
two new cases next month?

Well, that's what he gets
for having political ambitions
[Chuckles]

Do you remember him
when he was in law school?
Vaguely

I never saw anybody work so hard,
including you

But I didn't have to
My wife had a rich father

And you married me for my money
Not yours, darling
Your father's

I like to think you loved me a little
Didn't you?

Of course I did
Yes

Is the maid
coming tomorrow?
Well, as far as I know

Well, why don't you
give her a call and check?
Sometimes she forgets

[Chuckles]
All right

Oh, say, did you see my blue dress?
My blue wool?
What?

My blue wool dress...
I was gonna take it on the trip,
but I can't flnd it anywhere

Maybe you sent it to the cleaners
Oh, no It should be in the closet
Where's that address book? Ah!

[Scatting]

[Humming]

[Humming Continues]
[Dialing Phone]

Charlotte? This is Mrs Flemming
I just wanted to be sure
you'd be in tomorrow

Good Oh, and don't forget
to water the plants, huh?

You've got your key, huh? Good

[Chuckling]
Oh, yes We will Thank you very much Bye

[Humming]

She's coming in at 1 O: OO!

Good!

[Glass Rattling]
[Liquid Pouring]

- Drink, darling?
- No Set it down, would you?

Such a beautiful night, isn't it?
I hadn't noticed

Perfect weather for flying
You can see for miles

Do you know what I was thinking?

What?
When we get back,
we must redecorate

The place looks cold
It should have warmer colors

[Chuckling]
Maybe we should buy
some paintings of soup cans

If you think so
You'd like that, wouldn't you?

Oh, we're gonna have
such a wonderful time
the next few days

Does your secretary know
where you're going?
Only that we're in Mexico

No speciflcs
Good Complete privacy

We're going to have a nice,
quiet weekend

You'd better close the doors,
then change
Oh?

Our second honeymoon
may be better than our flrst

[Phone Rings]

[Ringing Continues]

[Discord]
[Body Hitting Floor]

[Rings]

Hello

Oh, hello, Burt How are you?

Oh, yeah Carol told me you called

Oh, flne, flne We're just leaving

Oh, no She's, uh...
She's dressing

Yes I'll tell her

I'd better be going now, Burt
Give our love to Cynthia, will you?

Right

[Doorbell Chimes]

[Chimes]

joan?
Did anyone see you come up?

There's a drink on the bar
Take it
No I'd...

Take it And I want you
to wear these gloves

Don't Please l...
I don't need a drink I'll be all right

Be careful not to touch anything

Did you bring the photograph?

The wig?
And some shoes to go with the dress

Very good

Put this on
Come on Get ready

It looks flne
Hm It won't fool anybody

- Oh, don't be negative
- Suppose we meet someone
who knows your wife?

- I don't even look like her
- People see what they expect to see
It's the principle of association

You're dressed like Carol
You're traveling with me
That means you are my wife

- Are we ready?
- Not yet Make your call to the cleaners

What are you waiting for?
Well, won't they be closed
this time of night?

They're open till midnight

[Removes Handset, Dialing]

Rodeo Cleaners? This is...

This is Mrs Flemming,
Cumberland Apartments on Wilshire

I have a bundle of laundry
and some things to clean

[Quietly]
lt'll be outside the door
I'm leaving it outside the door

Will you have someone pick it up
flrst thing in the morning?

Thank you

Fine The sunglasses

Where are they?
I know I had them

[Sighs]
Good Now, put these on

Why?
She always wore them
with that dress

When you get back from the airport,
add the dress and the gloves to that bundle

- What about the wig?
- I'll return it Monday
No one will know I have it

Fine
Are you ready?

[Shuddering Breath]
I think so

Let's get started

Light

Dr and Mrs Ray Flemming,
ticketed on 12A

Thank you Afraid you're
13 pounds overweight, Doctor
[Airplane Passing, Distant]

Put it on my credit card,
would you?
[Phone Rings, Distant]

[Stamps lmprinter]
Mrs Flemming?

Carol
Mrs Flemming?

Yes
Will you be carrying
any hand luggage aboard?

No
Will you sign here, please, Doctor?

Thank you very much

That'll be at Gate 35,
boarding in about
three minutes

Have a pleasant trip, sir
Thank you

[Woman On PA]
Flight number 12A for Acapulco

is in the flnal boarding process
at Gate number 35

Passengers having reservations
for this flight should be on board

May I have
your names, please?
Dr and Mrs Flemming

All right
Um, Aisle 3, Seats A and B
Thank you

Remember Don't call
or try to get in touch with me
I'll reach you

When will I see you?
Oh, not for a while
At least a week

Ray, I'm worried
Well, don't be
just try to get some rest

And don't read the papers
They'll upset you

- Shall we get started?
- What should I say?

You're an actress, darling lmprovise

- [Loudly] If you feel that way,
why'd you agree to come along?
- That's a good question I really don't know

You never wanted
to take this trip in the flrst place

Can you blame me?
What am I supposed to do...
sit in our room while you go flshing?

Maybe you'd rather not go at all
Maybe I wouldn't

Well, flne
Spend the weekend with your friends
and run up a nice bar bill

Leave my friends out of this
Will you lower your voice?
People are listening

I don't care who's listening
I wasn't the one that started this

- You're making a scene
- [Scoffs]
This is impossible

What do you think you're doing?
Isn't it obvious?
I'm leaving

Carol, don't be a fool
Have they shut the door yet?

No, ma'am,
but we're just about to
Enjoy yourself

I'm sure you'll have
a better time without me
Carol!

Is there anything
I can do, sir?
No Let her go

[Jet Engine Powering Up]

[Engine Continues Louder]

[Engine Recedes]

[Chopping]

Miguel, why don't you
flx us some lunch?
I'm starving

[Splashes]

[Splashes]

Dr Flemming?

- Who are you?
- Lieutenant Columbo, Police

I don't understand

What's happened here?
Where's my wife?

Maybe you better sit down
I've got some bad news for you

- Has something happened to Carol?
- You sure you don't wanna sit down?

Has she been in an accident?
Not exactly

Well, what is it?
Tell me
Well, um,

somebody broke in here
and tried to kill her

- "Tried" to kill her?
- That's right, Doctor
She's lucky she's still alive

She's still alive?
Where is she now?

She's at the hospital

You're sure you don't want a drink...
water, brandy or something?
Oh, no, no

I want to know how she is
Is she conscious?

Has she been able to...
to say anything?

Well, I'm afraid not
She's been in a coma
What's her condition right now?

Oh, come on
I must know the truth

It's not very good, Doctor
We only hope that she comes to
long enough to be able to talk to us

Well, I've got to see her
Doctor, uh, don't you think
you oughta rest awhile?

After all, it's been quite a shock

Well, you can understand
My wife's in the hospital
She may be dying

I want to see her
All right Uh,
I've got a car downstairs

[Phone Rings]

No I don't want
to talk to anyone now

Might be the hospital, Doc
They know I'm here
[Ringing Continues]

Hello This is Dr Flemming

Darling, I just had to talk to you
The newspapers...

No I-I can't keep any appointments today
Why don't you come in Friday at 2:OO?

- My secretary will verify it
- Ray, is there someone with you?

They expect me to be on call at all hours

Same with me, Doc

Nurse, I'm Dr Flemming
My wife is a patient here
I'd like to see her

I'm afraid she's on the critical list
She's not permitted
to have any visitors

But, miss, I am a doctor
I'm sorry,
but my orders are...

Is Dr Lansberry
still chief of staff here?
Yes

Will you tell him that Dr Ray Flemming
is here and would like to see him

He may be in surgery, Doctor
But you wouldn't know that
unless you checked Would you mind?

Dr Lansberry, please
Reception

There's a Dr Flemming here
He insists on seeing his wife
Yes Thank you

He's being paged, Doctor
Thank you

Hospital red tape
Yeah I know
what you mean, Doctor

Well, let's get on with it
[Woman On PA]
Dr Lansberry...

Get on with what?
Your red tape

This, um... This thief,
did he leave any traces?

Oh, no No, not a thing But of course, uh,
we might be able to run him down
when he tries to sell the stuff he stole

We can't be sure, but, uh, we think maybe
he stole some of your wife's jewelry
and some other things

Listen, Doc, when you get a chance,
would you make out a list of what was stolen?
Of course

Yeah And then we can, uh...
We check with the fences
and the pawnshops And who knows?

Something might turn up

Oh A few questions
for my report, Doc
Now, uh...

[Woman On PA] Dr Miller...
you were in Mexico
when this thing took place, and, uh,

the dates there were, um...

Gee, you don't have a pencil,
do you?

[Chuckles]
Thanks

You know, my wife,
she gives me one every morning,
and I just can't seem to hold on to it

Uh... Oh, yes Now, we know
that you were in Mexico, but, uh,

the local police down there,
they couldn't seem to locate you

Oh, yes I-I was in a little village
about 2O miles from Acapulco

It was very quiet and relaxing
and hardly any telephones
Uh-huh Yeah

[Woman On PA]
Dr Lansberry, call reception desk, please
Yeah

I, um... I suppose you... you know about
what happened on the plane

Yeah Yeah

We talked with the...
with the airline people And they told us
that you and your wife checked in

Well, boy, that really threw us But then,
of course, we contacted the stewardess
and she explained what happened

Yes It was my fault

We had an argument on the plane
It was something ridiculous

I-I never thought
that she'd actually leave

Yeah She probably went home
and went right to bed
I guess the attack was close to midnight

I mean, we know that
she was at the airport at 1 O: OO
[Woman On PA] Dr Woods,

call your offlce
Lieutenant, if there's any further way
that I can be of assistance to you...

Oh, no No
No You just make out that list
That would be flne, Doc

Thank you
Oh, oh, one more thing,
before I forget

I had to borrow a photograph the other day
I hope you don't mind
A photograph?

A picture of you and your wife
We had to have something
to show the stewardess

For identiflcation
I see

She was still out of town,
but we contacted her by phone, and, uh,
we sent the picture down by wirephoto

And?

She identifled your wife

The picture wasn't too clear,
but she recognized her
[Burt] Ray

I was hoping to flnd you here
Are you all right?
I'm holding up, I suppose

I just don't know what to say It's terrible
Why, we just saw her at your party
I know

Now, what happened on Friday?
When I called, the two of you
were getting ready to leave

We had an argument on the plane
Suddenly, Carol decided she wasn't going,
and she walked off

I shouldn't have let her
Well, you can't blame yourself
How could you possibly have known?

[Quietly]
Thanks

Have you heard anything yet?
[Nurse]
Not yet, Doctor

Lt Columbo

My name's Gordon
I'm with the district attorney's offlce
Yes, sir I know

I appreciate it...
anything you can do for Dr Flemming
He's a good friend of mine

I'll try

Ray, we're going to flnd the man
that is responsible for this

as soon as Carol gets better and can give us
a full description Oh, and by the way,
[Phone Rings]

Cynthia wants you to spend
the next few days with us

Let me think about it,
will you?
I understand

[Nurse]
Dr Flemming?
Dr Lansberry on the phone

Hello, Doctor There's something
I want you to do for me

Uh,
[Clears Throat]
any, uh... any progress so far?

[Woman On PA]
Dr Miller, call the switchboard, please
Well, it's, uh, still a little early,

but, uh, you know, sooner or later
something usually breaks

Mm-hmm
Well, let's make that "sooner,"
right, Lieutenant?

Try my best
Yeah I'm sure you will

I don't think I have to remind you
that this could be
quite the little feather in your cap

Wrap it up,
and everybody's happy

Lieutenant?

Um, yeah, I'm sorry I was, uh...
I was just thinking about something
What was that?

No It's nothing important
It's, uh...

Dr Flemming, he didn't call to his wife
when he came back to his apartment

I don't follow you
Oh Well, I was in the bedroom
I was checking some things,

and I heard him open the front door,
and he didn't say anything

Gee, it's funny how people
are different, isn't it?

Now, you take myself
When I come home from a trip, uh,

the flrst thing I do is I say,
"Honey, you here? "

Exactly what is
your point, Lieutenant?

Point?
Oh, I wasn't making a point

It sounded to me
as if you were

You heard the man admit that
he had an argument with his wife

He probably still had
a chip on his shoulder
this morning

I was only tryin' to...
Lieutenant,

I've... have already told you
that Dr Flemming is a close,
personal friend of mine

Now, I hope he's not going to be
annoyed by a lot of tactless remarks...
especially at a time like this

Well, I'm sorry, Mr Gordon
I guess I shouldn't have mentioned it

[Woman On PA]
Dr Ferrell, Surgery Four, please
Yes Thank you, Dr Lansberry

They're letting me go up
to see her
Good Do you need company?

No I'd rather be with her alone

I'll have to go with you, Doc

Why?
Well, we got a man on the door

[Elevator Door Slides Open]

[Columbo]
Uh, it's, uh... it's all right, Offlcer
This is her husband

I'm sorry, Lieutenant
Nobody's allowed in right now
Well, why not?

She's conscious
The doctor's with her

Well, maybe we got lucky

Oh, Doctor,
I'm the patient's husband
Is she... Is she all right?

I'm sorry

She passed away

Did she...
Did she say anything?

If it's any consolation,
the one thing she said was your name

Getting some fresh air?

I was on my way back
from lunch

Well, as a matter of fact,
I was headed toward your offlce myself
Do you mind if I walk along?

Not at all

Any news?
No Nothing much, Doctor

We're just sort of waiting around
until our friend tries to get rid of the jewelry

I'd imagine
he'd hold on to it
for a while

Yeah, probably

Have I had any calls, Miss Petrie?
Five or six
I left a list on your desk

First day back, and everyone
wants me to hold their hands

You know, I've never been
in a psychiatrist's offlce before
First time

I keep looking for the couch
So do my patients I keep telling them
it's bad for their posture

"Bad for their posture"
That's very good

I'll tell you, you put me
in a horizontal position,
and I fall asleep

Nice offlce, though
It seems restful
[Strikes Match]

I guess it, uh, puts people
in the mood to talk, huh?

You know, my sister, she has a living room
It's very, very modern

Well, the minute you sit down there,
you can't open your mouth

You know, she's got this big,
kidney-shaped coffee table
It upsets me just to look at it

Her husband, he doesn't say anything,
and I flgure, the coffee table
got to him years ago

- Is there something I can do for you?
- Oh, no Not really, Doctor No I just...

I just came up to bring back your pen
I forgot to give it to you at the inquest

Well, thanks I missed it
You know, that's my trouble
I got a bad memory

My wife tells me I oughta
have strings on all 1 O flngers

Was there anything else you wanted?
Oh, no It's nothing important
There is one detail that bothers me

And what is that?
It's, um...
It's about your luggage

My luggage?
[Flicking Lighter]

I think you need fluid here, huh?

Oh, no Maybe...

Oh, there
Boy, that's quite a flame, huh?

You were talking about my luggage

Yeah Uh... Now, you took
two suitcases with you, didn't you?

Well, actually, we packed
more than we needed

Well, I went out to the airport the other day...
you know, just a routine check...

and it seems as though
you were 13 pounds overweight

You know, they keep
those records
Yes I know I charged it on my credit card

Well, when you came back...
Now, I know it's a stupid point, Doc,
and it doesn't mean anything,

but you were only, uh,
four pounds overweight,

and I was wondering what happened
to the other nine pounds

- I don't see what that has to do
with my wife's death
- Oh, it's all part of the job...

you know, just tryin'
to tie the loose ends together

You went to a lot of trouble, didn't you,
going all the way out to the airport?
Forty-flve minutes

Boy, that's quite a place, that airport
You know, I get lost just walkin' around

Lieutenant, about those nine pounds
I took along a stack of trade journals
and medical magazines

It seems I never get a chance
to go through them at the offlce
Oh Catchin' up on your readin', then, huh?

You might say that
Mm-hmm

And you didn't bring 'em back, then?
There'd be no reason to
It was mostly advertising stuff

Mm-hmm
And, uh, you flgured they weighed
as much as nine pounds?

Well, they'd have to
Why else the weight discrepancy?

Yeah Mm
Well, I guess that clears that up, then

Okay, Doc Thank you very much
And I'm sorry I bothered you
No bother at all

Oh, listen There's one more thing
Um, you don't remember what your wife
was wearing that night, do you?

Well, Carol had so many dresses
Is it important?

Well, yes In a way, it is

Well, let's see now

Oh, yes She was wearing a blue wool dress
with brass buttons, if I'm not mistaken

Uh-huh Uh-huh Yeah That...
That's what the stewardess said

She's back in town, by the way
And I spoke to her, and, uh,

she told me your wife was wearing
a blue wool dress with blue kid gloves

Well, then that's probably it
No...

That's funny, though lf...

If she came home from the airport,
what did she do with the dress and gloves?

When we went over
your apartment last week,
we couldn't flnd 'em

Well, they may have been stolen

Yeah Maybe, maybe

Did you put those
on the list of stolen items?

Really, Lieutenant,
how could you expect me
to notice they were missing?

[Sucks Teeth]
Still, it's puzzling
when you think about it I m...

I mean, why would a guy steal
a dress and a pair of gloves?
What are they worth?

People don't always do the rational thing

Oh, they sure don't
You learn a lot about that in my line

Well, I guess you do in yours too

Mm
[Intercom Buzzes]

Oh, excuse me
Yeah?

- Miss Hudson is here, Doctor
- I'll be through in a moment

I have a patient
coming in now, Lieutenant
Oh Yeah

Hey, 2:OO Oh!
Oh, that was the one
that called you at your apartment

Oh, and you say you have a bad memory
Well, listen
It comes and it goes, you know?

I'm sorry I couldn't have been
any help to you with the dress
and the gloves, but, uh...

Well, maybe you just
missed them in your search
Yeah Yeah, you're probably right, Doc

Uh, listen, um, would you mind
if I came over this afternoon
and took another look?

What time do you think
you're gonna be home?
Not before 5:OO

Well, suppose I meet you there at 5:3O

If you think it's necessary

- Well, it's just another loose end
You understand
- Mm

You can go in now,
Miss Hudson
Thank you

Oh, miss

Excuse me, uh,
what was your name again?
joan Hudson Why?

Oh Sorry to trouble you, ma'am

[Door Opens]

Who was that man out there?
Lieutenant Columbo
He's a police offlcer Why?

He wanted to know my name
Did you tell him?

What else could I do?

Ray, is something wrong?
Well, he was with me
when you called

I told you not to try
to get in touch with me

I had to When I read
that Carol was still alive,
I wanted to warn you

Well, don't worry about it
As far as he knows, you're just
another patient on my list

Now...

Now I am going to call
the cleaners

You did as I told you,
didn't you?

You left Carol's dress and gloves
with the rest of the laundry?

Gloves?
Yes, dress and gloves

Well, you know, Joan
I told you

[Dialing Phone]

[Stops Dialing]

What is it?

Well, I changed
in the restroom at the airport
and put her things in my bag

Then I went back to your apartment

and left the dress
with the other laundry

Go on

Well, l... I forgot
about the gloves

I didn't even think of them
until you mentioned them

But we went over it
How many times did I tell you?

I'm sorry l...
What difference does it make?
Is it that important?

"ls it that important? "
Where are the gloves now?

They're in my other bag, at home
I haven't used it since that night

Let me think

We're safe as far as the dress
is concerned It's at the cleaners

Now, the gloves...

They're small
They can be easily overlooked

They can be almost anywhere

Listen Columbo's coming back
to my apartment

He wants to make another search

Now, you go back home, get the gloves
and come back to my place

I'll see you there in an hour
Why can't I just
throw them away?

Because I want him to flnd them
He'll only be satisfled if all
of his loose ends are in place

But, Ray...
Now, you just do as I say, darling

Hurry!

[Doorbell Rings]

There you are

Did you bring them?

Good Put 'em on the table
I'll hide them in her bureau

Columbo's going to flnd them this time
Would you like a drink?

Please

Are you angry with me?

Not at all

I would have to do
something foolish

I kept going over
everything in my mind

But those stupid gloves...

Don't you worry about it
We've protected ourselves

I've missed you
I'm lucky I was working

It helped me
get through the week

It's behind us now

What about that man...
that Columbo?

You'll never see him again

But why does
he keep bothering you?

Because Carol's death
has been almost too perfect

That's what irritates him
It's like a speck in his eye

Why, he'd even look for flaws
in the Old Testament

You don't seem to be
very upset about it

Why should I be? Whatever
he turns up, I've got an answer for

Eventually he'll lose interest
and start hounding someone else

I wish I could feel that sure

The past two weeks I've been trying
to flnd an excuse for what we've done

I haven't been very successful

joan, there was no other option

Does that justify?

Yes We're in love
We want a future together

That's all the justiflcation
we need

Look, this isn't something
you just forget

Don't let it interfere
with what we have

I won't

All we have to do is wait

I promise I'll make it up to you

[Door Lock Rattling]

[Rattling Continues]

What are you doing here?

Doctor, I, uh... I just kinda thought
that I'd save you some time

and look for the stuff myself

I just didn't want to inconvenience you
more than I have to

Don't you people usually
require a search warrant?

I just didn't think
it was necessary, Doctor

I mean, you gave me permission,
didn't you?

Say, uh, what are you
doing here now?

It bothered me too
I wanted to save some time
for both of us

There are the gloves, Lieutenant
I found them in one of Carol's
bureau drawers

What do you know about that?
We covered every inch of that bureau

Well, we must've missed these

You didn't flnd the dress
by any chance, did you?

[Flemming]
No I turned the place
upside down It's not here

Gee, I wonder
what she did with it

I'm afraid I have no idea

Well, why don't we both
take another look

[Flemming]
Lieutenant?

It's not in the apartment I went
through every one of the closets

Well, there's a laundry hamper
in the bedroom, isn't there?

- But I just told you...
- Well, there's no harm in checking,
is there?

[Doorbell Rings]

Lieutenant, would you mind getting that?
I don't feel like talking to anyone

[Door Opens]
[Boy]
Rodeo Cleaners

Uh, Doctor

How much do I owe you?
$45O

Keep the change
Thank you

Say, isn't that
your wife's dress?

Well, of course!

Well, she must've put it outside
for the cleaners when she
got back from the airport

Yes, that makes sense
It certainly matches the description

May I take a look?
Take a good look at it, Lieutenant

Well, I've gotta get back
to my offlce

I guess we've both
wasted a lot of time

Well, listen
I'm sorry about all this, Doctor

I seem to be making
a pest of myself

[Phone Rings]

Yeah? Oh, Lieutenant!

It's for you

Yeah Thanks Columbo

Yeah Who?

Are you sure?

Well, what do you know about that?

Mm Yeah All right

Yes, I'll be right down Yeah

That does it, Doc
Does what?

We just got a confession
A fella just admitted killing your wife

Listen I gotta go

If I get any more information,
I'll call you

Isn't that funny
the way those things happen?

[Door Closes]

[Columbo]
How did you break the window, Tommy?

I had this flashlight,
and I knocked it through the glass

What happened next?

I told you She came out
I didn't think she'd be home

You mean Mrs Flemming?

Yeah She was wearing this...
this nightgown

Yeah Go on

Well, the second she saw me,
she started to yell her head off

So I ran over to keep her quiet

I put my hand over her mouth,

and then I, uh...

I just strangled her

Mm-hmm
And then what happened?

Like I said,
I began taking things:

the silverware,
a couple of candle holders,

a couple of lighters
and the jewelry

Did you take any money, Tommy?
Yeah She had
about 3O bucks in her purse

What did you do
with the stuff that you stole?

I fenced it
Where?

Why should I
get him in trouble?
What did he give you for it?

Look, Lieutenant, how many times
do we have to go over this?

I told you I killed her
That oughta be enough!

Tommy, why that
particular apartment?

I saw them leaving
with their luggage

The initials on his bag said "RF"

So I looked at the mailboxes, and I saw
"Dr Ray Flemming, penthouse,"

the only name that flt the initials

That was pretty shrewd of you
How manyjobs have you had
in the past few months?

One or two If I was working steady,
would I be breaking into apartments?

No, I guess you wouldn't

All right That's all
You can take him out

Well, that was quick

Well, you've been
very cooperative, Tommy

What do you think, Doc?

I don't believe a word he says

Really? Why?

He knew exactly what was stolen
He knew how the thief
got into the apartment

He knew what your wife was wearing
And so does everyone
who reads the papers

Yes, that's true
That's true

The boy's obviously neurotic

Some people have an urge
to confess after every murder

I've even treated a few of them

They have a compulsion
to purge themselves

Maybe they just want to get
their names in the papers

But the boy's story
does not hold up

You know, you might be right

You know, come to think of it,
didn't he say

that your wife was screaming
and he put his hand over her mouth?

And then he said he lowered his hands
and he strangled her

I don't know
what you're getting at

Well, your wife
was strangled from behind

There were thumb indentation marks
on the back of her neck, not on the front

Oh, and I checked
one more thing, Doc

Tommy was discharged
from the army on a Section Eight
He's mentally unstable

If you knew that,
why did you ask what I thought?

Oh, well, I, uh... I just wanted to get
another professional opinion, Doc

I mean no offense

I don't have to be a psychiatrist
to know that the boy's lying

Why not?
For one thing, I have
no initials on my luggage

Oh, yeah I was gonna check that out
if you told me you believed Tommy's story

I thought you might

It also occurred to me
that you may have planted
this whole Tommy episode

Now, why on earth
would I do a thing like that?

Oh, that reminds me
Did you do any flshing
while you were in Acapulco?

A little Why?

Oh, it's nothing important It's just that,
uh, I'm a terriflc bug on flshing

You know, my wife and I, we're looking
for a place to take a vacation this summer

You see, the trouble with places
around here is that, um,

well, people keep dumping
all kinds of things off the boat

You know, bottles, cans
Oh, it's a terrible shame Criminal

And, uh, well, I suppose you don't
notice that in the ocean, do you?

I mean, it's so big, it would
just swallow everything up

Uh, tell me Uh,

those trade journals
and those medical books...

did you take them with you
when you went flshing?

Lieutenant, for the past week
you've been asking me
some rather pointless questions,

and I am getting
very tired of them

Oh, I'm sorry, Doc

I just thought that, well, a boat's
a good place to get some reading done

What do my reading habits
have to do with this?

You've been concentrating on everything
but the man who broke into my apartment

Or is this some new type
of police procedure?

- I'm only, uh...
- I want the man who murdered my wife
Everything else is irrelevant

Well, I'm only trying to...
I know You're only trying
to tie up loose ends

Well, if you spent a little less time
on loose ends, maybe you'd come up
with something important

You know, sometimes I get the impression
you think I killed my wife

You? Oh, no, Doc

How could you?
You were out of town

I'm glad you remembered that

Unless you think I hired
someone to kill her

The boy who confessed?
Maybe I paid him to do it

- No, Doc You didn't do that
- How do you know?

I already asked him

Are you serious?
I am

He's making an absolute
pest of himself

Telephone calls,
question and answer sessions

He's even bothering me at the offlce
It's getting ridiculous

He's probably trying too hard
I'll have a word with him
Well, a word won't do it

Burt, you won't believe this, but
somewhere in the back of his mind he
thinks I'm involved with Carol's murder

You? You've gotta be kidding

I'm not,
and neither is Columbo

Look, isn't there some way
you can get him off my back?

Well, if he's pushing that hard...
He is

I guess I can pull a few strings
All right Consider it done

Well, that was painless
Looks like I owe you a favor

Forget it
What are friends for?

Evening, Doctor

I just stopped by with some news
I thought you might be interested

I got taken off the case today
I'm no longer working on it

Ohh
Yeah, and it happened
all of a sudden too

I was sitting at my desk,
and a call came down from upstairs

and they told me that they wanted me
to work on something else

Real strange

And they told me to turn my flles
over to Lieutenant Silver,

who's a very nice guy, but he's young
and not experienced in this kind of thing

That is funny Here I thought
I was doing a good job

How unfortunate for you
But I suppose they know
what they're doing

Well, you'll have to excuse me
I've got a dinner engagement

Where? At the Gordons'?

And why do you say that?

Well, you're a good friend
of Mr Gordon, aren't you?

I mean, last week at the hospital
he invited you over

You remember that

No, it isn't the Gordons
No? A lady friend, maybe?

I don't think it's
any of your business

No, I guess not

I was wondering, Doctor...

would you take me on
as a patient?

Take you on as a what?
No, I mean it
Maybe you can help me

I don't know There must be
something wrong with me

I seem to bother people
I seem to make 'em nervous

and maybe you could tell me why

Are you serious?
I'm very, very serious

I've never been more serious in my life

My wife says I oughta
have it looked into,

so I told her I know
this psychiatrist

And I flgure if I came here
like once a week,

maybe we could get it ironed out

You know what I think
the problem is?

I think I'm too suspicious

I don't trust people
That's my trouble

For instance,
when I get taken off a case,

right away I flgure
somebody put the pressure on

Right away I ask myself why

What do you think, Doc?

I think you'd
better get out of here

Beg your pardon?
Columbo,
you're a public servant

You say you've been taken
off the case Fine

Bother me again, and I shall
have to talk to your superiors

You've been talking to a lot
of people these days, Doctor

[Chuckles]
Columbo, you are magniflcent

You really are
Well, what makes you say that, Doc?

You are the most persistent
creature I've ever met, but likeable

The astonishing thing is
you're likeable

Has anyone ever told you
you're droll?

- Who? Me?
- Yes, you?

Oh, come on, Doc Come on
[Laughing]

Oh, but you are
You're a sly little elf,

and you should be sitting under
your own private little toadstool

You say you've been
thrown off the case,

and yet you have the flagrant
audacity to come back here
and bother me again

- I respect that
It irritates me, but I respect it
- [Mouthing Words]

How about a drink?

Well, all right

Hey, now, that's pretty clever
[Chuckles]

You can always have a snort
between patients, huh?

I haven't given you
a Rorschach test yet,

but I've got a hunch
you're a bourbon man

Thank you very much, Doctor

What'll we drink to?

Oh, I don't know
How about you and me?

Fine

Like to read, huh, Doctor?

Yes, I do

You read murder mysteries?
Not very often

Oh, me, I love 'em
I flnd 'em nice and relaxing

You know, the only trouble is that
they got nothin' to do with real life

I mean, the guy who did it,
they catch him every time,

and you and I know that
it doesn't always work out that way

You never stop, do you?

What?

The insinuation,
the change of pace

You're a bag of tricks,
Columbo

Right down to that
prop cigar you use
Oh, come on, Doc

I'm going to tell you
something about yourself

You say you need a psychiatrist?
Maybe you do and maybe you don't

But you are the textbook
example of compensation
Of what, Doc?

Compensation Adaptability

You're an intelligent man,
Columbo, but you hide it

You pretend you're
something you're not Why?

Because of your appearance

You think you cannot get by
on looks or polish,

so you turn a defect
into a virtue

You take people by surprise

They underestimate you,
and that's where you trip them up

Like coming here tonight

Boy, you've got me pegged
pretty good, Doctor

I'm gonna have to watch myself
with you

'cause, uh, you flgure out people
pretty good

Now you're trying flattery

No, really, I'm serious, Doctor
You've got a gift there

Oh, I know it's your job and I know
you've studied for years, but still it's...

Well, it's amazing that a person
can come in here and sit down,

and in a couple of hours
you know all about 'em

Well, not quite
Psychiatry isn't a parlor trick

Oh, I didn't mean that No, I was just...
I was just wondering that, uh...

Well, no
I guess that isn't possible

What isn't?

Well, I know it's easy enough
to flgure out about a patient

or a guy like me that's always
hanging around all the time,
but what about a stranger?

What about a, uh... a fellow
that you'd never met before?

Can you tell what makes him tick?

Any particular one in mind?

No, nobody special
just... Just a type

Like a murderer, for instance?

Well, yeah Now that you mention it,

I guess we're on the same wavelength

Yes, I guess we are

What about this
hypothetical murderer?

Well, I'm not talking
about your average hothead...

you know, the guy who pops somebody
over the noggin with a bottle

What I mean is, uh, the kind of man

that, uh, flgures
everything out in advance,

who takes everything step by step

What do you know
about that kind of man, Doctor?

I should charge you for this
But since it's on a theoretical basis,

let's just call it
a free consultation

[Mutters]
All right

We are talking about a man
who commits a crime...

not the garden variety
of barroom brawl,

but an elaborate
intellectual project

What do we know about this man?

Obviously, he's not impulsive

He plans He calculates
He minimizes risks

He's oriented by his mind,
not by his emotions

And he's probably
well educated too

Like maybe a professional man?

Like maybe
At any rate, an orderly man

with an eye for detail and courage

Courage?
Oh, certainly

To go through a thing like this,
whatever it may be,

it takes a strong nervous system

Well, you could be right
But one thing bothers me, Doctor

This man that we're talking about
has taken a human life

Now, wouldn't you say
that he was insane?

Why? Because he committed
an immoral act?

Morals are conditioned, Lieutenant

They're relative,
like everything else is today

Our murderer may be
as sane as you and me

Killing may be repugnant to him,

but if it's his only solution,
he uses it

That's pragmatism, my friend,
not insanity

Tell me, Doctor:
How do you catch a man like that?

- You don't
- You're probably right

He sounds just too clever for us

What I mean is, you know, cops, we're
not the brightest guys in the world

Of course, we got one thing
going for us: We're professionals

I mean, you take our friend here,
the murderer

He's very smart,
but he's an amateur

I mean, he's got just one
time to learnJust one

And with us, well...
with us it's a business

You see, we do this
a hundred times a year

I'll tell ya, Doc
That's a lot of practice

It didn't help you very much, did it?

I mean, with all that experience,
you jumped to the wrong conclusion

- What do you mean?
- I didn't kill my wife

I never said you did

Oh, that's true lmply
"lmply" is more the word

But if I killed my wife...
and I did say "if'...

you're never going
to be able to prove it

So why don't we
just part as friends?

You go on to something new,
and I'll forget this whole thing
ever happened

As a matter of fact,
there's no reason for us
to see each other again

Well, I have to be going now

Well, I'll go out with you

No, no You just stay here,
relax, search the offlce

Oh

And if you want another drink,
help yourself

Good night

Oh, by the way, when you leave,
turn out the light

[Door Closes]

Uh, Miss Hudson

Who are you?

Lieutenant Columbo, ma'am
Uh, police

Uh, we met the other day
Remember?

What's this all about?

Is there someplace where we
could go, where we could talk?

Why?
Oh, just a few routine questions
That's all

Would you like some ice cream?
No, thanks
Questions about what?

Um, well, could we go in there?

[Mouth Full]
This is quite a place

Lieutenant, would you mind
telling me why you're here?

Yes, of course
I was hoping you might help us
with a case that we're working on

What case is that?

Lieutenant?

The, uh, Flemming case

Oh, you mean Dr Flemming,
my psychiatrist?

Uh-huh

Is he in some kind of trouble?

What was that?

I said, is he
in some kind of trouble?

Well, you might say he is
Uh, sit down, Miss Hudson

There's no rule
about smoking here, is there?
No

Well, then if you don't mind,
I'll light up

See, a lot of women,
they don't like cigars

Now, my wife, she prefers a pipe
I could never get used to those things

There's just too much
to carry around with you

Uh, how long have you known
Dr Flemming?

You mean, how long
has he been treating me?

- Well, that's the same thing, isn't it?
- I've been seeing him for about a year

Uh-huh Mm-hmm

That checks out

By the way, when was the last time
that you spoke to Dr Flemming?

Last week when I met you

- Oh, that's right Yes
- Lieutenant, would you mind explaining...

- Are you working here on a movie now?
- That's right

Well, I'm gonna have to see it
when it comes out What are you?

Are you playing a Roman girl
or a Greek girl?

- Do you do your own makeup?
- What has this got to do with Dr Flemming?

- Pardon me?
- Lieutenant, you're not being very clear

You came here to ask me
about a man I hardly know

You said he was in trouble

Now, before we go on, suppose
you tell me what kind of trouble

Well, I know that this
is gonna come as a shock to you,

but we think
that he killed his wife

You seem stunned

Of course I'm stunned
I don't believe it

No?

Hey, I wonder
who these belong to

Well, maybe somebody
left them by mistake

Miss Hudson, um,

well, you seem nervous

Haven't you seen
a pair of sunglasses before?

Would you like to try 'em on?

Why should I?
No reason

But there's no reason
why you shouldn't, either

Is there?

I think I'd better go
Sit down, Miss Hudson

If you insist on questioning me,
I'm going to have to call my lawyer

Sit down
You can't stop me
from calling my lawyer

You have no right to order me around
You're not even on this case anymore

Well, now, how did you know that?

Dr Flemming told me

Oh, but you said that you hadn't
seen Dr Flemming since last week

He called me

Oh, is the doctor
in the habit of doing that?

I'm not going to answer
any more of your questions

Uh, just one more point,
Miss Hudson, that I'd like to clear up
I am on the case

It's true somebody tried
to pull a few strings

But my superior, he doesn't like that
He gets thinking

So he said to me, he said,
"Lieutenant Columbo,

you must be touching a sore spot,
so you just keep right on trying"

He's very intelligent, my superior

I want to call my lawyer

I don't understand that

Now, Dr Flemming killed his wife,
and you want to call your lawyer

Would you explain that to me,
Miss Hudson?

I want to call my lawyer

All right Go ahead

If he wants to know
what the charge is,

it's accessory to murder

Now go ahead and make
your call, Miss Hudson

When you get done,
we'll take a drive

A drive?
Yes We're gonna go see
the stewardess

I don't have the blue dress,
and I don't have the gloves,

and I don't think you're going
to try on these sunglasses,

but maybe she'll remember you
anyhow, wig or no wig

I don't know what you're talking about

You're trying to confuse me
I have nothing to do with this

With what?
With this... With the thing
that you said about Ray

Ray?
Dr Flemming

But you just called him Ray

What difference does that make?
I know him He's my doctor

Your lover?
My doctor

And you said
you never met his wife?
No, I never met his wife

Would you like to see some pictures of her?
I had them taken at the morgue

No
Why should you?
After all, you saw the real thing

That must have been quite a shock
Why don't you leave me alone?
I didn't do anything

No? What about these?
What about the sunglasses?

What about the overweight luggage?
What about the argument on the plane?

I don't want to listen to any of this
Now, you were there
when he strangled her, weren't you?

No!
Well, does that mean
that you came later?

I was never there at all
I think you were

I think you probably changed into
her dress while she was lying there,

and then you and the doctor
went to the airport and had that fake
argument on the plane, didn't you?

No!
Didn't you?

Didn't you help plan it with him?
Didn't you help carry it out with him?

Now, didn't you?
Oh, stop it!

Without you,
that woman would be alive!

Without you, she wouldn't
be lying in a morgue!
Stop it! Stop it!

It couldn't have happened
without you!
Stop it!

Why don't we go downtown
and you can make a statement?

No You have no right

I have nothing to do with this
Do you understand?

Nothing Nothing at all

If you want to take me
to the stewardess, then take me

If you want to arrest me, go ahead

But you can't prove anything

Now, either charge me or let me leave
I don't care what you do

You can go

Miss Hudson

I hope you understand
that this is only the beginning

In a way, I feel sorry for you

because from now on I'm gonna do
everything I can to break you down

Do you understand?

Dr Flemming made one mistake,
and you're it

You're the weak link, Miss Hudson

Now, you surprised me today
because you were strong

But there's always tomorrow

and the day after that

and the day after that,

and sooner or later
you're gonna talk to me

Until you do,
you're gonna be questioned,

you're gonna be followed
and you're gonna be hounded

And Dr Flemming
can't do anything about it

You're on your own, Miss Hudson,

and I'm gonna get to him
through you

That's a promise

[Engine Starts]

[Ringing]

[Ringing Continues]

- Hello?
- Ray! Oh, thank heavens!

- I've been calling for hours
- What's wrong? You sound upset

Columbo came to see me
at the studio today

- Columbo?
- He tried to break me down

- Did you tell him anything?
- No, of course not

But he knows Every detail
Even the alibi on the plane

Oh, he's only guessing
Guesses are no proof

But why should he be questioning you?
He's off the case

No, he's not
He's right in the middle of it

Two of his men
are parked outside right now

Well, I think we'd better have a talk
Come in tomorrow for your appointment

We'll flgure
something out
But can't you come over here now?

With his men watching your house?
joan, use your head

But you're my doctor! There's
nothing wrong in visiting a patient!

He obviously expects us
to get together tonight

- Let's not be predictable
- What are we gonna do?

just ride it out
You're his last resort

If you don't panic,
we're home free

Ray, I have to see you

You will in the morning

Now, put on some music,
have yourself a drink
and stop worrying

Ray!

Yes?

All right I'll try

[Line Disconnects]

Miss Petrie
Yes, Doctor?

Doesn't Miss Hudson
have a 1 O: OO appointment?
Yes, she does

It's 1 O:3O
Why don't you give her a call?

Uh, hello Is Miss Hudson...

Well, no, l...

This is the receptionist
in Dr Flemming's offlce

Well, she had an appointment
here this morning

I see

I just called Miss Hudson,
and a man answered

He said he was
from the coroner's offlce

Try it again Maybe you
got the wrong number

This is Dr Flemming's offlce again
Is Miss Hudson there?

You don't understand
Dr Flemming is her psychiatrist

Well, I'm only trying
to get some information

Let me have that Hello
This is Dr Flemming Who are you?

Miss Hudson is under my care

I want to know what happened

Look, I am her psychiatrist

What kind of accident?

Well, then who do I call to flnd out?

Look, can't you get it
through your head that...

Never mind

Miss Petrie, I'm going out for a while
Tell my next patient that I'll be late

Where is she?
I said, where is she?

She stuffed herself
with barbiturates

I didn't think...

What didn't you think?

You didn't think what?

Well, I questioned her yesterday
I guess I pushed her too far

I told her that I was gonna
get to you through her

You had to bring her
into this, didn't you?

Didn't you know what she'd do?
Or didn't you care?

Don't lecture me, Doctor!
I'm responsible, and I'm gonna
have to live with it

But you're leaving somebody out
We both killed that girl...
the two of us together

She committed suicide
for one reason: to protect you

You see, it was all for you
For you, Doc

By the way, congratulations

I mean, you're home free now, aren't you?
Boy, it couldn't have worked out better

She was the only one
who could've given you away

Can't touch you anymore, Doc
Nobody can

You're free and clear
You won, Doc

The only trouble is you didn't get
what you were goin' after

- What is that supposed to mean?
- Why, the girl

You loved her and you wanted her
and you were willing to murder for her

And now she's gone,
and all that planning, all that sweat,

and you wind up with nothing

What are you trying to tell me?

I'm not trying to tell you anything,
Doctor I was just thinking that

you're going to be a terribly
lonely man from here on in

and maybe you'd feel better
if you got a few things off your chest

Like what?
Like the truth

Are you asking me to confess?

Well, is that so strange?

After all, what do you have
to look forward to?

Think about that, Doc
The girl isn't around anymore

And who knows?
Maybe you owe her something

What do you say, Doc?

[Chuckling]

- You're a very funny man
- I wasn't trying to be funny

But you are, more than you know

So you want me to purge myself?

My one and only love is dead,
and I have nothing more to live for

Is that it?
All I'm saying, Doctor,
is that if you love that girl...

Love that girl? Look, Columbo,
I overestimated you

I thought you understood
about human nature

I never loved that girl
Come on, Doc

No, really

Remember that hypothetical
murderer we were talking about?

He needed an alibi
The girl was available

So he used her
It was as simple as that

No You killed your wife
because you were in love with the girl

Well, if I killed Carol...
and there's no proof that I did...

I did it for myself, not for some
dime-a-dozen little actress

She helped you with the murder
You'd have had to marry her

Not really Something
would have been arranged

Like an accident, maybe

[Joan]
Always planning ahead, aren't you, Ray?

They said there was something
I should hear

Would you like to make
a statement now?

Why don't we sit down?
We'll be more comfortable