Original subtitles

Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.

Mr. Li, call the police.

Welcome to the inscrutable Orient, Mrs. Fletcher.

I know that the goods you reported lost in the fire

have been showing up on the black market.

Is there any way to trace the cyanide?

- In Hong Kong? - I want that merger.

I’ll not be coerced by your threats,

no matter how you choose to deliver them.

I will accept no more of your insults.

- Your dad will kill me. - Stay away from her.

Oh, it’s fascinating.

- What? - Everything.

The color, the energy.

It’s so unique, and yet, it’s still British.

It reminds me of that wonderful weekend

- We spent together in London. - Mmm.

I’m sorry I took so long to accept your invitation.

- Every time I made plans, I... - I know.

I was just beginning to worry

that the Chinese communists were going to get here before you.

Confidentially, so was I.

On to more important things.

There is something that you absolutely have to see.

Oh, how exciting.

- Hello. - Mr. Li.

- This is Mrs. Fletcher. - Hi. My pleasure, Mrs. Fletcher.

Your first visit to our city?

Yes, it is, Mr. Li.

I just couldn’t let her miss

the finest jade in Hong Kong.

I saw mention in the newspaper

of your lecturing at the university.

I have something that I just acquired

that I know you will appreciate.

It’s a necklace in the deepest imperial green.

Jessica, remember, you’re in the Orient.

You’re expected to bargain.

- Watch me. - Excuse me, ma’am.

There’s a phone call from Mr. Dunbar’s office.

They say it’s important; it’s on the car phone.

- Thank you, chin. I’ll be right back. - All right.

Right over here, Mrs. Fletcher.

It happens that you’re in Hong Kong

at just the right time. I received a...

flawlessly crafted in the finest Burmese jade.

Mr. Li, call the police!

On your demand for two additional board members,

I must categorically refuse.

Refuse...

is about all you seem to do, Mr. Dunbar.

You are a very stubborn man.

House of Dunbar has survived for over a century, Mr. Kaun.

I’m not gonna give it away now.

We’re trying to negotiate a merger, not a takeover.

I told you no calls.

It’s for you.

- Jessica Fletcher. - Hello.

Brian? Look, I’m sorry. This is an emergency.

I don’t know how to tell you this,

but it appears that Emma has been kidnapped.

Please go on.

When?

How did it happen?

Jessica, if you haven’t already called the police--

Well, of course we’ve called them.

I don’t know how to say this,

but the fact is,

it could cost Emma her life.

But, Brian, I don’t understand.

I’m sorry, Jessica.

You don’t know Hong Kong.

Well, they’re already here. I don’t know what to say.

It’s all right, Jessica.

Need I keep reminding you,

it was House of Dunbar that initiated these negotiations.

Hoping they’d be of mutual benefit.

They can be,

but only if you are realistic.

Yes.

Yes.

We have your wife.

If you want her back alive, listen carefully,

and don’t interrupt.

I understand.

I’m sorry, I’ll have to break this up.

An emergency.

A final word, Mr. Dunbar.

A reminder-- Time is running out.

The takeover of Hong Kong by the People’s Republic of China

is fast approaching.

The political and economic climate in this city

is more dangerous every day.

You need our connection in Beijing

far more than we need the House of Dunbar.

Good day... gentlemen.

Brian Dunbar becomes more difficult every day.

What is it, Brian?

I need $200,000 in small bills, and quickly.

How long have you known Emma Dunbar?

Oh, about eight years.

We met at a UNESCO art festival in Paris.

And do you paint plates, too, Mrs. Fletcher?

Paint plates?

Inspector, Mrs. Dunbar is one of the finest

ceramic artists in the world.

I meant no disrespect, ma’am.

Inspector, I don’t think that’s true.

How about partially true?

I mean, your attitude.

Is it, like Brian Dunbar,

you’d rather that I hadn’t called the police?

Quite the opposite, Mrs. Fletcher.

The trouble is, we hardly ever get called in

on these cases. - These cases?

You mean this sort of thing is commonplace?

Kidnapping members of the privileged class

has become something of a cottage industry in Hong Kong,

and most ritualistic.

You see, as far as certain elements

in this part of the world are concerned, life comes kind of cheap,

and as money doesn’t seem to matter very much

to the victims’ families or associates...

they keep the police out of it,

they pay the ransom, they get their people back alive and well.

It’s a bit of a game both sides agree to play.

The kidnappers usually keep their ransom demands

pretty much within what their victims can afford.

But doesn’t that just encourage more kidnapping?

Welcome to the inscrutable Orient, Mrs. Fletcher.

No need to worry, ma’am.

Chances are, even as we speak,

the ransom money’s being paid,

and Mrs. Dunbar is safely on her way home.

Mark delivered the ransom

according to instructions, Sir.

Sure, Inspector, they’ll give you statements,

but neither Chang nor Emma saw anything

that will help.

Look, as far as I’m concerned, it’s over.

Emma!

I’m so relieved you’re safe.

Not as relieved as I.

I am fine, Jessica.

Would you like some tea and sandwiches?

What is it?

You’ll have to forgive me.

It’s gonna take me a little time

to get used to the way things work around here.

I mean, you’re all behaving as if

she’d just taken a little walk in the park.

Inspector McLaughlin told me he’d explained

the routine to you.

Again, Jessica, I apologize

for the way I spoke on the phone.

Oh, it’s quite understandable, under the circumstances.

I’m just relieved that I didn’t make things any worse.

You mentioned that the merger talks

with this... this Kaun fellow

were going very badly.

Jessica, if you’re suggesting Kaun has anything to do

- With my kidnapping... - What I’m suggesting is,

that it’s very hard to get to the facts

without a police investigation.

Emma, I’ve thought from the start

that this could be Kaun’s way of escalating the pressure.

I know he’s got a reputation as a tough businessman,

but "Thug" might be a more apt description,

and that goes for his son, as well.

That could explain our mysterious warehouse fires.

I just cannot accept that.

Why not, Emma?

Because I think I understand Kaun.

He may be a ruthless businessman, but a criminal?

No.

When is your next meeting with him?

Nothing’s been scheduled as far as I’m concerned.

Brian, dear.

All right, darling.

Set another meeting for tomorrow at 2:00.

Right.

Well, I am for taking a little nap

before we start dressing for tonight.

Oh, you must need it, Emma.

And I’m so looking forward to seeing April before tonight.

We’re very proud of our little daughter, Jessica.

I’m sure you are.

- See you later. - Yes.

Have a good rest, Emma.

Excuse me, Brian.

The Kauns can’t meet with us until 3:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Good enough.

Mark, if I were you, I wouldn’t call attention

to those warehouse fires.

After all, we know it wasn’t Kaun who was responsible.

You have some other theories?

I have friends in Shanghai.

I know that the goods you reported lost in the fire

have been showing up on the black market.

I also know that you’ve been paying off gambling debts in Macao.

If you know all that,

what’s, uh, keeping you quiet?

Discretion.

Fear of screwing up the merger talks

even more than they are now.

And, Mark, if there is any sort of investigation,

I’ve already booby-trapped enough computer data

so there’ll be no doubt where the goodies have gone.

Jessica, come in.

Emma, you look lovely.

Thank you.

Are you feeling all right?

- I’m feeling fine. - Good.

Brian and I talked, and we both agree

we cannot allow anyone to think we were intimidated.

I have a feeling I’d have to spend a great deal more time

in this part of the world to get used to your customs.

Somebody else, perhaps,

but you, I know how your mind works.

Two weeks, and you would have it absolutely cold.

Thanks. That is a beautiful evening suit.

Do you like it? Nice, isn’t it?

From the House of Dunbar new ready-to-wear line.

Louise has made our woman’s apparel

the most profitable division,

and she expects to flood Europe with these Styles.

Judging from that, I’d say she might succeed.

Have you lost something?

I can’t find my car key.

I’m always losing keys the same way.

Oh, well, we won’t need it tonight.

We better hurry. Otherwise, we’ll miss April’s performance.

Pretty girl from Kowloon

gotta break the rules

pretty girl from Kowloon

no way she’ll mind the store

knows there’s no tomorrow

already at the door

she didn’t make the rules

no way that she’d complain

the game’s not the same

anymore

oh, no, the game’s

not the same anymore

anymore

anymore

anymore

April Dunbar.

Dad.

Jessica!

How good to see you!

You, too. You’re a real performer!

- Want something? - Orange juice.

- Orange juice, please. - Yes, Sir.

Jessica, it seems like forever

since that wonderful visit to Cabot Cove.

Well, you must come back again soon.

Emma tells me that you want to go into Musical Comedy.

Passionately.

Assuming she doesn’t allow her other passions

to interfere.

I was so lucky to get this job when I’m still at University.

There’s no experience like performing

in front of a paying audience.

Excuse me, I have to get ready for my next set.

Of course.

Bye.

She’s lovely.

Oh, what do you know?

- What is it? - My car key.

I must’ve left it in this purse the other night.

- David. - Sh.

- David! - My dad will kill me.

You make him into such an ogre, David.

He doesn’t even look at me. He takes aim instead.

Well, if you’d only make more of an effort.

I make an effort every day at the negotiating table.

The man’s got a mindset.

He wears blinders.

David, we can’t stop trying.

He’s under a lot of stress, you know.

All the changes that have been going on.

If you think that’s all it is,

you’re kidding yourself.

Oh, David, I could not stand to lose you.

So let’s just give it a little more time, all right?

Okay.

Daddy.

Well, I have to get back onstage.

I’ll see you later, right?

Right.

I love my daughter very much.

I won’t allow her to be hurt.

Stay away from her.

Oh, this is fascinating.

It’s so beautifully done.

Help yourself. I always make extras to send out as samples.

This one

you will see at the banquet hall tonight.

The figure is a kind of Feng Shui.

Keeps evil spirits away.

Well, I’m all for that.

Listen, you’re busy.

You don’t need to drive me to the University.

Chang can do it, or I can take a cab.

Nonsense. It will work out perfectly.

I have to stop by the museum anyway.

Then I’m coming straight home

to help Brian with his speech for tonight.

Chang can pick you up later.

All right.

Will you excuse me for a moment?

I want to dictate a memo before I forget.

When you are writing, and I quote my publisher,

"a definitive book," you have to save all the gems.

I’ve been there, believe me.

Only now are we beginning to appreciate

the ceramics of the Tang Dynasty.

The figure of Lothar measures 47 inches

and to fire such a piece of clay without cracking it,

would be a triumph even for a 21st-century ceramist.

Opinion?

Oh, definitely Definitive.

Actually, I do some of my best thinking behind the wheel of this car.

And some of my best swearing.

Fortunately, the dialect is quite obscure.

Perhaps you can clarify something for me.

Are you speaking for the House of Dunbar, Mr. Tower, or--

I’m here to speak for myself, Mr. Kaun.

To me, you and young Mr. Kaun

represent the future of Hong Kong,

and, uh, I wanna be a part of it.

No matter how things go this afternoon

between you and Brian, I want you to understand

that the Kauns can count on having a friend

who will do all he can to help.

Thank you, Mr. Tower.

You’re, uh...

you’re very welcome.

Gentlemen.

You’re not gonna deal with him, are you?

Never take your eyes off a desperate man, David.

Emma Dunbar was kidnapped?

According to my sources, for a brief time yesterday.

I’ll do all I can.

Business is business, my son.

- Good morning, Chang. - Good morning, ma’am.

Would you pick up Mrs. Fletcher at the University at 2:30?

Yes, Madam.

- How are you feeling? - Much better, thank you.

Chang, before the kidnapping yesterday morning,

did you at any time see that black sedan following us?

I know that you’re worried about retaliation.

I promise to be discreet.

I didn’t see anyone following us.

When did you first know that we were going to the Jade Shop?

At the mansion.

Mrs. Dunbar told me when she ordered the car.

Was there anyone else close by who might have overheard?

I wouldn’t know.

I was in the garage. She phoned me from the house.

Mrs. Fletcher, I would rather not say any more.

I understand.

Hong Kong at this time of year,

you should always carry an umbrella

when you leave Victoria Peak.

Rain often falls in the city, but not at the Peak.

That is because the clouds are so low.

I’ll remember that.

Unfortunately, I must remind you once again.

These negotiations are not open-ended.

Mr. Kaun, I’ll not be coerced by your threats,

no matter how you choose to deliver them.

What are you implying, Mr. Dunbar?

I think you know very well what I’m implying.

I’m a businessman, pure and simple.

I will accept no more of your insults.

David.

Mr. Dunbar, this is our final offer.

You have until tomorrow noon,

at which time the negotiations are terminated.

If it’s more of the same, we’re finished right now.

Mr. Dunbar...

father, since we have another day,

it would be most improvident not to use it.

Now, may I suggest, if only for appearance sake,

it would be best if we attended the banquet as planned.

You sure you want such a man for a father-in-law?

Thank you, Chang.

You’re welcome.

And in addition to our company’s anniversary,

- We have something else to celebrate. - What’s that, Brian?

Louise has just made the most enormous sale

of our company’s new ready-to-wear line

to one of the biggest wholesalers in Europe.

That’s wonderful, Louise.

Monsieur Ravel is an impossible man to deal with.

Now you tell us how you managed that.

Time. Paul’s a night person,

so I took advantage of it by nailing him

at the crack of Dawn when he was still groggy and vulnerable.

Well, it’s time.

Where’s Mark?

He’s taking his own car.

I trust that you’re here in an unofficial capacity, inspector.

Thankfully, yes.

Perhaps it’s better you didn’t tell Brian, Mrs. Fletcher,

but because you called us, we’ve got a lead.

A merchant has given us a pretty good description

of one of Emma’s abductors.

If it should come back to harm the Dunbars,

I would feel responsible.

I’m sure you only did what you thought was best, Mrs. Fletcher.

Jessica.

I’d like you to meet Mr. Kaun and my friend David, his son.

And this is Mrs. Fletcher.

How do you do, Mr. Kaun? David.

Are you enjoying Hong Kong, Mrs. Fletcher?

It’s been eventful.

It’s an exciting city, Mrs. Fletcher.

Anything can happen.

She is wonderful.

Thanks.

Sorry, Brian. I had some personal business.

She’s beautiful, and she would be an ideal wife, David,

especially if there is a merger.

Trust me.

He will never permit her to marry a Kaun.

We’ll see about that.

Greetings, my friends.

This occasion marks the 110th anniversary

of the founding of the House of Dunbar.

Now, it has been our custom,

always in the past,

at the beginning of each of our anniversary dinners,

to serve a century egg,

symbolizing both our ties to the past,

and our faith in the future.

Now, each of you should have received one.

So, please, everybody, enjoy yourselves.

Thank you.

Thank you, darling.

Jessica, did you know that the tradition of the century egg

goes back at least a couple of thousand years?

So I’ve read.

In the old days, they used to bury the eggs a century or more.

Well, how old are these eggs?

Well, let’s just say everything’s been speeded up a little.

But there’s still a traditional way to eat them.

Oh, I was sure there was.

Well, as you see, the egg has been divided into fourths.

You take a little Ginger,

and dip it into the lime juice,

lay it onto the egg,

and then...

what do you think?

Um... it’s different.

You know, the Chinese...

have a marvelous...

a marvelous... way...

Brian!

There is a smell of burnt almonds on his breath.

I’m afraid Emma Dunbar is the big winner here.

Get me a search warrant for the Dunbar mansion.

We’re waiting on the Coroner now

for the official cause of death.

I suggest you all go home and we’ll call you if we need you.

Inspector, you think that my husband was poisoned, don’t you?

I can’t comment on that yet, Emma.

Does anyone know where Mark tower is?

Are you gonna be all right?

Yes.

Good night.

Well, David, an important night for the Kauns, I’d say.

And what is that supposed to mean?

Emma Dunbar should be a lot easier to deal with than Brian.

I’ll be in touch.

One moment, please.

It’s Kai Kaun.

You don’t have to talk to him now--

I’ll take it.

Yes.

My condolences, Mrs. Dunbar.

- Thank you. - I realize

this is an awkward time to conduct business,

but I have no choice.

I regret I must withdraw my final offer.

Mr. Kaun.

As I’m sure you understand,

given the unfortunate events this evening,

the value of the House of Dunbar

has greatly diminished.

I do understand, Mr. Kaun.

Please give us a few days to assess our situation.

I’m sure we can come up with an offer

that will be worthy of your attention.

I think you should know

that there is at least one enemy

within your own firm.

Can you give me any more information?

I don’t think it would be appropriate

to talk about it now.

I appreciate your phone call, Mr. Kaun.

Thank you.

Just so that you know where I stand,

I want that merger.

I am not talking about surrender.

I am talking about compromise,

and inducing Kaun to compromise as well.

Good enough.

If there’s anything I can do to help, personally, I mean.

No, thank you.

I just think I’ll go upstairs and...

brave lady.

Incredible.

If she had prepared herself ahead of time,

she couldn’t be handling it any better.

You have a devious mind, Mr. Tower.

Come on.

Hasn’t the same thought crossed yours?

No. She loved him.

But if I was gonna titillate myself with the obvious,

there’s a much better way to go.

A thief and a smuggler, afraid of being found out.

Now there’s a suspect to conjure with.

Louise, go to hell.

Mother.

I miss him so much.

I know.

I know.

The merchant picked him out of the lineup

without a moment’s hesitation.

I’m afraid it doesn’t ring any bells, Inspector.

I really never got a good look at their faces.

You sure you’re not suffering from

a touch of selective memory, Mrs. Fletcher?

Inspector McLaughlin,

we all take our chances.

I apparently took one of mine and a few of the Dunbars’

when I notified you of the kidnapping.

Look, I didn’t mean to get your back up.

Well, you certainly succeeded.

If I’d known who this person was,

believe me, I would have told you.

No matter. With any luck,

now the fellow knows he’s been made,

maybe we’ll get something out of him.

I’m still curious about how the kidnappers knew

that we were going to the Jade Shop.

The coroner’s findings, and the lab report on Brian.

Your hunch on the odor of the burnt almonds was correct.

He was killed with a highly concentrated cyanide,

ingested at the table.

However, according to the lab report, and here’s the puzzler,

the cyanide, and also, a trace of sugar,

was in Brian’s lime juice,

but nothing else at the table.

But as I recall, everybody’s lime juice

was poured from the same pitcher.

That was my impression, too.

And there’s no explanation for the sugar, either.

Is there any way to trace the cyanide?

In Hong Kong? In the old walled city,

anyone can buy anything for the right price.

How about fingerprints?

Were there any on Brian’s lime juice dish?

None that were useable on any of the pieces.

The staff wiped them clean as they were laying them out.

As I said, I’ve looked at this

from one end to the other.

Is there anything particular you’re looking for?

I’m not sure, Inspector.

Perhaps an anomaly of some sort.

It’s pre-edited, Mrs. Fletcher,

but it’s all the tape we have.

Well, that confirms it, of course.

The lime juice did all come from the same pitcher.

And as you notice, no one’s hands got anywhere near Brian’s dish.

Mm-hmm.

Could you run it back to Brian’s place setting

- Before anything was served? - Sure. Why?

Well, it seems to me that the poison must already have been

in Brian’s dish while it was still empty.

I’d like to see the close-up of the dish

just before the lime juice is poured.

No poison, I’m afraid.

Clean and shiny, just like the others.

McLaughlin.

I’m on my way.

My search warrant for the mansion seems to have paid off.

This is one of yours, isn’t it?

Could be.

It came from right over there.

But that’s not what makes it special. This powder does.

It’s highly concentrated cyanide,

exactly like the cyanide that killed Brian.

I have no idea how it got there.

We’ve known each other a long time, Emma.

Why don’t you make it easy on yourself?

I loved my husband.

I did not poison him.

Inspector, this studio is never locked.

Anyone could have planted that bag in here.

Yes, I’m well aware of that, Mrs. Fletcher.

But nevertheless, I’m sorry, Emma,

but I think we had better go downtown

where we can talk this through.

Emma’s fingerprints are all over the glassine bag.

Well, that’s hardly surprising.

Anyone who had wanted to frame Emma

would have an abundance of glassine bags to choose from.

But, Inspector, I came down here

to look at the tape again.

Haven’t we been there?

Well, we haven’t looked at the beginning.

Now, we can both spare five minutes.

I called the Kowloon video company,

and they said they’d done a color balance test

earlier in the afternoon.

Still fishing, are we?

Well, not quite.

I checked the dining room staff.

Now, they took a two-hour midday break.

I think I know how the poisoning was done.

May I?

Now, you see how those warrior figures

are all upright with their heads pointing towards us?

Yeah. So?

Remember, that was the footage shot earlier in the day.

This is the evening footage.

Look at the position of the warrior design

on Brian’s lime juice dish now.

Evidently, some time after 2:03, the dishes were switched.

And the new dish,

placed with the head of the warrior figure

no longer pointing towards us, but to the right.

Mrs. Fletcher, isn’t it possible

that someone on the staff simply rotated the same dish?

Well, of course, it’s possible, but why?

The settings were all in place.

There’d be no reason to touch that particular piece.

On the other hand, there would’ve been

no problem getting a second dish.

Emma had extras in her studio.

And the second dish would be the one

from which Brian was poisoned.

Assuming that the cyanide was already in the dish

- When the lime juice was poured. - Exactly.

So... where’s the poison?

We both know cyanide is very soluble in water.

Only a few drops would be needed to dissolve a lethal dose.

The water would have evaporated.

Not if a glaze were put over it.

I’m not talking about ceramic glazes,

which I know very little about, but something very simple.

Sugar. The lab report mentioned sugar.

Exactly. A sugar glaze.

The kind you can find in any cookbook.

When the lime juice was poured,

the glaze would have dissolved instantly, and released the poison.

Mrs. Fletcher, you’re making my case against Emma Dunbar.

I mean, when you start talking about glazes,

and applying them to ceramic dishes, that’s Emma’s specialty.

I’ll see you later, Inspector.

You better take an umbrella, Mrs. Fletcher.

Our usual afternoon shower.

Our usual afternoon showers.

Of course. That’s it.

Would you have Kai Kaun’s telephone number, Inspector?

Well...

Mrs. Fletcher.

I don’t see how I can possibly help you,

nor do I have any desire to do so.

Please, Mr. Kaun, bear with me

for one question.

Tell me why you were unable to meet with Brian

at 2:00 yesterday as he requested.

David made that appointment.

He’s on the line.

I heard that question, Mrs. Fletcher.

Thank you, David.

Thank you very much.

Inspector, Emma did not kill Brian.

I think I know who did, but proving it

is going to be something else again.

May I speak to Emma?

I assume it’s important.

Yes, Inspector, it’s very important.

Jessica, what brings you here?

Just picking up Emma’s dictation.

I thought it might help her to pass the time in jail.

Really? What a coincidence.

- Oh? - Yes, Emma just called.

She wants me to take the tape.

Oh, don’t worry about it, Louise.

I’ll see Emma in the morning--

Jessica, play the tape for me, would you?

- But why? - Please play the tape.

I saw you listening to it.

I saw you rewind it when you first caught sight of me.

Why is it so imperative that you hear the tape?

Just play it.

Is it because your voice is on it,

talking to Paul ravel in Paris

at 7:30 in the morning there, but 2:30 Hong Kong time?

Telling Mr. Ravel not to worry about the price,

that you would soon be setting the prices?

The police have verified the call, Louise,

made on your cellular phone.

Give me the tape.

Without you and this damn tape, there’s no evidence at all.

Miss Walton.

You’re under arrest for the murder of Brian Dunbar.

I knew that Brian was determined to merge with

the Chinese company before the People’s Republic took over,

if not Kaun, then someone else,

and I’d be replaced with a Chinese counterpart,

left out in the cold.

So you decided to kill both Brian and frame Emma.

Without them, the board had no choice

but to put me in the position I have deserved

for so long...

running the House of Dunbar.

You know, Louise,

I think that you misjudged Emma and Brian.

I’m certain that they would’ve treated you very generously.

And as to that tape in Emma’s car,

you may recall that I never once said

that there was anything on it.

You mean...

It was blank.

You incriminated yourself.

Okay, Jessica,

how and what?

Oh, little things.

I realized how important time must’ve been

to the killer.

I mean, first, there was the meeting time

on the afternoon of the murder.

Brian had asked Louise to set an appointment

with Kai Kaun for 2 o'clock.

Louise reported back that the Kauns

couldn’t make the meeting until 3:30,

but when I asked David about it,

he said that there had been no mention of a 2 o'clock meeting.

I wasn’t aware of any 2 o'clock meeting, Mrs. Fletcher.

Louise told us that the Dunbars would meet us at 3:30.

Now that indicated Louise had an agenda of her own,

and a place that she wanted to be at 2 o'clock.

I remembered the confusion about Emma’s Rolls-Royce key

that she thought she’d lost,

which then turned up in her purse at the nightclub,

suggesting that Louise had borrowed it

to make a duplicate, so that she could

drive the Rolls to the murder scene,

instead of her own car.

She then returned to the mansion in time

to leave with everyone else for Kaun’s office.

Several things told me that the Rolls

was in central Hong Kong yesterday afternoon.

Earlier today, I remembered

what Chang had told me about the rain

that falls on Hong Kong,

but not on Victoria Peak.

Everything on Victoria Peak was dry

when Chang drove me home from the University,

except the Rolls, which had obviously been caught in

the afternoon rain downtown.

I also remember the yellow paint smudge

on the left front tire.

And that evening,

I noticed that the curb outside the banquet hall

had been newly painted.

The clincher came when you told me

that they had finished painting that curb

at about 2:30 in the afternoon,

putting the Rolls at the murder scene

at just about the right time

for Louise to plant the poison.

I thought you’d be interested, Mrs. Fletcher.

Mark Tower was arrested half an hour ago

on the Macao Ferry with $200,000 in marked bills,

definitely linking him to the kidnapping.

He confessed that he was gonna use the money

to pay off some gambling debts.

I’m looking forward to a bright future.

So do I, Mrs. Dunbar.

I’d call it kind of a double merger.