Perry Mason (1957) s01e06 Episode Script
The Case of the Silent Partner
MILDRED: It's just beautiful, Mr.
Tulloch.
It was worth waiting seven years to get a bloom.
Just look at the width and texture of that dorsal sepal.
It was all your idea.
I'm thinking we should name it the Mildred Kimber in your honour.
Oh, no, I couldn't.
HARRY: That's what I like, modesty.
I always say if a person has something on the ball, he doesn't have to brag.
Hey, what did you do to get this feathery throat? You use a Brasso? - Would you put this away, please? - Afraid I'll steal it? Now, Tulloch, be sure and put it in a good, safe place.
Ha-ha.
That orchid will bring in With your Black Tiger and White Queen, you've got a little gold mine here.
What can I do for you, Mr.
Marlow? Well, I heard you were sick.
Well, I'm much better now.
Thank you.
Well, I don't understand why you don't like me, Mrs.
Kimber.
You ask anyone about Harry Marlow.
I have.
Hmm.
So I served a little time.
After all, if I hadn't gone to San Quentin, I wouldn't have learned to appreciate the beauties of nature.
You wouldn't think a big, fat slob like me would-- Sure.
I don't kid myself.
I know what I look like.
But that don't mean, inside, I don't like nice things.
I'd make a good partner for you, Mrs.
Kimber.
With my connections-- I'm not interested in your connections.
Okay, we could keep it quiet.
I could be a sort of silent partner.
No, thank you.
I suppose if I were a pretty boy like your husband, it would be different.
Funny.
You take a smart woman like you and a young punk comes along and makes with the-- All the charm-- - Get out.
- No, Tulloch.
That's what I like, devoted help.
I've got a couple of boys feel the same way about me.
It'll be nice when we're all working together.
That dirty pig.
It's enough to make a man's blood boil.
If I could-- [THUD.]
What? What is it? - My pills, in my purse.
- Yes.
Yes.
[MUSIC PLAYING.]
Good evening, Mr.
Curtis.
You know your way, sir.
Certainly, Mack.
You can all get in.
HENRY: Is it honest? I mean, the wheel? Absolutely.
Take my word for it.
I know the owner personally.
Sam Lynk.
As straight as they come.
Open for 500.
You would, Lynk.
You'd like to cash in, Mr.
Marlow? I raise 5.
You're a fool, Kimber.
Too rich for my blood.
I think you're bluffing.
I'll try another raise.
Into a pat hand? There's my bet.
Have the last one, Lola.
Thanks.
Don't let him scold you, honey.
Next time Harry will bring you two boxes.
[PHONE RINGS.]
Mr.
Lynk's office.
It's Miss Carling.
Hello, baby.
I'm lonesome, sweetie.
You've been at that silly game since 8:00 last night.
When are you coming out for air? Right after this hand.
I'll go home and change first.
I should be over at your place around 12:30.
I'll be waiting.
Your thousand and a thousand more.
How much have you got there, Mr.
Kimber? Two, 3, 5,000.
That's my bet.
Five thousand to call.
Aces full.
Sorry.
Not good enough.
[SIGHS.]
Settle with her, gentlemen.
Please.
Well, I know what I've worked with before.
Five thousand.
And this is for the service.
You're sweet, Mr.
Marlow.
That'll be 37,000, Mr.
Kimber.
I'll need a blank cheque.
I'm sorry, Mr.
Kimber.
No more cheques.
- What's the idea? - No offence.
It's just that your cheques aren't always reliable, Mr.
Kimber.
All right.
I brought along some securities worth 35, $40,000.
You'll have to give me a chance to redeem them.
Hundred shares of Orchids Unlimited.
Do you have the right to transfer this stock, Mr.
Kimber? Of course I do.
I think you can take his word for it, Lynk.
I happen to know his wife made him trustee for 49 percent of her business.
You-- [GRUNTING.]
He deserved that.
Take him down to the car, Welsh, and let him cool off.
You better get out, Marlow.
Sure.
I'll just take that stock and be on my way.
Tomorrow.
And bring another 10,000 in cash.
Forty thousand was our agreement, Sam.
You've already been paid in full.
Good night, Marlow.
What's the idea, Sam? My services come higher for people I dislike.
BOB: Come in, come in, whoever you are.
[BOB CHUCKLES.]
Darling, where have you been? Oh, hi, chicken.
Hey, what are you doing out of bed? Bob, where have you been since last night? Me? Ha.
Where have I been? Business, chicken.
Important business.
You haven't been near the shop in days.
Tulloch told me.
Chicken.
Oh, Bobby's been out of town, drumming up customers for Mildred's orchids.
Big deal.
You're gonna be proud.
Proud of little old Bob.
Ah.
Very proud.
Harry Marlow came in the nursery tonight.
- That flabby-mouthed-- - Bob.
He talked and acted like he was coming into the business.
[CHUCKLES.]
Flabby-mouthed Marlow.
- Bob, where's that stock - Flabby-mouth.
I signed over to you? - Stock? - Do you still have it? Yeah.
Sure.
Wouldn't let stock out of my hands.
Bob, you're lying.
Does Marlow have it? - Bob, answer me.
- I know, I know.
I promised I wouldn't go near that place again.
But I felt lucky.
Bob, who has the stock? Lynk.
Sam Lynk.
Little card game.
But don't you worry, chicken.
Little old Bob will take care of everything.
You just leave-- Leave everything to little old Bob.
And in this merger, the corporate assets of Pacific Midland Railroad will be legally-- [PHONE RINGS.]
Perry Mason's office.
No, I'm sorry, he's busy-- Just a minute, please.
It's Mildred Kimber.
Kimber? Of Orchids Unlimited? She says it's a personal matter.
Yes, Mrs.
Kimber.
Mr.
Mason, I must see you immediately.
I'm completely snowed under.
Would tomorrow at, um, - Ten-thirty.
- 10:30 be satisfactory? - Couldn't you make it tonight? - No, Mrs.
Kimber, I'm sorry.
All right.
Tomorrow morning at 10:30, then.
I think you should have seen her, Perry.
She's convalescing from a heart attack.
She wouldn't call at this time unless it was vital.
So is this brief vital, to a railroad and several thousand stockholders.
Now, where were we? - I wanna see Mr.
Lynk, please.
- Mr.
Lynk isn't here.
You tell him Mrs.
Kimber must see him immediately.
I'm sorry, he really isn't here, Mrs.
Kimber.
- Where can I reach him? - I have no idea.
Excuse me, please.
Hold it, Mack.
LOLA: Wait a minute, Mrs.
Kimber.
We'd better have a little talk, you and me.
- Who are you? - Lola Florey.
What is it you want, Miss Florey? To help you.
And maybe get a little dirt off my hands in the process.
[TYRES SCREECH.]
Come back this way.
Sam Lynk has too many eyes out here.
This ought to be private enough.
I can trust you, can't I? If Sam Lynk ever found out I tried to skunk on him-- - You can trust me.
- All right.
I know why you wanna see Lynk.
But it's no use.
He'll never return the stock.
Not unless you're ready to bargain with Harry Marlow.
So Marlow is involved.
Involved? He made a deal with Sam Lynk to fleece Bob in a crooked poker game.
Only, Sam pulled a switch and upped the price of the stock from 40 to 50,000.
- What? - Now, don't get excited.
It's not gonna cost you a thin dime to get that stock back.
- But you just said it was-- - The game was crooked.
Marked cards.
I'm gonna give you one of Sam's marked decks.
Well, what good's that going to do? He'll only deny it.
He'll deny it, yes.
But he'd kill you if you ever repeated the story.
It would ruin his reputation as an honest gambler.
Why are you doing all this? The oldest motive in the book, honey, the woman scorned.
There are only two vices in this world I can't resist.
Chocolates by Andrei and Sam Lynk.
I see.
Would you be willing to tell Perry Mason everything you've just told me? In absolute confidence.
If you could meet me at his office at 10:30 in the morning and bring along the marked deck.
Say, that's smart, honey.
Lynk would never touch either one of us with a man like Mason in the play.
You bet I'll do it.
I'd better be getting back now before Lynk's watchdog misses me.
Sneaking away so early, Lola? Do you mind, honey? I have a scandalous headache.
Good night.
Oh, I almost forgot.
This just came a few moments ago.
[RATTLES.]
- Candy.
- Ha-ha.
GINGER: That's funny, no card.
From one of your army of silent admirers, no doubt.
Honey, no admirer of mine would ever send me chocolates by Andrei.
Not if he knew what they did to my waistline.
- Good night.
- Good night.
[PHONE RINGS.]
Perry Mason's office.
LOLA: I must speak with Mr.
Mason.
Line 5.
You gotta come, help me.
The candy-- The candy is poisoned.
Please come.
Who is this? Who's speaking? Lola Florey.
Miss Florey, where are you? Home.
What is the address, Miss Florey? Mrs.
Kimber said to meet at your office tomorrow.
Hello, Miss Florey? Miss Florey? Della, get on the switchboard.
Have the phone company trace this call.
The line is still-- [PHONE CLICKS.]
Never mind.
It went dead.
Who was she? I don't know, but she needs help fast.
Yeah, get me the phone book, will you, please? [PHONE RINGING.]
Lieutenant Tragg.
Lieutenant, this is Perry Mason.
Just because you work all night, Mason, doesn't mean that I-- Listen, lieutenant, a woman just phoned my office.
She's eaten some poisoned candy.
[CHUCKLING.]
You do get some strange ones, don't you? She gave the name of Lola Florey.
But she's not in the phone book.
Florey, did you say? Lola Florey.
Hold on.
Florey.
OFFICER: Yes, lieutenant? - Get me Sergeant Barlow.
- Yes, sir.
What's taking him so long? - Hello, Mason.
- Yes? Yeah, I recognised her name.
She's a hostess.
Works at the Eldorado.
She lives at 42 Lawndale Place.
You better get an ambulance for her.
Right away.
Oh, wait a minute, Mason.
What's your connection with this Lola Florey? A phone call for help.
It'll take at least a half an hour to get out there.
- Let's go, Della.
- How'd he get her address? All nightclub personnel have to register with the police.
[SIREN WAILING.]
TRAGG: Out of the way, Mason.
Break it down, Conway.
Hey, hurry up there.
She's still alive.
But not by much.
MASON: She evidently ate six pieces.
[SNIFFS.]
No unusual odour.
Hey, put that down.
You know better than to handle evidence.
- Sorry.
- If she passed out while she's on the phone, how come the receiver got back on the hook? Obviously, someone must have put it there.
See if there's a wastebasket in the bathroom.
And look, but don't touch.
Nothing in there but a few facial tissues.
All right, now, what's this all about? Why did Lola Florey phone you and not the police? I honestly don't know, lieutenant.
- She one of your clients? - No.
Who are you protecting? I'm not certain if I'm protecting anyone yet.
What kind of double talk is that? We're taking her to the hospital, lieutenant.
- Will she be all right? - Yes.
Well, there's nothing more we can do here.
If you don't mind, lieutenant, Della and I will be getting along.
All right, you play it your way, but watch yourself.
Burger will be dogging this case once he hears that you're involved.
I'd feel slighted if the district attorney didn't give me his personal attention.
- Ah - Good night, lieutenant.
You ready, Miss Street? - Good night, lieutenant.
Ha-ha.
TRAGG: Oh [DOORBELL BUZZES.]
Bob.
[THUD.]
What's the matter? I'm sorry, we didn't mean to surprise you.
Oh, please.
It's all right.
You've been crying.
No, I-- I just felt a little bit faint.
And I broke an ammonia ampoule.
They always make my eyes water.
You shouldn't be out of bed.
Where's your husband? He's sleeping.
Please don't wake him.
He just got back from a business trip and he's just exhausted.
I got to worrying about your phone call earlier this evening.
I thought perhaps you'd like to discuss the problem tonight.
Oh.
Well, you're very considerate, Mr.
Mason, but the problem's been solved.
Oh? It was nothing, really.
Silly of me to get you all stirred up.
I guess you're used to hysterical women in your profession.
I haven't been very well lately, you know.
Well, thank you for coming.
Did you know that Lola Florey has been poisoned? Who did you say? Lola Florey.
She called my office for help.
She mentioned your appointment with me in the morning.
Said you asked her to be present.
Well, there must be some mistake.
I never heard of her.
- But I took the call.
I heard her-- - It's getting late, Della.
Good night.
- Good night.
- Good night, Mrs.
Kimber.
Oh, by the way, Mrs.
Kimber, I called here about midnight.
Didn't get an answer.
Oh, I was at the nursery.
Nothing short of an explosion will wake Bob.
- Good night.
- Good night.
She was lying, Perry.
You phoned her nursery at midnight too.
- No one answered there either.
- Yes, she's in trouble, Della.
There's not much you can do.
You've been politely dismissed.
No, since I intend to bill her for tomorrow's cancelled appointment, I think she's entitled to a little of our time.
Well, where do we go from here? I want you to go back to the office.
Call Paul Drake, have him check on Lola Florey's condition and find out what kind of poison was put in that candy.
- Where are you going? - I'm going out to Sam Lynk's place.
Why Sam Lynk? Intuition? Addition.
One of Lynk's hostesses is poisoned.
Lynk isn't in the club at the time.
The victim knows Mildred Kimber.
And everybody knows Bob Kimber is a sucker for a game of chance.
And Lynk is well-known for accommodating gaming gentry.
It adds up.
[MEOWS.]
WOMAN: Drake Detective Agency.
This is Perry Mason.
Can you reach Paul Drake for me right away, please? He's at General Hospital, Mr.
Mason.
Hold on, please.
[CAT MEOWS.]
WOMAN: Go ahead, Mr.
Drake.
PAUL: Perry? - Yes, Paul.
I just spoke to the resident.
Lola Florey's gonna be all right, but she won't regain consciousness till morning.
What about that poison? Well, I haven't had time to check that out yet.
There's something I want you to do for me first.
I'm out at Sam Lynk's place.
He-- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
- Yeah? What? - Hold it.
Hello, Paul? Perry, what's going on out there? A private patrolman just passed.
I was afraid he'd find me.
Afraid? - Lynk's been murdered.
- Mur-- Aren't you gonna notify the police? No, I want you to do that.
Just give me two minutes to get away from here.
- Okay.
- And stand by.
I'll be in touch with you.
Right.
Watch yourself.
I'm looking for a gun, Mrs.
Kimber.
Gun? I don't have a gun.
Mr.
Mason, what are you doing? See, listen, I told you I-- No.
No, please don't.
Please.
Give that to me.
Been fired recently.
How did you know I had that? It was in this coat when you almost fainted earlier tonight.
And you dropped the prescription box at the murder scene.
- I didn't kill him.
- Who did? Mrs.
Kimber, I know you're not well, but I don't have time to baby these answers out of you.
Your arrest for murder is only minutes away.
I left that prescription box exactly where it was.
By now, the police have found Sam Lynk's body.
Do you have any idea how efficient they are? - So you deliberately left that box there.
- I had no other choice.
You've got to believe I'm trying to help you.
Now, where is your husband? I have no idea.
You'd better brief me from the beginning.
Well A few days ago, Harry Marlow came to my greenhouse.
I was there with Mr.
Tulloch, my nurseryman.
[SIREN WAILING.]
Well, Lola Florey agreed to bring the marked deck to your office.
When I returned home, Bob was gone and so was his gun.
So you went out to Lynk's place.
When I got there, the front door was open.
Lynk was dead.
I guess I must have blacked out because the next thing I knew, a cat was staring down at my face.
I can't stand cats.
Please, Mrs.
Kimber, we don't have much time.
Well, I took a pill.
I guess I must have dropped the box.
All I could think of was to get out of there.
Where did you find your husband's gun? On the floor beside the body.
And you took it to protect him? Did you remove any other evidence? I searched the place for the stock certificates.
May I have them, please? I couldn't find them.
[SIREN WAILING.]
The police are here, Mrs.
Kimber.
Now, may I have those certificates, please? I told you, I couldn't find them.
Mr.
Mason, I didn't shoot Lynk.
Do you realise the police will give you a paraffin test? Paraffin test? A method for testing whether or not a person has recently fired a gun.
- Just let me do all the talking, please.
- I don't care about myself, it's Bob-- [DOORBELL BUZZES.]
His fingerprints must be on the gun.
Be careful.
[GUNSHOT.]
Break it down.
Mildred Kimber, I'm afraid you'll have to come with me.
Quick, Tragg, call Dr.
Rubin.
- It's best you inform-- - I know, I know what it is.
Will you call the hospital? We may need another tank of oxygen.
Look at her, the poor wee thing and they've charged her with murder.
It's enough to make a man's blood boil.
She'd never live through the trial, Mason.
Any further shock might very well kill her.
I'm due in the operating room.
The nurse will be back.
You mind keeping an eye on her, Mr.
Tulloch? Aye, she'll be safe with me, never fear.
It would help immeasurably if her husband could be here with her.
The police are looking for him as a material witness, but he seems to have dropped from sight.
- How is she? - When can she be questioned? That depends on her rate of recovery.
Does that mean you won't allow the DA to arraign your client? It's not for Mr.
Mason to say, boys.
That's a matter for my office to decide.
Hello, Burger.
Dr.
Rubin, this is Hamilton Burger, our district attorney.
- How are you? - And Lieutenant Tragg.
Doctor, I wanna talk to Mrs.
Kimber.
- I'm sorry, it's out of the question.
- She's critically ill, Burger.
- You can't stop me, Mason.
- I'm not.
I'm advising you that if you disturb my client and she has a fatal relapse, I'll charge you with manslaughter.
That's a very gallant speech, Mr.
Mason.
It's not gonna save your client from facing justice.
Doctor, I've instructed the city medical officer to notify me the moment that Mrs.
Kimber can be arraigned.
I'm sure you'll have no objection to a fellow physician examining her.
No, not at all.
See you at the arraignment, Mr.
Mason.
Oh, by the way, Mason, I'm having you charged with malfeasance.
What's the specific charge? That he wilfully and with deliberate intent to obstruct justice advised his client to fire a second shot from the murder weapon.
Thus making any subsequent paraffin test inconclusive.
You discovered who Lynk was on the phone with when he was murdered? Not yet.
- Goodbye, Mason.
- Bye, Dr.
Rubin.
I don't get it, Mr.
Mason.
I thought the paraffin test would prove Mrs.
Kimber fired the shot.
Not conclusively, Smitty.
And no paraffin test can determine whether or not the suspect has fired more than one shot.
If Mildred Kimber's guilty, she fired two shots.
One at Lynk, the second one in her apartment.
The DA will have to find some other way to prove she fired that first shot.
Did you really do what Mr.
Burger says, Mr.
Mason? No comment.
Out of my way.
Hi, Perry.
Good morning, beautiful.
Good morning, Paul.
What'd you find out? How's Miss Florey? Scared, angry and yelling to get out of the hospital.
So soon? That babe has the constitution of a dock-walloper, also the language to match.
What kind of poison was in that candy? Veronal.
Few more pieces, she'd have been very easy to get along with.
Also very dead.
[PHONE RINGS.]
They're releasing her this morning.
Yes, Gertie.
Mr.
Harry Marlow to see you.
Send him in.
He'll see him now.
Wonder what the Petunia King wants.
You don't know me, Mr.
Mason.
I'm Harry Marlow.
I run the Lucy Darling chain of florist shops.
I'd like to talk to you.
In private.
Mr.
Mason, you have something that belongs to me.
Oh? One hundred shares of Orchids Unlimited.
Whatever gave you that idea? They were taken by your client after she killed Sam Lynk.
Lynk was acting as my agent.
That stock is my property.
And when were you admitted to the bar? Listen to me good, Mason, I'm not kidding.
The cops don't know who Sam Lynk was talking to when he was murdered.
- It was you, of course.
- Of course.
And naturally, you heard Sam Lynk mention the murderer's name.
Bob Kimber.
If I go to the police, he's as good as in the gas chamber.
And I don't have to tell you what the shock will do to his wife.
But you'll keep silent for half-interest in Orchids Unlimited.
I'm a businessman, not a reformer.
I suggest you take your business elsewhere.
I understand an attorney is supposed to protect the best interests of his clients.
Think it over, Mason.
I'll drop in again tomorrow morning.
Get out.
No, Mr.
Mason.
I have not heard from Mr.
Kimber.
Never a word.
And neither has Mrs.
Kimber, bless her.
No, he would not contact me.
You don't get along? Does a mouse get along with a reptile? I'd hardly classify you as a mouse, Mr.
Tulloch.
I'm obliged, but I cannot help you.
If Bob Kimber should contact you, would you remind him that if that stock gets into the wrong hands, Mrs.
Kimber would have an unwelcome partner? What makes you think Mr.
Kimber has the stock now? A bit of information I received.
Very interesting.
But it's no concern of mine.
If you'll excuse me, please.
What now? We'd better have a talk with Lola Florey before she's released from that hospital today.
- Why? - I think I've finally figured out what happened to those little paper cups they pack chocolates in.
The ones missing from that poisoned box of candy.
That's what you were looking for back at her apartment.
- Lola ate six chocolates.
- Mm-hm.
Six of those paper cups should have been in that box or somewhere in the apartment.
The person that put the phone back on the hook must have taken them.
But why? Oh, hello, Mason.
Just dropped by to see if I could take Lola home.
But she's made other arrangements.
I'll see you in the morning.
What did he want, Miss Florey? - Eventually or right now? - Right now.
To see me home.
Nothing else? Nothing else.
You're shaking.
Poison disagrees with me.
- Miss Florey, I want to ask-- - Cut the preamble, Mr.
Mason.
I'll tell you exactly what I told the cops.
For all I know, Christopher Columbus sent me those chocolates.
I don't know why or how or anything about anything.
- I appreciate your fear, but I want-- - Fear? Mister, I'm petrified.
Mildred Kimber needs your help.
You mind if I pass? Last time I got public-spirited, it almost earned me a shroud.
I'm not asking you to do a thing that would put you in more danger than you're in already.
Then what are you asking me to do? Come with me right now down to the district attorney's office.
Tell him exactly what you told Mrs.
Kimber.
I get it.
You want me to focus the heat on Harry Marlow.
Don't you see, the same person who killed Lynk sent you those poisoned chocolates.
Sooner you go to the authorities, tell them what you know, the sooner the killer will be put out of action.
I'll play it my way.
I could have the district attorney have you picked up as a material witness.
Well, go ahead.
You'll find I suddenly got a loss of memory.
You mind opening the door? I'll just about make it to the airport.
The police won't let you leave town.
Then I'll go home and lock my doors until somebody gets sent to the gas chamber.
Lola.
Did Harry Marlow threaten you just now? No.
He came to hold my hand.
[SIGHS.]
I think we'd better drop by the district attorney's office, Della.
Yeah, yeah.
Well, keep your eyes open.
Nothing yet, Mason, the apartment's dark now.
My men figure she's gone to bed.
They didn't see anyone hanging around? You know it'll be my neck if Burger finds out that I'm letting you use this department as your personal watchdog.
I'm sure Burger wants to find the murderer just as much as we do.
Yes, but he likes to call the shots.
He's peculiar that way.
Something's bound to break soon.
Come on, Della.
- We're going out there.
- Not without me, you're not.
What about your neck? Well, it's out so far now, another foot won't make any difference.
Come on.
Johnny, there's a firebox on the corner, hit it.
[LOLA SCREAMS.]
- Help.
Somebody's trying to kill me.
- Come on, easy, now.
The whole place is up in flames.
They're trying to kill me.
- What happened? - The place just flamed up, lieutenant.
[SOBBING.]
Oh, snap out of it.
Now, stop it.
Stop it.
[SIRENS WAILING.]
All right, you can go in now, lieutenant.
Thanks.
Wow.
Feel all right, Miss Florey? Somebody sure was careless with matches.
You feel like telling us what happened, Lola? Well, it's all right.
Lieutenant Tragg knows all about it.
What happened? I-- I'm not too clear.
The sleeping pill I took-- Don't know how long I was asleep.
I heard a noise in the kitchen, got up, turned the lights on in the living room and I-- Go on.
Something struck me from behind.
And as I fell, I saw him.
Who did you see, Lola? Marlow.
He tried to kill me.
Congratulations, Mason.
Sorry, Lola.
It won't work.
Harry Marlow has been in jail ever since I left the hospital.
I got the DA to issue a warrant for his arrest on extortion charges.
I took him out of circulation personally.
Well, then I must have been mistaken.
Maybe it was Bob Kimber.
Of course.
I remember.
I-- We picked him up this afternoon.
Little Lola made a boo-boo.
You did kill Sam Lynk, didn't you? Mm-hm.
How did you get Bob Kimber's gun? He brought it to the poker game.
Kid stuff.
Typical of him.
What about the fire, Lola? Another one of little Lola's boo-boos.
I figured that was the icing on the cake.
Nobody would ever believe I set fire to my own place.
Ha.
Except your boss.
Say, why aren't I sore at you? Now, don't let it go to your head, Perry Mason.
Nobody ever accused me of having good sense.
Lola, I've got to take you down to headquarters.
Sure, lieutenant.
I would have had to find a new place to live anyway.
I liked Lola.
So did I.
I still don't see how she could've killed Sam Lynk.
- After all, she was poisoned.
- No, no.
She poisoned herself, Della.
I just can't believe it.
Well, it was all part of her alibi.
Those chocolates come in little paper cups.
- Yeah.
- If she'd eaten that poisoned candy in her apartment, those little cups would have been there.
- Then when she called you-- - She was acting.
She called from a phone booth near Lynk's place.
She knew it would take us at least half an hour to run her down.
And that gave her enough time to kill Lynk, get back home and pass out like a lady.
But who was Sam Lynk talking to when she walked in? That was Tulloch.
Who do you think? He wanted to get that stock for Mrs.
Kimber.
You're a little off your course, aren't you, Tragg? Well, I just finished talking with Lola.
She asked me to look you up.
- How is she? - Fine.
Fine.
Oh, she wanted me to give you this.
Just to show that there's no hard feelings.
Chocolates by Andrei.
Hmm.
Uh Ahem.
After you.
Tulloch.
It was worth waiting seven years to get a bloom.
Just look at the width and texture of that dorsal sepal.
It was all your idea.
I'm thinking we should name it the Mildred Kimber in your honour.
Oh, no, I couldn't.
HARRY: That's what I like, modesty.
I always say if a person has something on the ball, he doesn't have to brag.
Hey, what did you do to get this feathery throat? You use a Brasso? - Would you put this away, please? - Afraid I'll steal it? Now, Tulloch, be sure and put it in a good, safe place.
Ha-ha.
That orchid will bring in With your Black Tiger and White Queen, you've got a little gold mine here.
What can I do for you, Mr.
Marlow? Well, I heard you were sick.
Well, I'm much better now.
Thank you.
Well, I don't understand why you don't like me, Mrs.
Kimber.
You ask anyone about Harry Marlow.
I have.
Hmm.
So I served a little time.
After all, if I hadn't gone to San Quentin, I wouldn't have learned to appreciate the beauties of nature.
You wouldn't think a big, fat slob like me would-- Sure.
I don't kid myself.
I know what I look like.
But that don't mean, inside, I don't like nice things.
I'd make a good partner for you, Mrs.
Kimber.
With my connections-- I'm not interested in your connections.
Okay, we could keep it quiet.
I could be a sort of silent partner.
No, thank you.
I suppose if I were a pretty boy like your husband, it would be different.
Funny.
You take a smart woman like you and a young punk comes along and makes with the-- All the charm-- - Get out.
- No, Tulloch.
That's what I like, devoted help.
I've got a couple of boys feel the same way about me.
It'll be nice when we're all working together.
That dirty pig.
It's enough to make a man's blood boil.
If I could-- [THUD.]
What? What is it? - My pills, in my purse.
- Yes.
Yes.
[MUSIC PLAYING.]
Good evening, Mr.
Curtis.
You know your way, sir.
Certainly, Mack.
You can all get in.
HENRY: Is it honest? I mean, the wheel? Absolutely.
Take my word for it.
I know the owner personally.
Sam Lynk.
As straight as they come.
Open for 500.
You would, Lynk.
You'd like to cash in, Mr.
Marlow? I raise 5.
You're a fool, Kimber.
Too rich for my blood.
I think you're bluffing.
I'll try another raise.
Into a pat hand? There's my bet.
Have the last one, Lola.
Thanks.
Don't let him scold you, honey.
Next time Harry will bring you two boxes.
[PHONE RINGS.]
Mr.
Lynk's office.
It's Miss Carling.
Hello, baby.
I'm lonesome, sweetie.
You've been at that silly game since 8:00 last night.
When are you coming out for air? Right after this hand.
I'll go home and change first.
I should be over at your place around 12:30.
I'll be waiting.
Your thousand and a thousand more.
How much have you got there, Mr.
Kimber? Two, 3, 5,000.
That's my bet.
Five thousand to call.
Aces full.
Sorry.
Not good enough.
[SIGHS.]
Settle with her, gentlemen.
Please.
Well, I know what I've worked with before.
Five thousand.
And this is for the service.
You're sweet, Mr.
Marlow.
That'll be 37,000, Mr.
Kimber.
I'll need a blank cheque.
I'm sorry, Mr.
Kimber.
No more cheques.
- What's the idea? - No offence.
It's just that your cheques aren't always reliable, Mr.
Kimber.
All right.
I brought along some securities worth 35, $40,000.
You'll have to give me a chance to redeem them.
Hundred shares of Orchids Unlimited.
Do you have the right to transfer this stock, Mr.
Kimber? Of course I do.
I think you can take his word for it, Lynk.
I happen to know his wife made him trustee for 49 percent of her business.
You-- [GRUNTING.]
He deserved that.
Take him down to the car, Welsh, and let him cool off.
You better get out, Marlow.
Sure.
I'll just take that stock and be on my way.
Tomorrow.
And bring another 10,000 in cash.
Forty thousand was our agreement, Sam.
You've already been paid in full.
Good night, Marlow.
What's the idea, Sam? My services come higher for people I dislike.
BOB: Come in, come in, whoever you are.
[BOB CHUCKLES.]
Darling, where have you been? Oh, hi, chicken.
Hey, what are you doing out of bed? Bob, where have you been since last night? Me? Ha.
Where have I been? Business, chicken.
Important business.
You haven't been near the shop in days.
Tulloch told me.
Chicken.
Oh, Bobby's been out of town, drumming up customers for Mildred's orchids.
Big deal.
You're gonna be proud.
Proud of little old Bob.
Ah.
Very proud.
Harry Marlow came in the nursery tonight.
- That flabby-mouthed-- - Bob.
He talked and acted like he was coming into the business.
[CHUCKLES.]
Flabby-mouthed Marlow.
- Bob, where's that stock - Flabby-mouth.
I signed over to you? - Stock? - Do you still have it? Yeah.
Sure.
Wouldn't let stock out of my hands.
Bob, you're lying.
Does Marlow have it? - Bob, answer me.
- I know, I know.
I promised I wouldn't go near that place again.
But I felt lucky.
Bob, who has the stock? Lynk.
Sam Lynk.
Little card game.
But don't you worry, chicken.
Little old Bob will take care of everything.
You just leave-- Leave everything to little old Bob.
And in this merger, the corporate assets of Pacific Midland Railroad will be legally-- [PHONE RINGS.]
Perry Mason's office.
No, I'm sorry, he's busy-- Just a minute, please.
It's Mildred Kimber.
Kimber? Of Orchids Unlimited? She says it's a personal matter.
Yes, Mrs.
Kimber.
Mr.
Mason, I must see you immediately.
I'm completely snowed under.
Would tomorrow at, um, - Ten-thirty.
- 10:30 be satisfactory? - Couldn't you make it tonight? - No, Mrs.
Kimber, I'm sorry.
All right.
Tomorrow morning at 10:30, then.
I think you should have seen her, Perry.
She's convalescing from a heart attack.
She wouldn't call at this time unless it was vital.
So is this brief vital, to a railroad and several thousand stockholders.
Now, where were we? - I wanna see Mr.
Lynk, please.
- Mr.
Lynk isn't here.
You tell him Mrs.
Kimber must see him immediately.
I'm sorry, he really isn't here, Mrs.
Kimber.
- Where can I reach him? - I have no idea.
Excuse me, please.
Hold it, Mack.
LOLA: Wait a minute, Mrs.
Kimber.
We'd better have a little talk, you and me.
- Who are you? - Lola Florey.
What is it you want, Miss Florey? To help you.
And maybe get a little dirt off my hands in the process.
[TYRES SCREECH.]
Come back this way.
Sam Lynk has too many eyes out here.
This ought to be private enough.
I can trust you, can't I? If Sam Lynk ever found out I tried to skunk on him-- - You can trust me.
- All right.
I know why you wanna see Lynk.
But it's no use.
He'll never return the stock.
Not unless you're ready to bargain with Harry Marlow.
So Marlow is involved.
Involved? He made a deal with Sam Lynk to fleece Bob in a crooked poker game.
Only, Sam pulled a switch and upped the price of the stock from 40 to 50,000.
- What? - Now, don't get excited.
It's not gonna cost you a thin dime to get that stock back.
- But you just said it was-- - The game was crooked.
Marked cards.
I'm gonna give you one of Sam's marked decks.
Well, what good's that going to do? He'll only deny it.
He'll deny it, yes.
But he'd kill you if you ever repeated the story.
It would ruin his reputation as an honest gambler.
Why are you doing all this? The oldest motive in the book, honey, the woman scorned.
There are only two vices in this world I can't resist.
Chocolates by Andrei and Sam Lynk.
I see.
Would you be willing to tell Perry Mason everything you've just told me? In absolute confidence.
If you could meet me at his office at 10:30 in the morning and bring along the marked deck.
Say, that's smart, honey.
Lynk would never touch either one of us with a man like Mason in the play.
You bet I'll do it.
I'd better be getting back now before Lynk's watchdog misses me.
Sneaking away so early, Lola? Do you mind, honey? I have a scandalous headache.
Good night.
Oh, I almost forgot.
This just came a few moments ago.
[RATTLES.]
- Candy.
- Ha-ha.
GINGER: That's funny, no card.
From one of your army of silent admirers, no doubt.
Honey, no admirer of mine would ever send me chocolates by Andrei.
Not if he knew what they did to my waistline.
- Good night.
- Good night.
[PHONE RINGS.]
Perry Mason's office.
LOLA: I must speak with Mr.
Mason.
Line 5.
You gotta come, help me.
The candy-- The candy is poisoned.
Please come.
Who is this? Who's speaking? Lola Florey.
Miss Florey, where are you? Home.
What is the address, Miss Florey? Mrs.
Kimber said to meet at your office tomorrow.
Hello, Miss Florey? Miss Florey? Della, get on the switchboard.
Have the phone company trace this call.
The line is still-- [PHONE CLICKS.]
Never mind.
It went dead.
Who was she? I don't know, but she needs help fast.
Yeah, get me the phone book, will you, please? [PHONE RINGING.]
Lieutenant Tragg.
Lieutenant, this is Perry Mason.
Just because you work all night, Mason, doesn't mean that I-- Listen, lieutenant, a woman just phoned my office.
She's eaten some poisoned candy.
[CHUCKLING.]
You do get some strange ones, don't you? She gave the name of Lola Florey.
But she's not in the phone book.
Florey, did you say? Lola Florey.
Hold on.
Florey.
OFFICER: Yes, lieutenant? - Get me Sergeant Barlow.
- Yes, sir.
What's taking him so long? - Hello, Mason.
- Yes? Yeah, I recognised her name.
She's a hostess.
Works at the Eldorado.
She lives at 42 Lawndale Place.
You better get an ambulance for her.
Right away.
Oh, wait a minute, Mason.
What's your connection with this Lola Florey? A phone call for help.
It'll take at least a half an hour to get out there.
- Let's go, Della.
- How'd he get her address? All nightclub personnel have to register with the police.
[SIREN WAILING.]
TRAGG: Out of the way, Mason.
Break it down, Conway.
Hey, hurry up there.
She's still alive.
But not by much.
MASON: She evidently ate six pieces.
[SNIFFS.]
No unusual odour.
Hey, put that down.
You know better than to handle evidence.
- Sorry.
- If she passed out while she's on the phone, how come the receiver got back on the hook? Obviously, someone must have put it there.
See if there's a wastebasket in the bathroom.
And look, but don't touch.
Nothing in there but a few facial tissues.
All right, now, what's this all about? Why did Lola Florey phone you and not the police? I honestly don't know, lieutenant.
- She one of your clients? - No.
Who are you protecting? I'm not certain if I'm protecting anyone yet.
What kind of double talk is that? We're taking her to the hospital, lieutenant.
- Will she be all right? - Yes.
Well, there's nothing more we can do here.
If you don't mind, lieutenant, Della and I will be getting along.
All right, you play it your way, but watch yourself.
Burger will be dogging this case once he hears that you're involved.
I'd feel slighted if the district attorney didn't give me his personal attention.
- Ah - Good night, lieutenant.
You ready, Miss Street? - Good night, lieutenant.
Ha-ha.
TRAGG: Oh [DOORBELL BUZZES.]
Bob.
[THUD.]
What's the matter? I'm sorry, we didn't mean to surprise you.
Oh, please.
It's all right.
You've been crying.
No, I-- I just felt a little bit faint.
And I broke an ammonia ampoule.
They always make my eyes water.
You shouldn't be out of bed.
Where's your husband? He's sleeping.
Please don't wake him.
He just got back from a business trip and he's just exhausted.
I got to worrying about your phone call earlier this evening.
I thought perhaps you'd like to discuss the problem tonight.
Oh.
Well, you're very considerate, Mr.
Mason, but the problem's been solved.
Oh? It was nothing, really.
Silly of me to get you all stirred up.
I guess you're used to hysterical women in your profession.
I haven't been very well lately, you know.
Well, thank you for coming.
Did you know that Lola Florey has been poisoned? Who did you say? Lola Florey.
She called my office for help.
She mentioned your appointment with me in the morning.
Said you asked her to be present.
Well, there must be some mistake.
I never heard of her.
- But I took the call.
I heard her-- - It's getting late, Della.
Good night.
- Good night.
- Good night, Mrs.
Kimber.
Oh, by the way, Mrs.
Kimber, I called here about midnight.
Didn't get an answer.
Oh, I was at the nursery.
Nothing short of an explosion will wake Bob.
- Good night.
- Good night.
She was lying, Perry.
You phoned her nursery at midnight too.
- No one answered there either.
- Yes, she's in trouble, Della.
There's not much you can do.
You've been politely dismissed.
No, since I intend to bill her for tomorrow's cancelled appointment, I think she's entitled to a little of our time.
Well, where do we go from here? I want you to go back to the office.
Call Paul Drake, have him check on Lola Florey's condition and find out what kind of poison was put in that candy.
- Where are you going? - I'm going out to Sam Lynk's place.
Why Sam Lynk? Intuition? Addition.
One of Lynk's hostesses is poisoned.
Lynk isn't in the club at the time.
The victim knows Mildred Kimber.
And everybody knows Bob Kimber is a sucker for a game of chance.
And Lynk is well-known for accommodating gaming gentry.
It adds up.
[MEOWS.]
WOMAN: Drake Detective Agency.
This is Perry Mason.
Can you reach Paul Drake for me right away, please? He's at General Hospital, Mr.
Mason.
Hold on, please.
[CAT MEOWS.]
WOMAN: Go ahead, Mr.
Drake.
PAUL: Perry? - Yes, Paul.
I just spoke to the resident.
Lola Florey's gonna be all right, but she won't regain consciousness till morning.
What about that poison? Well, I haven't had time to check that out yet.
There's something I want you to do for me first.
I'm out at Sam Lynk's place.
He-- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
- Yeah? What? - Hold it.
Hello, Paul? Perry, what's going on out there? A private patrolman just passed.
I was afraid he'd find me.
Afraid? - Lynk's been murdered.
- Mur-- Aren't you gonna notify the police? No, I want you to do that.
Just give me two minutes to get away from here.
- Okay.
- And stand by.
I'll be in touch with you.
Right.
Watch yourself.
I'm looking for a gun, Mrs.
Kimber.
Gun? I don't have a gun.
Mr.
Mason, what are you doing? See, listen, I told you I-- No.
No, please don't.
Please.
Give that to me.
Been fired recently.
How did you know I had that? It was in this coat when you almost fainted earlier tonight.
And you dropped the prescription box at the murder scene.
- I didn't kill him.
- Who did? Mrs.
Kimber, I know you're not well, but I don't have time to baby these answers out of you.
Your arrest for murder is only minutes away.
I left that prescription box exactly where it was.
By now, the police have found Sam Lynk's body.
Do you have any idea how efficient they are? - So you deliberately left that box there.
- I had no other choice.
You've got to believe I'm trying to help you.
Now, where is your husband? I have no idea.
You'd better brief me from the beginning.
Well A few days ago, Harry Marlow came to my greenhouse.
I was there with Mr.
Tulloch, my nurseryman.
[SIREN WAILING.]
Well, Lola Florey agreed to bring the marked deck to your office.
When I returned home, Bob was gone and so was his gun.
So you went out to Lynk's place.
When I got there, the front door was open.
Lynk was dead.
I guess I must have blacked out because the next thing I knew, a cat was staring down at my face.
I can't stand cats.
Please, Mrs.
Kimber, we don't have much time.
Well, I took a pill.
I guess I must have dropped the box.
All I could think of was to get out of there.
Where did you find your husband's gun? On the floor beside the body.
And you took it to protect him? Did you remove any other evidence? I searched the place for the stock certificates.
May I have them, please? I couldn't find them.
[SIREN WAILING.]
The police are here, Mrs.
Kimber.
Now, may I have those certificates, please? I told you, I couldn't find them.
Mr.
Mason, I didn't shoot Lynk.
Do you realise the police will give you a paraffin test? Paraffin test? A method for testing whether or not a person has recently fired a gun.
- Just let me do all the talking, please.
- I don't care about myself, it's Bob-- [DOORBELL BUZZES.]
His fingerprints must be on the gun.
Be careful.
[GUNSHOT.]
Break it down.
Mildred Kimber, I'm afraid you'll have to come with me.
Quick, Tragg, call Dr.
Rubin.
- It's best you inform-- - I know, I know what it is.
Will you call the hospital? We may need another tank of oxygen.
Look at her, the poor wee thing and they've charged her with murder.
It's enough to make a man's blood boil.
She'd never live through the trial, Mason.
Any further shock might very well kill her.
I'm due in the operating room.
The nurse will be back.
You mind keeping an eye on her, Mr.
Tulloch? Aye, she'll be safe with me, never fear.
It would help immeasurably if her husband could be here with her.
The police are looking for him as a material witness, but he seems to have dropped from sight.
- How is she? - When can she be questioned? That depends on her rate of recovery.
Does that mean you won't allow the DA to arraign your client? It's not for Mr.
Mason to say, boys.
That's a matter for my office to decide.
Hello, Burger.
Dr.
Rubin, this is Hamilton Burger, our district attorney.
- How are you? - And Lieutenant Tragg.
Doctor, I wanna talk to Mrs.
Kimber.
- I'm sorry, it's out of the question.
- She's critically ill, Burger.
- You can't stop me, Mason.
- I'm not.
I'm advising you that if you disturb my client and she has a fatal relapse, I'll charge you with manslaughter.
That's a very gallant speech, Mr.
Mason.
It's not gonna save your client from facing justice.
Doctor, I've instructed the city medical officer to notify me the moment that Mrs.
Kimber can be arraigned.
I'm sure you'll have no objection to a fellow physician examining her.
No, not at all.
See you at the arraignment, Mr.
Mason.
Oh, by the way, Mason, I'm having you charged with malfeasance.
What's the specific charge? That he wilfully and with deliberate intent to obstruct justice advised his client to fire a second shot from the murder weapon.
Thus making any subsequent paraffin test inconclusive.
You discovered who Lynk was on the phone with when he was murdered? Not yet.
- Goodbye, Mason.
- Bye, Dr.
Rubin.
I don't get it, Mr.
Mason.
I thought the paraffin test would prove Mrs.
Kimber fired the shot.
Not conclusively, Smitty.
And no paraffin test can determine whether or not the suspect has fired more than one shot.
If Mildred Kimber's guilty, she fired two shots.
One at Lynk, the second one in her apartment.
The DA will have to find some other way to prove she fired that first shot.
Did you really do what Mr.
Burger says, Mr.
Mason? No comment.
Out of my way.
Hi, Perry.
Good morning, beautiful.
Good morning, Paul.
What'd you find out? How's Miss Florey? Scared, angry and yelling to get out of the hospital.
So soon? That babe has the constitution of a dock-walloper, also the language to match.
What kind of poison was in that candy? Veronal.
Few more pieces, she'd have been very easy to get along with.
Also very dead.
[PHONE RINGS.]
They're releasing her this morning.
Yes, Gertie.
Mr.
Harry Marlow to see you.
Send him in.
He'll see him now.
Wonder what the Petunia King wants.
You don't know me, Mr.
Mason.
I'm Harry Marlow.
I run the Lucy Darling chain of florist shops.
I'd like to talk to you.
In private.
Mr.
Mason, you have something that belongs to me.
Oh? One hundred shares of Orchids Unlimited.
Whatever gave you that idea? They were taken by your client after she killed Sam Lynk.
Lynk was acting as my agent.
That stock is my property.
And when were you admitted to the bar? Listen to me good, Mason, I'm not kidding.
The cops don't know who Sam Lynk was talking to when he was murdered.
- It was you, of course.
- Of course.
And naturally, you heard Sam Lynk mention the murderer's name.
Bob Kimber.
If I go to the police, he's as good as in the gas chamber.
And I don't have to tell you what the shock will do to his wife.
But you'll keep silent for half-interest in Orchids Unlimited.
I'm a businessman, not a reformer.
I suggest you take your business elsewhere.
I understand an attorney is supposed to protect the best interests of his clients.
Think it over, Mason.
I'll drop in again tomorrow morning.
Get out.
No, Mr.
Mason.
I have not heard from Mr.
Kimber.
Never a word.
And neither has Mrs.
Kimber, bless her.
No, he would not contact me.
You don't get along? Does a mouse get along with a reptile? I'd hardly classify you as a mouse, Mr.
Tulloch.
I'm obliged, but I cannot help you.
If Bob Kimber should contact you, would you remind him that if that stock gets into the wrong hands, Mrs.
Kimber would have an unwelcome partner? What makes you think Mr.
Kimber has the stock now? A bit of information I received.
Very interesting.
But it's no concern of mine.
If you'll excuse me, please.
What now? We'd better have a talk with Lola Florey before she's released from that hospital today.
- Why? - I think I've finally figured out what happened to those little paper cups they pack chocolates in.
The ones missing from that poisoned box of candy.
That's what you were looking for back at her apartment.
- Lola ate six chocolates.
- Mm-hm.
Six of those paper cups should have been in that box or somewhere in the apartment.
The person that put the phone back on the hook must have taken them.
But why? Oh, hello, Mason.
Just dropped by to see if I could take Lola home.
But she's made other arrangements.
I'll see you in the morning.
What did he want, Miss Florey? - Eventually or right now? - Right now.
To see me home.
Nothing else? Nothing else.
You're shaking.
Poison disagrees with me.
- Miss Florey, I want to ask-- - Cut the preamble, Mr.
Mason.
I'll tell you exactly what I told the cops.
For all I know, Christopher Columbus sent me those chocolates.
I don't know why or how or anything about anything.
- I appreciate your fear, but I want-- - Fear? Mister, I'm petrified.
Mildred Kimber needs your help.
You mind if I pass? Last time I got public-spirited, it almost earned me a shroud.
I'm not asking you to do a thing that would put you in more danger than you're in already.
Then what are you asking me to do? Come with me right now down to the district attorney's office.
Tell him exactly what you told Mrs.
Kimber.
I get it.
You want me to focus the heat on Harry Marlow.
Don't you see, the same person who killed Lynk sent you those poisoned chocolates.
Sooner you go to the authorities, tell them what you know, the sooner the killer will be put out of action.
I'll play it my way.
I could have the district attorney have you picked up as a material witness.
Well, go ahead.
You'll find I suddenly got a loss of memory.
You mind opening the door? I'll just about make it to the airport.
The police won't let you leave town.
Then I'll go home and lock my doors until somebody gets sent to the gas chamber.
Lola.
Did Harry Marlow threaten you just now? No.
He came to hold my hand.
[SIGHS.]
I think we'd better drop by the district attorney's office, Della.
Yeah, yeah.
Well, keep your eyes open.
Nothing yet, Mason, the apartment's dark now.
My men figure she's gone to bed.
They didn't see anyone hanging around? You know it'll be my neck if Burger finds out that I'm letting you use this department as your personal watchdog.
I'm sure Burger wants to find the murderer just as much as we do.
Yes, but he likes to call the shots.
He's peculiar that way.
Something's bound to break soon.
Come on, Della.
- We're going out there.
- Not without me, you're not.
What about your neck? Well, it's out so far now, another foot won't make any difference.
Come on.
Johnny, there's a firebox on the corner, hit it.
[LOLA SCREAMS.]
- Help.
Somebody's trying to kill me.
- Come on, easy, now.
The whole place is up in flames.
They're trying to kill me.
- What happened? - The place just flamed up, lieutenant.
[SOBBING.]
Oh, snap out of it.
Now, stop it.
Stop it.
[SIRENS WAILING.]
All right, you can go in now, lieutenant.
Thanks.
Wow.
Feel all right, Miss Florey? Somebody sure was careless with matches.
You feel like telling us what happened, Lola? Well, it's all right.
Lieutenant Tragg knows all about it.
What happened? I-- I'm not too clear.
The sleeping pill I took-- Don't know how long I was asleep.
I heard a noise in the kitchen, got up, turned the lights on in the living room and I-- Go on.
Something struck me from behind.
And as I fell, I saw him.
Who did you see, Lola? Marlow.
He tried to kill me.
Congratulations, Mason.
Sorry, Lola.
It won't work.
Harry Marlow has been in jail ever since I left the hospital.
I got the DA to issue a warrant for his arrest on extortion charges.
I took him out of circulation personally.
Well, then I must have been mistaken.
Maybe it was Bob Kimber.
Of course.
I remember.
I-- We picked him up this afternoon.
Little Lola made a boo-boo.
You did kill Sam Lynk, didn't you? Mm-hm.
How did you get Bob Kimber's gun? He brought it to the poker game.
Kid stuff.
Typical of him.
What about the fire, Lola? Another one of little Lola's boo-boos.
I figured that was the icing on the cake.
Nobody would ever believe I set fire to my own place.
Ha.
Except your boss.
Say, why aren't I sore at you? Now, don't let it go to your head, Perry Mason.
Nobody ever accused me of having good sense.
Lola, I've got to take you down to headquarters.
Sure, lieutenant.
I would have had to find a new place to live anyway.
I liked Lola.
So did I.
I still don't see how she could've killed Sam Lynk.
- After all, she was poisoned.
- No, no.
She poisoned herself, Della.
I just can't believe it.
Well, it was all part of her alibi.
Those chocolates come in little paper cups.
- Yeah.
- If she'd eaten that poisoned candy in her apartment, those little cups would have been there.
- Then when she called you-- - She was acting.
She called from a phone booth near Lynk's place.
She knew it would take us at least half an hour to run her down.
And that gave her enough time to kill Lynk, get back home and pass out like a lady.
But who was Sam Lynk talking to when she walked in? That was Tulloch.
Who do you think? He wanted to get that stock for Mrs.
Kimber.
You're a little off your course, aren't you, Tragg? Well, I just finished talking with Lola.
She asked me to look you up.
- How is she? - Fine.
Fine.
Oh, she wanted me to give you this.
Just to show that there's no hard feelings.
Chocolates by Andrei.
Hmm.
Uh Ahem.
After you.