Original subtitles

Get up, you bum.

You can sleep later.

He's faking it. It's a fix!

He's going in the water.

Get up, you... Jack! Jack!

What's wrong?

My chest.

I can hardly... Aah!

Jack! Oh, Jack! Somebody, please, get a doctor!

- I'm Dr. Caudere. - Oh, doctor, what's wrong with him?

Stand back, everyone. Give this man some room.

Please doctor, what is it?

I think he's having a coronary.

Oh, no.

Look out, look out.

Please, hurry. Hurry!

Gentlemen, help him on the stretcher with his feet.

Coronary disability.

Over 500 percent increase in the last three years.

It doesn't make any sense.

Our corporate attorney, Mr. Lanphier, he can't understand it.

We have one of the finest actuarial departments in the country.

Mr. Groody has had 30 years of experience, and he can't explain it.

What we need from you, Mr. Mason, is a fresh, impartial study of our problem.

Surely, Los Angeles isn't undergoing a sudden epidemic of coronaries.

After all, you don't write your policies by mail order.

All these people were examined

then screened before you wrote their policies.

Ours is a small company, Mr. Mason.

Personally, I'd hate to give up writing this type of protection.

Not only has it been very profitable in the past

but many people need and depend upon it.

But a bankrupt company, big or small, is no protection

and won't make anybody happy.

All right.

Perhaps I might confer with Mr. Groody.

Anything.

As your attorney, I want to go on record here and now

against bringing Mason into this.

Why? His reputation...

He has no experience in our business.

He could involve us in legal situations we'll all regret.

Have you thought of that?

- Oh, Doreen. - Yes, sir.

This is Mr. Perry Mason.

He's just undertaken a...

Well, uh, a special legal study for the company.

- It's a pleasure. - My pleasure.

Ms. Wilde is my assistant.

Doreen, could you run copies of all our disability composites,

computer cross-analysis,

and lists of all of our disability policyholders now being compensated?

Yes, sir. Anything else?

What else is there?

- Making any progress? - Heh.

Well, we've been at it long enough

to have taken the square root of minus one and made mathematical history.

That's only the difficult.

The impossible might take us a little longer.

Impossible?

Like what?

Such as determining why a high percentage of disability policyholders

are suffering and dying of heart attacks.

I seem to be wrong, Mr. Groody.

Wrong about what?

They're having the heart attacks, yes, but they aren't dying.

Oh, it's true. They're incapacitated. That's our problem, you see.

We have to continue paying disability benefits as long...

Why aren't they dying, Mr. Groody?

Serious coronaries?

Isn't the mortality rate normally high?

Oh, yes. About 10 percent.

Well, what is it among your policyholders?

It's less than 1.8 percent.

Company's been so close to the problem

they've apparently overlooked this disparity.

Aren't these disability cases examined

and certified by your own company physician?

Oh, yes, and reexamined and re-certified at regular intervals

with new electrocardiograms.

Mr. Groody, could you arrange for me to obtain these electrocardiograms

and have them examined by an independent cardiologist?

I suppose I could.

They're in Dr. Chauncy Hartlund's office.

You don't think that he might...

I don't think anything as yet.

But there has to be an explanation somewhere

for all those lively disabilities.

It might be in his files, huh?

Well, I'll get at it first thing in the morning.

- Good night, Mr. Mason. - Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Well, who did what to whom?

And I hope it's good because you've just torn me away

from a very delectable divorcee.

How's your bedside manner, Paul?

My what?

Feel like cheering up a few convalescent coronaries?

- He's putting me on. - He means it.

You know, these poor gentlemen really have it made.

They're too weak to work.

None of them recover, but none of them die either.

Oh.

Every month they collect a nice fat check.

Yes, but, uh, don't they have to be examined?

Regularly.

Yet they rarely die, Paul.

That's all we have to go on.

They rarely die.

Time for your medicine, honey.

Let's take it with your iced tea, huh?

No, let me do that.

You don't wanna exert yourself.

You know what the doctor said.

Pretty good form, huh?

Especially for a coronary.

Of all the cases we've checked,

and I mean we've covered a lot of them,

this is the only one that's worth following up.

- Who is he, Paul? - Jackie David.

Years ago he was a club fighter in town.

Less than a month ago he had a massive heart attack.

He certainly made an amazing recovery.

Miraculous.

Well, that's it.

Show's over.

I don't know when I've enjoyed one more.

Della, call that heart specialist for the company.

Dr. Chauncey Hartlund?

Yes, ask him to order the great fighter

to come to his office for a reexamination.

Well, Clay, what was that all about?

Just had my annual checkup.

You know what my sawbones told me?

He told me that I've got the veins of a man half my age.

To what do you attribute your good fortune?

Clean living.

Proper breathing, and the fact that I come from magnificent stock.

Is that so?

Oh, we County Cork Clays are corkers.

Do you know that my favorite Uncle Finian was 87

when he took his fifth bride.

And that's what killed him.

Don't you believe it.

He died 20 years later lifting his horse out of a peat bog.

By himself.

By himself.

Mr. Mason.

Well, Mr. Lanphier. Sit down.

- Have some coffee? - No, thank you.

You know, I've been meaning to talk with you.

When we tried to get the electrocardiograms from Dr. Hartlund

he referred us to you.

That's right.

I advised him he was perfectly within his rights in refusing.

In my opinion, it would be a violation

of the confidential doctor-patient relationship,

but that's not why I'm here.

Mr. Watson told me

that you're planning to call in Jack David for re-examination.

Why, yes.

As legal counsel for the company

I wanted to talk to you before you went ahead.

It's less than a month since Mr. David suffered a serious coronary.

I'm aware of that.

Well, according to Dr. Hartlund

the man's electrocardiogram is one of the worst he's ever read.

I've familiarized myself with the David case, Mr. Lanphier.

And I hope you've also familiarized yourself with the legal aspects.

When I heard from Mr. David's attorney...

- He's retained... - Mr. Arthur Wendell.

He wanted me to be aware of the full consequences

if anything should happen to his client.

I've had dealings with Mr. Wendell before.

He, uh, specializes in personal injury cases, and he is very able.

You might say formidable.

Shall I report that you've reconsidered?

No, tell Mr. Watson, that as president of the company,

if he wants to call off our arrangement that's fine.

But if I'm to continue, I don't want my hands tied.

Now if you'll excuse me.

Hello?

Emergency? Who's calling?

Yes, it's all right, put him through.

My name is Jack David, Mr. Mason.

I'm sorry to get you up so late

but there's something I've got to tell you, I'm scared.

Scared of what?

I can't talk now. I've gotta hang up.

Tomorrow we can talk in the doctor's office, Mr. Mason,

but we've gotta be alone, see?

Mr...

Do you think he'll show?

He has to, Dr. Hartlund, or be disqualified for disability payments.

I don't mind admitting, Mr. Mason,

I have serious misgivings concerning this procedure.

After talking to Mr. Lanphier...

What did he tell you?

That an insurance company doctor's in a very vulnerable position?

Some consider us fair game for malpractice suits or...

Mr. Mason, I came.

I tried to get here on time.

- Nurse, oxygen. - Oh, doctor, help him, please.

Quick, adrenalin.

I'll do everything I can, but I'm afraid we're too late.

Oh, no.

You killed my husband.

You and that insurance company making him come here

when you knew how he was.

You murdered him.

I presume you're aware that we can sue you for everything you have,

and don't be surprised, Dr. Hartlund,

if the medical board picks up your license.

And as for this high-powered lawyer here,

he's flirting with a felony manslaughter charge.

Well?

Well, what?

Well, men in that condition

don't usually drop dead two days later of a coronary.

Sometimes they do.

You read the obituary columns, don't you?

It just doesn't make sense.

The day we took those pictures

the man apparently was as healthy as you or I.

So I ordered him in for reexamination.

But, Hamilton, he called me in the middle of the night.

He was afraid of something or somebody.

Didn't you say he'd had a previous coronary?

- A month earlier. MASON: But it was part of a pattern.

Insured people who apparently have heart attacks,

draw disability, and stay alive.

Oh, Perry, I know you're bucking Artie Wendell and a liability action,

and I know these things can be expensive.

Wendell is even pushing me to press manslaughter charges against you.

Naturally I'm not gonna do that, or anything,

until I get the coroner's report.

What about the pictures?

I can't get Perry off the hook by creating an imaginary crime.

There's not a shred of evidence that a crime has been committed.

Hamilton,

Jack David was murdered, and I'll prove it.

Perry, if you do that, I'll follow through with everything I've got.

Until then,

or unless the coroner's office turns up something irregular at the inquest,

I'm afraid it's your problem, not mine.

I must tell you, Mr. Mason,

the company attorney, Mr. Lanphier, called me this morning.

He explained my legal position

and told me they don't want a court fight.

That's tantamount to admission of liability, civil and criminal.

Well, Lanphier says a court trial,

the notoriety might be enough to push the company into bankruptcy.

He wants to negotiate a settlement.

Look, doctor,

I believe we have a murder here, not a heart attack.

You can't go along with Lanphier.

I am a doctor, Mr. Mason.

Now, I won't let Lanphier dictate to me in medical matters

any more than I'd allow you to tell me what to do.

You understand the purpose of a pre-inquest conference?

We're here to determine

whether this death is or is not a case for the coroner's office.

We have no prescribed procedure. It's all informal.

However, at Mr. Mason's request, we are having a transcript made.

Now, then.

"Circumstances surrounding the sudden death of Mr. Jack David

in the outer office of Dr. Chauncey Hartlund

at approximately 10:05 a.m. yesterday."

I see here that Mr. David was, uh, under the care of Raul Caudere.

You're a cardiologist?

I'm a cardiopathist.

My methods for treating the heart muscle are unique.

I combine modern medical knowledge with amazing new physical techniques.

New techniques?

Yes.

Unusual methods and esoteric drugs

which I discovered while in the Mato Grosso of South America.

I see.

Well, then, what can you tell us about Mr. David's condition?

His life was hanging from a slender thread, so thick.

The slightest exertion...

Only complete rest could have saved his life.

Unfortunately, when he was compelled

to visit my learned colleague's office... poof.

The routine postmortem discovered

a massive myocardial infarction

sufficient to cause death.

Now, in these circumstances

since there was a qualified physician, Dr. Hartlund, present,

I see no reason for this to become a coroner's case.

If Dr. Hartlund certifies the apparent cause of death.

Is he ready to so testify?

Oh, I don't know.

That would be Dr. Hartlund's decision.

Well, doctor?

I, uh, have no knowledge as to the cause of death of the deceased.

I see.

Well, that throws this case in the jurisdiction of this office

with automatic autopsy and subsequently a formal inquest.

Thank you all for attending.

What does that mean?

It means that this smart lawyer isn't satisfied with killing your husband.

He's using a legal trick to delay a just settlement.

But he won't get away with it.

He's going to end up either disbarred or behind bars.

Well?

Well, so many things go through your mind.

Could you be wrong?

Could you be responsible for someone's death?

Could you have pushed your clients toward bankruptcy?

Perry, I don't believe that

and anyone who knows you wouldn't believe it.

Is something wrong?

Della,

how long has it been since you had a medical checkup?

A medical checkup?

I feel fine, just fine.

There's a specialist in town.

He works all kinds of medical wonders.

Why don't you make an appointment, see him tomorrow?

Dr. Raul Caudere.

Cardiopathist?

Cardiopathist.

What is a cardiopathist?

I wish I knew.

Naturally, we all regret this terrible, tragic business.

Mr. Watson's office called.

He wanted me here for an emergency meeting.

I wanted you here.

They called this meeting because I asked them to.

Mr. Wendell.

Doctor.

What's the purpose of these meeting, Mr. Watson?

Mr. Lanphier thought it best to arrange a conference

with Mrs. David's representative.

We're seeking to avoid the notoriety of

an open inquest and a newspaper circus.

So far, Mr. Wendell's attitude has been completely fair and reasonable.

We're hopeful that we can negotiate...

You mean you're offering to settle?

Please, Mason, you're here to listen. I'm handling this.

Not until I've been removed from the case.

Mr. Watson, if you yield to this pressure,

it's the same as paying off a blackmailer.

- All right. I have heard enough. - Please, Mr. Wendell.

You said that you wanted to negotiate a fair and honest settlement.

You said that you wanted to avoid an inquest.

I came here prepared to be reasonable.

I made a mistake.

But I will not make the same mistake again.

From now on we are going to play rough.

We are going to collect, gentlemen, every cent that the law allows.

It may be just a formality,

but you still have to prove your case in court.

Don't worry. We will.

See what you've done?

It's all your fault, everything that's happened.

I warned you from the beginning, Mr. Watson. I told you.

Just one moment.

I'm aware of the position in which I've apparently placed you,

your company, and myself.

But there are times when you have to fight

as a matter of moral and ethical principle,

even though it might seem easier or less painful or cheaper to give in.

Cheaper?

It's solvency or bankruptcy, life or death for this company.

I haven't finished.

Wendell is making excessive, immoderate statements,

but he's fighting tooth and nail on behalf of his client

as any conscientious attorney would.

Now, I'm advising you most urgently as lawyer to client,

this is one of those times where you don't yield.

However, whatever you or Mr. Lanphier

or Dr. Hartlund among you may decide to do,

I am still going to fight.

Good day, gentlemen.

If only one-half of my patients were in such bloom as you,

I would have to close my doors.

Heh. Well, then what's the matter with me, doctor?

Nothing that a few pleasant drops of my cardsyn tonic...

- Uh, cardsyn? - Yes... will not correct.

Well, I don't understand about these things.

It's very simple.

You see, we human beings are ray creatures.

Now, my cardsyn tonic

is a blend of various radiation-absorbent substances, eh?

I see.

Now, my thermoticular machine provides just the proper rays

in just the proper amplitudes

to make the cardsyn molecules mildly, pleasantly, healthfully radioactive.

- Drink up. - Uh, but, uh...

I have other patients waiting.

Yes, sir.

- Yes? Oh, it's you. - Mrs. David, please.

If the jury at the inquest decides your husband died of natural causes

as a result of my ordering his reexamination,

I'll do everything I can to see that you get a just settlement.

But I don't believe he did die of natural causes.

What are you saying?

I think someone deliberately caused your husband's death.

I think he was murdered.

Oh, uh, excuse the room.

I'm getting the place ready to rent.

Mr. Mason, you said you think Jackie was murdered?

Mrs. David, did you ever have a suspicion

that your husband might have been faking a heart condition?

We have motion picture films of him jumping rope, punching a bag

and sparring with a little boy

two days before he came to Dr. Hartlund's office.

Your husband had been having problems for a long time, hadn't he?

Ever since he threw that fight and was barred from ever boxing again.

A natural born loser, that was Jack.

Whatever the deal, job, family, friends, heh,

no matter how good it looked,

he'd find a way to louse it up and lose them all.

But you married him.

Why not?

Anything was better than the life I was leading.

A practical nurse.

You know what that means? Heh.

I thought I was getting a husband

and I end up with another invalid patient.

Tell me, Mrs. David, the morning of the examination,

was there anything unusual?

Did your husband seem nervous or worried?

He was all shook up.

Said he wasn't gonna go.

Started to phone somebody and then changed his mind.

That's why I called Jerry.

- Who? - Jerry.

He's the timekeeper on the job

where Jack worked before he had the attack.

They were old friends so I thought maybe Jerry could talk to him,

settle him down before Wendell came.

And did he calm him down?

Well, he tried to, but it didn't do any good.

Then Mr. Wendell came and picked us up.

And took you directly to Dr. Hartlund's office?

No, we stopped by that Dr. Caudere's office on our way,

but Jack wouldn't go in, said he was feeling too bad.

May I see your insurance policy?

Sure. Why not.

I just wanted to check the death benefits.

Well, at least your husband left you in good financial position.

Heh. The only good thing Jack ever did in his life.

And, boy, you should have heard him scream

every time he had to pay a premium.

He had the whole wall papered with medical degrees.

From where?

I don't know. They were in French.

Anyway, then he gave me this cardsyn tonic.

My heart started racing and skipping beats.

Well, the question is, was it beneficial?

Now, let's see.

You look flushed but beautiful. How are you feeling?

Heh. Since you put it that way, I feel great.

But, uh, I don't know if it's from your compliments

or Dr. Caudere's treatment.

May I have the appointment card?

Right here.

Paul, get this card to the lab.

See if they can lift some prints

that will help us get a rundown on the great cardiopathist.

All right.

Oh, uh, did my insurance come through?

You're fully covered.

The policy's backdated three years.

Good. Well, I gotta run.

Just got time to punch in for the second shift.

Be careful, Paul.

It's been a long time since you put in any hard physical labor.

Della, my love, I'm an ox.

Besides which, I've got the timekeeper in the palm of my hand.

I expect to spend most of the day taking breaks.

One week on this job, and you know what I'd like, Jerry?

What's that, Steele?

To maybe have that crane drop a tiny load on my toe, just once.

Yeah.

I was figuring the other night,

all the money I spent to Safeline for disability insurance, and for what?

Nothing. Nothing ever happens to me.

- Safeline, huh? - Uh-huh.

I, uh... You like tacos, Steele?

I can take them or leave them alone, why?

Ought to try Nappy's.

- Whose? - Nappy Tyler.

Has a little taco stand around the corner.

Might be worth your while.

Mm-mm.

Delicious, Nappy.

Jerry mentioned you might be interested in a little layoff.

You've been talking to Jerry?

Oh, we cut up a few touches from time to time.

Now, maybe I know a guy can help you work it out.

How? By maybe breaking one of my legs for me?

Nothing that drastic.

Interested? Wanna talk about it?

What can I lose talking?

It's Nappy.

Is he in?

Perry Mason's office.

Well, the working man. Where are you, Paul?

I'm in a booth at the corner of Sunset and Sycamore.

I'm to meet my next contact here. Is Perry in?

No, he's out preparing for the inquest.

It's in two hours. Can you be there?

Well, I'll try.

Tell Perry I think I've found out how they operate.

There's a guy named Nappy who has a stand near the construction site.

I think he's their steerer and...

Hold it, Della, I gotta run. Here's my contact.

I'll check in later.

Paul?

There was something funny about it the minute I saw it.

Oh, Doreen.

I wonder if you...

What's this?

You told me to report anything I found irregular.

Yes, but to me. I'm head of this department.

Not to anyone else.

I'm sorry.

What's irregular about this?

There was no Rod Steele file in that drawer yesterday, I'm positive.

You might be mistaken. I'll check it out myself.

Get Dr. Hartlund, Medical Arts Building.

Poison.

Mr. Burger, you're on camera.

May we have a comment?

Have you decided whether or not to prosecute Perry Mason?

Now, gentlemen, let me make my position perfectly clear.

It's true, I'm here on petition of the attorney for the deceased,

but merely as a spectator.

But certainly under the circumstances you...

Officially, I don't know anything about the circumstances.

Now, if the inquest proceedings

establish possible criminal liability on the part of anyone concerned,

then and only then,

I might consider taking criminal action.

And then and only then will I make a statement.

Hey, there's Mason.

Oh, Mr. Mason.

Mr. Wendell tells us that this David case could be

the end of your legal career.

What do you say?

Heh. I think his statement may be slightly premature.

You've found evidence to refute their charges?

I didn't say that.

You haven't found evidence?

I didn't say that either.

Gentlemen, why don't we wait and see what develops at the inquest?

Well, what about L.A. Safeline, Mr. Mason?

Rumor is that they wanna settle and you won't let them,

and now they're going to go broke.

Any statements regarding L.A. Safeline

will have to come from Mr. Reve Watson, not from me.

What about today, now? Is Safeline in this with you or against you?

Ready, Mr. Mason?

Excuse us, please.

Pardon me, fellows.

Say, uh, do you mind opening the door for me?

No.

Thanks.

You have been summoned and sworn as coroner's jurors

to inquire into the cause of death of Jack B. David.

The primary purpose of an inquest is to secure information

for the possible use of the District Attorney

and others charged with the prosecution of criminal acts.

You are not concerned with any civil liability

that may exist or be involved in this case.

Your verdict should reflect only the results of this inquiry.

We will call as our first witness the medical examiner, Dr. Shelby.

Coronary thrombosis, resulting in massive myocardial infarction

sufficient to cause death.

And you found no evidence of drugs or stimulants?

All standard test procedures were carried out.

Results were negative.

Mr. Coroner...

Uh, Mr. Coroner, I suggest you remind Mr. Mason this is not a court of law.

This is an inquest proceeding, and no cross-examination is allowed.

I know my job, Mr. Wendell,

and I feel perfectly confident I can do it without your help.

Mr. Coroner, I have one or two clarifying questions for the witness.

Very well.

Dr. Shelby, there are such drugs

which can induce a heart reaction similar to a coronary?

Yes.

But as I testified,

our autopsy procedure includes tests for all such drugs.

All such known drugs.

Now, assuming the presence of an unknown drug with similar properties,

would your standard autopsy procedures have discovered it?

It's very doubtful.

Thank you, Doctor.

That's all I have.

Witness excused.

Perry.

Uh, excuse us, Mr. Coroner.

- What's wrong? - Dr. Hartlund just called.

Paul's had a heart attack.

He's dying.

This doesn't seem possible.

Rugged as Paul was, the way he kept himself in condition.

It's probably the only reason he's lasted at all.

All these years,

the things he's done for us, the risks he's taken.

And to have this happen.

A heart attack.

It wasn't a heart attack.

I saw the emergency report.

- It said... - I know.

But when I got here they told me that before Paul passed out at the Y,

he called my name and said one word:

- "Poison." - Poison.

If I'd treated Paul for a coronary, like Jack David, he'd be dead now.

But we didn't. We pumped his stomach,

administered an emergency medication.

And he is holding his own?

For now.

I'm going to ask for a postponement of that inquest.

There's nothing you can do here.

I don't anticipate a crisis for several hours.

I'll notify you immediately of the slightest change.

All right, thank you, doctor.

I know you'll do your best for him.

He's still weak, still unconscious. But he's holding on.

I don't care, I'd like to wait here.

Until we're sure Paul's all right.

Of course.

You wait here.

Where's Mr. Lanphier?

I don't know. He should be here.

Ms. Street.

What's Mason trying to pull now?

What do you mean?

A disability claim on Rod Steele.

The timekeeper on the construction job sent the papers in.

I got them a little while ago.

Isn't Rod Steele covered?

Oh, yes. Mason and Mr. Watson set that up against my advice.

Does Mason expect us actually to pay this claim?

It's impossible.

Why?

Well, it says right here, uh, "Rod Steele, Hospital Room 328."

There's no Rod Steele in this or any other room here.

There's a Paul Drake in Room 328.

- How's Paul? - Slightly stronger.

He's holding his own.

What are these?

Paul, that is, Rod Steele's, disability claim.

Mr. Lanphier brought them to the hospital.

He wants you to handle it.

- Lanphier himself? - Mm-hm.

We call Raul Caudere.

Contrary to my warning, Mr. David insisted on going.

There's not a slightest doubt in my mind

that the unnecessary exertion,

the nervous strain of the examination,

caused his already damaged heart to fail.

Mr. Coroner, again for clarification, may I question the doctor?

Mr. Mason, are you trying to confuse the doctor?

On the contrary, Mr. Coroner.

I'm attempting to remove the language barrier

by addressing him in his native tongue.

Is it possible that I have confused him?

Or is it possible that he isn't French at all?

And that he isn't a doctor?

I trust the record of the proceedings will show

that I have objected to the line of questioning.

It's all right, Mr. Wendell.

I'm used to being called a quack

because I haven't the establishment M.D. after my name.

But, Mr. Mason, neither did the man who discovered curare,

the arrow poison, now used in delicate surgery.

Nor the man who found the coca leaves chewed by the Incas

the source for painkilling cocaine.

Nor Rauwolfia serpentina, from which came tranquillizers.

That's all very fine, doctor.

But they didn't have police records such as,

"Conley Dunaway, convicted in Washington

for practicing medicine without a license."

Isn't Conley Dunaway your legal name, doctor?

His fingerprints match yours.

All right, Mr. Mason, that's true.

But afterwards I did go down to South America

to study with the native doctors where I learned the art of cardiopathy.

- From their secrets. - Secrets?

Such as how to administer an unknown native remedy

and make a perfectly healthy man appear a coronary case?

It also made him feel refreshed, rejuvenated, full of pep.

What amazes me, Mr. Caudere, is that you admit to this fraud

as if you feel no guilt, as if you'd done no harm.

Whom did I harm? My patients? Heh.

To the contrary, Mr. Mason, I made them feel very happy.

Happy as permanent invalids

collecting every month from L.A. Safeline?

How did you collect your kickback, Caudere?

In cash, or did you simply add it to your bills?

Those few dollars my patients drew?

Heh. Now, how could that hurt an insurance company?

The thousands who may no longer

be able to buy disability insurance because of your fraudulent activity.

Haven't you harmed them?

And what about the deceased, Jack David?

Didn't your secret cardsyn tonic do more than stimulate a coronary?

Didn't it cause his death?

It Did not. It couldn't.

A normal dosage of cardsyn is harmless.

That lovely young lady you sent to spy on me?

She received the same dosage with no ill effects, Mr. Mason.

And a proper dosage was administered

- to a Mr. Rod Steele? - Yes.

Then why is Rod Steele, in actuality Private Investigator Paul Drake,

lying in the hospital unconscious, at the point of death

after drinking your harmless cardsyn?

Mr. Mason, I swear I didn't know about Steele,

uh, Mr. Drake.

That may be.

Mr. Coroner, there is another person present

who can further clarify this matter for you and the District Attorney.

At this point I have to agree with Mr. Wendell.

Uh, we're getting a little bit too far out into the left field

from normal inquest proceedings, Mr. Mason,

but very well, witness excused.

Call your witness, Mr. Mason.

Ms. Doreen Wilde.

Did you know about Caudere?

No, Mr. Wendell. Honest. I swear I didn't.

Miss Wilde, Mr. Goody tells me

that yesterday you were suspicious of the policy in your files,

the policy issued to Rod Steele and dated back three years.

Well, I...

You brought it to Mr. Groody's attention.

But you also made a phone call to someone about it.

Now, to whom did you place that call?

Miss Wilde, we can prove that you are the one who selected

the heart attack prospects in the disability files

and passed them along to contact men like Nappy Tyler and Jerry Ormond.

But you are implicated in a great deal more than insurance fraud now.

You're implicated in murder and attempted murder.

Mr. Coroner, it is no longer a matter of proper inquest procedure.

This young lady is without counsel.

Mr. Mason is deliberately violating her constitutional rights.

How, Mr. Wendell?

Mr. Mason's own words, involving her in murder and attempted murder.

Anything she says may be self-incriminating.

My advice to this young lady is to answer no more questions

until she's obtained her own legal counsel.

Mr. Wendell is right.

I have overstepped.

Uh, my apologies, Ms. Wilde.

You may leave the stand.

Mr. Coroner, I have instructed the police to seal off this inquest room.

No one will be allowed to enter or leave here

until these proceedings have been concluded.

Well, Mr. Ormond, I'm afraid we're forced to start at the very bottom

to trace how this fraud group worked.

I guess the very bottom is you.

You are the low man on the roster.

Uh, is that why you subpoenaed me?

That's right.

Well, I guess there's no use trying to bug out.

The fact is, uh, I picked up a few bucks steering guys along.

I made the phone calls, set them up.

That was the end of my part of it.

What about the disability claims?

Was it your responsibility to file them on your project?

Oh, strict orders.

Same with most construction outfits.

Is, uh, this one in your handwriting?

Yeah, sure, that's for my good buddy, Rod Steele.

Good buddy. Like you and Jack David?

Uh... Yeah, kind of like that.

Actually, uh, Jackie and I, we knew each other much longer.

Look, uh, that's about it, isn't it?

I told you all I know.

Not all, Mr. Ormond.

I think you know quite a bit more,

such as why Jack David was afraid, why he was ready to talk.

And how the poison got into his system

the morning of the examination.

Eh, you're off your rocker.

David never went near Caudere,

but you were with him, alone,

while Mrs. David and Mr. Wendell waited outside.

And what about your good buddy Rod Steele

when you found out he was a plant?

How could I know he was a plant?

Because you were the ringleader.

It was you Doreen Wilde called

when she found the fake policy planted in the files.

You had plenty of time to get to the YMCA gym

and arrange the overdose of harmless cardsyn for your good buddy.

You're making that all up.

You can't prove it, none of it.

Can't I?

Do you know when you signed your confession?

When you filled out this disability form.

It was Rod Steele who had the heart attack in the gymnasium.

It was Rod Steele who was loaded into the emergency ambulance.

But Rod Steele was never admitted to the hospital.

It was Paul Drake who was identified and checked in by Dr. Hartlund.

You see, Mr. Ormond, right here on this line, in your handwriting.

"Rod Steele, Room 328."

Now, you couldn't have gotten that information from the hospital.

To write that, you had to know that Rod Steele

and Paul Drake were the same man.

I don't know what else to do. I've tried everything.

But you said Paul was better.

That's what I said.

Now I don't know what else to do. I give up.

I thought he was out of danger.

Not unless we get him out of here.

See why I've given up?

Well, look who's come to visit my bed of pain.

Bed of pain, my foot.

You've never had it so good.

No Oriental potentate ever had it so good.

Boy, here we go again.

First the doctor, now you two.

Jumping to conclusions, making accusations.

Just look at me.

I'm a very sick man.