All language subtitles for Columbo.S01E07.1080p.WEBRip.x265-KONTRAST

[music playing]

[bell tolling]

-Oh, you can pour Mr. Chadwick's
coffee now,

Charles.

-Yes, ma'am.

-Morning.

Morning, Charles.

-Good morning.

-Ah, thank you.

Good morning, Beth.

-Hmm.

-Ah.

Beth?

-Hmm?

-You are sulking.

-What?

-You're sulking.

-I'm not sulking.

-Of course you're sulking.

And it isn't necessary.

We have had our usual argument
and now the matter is settled.

-Is it?

-Beth, now listen to me.

He isn't for you, believe me.

But if you insist upon seeing
him, I have a right to--

well, to express my feelings.

-Hm!

You have no right to
control my life.

-Your life, in this case, is
tied in with an employee of

the company.

-What difference
does that make?

He's an honest, hardworking--

-Yes, he is.

And he's ambitious.

He's intelligent.

He's a good attorney.

And he has a flair the
advertising business.

And he's also, uh, smart enough
to know a, uh, golden

opportunity when he sees it.

-You're not Father.

-No.

I'm not your father.

I'm your brother.

And if your choice in men
friends were more mature,

believe me, I would stay
out of your life.

-You don't know how to
stay out of my life.

-I won't let you
be used, Beth.

Therefore, I've taken the
appropriate steps.

Charles?

CHARLES (OFFSCREEN): Yes, sir?

-Car ready?

CHARLES (OFFSCREEN): Yes, sir.

-What do you mean you've
taken appropriate--

-Good.

- --steps?

Bryce!

What have you done?

BRYCE (OFFSCREEN):
I have written a

letter to Peter Hamilton.

He'll receive it when he gets
back from Atlanta, today.

-What?

-I told him that if he continues
to see you, contrary

to my wishes, his employment
with Ellison Chadwick will be

terminated.

-I don't believe it.

You mean you've threatened
him with--

-I won't be home for dinner.

Don't wait for me, Beth.

-He won't care if
you fire him.

-No?

Well then let me ask you
a question, Beth.

If your name wasn't Chadwick,
and you didn't, uh, have all

of this, do you think that--

I mean, do you really think that
Peter Hamilton would give

you a second look?

Now, uh, I'm, uh, I'm sorry
if I sound cruel.

I don't mean to be.

But the, uh, sooner you face
the facts, the better.

And the cheaper it will
be for all of us.

-What about the price
I've paid?

First to Father, then to you?

Anything I wanted to do on my
own, you or he prevented it!

-Beth, this is hardly
the time.

-No, it never is.

Charles?

CHARLES (OFFSCREEN):
Yes, Miss Chadwick?

-Tomorrow is your day
off, isn't it?

-Yes, ma'am.

-Will you be leaving tonight
with the rest of the staff?

-Well, I'd planned to,
Miss Chadwick.

But if you'd like me to stay--

BETH (OFFSCREEN): Oh, no, no.

That won't be necessary.

-As you wish.

Uh, may I bring you
more coffee?

BETH (OFFSCREEN): Thank
you, Charles, no.

That'll be all.

[phone ringing]

-Hello.

Yes, operator.

Speaking.

-Darling, how are you?

I'm going in to wheel and deal
in a minute, and I thought I'd

call you first and say,
good morning.

-Aw!

You always surprise me.

-Well that's better than being
predictable, right?

BETH (OFFSCREEN):
How's Atlanta?

-Oh, just fine, all of it.

Hey, I miss you.

-I miss you, too.

When will you be back?

PETER (OFFSCREEN): Well,
later tonight.

I thought I'd come right
over from the airport.

Darling?

Hello?

-Uh, darling, let's
make it tomorrow.

I mean, it'll be late and you'll
probably be tired.

-Well, uh--

-No, really.

Tomorrow would be much better.

-Mr. Gaines will see you now.

-All right, Beth.

Gotta go.

I'll call you first thing
in the morning.

-You do love me, don't you?

-No, I hate you with
a passion.

-Goodbye, darling.

Have a safe trip.

[kisses into phone]

[flipping light switch]

[dream music]

[brakes squeal]

[keys rattling]

[doorbell rings]

[rattling door knob]

[rapping on window]

BRYCE (OFFSCREEN): Beth?

[rapping]

BRYCE (OFFSCREEN):
Beth, you awake?

BETH (OFFSCREEN):
Yes, who is it?

-Will you open the front door?

I've, uh, I've lost my key.

-I'm in bed already.

Come in this way.

BRYCE (OFFSCREEN): Are
they unlocked?

-Yes.

BRYCE (OFFSCREEN): Uh,
oh, don't forget to

turn off the alarm.

-All right.

It's off.

[alarm ringing]

-Beth, why didn't you
turn off the alarm?

[gunshots]

Ugh!

[alarm ringing]

[glass breaking]

[alarm ringing]

OFFICER (OFFSCREEN): We
found a keyring in the

bushes, Miss Chadwick.

Does it belong to
your brother?

BETH (OFFSCREEN):
Yes, those are--

those were his keys.

2ND OFFICER (OFFSCREEN): The
front light's burned out.

He must have dropped his
keys and couldn't

find them in the dark.

Probably walked around to your
French doors and knocked.

BETH (OFFSCREEN):
I was asleep.

I'd taken sleeping
pills and I--

I didn't hear him.

OFFICER (OFFSCREEN): We figure
he broke the glass

and opened the door.

BETH (OFFSCREEN): I heard
the glass and then

the alarm go off.

I just woke up and-- and
reached for the gun.

I thought it was a burglar.

2ND OFFICER (OFFSCREEN):
Obviously a

mistake, Miss Chadwick.

A terrible mistake.

BETH (OFFSCREEN): I thought
it was a burglar.

OFFICER (OFFSCREEN): A
terrible mistake--

mistake--

mistake--

mistake--

mistake--

mistake--

mistake--

[jet engine]

[car horns]

[humming]

-[sighs]

[sighs]

Well that does it.

[keys rattling]

[doorbell rings]

[tires squealing]

BRYCE (OFFSCREEN): Beth?

-[gasp]

Bryce!

-You know, the most ridiculous
thing happened?

I have lost my key to
the front door.

-H-- h-- how did you get in?

-With this.

-A spare?

-Yes I leave it in a flower
pot by the front door.

Why didn't you answer?

I was ringing--

[gunshots]

[alarm ringing]

[glass shatters]

[alarm ringing]

[doorbell rings]

[alarm ringing]

-Beth!

Beth?

What is it?

-I shot Bryce.

-You what?

-(SOBBING) He-- he came in my
room and the alarm went off.

But go and see!

I want to know if he's--

-All right.

All right.

Now you stay here.

Stay right here.

[sobbing]

[alarm ringing]

-Beth, he's dead.

[alarm ringing]

MALE DISPATCHER: 6-Mary-102,
2-Mary-11, clear.

12-Mary-155 roger on
the information.

Frequency 15, is clear.

OFFICER ON RADIO: 6-Mary-2,
continuing, female, 45 years,

5'11", 190 pounds.

FEMALE DISPATCHER: Highway
75, roger.

2ND FEMALE DISPATCHER:
Channel 17, clear.

-You guys all finished?

OK.

That's it.

-You catching up on your
reading, Lieutenant?

-Uh, no.

No, not really.

DETECTIVE (OFFSCREEN): Now
anything you say, realize it

can be held against you.

BETH (OFFSCREEN): Yes,
I understand.

DETECTIVE (OFFSCREEN):
But it normally it's

along the lines of--

you know what we're
talking about.

2ND DETECTIVE (OFFSCREEN): You
then climbed over the gate and

started running towards
the house.

-Well, [sniffles]

I was half asleep because I
had taken a sleeping pill.

-The burglar alarm was on.

-Y--well, yes.

There's a switch
beside my bed.

-Hm.

How does it work outside?

-Y--you-- at the front door,
well, if you have a key and

use it, then it's automatically

turns the alarm off.

-Ah!

Do you have any idea why your
brother went through your

French doors knowing he'd
properly set the alarm off?

-Uh, I [sniffles]

I guess he lost his
keys and he--

he came around the side
of the house and tried

to get in my win--

window.

-What time did you go to bed
tonight, Miss Chadwick?

-About 9:30.

I didn't feel very well
yesterday, so I didn't go out.

-Uh, excuse me.

Uh, did I hear you say you
stayed home today?

-Yes.

That's what I said.

-You didn't go out at all?

-No.

No, that's what I said.

-Thank you.

2ND DETECTIVE (OFFSCREEN): So
when you got there, then he

was already dead?

-Yes, that's correct.

2ND DETECTIVE (OFFSCREEN): Or
did Miss Chadwick telephone

you after she shot
her brother?

-No, I was on my way over.

I stopped at the gate when
I heard the shots.

-How many?

-Three.

-And the alarm was going?

-Why did you drop by,
Mr. Hamilton?

-I came to see Bryce.

I work for him.

-Can you account for your
whereabouts this evening?

PETER (OFFSCREEN): I came
in from Atlanta.

I landed at 10 o'clock.

I took a cab from there.

I got into my apartment
about 10:45.

You can check with
the doorman.

He can vouch for that.

-Why did you turn around and
come over here after just

getting home?

-It's a little involved.

Uh, Miss Chadwick and I have
been seeing each other, and

Bryce objected.

-So you came over here to kind
of have it out with him?

-I suppose you could
put it that way.

-Uh, is this your newspaper?

-No.

OFFICER (OFFSCREEN): We found
these outside in the bushes.

-Thanks.

Excuse me.

Miss Chadwick, are these
your brother's keys?

-Yes, where did you find them?

-In the bushes ma'am.

With that front light burned out
it's really tough to see.

-Uh, gentlemen, now you
have our statements.

If you don't mind, I think--

-No, uh, I'd like to go through
this, uh, just once

more to make sure I got
things straight.

-Gentlemen, please.

-No, Peter, that's all right.

Go on.

-Now Miss Chadwick, you
said you went to

bed at 9:30, right?

-Yes.

-Mm, hm.

And you took a sleeping pill
before you retired?

-That's right.

-Mm, hm.

Well would you mind tell me
what happened after that?

-Well, it was after 11:00 and
I heard the glass break and

the alarm go off,
and I woke up.

-You thought it was a burglar?

-Yes.

Yes I thought it
was a burglar.

You see it was--it was pitch
dark, and I was half asleep,

because I had taken
the sleeping pill.

And I heard glass break,
and the alarm go off.

And so I--

I reached for the gun.

It was in the drawer
beside my bed.

And--

and then I just started
shooting.

I didn't know what I was doing.

-Shh!

Gentlemen, uh, we'll
be available

for questioning tomorrow.

Right now, I'd like
to see that Miss

Chadwick get some rest.

-Right.

All right, fellas, wrap it up.

-Thank you, very much.

Goodnight.

-Excuse me, were you and your
brother the only ones that

were living here?

-Well yes.

Except for Charles
and the maid.

My mother moved to Palm Desert
after my father died.

-Who is Charles?

-The butler.

-I suppose he's off tonight?

-Yes.

-Great big place, isn't it?

Well, goodnight.

[door closing]

[dog barking]

-Easy boy.

Easy, fella!

Easy!

E--

easy.

Easy now.

That's right.

-No, no, no.

Now Enrico, darling.

Now be nice, darling, be nice.

Uh, you there, pay the cab
and bring my luggage.

Come on, dear.

[door closing]

-She have any luggage?

-Luggage?

Right here.

And there's $10.50
on that meter.

-Gee, I've only got $11.

Um, well, go ahead,
keep it all.

-You're a sport.

[cab starting and driving off]

[dog barking]

-All right, easy, boy.

[dog barking]

-Now, Enrico, come here.

Come here, come here!

Now you stop that,
do you hear?

I want you to behave yourself.

-Ah, that's a tough little
monkey you got there.

-Enrico is not a monkey.

He's a pedigreed silky.

-Oh, I--I--

I can see that, ma'am.

It's just a figure of speech.

-Now you stay there.

Where's my daughter?

-I don't know, ma'am She's,
uh, probably asleep.

-Well, where's Charles?

-Uh, it's his day off.

Are you Mrs. Chadwick?

-Yes.

And you?

-Uh, my name is Columbo,
ma'am.

I'm a, uh, lieutenant
from the police.

-Just a minute.

Not so quickly.

I'd like to look that over.

Well, I must say, you hardly
look the role.

-Well, you know how it is.

-You--

you brought my bags in?

-Uh, ye--yes ma'am.

Uh, the cab fare was $10.50.

And there was a $0.50 tip.

So that's $11.

-I'll see that you're
reimbursed, Lieutenant.

Now tell me, what happened?

Where is she?

-Here I am, Mother.

-Do you feel better now?

-No.

-It was an accident.

-I don't care what is was.

You killed my son.

-Mother!

-Oh, you were already
so impossible.

Always.

Blundering, making mistakes,
causing trouble

wherever you were.

He looked after her
all of her life.

He protected you.

And now you've destroyed him.

-Mother, you don't understand.

It wasn't my fault.

-I don't want to
hear about it.

-I'm sorry, Lieutenant.

This must be very embarrassing
for you.

-No, not really.

No.

Uh, you see, I come from
a very big family.

And at dinner time it was like,
well, you know Madison

Square Garden.

And uh, we used to patch
it up with coffee.

-Is that a hint?

-Well, I smelled it
when I came in.

I sure could use some.

-Mother?

-I should think it
would be obvious.

I'm in no mood for coffee.

-Uh, ma'am would you like me
to take your bags upstairs?

-No.

No, thank you.

Beth can attend to them.

He was a special man,
Lieutenant.

Very special.

He kept us all together.

-Well I thought you lived
in Palm Desert.

-I mean spiritually.

When my husband died, I--

I couldn't stay in this
house any longer.

-Well that's certainly
understandable.

Uh, was that when your son took
over the business, ma'am?

-Yes, and turned it into one
of the largest advertising

agencies on the West Coast.

-Really?

Marvelous.

-He took over for my husband
in many ways, including

dealing with Beth and
her problems.

-Oh?

-Her choice of men, when she's
had a choice, has never been

particularly mature.

-Oh, yeah.

Like that, uh, Peter Hamilton.

-Exactly.

He's an obvious fortune
hunter.

-Of course, uh, she would
have no way of seeing--

seeing through him, would she?

-I'm afraid not.

She's something of a
child, Lieutenant.

Her decisions are always
vague and emotional.

Bryce was far more perceptive.

-He never married, did he?

Why was that?

-What are you implying?

-Oh, no offense, ma'am.

No, he just seems like a very
distinctive man, and a unique

man, and I was curious
about him.

-Well he was.

But he had far too many
responsibilities for marriage.

And I suppose he never
met the right woman.

Then there was the business.

I don't know what's going to
happen to the company now.

I certainly can't run it.

And I don't want to bring anyone
in from the outside.

-You won't have to.

MRS. CHADWICK (OFFSCREEN):
And what does that mean?

-It means that I am an officer
of the company.

-In name only.

-That's because Bryce would
never let me participate.

-Of course he wouldn't.

You aren't even capable of
running your own life.

-I've never been allowed
to run my own life.

Lieutenant, won't
you sit down?

-Thank you.

-But things are different
now, aren't they?

There's a change in
the status quo.

-If you are seriously
considering--

-We're not alone, Mother.

I suggest we discuss
this later.

All right, Lieutenant, I've kept
you waiting long enough.

What can I do for you?

-Oh, no, no, no.

That's all right.

No I only have one problem
and that is-- thank you.

-Cream, sugar?

-I, uh--

no, I take it black,
thank you.

Uh, I couldn't sleep
last night.

There were a couple of points
that were bothering me so I

thought I'd come over here
and clear 'em up.

-What kind of points.

-Ah, thank you.

Uh, that newspaper.

-Newspaper?

-Uh, yes.

Uh, the one that I noticed on
the table in the foyer.

Now correct me if I'm wrong,
but, uh, didn't I hear you say

that you were home all
day, yesterday?

-That's right.

-See, that's what puzzles me.

How did that newspaper
get there?

-Haven't you ever heard
of home delivery?

-Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

I have a newspaper delivered
to my house every morning.

-There's your answer.

-No.

No, that-- that won't
answer it.

Nope.

No, the newspaper on
the foyer table,

that was a late edition.

I mean, I even saw racetrack
results in it.

-I'm afraid I don't
quite follow you.

-Well if you were home
all day, who

brought home the newspaper?

-Well Bryce must have
brought it home.

-Yes, but Bryce came in
through your room.

He didn't come in through
the front door.

I mean, he was shot on that
side of the house.

How did that newspaper get to
the other end of the house?

-Lieutenant, you seem to be
cross-examining my daughter.

-That's all right, Mother.

Bryce must have brought it in,
and in my confusion I picked

it up and put it foyer
table when I went

on answer the door.

-Yes, that would be an answer,
except for one thing.

You left your brother's attache
case out there.

Why wouldn't you bring them
both in at the same time?

BETH (OFFSCREEN):
I didn't see it.

-You didn't see it.

Gee.

They couldn't have been
too far apart.

-People are inconsistent when
they're in a state of shock,

Lieutenant.

It's foolish of you to expect
rational behavior

at a time like that.

-Well I'm sure you're probably
right about this.

You know I only get into it
because I try to figure it out

in my mind.

You'll understand that.

Uh, well look, I'm sure both
of you have a great deal to

talk about, so, uh, I'm
going to run along.

Thank you for the
coffee, ma'am.

Bye bye.

-Goodbye.

-Um--

listen, about that $11 ma'am.

-If you leave me your card
I'll send you a check.

-I'm all out of cards.

-Oh, here.

-Thank you, very much.

-Thank you, Lieutenant.

[dog barking]

-Easy now, easy!

PETER (OFFSCREEN): I mean, that
would be just terrific.

No way they're going to--

-The jury's coming in now.

-Have you, ladies and gentlemen,
concluded your

deliberations?

-Yes, sir, we have.

-Clerk.

Thank you.

LADY (OFFSCREEN): What
do you think?

-What?

-She's home free, you watch.

Jupiter and Venus are in
good aspect with Pluto.

JUDGE (OFFSCREEN): I have before
me the verdict of the

coroner's jury in the matter of
Bryce Chadwick, deceased.

The jury finds that Bryce
Chadwick, age 46, came to his

death July 21, at
his residence,

2307 Lorraine Drive.

Death being caused by three .38
caliber bullet wounds in

the upper chest.

The jury also finds, from the
evidence submitted, that the

death of Bryce Chadwick
was an accident.

[chatters in the gallery]

-Thank you, very much.

-Good luck to you.

-Thank you.

-See?

-Thank you, jury members.

This inquest is now closed.

PETER (OFFSCREEN): Nice to
be believed, isn't it?

Huh?

-[nervous chuckles]

Yes.

I want to take the whole
jury out for dinner.

-[chuckles]

That is what is known as
bribery after the fact.

-Oh, is it?

-Anyway, it's all over.

Back to normal, huh?

BETH (OFFSCREEN): Oh,
no, that's exactly

what I don't want.

PETER (OFFSCREEN):
What do you mean?

-Well I think it's time we made
a few changes, that I

broke a few patterns.

-(SNICKERING) Well, as long
as you don't break ours.

How about some lunch
to celebrate?

-Can I take a rain check?

I--

I have a few appointments.

You don't mind, do
you, darling?

-No, no, that's fine.

-Oh, uh, when you get back to
the office, would you set up a

meeting with the heads
of the departments?

-What's the agenda?

-Reorganization.

Tomorrow at 2:00.

Mother.

-Morning, Mr. Hamilton.

-Oh, Lieutenant.

-You remember me?

-Yes, I've got a very
good memory.

-Gee, I'll tell ya,
I envy you that.

I got to the point, you know,
where I can't remember my

telephone number.

-Yeah.

What can I do for
you, Lieutenant?

-Well I, uh--

I couldn't help overhearing
that she turned

you down for lunch.

You want to grab
a bite with me?

-You want to ask me some
questions, is that it?

-Well, uh--

listen, it's my treat.

-(SNICKERING) All right.

[rapping]

-Window down, please.

-Oh, right.

-That's it.

I held the whipped cream
on the Mighty Malt.

That's what you wanted?

-Uh, right.

-OK.

And they, uh, they were
out of onion rings.

You want a substitution?

-Uh, no that's all right.

No.

That's fine.

-All right.

Don't forget to let me know
before you leave.

I need to take the tray.

People are always driving
off with our trays.

-Right.

I'll remember.

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

All right.

Tell me something.

You and Mrs. Chadwick,
are ya--

you going to be married?

-You don't believe in
preliminaries, do ya?

-Well, you know, sometimes
you just-- uh--

-Yes.

We're going to be married.

But we haven't set
the date yet.

Mainly because of Bryce.

-Oh, I see.

Well you know wh--

what I was wondering was, uh,
the night of the shooting, why

did you drive over
there so late?

-Let's say the propulsion
was anger.

-(TALKING WITH MOUTH
FULL) Huh?

Wh-- what--what do you mean?

-Oh, I got back from a business
trip and there was a

letter waiting for
me from Bryce.

He said to lay off
Beth, or else.

-Or else?

Or else what?

-Oh, well, it's professional
discrimination,

and things like that.

So I got hot and I went over
to have it out with him.

-I see.

Boy, uh, you got there just
in time for the commotion.

That's quite a coincidence,
isn't it?

-That's a leading question,
Lieutenant.

Do think that, uh, the two of
us did Bryce in together?

-What you mean, murder?

Oh no.

Uh, I mean, you were
at the inquest.

They said it was an accident.

-Oh, well, I'm not talking
about the inquest.

I'm talking about you.

What do you think?

-Do I think it was
a conspiracy?

No, no.

Oh, no.

No chance of that.

No, sir.

-Well it's rather odd that
you're still asking the same

questions, though.

-Oh, well you know, that's,
uh, well that's just me.

You know.

I mean, nothing official.

It's just that, you know, I have
this, uh, bug about tying

up loose ends.

Listen, I want to thank you.

You've been very
helpful to me.

-Suppose you ask the question
that you haven't asked?

Whether or not I'm
a fortune hunter.

-Well I never inten--

-I'm not.

I love Beth, with her money
or without her money.

As a matter of fact,
I was quite

prepared to quit the company.

-Of course, that won't
be necessary now.

-No, that won't.

But I won't be a hypocrite,
Lieutenant.

I'm sorry about poor Bryce
being killed, but it has

gotten Beth out from
under his thumb.

-Oh yeah, yeah.

Yeah, way out.

Huh?

-What's that supposed to mean?

-Way out?

Well, uh, you know, uh-- in the
courtroom I overheard her

say that she was breaking
patterns.

Now, uh, this is a terrible
thing to admit, but, uh, I

think that, in a way, her
brother's death is the best

thing that ever happened
to her.

[engine starts]

-Hey, mister, you
forgot the tray!

-Sorry.

-It's all right.

-May I assist you, sir?

-Oh, heh, you scared me.

No, I was looking
for Miss, uh--

you're Charles, aren't ya?

-Are we acquainted?

-Oh, I saw you at the inquest.

No I'm, uh, uh, Lieutenant
Columbo.

I'm looking for Miss Chadwick.

-You're a police officer, sir?

-Uh, yes, I am.

Yeah.

Uh, is she in?

-I'm afraid not, sir.

-Oh, she isn't.

I see.

Well, um, uh, do you, uh, do you
know where I can, uh, get

in touch with her?

-Yes, she's at the
beauty parlor--

Eugene's.

-Uh, huh.

-Will that be all, sir?

-Yes, Charles.

Uh, yeah.

I think so.

Uh--

hey, smells new.

-It is, sir.

-Oh.

Why didn't she take
it with her?

MAID (OFFSCREEN): It
was just delivered.

-Ah, it was just delivered.

I see.

Well, I want to tell
ya, it's a beauty.

That's a wonderful piece
of machinery.

-Uh, will that be all, sir?

-Yeah, Charles.

That will be all.

Uh, I don't want you to worry
about me, Charles.

I'm going to go around the side
of the house here, and

I'm going to conduct
an experiment.

-Uh, is it something I
can help with, sir?

-No, Charles, it's a kind of
a do-it-yourself thing.

Thank you, very much.

RECEPTIONIST (OFFSCREEN):
May I help you, sir?

-Uh, well I'm not a customer.

-No, I assumed that.

Uh, you're looking
for someone?

-Yes.

I was looking for a,
uh, Beth Chadwick.

Miss Chadwick.

My name is, uh, Lieutenant
Columbo.

-The police?

-Well look now, it's
not serious.

I just want to talk to
her for a moment.

-Oh.

Well right through that
door, Lieutenant.

Cubicle four.

-Thank you.

-Uh, Lieutenant.

Your cigar.

-What about it?

-Uh, well, the fragrance
is not, um, compatible.

-Gee, that's a shame.

I just lit it.

-Oh.

[aerosol spray]

-Well, what brings you
here, Lieutenant?

-Oh, I, uh--

I stopped by the house.

I talked to Charles and he
told me where you'd be.

So I thought I'd come by.

Uh, there's um, just one point
that I wanted to clear up.

-Uh, huh.

-Uh, do you mind?

-Does it matter?

I'm a captive audience.

-Uh, we can go, Miss Chadwick.

-No, no, no.

That's all right.

Go ahead and finish.

-I saw your new car,
by the way.

Oh, that's some automobile.

-Thank you.

-I mean, really beautiful.

Beautiful.

I suppose you have to order
those things weeks in advance,

don't you?

-Yes, that's right.

-Yeah, that's what I thought.

A real change of pace
for you, isn't it?

-[snickers]

Well I felt like
something racy.

As they say in advertising,
a new image.

-Mm, yeah.

Well you know, I can
understand that--

uh, I'm sorry--

uh, because, uh, it's a natural
thing, I think, after

a death in the family, to
want to break loose.

-That's one way of putting it.

-Hmm.

Gee, that's funny though.

-What?

-If you had to order the car
some time ago, that would mean

that you knew in advance
that you were going

to change your style.

HAIRDRESSER (OFFSCREEN):
Finished, Miss Chadwick.

-[sigh]

May I see?

-Yes.

-Oh, [chuckling]

COLUMBO (OFFSCREEN): Wow!

-Looks fabulous.

Fabulous.

-Yes?

COLUMBO (OFFSCREEN):
Just amazing.

Miss Chadwick, you
look sensational!

-You really think so?

-I'd say you were a new woman.

-Oh, thank you, Lieutenant.

Goodbye, Gene.

Thank you.

See you next week.

Bye, Felicia.

-Bye, bye.

-Excuse me.

Sorry.

-Why Miss Chadwick,
you look lovely.

-Thank you.

You're very kind.

Bill, and could I have an
appointment next week?

-Certainly.

-Well, Lieutenant, you haven't
asked me your question.

-I'll tell you what.

Are you headed home?

-Yes.

-Do you mind if I
meet you there?

Because it kind of has to
do with your house.

-Is this really necessary?

-Well in a way, it does.

Yes.

I promise it won't take long.

-All right.

I'll meet you there.

-Uh, Lieutenant, your cigar.

[sigh]

-Oh, good afternoon, ma'am.

-Good afternoon.

Oh, Charles, our Lieutenant
requires a stepladder.

Would you be good enough
to get one for him?

-Yes ma'am.

Another experiment, sir?

-Uh--

well I--

I guess you could call
it that, yeah.

-Experiment, Lieutenant?

-Uh, huh.

Like I said, I was
out here earlier.

Hey, why don't I
show it to you?

Now, uh, you figured that your
brother had to walk around the

side of the house like
this, is that right?

-I figure it.

And so did the coroner's jury.

-Right.

Now you see, he had to
walk on-- on grass.

-(CHUCKLING) Is point to this?

-Yes, ma'am, there is.

You see, uh, now this grass
is kind of dry, because

the sun's been out.

Uh, well today's Thursday.

And uh, the gardener cuts
the grass on Thursday.

Excuse me a minute.

You see.

Grass.

-Yes, well that's
only natural.

-It certainly is.

But you know, there was no grass
on your brother's shoe.

-I'm afraid I don't
quite understand.

-Your brother was shot a
week ago, on Thursday.

And I looked at the photographs
of the body.

I even have them blown up.

And for the life of me, I just
couldn't see any grass on the

soles of his shoe.

And I couldn't figure
that out.

Why?

It was freshly cut.

And it was sticky, because
it was at night

and there was dew.

-You know, that's very good.

He must have had particles
of grass on his shoes.

But they were probably brushed
off on the carpet.

And unfortunately, the
room's been cleaned.

-Yeah.

I know.

-Well unless there's
something else?

-Just one more thing.

I guess Charles has the
stepladder by now, hm?

-I would think.

-Yeah.

All right, then.

Now the other morning when I was
over here, I noticed these

potted plants.

-How observant.

-And they're very pretty,
you know.

But I got to thinking, I said to
myself, you know, sometimes

people, they keep a spare key
outside, just in case they

forget their own key.

Uh, do you, uh--

do you see this?

-What?

-This imprint here?

-Yes, what about it?

-Well that's like a-- a
fossil or something.

You see, uh, a spare key must
have been hidden in there for

a long time.

You see that's been rained
on, and everything.

-There was a spare key.

-Oh?

-I put it there myself when the

alarm system was installed.

Bryce didn't know about it.

I also removed it, myself,
recently, because

I had second thoughts.

-Wh-- what do you mean
by second thoughts?

-Well if a burglar were, in
fact, on the premises, he

might find the key, and then
what good would the

alarm system be?

-Good point.

Mm, yes.

Hey, yeah.

-I was right, wasn't I?

Because you found it.

-Yeah, I guess I did.

-All right, Lieutenant,
I think you've finally

overstayed your welcome.

The official verdict is death by
accidental means, and that

should satisfy you.

-Look, ma'am, I don't
mean any offense.

I'm just, uh, trying to
tie up loose ends.

You see, I'm compulsive
that way.

It's just, uh, well that's what
my wife says about it.

Just--

-(SNICKERING) Are you really?

-Oh.

No, I mean, all I meant
by that was that, uh,

well you see if--

if there was a key there--

-Yes?

-And if Bryce knew about it,
well then, of course, he would

use the key to let himself in
through the front door.

-But I told the truth, the
night it happened.

And I told the truth
at the inquest.

So whatever your little
compulsions may be, I'm afraid

I must insist you
leave me alone.

-Oh, uh, goodbye.

-I'll take it all.

Yeah?

-Well, is that it?

-(CHUCKLING) No, I
haven't finished.

[peter chuckles]

-You're not bored are you?

PETER (OFFSCREEN): No.

No.

I'm having a wonderful time.

-Is there something
young and bright?

-Why don't you try this one?

-Oh, that's marvelous.

I want to try that on.

Excuse me, please.

Excuse me.

Oh, don't forget to put my hat
over by the black bag.

Did you bring it with you?

-It'll look great.

BETH (OFFSCREEN): Oh, could
you get the zipper?

Peter?

-Yes?

BETH (OFFSCREEN): Everybody
set for

this afternoon's meeting?

-Uh, yes.

But I was wondering, Beth?

BETH (OFFSCREEN): Huh?

PETER (OFFSCREEN): Um,
well don't you think

it's a little premature?

Perhaps another week for
things to ease up?

BETH (OFFSCREEN): No!

It must be today.

-All right.

It's up to you.

BETH (OFFSCREEN): Oh!

Well?

What do you think?

-Interesting.

-What does that mean?

-[chuckling]

Well, that's wild.

A little out of your style,
though, isn't it?

-No.

I don't think it is.

-Well, you asked.

-Yeah.

It was a courtesy.

Hmm.

I'm perfectly capable of making
my own decisions.

[gasp]

Oh, what is that silver dress
over there on the--

on the rail?

And this one, this--this
matches it.

-Uh, Beth.

Beth, why don't you finish
your wardrobe?

I'm going back to the office.

-No, no.

I want you to wait till
I'm ready to go.

Uh, do you have trousers that
go with the red top?

-Beth.

I'm not sure what's gotten
into you, but, I'm

not sure I like it.

I'll see you.

If you need me, I'll be
back at the office.

-Did you want to try this on?

-Yes.

This one and that blue dress
over there, please.

-OK.

[chattering and laughter]

-Ladies and gentlemen, will you
please take your seats?

Well now, we've all been through
a period of anxiety

and indecision since
my brother's death.

But in a corporate sense, we
must maintain our continuity.

As you all well know, this
is a family-owned firm.

Therefore, as of today, I am
assuming the presidency.

As my first order of business,
I would like to announce the

elevation of Mr. Peter Hamilton
to Executive Vice

President in charge
of accounts.

As to philosophy, my brother
was a traditionalist.

I want to break new ground.

Would you pass these
along, please?

I want to streamline.

We're going to cut down marginal
accounts, and we're

going to start promoting
ourselves for a change.

Seems to me we've been selling

everything but our own product.

-Beth, forgive me.

But that is our job.

-Forgive me, but it's not.

Our job is to grow.

Now when was the last
time this agency

took on a new account?

-We have, uh, all
we can handle.

-Nonsense!

-Now look, Beth, I don't
want to be difficult.

But I--I--

I just--

-Fred, I don't mean to interrupt
you, but this is

maybe not the time for
negative thinking.

Now, if you disagree with my
approach, you're perfectly

free to sever your relationship
with the firm.

-No, Beth.

I--

I feel that I can accommodate
myself

to your way of thinking.

-Yes.

I'm sure you can.

Any questions?

Very well, we'll adjourn.

Oh, one more thing.

A happy and personal note.

I'd like to announce my
engagement to Mr. Hamilton.

Thank you.

Are those letters
for me to sign?

-Congratulations.

-Yeah, right.

-Congratulations.

-Thank you.

-You must be out of your mind!

What qualifies you to
run this company?

-I had a very good teacher,
my brother.

I've been studying
his reports for

years, and asking questions.

Thank you.

We'll finish later.

He may not have known it,
but he was grooming me.

MRS. CHADWICK (OFFSCREEN): Well
don't forget, I am the

majority stockholder.

I will not relinquish control.

-(SNICKERING) Don't
be naive, Mother.

Who else can take over and still
keep it in the family?

Besides, I'm prepared to go
to court, if necessary.

And you know what that means--

publicity, interviews,
scandal.

-I--

I can't believe you're talking
to me like this.

BETH (OFFSCREEN): You prepared
to take over the company?

You're getting old, Mother,
or hadn't you noticed?

[knocking]

-Come in.

-Am I interrupting something?

-What do you want, Lieutenant?

-Well I just thought that--

why, hello there, fella.

How you doing?

[dog barking]

-I got a treat for you.

I got a little something
for him.

Here you are.

You know, I've been carrying
these things

around with me all week.

Come here, boy.

Come on.

Take one of these.

Look at that.

Come on.

Come on.

[dog barking]

-Oh!

Oh, easy.

Easy!

I think we have a personality
conflict.

Uh--

-Do you need me for anything,
Lieutenant?

Come here.

-Uh, no, ma'am.

No.

I don't think so.

-Then I'll be leaving.

-Mother, we'll go
into this later.

-As you wish.

-I'll leave the two
of you alone.

-No, that's all right, Peter.

The Lieutenant is going
to be very brief.

Well, Columbo, what is it now?

We've talked about keys, and
grass, and newspapers.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, thank you.

-Well you know how one thing
leads to another.

Now when I was-- thank you.

Uh, when I was over at your
house there the other day, and

I was going up and down
that ladder, uh, I

tell ya, I had a thought.

Something else occurred to me,
uh, that's been keeping me

awake at night.

-Oh, what might that be?

-Well I was, uh, wondering about
that burnt out bulb--

-Oh.

- --in front of your house.

And I went over there this
morning to take a look at it.

-[laughing]

You brought it with you.

-Oh, yeah.

I didn't think you'd mind.

-No.

-Uh, this is a 100 watt bulb.

100 watt.

Got a life 750, 800 hours.

Now, if you're house is anything
like my house, then

you burn the outside light,
uh, 8, 10 hours a day.

So that means it would
last 2, 2 1/2 months.

Is that right?

Yeah.

-I'll concede to
your knowledge.

I don't know.

-Thank you, very much.

Uh, now this is what
I got to thinking.

I hate to change bulbs outside
my house, because no matter

how tight I get that up in the
lamp, you see, they attract a

lot of dirt, and gook, and
they're full of dead bugs.

And I just don't even like to
go up there and touch 'em.

-Would you get to the point?

-Uh, why is that bulb
dirt and dust free?

That bulb is clean
as a whistle.

-Ahem.

-Now I think that's kind
of strange, don't you?

Hanging there long enough to
burn out, but not hanging

there long enough
to get dirty.

-We're a fastidious family.

If the bulb is clean, it's
because servants cleaned it.

-They cleaned a burnt
out bulb?

-They work in the daytime,
so how would they know?

All right, Lieutenant, I think
that will be enough.

-I beg your pardon?

-I want you listen to
this very carefully.

I don't ever want to
see you again.

You'll be refused
admittance to my

house, and to this office.

I have a great deal of work
to do, and I no longer can

indulge your suspicions.

If you think you have a
case against me, go to

the District Attorney.

Is that clear?

-Yes.

That's very clear.

Hmm.

Oh--

-I'm warning you, no
more questions.

-I wasn't going to ask
a question, ma'am.

I just wanted to return
your bulb.

[door closes]

-(ANGRILY) What can
we do about him?

[bulb shattering]

PETER (OFFSCREEN): Beth,
take it easy.

Calm down.

-Oh, stop saying calm down.

You're a lawyer, do something.

I mean, we can institute
some kind of

proceedings against him.

There must be somebody
in city government

who can to do something.

-Calm down.

Take it easy.

-Well is that your professional
advice?

-Beth, what in the world
has gotten into you?

We never argued like
this before.

-Oh, we're not arguing.

Something's wrong.

What is it?

-All right, there is.

Number one, uh, this business
of arbitrarily promoting me.

It--

to say the least-- it smacks
of high-level nepotism.

It's uh--

-And I assume there's
a number two?

-Yes, there is.

You announced our engagement
without even letting me know.

-Well I thought it
would please you.

-It did please me.

But don't you think you could
have consulted with me?

I was just as surprised here
as everybody else.

-Well, I--

I did it for you.

I mean, we are going to get
married, aren't we?

-That's not the point.

I would like to have had
a hand in the decision.

Now it's not like you
to act this way.

This is way out of character
for you.

-Well if I've changed, it's
because I thought you'd like a

more exciting woman.

-A change, yes.

But a complete metamorphosis.

I'm not sure, Beth, you're
the same person.

-[sigh]

Maybe I'm not.

Maybe Bryce was right.

PETER (OFFSCREEN): About what?

-About your being the wrong
kind of man for me.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[ice clinking]

-What's that, the third?

-I get paid not to count.

-Just keep 'em coming,
that's all.

-Well I didn't think
you people were

supposed to drink on duty.

-Oh, Mr. Hamilton.

Drink?

Oh, no, that's coffee.

No, I don't drink.

(SIGHING) No, it's been
a very long day.

I can see it's been a long
day for you, too.

-Oh, it shows, huh?

-Um.

-You know, it's quite a
coincidence you and I both

meeting in the same
place like this.

-Yes, it is, isn't it?

Yeah.

-What are reading?

-Oh, this.

This is a, uh, transcript
of the inquest.

Oh, listen, congratulations.

I understand you're engaged.

-Not necessarily.

-Oh, really?

What happened?

-Let's get back to this.

I want to ask you something.

Lieutenant, why are
you hounding Beth?

-Hounding?

Who me?

Oh, no.

I'm not hounding anybody.

Oh, no.

No.

No, what I'm trying to
do is get to the

bottom of this thing.

-(CHUCKLING) You know,
Lieutenant, I like

you, I really do.

But you are devious.

-Devious?

-Now your job was finished with
the coroner's verdict.

But you're still
hanging around.

You're still asking questions.

You even managed to
bump into me here.

Now, Lieutenant, you don't
really think that Beth killed

her brother in cold
blood, now do you?

-Well, as a matter
of fact, I do.

-[chuckling]

-Mr. Hamilton, you asked me what
I thought, now I'm going

to tell ya.

I think she set it up.

I think it was deliberate.

And I think you can
help me prove it.

-Oh, now, excuse me.

You're-- you're sure
that's uh, that's

coffee that you're drinking?

Because you're not
making any sense.

I was there.

Now I know Beth didn't
kill anybody.

It was an accident.

-Can I tell me about my wife?

You know, my wife, she's got a
proverb for every situation.

You know, with her--

a rolling stone gathers no moss,
you gotta look before

you leap.

-Uh, I'm sure that your wife
is a very nice woman.

But what does that got
to do with the case?

-To be honest, she
solved it for me.

We're having an argument last
night, she says to me, you're

putting the cart before
the horse.

And I said, right.

In this case, the horse
is before the cart.

And I had the answer.

-And what was that?

-In the transcript, you
weren't very specific.

I know.

I just read every word of it.

But I think on the night of the
murder you said something.

If you can remember that, and
you tell me you've got a

terrific memory.

-Um, hm.

-Then you'll know.

You'll know for sure whether or
not Beth Chadwick murdered

her brother.

-All right.

And what do I remember?

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

-Oh.

[door rattling]

-Who is it?

Who's there?

Who's there?

Hello operator, get
me the police.

Uh, operator?

Oh, operator I'm sorry.

Forget it.

Lieutenant Columbo,
is that you?

[cocking gun]

-Come on, Lieutenant, come
in and have a drink.

Lieutenant Columbo?

-This the way your brother came
in that night, isn't it?

-How did you get in?

-Same way your brother did,
with a spare key.

One of my men located
your locksmith.

He was very cooperative.

-Well what do you expect to
prove by this bit of nonsense?

-Oh, I don't want to prove
anything, ma'am.

I came to arrest you.

-(SCOFFING) Arrest me?

-Yes , ma'am--

[laughing]

- --for the murder
of your brother.

-Oh.

-And I did have a reason
for coming in this way.

I wanted to see the
look on your face.

-Very well.

I'll consider myself
under arrest.

And now I want to see the look
on your face when I call my

lawyer.

-You know what's ironic?

I knew it wasn't an accident
the first night.

I knew it as soon as I
saw that newspaper.

But I didn't have any proof.

I had to wait for the proof.

I had to wait for your fiancee
to give it to me.

-From Peter?

COLUMBO (OFFSCREEN):
Yes, ma'am.

Although I don't think
he meant to.

You see, according to your
story you were asleep at

night, the alarm woke you up,
you reach for a gun, and you

shot what you thought
was a burglar.

-Which is exactly
what happened.

-Couldn't be.

Because Mr. Hamilton, who was
driving up outside at the

time, he heard both the
shots and the alarm.

-Of course he did.

What difference does
that make?

-Oh, big difference.

He heard the shots first,
and then the alarm.

That's the cart before
the horse.

I mean, how could the
alarm wake you if

the shots came first?

You see, what really happened
was, your brother came walking

in here, just the way I did
tonight, and you shot him.

And then you set the alarm,
a few seconds later.

-Peter is mistaken.

-No, he's a very good lawyer,
and he prides

himself on his memory.

And he won't like it, but he'll
testify against you in

court if he has to.

And along with the other holes
in your story, I think they'll

convict you.

-Oh really, you don't
want to do that.

Policemen outside.

What would be the point?

Besides, you're too
classy a woman.

Ma'am, would you get
dressed now?

Take all the time you need.

[door closes]

[music playing]

[theme music]