Original subtitles

-I believe you killed Sharon Martin, and I believe you're

trying to kill Dr. Hidemann.

-Clamp.

I said sponge.

What's on your mind?

What possible reason could I have for killing her?

-You ask tough questions, Doctor.

-So does a jury.

-Take it away.

-Dr. Hidemann, I think you should--

-I've had enough.

Take it away.

-It's Dr. Hidemann.

-Emergency.

-OK, fellas, get him up on the examining table.

Take it easy.

-Hold it, gentlemen.

Hold it.

Let's take it easy.

-Where do they have Dr. Hidemann?

-Emergency one.

-And what is your diagnosis so far, doctor?

-You probably have aortic valve--

-Doctor.

-Shh.

-You probably have aortic valve disease or mitral valve

disease with additional coronary artery disease.

-It's aortic all right, and that is a very good diagnosis,

doctor.

-Is this an emergency or a medical quiz?

-Severe chest pains.

They just brought him in on an ambulance.

-Now don't get alarmed, Sharon.

Dr. Simpson and I have everything in hand.

Now that's not so bad.

-Is his room ready?

-I don't know.

-I'll take care of it.

-Thank you, Doctor.

-I think you'd better lie quietly, sir.

-Now, don't be so darned efficient, Doctor.

If anyone asks for me say that I'll be in the lab.

-What are you doing here?

I thought you went home?

-Oh, oh, I had to come out for a drive.

Thought I'd just check up on things.

-Everything's stable.

-This patient here of yours seems to be getting along a

lot better than I expected.

Temperature's back to normal.

-Heart beats normal too.

-Very good, Doctor.

Well there's no evidence whatever of tissue rejection.

-Have you given any more thought to making an

announcement?

-Hmm?

Oh.

There's no need to, really.

No real hurry.

-There are already rumors around that we're very close

to solving the transplant rejection problem.

I've had people ask me for the name of the drug we're

developing to counteract rejection.

-Oh, don't let that bother you.

-Of course, um, Breckman and his group might beat us to it.

-Oh, so that's the real problem, huh?

Who gets the credit?

-No, no, I just think we've done enough

testing, that's all.

-Listen.

I'd like nothing better than for you to go in and give the

real operation now.

But I do think we need further tests.

-Well, if you say we must wait, we'll wait.

-Doctor, your room is ready.

-What room?

-He was just brought in.

Severe chest pains.

-Why didn't you tell me?

-I've taken my own blood pressure.

It's normal now.

Besides--

-Now, just a moment.

As far as your condition is concerned, I'll be the doctor.

You've been postponing this valve operation for weeks.

-All right.

No more arguments.

Set up the operation room.

-Arrange for the operating room tonight if possible.

-Bring the wheelchair, Doctor.

-I'm perfectly capable of walking to my

own hospital room.

-I must say, for a doctor, particularly one of the

country's supposedly leading heart specialists--

-Alleged leading heart specialist.

-You ought to have more sense.

-All right, all right.

-You pardon my opinion, Doctor.

-Now you've got me where you want me--

-Doctor Hidemann left his glasses in here.

-Oh.

-Oh, there they are.

-Um, you might as well take this up too.

Just came in.

Might be important.

And I'll be up to check him out in a few minutes.

I want to get Bixton to stand by and assist on this one.

You let me know when Hidemann's ready.

Don't look so worried.

We've done valve replacements before.

He's going to come through just fine.

-How's Hidemann?

-Dr. Mayfield is going to operate this evening.

-Is that the cable that came in for Hidemann?

-Yes.

Why?

-Well, I just wondered if he got it all right.

-When did you give it to Dr. Mayfield?

-About an hour ago.

-Thank you, Miss Tucker.

-Thank you Vera.

I'll take it from here.

-Mm.

Now I know why I've always just liked

hospital rooms so much.

-I can hardly wait until I get you sedated.

-Ah?

Yeah, I'll just bet you you can't.

-This is for you.

-Hmm?

Ah.

-From Germany?

-Mm-hmm

-Dr. Breckman?

-I decided to accept your offer to come

and discuss our projects.

I seriously believe, he says here, we need another year of

tests at least.

-[inaudible]

That's going to overjoy Dr. Mayfield, I'm sure.

-Oh, I know he's rather impatient, but he'll get used

to waiting.

-I'm glad you're so certain of that.

-Ah, Sharon.

-When I went back to get your glasses I'm sure he was

reading your telegram.

-Now Sharon, I know you dislike Dr. Mayfield, but

that's no reason--

-Dr. Mayfield is an opportunist.

He's been taking half credit for a project that you've been

on since the very beginning and he's not going to sit

still for another doctor.

-Sharon, I am disappointed in you.

He is a very brilliant surgeon and is a great help to me in

my project.

I don't want to hear any more about it.

-I'm sorry, Doctor.

-Besides, if he wasn't such a brilliant surgeon I wouldn't

have him operate on me, would I?

-Scalpel.

Clamp.

Pressure OK, Charlie?

Pressure OK?

Retractor.

Lap sponge.

I said sponge!

What's on your mind?

Fibrillator on.

Clamp.

Suture.

What's the matter with you?

-Sorry.

Sorry.

-All right.

He's all yours.

-You made it look easy again.

-Thanks, Tom.

I had some expert help.

-I guess I ought to congratulate you too.

-Thank you.

You seemed a little uneasy.

-I did act as if it were my first time out.

I was worried.

-Afraid something might happen to him?

I mean, the way you were watching him.

-I feel foolish.

-Well, you needn't have worried.

I told you he was going to come through just fine.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to interrupt.

Go ahead.

-The line's busy.

-Sharon.

What's the matter?

Are you feeling all right?

Tell me the truth, Sharon.

What's bothering you?

-What is this?

-That's a suture.

If I remember correctly, we do use suture to sew up in

operations.

May I see it?

-It's suture, all right.

But I didn't bring this in on the operating tray.

And I've handled enough suture to know what it feels like.

This doesn't feel right.

-Sharon, I don't understand.

What's this all about?

-If Dr. Hidemann dies, you take over

the research project.

You do your own transplant operating.

And you get full credit.

-Do you realize what you're saying?

-Dr. Hidemann survived the operation.

What if you've done something during the operation that may

cause him to die?

-Sharon, I know you're not very fond of me but I never

realized you were so obsessive.

If I were you I'd have that suture checked out.

If you're so sure that I've done something that's going to

make lovable old Hidemann suddenly drop dead in a few

days, I'm sure the police would love to know about it.

I suggest you take your suspicions to them.

But before you lose yourself in your hysteria, would you

please mark and file these bottles and put them in the

cooler tray?

-Yes.

Yes.

Yes, right.

Right.

That'll be all right.

8 AM sharp.

Right.

-Get a couple of good shots of the area.

Hey, watch it.

Be very careful.

Please stay back, folks, please.

Look, would you keep them back?

We want to keep this area clear, keep

the evidence clean.

All right.

Please stay back.

Keep them back, would you please?

-Yeah.

-Lieutenant Columbo.

Over here.

-Who is the victim?

-Name is Sharon Martin, a nurse at the hospital.

-Is there any coffee around here?

-Haven't seen any.

-How long has she been dead?

-Looks like several hours.

Another nurse found her on the way into work this morning.

-Hey, you look tired.

-I am.

My wife's not feeling too good.

Stomach trouble or something.

She'll be all right.

In the meantime I'm dead.

Was up half the night.

Did I ask you for coffee?

-Yeah.

-Lieutenant.

-Yeah.

-Sir, we're trying to keep this area clean for evidence.

-Oh, sorry.

-So far the usual stuff.

Looks like her keys are missing.

-Let's see what else we can pick up, OK?

Let's check it out.

Yeah.

Right away.

Get that.

-All right.

Take off.

We'll check the report later.

All right folks, it's all over with now.

I think you'd better go home now.

Keep them dispersed.

All right.

Keep moving folks, please.

It's all over with now.

-Here's your orange juice, Lieutenant.

-No coffee?

-We're working on it.

-Pretty much of a mess.

Doesn't look like she was molested or

anything like that.

Somebody searched her pretty thoroughly though.

Went through her pocketbook, coat pockets, glove

compartment.

-Probable murder weapon.

No prints.

-There never are.

Excuse me.

Want to hold that over here for a minute?

-This is Dr. Mayfield.

Any calls for me?

Nothing?

Fine.

Would you got me surgery, please?

Hello, Alex.

Dr. Mayfield.

For my 10 o'clock surgery would you order up--

postponed?

Why?

Sharon?

No.

No I haven't heard yet.

They found her dead?

Oh no.

Where?

Well what happened?

Do they have any idea who did it?

Columbo [OFFSCREEN]: They don't know yet.

-Just a minute.

Who are you?

-Lieutenant Columbo.

Police.

-Alex, I'll talk to you later.

-Sorry.

Excuse me.

I didn't mean to interrupt.

But I have so much trouble trying to find

my way around hospitals.

You know, there's so many wings.

There's the north wing, and the south wing

and the east wing.

No sleep last night.

It's very hard for me to think.

What'd you say?

-I said what is it you want?

-Oh, I'm looking for Dr. Mayfield.

-I'm Dr. Mayfield.

-Oh.

Well, very pleased to meet you.

Terrible thing.

Young girl like that.

-She was my nurse, you know.

What was it?

Robbery?

-We're not sure of anything yet.

Uh, that's really the reason I came up to see you, Doctor, I

thought maybe you could be some help to us.

-In what way?

-Well since you were close to her, Miss Martin, I thought

maybe you could tell us something about

her personal life.

-Oh.

Well then you think it wasn't robbery?

-Doctor, I don't rule anything out.

I just want to get a complete picture.

-Well, I--

I don't know how much I can tell you about

her personal life.

I mean, we work together but she was much closer to my

associate, Dr. Hidemann.

-Yeah, I wanted to see him, but, uh---

see, I don't even want this.

I haven't even had coffee yet.

Where was I?

Oh, Dr. Hidemann, yeah.

I wanted to see him but I found out he just had an

operation.

-Oh, thanks for reminding me.

I should be checking on him.

He's my patient.

-You must be a terrific surgeon.

-Well, Dr. Hidemann and I do share a mutual respect.

-Oh, that.

Oh.

yeah, he must think you're very good.

No, actually Doctor, I was referring to your great

concentration.

-Well, how is that, Lieutenant?

-Well when I came in, you see, you were getting the news of

your nurse's death on the phone I could see you were

terribly upset.

But while you were on the phone you

reset your desk clock.

-Well.

I fail to see the virtue in that.

-Oh, you're too modest, Doc.

Now most people they'd be in such a state of shock they'd

never be able to split their concentration like that.

The way you did.

Setting your clock there.

-Well, it, uh, it must've been a purely reflexive reaction.

I really don't remember doing it.

Would you excuse me?

-Oh, sure, yeah.

Sorry I've detained you.

-Not at all.

-Uh, is there a coffee machine on this floor?

-No.

FEMALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]: Dr. Hart, please.

Dr. Hart.

-Excuse us gentlemen.

-Excuse me, Doctor?

-Yes, Lieutenant?

-May I speak to you personally?

-Go ahead.

-Uh, I feel uncomfortable.

-In what way?

-In hospitals, around illness.

I, uh, I feel kind of queasy.

-Well, that's not uncommon, Lieutenant.

-I know.

I faint.

I mean, I actually pass out and in my line of work that's

kind of embarrassing.

Is there, uh, is there something I can do for that?

-There's only one surefire cure, Lieutenant.

Stay out of hospitals as much as possible.

-Right.

I'll try, Doctor.

-I can't believe it.

I just can't believe it.

-I wasn't sure if I should tell you.

-No, no, of course you should have.

Poor girl.

have the police make an arrest yet?

-No.

They've got someone on it.

A Lieutenant Columbo.

I'm sure you'll be talking to him.

He's very efficient.

Believe me, if there's anybody can do anything about it it's

going to be Lieutenant Columbo.

-All right.

All right.

And since you're such a good doctor, how soon do you think

there'll be a change for me?

-A few days.

Just a few more days.

I'll check you later.

-Just can't believe it.

We were so close.

Of course in a lot of ways, you know, we were far apart.

-How is that?

-Well, I mean I've always been inner directed and she was

other directed, you know what I mean.

-Well, not really.

-I'm career oriented.

Sharon was motivated by others' wishes.

Do you understand?

-No.

-I have personal, selfish goals and Sharon was devoted

to humanity.

Do you follow?

-Uh, well I'm beginning to get some of the drift--

-Excuse me, Lieutenant.

-Yeah.

You were both nurses.

Is that right?

-Yes, but Sharon always was devoted to healing.

She always worked in hospitals.

Myself, I work in Beverly Hills for a plastic surgeon

because I selfishly enjoy being with middle to upper

middle class people.

However, I don't meet any single men unless they're

ready for face lifts.

-Uh, tell me, could you tell me a little bit more about

your roommate?

-Well I just know that Sharon never did

anything to harm anyone.

-No idea why anyone would come into this apartment and tear

it up like this?

-No.

No idea.

-Hey Lieutenant, in here.

Take a look at this, sir.

-You got a handkerchief?

-Yes sir.

-Did you ever see these before?

-No.

What are they?

Why are they hidden under there?

What is it?

-Morphine.

Hank?

-Lieutenant, I know nothing about this.

I had no idea anything like this was hidden underneath--

-Hank, you want to dust these?

-Fingerprints?

-We'll see.

-Nothing.

They're clean.

-Good of you to come.

I'll see you later.

-After the premiere I got called out on an appendectomy.

-Hi Lucille.

-I should have been an orthodontist.

All the ones I know are cleaning up.

-A very important patient.

Now I can't mention his name but he's very big-- how's it

going Barry?

He's very big in the aerospace industry.

-Welcome, sir, would you care for an hors d'oeuvre?

-Oh, thank you very much.

Yes.

As a matter of fact, I am a bit hungry.

Uh, let's see here.

What is that one there?

-Oh, that's salmon on toast with caviar and sour cream.

It's delicious.

-You don't have anything with just plain cheese, do you?

-Oh yes, sir, yes.

Right over here.

Help yourself.

-Thank you.

-Collecting evidence, Lieutenant,

or just being sociable?

-Oh, hello, Doctor.

I hope you don't mind my helping myself.

Your maid sort of insisted.

-No, not at all.

Here, have some crab.

-Oh, thank you.

-Always eager to support my local police.

-Thank you very much.

I really appreciate this, Doctor, because I've been sort

of off my schedule all day today.

You know, I had very little sleep last night and I had

that very early call at the

hospital so I missed breakfast.

And I was filling out reports all during lunch.

Of course, here I am now, so I'm going to be

home late for dinner.

-Very interesting.

So why are you here?

-Uh, well I had a couple of things I wanted to

check out with you.

I think I'll have another one of these.

Uh, I'm sorry if I interrupted your party.

-Oh, no.

It's perfectly all right.

I was going to cancel it, I mean, with all that's

happened, you know, but it was just too late.

-I know about that.

Uh, if you don't mind, you could be a big help.

-Of course.

Would you like to step outside?

-Excuse me.

Sorry.

Take a few olives here.

[inaudible].

They look very good.

Thank you.

-A really good pediatrician.

-Oh, no, not again.

Harry, you'll never learn, will you?

-Incidentally, forgive my appearance.

I didn't get a chance to shave this morning.

-Oh, it's perfectly all right.

Don't worry about it.

-There's been a new development in the case.

-What is that?

-We went to Miss Martin's apartment.

We found it torn up just like her car.

-Really?

-Yep.

Tell me, Doc, at the hospital did she have, you know, access

to the drug security rooms, places like that?

-Drugs?

Well, uh, why yes, Dr. Hidemann's and my laboratory.

We use quite a variety of drugs in our research work.

She had access to our supplies.

Why?

-We went to Miss Martin's apartment, as I told you.

It was not only torn up, but we found

two bottles of morphine.

They were hidden there in the bathroom under the wash basin.

-What do you make of it?

-Looks like someone knew she had drugs and wanted them

pretty bad.

-Lieutenant, Sharon was one of the most devoted

nurses I ever knew.

Are you inferring that she was mixed up in drugs in some way?

-I know what you mean.

It shook me too.

A woman like that.

But you never know, Doc, you just don't know.

I mean today everything's up for grabs.

You don't know who's involved in what today.

The best people.

Terrible.

By the way, did she ever mention to you the name of a

man named uh, named Mac?

-I don't think so.

Why?

-Well, in the laboratory by the telephone we found this.

That's her handwriting.

Looks like she had an appointment to meet--

meet a man named Mac this morning.

-I'm afraid I never heard of him.

You think this Mac is what, maybe a, maybe an addict?

-Don't know, Doc.

Do know that somebody busted into her apartment.

That we do know.

-What about her roommate?

Was she any help?

-No.

She couldn't give us any idea.

Listen, Doc, do you have anything for an upset stomach?

-Oh, yeah, sure.

Come on inside.

I'll give you something.

-Right in back here and a couple right here.

-Do you have this problem often, Lieutenant?

-Well, it comes and goes, Doc, and usually when

I've eaten too fast.

-Take two of these right now.

And I'm going to write you a prescription.

If you don't feel better in the morning you get this pill.

-Oh, thanks, Doc.

-But those should give you some immediate relief.

-Thank you very much.

I hope so.

[sneezes]

-Bless you.

-I tell you, this has been a terrible day for me

altogether.

And you know on top of everything else this case has

just got me down.

-I know what you mean.

It's all just so hard to believe.

-You know, it just--

it just doesn't sit right with me.

I don't know what it is.

Especially that fingerprint business.

-What fingerprints?

-That's just it.

There weren't any.

There were no fingerprints in the apartment and there were

none on the murder weapon.

I had it all double checked.

Send it down to the lab and all they could find was some

things that looks like glove smudges.

-Well, I--

I don't follow.

What does that mean?

-Well, here you have this dope addict who's so badly in need

of a fix that he wildly attacks Miss Martin in order

to get some drugs.

And yet he takes the time to put on gloves before he

attacks her.

What do you think, Doc?

Doesn't sound much like a dope addict, does it?

-I'm afraid I can't be very much help.

I don't know anything about dope addicts.

-Yeah, of course.

Well, listen, thanks a million.

It was real nice of you to give me the time.

-No trouble at all.

-Appreciate it.

-Not at all.

-Lovely party.

-Thank you.

-Continue to enjoy yourself.

-Thank you.

Hey, Marcia, this is Dr. Mayfield.

Yes, how are you?

I know.

It's just terrible.

Must be a strain on you too.

Look, I'm going to be free in about an hour.

Why don't you and I take a walk down at the beach?

MARCIA [OFFSCREEN]: And ever since the police left I've

just been sitting there in the apartment,

not wanting to move.

I just don't know what to do.

-Well, I--

I can imagine how you feel.

-I suppose if I could put it into words

I'd say I feel helpless.

-You know there is something you could do.

The police seem to think that there was somebody who knew

that she had those drugs and might have killed for them.

-I know.

But who?

-Well let's think about it.

Between the two of us we can come up with an answer.

-I wish we could.

-Could it have been someone that she dated?

-No.

She never really dated that much.

I used to try to fix her up once in a while, but she was

really totally introverted.

-Unfortunately I didn't know too much about her personal

life except that she lived very quietly and did some kind

of volunteer work, a drug clinic, I think, or something

like that.

-Right.

For veterans.

-Veterans.

Marcia, you might have hit on something very important.

-I hope so.

-Um, was there anybody in particular?

Did you know any of the people that she worked with?

-Not really.

I only met a few of them.

-Any particular one?

Maybe a--

a patient?

-Wait a minute, there was a guy out there she used to see.

What was his name?

-Sharon used to talk about somebody named Harry.

-Harry.

Harry! yes.

That was it.

Harry Alexander.

-Oh, Marcia.

Marcia, I think you've come up with something very important.

-I hope so.

-You should go to the police about it.

-OK.

What would you like to do now?

-I think we ought to take you home.

-Oh.

Sure you don't want to come up for a drink?

-I'd really better get back.

-Wouldn't be any trouble.

-Some other time, maybe.

Thank you.

And Marcia, don't forget to tell the police.

-I won't.

-[sneezes]

-Oh.

-Excuse me.

-Lieutenant.

-I don't know what's the matter with me.

[sneezes]

-God bless you.

-Got to be some kind of an allergy.

I'll be with you in a moment.

How are you?

-Rotten.

-Well, that's better.

Sorry.

I think it was the crab meat.

I'm not used to that.

Or those trees.

-Oh, well maybe the pollen.

-Right.

Whatever.

At any rate, Miss Dalton, are you going this way?

-Yes, my apartment.

Come on.

-We didn't get much of a chance to talk before.

So that's why I came over here.

You don't mind, do you?

-No, not at all.

-Uh, that was Dr. Mayfield, wasn't it?

-Yes.

-I thought it was.

-Well, here we are.

-[sneezes]

-God bless you.

I've got a great home remedy for that.

Here, I'll get you a glass of water.

It never fails.

What you do is you take seven consecutive sips.

You don't breathe in between the sips.

You take each sip in cadence and then you hold your breath

for the count of four.

It always works.

Here.

Sit down.

Put your cigar down.

-Now what do I do with this?

-Seven sips in cadence, yeah.

Then hold your-- all right, rhythmically.

Now start.

No, you don't breathe now.

You breathe later.

-Breathe later.

-Sips first.

One.

Two.

OK.

Now hold your breath for a count of four.

One, two, three, four.

-You have a tissue?

-Oh.

-I'm waiting.

-I think it's clean.

Oh.

This is clean.

-Oh, I think that's better.

Hey, that works.

It's all right.

I think that works.

Why that's magic.

Why, that's terrific.

Gee, thank you very much.

Uh, Miss Dalton, I wanted to ask you some questions about

Sharon Martin's personal life.

-Oh, yeah, well look, Lieutenant, I think it would

be a good idea if you looked up a Harry Alexander.

He was a patient at the VA drug clinic when

Sharon worked there.

-Harry Alexander?

-Yeah.

She was sort of close to him.

It was a couple of months back.

I don't think she'd seen him recently.

-Yeah.

Well I'll write that down.

Thank you very much.

You're very helpful.

Do you have a pencil?

-Oh, yeah.

-Do you mind if I ask you a question?

-No.

Certainly not.

-When I asked you about Sharon's personal life, what

did you think I meant?

-I don't know.

Habits or family life.

I guess it could mean anything.

-Do you know that's what most people think?

-I mean I ask that question all the time.

I say, tell me about someone's personal life.

And people say to me, well, what do you mean?

Do you mean what time they get home or who do they see or

what their habits are.

But you didn't do that.

You came right out with the name Harry Alexander.

-Well, there's a simple explanation.

Because I was just discussing him.

-With Dr. Mayfield?

-Yes.

-Oh I see.

Mr. Alexander's name came into your mind and

you called Dr. Mayfield?

-No, Dr. Mayfield called me because he was concerned about

me, you know, being depressed.

-Oh, he called you.

I see.

Well that was very thoughtful of him.

Um.

In other words, it was just a social call and he brought up

the name of Harry Alexander?

-No.

He remembered the fellow's name was Harry and I put it

together from there.

-I see.

Well, good thinking.

Thank you very much.

Do you have any idea where I can get

a hold of Mr. Alexander?

-No, I don't.

I'm sorry.

-Don't be sorry because you've been very helpful.

You have nothing to apologize for.

Thank you very, very much.

I'm going to see if I can locate this fella.

-Just do it.

-Doctor, I can't do it.

-All have to do is to go into my lab and on my desk there

are some research papers.

It's very simple.

And bring them in here so I can have a look at them.

-And you're supposed to be resting, doctor.

-I'm tired of resting.

-No.

I won't do it.

I'm sorry.

You're still a patient and--

what is it?

-Uh, Doctor Hidemann?

-Perhaps you didn't see the sign on the door.

-Nurse.

Can I have a moment?

Uh, I spoke to the doctor downstairs at the desk and he

thought it would be all right if I asked the doctor a few

questions.

-Who are you?

-I'm Lieutenant Columbo, sir.

Police.

-Please put out your cigar.

-No.

Don't put it out.

-This is still a sick room, Doctor.

-I know what it is.

I also known it's the first human thing I've

smelled in two days.

Including your antiseptic presence.

Are you going to give me my shot or just stand there

looking officious?

So long.

And don't forget my research papers.

What is it, Lieutenant?

Is it about Nurse Martin?

-Uh, yeah, doc, I just want to ask you a couple of questions.

From what I understand she spent a great deal of time

with you the uh, the day before yesterday,

the day of her death.

Is that true?

-Yes.

Yes.

She came in to help me prepare for my operation.

Why?

-Well I've been speaking with some of people around the

hospital here.

And a couple of nurses said that she seemed odd.

You know what I mean, upset that day.

Did you notice that?

-Yes.

She didn't seem a little upset.

-Uh, did she say why?

-No I just assumed it was because of my operation.

You see, we've been pretty close through the years.

-OK, I guess that was the reason.

I want to ask you about this snapshot.

-May I ask what's going on in here?

-Oh you know Dr. Mayfield, don't you?

-Oh, yes.

Hi Doctor.

I, uh, I was asking a few questions here.

I spoke to--

-Lieutenant this is not a police smoker and I'm afraid

your questions are going to have to wait until later.

Dr. Hidemann is not to be bothered.

-I don't really mind.

-I do.

-No, I--

-I'm sorry, Lieutenant.

-No, no, I understand.

-He is a doctor.

-Right, no, I understand.

Uh, could I have a word with you?

-Outside.

-Certainly.

-I'll see you later.

-Hope you're feeling better, Doctor.

-I'll try to.

-Uh, Doc, since I can't ask Dr. Hidemann maybe I can ask

you.

-Ask me what?

-Does the name Harry Alexander mean anything to you?

-Alexander?

Harry Alexander?

-Maybe Sharon's roommate mentioned the name yesterday

afternoon?

-Oh yes.

Yes, of course.

That's it.

-Listen, I really appreciate you following it through the

way you did.

I mean, I know I was a bother, I don't mean to

bother you, very nice.

-Lieutenant, after you left yesterday

you got me to thinking.

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

After all, I want to do whatever I can.

-Wonderful.

Thank you.

Miss Martin was seeing this Alexander fella a couple of

months back.

You know anything about that?

-Not much.

She brought him around once or twice.

I think.

I'm not sure.

Why?

-Well, I'm still digging into Miss Martin's personal life.

You know anything about him?

Alexander?

-No.

I'm afraid not.

-That's too bad.

FEMALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]: Lieutenant Columbo, telephone.

-Where do I go?

-Right over here.

-By the way Doc, I still want to thank you.

-What for?

-Those pills for my stomach.

They were terrific.

-Good.

I'm glad.

-And I want to thank you for getting Miss Martin's roommate

to help us.

-Well I just thought that possibly she could be useful.

-You were right, and I'm very grateful.

-You have a call from Lieutenant Columbo.

-Thank you.

Could I see the Robinson chart, please?

-Right here, Doctor.

-Thank you.

-Just a minute.

How is that for timing?

We just located Harry Alexander.

-Well, congratulations.

-Yes?

Excuse me, Harry Alexander?

-Yeah.

What can I do for you?

-Uh, Lieutenant Columbo.

I'd like to talk to you.

-What about?

-Privately.

-Listen, [inaudible] this another time?

-Just take it easy, son.

Take it easy.

Take a walk over there.

I'm investigating a murder of a friend of yours.

Sharon Martin.

-Yeah, what about it?

-Well, I thought maybe you could help me.

-I haven't seen her in six months.

-I know that.

-Well why are you asking me then?

-There's evidence to indicate that she was

killed over some drugs.

-Listen, Lieutenant, I'm completely straight.

I'm nowhere near any of that stuff anymore.

I'm straight.

-But you were a close friend of Miss Martin's?

-Yeah, she was special to me.

-Tell me about it.

-I met her when I was in withdrawal therapy.

We got to be close.

OK?

-And why haven't you seen her in six months?

-What's that got to do with you?

-Don't be foolish.

You're an intelligent person.

Why'd you stop seeing her?

-She said we were close because of my

dependency on her.

Like she was my doctor and it was bad for me and it was

replacing one crutch with another crutch.

So she broke it off.

I never would have--

she was a beautiful person.

-You have any idea who might have killed her over drugs?

-No.

Why don't you check with the VA.

Maybe she was still working there.

-I checked with them.

After you left she quit.

-Look, Lieutenant, like I told you, I'm clean.

If my boss ever finds out that I've ever even been near that

stuff, I mean ever, he's just--

kiss the job goodbye.

-You know a Dr. Mayfield?

-Yeah, I met him once or twice at the hospital.

-Anybody ever call you Mac?

-No.

-I didn't think so.

Thank you.

FEMALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]: Dr. Dodds, please.

Doctor Dodds.

-Well, anyway, I said hello.

But just like I told you, she practically walked on past me.

Well, I figured she was upset.

So I called to her.

She was always very friendly to me even though I'm not a

nurse or anything.

But she just went right on by.

-And you say you're usually done at work around midnight?

-Well, when I have night duty.

-Will you excuse us please?

-Oh, yes.

-Lieutenant.

-Oh.

[inaudible]

Doc.

-Lieutenant, what are you doing here?

-I'm still looking for a substantial piece of evidence,

that's what I'm doing.

-In my wastebasket?

-You know that fellow Mac she had an appointment with?

I have a feeling there's an important clue there.

And I'm looking for something, anything, that will help me

figure out who this Mac guy is.

You see, that's my problem.

Who's Mac?

You don't mind if I look around in here?

-Be my guest.

-We'll clean that up.

[inaudible].

-I thought you'd be busy arresting that addict

boyfriend of Sharon Martin's.

-Oh.

You're right, doc, I did go out to see the guy.

But he seemed clean, claimed he broke the habit.

Says he hasn't even seen Sharon Martin in six months.

-And you believed him?

-Yeah.

Yeah, I guess I believed him.

-I'm not a policeman, but I can't imagine that you'd

dismiss a suspect like him just because he claimed he

hadn't seen her.

-Yeah that's true.

But I'll tell you.

I'm finding it hard to believe that her murderer had anything

to do with drugs.

I mean, you had those glove prints on a murder weapon and

the more I speak to people around here, people like

yourself, the more I find it hard to believe that she's the

type of woman who'd get involved in that

kind of thing at all.

-What about the evidence?

Those bottles in her apartment?

-That looks funny, doesn't it?

Yeah.

I've been thinking about that.

The only answer I can come up with is that maybe somebody

put them there to make it look like

that's why she was killed.

Is this the cabinet where you kept those drug bottles?

-Yes, that's it.

-Besides yourself, who else had access to this cabinet?

-As far as I know, no one has access to that cabinet outside

of myself and Doctor Hidemann.

Are you insinuating that I put those

bottles in her apartment?

-No, I was just--

-Lieutenant, I had no motive for killing her.

-Oh, you're right about that.

No motive at all.

No.

Hey, take it easy fella.

You know that cleaning woman just now, you know, she said

something strange to me.

She said she saw Sharon Martin and she was

upset after the operation.

-I'm afraid I don't understand.

-Well, it just seems kind of funny, doesn't it?

I mean, since it was so successful, that

she'd still be upset?

-Right in the middle of the room.

Amazing.

Hypodermic needle.

Plus one of those little bottles of drugs we found at

Nurse Martin's place.

Right in the middle of the room.

Amazing.

-I wouldn't worry about it Lieutenant.

We all make mistakes.

-Yeah, yeah, I guess we do.

What mistakes?

-Well obviously you misjudged this man when you first met

him, for one.

-Oh, that one.

Oh.

I don't think so.

-Why not?

-Well Alexander was drugged, I'll give you that.

I mean he had a fresh needle mark in his arm, everything.

Right about here in the left arm.

And yet when I saw him yesterday he was smoking.

[coughs]

Excuse me.

Well, anyway, um, I noticed he was left handed.

-Now what does that prove?

-Well I guess that's something you wouldn't know about.

Just seems awkward to me.

You know.

Why would a left handed man give himself a

shot in his left arm.

-And you don't believe that he killed Sharon Martin?

-To tell you the truth, I doubt it, but I think

someone's going to an awful lot of trouble to make

it look that way.

-Only two people knew about Alexander.

Marsha and me.

-That's true.

-Maybe Marcia knows more than she's telling.

-Well, actually, I think she knows less than she's telling.

-I have a lecture.

You'll have to excuse me.

-Oh.

-Lieutenant, what possible reason could I have for

killing her?

-You ask tough questions, doc.

-So does a jury.

-After the operation.

Are you certain?

-That's what the cleaning woman on the floor said.

-Why should she be upset after the operation?

-That's the point, Doctor.

I don't know.

-It was successful.

-I know.

Everything went very well.

You would think she'd be relieved.

It just doesn't make any sense.

What did she think of Dr. Mayfield?

-Huh?

Oh.

Well she felt that Dr. Mayfield was a

little too self involved.

She never seemed to realize that talented people

are often like that.

Why, Lieutenant?

What are you getting at?

What's the matter?

What is it?

-Marcus and Carlson.

Medical supply company.

That's it.

M-A-C. That's it.

Of course.

Capitals.

Should have thought of that before.

May I use this?

-Sure.

-Hello miss?

Yes, operator?

This is Lieutenant Columbo, police.

Would you put me through to a Marcus and Carlson medical

supply company?

Yeah, I'll hold on.

Isn't that something?

Capitals.

I should have known all along.

Those were initials she was writing.

That wasn't a man's name.

-Who was writing what?

-Sharon Martin made a note in her appointment book for

Tuesday the day after the operation.

M-A-C. I thought it was-- hello?

Hello?

Yes.

This is Lieutenant Columbo, police.

I'm just checking something out.

Could you help me dear?

Do you remember whether or not a Sharon Martin on Tuesday

morning, that's the day before yesterday, made an appointment

with anybody over there?

Yeah.

She did.

Yeah.

Uh-huh.

Yeah.

All right.

Mm-hmm.

No.

No, that'll be all right.

Thank you very much.

-What'd you find out?

-She made the appointment all right.

With a chemist 8 o'clock Tuesday morning.

The receptionist remembers because she was so insistent

and she was so upset when she called but she didn't know

what she was upset about.

-Why should she see the chemist?

And why be so upset?

-I'll see you later, Doc.

-Marcus and Carlson.

Marcus and Carlson.

Here we are.

Just one of the supply houses we buy from.

I can't imagine what she'd want to talk to one of the

chemists about.

Let's see.

Here we are.

There's bed pans and clamps and tweezers and scissors.

As far as I can tell from these invoices the only thing

we buy from them with a chemical base is suture.

-Suture?

-Mm-hmm

-That's the thread that they use to sew people up with.

-Yeah, well it's a little bit stronger

than thread, of course.

-Could you give me an example of exactly how it's used

surgically?

-Sure.

Come along with me.

-Boy, we're in luck today.

Dr. Irving is performing a resection.

He's going to be using a lot of suture.

-Good.

Do you think that we could just talk about the sutures?

-Here's a wonderful example.

Look how Dr. Irving is sewing up that colon.

-Yes.

I see.

It's very impressive.

-Oh, he's got wonderful hands.

-Do you think that you could just talk about the suture,

just sort of describe into so many words?

-Oh sure.

Well in this operation they're using dissolving suture as

opposed to the permanent kind.

-I see.

Permanent?

-Yeah, a suture you use when you want something to stay

permanently.

-Uh, oh there are, there are

different kinds than permanent?

-Yeah, the dissolving kind.

Of course it's a different-- it's a different color and a

different texture.

-Dissolving.

-Yeah.

It's made to hold for a few days and then it just

dissolves away.

-Uh, you mean it just--

it just goes away into nothing?

-Yeah, in a few days or when the wound heals or when its

use is over.

-Um, is there any time in a heart valve operation that you

shouldn't use dissolving sutures?

-Oh you should never use it in a heart valve.

-You see, when the suture dissolves then

the valve would separate.

-What was that?

-When the suture would dissolve away that the valve

would separate.

-I see.

Um.

And how long after the operation would it take for

the valve to separate?

-Oh, normally a couple weeks.

But in the case of a heart valve job, why the pressure

would make the suture give away in a matter of days.

-I see.

Matter of days.

-Mm-hmm

-Is that what you said?

-Yeah.

Matter of days.

-Thank you.

-Sure.

-I feel fine.

Why should I have another specialist?

Barry Mayfield's one of the best surgeons in the country.

-No doubt about it.

That's right.

And I'm not attempting in any way to say I know anything

about medicine.

I don't.

All I'm saying is--

-Lieutenant, I thought I told you that Dr. Hidemann was not

to be disturbed.

Now if you insist upon ignoring my orders I have no

alternative but to call your superiors.

Goodbye, Lieutenant.

-Take care of yourself.

Oh.

Sorry.

God, [inaudible].

Doc?

Doc?

Doc, you got a second?

You know what I've been learning a little about?

Suture.

-Suture.

-Fascinating.

You going somewhere?

-As a matter of fact, I was.

-Yeah, I don't want to hold you up.

But I found out all about the different kinds.

You know, they have permanent suture and then there's

dissolving suture.

-Exactly what is your point, Lieutenant?

-I'm not sure I have one.

You going down?

But for instance, you take Dr. Hidemann's operation, for an

example, suppose somebody used dissolving sutures to tie up

things in his heart when they were supposed to be using

permanent structures.

Like that valve that you put in.

I mean the stitches in there, they would give way in a few

days, wouldn't they?

It would kill him, wouldn't it?

-Yes it would.

-See, now, I don't know anything about

operating on anybody.

I don't know anything like that.

But with this fella's heart condition the way it was,

wouldn't everybody just think he died of heart failure?

-A surgeon wouldn't make a mistake like that.

Dissolving suture is an entirely different color.

FEMALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]: Dr. Hart, please.

Dr. Hart.

-You're right, it is a different color.

I noticed that when the [inaudible] was

showing them to me.

But you know, I'll bet somebody could take some dye

or something and color one to make it look like the other.

I mean you could fix it up so that no one would know the

difference.

-That would be murder wouldn't it, Lieutenant?

-Yes, yes.

Yes, it certainly would.

Sure.

Uh, because that would explain why Miss Martin was so

bothered after the operation and it would explain why she

wanted to see the chemist at the company

that made the suture.

That's murder.

That certainly is.

No question about it.

-[laughs]

-What's so funny?

-Excuse me Lieutenant.

I had to play it as though you were serious.

You don't really believe all those foolish

things you say, do you?

[laughs]

-I believe you killed Sharon Martin.

And I believe you're trying to kill Dr. Hidemann.

-Lieutenant Columbo, you're remarkable.

You have intelligence.

You have perception.

You have great tenacity.

You've got everything except proof.

-I want you to take good care of Dr. Hidemann because if he

dies we're going to have to have an autopsy, aren't we?

I mean, we're going to have to know whether a heart attack

killed him or whether it was just dissolving suture.

-Third floor nurse's station, please.

Have the afternoon medicines gone out yet?

Thank you.

-Miss Smith, please.

-OK, I'll check.

Will you hold on, please?

FEMALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]: Dr. Hart, please.

Dr. Hart.

-Doctor?

Something I can do for you?

-I was just checking Dr. Hidemann's dosage.

Has he had his three o'clock yet?

-No.

I was just about to take it now.

-Fine.

-I just can't breathe.

I can't breathe.

-It's all right Doctor, he's on his way.

-Call surgery.

Get an operating room.

It's the new valve.

It's not operating properly.

We'll have to replace it.

Scalpel.

More suture, please.

Clamp.

All right.

He's all yours.

Now take it slow and be careful.

-All right.

-Please pardon the interruption.

I'm Lieutenant Columbo, police.

Some of these gentlemen are doctors.

I know this is unorthodox, but we do have a search warrant.

Just bear with us for a moment.

Be sure to check out everything.

The attendants, everything on this table,

and the patient too.

You better get him to the recovery room.

-Lieutenant, what is this little drama all about?

-You just replaced a valve on Dr. Hidemann, is that right?

-That's correct.

-Then you had to replace the sutures.

I think our lab should take a look at those old sutures.

-I don't have to stand for this.

-I'm sorry Doctor.

You can't leave just yet.

-I've never seen anything like this in my life.

In the middle of a surgical area?

I suppose you realize that your superiors will be hearing

from the Board of Medicine.

-This will just take a moment.

You'll have to be searched.

Flores?

-Are you sure?

-Yes I am.

-Anything, Doctor?

-One last thing.

Thank you Miss Morgan.

-What about it, Frank?

-I kept watch as you asked, Lieutenant.

[inaudible]

Wasn't a false move.

He didn't leave the sutures you're

looking for in the patient.

I just checked out the tray.

They all look like permanent acceptable sutures to me.

-Lieutenant.

Nothing.

We turned that room inside out.

I mean, inch by inch.

Sergeant Latman and those other doctors went over the

operating table, the patient.

Nothing's gone in or out of there without it being

searched with a magnifying glass.

No suture.

-Thank you.

-You look a little dismayed, Lieutenant.

Now, if it's not asking too much, do you mind if I

continue with my day's work?

-It certainly looks like it's one on me doesn't it?

You know, I really believed it all fit together.

All the pieces.

Everything.

The killing of the nurse.

Everything.

Well, it goes to show you Doc, maybe I've been at

this job too long.

OK.

You win.

You're finally rid of me.

-You'll be all right, Lieutenant.

I'm sure you'll find others to harass.

-So long, doc.

-You know, in a way I have to congratulate you.

Up until now you really had me going.

I mean, here you are, you're a surgeon, a man

that's got to be cool.

Even when you're angry you're controlled.

You never lose yourself.

That's why it struck me funny when you blew up in the

operating room and you grabbed me and pushed me.

I mean, you know, there was only one

thing we didn't search.

You know what it was?

It was me.