All language subtitles for MSW s02e03 Murder In The Afternoon.eng

[Woman]
Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.

He refused to die.
And that wimp of a director let him get away with it.

Nita Cochran was trying to kill her.

I don't believe that.
Believe it.

I don't have the time
for this right now. I have an entire show to put together.

I'll be sure
to tell Nita of your concerns.

I escaped in a laundry truck
while the guard looked away.

Felix deserved to die.

Larry and I were warming
the sheets four stories below in an apartment.

It's obvious
why I didn't want to tell the police.

Felix.
Mmm.

Another 15 minutes, hmm?

[Together]
Now.

[Sighs]
How about if I just, um, finish this page?

[Whispering, Indistinct]
[Chuckling]

Who the devil are you?

No. Oh, no. Wait.
Wait. Please. Please. No, please! What did I ever do to you?

Please! No!

Ow! Oh!

[Man]
Cut! Will you stop the tape?

Gimme some lights!

Martin- Damn it!
You were shot in the stomach, not the shoulder.

Now, you deliberately
ruined the take. Why?

Hey, I told you
I'm not playing the scene the way it's written, Gordon.

She's not killing off my character
like she did the others. I have a contract.

All contracts come to an end,
just as they did with "The Avenger's" other victims.

Oh, right.
"The Pittsfield Avenger,"

lifted mercilessly
from one of your Hollywood potboilers.

- To the network's delight.
- You cannot kill off an entire cast, Joyce.

[Joyce]
As the new producer and head writer, I can do anything I want creatively.

[Martin]
Creatively? So you're gonna create a whole new show?

[Whistles]
With a character that nobody, including yourself, knows anything about.

Which gives me an option to get rid of
yet another burned-out actor when I decide.

Martin, may I say something?
[Sighs]

Joyce, in daytime drama,

changes like yours should be
woven in over several months.

- [Joyce]Julian, please.
- [Martin]Julian, forget it.

You cannot dent
the iron maiden with logic.

Joyce, I am calling my agent!

Joyce, could I talk to you
for a minute? Uh, later, Nita.

I've got to rewrite
the hospital room scene.

- What's the matter?
- Martin Grattop ruined the dress rehearsal taping!

He refused to die.
And that wimp of a director,

Gordon LaMonica,
let him get away with it.

Can't you edit the tape
to make it look like he died?

Only if we want to be lazy about it.

So, I've got another rewrite.

You'll have to adjust
the hospital room stuff.

But I want you to keep
the new running character, the orderly.

That's a terrific introductory scene
for him.

Thanks. I liked it myself.

But it doesn't work
if Felix isn't dead.

Make it work.
It shoots first thing tomorrow.

[Gasps]
By the way,

did I leave my keys
here this morning?

I haven't seen 'em.

Joyce-
Don't start again, Todd. I'm up to my ears.

Look, Joyce, I am not kidding.
I want off this show.

Now, my agent is getting offers
I can't turn down.

Because of this show,
and don't you forget it.

Todd, say the words,
take the money and count your blessings.

Look, I got a shot at a lead in a-

Joyce!

If it were up to me, Todd,
I'd let you out.

Thanks, Carol.

I wish it were up to you.
Be great for both of us.

Yeah. Well, she has taken
the show from nowhere to number two in the time slot.

Yeah, by killing off
half the town of Pittsfield to do it.

I just wish I were on her death list.

Or she was.

My character hasn't been
on the show that long.

And what you've started
between her and Todd's character- Nita, I haven't decided...

who the Avenger
is going to be when I unmask him.

Or her.

Having me play your maniac killer
isn't the most reassuring feeling,

especially with my contract option
coming due next month.

Here they are.

How in the world did they get here?
Joyce, please.

I want to continue with the show.

I need the work.

If you're looking for job security,
you're in the wrong business.

Now, I'm sorry, Nita,
I've got work to do.

Making my sweet little Nita
the Pittsfield Avenger...

would be utter folly.

Well, from what you say, Agnes,
I'd say folly and a great big slice of dramatic license.

Yes. Well,

that dreadful woman has motives
of her own, mark me.

A piece of a successful television soap
means big bucks.

Next to killing off Dr. Goodman-

oh, heaven forbid-
her most ridiculous idea is to kill Felix.

- Felix?
- Oh, Jessica, you know.

He's the one whose mother
tried to poison him,

so she could run away
to India with the maharaja.

You know, I really must
start watching more.

Yes. Oh.

Nita's so sweet and gentle.

Making her the multiple killer is-

I swear I'm gonna kill that woman!

Oh, Nita, don't tell me.

[Sighs]
Talk about an entrance line, huh?

[Chuckling]
Hi, Grandma.

Hi.
Hi, AuntJess.

Hi, darling.

Sorry I couldn't meet
your plane this morning.

Don't be. Because I escaped from
those publicity people just an hour ago.

And this is the first
free time I've had.

Child, she didn't make you the Avenger?

Not yet,
but it's right in the front of her small, narrow mind.

Sure, I'm worried.
If my character does turn out to be the Avenger,

then eventually I'll be
written out of the show.

No more fat weekly paychecks.

Well, if it does come to that,
you know I'd be happy to help.

I know, and thanks.

But this is my responsibility.

She's been
mother and father to me for half my life.

Oh, Lord.
[Chuckling]

"A woman is nae a woman
till time does line her face.

"For 'tis time
that gives her beauty,

and charm and quiet grace."

Robert Burns.
Herbert Upton.

Which means that
your deathless lines were churned out...

by our very own
Hollywood hack-smith, Joyce Holleran.

Did you see
she cut my big seduction scene with Todd?

No.
If that's not an omen, I don't know what is.

Bibi, Herbert, I want you
to meet my aunt, Jessica Fletcher.

Your aunt. How lovely.
I'm so pleased to meet you.

- Thank you.
- Jessica Fletcher, the writer?

- Mm-hmm.
- Well, this is a surprise.

Well, it's my pleasure to meet you.
You know, the art of acting has always intrigued me.

Well, aren't you nice.

Oh, Larry,
this is my AuntJessica.

Larry Holleran.
Holleran?

Joyce's husband.
Oh, I'm very pleased to meet you.

- Mrs. Fletcher.
- Um, Herb says that you write, Mrs. Fletcher.

And I've read every book
you've had published.

Well, I'm very flattered
to hear that.

Actually, I read all kinds
of detective material.

It helps me get into my character
as Inspector Holcomb.

Oh.
Lends a touch of reality.

Talk about getting into his character.
When I shot a burglar in our apartment last year,

Herb wanted to handle
the case for the robbery detail.

Well, I'm sure he could have.

Bibi, can I see you
for a moment, please? Sure.

Mrs. Fletcher, a pleasure.
Thank you.

Excuse me, ladies.
We won't be using this gun anymore today, Herb.

Oh.
I better lock it up in the prop box.

Excuse us, Herbert.
I want to show my aunt some of the sets.

Yes. It was lovely meeting you.
Well, thank you.

There is no explaining
some people's hormonal drives.

Come on.
I don't want to be around if the dragon lady suddenly shows.

I assume you were saving yourself
in the love scene run-through.

I do everything I can
to save myself in all your scenes, Joyce.

Now, why don't you just let Carol
write them her way?

And let her give my character
something to do outside of the bedroom.

Oh, come on now, you two.

Don't let a long day
and frazzled nerves...

make you say things
that you don't really mean.

- Julian, if you don't mind.
- Anger...

let stand only festers.

Now, come on.
Kiss and make up.

Ohh.

Oh, Todd boy, let it pass.

Some of us will just have
to work a little harder to keep peace in the house.

Nita, the reason that I came is,
my publisher collected...

a windfall of foreign royalty checks.

I mean,
money that I never expected.

I really want you to use it
to help pay for Agnes's care.

No, AuntJess.
It's good of you, but I don't want it.

I want to do this myself.

Well, here's a charming couple.

Julian! This is my AuntJessica.

This dear soul is Julian Tenley.
He plays Dr. Goodman.

Oh, I'm delighted, Mr. Tenley.
No, no. You must call meJulian.

You see, Nita is my niece,

and if you are her aunt,

then somehow or other,
we are related.

[Laughing]
Very well, Julian.

And this young, wonderful lady
is very special to me.

Oh, we'd all be lost without him.

I'd be lost without my family.

And I'm afraid that, uh-

Yes, I'll be no good
in surgery tomorrow morning...

unless I run on home
and get some rest.

Jessica, I'd like to
get to know you.

I look forward to it.
Good night, children.

Good night.
Good night.

Isn't he wonderful?

He's been the heart of the show
for 30 years.

He'll never be
cut from the cast.

Lucky man.
The show is his life.

Talk about getting into character.

He can't tell whereJulian Tenley ends
and Dr. Eliot Goodman begins.

Mmm.
The only concession to his age has been the teleprompters.

And you'd never know
he was reading his lines.

[Typing]

Hey, there. Tycoon!

- Time to take a break.
- Pour yourself another drink, Larry.

- How about if I pour one for you?
- I'm working.

Oh, come on.
I've been rattling around this barn by myself...

since 4:30 this afternoon.

Poor darling is bored?

Why don't you give Bibi a call?
I'm sure she could break the monotony for you.

You're gonna start that again?

Look-

Look, you're my big lady.

- I love you.
- Come on, Larry.

We know what we both love.

Now leave me alone!

I want to finish this cast obituary
for tomorrow.

[Scoffs]

All right. I guess I'll have
to go to the Friar's Club.

Do that.

All right.

- And Larry.
- Mm-hmm?

I may call you later, so be there.

'Cause if you're not,
I may be forced to cut your...

allowance off.

[Door Creaking]

Nita? What are you doing
in that ridiculous outfit?

How did you get in here?

My God, no.

- [Cocks]
- No, Nita. Please!

If you'll take those down to the lobby,
I'll meet you at the desk.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Uh, are you Jessica Fletcher?
Yes.

Name is Kaplan. Sergeant,
Homicide Division, 21 st Precinct. Homicide?

Yes, ma'am.
Lookin' for your niece, Nita Cochran.

Oh, I was just on the phone
trying to reach her. Is something wrong?

If you don't mind, I'd like to
check inside and make sure she isn't hiding out in here.

Hiding out?
Why would she be hiding out?

Sergeant, would you mind telling me
what- what this is all about?

[Sighs]
Got a warrant here for the arrest of one Nita Cochran...

on suspicion of murder
of a certain Joyce Holleran.

- So far, attempts to locate said suspect-
- Murder?

Yeah.

At about 9:30 last night,
you said you left your apartment...

to go to the Friar's Club.

Why didn't you go?
Lieutenant, please, what difference does it make?

It might establish your whereabouts
at the time of your wife's murder.

- You know who killed her.
- And you admitted you had words with her.

It was a spat.
It was nothing more than that.

It was nothing.

Look, my not going to the club-

I wanted to give her
something to think about if she happened to call me there.

So you did some bar hopping. Where?

I don't remember.
I didn't even know I checked into a hotel until I woke up this morning.

Look, give me a break, will you?

I am hungover and I'm sick.

And an hour ago I went home
to have an officer in my apartment...

tell me my wife is dead.

Okay. Okay. Okay.
But be where I can reach you if I need you, Mr. Holleran.

Of course, Lieutenant. Thank you.

Mary- Mary, that wouldn't be
my autopsy report, would it?

Thank you.
Uh, Lieutenant Antonelli?

This is Jessica Fletcher.

She's Nita Cochran's aunt.

Right this way.

Wait till you hear this, Lieutenant.
She writes books. Have a seat.

Detective mystery books.

Okay, Kaplan.

Lieutenant, a very serious mistake
is being made here.

The mistake was the murder
ofJoyce Holleran.

And I assure you
that it was not done by my niece.

Mrs. Fletcher, let me be frank.

Your kind of writing
is not my kind of reading.

Well, Lieutenant,
let me be even franker.

Anyone who is capable of imagining...

that my niece can commit murder...

is being grossly overpaid...

for taking up
valuable space in this office.

[Sighs]

This person was seen
leaving by a couple...

entering the Holleran apartment building
last night about 9:45.

That person could be any member
of the company of Our Secret Lives.

Several of whom may have felt that
they had very valid motives for murder.

According to Gordon LaMonica,
the show's director,

your niece wore that wardrobe
in several episodes.

Making it a rather stupid disguise,
wouldn't you think?

Also, according to Mr. LaMonica,
her character was about to be...

written out of the show,
as were several others, I know.

I met with each of them this morning
and was given an account of their whereabouts at the time of her murder,

which gives added emphasis to the fact
that along with this new series bible...

Joyce Holleran was writing
at the time of her murder, your niece has disappeared without a trace.

The real murderer
could have lured her away,

possibly harming her,
to cast suspicion on her.

Last night at 9:40,
Gordon LaMonica received a telephone call...

from a panicking,
terrified Joyce Holleran...

who managed to gasp, in great pain,

that Nita Cochran
was trying to kill her.

I don't believe that.
Believe it. Believe it.

There was a short, gasping cry
at which time the phone went dead.

Mr. LaMonica called here immediately,
and in less than 10 minutes, my men were at the scene.

They found the telephone cord tangled
in the dead woman's body, torn from the wall, obviously by the fall.

Mrs. Fletcher,

do you know where
your niece is hiding?

No, I do not.

Mrs. Fletcher,

if you hear from her,
you will cooperate and tell me.

[Gordon]
You know what? [Carol] What?

We're gonna have to stop production
on the day of the funeral.

You're not gonna be able to count on
too many of the cast members showing up.

Well, as new producer
and new head writer,

we will just represent
the entire show, that's all.

Ah, I suppose it's a bit early for me
to discuss some ideas I have.

In a day or two, all right?
Okay.

I gotta warn you.
The network wants me to continue with whatJoyce started.

- What?
- Well, with your touches added, naturally.

[Chuckles]
The ever-loving ratings system says she was dead on track.

No pun intended.
Out with the old and on with the new.

With the exception of dear old Julian
and Todd, of course.

What are you gonna do about that?

[Sighs]
I don't know. We could put him in the hospital for a while,

get a little mileage on him
teetering on the brink,

and we'll have Sybil
sleep with the entire hospital staff. [Chuckles]

Martin is gonna go to Hollywood.
He's up for a lead in a new series.

You know what?
We could edit out, uh, where Felix gets hit...

and then get a close angle
on the Avenger's gun firing.

And then have Sybil dally
with the Homicide squad...

while they investigate the killing.

Then it's "Bye-bye, Martin."

And bye-bye, Nita, wherever you are.

Now, obviously,
that Gordon LaMonica...

was lying aboutJoyce calling him.

Now, the question is, why?

To cover up his own guilt?

Lieutenant Antonelli said a squad car
arrived at Gordon's apartment halfway across town...

just about the same time
as one arrived at the Hollerans.

Now, the killer was seen at 9:35.

The police got to both places
less than 10 minutes later.

Well, I don't care.
Nita didn't do it.

She didn't do it!
Not even if all the evidence says she did.

[Phone Ringing]

Hello.

Nita? Where are you?
Are you all right?

Stay right there.
I'll be right over.

Yes, I'm on my way.
I'm gonna put you on to your grandmother.

Now, don't let her panic.
And you keep calm too, all right?

Nita, how'd you get yourself
in this mess?

- Nita!
- AuntJess!

So-

Nita!

Guess you forgot to call.
Frankly, I didn't think of anything...

except getting to my niece
as quickly as possible.

Figured that might happen.
So we ordered up a few phone taps. You'll excuse me.

Look, Lieutenant,
we're both looking for the same thing.

I mean,
cooperation is the only way. I've stopped looking.

Mmm.

- What are you doing?
- I'm riding with you to headquarters.

Mrs. Fletcher-
Look, you may have stopped looking, but I haven't.

Mrs. Fletcher-
You will arrange for me to see my niece as quickly as possible, won't you?

Do I have any choice?

I'm sorry, Nita,
but disappearing like that just wasn't very smart.

I know.

What am I gonna do?

Well, start by telling me
how you got into this mess.

It was the delivery of those pages.

What pages?

Joyce had new script pages
messengered for this morning's taping.

The way they read,
I knew I was gonna end up being the Avenger.

She knew what the part meant to me.
She knew about Gram.

I went to have it out with her.

I was so furious.
I stood in front of her apartment building...

trying to get control of myself.

What time was that?

I don't know.
A little before 9:30.

Go on.
I guess it was only a couple of minutes,

when I saw somebody come out
of the apartment building...

wearing my wardrobe-
the Avenger wardrobe.

He almost knocked two people down.

I don't know why,
but I felt an awful premonition.

And what did you do then?
I started to go inside.

I got as far as the elevator
before I chickened out.

So I decided to callJoyce's apartment.

I looked for a phone along the street.
Then I heard the siren.

You saw the police arrive?

And the ambulance.

I knew then
something awful had happened.

I ran.
I went back to my apartment.

The police were waiting for me!

I drove away.
L- l- I drove around half the night.

Why didn't you come to my hotel?

I was frightened
they'd be watching there too.

[Sighs]

I panicked.

Oh, Mrs. Fletcher,
we heard about Nita's arrest.

[Bibi] How is she?
As you'd expect, she's very frightened.

Uh, and I understand
thatJoyce sent her some new script pages last night.

Uh, did she happen to mention
what those changes were?

You mean the elimination
of one or more characters.

Well, now, that makes us seem awfully-
Yes, Mrs. Fletcher, that's what we mean.

She didn't say.
Excuse me.

Did she happen to say ifJoyce
was working on the series bible?

She had no way of knowing, Miss Hartman.
She was nowhere near the apartment.

Oh? Gordon said thatJoyce
accused Nita with her dying breath.

I assumed-
You assumed incorrectly.

Someone else, wearing her costume,
killed Joyce Holleran.

- If you're suggesting that I had anything-
- I'm not suggesting. I'm stating it as clearly as I know how.

Lucky for me, I was directing that little
theater group in the Village last night...

when it happened.

And I was driving alone...

to the island to visit my sister.

As it happened,
she wasn't there when I got there. But I can't prove it, of course.

Well, that's something you'll have to
take up with Lieutenant Antonelli.

[Bibi]
Mrs. Fletcher,

believe what you wish,
but I like Nita very much.

We all do.

Believe this as well.
There's not one of us that's sorryJoyce Holleran is dead.

Whoever killed her
did us all one great big favor.

Oh, Gordon, can I see you?

Good morning, Julian.
Good morning.

Uh, I wanted to talk to you
about my scene with Nita...

where she confesses
that she's the Avenger.

We're going to be pushing
that whole story line ahead indefinitely.

Carol will have some new pages for you.
Now, Gordon,

I seldom ask your indulgence.
Julian, please.

I'm sorry. I can't take
the time right now, all right?

All right. Yeah. W-We-
We will talk later.

Right.
Fine.

Oh, hello, Martin.
Oh, Julian.

Well, I'm back.
You're back?

Yeah. That Hollywood series
I was supposed to do...

fell through before I even
got my bags packed.

Oh, I'm sorry.
Yeah. Have you seen, uh, Gordon around?

I gotta talk to him about something.
He's right around there.

I've got a great idea
how to keep Felix alive. I'm gonna tell him about it.

Well, I wish you well.
I really do.

Sad to say, Joyce's influence...

seems to hang over things
like a shroud.

[Sighs]

Oh, Mr. Holleran.
Yes?

Uh, we met at the studio.
Uh, my name is Jessica Fletcher.

I'm Nita Cochran's aunt.
Oh, yes.

Uh, could we talk?
I was hoping you might be able...

to clear up a little matter
that has me a bit confused.

I'm sorry.
I'm on my way to my lawyer's.

It's about you telling the police...

that you left your apartment building
at 9:30 last night,

which I'm afraid you didn't,

not unless you were dressed
as the Avenger.

May I drop you?

We could talk on the way.

I suppose you can prove
that preposterous accusation.

If I have to.

I have uncovered a witness
who was outside the apartment house,

a witness who saw
the Avenger leave,

and, a few minutes later,
the police arrive,

but who never
saw you exit the building.

I was with Bibi Hartman
until 3:00 this morning.

A friend of mine
has an apartment in our building.

He travels a lot.
He lets me use it...

whenever Bibi and I
want to be together.

It's obvious why I didn't tell the police.

She'll verify that?

If I ask her to.

Giving you both an alibi.

An alibi?

You think I killed Joyce? Why?

She was my meal ticket.
I never had it so good. I had no reason.

Not even her ownership
of Our Secret Lives?

I understand it's worth
several million dollars.

Good point.
But the killer took the bible.

If I'd killed her,
I'd have left it behind...

and protected
those several millions in royalties.

Unless it was to divert suspicion.

She must have told you
that she discussed ideas in detail...

with the network,
with Gordon LaMonica and Carol Needom.

Oh, yes. Okay.

So she mentioned
she'd had a few conferences.

Look, those so-called
millions in profits,

those are a long way down the road.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Fletcher,

you're a fascinating lady,

but you got the wrong guy.

I'll tell you one thing though.

I was a damned fool for not
telling the police the truth...

about Bibi and me.

It's a mistake I plan to rectify
before you get the chance.

Cabbie, Manhattan police precinct, please.

Come on, Carol.
You are the one person in this lousy company...

I thought I could count on,
and now you're telling me there's nothing you can do?

I'm sorry, Todd,
but Gordon's giving the orders now,

and he says you
and Julian stay on the show...

just likeJoyce planned.

Oh, I see.
Yeah, first that broad, and now Gordon, huh?

Well, let me tell you something.
I don't know how,

but I am gonna get off
this damn program.

I really thought
you were on my side, Carol.

I am so sorry.
Did I interrupt something personal?

I only wish.

I gather from Mr. Worthy's expression
his freedom won't be forthcoming.

That's one way of putting it.

What a bizarre situation.
Those who want to leave can't, and those who want to stay are being dropped.

[Chuckles]
Oh, by the way, my name is-

I think I know
who you are, Mrs. Fletcher. And I can guess why you're here.

You're looking for someone to give
to the police in exchange for your niece.

Well, not just anyone.

Look- Okay, Joyce is dead,
and all of a sudden...

I'm head writer with a big office
and an even bigger salary.

If that's a motive,
I plead guilty, but I didn't kill her.

Success isn't all that great
that I'm gonna climb over somebody else's bones to get there.

Well, I just wanted to ask you
one simple question, Miss Needom.

Did Mrs. Holleran discuss with you
any changes that she intended making?

With me?
You must be kidding.

The network then?
Oh, she never consulted with them.

Then it must have been
Gordon LaMonica. What?

Mrs. Fletcher, as far as I'm concerned,
the police haveJoyce's killer in custody.

Well, as far as I'm concerned,
there are several other possibilities. [Sighs]

Yes, I know. Carol just called me.
Said you mentioned my name.

Because I believe thatJoyce Holleran
discussed with you...

the changes she had in mind
for the program. That's right.

Look, l-
I'd like to discuss those with you in detail.

Mrs. Fletcher, please.
I don't have the time for this right now. I have an entire show to put together.

Well, I'll be sure
to tell Nita of your concern.

[Sighs]
All right.

All right. Look, uh,

it's gonna be a long day,
so suppose we meet tonight-

8:00 at, um, Barney's on 49th Street.

It's one of our hangouts.
I'll fill you in then.

I'll be there. I'll find it.

[Antonelli]
You believe this note we got? "Nita Cochran didn't kill Joyce Holleran.

"I did. And it had nothing
to do with the show.

Catch me if you can."

Take this and the envelope
it came in over to Forensic. See what they can pull.

You think it's anything?
Yeah. I think it's something, right out of a soap opera.

Or a two-bit detective novel.
Get goin'. [Chuckling]

##[Background]

##[Continues]

Author. Author. Author.

Oh, good evening, Bibi.
"Good evening, Bibi."

That's nice.
You know where I've been for half the afternoon?

No, I'm afraid I don't.

Chatting- I've been chatting...

with that absolutely delightful
Lieutenant Antonelli.

I've been trying to persuade him,
with some degree of success I might add,

that while Larry's late,
unlamented wife...

was being terminated by your niece,

Larry and I were warming the sheets
four stories below in an apartment.

Specifically from 9:30
to around 3:00 a.m.

I swore to it.

As a matter of fact,
we're playing an encore this evening,

if he ever shows up.

I suppose you're very relieved
that your relationship no longer has to be kept under wraps.

Mm-hmm.

I don't suppose you happened
to see Gordon LaMonica.

Gordy?

Yeah, we just had
a couple of drinks together.

Why? You don't think he and I were-

- Uh, he said
he'd meet me here at 8:00. - Oh.

Well, you're out of luck, author.

Got a phone call from
the studio a little while ago.

Something about
more actor trouble.

You and Gordy, huh?
Well, I guess you have a way about you.

Todd?

Where are you?

[Todd's Voice]
Don't tell me he's following the network's orders.

[Herbert's Voice]
Absolutely. He could do something ifhe wanted.

[Julian's Voice]
I can't believe that Gordon would turn his back on us.

[Herbert's Voice]
Julian, he's not the friend you want him to be.

He's looking out for number one.

[Bibi's Voice]
Let's just face it. We're doomed to extinction.

[Martin's Voice]
It's the same for us as if nothing happened toJoyce.

[Todd's Voice]
I say if he doesn't come around, we somehow find a way to get rid of him.

[Herbert's Voice] What do you mean?
[Todd's Voice] You heard me, get rid of him. It's our only choice. We can do it.

[Bibi's Voice] It's a cinch
the network will never do anything.

[Todd's Voice] I'm not talking
about the network. You know what I mean, Bibi. You all do.

Oh, sorry, ma'am, nobody's allowed in
without proper authorization.

Yes, I understand. Just tell me,
have you seen Mr. LaMonica?

Ma'am, I haven't seen anybody.
Everybody's gone home.

The place is empty except
for you and I. Oh.

[Gun Cocks]

[Gunshot]

[Groaning]

Yeah, well, I know I said something
about wanting to get rid ofhim, but I didn't mean murder.

Gordon, you know that.
Yeah, right.

All I know is I got a message
from my service...

saying that you wouldn't show up
for tomorrow's taping unless I met you at the studio.

I didn't make that call.
I told you!

Now, look, Lieutenant,
I was at my apartment from before 7:00...

until your people got there at 9:15.

- Now, I was out of breath
when they arrived because, you know- - I know, I know.

Because you were exercising
for over half an hour. And you were home alone because you felt like being alone.

And you didn't make that call
to LaMonica's answering service.

And you didn't try to kill him,
even though you did say...

you somehow had to get rid of him.

Lieutenant, don't you think
if he'd wanted to kill Mr. LaMonica, he'd have done it?

Mrs. Fletcher, the man had
a bullet slug in his shoulder.

In his shoulder.

As I understand it,
the attacker was so close...

that he couldn't have missed
if he'd wanted to kill.

I mean, he had ample time
for a second or even a third shot.

Yeah, maybe.
It could have been a warning...

to Mr. LaMonica
not to tamper with the show.

I mean, supposing someone
had secretly taped that actors bull session.

And then, with Todd making
what sounded like a threat,

used his name
to lure Mr. LaMonica back to the studio.

[Phone Ringing]

That makes about as much sense
as that ridiculous confession note I got.

Yes? Yeah, hold on.
Lieutenant.

Thanks. Antonelli.

Yeah, Kaplan.

Thank you.

That.38 slug
they took from your shoulder-

it matches the one
that killed Joyce Holleran.

Joyce Holleran was killed with a.38?
But I thought-

In that publicity still,
the Avenger held a.45 automatic.

I know.

But the killer was dressed as the Avenger,
so I assumed that he used a.45.

Sorry about that.
It was a.38 police special.

Oh, my goodness.

Well, that changes-
[Sighs]

Lieutenant, uh,
would you come back with me to the studio?

The Avenger's.45.
Cleaned and oiled, and its clip of blanks.

Where's the gun that belongs
in this holster?

Oh, I don't know.
It should be right there.

When was this gun cleaned last?

Uh, right after
the Avenger-Felix sequence,

where Martin Grattop got so angry
because his character's being killed off.

Well, someone's used it since then.
Oh, no. No way.

None of them guns
get taken unless I give them.

Excuse me.
This is a seven-shot clip.

There are only six shots in this.

That gun that, uh, Herbert Upton uses
as Inspector Holcomb-

- what kind is that?
- A.38 police special.

I sure don't understand
how it got taken without my knowledge.

You think Upton's pistol
is the murder weapon?

Or it might've been taken
to make it seem so.

Collaborate with Jessica Fletcher?
I'd love it.

How long will it take to cue
our dialogue into the teleprompter?

No time at all.
Well, let's get to work.

[Thunderclap]

Come on, Sybil.
Felix hasn't been dead two days, and you want to-

I wanted you
from the first day I saw you.

And you want me.

[Gordon]
Camera three, move back. A little to your left. That's it.

After all the real women you've had,
what can that simpering child offer you?

It's all the "real women" I've known
that make her all the more dear to me.

Gil, don't say that.
Not after what we've had.

All right, the door's gonna be opening.
Julian's gonna be walking in. [Todd] What we had was wrong.

Because of Felix it was wrong.
I was weak.

But now with Courtney
to give me strength, I'm not gonna do-

- Dr. Goodman.
- Well, Gil-

and Sybil, my dear.

Why, it really is heartwarming
to see Felix's friends...

rallying to the support
of his loving wife.

You poor dear.

You really shouldn't be out
on a night like this.

[Julian]
Well, Felix was very special to me.

Where else to be
but with his grieving widow?

[Bibi]
Dear, dear, Dr. Goodman,

so giving to us all.

[Thunderclap]

[Julian]
Courtney!

[Gordon]
Pull back camera one, slow.

Oh, Courtney. Come in, dear.
The police let you go.

Thank God! I'm glad.
They didn't let me go.

I escaped in a laundry truck
while the guard looked away.

Dr. Goodman, I didn't kill Felix.

I didn't!

I don't know where to turn.
Please help me.

We will help you.
Don't worry.

And we all know that you didn't kill him.

They're going to put me in prison
for the rest of my life.

No, my dear. No.

I won't allow that.
I give you my word. I won't allow that.

Felix deserved to die.

What he did to your career,

and to the careers
of so many of my friends.

Joyce had to be stopped!

And how better to stop her
than with the Avenger?

Nobody knows who he is.
Not even Joyce herself.

It was a perfect cover for killing her.

She was destroying my family.

That's why I killed Joyce, Courtney.

I had to.
And that's why I took the bible she had written.

I had to!

But she'll bring no more pain
to any of you.

- Okay, folks. That's a cut.
- [Buzzing]

Was that all right, Gordon?
I could do it better.

No, it was, uh-
it was fine, Julian, just fine. Good.

Hello, Julian.
Hello, Mrs. Fletcher. It's nice to see you.

Julian, I think there's something
that we'd all like to know.

How did you get into
Mrs. Holleran's apartment?

Uh-
I mean, the front door...

and the penthouse door
were always kept locked.

Oh- Oh, uh, I had keys.

You see, I took Joyce's keys...

in the morning and slipped out
and had some duplicates made.

And then I put them on her desk
before she ever knew they were gone.

Is this the gun
that you shot her with? Yes. Yes, this is it.

This-This is the Avenger's gun, isn't it?
Yes, yes. That's it.

But this isn't the gun
that killed her.

Oh, dear lady, you're wrong.

You didn't kill Mrs. Holleran.

This gun was filled with blanks.

Joyce was killed
with a.38 police special.

The kind Inspector Holcomb uses-

a gun which incidentally
is missing from the prop box.

Now, just a moment.
I was in Greenwich Village,

watching a rehearsal of a play.

I know where you were, Mr. Upton.
But your gun was taken to cloud the issue.

While you were watching
the rehearsals of the play,

Joyce Holleran's murderer
was watching...

from some kind of cover as Julian
got off the penthouse elevator...

to unlock the penthouse door
and move inside.

That person followed him and watched.

Nita, no, please!

[Gun Firing]

Is that pretty much
the way it happened, Mr. Holleran?

Wait a minute.
I didn't killJoyce.

[Jessica]
Didn't you?

I don't know the exact series of events,

but I think,
with your wife stunned, you got your gun,

the one you kept in the house
for protection against intruders.

Your wife revived enough
to call Mr. LaMonica.

Nita is trying to kill me.

[Jessica]
You pulled the telephone cord from the wall at the time she mentioned Nita's name.

Larry, no!
[Jessica] And you shot her,

wrapping the cord around the body
to make it look like it was pulled from the wall when she fell.

Oh, come on.

Why would I killJoyce?

She was a gold mine to me alive.

Well, she might have been
in some future time, but you weren't prepared to wait that long.

She knew about Bibi.
And you knew it was only a matter of time before things blew up in your face.

I think you decided
to get what you could and Bibi while you had the chance.

[Scoffs]

Will you listen to this?

I have to tell you,

you've got some case
of something, milady,

but what you don't have is proof.

I'm sure that there is proof,
Mr. Holleran.

It will come when the police
compare the slugs taken from your wife's body,

Gordon LaMonica's shoulder,
and the burglar you shot in your apartment last year.

If they all came from the same gun,

would that be proof enough for you?

Pretty slick.
Thank you.

So, how'd you know
he used the same gun on that burglar a year ago?

Well, actually, I didn't.
You're kidding.

But as soon as you make the comparisons,
we'll find out.

Uh, l- I mean, l-I'm pretty sure.

I don't know how to
break this to you, Mrs. Fletcher,

but that burglary slug would
have been tossed out months ago.

[Inhales]
Well, in that case, Lieutenant-

Yes?
Uh, since Mr. Holleran doesn't know that,

if I were you, I'd get him to confess
as loudly and as quickly as possible.

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