All language subtitles for Perry.Mason.S09E14.The.Case.of.the.Golden.Girls.DVDRip.x264

Hi. You, uh, looking for
me, the Good Samaritan?

- I'm looking for a ride back to town.
- You got it.

What's the matter?
Somebody give you a bad time?

- Don't ever date a surfer.
- Ha, ha. Don't worry, I won't.

- He stood you up, huh?
- Worse.

I hang around the beach all day

while those long-haired
kooks are out chasing waves.

Then the creep comes ashore
and starts making passes.

Oh, I see. Well,
come on, honey, get in.

Oh, I, uh, promise I
won't make any waves.

Come on, come on.

Honey, if you knew how many
pretty girls I see every day in my work,

dressed in much less
than you have on...

Oh?

I'm, uh... I'm Stacey Garnett.

I'm Debbie Conrad.

The Stacey Garnett?
Golden Bear Club?

- Golden Bear magazine?
- Yeah. Among other things.

You know, I, uh, might be
able to do something for you.

Like what?

Well, in my business,

we can always use a
new fresh pretty face.

Wait.

Why are we turning?

Oh, I have an appointment
to meet somebody.

Now, our business will
only take about ten minutes.

Then you and I will have a talk
about your modeling for the magazine

or maybe even becoming
a Teddy Bear at the club.

How does that sound to you?

Listen, Mr. Garnett, I'm
young but, uh, you leveling?

Here, my personal card
with a note to my office

telling them
definitely to hire you.

- Satisfied?
- Well...

Relax, honey,
you're among friends.

Something's not right.

- Mr. Garnett, I think I'd better...
- No, no, you wait right here.

I'm sorry. Nobody
here by that name.

Please, ask around again.
He's supposed to be there.

Mister, I need a
ride to town bad.

Please? I left my
boyfriend on the beach.

I'm scared.

You can't leave me
out here all alone.

All right. I'll take
you as far as I can.

Look, nobody touches
the merchandise.

You can cool off one of
these penny-ante Casanovas

with a smile, not a slap.

See what I mean?

Now, our customers come here,

they live in some
sort of a fantasy world.

They don't really
wanna take you out.

They just like to speculate
on what it would be like.

- Mr. Florian. FLORIAN:
Yes, Mrs. Garnett?

Excuse me, please.

You knew I had a whole
new class of Teddy Bears

to be photographed this morning.

Couldn't you be
on time just once?

Well, I was on my way
up when Corinne called.

She wanted these props.

Whatever for?

Oh, I'm glad I caught
you before you left.

Left? For where?

Before your husband went
to Santa Barbara yesterday,

he fired Florian.

Do you have everything in here?

- So Stacey fired you again?
- Twice a week, regular as clockwork.

Mr. Montalvo's
pistol isn't in here.

I remember him
giving it to you to use.

Well, ask Mr. Garnett
when he comes in.

He said he'd return it.

Oh, let's see, which
girl do we want first?

Uh, you, honey. Then you, doll.

Just think, the world waits
anxiously to find out which one of you

will be the Golden
Bear of the month.

Well, good morning.

Oh, good morning.

It doesn't hide much, does it?

Maybe sometime, though,
you can see me in a dress, huh?

Well, I shall certainly
be looking forward to...

Oh, Miss Richland.
Uh, excuse me.

Corinne, what's that girl doing
here, that girl who just spoke to me?

She brought in a card of
introduction from Mr. Garnett,

and Mrs. Garnett said she
could use her as a Teddy Bear.

What?

Oh. MONTALVO: Hmm?

There's a man in your
office says he's a reporter.

Oh, another one?

He says it's very important
to both of you that he see you.

Thanks.

If you're expecting
an interview from me

- on the new Golden Bear Club, Mr...?
- Durbin. Rick Durbin.

Mr. Durbin, I've already said
all I intend to on that subject.

You talk to my partner.

It's entirely his idea to
convert the Rancho Montalvo

into a den where tired businessmen
can ogle half-dressed females.

I know.

I'm not a club member,

but I was a faithful
reader of the Golden Bear

until Stacey Garnett changed it

from a literary
magazine to a girly book.

And that's why you're
here, to tell me that?

Well, not exactly,
but it does fit in,

knowing how you cherish
the old California family name,

Montalvo.

- Please, Mr. Durbin, what's the point?
- I'm coming to it.

You see, I make my
living as a legman,

digging up items for
gossip columnists.

Late last night I was checking
a story at the Miraflores Hotel.

The Miraflores?

When I saw this distinguished
gentleman come in

and pay for a room for a
young girl not much more than 18

wearing a swimsuit.

I thought I recognized him.

When I checked with the
clerk, he assured me I was right.

- The name was Montalvo.
- Ridiculous. The girl was in trouble.

- I helped her. There's no more to it.
- Of course there isn't.

The fact that I just saw her
out there playing Teddy Bear

doesn't mean a thing.

You're just helping her.

That's why I came to you first,
because I know how my clients

can take a perfectly
innocent set of circumstances

and make them
sound just terrible.

I presume you came
to me first for a reason.

The one that comes
immediately to mind is blackmail.

Please, Mr. Montalvo,
you're making it sound just...

Well, I don't like
to impose on you,

but I'm up against it right now.

How much?

I think that does it.
You wanna take a look?

Hold it just like that.

All right, that's enough.
Where were you last night?

Waiting for you. Where were you?

They delivered my
car here. I was home.

I tried to call, but your
phone rang and rang.

You did?

You met this girl, she
said she was frightened,

so you gave her a lift,
found her a room in a hotel,

and now you're
being blackmailed.

That's all there was to it.

Doesn't sound too
compromising, unless there's more.

Something you're not telling me.

I swear to you, as soon
as I saw she had a room,

I got in my car
and I drove away.

- You didn't touch her?
- Of course not. She's a child.

Then let's tell
the blackmailer...

Mr. Mason, with my
attempting to regain control

of the Golden Bear Enterprises,

the slightest breath
of something like this...

Mr. Montalvo, I'm afraid your chances
of winning a proxy fight are minimal.

Garnett can assume control

if he gains support of
one more stockholder.

But you don't
understand, Mr. Mason.

I've seen this girl again,
this morning at the club.

She's been hired
as a Teddy Bear.

After what happened,
you gave her a job?

I didn't. My partner did.

Garnett knows her
too? The same girl?

Apparently.

Now that you mention it,
it does seem very strange.

Well, that young
woman moves around.

- Whom are you gonna call?
- Well, the police.

- They're the ones to handle this.
- No, please.

I won't have the police
brought in, not now.

Very well.

When is this man Durbin
supposed to call you?

He said no later than noon.

- He wanted how much?
- Twenty-five hundred dollars.

That's only the beginning.

When he calls, have your
secretary refer him to me.

Meantime, I want you to
put your signature on this.

All right, now let me have
one of your blank checks.

For what purpose?

Well, there's only one
way to pay a blackmailer:

with the right kind of check.

You've apparently been making
quite a study of Mr. Montalvo.

Counselor, you wanted to
find out how much I know.

Well, frankly, I know even
more than you think I do.

But I'm a man of my word.

Just deliver the money, and
you've heard the last of me.

I don't like checks, Mr. Mason.

And I don't like blackmailers.

But an endorsement on a check
gives my client a slight protection

in case you come back for more.

I might say also that I advised
my client not to deal with you at all.

He insisted. But if you
refuse the check, why...

I'm not a blackmailer,
Mr. Mason.

Even the word
is offensive to me.

It's just that I'm forced
by circumstances

to sell some information.

- But if this check doesn't clear...
- I know.

You'll smear my client in
every tabloid from coast to coast.

Nothing, thank you.

For my client's sake, I
must deliver that check,

but I choose the people
I drink with, even coffee.

Good night, Mr. Durbin.

Good night, Mr. Durbin.

- Rick Durbin?
- Yeah.

Paul, I want a study in
depth on that gentleman.

Durbin claims to be a
scandal-sheet reporter,

but he shapes up
as an old-fashioned...

Shakedown artist?

For lack of a better expression.

Paul, I'd like you to inform every bank
in the city that there's a forger in town

tracing important men's
signatures on large checks.

You've never complained
about my coffee before.

The coffee was fine.

I was brewing up something
slightly more bitter for our friend.

Mm.

We picked him
up at a valley bank.

He was trying to
pass a $2,500 check

with Victor Montalvo's
forged signature on it.

He knows. He gave it to me.

Did you say why I gave
you that check, Mr. Durbin?

Keep pushing me, counselor,
I'll give you an answer.

Consider that
you've been pushed.

All right. If that's
the way you want it.

I knew plenty about Montalvo.

And he had me pay
you to keep you quiet.

What are you trying to pull?

You conned me once. You're
not getting away with it again.

I don't intend to see anyone get
away with anything, Mr. Durbin.

Now, if you establish your
innocence on the forgery charge,

you lay yourself open
to a charge of extortion.

That's not a very
happy alternative.

Well, maybe we all
made some mistakes.

If there's no blackmail,
then there's no forgery either?

It's amazing how fast
you're catching on.

Now, hold it.

Nobody can convince me
the signature on this check

wasn't traced by someone.

I can assure you, sergeant,
Mr. Montalvo will not proffer charges.

And Mr. Durbin has no
further use for that check.

- Why not keep it on file?
- I'll just do that.

Sergeant Eggers here.

Steve Drumm. He'll
talk to either one of you.

Hi, Steve.

You're where?

Sure, Steve, right away.

Thanks, sergeant.

Mr. Montalvo wants you to
meet him at the Rancho de Oro.

The police have just
found Stacey Garnett dead.

There are two bullets in him.

Poor Stacey. He was
rough and ruthless,

did things his own
way, but I'll say this.

Anyone he was associated
with, he made money for.

Well, some of us feel there
are other considerations.

I won't pretend we were
close, because we weren't.

But this is terrible.

Hello, Perry, Paul.

I wanted to ask your
client a few questions,

but he insisted
that you be here.

- That is his legal right.
- Of course.

Now that you're here,

Mr. Montalvo, when did you
see your partner last, alive?

Two days ago.

He left at noon to drive to
Santa Barbara on business.

Can you account
for your activities

over the past two days?

Steve, I'll now have to advise my
client not to answer any further questions

until we've had an
opportunity to talk.

If you think it's necessary, it's
perfectly all right with me, Perry.

I can get a formal
statement later.

I'll drive you home, Beverly.

We could all use a
little time to recover.

A straight shot is
what I could use.

Here it is, everything
he had on him.

Well, as Montalvo's attorney,
how about this, Perry?

A voting proxy granted by
a Santa Barbara stockholder

to Mr. Garnett.

Which puts him in the driver's
seat at Golden Bear Enterprises.

Does anyone else have to see
this proxy letter for the present?

It could be embarrassing to
my client, in a business sense.

Mm-hm. It'll be sealed
with his other effects, Perry.

Thanks, Steve.

What about the death weapon?

We haven't found it yet.

Rosalie, you got a tranquilizer?

There's a bear hunter out
there that's driving me nuts.

Look in my case.

That's mine.

The one at the other end, honey.

Just a moment. Mr. Montalvo's
not seeing anyone.

Oh, he'll see me, I'm sure.

- I tried to stop her. She insisted.
- I told her you'd see me.

You will, won't you?

All right, just for a moment.

Thank you, Corinne. Will
you wait outside, please?

- Now, then, young lady.
- My name is Debbie.

You remember, Victor.

- What do you want?
- I want to do you a favor.

- I owe you one.
- Not at all.

You were kind to me
and all the other night

when I needed a lift,

and I've been reading all about
poor Mr. Garnett in the paper.

- And, well, like, it's tragic, you know?
- Yes, I know. Now, about the favor?

Well, it's this way. I
found something you lost.

- And I'm here to return it.
- What?

Something like an
old family keepsake.

I figured it probably has lots
and lots of sentimental value.

You know, all silver and ivory
with the Golden Bear on the handle

and the initials V.M.

I considered someone might
have taken it from my car.

So it was you?

- How much?
- Uh-uh, no checks.

What?

Some people are crazy enough to
fall for that check jazz, but not me.

I want $5,000 cash right now.

Or, uh, maybe I'll do
the police a favor instead.

If I give you the money, how
soon can I have my souvenir?

As you can see, I
don't have it on me.

But it won't take me more
than ten minutes to go and get it

and bring it back to you.

I feel sorry for
you, young lady.

So young, so pretty,

already making such mistakes.

Don't feel sorry for
me, Victor. I'll make out.

Here comes my Teddy Bear.

You're neglecting me, honey.

When I need a hand
from you, I'll ask.

Aw, don't be like... Aw.

- Why aren't you on the floor?
- I broke a strap.

I was just looking
for a safety pin.

In the newspaper?

- Now, get back to work.
- Yes, ma'am.

Mr. Montalvo,

I would like a direct answer.

We know that you own a
.41-caliber antique pistol.

Yes, that's true. I, uh...

It's a family keepsake.

May I examine it, please?

I'm afraid that won't
be possible just now.

You see, lieutenant,
I don't have the gun.

Mr. Montalvo, will you or will you
not produce the gun voluntarily?

The gun has... It's
been misplaced.

Well, let's hope
that it turns up.

Mr. Montalvo, I'm
placing you under arrest

on the suspicion of
murdering Stacey Garnett.

No, you can't.

And I must warn you
that anything you say now

may subsequently
be used against you.

Corinne, notify Mr. Mason.

Oh, and, Corinne, when that
girl... If that girl comes back...

Never mind.

No, Rick. No, don't.

You double-crosser. I
ought to slap you silly.

Maybe I will.

You put the bite on Montalvo
yourself without cutting me in.

No, Rick, I wouldn't
do that to you.

No? Then where did you
get this, little Teddy Bear?

- Tips?
- I was gonna split it with you, Rick.

- Honest, I was.
- Sure you were.

- Hey, how much did you hit him for?
- Five thousand.

Not bad.

I'll make an operator
out of you yet.

Just to prove there are no
hard feelings, here, for you.

Two thousand? That isn't fair. I
put the score on him. I deserve more.

You're right, baby.

You do deserve more,

and you're gonna get
it, a whole lot more.

No, Rick, no. No, Rick.

No wonder you were so
willing to pay blackmail,

since that girl can
place you in the area

at almost the precise
moment of the crime.

But I just didn't know.

She looked so young
and innocent, helpless.

It didn't occur to me
that my giving her a ride

could possibly ever
have any connection...

That's the way the
badger game works.

The come-on is almost always
young and innocent and helpless.

I presume you had the
good sense not to pay her off.

If you had, the district attorney
would claim you bribed a witness.

But I did.

Five thousand dollars cash.

Well,

it could be worse,
but I don't know how.

If you'd only called the
police in the first place

when you found the body.

But I was just going to. I was
already at a roadside phone.

I was dialing the number
when I saw that girl,

and, well, one thing
leads to another.

They frequently do.

But, Mr. Mason,

I swear by the
honor of my family,

I've told you the
complete truth.

I did not kill Stacey Garnett.

All right, Victor.

But our immediate
problem is that girl.

It's over here.

- Della.
- Come in.

Debbie called the
office scared to death.

She wanted to get in
touch with Mr. Montalvo,

but I couldn't find either you
or Paul, so I came over myself.

Found her packing, at least trying
to. Perry, she's been beaten up.

- Who did this to you, Debbie?
- Rick.

Rick Durbin?

Look, can you please
get me out of here

before he comes back?

Now, we're here to help you,
Debbie, and to make sure you help us.

So forget the naive teenage
act. Try being honest for a change.

Then will you help
me to get out of here?

We'll help you, but I
expect you to testify.

- To what?
- To the truth,

after you've given
us back the $5,000.

But I can't give it back.
Rick took most of it.

And he can tell the police
where you obtained it?

Perry.

Look.

All right, now, listen, Debbie,
this is what we're gonna do.

We'll take those
things to my office.

Whatever you do, don't
volunteer any information.

Answer their questions, no more.
Remember, extortion is a felony.

And for that people go to jail.

Perry, hurry up.
This is a fast elevator.

And as soon as the
police leave, call my office.

We'll come for you.

- Yes?
- Police, Miss Conrad.

We picked up your friend Rick Durbin.
We'd like to talk to you about him.

May we come in, please?

- Well?
- Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.
Not a trace of her.

Our little Debbie really
pulled a fast one on us.

Why would she just run
out like that, disappear?

Well, she's a sharp little cookie,
but with luck she won't get very far.

I've got men staked out at
the bus, train and air terminals,

an operator watching her room,

and the office is calling
the hotels and motels.

Did they know anything
at the Golden Bear Club?

No, nothing. I went there myself.
Oh, I did get this from Garnett's wife,

the card Debbie
used to get a job there.

What about that fellow that
beat her up, Rick Durbin?

Never got near him. I hear
Steve Drumm's got him on ice.

He'll be Burger's
key witness, Della.

Florian dropped an
interesting bit at the club,

something about Durbin having
worked for Garnett a while back.

I've got a man checking it out.

Well, true or not, he's still
the key to Burger's case.

And if we can find her, Debbie
Conrad might be the key to ours.

Case of the people v. Montalvo.

This is the time fixed for
the preliminary hearing.

Are you ready, gentlemen?

Ready for the
prosecution, Your Honor.

Your Honor, we've issued a
subpoena for Miss Debbie Conrad.

However, we've been
unable to find her,

and we request that a
continuance be granted

until such time
as she is located.

Your Honor, if Miss Conrad's
testimony is necessary,

she will testify for the state.

Then the police have been
holding this witness incommunicado?

Will you promise this court that
you are going to put her on the stand?

I don't have to promise
any such thing, Mr. Mason.

If Miss Conrad's testimony
is not necessary at this time

and if I wish to wait until this case
comes to trial in superior court...

Your Honor, the defense asks
that the court require the prosecution

to present the
witness at this time

or make the witness
available to the defense.

The order of proof is in the
hands of the district attorney.

If Mr. Burger chooses to put
the witness on the stand later

during the course of this
hearing, he has the right to do so.

If he does not put her
on the stand, Mr. Mason,

I will hear argument
at that time.

All right, Mr. Burger,
proceed with your case.

I notice that this tire track, which
you say was lifted from the parking area

at the murder scene,
has a distinctive imprint.

Let me ask you this, lieutenant.

Did you have occasion to
examine the defendant's automobile?

- Yes, sir, I did.
- What did you find?

If the district attorney's purpose is
to show that the tire tracks were made

by the defendant's car,
defense will stipulate.

Thank you, Mr. Mason.

Lieutenant, let me ask
you about the fingerprints

which under your direction
were taken at the murder scene.

If you propose to show that
the fingerprints of the defendant

were found in the murder
room, defense will stipulate.

Thank you again, Mr. Mason.

Lieutenant Drumm, you heard
the medical examiner's testimony

that death was caused
by two gunshot wounds

in the chest and abdomen.

You heard Ballistics' testimony

that the two bullets
removed from the dead body

were fired from a
.41-caliber weapon.

Now, have you made an
attempt to locate such a weapon

and to trace its ownership?

Yes, sir.

The bullets were of a
somewhat unusual caliber.

A check of manufacturers and
the state historical association

showed us that a unique pistol
of this caliber was presented...

If the purpose of this
examination is to establish

that the defendant's grandfather
received a .41-caliber pistol as a gift

from the first American
governor of California

and that that weapon is the property
of the defendant, defense will stipulate.

Very well, then. You
may inquire, Mr. Mason.

Lieutenant,

can you tell us when the fingerprints
were left in the murder room?

- No, sir.
- That disposes of the fingerprints.

Now, what about the tire tracks?

How did it happen
that you were able

to find those particular
tracks and no others?

There were other tracks, Mr. Mason,
but they were partially obscured.

Did any of those
partially obscured tracks

have a definite characteristic?

Yes, sir. One set was
apparently quite worn.

Another looked like snow tires.

Now, lieutenant, in the
course of your investigation,

did you learn anything
that made you believe

that the defendant had in his
possession at the time of the murder

a gun capable of firing
.41-caliber bullets?

Well, it was his gun,
Mr. Mason. You admitted that.

No, I didn't ask you that.

I asked you if he had possession
of that gun at the time of the murder.

Well, since it was his gun,

it's a pretty good assumption.

Well, at least you're willing to
grant that it is an assumption.

No further questions.

Stacey Garnett was
a man without culture,

without taste, without manners.

Brash, loud, vulgar.

Well, now, if I understand
it, Miss Richland,

and please don't hesitate
to correct me if I'm mistaken,

Mr. Garnett actually saved
the Golden Bear Enterprises,

both the magazine and the club,
from almost certain bankruptcy.

- Isn't that true?
- It is not.

He took a fine traditional
publication on California life

and turned it into
a purveyor of filth.

And he took the oldest
men's club in this state

and made a den
for lechers out of it.

Mr. Montalvo was ashamed to have
the family name attached to them,

and he fought every way possible

to keep Garnett from
doing what he did.

Let me caution
you, Miss Richland,

I'm not interested in
conjecture on your part.

I'm only interested in facts.

Well, Mr. Montalvo
tried to buy Garnett out,

and Garnett talked the stockholder
in Santa Barbara into backing him

so he could gain
complete control.

And Mr. Montalvo
did in your presence

threaten the decedent
with a pistol, isn't that true?

- With a .41-caliber antique pistol?
- He didn't threaten him.

Mr. Montalvo just made
some remark about it.

- What remark?
- Well, I don't recall exactly.

Well, just give us the
substance of the remark.

Well, he said that his
grandfather had used the gun

to kill bandits and that it was a
shame Garnett wasn't around then.

Mrs. Garnett, would you please
explain to the court how you happened

to be present
during the argument

in which the defendant threatened
the decedent with a pistol?

Stacey agreed to meet Victor
at the Rancho that evening,

and Victor asked
me to come along too.

What did the defendant
want you to do?

Help him convince Stacey
to let him buy back control.

So after a bitter argument
with the decedent,

the defendant did indeed go to the
Rancho on the night of the murder.

I didn't say it was a bitter
argument. I said it was a discussion.

And I didn't say he went there, I
said he had an appointment to go.

Yes, of course. Cross-examine.

Mrs. Garnett, did you
keep your appointment

to meet the defendant and
your husband at the Rancho?

Well, I intended to.

I was leaving on a ski vacation,

and they were putting
new tires on my car.

I didn't think it would
be ready on time.

According to the garage,

your car was delivered to
the Golden Bear Club at 7:30.

Well, I wasn't
there at the time.

I didn't even know the
car had been delivered.

Do you know what
type of tires they used?

Why, snow tires.

Thank you, Mrs. Garnett.
Oh, one more thing.

With your husband's death,
who inherits his interests?

Why, I do, of course.

You say the defendant
objected to this change

in the format of the
Golden Bear magazine.

I used to hear that argument
at least once a month,

when the proofs for
the centerfold came out.

You know, a double-page
spread with a doll coyly relaxing?

Garnett called it money in the
bank. Mr. Montalvo just cringed.

- And then the yelling started.
- Your witness.

Was your reaction to the girly
pictures the same as the defendant's?

I've worked for Victor
Montalvo for the last ten years,

shooting pictures
of California wildlife.

As far as I'm concerned, indoors
or outdoors, wildlife is wildlife.

I don't want to hear
laughter in this court again.

Why did the decedent fire you
the afternoon before his murder?

I walked in on him when he
slapped Bev, that is, his wife.

And one thing led to
another, and he fired me.

Then why did you show up
for work the next morning?

Well, he'd fired me before
and he'd always gotten over it.

In previous testimony
it's been established

that you took some pictures in which
an antique pistol was used as a prop.

Is that correct?

That's the picture.

What did you do with
that gun after you finished?

Stacey Garnett took it, said
he'd return it to Mr. Montalvo.

Was anyone else
present when he took it?

No.

Well, since the decedent can't testify,
we'll have to take your word, won't we?

That's all.

Do you want this court to understand
that Mr. Mason gave you a check

for $2,500 to keep
you from disclosing

that the defendant was with some
girl in the area of the beach that night?

- Yes, sir.
- Your witness, Mr. Mason.

Were you in the vicinity of the
beach the night of the murder?

No.

Then how did you know
the defendant was there?

He came into the hotel with the
girl. She was wearing a swimsuit.

And from that you deduced
that he'd been to the beach?

Yes.

What did you think when
you saw Mr. Montalvo

get into that
elevator with the girl?

Oh, I was certain I
had him, that's all.

Mr. Durbin, you were
never in the hotel lobby.

You never saw Mr. Montalvo
there, isn't that true?

What are you talking
about? I've told you.

I know what you've told
me, one lie after another.

Mr. Montalvo did
not enter the elevator.

Would you like me to bring
in the desk clerk to prove that?

I, uh... I thought he did.

Where did you obtain
your information?

Well, Mr. Burger isn't
gonna help you now.

- His deal surely doesn't cover perjury.
- Objection, Your Honor.

Your Honor, it's obvious
that the district attorney

has granted this man
immunity on an extortion charge.

Very well, I'll stipulate to that, but
certainly extortion is a mild crime

compared to murder, Your Honor.

I won't question the arrangements
made in the past, Mr. Burger,

but I'm considering asking
you to prepare formal charges

- against this witness for perjury.
- Very well, Your Honor.

With that in mind,
Mr. Durbin, let me ask you this.

Look, all I know is this guy paid me off
because he murdered Stacey Garnett.

Is that the same Stacey Garnett
for whom you previously worked?

The same Stacey Garnett who added
your name to an unofficial blacklist

so you couldn't
get a decent job?

The same Stacey Garnett who threw
you out of his office two weeks ago?

- Objection.
- I'll withdraw the question.

Your Honor, I'm
through with this witness.

And since his testimony was
vital to any case against my client,

and his testimony has been

by his own words
thoroughly impeached,

would this not be
an appropriate time

for the court to entertain
a motion for dismissal?

I'm inclined to agree with you at
the moment, Mr. Mason, unless...

Uh, Your Honor, the prosecution's
case is still incomplete.

At this time I should like to
ask for a 15-minute recess.

For what purpose, Mr. Burger?

For the purpose of putting on
one last prosecution witness,

a Miss Debbie Conrad.

And the man who picked you
up in the vicinity of Rancho de Oro

at approximately
the time of the murder

is in the courtroom
at this moment?

Yes, sir.

He's sitting right over
there, Mr. Montalvo.

Your witness.

Very well. Miss Conrad,

isn't it true that the morning
after the defendant picked you up,

you went to the Golden Bear Club

and obtained employment
as a Teddy Bear?

Yes, sir. Mr. Montalvo
seemed kind and...

Using this note
from the decedent?

- Yes, sir.
- When did he give you this card?

You've already told the district
attorney you never met Mr. Garnett

before the night of the murder.

Well, Rick was out to
get him, and he set it up.

And then Mr. Garnett drove
by like Rick said he would.

And picked you up and gave
you his card with the note.

Then he drove you
to the Rancho de Oro

and the two of you
went into the house.

No. That is, he drove there, but
he took the gun and went in alone.

I heard two shots inside,
and then I got scared.

I ran to the highway where
Mr. Montalvo picked me up.

- And then I was really scared.
- Why?

Because there was the same gun
on the floor of Mr. Montalvo's car.

Then you must have
taken the gun with you,

and that's why Mr. Montalvo
paid you the $5,000.

For the gun, isn't that right?

- Well, yes. But I didn't give it back.
- Why not?

Well, the cops came to the
club before I had a chance,

and I didn't wanna
get caught with it there,

so I stuck the gun in my
Teddy bear case and ran.

- Where is the gun now, Debbie?
- Why, you have it, Mr. Mason.

It's in the Teddy Bear
case you took from my room.

There's no gun in here.

Mr. Mason, did you remove
a weapon from this case?

I swear I put it in there.

Mr. Mason, I'd like to see
you and the district attorney

in my chambers immediately.

This court is recessed
until 2:00 this afternoon.

I'm sorry, I should have...
I paid her to return the gun.

- I didn't think...
- Let's leave it at that. You didn't think.

You just let me walk
right into it. Della.

- Yes, Perry?
- Della, I'll need some keys.

See if you can catch
Montalvo's secretary,

Corinne what's-her-name.

Have her meet me in the
Golden Bear office in 30 minutes.

- Right.
- Oh, Steve?

Yes, Perry?

The key to the dressing
room is in this drawer.

Here it is.

This is the most difficult thing I've
ever had to do, but I have no choice.

I'm an officer of the court.

I must find that gun and
turn it over to the police.

How could they ever
prove he fired the gun?

He left the scene of the murder with
it, he paid blackmail to hide the fact,

and that's more than enough.

Not if the girl lied,

and she's the type that would.

Even if it were true
and he was there,

couldn't he have just
recognized the gun, taken it?

The jury won't believe that.

- Why? Why do you say that?
- Because I don't, and I'm his lawyer.

I'll take that, Perry.

- I happen to own this place.
- I'm sorry.

Now, hold it. Let's
wait right here.

You realize this is your client's
one-way fare to the gas chamber?

No, you are wrong. Mr. Mason,
he's not to blame. I am.

Miss Richland, if you're trying
to make me believe that you...

Loyalty to an employer
goes only so far.

You're not going
to murder that man.

Steve, we thought that
only you and I knew Garnett

had brought back that vital
proxy from Santa Barbara.

But, Corinne, you also
knew. You testified to it.

And you could have only
learned that from Garnett himself

just before you killed him.

I went out there that night
in Beverly's car to plead.

Garnett bragged he had the
final proxy and was going to use it.

He had laid the gun on
the table, and I picked it up.

He didn't live to destroy
Victor, because I destroyed him!

- Did you want this, Paul?
- Yes, Clay. Thank you, I did.

Oh, Clay, I somehow
didn't think of you

as being a Golden Bear fan.

Somehow, uh, you don't
seem emotionally adolescent.

Now, now, no sour
grapes, Miss Street.

Actually, Della, this is the
first issue under the new...

Or should I say old?
- -Montalvo policy,

a magazine for
California gentlemen.

Perry, what beats me is,

how you ever caught
onto Corinne Richland.

Of all the people involved, she
was the only one without a motive.

I'd say she had a very
strong motive, that of loyalty.

Well, at least Montalvo had
sense enough not to change that.

- Hmm?
- "The Golden Bear of the Month

on the gatefold."

- Look at that.
- Hmm.

May I see? PAUL: Sure, doll.

Feast your eyes on
a real Golden Bear.