Original subtitles

I am not.

Irving Berlin.

More classical than that.

No, I am not Berlioz.

Another one.

I am not from a famous New York.

No, I am not Leonard Bernstein.

Are you a famous murders?

I try. I am not Lizzie Borden.

I hope you stubborn darling, because I am running out of bees.

All right.

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

Typical lawyers question.

But no, I am not Sir William Blackstone.

I pass, you know, every time we play Botticelli with you,

I feel like a drop out.

I see the flutter of white flags.

Let's go ahead and tell us who it is.

No, no, please let me guess.

Will be here all night.

Come on, Ray. It's very simple.

Joseph Brewer,

Brewer, he and Freud coauthored studies on hysteria.

That's unfair. Dr. Flemming, you're a psychiatrist.

You should have picked something.

Everyone you were like, who? Honey.

Last time we played the game, you were stumped by Alexander Graham Bell.

Has my husband finished dazzling you with his intelligence

because I have a little surprise for everyone.

Everyone ready.

All right.

I insist that get this while it's cold.

What I think a toast is in order

to our host and hostess

on the 10th anniversary of their horrible mistake.

Oh, you bet. Every phrase that counts.

Pleasure your honor.

The two finest people I ever knew.

Here's to ten more years of happiness.

Excuse me,

father.

You know.

Now, I cannot wait.

We're having a party here.

I'll be there as soon as I can.

I leave anything I'll read choices is superb,

he's got the best wine cellar in town.

Excuse me.

As 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 would allow you to leave.

We have guests may shouldn't see us arguing, should be.

I make my excuses. I try to get back.

But. Do

you love me?

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 why I get confused.

second, thoughts

a few.

It's a natural reaction under the circumstances.

I keep wishing there was some other way.

There isn't.

But if you talk to them, if I talk to her.

John, 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 pretty, but she's probably more intelligent

than I am. Oh.

It's a kind of destructive intelligence by me.

What have I got to offer?

Typical actress.

Too many bit too much ambition.

I like ambition for all the good.

It's done me. It brought you to me, didn't it? It

was my name

on off and every neurosis in the book, I was in great shape, wasn't it?

It's not a bad shape it.

Uh-Huh.

Right?

Yeah.

You do love me, don't you?

Very much.

I won't disappoint you tomorrow.

I never thought you would.

I don'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 will have to indulge me just this one last time, Dearie.

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.

Oh, should I put it?

Extracurricular activity, I made that choice.

I wanted a husband. In fact.

Not just in appearance.

If you were refused, I'd divorce you.

It was a catch to that, as I recall.

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

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

Aside from taking every penny of 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 one in the morning, what are you doing giving discount rates?

On my way home, I dropped by to see Dr. Cobb.

He was a referral psychoanalyst. We discussed the case.

Do you

really expect me to believe that call?

What's that going to prove?

He's a friend of yours?

Well, his wife is a friend of yours, talked to her.

Hang up, hang up.

I haven't seen car for two weeks.

And you've been lying to me.

But not the way you think.

Well, I guess the game's up.

I stopped by the hospital to see doctor results.

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

to Acapulco.

Acapulco, you know, we leave tomorrow night.

Well, I thought we could use a couple of days in the Sun.

Just you and me.

Happy anniversary, darling.

All right, darling.

That's why I stopped in to see Rezar.

He's from Mexico,

and I thought maybe he could fill me in on what to do when we got there.

Why don't you tell me?

Well, I was saving it for breakfast, I wanted it to be a surprise.

I almost ruined it.

00 darling,

you're going to have a big day tomorrow.

Why don't you get some sleep?

I think I read for a while.

They.

You can go in now

said some thank you.

Darling, I can't let

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?

It's not 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 you're paying tonight.

You think it'll fit.

Might be a little vague.

Noticeably.

No, I don't think so.

Shall I take it home with me?

No, I don't want you wearing it.

It's necessary.

This photograph is the best one I have of her, the other she's

standing off in the distance away sunglasses.

Notice the makeup,

she uses a heavy eyebrow pencil.

What about the way I get it from the studio makeup department today?

They'll never know what's missing.

Could you take that along with he reference,

but be sure you bring it back tonight.

What about the timing?

I'll be at your apartment at 9:00,

but no sooner.

And how do you get their 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 and take the service elevator.

Apartment, no.

You're in the penthouse, I ring the bell twice.

Anything else?

Joan,

sunglasses, good girl,

and a large purse for the dress.

Are you sure if everything, should I do it over again?

Now I want to talk about it anymore, but it'll be fine, I promise you.

Just pretend you're working on a road right down

to the props.

Analog, thank you very much.

The plane's leaving out schedule, then you'd better hurry.

Oh darling, this 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.

Bert Gordon called it anything important.

Well, it was just a vicious peasant trip.

He could do a vacation himself.

You know, he's prosecuting two new cases next month.

Well, that's what he gets for having political ambitions.

Do you remember him when he was in law school?

Vaguely.

I never saw anybody work so hard, including you, and I didn't have to.

My wife had a rich father.

And you married me for my money.

Not just, I mean, your father.

I like to think you love me.

The question I did

is an made coming tomorrow.

But as far as I know, why don't you recall and check

sometimes you forget?

Oh, say, did you see that blue dress by Blue Wolf?

Well, I blue blue dress

I was going to take on the trip, but I can't find it anywhere.

Maybe you sent it to the cleaners.

Oh no, it should be in the closet.

Where's that address book? Huh?

Charlotte, this Mr.

Fleming, I just want to be sure you be in tomorrow.

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

You got your Kenya.

Go ahead.

Yes, we will thank you very much. But.

She's coming in at ten

good.

I. Now, set it down with you.

It's such a beautiful night, isn't it?

I hadn't noticed.

Perfect weather for fly.

You can see for Miles.

You know what, I was thinking, what

if we get back with three decorate

the place looks cold, it should have warmer colors.

Maybe we should buy some paintings of soup cans.

If you think so.

You'd like that, wouldn't you?

Oh, I could have such a wonderful time the next few days.

Does your secretary know where you're going?

I know that we're in Mexico.

No specifics. Good.

Complete privacy, you're going to have a nice.

Quiet weekend.

You'd better close the door to.

And change. Oh.

A second honeymoon

may be better than our first.

Well.

Hello.

Hello, Burt, how are you?

Carol, tell me your car.

Fine, fine, we're just leaving.

Oh, no, she's she's dressing.

Yes, I'll tell her.

I'd better be going now, but

give my love to Cynthia when you.

Right. She.

Well.

Joe, did anyone see you come on

this drink on the bar and take it, I take it.

And I want you to let these guys

down. He said. I don't need a drink.

I'll be all right.

Be careful not to touch anything.

Did you bring the photograph?

The way.

And some choose to go with the dress.

Very good.

Put this on.

Come on, get ready.

Oh. It

looks fine, won't fool anybody.

But don't be negative.

Suppose we meet someone who knows your wife.

I don't even look like people see what they expect to see.

It's the principals association.

You're dressed like Carol, get traveling with me.

That means you are my wife.

Are we ready? Not yet.

Make your car to the cleaners.

What are you waiting for?

Well, wouldn't they be close this time of night?

They're open till midnight.

Rodeo cleaners.

This is

this is Mrs.

Fleming, Cumberland Apartments on Wilshire.

I have a bundle of laundry and some things to clean.

It'll be outside the door.

I'm leaving it outside the door.

What do you have someone pick it up first thing in the morning?

Thank you.

Fine. The sunglasses.

Where are they?

Do I have?

Could

I put these on?

Why she always wore them with that dress?

When you get back from the airport and the dress

and the gloves to that bundle, what about the wig?

I'll return it Monday.

No, no, no. I have it right.

Are you ready?

I think so.

Let's get started. And.

Like.

Dr. and Mrs.

Ray Fleming, let's take it down. Well, they

thank you.

Raise your £13 overweight, DR.

Put it on my credit card with you.

Mrs Fleming.

Carol? Mrs. Fleming.

Yes. Will you be hearing any hand luggage aboard? No.

Will you sign here, please?

Nothing.

Thank you very much.

That'll be 75 in about three minutes.

Have a pleasant trip, sir.

Thank you.

Well,

for Acapulco is in the final boarding process.

Up to 35 passengers having reservations for this flight should be on board.

Please.

Doctor Mrs. Fleming

Oil three seats, A&E.

Thank you.

I don't.

Remember, don't

call it

trying to get in touch with me, I'll reach you, when will I see you?

I'm not for a while, at least a week.

I am worried.

Why don't we just try to get some rest and don't read the papers

that upset you?

Clearly, it's done.

What should I say?

You're an actress, darling, improvise

if you feel that way, why did you agree to come along?

That's a good question. I really don't know.

You never wanted to take this trip in the first place.

Can you blame me?

What am I supposed to do? Sit in my room when you go fishing?

Maybe you'd rather not go at all.

Maybe I wouldn't find spend the weekend with your friends.

Run up a nice bar bill.

Leave my friends out of this.

And you lower your voice, people are listening,

who's listening, I wasn't the one that started this making a scene.

Well, this is impossible. What do you think you're doing?

Isn't it obvious I'm leaving?

Carol, don't be a fool.

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, don't go. And.

Why don't you fix us some lunch,

I'm starving.

Oh. Dr.

Flemming.

Who are you?

Lieutenant Columbo Police.

I don't understand.

What's happened here is my wife.

Maybe a better down, I've got some bad news for you.

Something happened to Carol.

You sure you don't want to sit down.

You've been in an accident?

Not exactly.

What is it?

Tell me?

Well.

Somebody broke in here and try 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 sure you don't want to drink water brandy something?

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.

But what's the condition right now?

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.

I've got to see documentaries.

Don't you think you ought to rest a while, 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.

I've got a car downstairs.

I don't want to talk to anyone now

might be the hardest bit of doctor

they know I'm here.

Hello, this is Dr Flemming, darling.

I just had to talk to the newspapers.

No, I can't keep any appointments today.

Why don't you come in Friday to have my secretary will verify it?

You see someone with?

They expect me to be on call at all hours.

Shame on me, Don.

Yes, I am, Dr.

Fleming, my wife is a patient here, I'd like to see it.

I'm afraid she's on the critical as she's not permitted to have any visitors.

Miss, I'm a doctor.

I'm sorry, but my orders.

Dr. Landsborough, still chief of staff here. Yes.

You tell him that Dr Ray Fleming is here and would like to see you.

He may be in surgery, doctor, but you wouldn't know that unless you checked.

Would you mind?

Dr. Landsberry, please.

Reception.

This is Dr.

Fleming says he insist on seeing his wife. Yes.

Thank you.

He's being paged.

Thank you.

Hospital red tape.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

Well, let's get on with it.

That's very good. An old one.

Your red tape.

This is the.

Did he leave any traces on?

No, not a thing.

But of course,

we might be able to run him down when he tries to sell the stuff he stole.

We can't be sure, but

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 a list of what was stolen?

Of course, yeah.

And then we can we check with the fences in the pawn shops?

And who knows, you know, something might turn on.

Oh, a few questions for my report.

Now, Dr.

Miller, you were in Mexico when this thing took place and the dates there were

you don't have a pencil, do you?

Thanks.

You know, my wife, she gives me one every morning and

I just can't, you know, hold on to it.

Oh yes.

Now we know that you were in Mexico, but

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

Yes, I was in a little village about 20 miles from Acapulco.

It was very quiet and relaxing

and hardly any telephone, huh?

Yeah, that's very cool reception.

Yeah, I I suppose you're

you know about what happened on the plane.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

We talked with the

with the airline people and they told us that you and your wife checked in

with a boy that really threw us.

But then, of course, we contacted the stewardess

and she explained what happened because it was my fault.

He had an argument on the plane and

something ridiculous.

I never thought that you'd actually leave.

Yes, you 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 10:00.

Doctor what?

Lieutenant, if there's any further way that I can be of assistance to you at all?

No, no. You just make out that list.

That'd be fine, doc. Thank you.

Oh, one more thing before I forget

I had to borrow a photograph the other day.

I hope you don't mind a photograph.

Yeah, a picture of you and your wife.

We had to have something to show the stewardess for identification.

I see.

She was still out of town, but we contacted her by phone

and we sent the picture down by way of photo.

And. She identified your wife.

Picture wasn't her career, but she recognized this, Ray.

I was hoping to find 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 that what happened on Friday when I called the two

of you were getting ready to leave.

We had an argument on a plane.

Suddenly, Carol decided she wasn't going and she walked off.

I shouldn't have let her.

You can't blame yourself.

How could you possibly have known?

Have you heard me for years?

Not yet.

Lieutenant Columbo.

My name's Gordon.

I'm with the District Attorney's Office.

Yes, sir. I know.

I appreciate it.

Anything you can do for Dr.

Fleming is a good friend of mine. I'll try.

Ray. We're going to find a man that is responsible for this.

As soon as Carol gets better and can give us a full description.

Oh, and by the way, Cynthia, I want you to spend the next few days with us.

Let me think about it with you.

I understand.

Dr. Fleming.

Dr. Landsberry on the phone.

Hello, doctor.

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

if any, any progress so far.

Dr. Miller.

Well, it's

still a little early, but

you know, sooner or later, something usually breaks.

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,

I'm sorry, I was you.

I was just thinking about something.

What was that?

No, it's nothing important nature.

Dr. Fleming.

He didn't call to his wife when he came back to his apartment.

Know, I don't follow you.

Oh, well, I was in a bedroom.

I was checking some things

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

It's funny how people are different.

Now you take myself.

When I come home from a trip, the first thing I do is I say, Honey,

you hear exactly what is your point lieutenant

point ?

Well, I was 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 lieutenant.

I have already told you that Dr.

Fleming is a close personal friend of mine.

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 imagine Dr.

Farrell surgery for.

Thank you, Dr. Landry.

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.

It's yeah, it's all right, officer, this is her husband.

I'm sorry to and nobody's allowed in right now.

Why not? She's conscious.

The doctor's with her.

Well, maybe we got lucky.

Or Doctor, I'm the patient's husband, is she?

She all right,

I'm sorry.

She passed away.

Did she say anything?

As any consolation.

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 office myself.

Do you mind if I walk along?

Not at all.

Any news?

Oh, nothing much, Dr.

We're just sort of waiting around 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 cosmos between

five or six? I love to list on your desk.

first day back and everyone wants me to hold their hand.

You know,

I've never been in a psychiatrist office before.

first time I came looking for the couch said of my patients, I keep telling them

it's bad for their posture if it's very good.

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

Nischal off a shower seems rational.

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

You know, my sister, she has a living room is very, very minor.

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

you know

she's got this big kidney shaped coffee table.

It upsets me.

Just look at her eyes, husband.

He doesn't say anything, and I figure

the coffee table that two long years ago.

Is there something I can do for you?

Oh, no, not really, Dr. No.

I just came up to bring back it and I forgot to give it to you at the inquest.

Thanks. I missed it.

You know, that's my travel and I got a bad memory.

My life tells me I ought to have strings on all ten fingers.

Was there anything else you wanted?

Oh, no, it's nothing important.

There's one detail that bothers me.

What is it?

It's it's about your luggage.

My luggage.

I think you need 4 million.

Oh, no, maybe.

All right.

Well, it's quite a flame.

You were talking about my luggage.

Yeah.

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 overweight, you know, they keep those records

because I know I judge it on my credit card.

Well, when you came back nine, I was a stupid point guard

and it doesn't mean anything, but you were only £4 overweight,

and I was wondering what happened to the other £9.

I don't see what that has to do with my wife's death.

Oh, sure, part of the job, you know, just trying to tie in emotion to gather

you went through a lot of trouble

and you're going all the way out to the airport.

45 minutes.

Boy, that's quite a place that airplane.

You know, I get horses walking around.

Lt. About those £9,

I took along a stack of trade journals and medical magazines.

It seems I never get a chance to go through them at the office.

I'm catching up on your exam.

You might say that

and you didn't bring them back.

There'd be no reason to.

It was mostly advertising stuff. Hmm.

And you figured they weighed as much as £9.

Well, they have to weigh us the weight discrepancy.

Yeah.

Well, I guess that comes out of that. OK?

Thank you very much.

And I'm sorry. I bother. No bother at all.

Well, listen, there's one more thing

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.

Let's see now.

I had she was wearing a blue wool dress with brass buttons.

If I'm not mistaken.

Uh-Huh. Uh-Huh.

Yeah, that's what the stewardess said.

She's back in town, by the way, and I spoke to her and she told me,

your wife was wearing a blue dress with blue kid gloves.

Well, and that's probably it. No.

That's funny, though,

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

Well, we went over your apartment and we couldn't find them.

But they may have been stolen.

Yeah, maybe, maybe.

Did you put those on the list of stolen items?

Really?

Look at it.

How could you expect me to notice they were missing?

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 or issue Adobe.

You learn a lot about that in my line.

Well, I guess you're doing yours, too.

Excuse me.

Yeah.

Miss Hudson is here, doctor.

I'll be through in a moment.

I have a patient coming in now, Lieutenant.

Well, you know,

they took my oath.

Oh, well, that was the one who called you during a fire

and you say you have a bad memory when a patient comes in and goes,

You know,

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

Well, maybe you just missed them in your search.

Yeah, yeah, you're probably right. That

mission?

Would you mind if I came over this afternoon and took another look?

What time do you think you're going to be home?

Not before five.

But suppose I meet you there at five to.

If you think it's necessary.

Well, it's just another solution, you understand.

You can go in the sets

and thank you.

Excuse me.

What was your name again?

Joan Hudson, why?

I'm sorry to trouble you, ma'am.

Who was that man out there?

Lieutenant Columbo is a police officer, why he wanted to know my name.

Did you tell him what else could I do?

Something wrong

when 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.

We worry about as far as he knows, you're just another patient on my list.

Now. I am going to call the cleaners.

It did, as I told you, that you don't have Carol's

dress and clothes with the rest of the laundry, gloves,

dress and gloves.

But you know, John, I told you.

What is it?

But that changed in the restroom at the airport

and put her things in my bag.

And I went back to your apartment and left the dress

with the other laundry.

Go on.

What 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?

So what difference does it make?

Is it that important?

Is 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 it glows.

As small as they can be easily overlooked like me,

almost anywhere.

Congress

coming back to my apartment, he wants to make another search.

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 find him?

Can only be satisfied of all of this.

Loose ends are in place.

But right now you just do what I say, dummy.

All right.

There you are.

Do you bring them

good? Put them on the table.

I'll hide them in her bureau.

Colombo is going to find them this time.

Would you like a drink, please?

Are you angry with me?

No, not at all.

I would have to do something foolish.

I kept going over everything in my mind.

But the stupid gloves?

Don't you worry about it.

We protected ourselves.

I've missed you.

I'm lucky I was working and helping me get through the week.

It's behind us now.

What about that man that that Colombo?

You'll never see him again?

Why does he keep bothering you?

Because Carol's death has been almost too perfect.

That's what irritates them, 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?

Whenever he turns up, I've got an answer from.

Eventually, you lose

interest and start hounding someone else.

I could feel that, sure,

the past two weeks have been trying

to find an excuse for what we've done.

I haven't been very successful. Joe.

There was no other option.

Does that justify? Yes.

We're in London.

We want a future together, that's all the justification we need.

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.

What are you doing here?

Doctor, I yet I just kind of

thought that I'd save you some time and look for this stuff myself.

I mean, 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, Dr.

I mean, you gave

me permission, didn't you? You

what are you doing here now?

It bothered me, too.

I wanted to say some time for both of us.

And the glass lieutenant I found in on one of Carol's

bureau drug.

Why do you know about that?

We covered every inch of that bureau,

so much sympathy.

You didn't find address by any president.

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?

Lieutenant,

it's not in the apartment I went to every one of the closets.

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

But I just told you, well, there's no harm in shaking his.

Lieutenant, would you mind getting that

I don't feel like talking to anyone?

Rodeo cleaners.

And Dr..

How much do I owe you for 50?

Keeps the change.

Thank you.

Say, isn't that your wife dress?

Well, of course.

She must have 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 got to get back to my office.

I guess we both wasted a lot of time.

Well, listen, I'm sorry about this doctor.

I seem to be making a pest of myself.

Yes. Oh, lieutenant.

For you.

Mm hmm.

Yeah. Oh.

Are you sure?

You know, I you know a lot.

Mm hmm.

All right.

Yes, happy right now.

Yeah.

How does it double?

There's one we just got a confession,

Phelan just admitted killing your wife.

Listen, I got to go.

If I get any more information,

I'll call you.

And that's funny

the way those things happened.

How'd you break the window down?

I had this flashlight and I knocked it to the glass.

What happened next?

I told you

she came out.

I didn't think she'd be home.

You mean this is funny?

Yeah.

She was wearing this.

This nightgown.

Go on.

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

So I ran over to keep it quiet.

I put my hand over her mouth.

And I. I

just strangled her.

And then what happened?

Like I said, I began taking things.

Silverware, a couple of candle holders, a couple of lighters.

And the jewelry, should you take any money, Tommy?

Yeah, she had about 30 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 collector tenant wait times?

Do we have to go over this? I told you I killed.

That ought to be enough.

I mean,

why that particular apartment?

I saw them leaving with their luggage,

the initials on his bags that are.

So I looked at the mailboxes and I saw Dr.

Ray Fleming penthouse,

the only name that fit the initials.

And that was pretty shrewd of him.

How many jobs if he had in the past few months,

one or two,

if I was working steady, would I be breaking into apartments?

No, I guess you would.

All right, that's all you can take it on.

So that was quick.

Well, you've been very cooperative, Tony.

What do you think that?

I don't believe a word, he said.

Really? Why?

He knew exactly what was still and, you know,

now that they've gotten to the apartment, he knew what your wife was wearing.

And so this everyone who reads the papers.

Yes, that's true, that's true.

But boy, he's obviously neurotic.

Some people have an edge to confess

after every murder, I've even treated a few of them

and their compulsion to purge themselves.

Maybe they just want to get their names in the papers, but the boy story

does not hold up.

You know you might be wrong,

you know, come to think of it.

You 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 some indentation marks on the back of the neck, not on the front.

Oh, and I checked one more thing, Dr.

Tommy was discharged from the army under Section eight, he's mentally unstable

if you do that.

Why do you ask what I thought? Oh, I.

I just wanted to get another professional opinion.

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 going to check that out.

If you told me that you believe Tommy's story and I thought your mind.

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

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

Oh, that

reminds me

to doing a fishing while you were in Acapulco.

A little why

nothing important, just sit there.

I'm a terrific bug, gone fishing, you know,

my wife and I were looking for a place to take a vacation this summer.

You see, the travel

advice around here is that while people keep

dumping all kinds of things off the boat, you know, bottles scans are terrible.

Shame criminal. And

while I suppose you don't notice that in the ocean, do you?

I mean,

so big, you just swallow everything up.

I carry

those trade journals, you know, medical books.

Yeah, if you take them with you when you went fishing.

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 it was about a good place

to get some reading done, but to 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 I want the man who murdered my wife.

Everything else is irrelevant. Well, I'm always trying.

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, God.

How good are you?

We're out of time.

I'm glad you remembered that.

I miss you, think I hired someone to kill her

and the boy who confessed, maybe I paid him to do it.

No, you didn't do that.

How do you know?

I already asked.

Are you serious?

I am.

He's making an absolute pest of himself.

Telephone calls, question and answer session.

He's even bothering me at the office.

It's getting ridiculous.

He's probably trying too hard.

I'll have a word with him, but the word won't do it.

But you won't believe this.

But somewhere in the back of his mind,

he thinks I'm involved with Carroll's murder.

You, you've got to be kidding. I'm not.

Neither is Columbo.

Look, is there some way you can get him on my back?

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

I guess I can pull a few strange.

All right.

Consider it done. Well, that was painless.

Looks like I owe you a favor.

I got it when a friend's for.

Evening donor.

I just stopped by with some news

I thought you might be interested.

I got taken out of the case today.

I'm no longer waiting on it.

Oh, and it happened all of a sudden to,

you know, I was sitting on my desk and a call came down from upstairs

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

Real strange.

They told me to turn my files over to Lieutenant.

Silver was a very nice guy,

but he's young and not experienced in this kind of thing.

Hush money.

Here, I thought I was doing a good job.

I'm fortunate for you, but I suppose they know what they're doing.

We're going to have to excuse me, I've got a dinner engagement.

Where are the gardens?

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 gardens. No.

A lady friend?

Maybe.

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

No, I guess not.

I was wondering, Dr.

Would you take me on as a patient?

If you want, as it was how I made 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 them 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 haven't looked into it,

so I told her, I know this psychiatrist and

I think 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 figure 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 pardon.

Colombo, you're a public servant.

You say you've been taken off the case.

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

You've been talking to a lot

of people these days, Dr.

Colombo, you are magnificent.

You really are.

Well, what makes you say that

you're the most persistent creature I've ever met, but likable?

The astonishing thing is, you're likable.

Has anyone ever told you your droll?

Oh, me as you.

Oh, come on, come on, come on.

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.

How about a drink?

Well, all right.

Hey, that's very clever.

You always have a snort between patients.

I haven't given you a Rorschach test yet,

but I've got a hunch you're observant, man. OK?

Thank you very much, Doctor.

What do we drink to?

Well, I don't know.

How about you and me? Why?

I do read and I.

Yes, I do.

Gory murder mysteries.

Not very often.

Oh me, I love my plan, I'm nice and relaxing.

You know, the only trouble is that there is nothing to do with real life.

I mean, a guy who did it.

They catch him every time.

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

You never stop dance.

What?

The insinuation.

Change of pace.

Your bag of tricks, Columbo right down to that, perhaps the guy who.

Come on today, I'm going to tell you something about yourself.

You say you need a psychiatrist. Maybe you do.

Maybe you don't.

But you are the textbook example of compensation

of water compensation adaptability.

You're an

intelligent man, Colombo, but you hide it.

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

Because of your appearance.

You think you can 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 what you trip them up.

Like coming here tonight.

Well, you've

got me pegged pretty good, doctor.

I'm going to have to wash myself with you because,

well, you figure out people pretty good.

Now you're trying flattery.

Oh, really, I'm serious, doctor.

You got to give their all I know is your job and I know you study for years.

But still, it's well, it's amazing.

A person come in here and sit down and a couple of hours, you know, Lebanon

on that great psychiatry isn't a pilot trick.

Why do you mean that? No, I was J.

I was just wondering, did.

Well, no, I guess that is impossible.

What is it?

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

or a guy like me that's always hanging around on the table, one of a stranger,

what about a fellow that you never met before?

Can you tell what makes him tick?

Any particular one in mind?

No, nobody special.

It's just a type like a murderer, for instance.

Well, yeah, now that you mention it there.

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 fired somebody over the noggin with a bottle.

What I need is a

kind of man and

figures everything out in advance

who takes everything step by step.

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

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

let's just call it a free consultation.

All right. All right.

We are talking about a man who commits a crime,

not the garden variety, a 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 emotion.

And he's probably

well educated to like maybe a professional man,

like maybe at any rate, an orderly man

with an eye for detail and courage.

Courage assured me

to go through a thing like this, whatever it may be.

It takes a

strong nervous system where you could be right.

But one thing bothers me, doctor,

this man that we're talking about is taking a human life.

Wouldn't you say that he was insane? Why?

Because he committed an immoral act.

Morrow's condition, lieutenant.

Relative, like everything else, is today.

Our murderer maybe is saying, is you and me?

Killing may be repugnant.

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 were not the brightest guys in the world.

And of course, we got one thing going for us with professionals.

I mean, you take our friend here, the murder rate.

You're very smart.

He's an amateur.

I mean, he's got just one time alone, just one last.

Well, with a hash. It's

his business.

You say we do this 100 times a year.

I'll tell you that.

I saw a lot of practice.

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

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

What do you mean?

I didn't kill my wife.

I never said you did.

Oh, that's true, imply imply as my the way.

But if I kept my way.

And I did say if.

And they're going to be able to prove it.

So why don't we just punt as friends, you

go on or 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 out.

Well, absolutely.

Oh, no, no, no.

You just stay here, relax, search the office or.

And if you want another drink,

help yourself.

Good night.

Oh, by the way, when you leave,

turn out the light.

It's hard to.

Who are you?

Lieutenant Columbo, Manama police.

We met the other day, I remember.

And what's this all about?

Is there someplace where we could go and we could talk

by or just a few routine questions that.

Would you like some ice cream?

I face questions about what

could we go in there?

This is quite a play.

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

cases that.

Lieutenant.

The Fleming case.

Oh, you mean Dr.

Fleming, my psychiatrist.

Is he in some kind of trouble?

What was then

I said, is he in some kind of trouble where you might say, yes,

Saddam is Hudson?

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

No. Well, then if you don't mind line up

a lot of women, they don't actually guys know my wife,

she prefers a fight.

I could never get used to.

Those things is just too much to carry around with you.

How long have you known Dr.

Flemming?

You mean how long as you've 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 magic out.

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

Fleming

last week when I met you?

Oh, that's right. Yes.

Lieutenant, would you mind explaining, Are you working here in a movie now?

That's right.

Well, I'm going to have to say it when it comes out, what do you are?

You were are you playing a Roman girl or a Greek girl?

Do you do your own makeup?

What is this got to do with Dr. Fleming?

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 going to come as a shock to you.

But we think that he killed his wife.

You seem stunned.

Well, of course, I'm stunned.

I don't believe it. No.

You I wonder who these belong to.

Well, maybe somebody left them by mistake.

Miss Hudson.

Well, you seem nervous.

Haven't you seen a pair of sunglasses before?

Would you like to try them on?

Why should I? No reason.

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

Is that?

I think I better go sit down this afternoon,

if you insist on questioning me, I'm going 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.

Now how did you know that?

Dr. Fleming told me, Oh, but you said that you hadn't seen Dr.

Flemming since last week.

He called me.

Always the doctor in the habit of doing that.

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

Just one more point, Miss Hudson, that I like to clear up.

I am on the case.

It's true

somebody's trying 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.

Dr. Fleming 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.

He wants to know what the charge is.

It's accessory to murder.

I go ahead and make your call, Miss Hudson,

when you get down, will take a drive.

Drive.

Yes, we're going to go see the stewardess, I don't have the blue dress

and I don't have the glove,

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 luck with this.

Well, the first thing that she said about Ray Ray, Dr.

Fleming.

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 there in my briefcase.

Now, 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 look age?

What about the argument on the plane?

I don't want to listen to any.

Now you were there when he strangled her, worried, you know?

What does that mean that you came later?

I was never there at all.

I think you were.

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

and then you and the doctor went to the airport

and had that fake argument on the plane, I didn't, you know, didn't you?

Didn't you help plan it with him, then you helped carry it out with him.

Now, didn't you stop it without you?

That woman would be alive without.

He wouldn't be lying in the morgue. Couldn't have happened.

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.

Either charge me or let me leave.

I don't care what you do.

You can go.

McCutcheon.

I hope you understand that this is only the beginning.

In a way, I feel sorry for you because from now on, I'm going to do

everything I can to break you down.

Do you understand?

Dr. Fleming made one mistake and you admit you are the weak link, Mr.

Hudson.

Are you surprised me today because you were strong?

But there's always tomorrow.

And the day after that.

The day after that.

And sooner or later, you're going to talk to me

until you do, you're going to be questioned.

You're going to be followed and you're going to be hounded.

And Dr.

Fleming can do anything about it.

You're on your own, Miss Hudson.

And I'm going to get to him through you.

That's a promise.

Oh. You.

You no.

You know, Ray.

Oh, thank heavens, I've been calling for hours.

What's wrong? You sound upset?

Colombo came to see me at the studio today.

Colombo, you 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 and no proof.

Why should I 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.

And I think we'd better have a talk.

Come in tomorrow for your appointment, we'll figure something out.

Can't you come over here now?

Maybe men watching your house, Joan, use your head.

But you're my doctor.

I mean, there's nothing wrong in visiting a patient.

He obviously expects us to get together tonight.

Let's not be predictable.

What are we going to do?

Just ride it out.

You're is last resort.

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

Right.

I have to see you.

You were in the morning.

I put on some music.

Have yourself a drink and stop worrying Premiere. Yes.

All right.

I'll try.

Miss Petrie,

yes, yes, Miss Hudson, have a 10:00 appointment.

Yes, she does.

It's 1031.

Don't you give her call?

Hello, is Miss Hudson.

Well, no, I.

This is a receptionist in Dr.

Fleming's office.

Well, she had an appointment

here this morning.

I see.

I just called Miss Hudson and a man answered.

He said he was in the coroner's office.

Try it again.

Maybe you got the wrong number.

This is Dr Fleming's office

again, is Miss Hudson there?

You don't understand.

Dr. Fleming is a psychiatrist.

Well, I'm only trying to get some information,

I may have it.

Hello, this is Dr. Fleming.

Who are you?

Mr. Hudson is under my care.

I want to know what happened.

I am a psychiatrist.

What kind of accident

women who do I call to find out?

Look at you.

Get it to your head.

Never mind.

Miss Petrie, I'm

going out for a while till my next patient that I'll be late for.

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?

But I questioned her yesterday, I

I guess I pushed her too far, I told her that I was going

to get to you through her, you know, had to bring her into this, didn't you?

Didn't you know what you do?

I didn't.

You can lecture me, Dr.

I'm responsible and I'm going to 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 dug.

By the way, congratulations.

I mean, you're home free now, aren't you?

I couldn't have worked out better.

She was the only one who could have given you away.

Can't touch you anymore, Adobe.

Nobody can.

You're free and clear.

You want to.

The only trouble is

you didn't get what you were going 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 of that planning all of that sweat

and you wind up with nothing.

But are you trying to tell me?

I'm not trying to tell you anything, Dr.

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've 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 God girl isn't around anymore,

and who knows, maybe you will wear something.

Well, he said.

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?

Well, 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, dog. Not really.

Remember that hypothetical murderer we were talking about?

You 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 Carolyn, there's no proof that I did.

I did it for myself.

Not for some time. 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

always planning ahead, aren't you?

He said there was something I should hear.

Would you like to make a statement on?

Why don't we sit down?