Murder, She Wrote s11e01 Episode Script
69503 - A Nest of Vipers
(SCREECHING) (LION ROARING) (PANTHER GROWLING) (SCREECHING) WOMAN: Good evening, Mr.
Russell.
Why don't you come out where I can see you? There'll be an appropriate time and place.
What do you know? "Zoogate.
" (LAUGHING) I don't think you realize how right you are.
You're aware of the petition calling for the immediate dismissal of Norman Gilford as Director of the Animal Park? Yeah.
Petitions don't usually cut it.
You and your newspaper can help promote it.
I suggest you interview Gilford.
He hates my guts.
Ask him about the suppliers he works with that bill the Animal Park for beef and ship horse meat.
They kick back the difference to Gilford.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
That's all for now.
Oh, and the key I sent you? This better be real.
Trust me.
KELLY: I'm happy to show you around, Mrs.
Fletcher.
Now, tell me about your new plot.
JESSICA: My new book will be something of a departure.
It's kind of wild, actually.
Uh-huh.
You see, my murder victim, a woman or a man, I haven't quite decided, dies here in the Animal Park and there are several major suspects, all of them animals, although none of them did it.
Oh, I love it! Is it gonna be another Inspector Jellicoe story? I don't think so.
Anyway, last time I was in town, a friend brought me out here and I met Ted Fraley and Dr.
Stinson.
(LAUGHING) They have never stopped talking about you.
Well, I just hope they're still as enthusiastic when I get through picking their brains.
I can't tell you how proud we are that you've chosen the Animal Park as the site of your next novel.
Oh, God! Spoken like a true flack.
I am really becoming a cliché.
Miss Michaels, I've gotta talk to you! Jessica Fletcher, City Councilman Joe Gandolph.
Mrs.
Fletcher How do you do? You wrote this nonsense about me, didn't you? I wish that I could take credit for it, but no.
That's one that the boss insisted on writing himself.
I think it showed a lot of eloquence.
Then you can tell him for me I'm sorry, you're just gonna have to tell him yourself.
That man goes whichever way the wind is blowing.
Right now it's blowing against our director, Mr.
Gilford.
JESSICA: Something to do with all the repair work in progress? Well, that's part of the problem.
A lot of it isn't in progress.
Between earthquake damage and an aging facility, we're between a rock and a hard place.
Hmm.
(SIGHS) Mr.
Gilford told me that it would cost me my job if I didn't bring you by so he could say hello.
GILFORD: I don't give a hoot in hell how the Chronicle grades my performance.
And I won't be drawn and quartered for running this place on the totally inadequate budget I've been given.
Then how about Councilman Gandolph's recent attacks? He calls this park, quote, "An outrage to the body politic," unquote.
Would you like to comment? I consider Councilman Gandolph's personal attack a contemptible political ploy.
(DOOR OPENING) And I won't dignify it by a response.
Jessica this is Bea Huffington.
Anything you need to know, you just ask her.
Hello.
Come on, Norm, talk to me.
I mean, whoever started this petition, the word is it's turning into a real groundswell and it's only gonna get bigger when Get out of my office! So I guess my getting a look at your ledger entries regarding feed purchases is out of the question? Get out of here! You tell the gate I'm pulling Russell's pass, and if you show your face on zoo property, I'll have you arrested! And that goes for anybody else from the Chronicle! Thanks, pal, you just gave me tomorrow's page-one lead story.
(PHONE RINGING) Oh! Forgive my manners.
J.
B.
Fletcher, isn't it? Mr.
Gilford, if this is a bad time Oh, no! Not at all! Not at all.
Kelly, see if you can find Stinson.
He's not answering his beeper, and since we can't prevent Councilman Gandolph from entering the premises, be sure you keep him away from me.
Call the gate, Bea, now.
And see if you can rustle up some coffee for Mrs.
Fletcher and me.
Oh, Mr.
Gilford, I'm on a very tight schedule.
Nonsense.
For the moment at least, this is still my park, and I want to hear all about your book.
TED: I'm really worried about another aftershock, Doc.
Several of these glass panes were shaken out of their frames.
We can kiss half our species goodbye, we get another aftershock like that last one.
Yeah.
So, what did Gilford say? Take a guess.
He will not touch the contingency fund.
He wants FEMA to come through with the money.
I guess you heard about that petition going around this morning.
A lot of folks think you ought to have his job.
No.
I'm an animal doctor, Ted.
(GROWLING) So, this our guy with the problem? Yeah.
He's been off his feed since the earthquake.
Yeah.
There's a little nasal discharge.
BEA: Look who's here! We're here.
Jessica! JESSICA: Hello, Ted.
How are you? And Ray.
Hello, Jessica! Gilford's looking for you.
He wants you in his office muy pronto.
Well, Mr.
Gilford's gonna have to wait.
I've got a problem with the elephants.
So, Jessica, I'll see you again later? Oh, yes.
Have I got some clues for you.
Ever since I got your fax, I've been making notes like crazy.
I I wake up in the middle of the night with these ideas.
Well, you better watch out because that is a writer's disease.
Here.
I hope this is what you're looking for.
Oh, this is gonna be a tremendous help, Ted.
Thank you.
Uh, Doc thinks maybe it was the earthquake dust got everything all stirred up.
BEA: Oh, poor baby.
My goodness.
What a beautiful bird.
(BIRD SQUAWKS) Hello.
So, 7:00 okay? Ted, I'm really sorry.
I've gotta cancel.
Couldn't let me know a little later? Something personal came up.
I'm sorry.
Jessica.
Hmm? Let's take a stroll this way and I'll show you that alligator you expressed interest in.
Great.
STINSON: Norman, I had nothing whatsoever to do with any petition.
GILFORD: Of course you didn't.
I just want to remind you that politicking of any kind is a violation of your employment contract.
Uh, pardon me, Mr.
Gilford, I Kelly, stay out of this.
Look, Ray, let me spell it out for you.
Contrary to anything you may have heard about my imminent departure, I have no intention of going away, gently or otherwise.
And when the dust settles, I'll be taking a hard look at where everyone stood.
Ray, please.
Norman, despite your paranoid fantasies, I have no interest in your job.
Let me tell you something else, this petition is the least of your worries.
It's Mark Atwater and these Earth Speak people you should be keeping your eye on, because from the few straight answers that I've been able to extract from Atwater Come on, Ray, that's not fair.
I gather that their agenda is not to fire you, sir, it's to close down the park.
Period.
Which, while it pains me to admit it, puts us on the same team.
Excuse me.
Well? I think he's wrong about Mark, Mr.
Gilford.
(LAUGHING) Really? I'm sure that your relationship with Mr.
Atwater doesn't color your opinion.
TED: Now Clarence here's just a youngster and naturally he's too small to swallow that.
45 caliber ammunition clip you described in your fax.
But give him a couple more years, (LAUGHS) He'd sooner eat you than the entire gun.
No problem.
It's not an absolute requirement of the plot.
There you go.
Got him? Yes.
Now, you mentioned poisonous snakes.
This should be your killer, Jessica.
The black mamba.
It's one of the Elapidae family, like the cobras.
(HISSING) I could give you a few pointers on what makes them such dangerous critters.
JESSICA: Hmm.
ATWATER: Yo, Ted Excuse me, Jessica.
Of course.
(WHINING) Payday, friend.
TED: Atwater, listen, I'm sorry.
Things are still really tight.
You said that last week, Ted.
And the week before.
Well, I'd better see $1,200 before the banks close tomorrow or past transgressions become public knowledge.
And we're gonna learn about this wonderful little creature from Melanie Bryan, here.
But first, we're honored to welcome Joe Gandolph, a city councilman who's made no secret of his sentiments regarding the Animal Park.
The cat's out of the bag, Joyce.
The petition is circulating, calling for the removal of the Animal Park Director, Norman Gilford and JO YCE: Mr.
Gandolph, I think our audience knows where I stand on this issue.
I'm only giving you this forum to allow Look, my responsibility is to the taxpayer.
As I started to say, after Mr.
Gilford's ousted, we have to take a hard look (DIALING) As to whether or not the Animal Park will continue to exist at all.
(PHONE RINGING) MAN ON PHONE: Hello? All right, if the offer still stands, I'm ready to talk.
When would you like to meet? Tonight.
Tonight's no good.
(SCOFFS) Tomorrow, then.
We're not exactly over-staffed, as you can see.
Help yourself to any one of these desks.
Oh.
Well, hey, what is this? (GIGGLING) A deserving gift for the lady of my dreams.
Hi, doll.
Mark.
Jessica, this is Mark Atwater.
Oh, hello.
Hi.
How are you? Nice to meet you.
Let's get out of here.
(LAUGHING) The bad penny himself.
You're sounding more and more like a rotten loser, Ray.
It's very unattractive.
KELLY: Will you guys cool it? God, I'm beginning to feel like a referee.
Damn! (CLEARS THROAT) (CLEARS THROAT) I'm sorry.
What exactly does Mr.
Atwater do? He's passionately on the side of whoever's willing to pay him.
Right now, that's Earth Speak, an organization dedicated to closing down all zoos.
Oh, yes.
I've read some of their arguments.
The theory that if a species is destined to die out, so be it? Mmm.
And zoos are buying time for a lot of those species.
You know, when you've got some time, I'll be glad to show you our plans for breeding programs and interdependent ecosystems, which, of course, are still on the drawing board because Gilford won't fight for more money.
But right now, I've got two sick elephants.
Excuse me.
Of course.
JOYCE: My late husband Cornelius was a surgeon and big-game hunter, Mrs.
Fletcher.
JESSICA: Hmm.
I was his chief nurse, until he mercifully took me away from all the syringes and bedpans.
(LAUGHING) JOYCE: Actually, I find this a bit embarrassing.
He believed he was doing humanity a service by helping to kill off endangered species.
Well, that's an interesting logic.
(LAUGHING) Indeed.
And the only issue Corny and I ever disagreed on.
I'd always had an interest in zoology and knew the value of live animals as opposed to dead ones, which is why I'm such a passionate defender of the Animal Park.
Mrs.
Fletcher, my wife and I so enjoyed your book, Endangered.
A real page-turner.
Thank you.
In payment for being invited tonight, Mr.
Gandolph has promised not to say anything hostile to the friends of the Animal Park.
So if you catch him breaking his word, I want to hear about it.
Shush, Joyce! (CHUCKLING) BEA: Jessica! Hello! Hi! Ray tells me you've already come up with a protagonist for your new book.
Well, subject to change, of course.
I've decided that she'll be a zoo veterinarian, just like Dr.
Stinson here, and she'll use her knowledge of animal sciences to solve a human mystery.
You'll have to explain that one to me, Jessica.
I'd like to make a statement that's going to be unpopular in present company.
Oh, Mark, do you have to? It distresses me to see a writer of your stature undertaking a novel that glorifies an abusive, medieval system of animal confinement.
Oh, please, be distressed somewhere else if you must, but not in my house.
Kelly, talk to him.
Bea, darling, may I borrow Ray for a few minutes? Look, Mrs.
Hacker, it's Now, wait a minute.
First off, I want you to understand I have nothing to do with this cabal against Norman.
My God, we've been friends for years, but the tide's turned against him.
And that's okay.
I'm an animal doctor, I'm not an administrator.
Nonsense, you're the only person around who can do the job.
I'll find you the help you need.
Starting with Joe Gandolph? With friends like that, the Animal Park does not need any enemies.
You let me handle him.
He practically owns the Parks Department and he's guaranteed me the chair on the new zoo board, with the right to appoint my own members.
Hmm.
Well, no question, I'm flattered.
Ray, I just know you'll do an outstanding job.
Yeah.
(CHUCKLING) Not exactly a pushover.
He'll do it.
It was needlessly risky for you to come here tonight.
You're only paying for my day job.
My evenings are my own.
Besides, if you didn't want me to come, you shouldn't have invited my fiancée.
(LAUGHS) I've been meaning to talk to you about that.
Well, since you won't have me, I have no choice.
Besides, her father is a partner in Berns, Fowler.
And I thought Cornelius was amoral.
(DOOR CLOSES) TED: Jessica.
Hi, Ted.
You missed a good movie last night.
You know, I've got some time if you want to talk about the black mamba? Oh, I most certainly do, but could we make it a little later? Bea's going to show me the leopards.
Sure.
I said I was sorry, Ted.
No rain check? I didn't see any rain last night.
Okay.
Thanks for not letting on about Dr.
Stinson and I.
Last night, I mean.
Well, it's really not my business, Bea.
Well, I don't like sneaking around.
It's just Ted, he's so insecure.
If I told him the truth, he wouldn't believe me.
I take it you were on a mission of mercy? Yeah, a regular Florence Nightingale.
Ray and I go way back as friends and he's just so down because of losing Kelly to Mark Atwater.
Well, he needed me.
I'll straighten it out with Ted eventually.
What? (LAUGHS) I was just thinking about Kelly.
She was supposed to supply me with some research material this morning, but I haven't seen her all day.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING) (SIGHS) Look, Kell, I'm sorry, but you've got this whole thing wrong.
For starters, Joyce and I were an item once.
Now we're just friends.
That's what you said about the flight attendant.
(SCOFFS) Oh, come on, kid, there's a very simple explanation for this.
I'd really love it if there were, Mark.
Believe me, I would, but right now I'm just not buying it.
Gee, Norman, imagine my surprise to actually receive an invitation to meet you face-to-face Are you finished? You tell me, Norman.
Okay.
I know my days here are numbered, but I'm asking you as a fellow human being, take this place down if you want to, but don't take me with it.
That's part of the deal, Norman.
The public has to have a heavy, and you're elected.
Joe, if I take the fall for this fiasco you've been orchestrating, my career is over, finished.
Now, you find somebody else to blame.
Joyce Hacker, the board of directors Ah, but, Norman, why should I? I can suggest about Really? And untraceable.
Already in an offshore bank.
I don't know, Norm.
I'll have to think that one over.
But I'll get back to you.
I'd really appreciate it if you can mention something to your boss about it.
Miss Huffington? (LAUGHS) I'm sorry, Chris.
What were you saying? (GRUNTING) How's it coming, Doc? Almost finished.
I heard the scuttlebutt.
You gotta be feeling pretty good.
I don't know, Ted.
I'd be taking on an awful lot of responsibility.
Nah.
No worse than surgery on a rhino.
Well Besides, if you're the director, maybe you could make some changes around here.
Yeah.
I just wish I could be sure of that.
Okay, Norman, you didn't get me out here for a nature walk.
I want Joyce Hacker off my case, and if she folds, Gandolph will go away.
Now, that's a public statement you'll make disavowing your association with Earth Speak and its policies on zoos, plus you now have serious doubts about Earth Speak's integrity.
Furthermore, you've given it deep thought and decided that Norman Gilford's a pretty damn fine administrator after all.
(CHUCKLES) You were simply misled by Gandolph.
Well, you don't ask for much.
All right, pal, what kind of dollars we talking about? Well, the park's got a small contingency fund that I can dip into for a few thousand Norman.
I want half of everything that you've skimmed out of there, from the horsemeat scam to the donations to the cash from the trash removal kickbacks.
Why, you're crazy.
I I can give you 20%.
Norman, we're talking serious felonies here.
If any of this gets out, it's adiós, amigo.
I'll give you until 9:00 tonight, okay? You have my number.
Mrs.
Fletcher, you're here so late.
(STAMMERING) I got a call from Kelly to meet her here.
Really? I haven't seen Kelly all day.
I guess that she must have told you about last night.
She didn't have to.
I was there.
(PHONE RINGING) Yeah.
What? Now? All right.
I'll see you in a couple of minutes.
You know, maybe you shouldn't be so quick to judge, Mrs.
Fletcher.
You don't exactly have all the facts.
Okay.
Where are you? (SNAKE HISSING) (RUSSELL GASPS) (GASPING) Help me! Help (EXHALES) (CHATTER ON POLICE RADIO) CACERAS: Captain, I guarantee nobody's more aware of my caseload than I am, or that this is not a job for homicide.
But Councilman Gandolph called me at 4:00 a.
m.
, told me to get down here to investigate, and I didn't figure you'd be all that wild about me waking you up to get your opinion.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER ON PHONE) Right.
Oh, come on, don't put it in my face, will you? Where'd you find it? The poor guy was down the road apiece, trying to rustle up a warm snack.
Yeah.
It all right if I lock him up? Yeah.
Yeah.
Go ahead.
If I need his fingerprints, I'll call you.
Nutley.
We've got a couple of witnesses.
The reporter and a novelist, Jessica Fletcher.
She's here? (BOTH LAUGHING) Lieutenant Caceras? My goodness, we do seem fated to meet under less than ideal circumstances.
What was it you said when you were out last year? Um "Corpses just seem to be part of our job description.
" (SIGHS) Stevens found it in the deceased's pocket.
Uh-huh.
All right, for the record, you last saw Mark Atwater when? Well, it was just after 8:00 last night.
In the bull pen.
He was supposed to meet Kelly Michaels there, and then he got a call on his cellular phone.
He seemed to be anticipating the call and he left immediately.
Without saying who the caller was or where he was headed? Mmm-hmm.
Mean anything? Mmm-mmm.
No.
I'm sorry.
Afraid not.
(EXCLAIMS) So, you figure the caller might've been this, uh, this Michaels woman? I have no idea, Lieutenant.
You got anything to add, Mr.
Russell? I told the officer everything I could remember.
I just can't get it out of my head.
This poor guy crawling around on the floor, mumbling for help.
Yeah.
Well, I guess I'd be mumbling, too.
Now you never actually saw this mysterious zoo lady? Like I said, I always found a key in an envelope under my door with a typewritten slip telling me where and when we should meet.
Well, guess that about wraps it up.
(SIGHS) Lieutenant (STAMMERING) I don't mean to second-guess, but don't you find it strange for Mr.
Atwater to have been summoned to the reptile area at the exact moment that a poisonous snake just happens to be slithering around on the floor? No.
It's just your basic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
What, Jessica? And that woman, the woman who sends the key to Mr.
Russell.
Well, that's just somebody one sandwich short of a picnic, with a grudge against Norman Gilford.
Well, she certainly is familiar with the place.
I mean, it's just possible that she might have witnessed what happened last night.
Jessica, a word, huh? Look.
We're talking an accident here.
I mean, there's no need for a witness.
Now, forgive an overused metaphor, but please don't build a mountain out of a molehill.
By the way, Gabe, on what part of his body was Mr.
Atwater bitten? The puncture marks were on the neck.
Period.
The end.
Right.
(SIGHS) Something the matter, Ray? Yeah.
Where's our esteemed director? We have a potential disaster on our hands, and he hides in his office.
Dr.
Stinson, I must talk to you.
JESSICA: Hello.
Mrs.
Fletcher, I was just about to tell Joyce, what with Atwater's death, it's clear that the Animal Park has become a major public safety risk.
I'm going to recommend it be shut down, effective tomorrow.
No.
Mr.
Gandolph, please, let's just cool this, for a few days, anyway.
Mrs.
Hacker.
No, I'm with you, Ray.
Joe, you've got to back off, at least Believe me, Joyce, I only want what's best for the city, for the animals, but I've got a responsibility here.
JESSICA: If I may say something.
My observation is that with the right leadership, this could be a fine park.
Now, Ray tells me that you've asked him to take charge, and I believe that he passionately believes in all the same things that you do.
Both of you.
That is, in making the park more humane and more habitat-oriented.
Bravo, Jessica.
Joyce JOYCE: Oh, Joe, come on, for heaven's sake, stop being a politician for just a minute.
I'll think about it.
What is there to think about? Ray, I believe it's best to quit while we're ahead.
(SIGHS) All this drama, a nocturnal death by snakebite, a mysterious, unseen woman.
It would probably be wonderful grist for you as a writer if it weren't so tragic for this place.
It will probably end up in one of my books.
Goodbye, Mr.
Gandolph.
Have a nice day, Mrs.
Fletcher.
Joyce, I have something you have got to hear.
A rather interesting conversation I had with Norman Gilford.
Oh, I don't know, Doc.
I checked her temperature last night and everything seemed to be fine.
She seems okay to me.
Yeah? Yeah.
Ray, would it be accurate if I were to portray zoo personnel milking poisonous snakes for their venom? No.
No.
That doesn't happen.
Well, not in a zoo.
The milking severely weakens the animal.
Oh, but I notice that you have here a record of recent milkings.
That's not ours.
The animal regulation people busted this guy out in Tarzana for keeping two dozen rattlers and assorted other venomous snakes.
He was illicitly extracting the venom.
And harboring venomous reptiles outside of an authorized facility is against the law.
The animal reg people didn't have a place for the snakes or the venom, so So both of them ended up here, huh? Yeah.
Hey, Mrs.
Fletcher.
JESSICA: Hello, Ted.
STINSON: Ted.
Well, this is all very helpful.
Okay.
Good.
How about some lunch? Oh, yes.
If it's on me.
(JESSICA CHUCKLING) Okay.
(PHONE RINGING) Caceras.
JESSICA ON PHONE: Gabe, I have a quick question.
My favorite kind.
Uh, hold on, Jessica.
Nutley, you look like your pet duck got run over by a lawnmower.
(LAUGHS) You better come in and take a look.
Somebody's tossed Atwater's place.
Could've been this they were looking for.
Found it behind a picture frame.
CACERAS: Any prints? NUTLEY: Only Atwater's.
We found another set on this.
Uh, sorry, Jessica.
What was it you were saying? Gabe, I was wondering if the autopsy verified that it was black mamba venom that killed Mr.
Atwater.
On the money.
Well, that's very strange, Gabe.
In doing research for my book, I discovered that the black mamba's habitat is ordinarily elevated, in trees or in thatched roofs, for example, and when it does strike human victims, it's usually from above.
Yeah? So? Well, as I recall, there was nothing on the ceiling of that area where Mr.
Atwater was killed.
That a snake could hang from, so How was he bitten on the neck? That's terrific, Jessica.
Well, look, between that and some other new evidence, I'm logging Atwater's death as a homicide.
With any luck, we'll have a suspect in custody by 5:00.
Kelly, Lieutenant Caceras now believes that Mark's death wasn't an accident.
(EXHALES) There was a moment I could've killed him.
I felt so betrayed.
I realized that I had known all along what he was.
I just feel this compulsive need to be with someone.
Mark told me that you called to have him meet you here at 8:00 last night.
I wanted to tell him what I really felt.
(STAMMERS) I wanted to end it.
I didn't have the courage.
The police are going to ask where you were.
JOYCE: And of course you can count on me, Norman.
All I'm saying is I don't know if I'll be able to control him.
Now that the police are calling it murder, Joe's like a wild man.
It's as if this is the opportunity he's been waiting for.
Not to mention the fact that you made a horrible tactical mistake with him.
Mistake? How? By trying to bribe him.
Bribe? Joyce, what in hell are you talking about? He recorded your conversation, Norman.
I heard it.
Oh, my God.
I'm a dead man.
Not necessarily.
I've been thinking about it.
The way I see it, you have a couple of choices.
For instance, I might be able to talk Gandolph into forgetting about the tape if you'd resign, you know, with a mild mea culpa about how the Animal Park just kind of got away from you.
Wonderful.
Next? Or you could just go away.
You've skimmed enough off the top of this operation to live out your life very comfortably in some nice Third World country that doesn't have an extradition treaty with the US.
(STAMMERING) I No, I can't.
Well, don't reject it out of hand, darling.
I mean, you have my word that I'll try my best to keep them from tearing down your reputation.
Wait.
What do you get out of all this? Me? Yeah.
(SCOFFS) I thought you understood, Norman.
All I've ever wanted is what's best for the Animal Park.
And we keep all of our tranquilizer guns right over there.
Oh.
And I suppose it would be possible to load one of them with snake venom instead of tranquilizer serum? Yeah.
It's possible.
I just can't imagine why anybody would.
(CHUCKLES) Oh.
You're talking about Mark Atwater, aren't you? Well, perhaps.
But a dart fired from a gun would leave a larger wound.
Unless it was somehow modified, it wouldn't look anything like a snakebite.
That mamba.
Wasn't that one of the snakes that you were boarding for the animal regulation people? Mmm-hmm.
Wasn't he milked recently? Yeah.
About three days ago, illegally.
It takes about, oh, five or six days for the venom to get back up to lethal strength.
But you're storing the illegal venom, too, aren't you? (EXHALING) It's the black mamba venom.
There's about ten milliliters of this missing.
It was checked in full.
That means that somebody You better put it down, Ray.
I mean, the fewer fingerprints on it, the better, although I doubt that they'll find the killer's prints on it.
(EXHALING) Somebody must've been very familiar with park procedures to have stolen that venom.
Somebody who arranged to meet Mark Atwater last night in the reptile area.
On the money, Dr.
Stinson.
This area will have to be secured, Doctor.
Well, we got our suspect, like I said, and he fulfills all those requisites and then some.
Left his fingerprints all over Atwater's place looking for something he had to kill for.
Who, Lieutenant? They arrested Ted, and he would never kill another living thing.
Oh, Jessica, do you think you could help us? Well, of course, Bea, but Don't waste your time, Jessica, we've got Mr.
Fraley dead to rights.
Means, opportunity and total hatred for the victim.
(SIRENS WAILING) Jessica, I did not kill Mark Atwater.
When I heard he was dead, I busted into his place to find something that would've cost me my job had it gotten out.
The records from the Fish and Game Department.
When I was too young and too dumb to know any better, I got involved in an illegal operation bringing in animals from overseas for private sale.
I actually thought I was helping endangered species.
Anyway, I was sentenced to six months and I never mentioned it when I applied for my job here.
And Atwater somehow learned about it and held it over you.
For 1,200 bucks a month.
I could barely make my rent, let alone have a social life.
And if you admitted it to the park administration, Gilford would've fired you.
In a second.
With that on my record Ted, this morning in Dr.
Stinson's lab, you replaced a vial in the refrigerator And one of the tranquilizer guns, yeah.
All right, we'll need to find out if anyone Caceras doesn't know that, but sure as heck you spotted it! It won't change his mind, but I was covering for one of the other curators who was on his honeymoon.
I had to sedate one of his hippos who had a TB shot coming.
I believe you, Ted, and I'm going to do everything I can to help.
Whoever set up Atwater had to have removed the glass from the enclosure.
And knew a lot about dangerous reptiles.
That sinks me.
Sorry.
Time's up.
Listen, Jessica, tell Bea she's got that rain check after all, will you? I promise.
Keep the faith, Ted.
(CLEARS THROAT) Well, good guys don't always win, you know.
What's the matter? Oh, spider bite.
It's that time of year.
(LAUGHS) Somebody's gonna be out 35 smackers plus a tow charge if he's not out of here.
(CAR ENGINE STARTING) Gabe, do us both a favor.
Shoot.
There's a tract of undeveloped land north of the Animal Park.
On the city map it's described as Parcel 154.
Could you find out who owns it? Lot 154? Sure, Jess (PHONE RINGING) Jessica Fletcher.
CACERAS: According to the Hall of Records, Parcel 154 is 172 acres adjacent to the Animal Park.
Now that's primo.
With 180s of the ocean, the city Mmm! Wouldn't mind having a piece of that myself.
Gabe, do you have that slip of paper that your people found on Atwater? Oh, yeah.
Sure, Jessica, I got it right here.
JESSICA: As I recall, there's a top and a bottom and the top is shaped like a fire hydrant? CACERAS: Yeah, come to think of it.
JESSICA: With the initials "C.
H.
" And isn't there a line going through the bottom half to the top half? Right.
JESSICA: Suppose that's a sketch of the Animal Park and Parcel 154.
Who owns the top half, Gabe? Yeah.
An outfit called the C.
H.
Foundation.
It's a trust set up in 1982.
But we haven't been able to learn anything more about them so far.
Gabe.
I'll check with you later.
(STAMMERING) Jessica, I hadn't expected to find you here this late.
Oh, I kind of got hung up on an idea.
Oh, actually, I'm here looking for, um, Kelly.
There's no answer at her number.
Oh, sorry, I can't help you there.
You, um You seem worried.
Oh, just wondering what it's all about.
As a matter of fact, you've given me an idea.
What my protagonist, Clair Forrester, needs is a boyfriend.
Someone who'll take her mind off all those animals once in a while.
Oh.
Glad I could help.
Good night, Jessica.
Goodbye.
Access.
That's what it's about.
Mrs.
Fletcher.
Bea, just the person I wanted to see.
Oh, about what? You asked me if I could help Ted.
Now you have a chance to help him.
It'll require your honesty, starting with admitting you're the mysterious unseen woman who kept anonymous rendezvous with that reporter, Jimmy Russell.
How did you know? Oh, she had to be someone who's wired into the who, what and where of the Animal Park and details of Norman Gilford's moves and his finances.
I still I saw what was happening, you know, his cheating, the whole place was deteriorating.
And you were afraid that if you went public with it, you'd be the loser.
Well, I saw it happen to other people.
They'd get fired and Mr.
Gilford would see to it that they looked like the crook.
So you started feeding information to Mr.
Russell and to one other person.
Bea, I want you to make a phone call to a number you must already know.
(SNARLING) Thanks for coming.
What did you expect? Look, I have to know.
Did you tell anyone else about, uh You know, about this? Oh, of course not.
And you don't want money? I told you when I first started giving you information about Mr.
Gilford, I only want the park to survive.
Mrs.
Hacker, I saw you kill Mark Atwater and I will tell the police unless you forget about this real estate thing.
I just can't believe you're this stupid, but I guess you are, so (GUN COCKING) Come on, we're gonna take a little walk up into the hills.
(GUN COCKING) Put the gun down, Mrs.
Hacker.
You're under arrest for the murder of Mark Atwater.
Wait a minute! I didn't kill anyone! She threatened me over the phone.
The only reason I came down here was What Bea wants is simple justice, Joyce, and freedom for Ted Fraley.
Thanks, Miss Huffington.
That took real courage.
(SCOFFS) This must have sprung from your overactive imagination, Jessica.
Why on earth would I have killed Mark Atwater? Access, Joyce.
Access through the Animal Park to that 172 acres adjacent to the park owned by C and H Trust.
CACERAS: Left to you by your late husband.
I just tracked the new trustees.
You and City Councilman Joe Gandolph.
Oh, please.
Do you people honestly think you can fantasize a connection between that and the death of Mark Atwater? I mean, we'd been lovers, for God's sake.
I cared about him.
But you cared a great deal more about the bonanza you'd realize if that useless tract of yours became accessible.
The only way that would ever happen was if the park was closed down permanently so that you could build a road through it.
Friends of the Park was a charade to mask your real intentions.
Yeah.
Atwater figured out the little scheme you and Gandolph had concocted to make it all happen.
He even drew a picture of it.
JESSICA: My guess is Atwater tried to blackmail you.
You killed him, using your familiarity with animals and your background as a nurse.
Cornelius was a surgeon and big-game hunter, Mrs.
Fletcher.
I was his chief nurse, until he mercifully took me away from all the syringes and bedpans.
You can't prove any of this.
I think that we can.
Though he was unaware, Lieutenant Caceras reminded me earlier today that your own words betrayed you.
At the park this morning, you referred to the way Mr.
Atwater died.
A nocturnal death by snakebite, a mysterious unseen woman.
This evening, I realized you had no way of knowing about either of those circumstances in Mr.
Atwater's death or the location of his wound unless you'd been there.
You had access to every part of the Animal Park, Mrs.
Hacker.
The other night in my study, Mark told me he knew about the real estate.
I've been doing some research and guess what I turned up? You got an inheritance from your husband that turned out to be a whole lot less than meets the eye, so far.
(CHUCKLES) What do you want, Mark? It isn't a matter of want, darling.
We're partners, you, Joe Gandolph and I.
It's that, or I blow it wide open.
He had to die.
I called him to meet me at the reptile area at 9:00.
Since I had a master key, I got here early and let myself into the lab.
I knew that the park was keeping snake venom in the refrigerator for the animal regulation people.
I unlocked the refrigerator and located the vial of mamba venom.
I grabbed the syringe from the table and drew off enough of the venom to kill him.
I always knew my training as a nurse would come in handy again someday.
Joyce? (GASPING) (JOYCE GRUNTING) I knew my way around animals, except for the human kind.
I guess I should've taken some lessons from you, Jessica.
Let's go, ma'am.
Well, Jessica, sure hope next time we meet, it isn't over somebody's corpse.
But I'm not betting my house on it.
BEA: Jessica, it's hard to know where to begin.
Dr.
Stinson accepted the director's job.
Oh, and Councilman Gandolph finally resigned.
And even better, I just heard on the radio that Norman Gilford was arrested boarding a plane for Mexico City.
Well, I'm glad to hear that.
Listen, I better pick up my stuff from the office if I'm going to catch my plane.
Well, why don't you let us give you a ride? Oh, thanks.
I think I can handle this.
Wow, this has got a lot of zip! Oh! MAN: Careful! JESSICA: I think I've got it now.
Russell.
Why don't you come out where I can see you? There'll be an appropriate time and place.
What do you know? "Zoogate.
" (LAUGHING) I don't think you realize how right you are.
You're aware of the petition calling for the immediate dismissal of Norman Gilford as Director of the Animal Park? Yeah.
Petitions don't usually cut it.
You and your newspaper can help promote it.
I suggest you interview Gilford.
He hates my guts.
Ask him about the suppliers he works with that bill the Animal Park for beef and ship horse meat.
They kick back the difference to Gilford.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
That's all for now.
Oh, and the key I sent you? This better be real.
Trust me.
KELLY: I'm happy to show you around, Mrs.
Fletcher.
Now, tell me about your new plot.
JESSICA: My new book will be something of a departure.
It's kind of wild, actually.
Uh-huh.
You see, my murder victim, a woman or a man, I haven't quite decided, dies here in the Animal Park and there are several major suspects, all of them animals, although none of them did it.
Oh, I love it! Is it gonna be another Inspector Jellicoe story? I don't think so.
Anyway, last time I was in town, a friend brought me out here and I met Ted Fraley and Dr.
Stinson.
(LAUGHING) They have never stopped talking about you.
Well, I just hope they're still as enthusiastic when I get through picking their brains.
I can't tell you how proud we are that you've chosen the Animal Park as the site of your next novel.
Oh, God! Spoken like a true flack.
I am really becoming a cliché.
Miss Michaels, I've gotta talk to you! Jessica Fletcher, City Councilman Joe Gandolph.
Mrs.
Fletcher How do you do? You wrote this nonsense about me, didn't you? I wish that I could take credit for it, but no.
That's one that the boss insisted on writing himself.
I think it showed a lot of eloquence.
Then you can tell him for me I'm sorry, you're just gonna have to tell him yourself.
That man goes whichever way the wind is blowing.
Right now it's blowing against our director, Mr.
Gilford.
JESSICA: Something to do with all the repair work in progress? Well, that's part of the problem.
A lot of it isn't in progress.
Between earthquake damage and an aging facility, we're between a rock and a hard place.
Hmm.
(SIGHS) Mr.
Gilford told me that it would cost me my job if I didn't bring you by so he could say hello.
GILFORD: I don't give a hoot in hell how the Chronicle grades my performance.
And I won't be drawn and quartered for running this place on the totally inadequate budget I've been given.
Then how about Councilman Gandolph's recent attacks? He calls this park, quote, "An outrage to the body politic," unquote.
Would you like to comment? I consider Councilman Gandolph's personal attack a contemptible political ploy.
(DOOR OPENING) And I won't dignify it by a response.
Jessica this is Bea Huffington.
Anything you need to know, you just ask her.
Hello.
Come on, Norm, talk to me.
I mean, whoever started this petition, the word is it's turning into a real groundswell and it's only gonna get bigger when Get out of my office! So I guess my getting a look at your ledger entries regarding feed purchases is out of the question? Get out of here! You tell the gate I'm pulling Russell's pass, and if you show your face on zoo property, I'll have you arrested! And that goes for anybody else from the Chronicle! Thanks, pal, you just gave me tomorrow's page-one lead story.
(PHONE RINGING) Oh! Forgive my manners.
J.
B.
Fletcher, isn't it? Mr.
Gilford, if this is a bad time Oh, no! Not at all! Not at all.
Kelly, see if you can find Stinson.
He's not answering his beeper, and since we can't prevent Councilman Gandolph from entering the premises, be sure you keep him away from me.
Call the gate, Bea, now.
And see if you can rustle up some coffee for Mrs.
Fletcher and me.
Oh, Mr.
Gilford, I'm on a very tight schedule.
Nonsense.
For the moment at least, this is still my park, and I want to hear all about your book.
TED: I'm really worried about another aftershock, Doc.
Several of these glass panes were shaken out of their frames.
We can kiss half our species goodbye, we get another aftershock like that last one.
Yeah.
So, what did Gilford say? Take a guess.
He will not touch the contingency fund.
He wants FEMA to come through with the money.
I guess you heard about that petition going around this morning.
A lot of folks think you ought to have his job.
No.
I'm an animal doctor, Ted.
(GROWLING) So, this our guy with the problem? Yeah.
He's been off his feed since the earthquake.
Yeah.
There's a little nasal discharge.
BEA: Look who's here! We're here.
Jessica! JESSICA: Hello, Ted.
How are you? And Ray.
Hello, Jessica! Gilford's looking for you.
He wants you in his office muy pronto.
Well, Mr.
Gilford's gonna have to wait.
I've got a problem with the elephants.
So, Jessica, I'll see you again later? Oh, yes.
Have I got some clues for you.
Ever since I got your fax, I've been making notes like crazy.
I I wake up in the middle of the night with these ideas.
Well, you better watch out because that is a writer's disease.
Here.
I hope this is what you're looking for.
Oh, this is gonna be a tremendous help, Ted.
Thank you.
Uh, Doc thinks maybe it was the earthquake dust got everything all stirred up.
BEA: Oh, poor baby.
My goodness.
What a beautiful bird.
(BIRD SQUAWKS) Hello.
So, 7:00 okay? Ted, I'm really sorry.
I've gotta cancel.
Couldn't let me know a little later? Something personal came up.
I'm sorry.
Jessica.
Hmm? Let's take a stroll this way and I'll show you that alligator you expressed interest in.
Great.
STINSON: Norman, I had nothing whatsoever to do with any petition.
GILFORD: Of course you didn't.
I just want to remind you that politicking of any kind is a violation of your employment contract.
Uh, pardon me, Mr.
Gilford, I Kelly, stay out of this.
Look, Ray, let me spell it out for you.
Contrary to anything you may have heard about my imminent departure, I have no intention of going away, gently or otherwise.
And when the dust settles, I'll be taking a hard look at where everyone stood.
Ray, please.
Norman, despite your paranoid fantasies, I have no interest in your job.
Let me tell you something else, this petition is the least of your worries.
It's Mark Atwater and these Earth Speak people you should be keeping your eye on, because from the few straight answers that I've been able to extract from Atwater Come on, Ray, that's not fair.
I gather that their agenda is not to fire you, sir, it's to close down the park.
Period.
Which, while it pains me to admit it, puts us on the same team.
Excuse me.
Well? I think he's wrong about Mark, Mr.
Gilford.
(LAUGHING) Really? I'm sure that your relationship with Mr.
Atwater doesn't color your opinion.
TED: Now Clarence here's just a youngster and naturally he's too small to swallow that.
45 caliber ammunition clip you described in your fax.
But give him a couple more years, (LAUGHS) He'd sooner eat you than the entire gun.
No problem.
It's not an absolute requirement of the plot.
There you go.
Got him? Yes.
Now, you mentioned poisonous snakes.
This should be your killer, Jessica.
The black mamba.
It's one of the Elapidae family, like the cobras.
(HISSING) I could give you a few pointers on what makes them such dangerous critters.
JESSICA: Hmm.
ATWATER: Yo, Ted Excuse me, Jessica.
Of course.
(WHINING) Payday, friend.
TED: Atwater, listen, I'm sorry.
Things are still really tight.
You said that last week, Ted.
And the week before.
Well, I'd better see $1,200 before the banks close tomorrow or past transgressions become public knowledge.
And we're gonna learn about this wonderful little creature from Melanie Bryan, here.
But first, we're honored to welcome Joe Gandolph, a city councilman who's made no secret of his sentiments regarding the Animal Park.
The cat's out of the bag, Joyce.
The petition is circulating, calling for the removal of the Animal Park Director, Norman Gilford and JO YCE: Mr.
Gandolph, I think our audience knows where I stand on this issue.
I'm only giving you this forum to allow Look, my responsibility is to the taxpayer.
As I started to say, after Mr.
Gilford's ousted, we have to take a hard look (DIALING) As to whether or not the Animal Park will continue to exist at all.
(PHONE RINGING) MAN ON PHONE: Hello? All right, if the offer still stands, I'm ready to talk.
When would you like to meet? Tonight.
Tonight's no good.
(SCOFFS) Tomorrow, then.
We're not exactly over-staffed, as you can see.
Help yourself to any one of these desks.
Oh.
Well, hey, what is this? (GIGGLING) A deserving gift for the lady of my dreams.
Hi, doll.
Mark.
Jessica, this is Mark Atwater.
Oh, hello.
Hi.
How are you? Nice to meet you.
Let's get out of here.
(LAUGHING) The bad penny himself.
You're sounding more and more like a rotten loser, Ray.
It's very unattractive.
KELLY: Will you guys cool it? God, I'm beginning to feel like a referee.
Damn! (CLEARS THROAT) (CLEARS THROAT) I'm sorry.
What exactly does Mr.
Atwater do? He's passionately on the side of whoever's willing to pay him.
Right now, that's Earth Speak, an organization dedicated to closing down all zoos.
Oh, yes.
I've read some of their arguments.
The theory that if a species is destined to die out, so be it? Mmm.
And zoos are buying time for a lot of those species.
You know, when you've got some time, I'll be glad to show you our plans for breeding programs and interdependent ecosystems, which, of course, are still on the drawing board because Gilford won't fight for more money.
But right now, I've got two sick elephants.
Excuse me.
Of course.
JOYCE: My late husband Cornelius was a surgeon and big-game hunter, Mrs.
Fletcher.
JESSICA: Hmm.
I was his chief nurse, until he mercifully took me away from all the syringes and bedpans.
(LAUGHING) JOYCE: Actually, I find this a bit embarrassing.
He believed he was doing humanity a service by helping to kill off endangered species.
Well, that's an interesting logic.
(LAUGHING) Indeed.
And the only issue Corny and I ever disagreed on.
I'd always had an interest in zoology and knew the value of live animals as opposed to dead ones, which is why I'm such a passionate defender of the Animal Park.
Mrs.
Fletcher, my wife and I so enjoyed your book, Endangered.
A real page-turner.
Thank you.
In payment for being invited tonight, Mr.
Gandolph has promised not to say anything hostile to the friends of the Animal Park.
So if you catch him breaking his word, I want to hear about it.
Shush, Joyce! (CHUCKLING) BEA: Jessica! Hello! Hi! Ray tells me you've already come up with a protagonist for your new book.
Well, subject to change, of course.
I've decided that she'll be a zoo veterinarian, just like Dr.
Stinson here, and she'll use her knowledge of animal sciences to solve a human mystery.
You'll have to explain that one to me, Jessica.
I'd like to make a statement that's going to be unpopular in present company.
Oh, Mark, do you have to? It distresses me to see a writer of your stature undertaking a novel that glorifies an abusive, medieval system of animal confinement.
Oh, please, be distressed somewhere else if you must, but not in my house.
Kelly, talk to him.
Bea, darling, may I borrow Ray for a few minutes? Look, Mrs.
Hacker, it's Now, wait a minute.
First off, I want you to understand I have nothing to do with this cabal against Norman.
My God, we've been friends for years, but the tide's turned against him.
And that's okay.
I'm an animal doctor, I'm not an administrator.
Nonsense, you're the only person around who can do the job.
I'll find you the help you need.
Starting with Joe Gandolph? With friends like that, the Animal Park does not need any enemies.
You let me handle him.
He practically owns the Parks Department and he's guaranteed me the chair on the new zoo board, with the right to appoint my own members.
Hmm.
Well, no question, I'm flattered.
Ray, I just know you'll do an outstanding job.
Yeah.
(CHUCKLING) Not exactly a pushover.
He'll do it.
It was needlessly risky for you to come here tonight.
You're only paying for my day job.
My evenings are my own.
Besides, if you didn't want me to come, you shouldn't have invited my fiancée.
(LAUGHS) I've been meaning to talk to you about that.
Well, since you won't have me, I have no choice.
Besides, her father is a partner in Berns, Fowler.
And I thought Cornelius was amoral.
(DOOR CLOSES) TED: Jessica.
Hi, Ted.
You missed a good movie last night.
You know, I've got some time if you want to talk about the black mamba? Oh, I most certainly do, but could we make it a little later? Bea's going to show me the leopards.
Sure.
I said I was sorry, Ted.
No rain check? I didn't see any rain last night.
Okay.
Thanks for not letting on about Dr.
Stinson and I.
Last night, I mean.
Well, it's really not my business, Bea.
Well, I don't like sneaking around.
It's just Ted, he's so insecure.
If I told him the truth, he wouldn't believe me.
I take it you were on a mission of mercy? Yeah, a regular Florence Nightingale.
Ray and I go way back as friends and he's just so down because of losing Kelly to Mark Atwater.
Well, he needed me.
I'll straighten it out with Ted eventually.
What? (LAUGHS) I was just thinking about Kelly.
She was supposed to supply me with some research material this morning, but I haven't seen her all day.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING) (SIGHS) Look, Kell, I'm sorry, but you've got this whole thing wrong.
For starters, Joyce and I were an item once.
Now we're just friends.
That's what you said about the flight attendant.
(SCOFFS) Oh, come on, kid, there's a very simple explanation for this.
I'd really love it if there were, Mark.
Believe me, I would, but right now I'm just not buying it.
Gee, Norman, imagine my surprise to actually receive an invitation to meet you face-to-face Are you finished? You tell me, Norman.
Okay.
I know my days here are numbered, but I'm asking you as a fellow human being, take this place down if you want to, but don't take me with it.
That's part of the deal, Norman.
The public has to have a heavy, and you're elected.
Joe, if I take the fall for this fiasco you've been orchestrating, my career is over, finished.
Now, you find somebody else to blame.
Joyce Hacker, the board of directors Ah, but, Norman, why should I? I can suggest about Really? And untraceable.
Already in an offshore bank.
I don't know, Norm.
I'll have to think that one over.
But I'll get back to you.
I'd really appreciate it if you can mention something to your boss about it.
Miss Huffington? (LAUGHS) I'm sorry, Chris.
What were you saying? (GRUNTING) How's it coming, Doc? Almost finished.
I heard the scuttlebutt.
You gotta be feeling pretty good.
I don't know, Ted.
I'd be taking on an awful lot of responsibility.
Nah.
No worse than surgery on a rhino.
Well Besides, if you're the director, maybe you could make some changes around here.
Yeah.
I just wish I could be sure of that.
Okay, Norman, you didn't get me out here for a nature walk.
I want Joyce Hacker off my case, and if she folds, Gandolph will go away.
Now, that's a public statement you'll make disavowing your association with Earth Speak and its policies on zoos, plus you now have serious doubts about Earth Speak's integrity.
Furthermore, you've given it deep thought and decided that Norman Gilford's a pretty damn fine administrator after all.
(CHUCKLES) You were simply misled by Gandolph.
Well, you don't ask for much.
All right, pal, what kind of dollars we talking about? Well, the park's got a small contingency fund that I can dip into for a few thousand Norman.
I want half of everything that you've skimmed out of there, from the horsemeat scam to the donations to the cash from the trash removal kickbacks.
Why, you're crazy.
I I can give you 20%.
Norman, we're talking serious felonies here.
If any of this gets out, it's adiós, amigo.
I'll give you until 9:00 tonight, okay? You have my number.
Mrs.
Fletcher, you're here so late.
(STAMMERING) I got a call from Kelly to meet her here.
Really? I haven't seen Kelly all day.
I guess that she must have told you about last night.
She didn't have to.
I was there.
(PHONE RINGING) Yeah.
What? Now? All right.
I'll see you in a couple of minutes.
You know, maybe you shouldn't be so quick to judge, Mrs.
Fletcher.
You don't exactly have all the facts.
Okay.
Where are you? (SNAKE HISSING) (RUSSELL GASPS) (GASPING) Help me! Help (EXHALES) (CHATTER ON POLICE RADIO) CACERAS: Captain, I guarantee nobody's more aware of my caseload than I am, or that this is not a job for homicide.
But Councilman Gandolph called me at 4:00 a.
m.
, told me to get down here to investigate, and I didn't figure you'd be all that wild about me waking you up to get your opinion.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER ON PHONE) Right.
Oh, come on, don't put it in my face, will you? Where'd you find it? The poor guy was down the road apiece, trying to rustle up a warm snack.
Yeah.
It all right if I lock him up? Yeah.
Yeah.
Go ahead.
If I need his fingerprints, I'll call you.
Nutley.
We've got a couple of witnesses.
The reporter and a novelist, Jessica Fletcher.
She's here? (BOTH LAUGHING) Lieutenant Caceras? My goodness, we do seem fated to meet under less than ideal circumstances.
What was it you said when you were out last year? Um "Corpses just seem to be part of our job description.
" (SIGHS) Stevens found it in the deceased's pocket.
Uh-huh.
All right, for the record, you last saw Mark Atwater when? Well, it was just after 8:00 last night.
In the bull pen.
He was supposed to meet Kelly Michaels there, and then he got a call on his cellular phone.
He seemed to be anticipating the call and he left immediately.
Without saying who the caller was or where he was headed? Mmm-hmm.
Mean anything? Mmm-mmm.
No.
I'm sorry.
Afraid not.
(EXCLAIMS) So, you figure the caller might've been this, uh, this Michaels woman? I have no idea, Lieutenant.
You got anything to add, Mr.
Russell? I told the officer everything I could remember.
I just can't get it out of my head.
This poor guy crawling around on the floor, mumbling for help.
Yeah.
Well, I guess I'd be mumbling, too.
Now you never actually saw this mysterious zoo lady? Like I said, I always found a key in an envelope under my door with a typewritten slip telling me where and when we should meet.
Well, guess that about wraps it up.
(SIGHS) Lieutenant (STAMMERING) I don't mean to second-guess, but don't you find it strange for Mr.
Atwater to have been summoned to the reptile area at the exact moment that a poisonous snake just happens to be slithering around on the floor? No.
It's just your basic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
What, Jessica? And that woman, the woman who sends the key to Mr.
Russell.
Well, that's just somebody one sandwich short of a picnic, with a grudge against Norman Gilford.
Well, she certainly is familiar with the place.
I mean, it's just possible that she might have witnessed what happened last night.
Jessica, a word, huh? Look.
We're talking an accident here.
I mean, there's no need for a witness.
Now, forgive an overused metaphor, but please don't build a mountain out of a molehill.
By the way, Gabe, on what part of his body was Mr.
Atwater bitten? The puncture marks were on the neck.
Period.
The end.
Right.
(SIGHS) Something the matter, Ray? Yeah.
Where's our esteemed director? We have a potential disaster on our hands, and he hides in his office.
Dr.
Stinson, I must talk to you.
JESSICA: Hello.
Mrs.
Fletcher, I was just about to tell Joyce, what with Atwater's death, it's clear that the Animal Park has become a major public safety risk.
I'm going to recommend it be shut down, effective tomorrow.
No.
Mr.
Gandolph, please, let's just cool this, for a few days, anyway.
Mrs.
Hacker.
No, I'm with you, Ray.
Joe, you've got to back off, at least Believe me, Joyce, I only want what's best for the city, for the animals, but I've got a responsibility here.
JESSICA: If I may say something.
My observation is that with the right leadership, this could be a fine park.
Now, Ray tells me that you've asked him to take charge, and I believe that he passionately believes in all the same things that you do.
Both of you.
That is, in making the park more humane and more habitat-oriented.
Bravo, Jessica.
Joyce JOYCE: Oh, Joe, come on, for heaven's sake, stop being a politician for just a minute.
I'll think about it.
What is there to think about? Ray, I believe it's best to quit while we're ahead.
(SIGHS) All this drama, a nocturnal death by snakebite, a mysterious, unseen woman.
It would probably be wonderful grist for you as a writer if it weren't so tragic for this place.
It will probably end up in one of my books.
Goodbye, Mr.
Gandolph.
Have a nice day, Mrs.
Fletcher.
Joyce, I have something you have got to hear.
A rather interesting conversation I had with Norman Gilford.
Oh, I don't know, Doc.
I checked her temperature last night and everything seemed to be fine.
She seems okay to me.
Yeah? Yeah.
Ray, would it be accurate if I were to portray zoo personnel milking poisonous snakes for their venom? No.
No.
That doesn't happen.
Well, not in a zoo.
The milking severely weakens the animal.
Oh, but I notice that you have here a record of recent milkings.
That's not ours.
The animal regulation people busted this guy out in Tarzana for keeping two dozen rattlers and assorted other venomous snakes.
He was illicitly extracting the venom.
And harboring venomous reptiles outside of an authorized facility is against the law.
The animal reg people didn't have a place for the snakes or the venom, so So both of them ended up here, huh? Yeah.
Hey, Mrs.
Fletcher.
JESSICA: Hello, Ted.
STINSON: Ted.
Well, this is all very helpful.
Okay.
Good.
How about some lunch? Oh, yes.
If it's on me.
(JESSICA CHUCKLING) Okay.
(PHONE RINGING) Caceras.
JESSICA ON PHONE: Gabe, I have a quick question.
My favorite kind.
Uh, hold on, Jessica.
Nutley, you look like your pet duck got run over by a lawnmower.
(LAUGHS) You better come in and take a look.
Somebody's tossed Atwater's place.
Could've been this they were looking for.
Found it behind a picture frame.
CACERAS: Any prints? NUTLEY: Only Atwater's.
We found another set on this.
Uh, sorry, Jessica.
What was it you were saying? Gabe, I was wondering if the autopsy verified that it was black mamba venom that killed Mr.
Atwater.
On the money.
Well, that's very strange, Gabe.
In doing research for my book, I discovered that the black mamba's habitat is ordinarily elevated, in trees or in thatched roofs, for example, and when it does strike human victims, it's usually from above.
Yeah? So? Well, as I recall, there was nothing on the ceiling of that area where Mr.
Atwater was killed.
That a snake could hang from, so How was he bitten on the neck? That's terrific, Jessica.
Well, look, between that and some other new evidence, I'm logging Atwater's death as a homicide.
With any luck, we'll have a suspect in custody by 5:00.
Kelly, Lieutenant Caceras now believes that Mark's death wasn't an accident.
(EXHALES) There was a moment I could've killed him.
I felt so betrayed.
I realized that I had known all along what he was.
I just feel this compulsive need to be with someone.
Mark told me that you called to have him meet you here at 8:00 last night.
I wanted to tell him what I really felt.
(STAMMERS) I wanted to end it.
I didn't have the courage.
The police are going to ask where you were.
JOYCE: And of course you can count on me, Norman.
All I'm saying is I don't know if I'll be able to control him.
Now that the police are calling it murder, Joe's like a wild man.
It's as if this is the opportunity he's been waiting for.
Not to mention the fact that you made a horrible tactical mistake with him.
Mistake? How? By trying to bribe him.
Bribe? Joyce, what in hell are you talking about? He recorded your conversation, Norman.
I heard it.
Oh, my God.
I'm a dead man.
Not necessarily.
I've been thinking about it.
The way I see it, you have a couple of choices.
For instance, I might be able to talk Gandolph into forgetting about the tape if you'd resign, you know, with a mild mea culpa about how the Animal Park just kind of got away from you.
Wonderful.
Next? Or you could just go away.
You've skimmed enough off the top of this operation to live out your life very comfortably in some nice Third World country that doesn't have an extradition treaty with the US.
(STAMMERING) I No, I can't.
Well, don't reject it out of hand, darling.
I mean, you have my word that I'll try my best to keep them from tearing down your reputation.
Wait.
What do you get out of all this? Me? Yeah.
(SCOFFS) I thought you understood, Norman.
All I've ever wanted is what's best for the Animal Park.
And we keep all of our tranquilizer guns right over there.
Oh.
And I suppose it would be possible to load one of them with snake venom instead of tranquilizer serum? Yeah.
It's possible.
I just can't imagine why anybody would.
(CHUCKLES) Oh.
You're talking about Mark Atwater, aren't you? Well, perhaps.
But a dart fired from a gun would leave a larger wound.
Unless it was somehow modified, it wouldn't look anything like a snakebite.
That mamba.
Wasn't that one of the snakes that you were boarding for the animal regulation people? Mmm-hmm.
Wasn't he milked recently? Yeah.
About three days ago, illegally.
It takes about, oh, five or six days for the venom to get back up to lethal strength.
But you're storing the illegal venom, too, aren't you? (EXHALING) It's the black mamba venom.
There's about ten milliliters of this missing.
It was checked in full.
That means that somebody You better put it down, Ray.
I mean, the fewer fingerprints on it, the better, although I doubt that they'll find the killer's prints on it.
(EXHALING) Somebody must've been very familiar with park procedures to have stolen that venom.
Somebody who arranged to meet Mark Atwater last night in the reptile area.
On the money, Dr.
Stinson.
This area will have to be secured, Doctor.
Well, we got our suspect, like I said, and he fulfills all those requisites and then some.
Left his fingerprints all over Atwater's place looking for something he had to kill for.
Who, Lieutenant? They arrested Ted, and he would never kill another living thing.
Oh, Jessica, do you think you could help us? Well, of course, Bea, but Don't waste your time, Jessica, we've got Mr.
Fraley dead to rights.
Means, opportunity and total hatred for the victim.
(SIRENS WAILING) Jessica, I did not kill Mark Atwater.
When I heard he was dead, I busted into his place to find something that would've cost me my job had it gotten out.
The records from the Fish and Game Department.
When I was too young and too dumb to know any better, I got involved in an illegal operation bringing in animals from overseas for private sale.
I actually thought I was helping endangered species.
Anyway, I was sentenced to six months and I never mentioned it when I applied for my job here.
And Atwater somehow learned about it and held it over you.
For 1,200 bucks a month.
I could barely make my rent, let alone have a social life.
And if you admitted it to the park administration, Gilford would've fired you.
In a second.
With that on my record Ted, this morning in Dr.
Stinson's lab, you replaced a vial in the refrigerator And one of the tranquilizer guns, yeah.
All right, we'll need to find out if anyone Caceras doesn't know that, but sure as heck you spotted it! It won't change his mind, but I was covering for one of the other curators who was on his honeymoon.
I had to sedate one of his hippos who had a TB shot coming.
I believe you, Ted, and I'm going to do everything I can to help.
Whoever set up Atwater had to have removed the glass from the enclosure.
And knew a lot about dangerous reptiles.
That sinks me.
Sorry.
Time's up.
Listen, Jessica, tell Bea she's got that rain check after all, will you? I promise.
Keep the faith, Ted.
(CLEARS THROAT) Well, good guys don't always win, you know.
What's the matter? Oh, spider bite.
It's that time of year.
(LAUGHS) Somebody's gonna be out 35 smackers plus a tow charge if he's not out of here.
(CAR ENGINE STARTING) Gabe, do us both a favor.
Shoot.
There's a tract of undeveloped land north of the Animal Park.
On the city map it's described as Parcel 154.
Could you find out who owns it? Lot 154? Sure, Jess (PHONE RINGING) Jessica Fletcher.
CACERAS: According to the Hall of Records, Parcel 154 is 172 acres adjacent to the Animal Park.
Now that's primo.
With 180s of the ocean, the city Mmm! Wouldn't mind having a piece of that myself.
Gabe, do you have that slip of paper that your people found on Atwater? Oh, yeah.
Sure, Jessica, I got it right here.
JESSICA: As I recall, there's a top and a bottom and the top is shaped like a fire hydrant? CACERAS: Yeah, come to think of it.
JESSICA: With the initials "C.
H.
" And isn't there a line going through the bottom half to the top half? Right.
JESSICA: Suppose that's a sketch of the Animal Park and Parcel 154.
Who owns the top half, Gabe? Yeah.
An outfit called the C.
H.
Foundation.
It's a trust set up in 1982.
But we haven't been able to learn anything more about them so far.
Gabe.
I'll check with you later.
(STAMMERING) Jessica, I hadn't expected to find you here this late.
Oh, I kind of got hung up on an idea.
Oh, actually, I'm here looking for, um, Kelly.
There's no answer at her number.
Oh, sorry, I can't help you there.
You, um You seem worried.
Oh, just wondering what it's all about.
As a matter of fact, you've given me an idea.
What my protagonist, Clair Forrester, needs is a boyfriend.
Someone who'll take her mind off all those animals once in a while.
Oh.
Glad I could help.
Good night, Jessica.
Goodbye.
Access.
That's what it's about.
Mrs.
Fletcher.
Bea, just the person I wanted to see.
Oh, about what? You asked me if I could help Ted.
Now you have a chance to help him.
It'll require your honesty, starting with admitting you're the mysterious unseen woman who kept anonymous rendezvous with that reporter, Jimmy Russell.
How did you know? Oh, she had to be someone who's wired into the who, what and where of the Animal Park and details of Norman Gilford's moves and his finances.
I still I saw what was happening, you know, his cheating, the whole place was deteriorating.
And you were afraid that if you went public with it, you'd be the loser.
Well, I saw it happen to other people.
They'd get fired and Mr.
Gilford would see to it that they looked like the crook.
So you started feeding information to Mr.
Russell and to one other person.
Bea, I want you to make a phone call to a number you must already know.
(SNARLING) Thanks for coming.
What did you expect? Look, I have to know.
Did you tell anyone else about, uh You know, about this? Oh, of course not.
And you don't want money? I told you when I first started giving you information about Mr.
Gilford, I only want the park to survive.
Mrs.
Hacker, I saw you kill Mark Atwater and I will tell the police unless you forget about this real estate thing.
I just can't believe you're this stupid, but I guess you are, so (GUN COCKING) Come on, we're gonna take a little walk up into the hills.
(GUN COCKING) Put the gun down, Mrs.
Hacker.
You're under arrest for the murder of Mark Atwater.
Wait a minute! I didn't kill anyone! She threatened me over the phone.
The only reason I came down here was What Bea wants is simple justice, Joyce, and freedom for Ted Fraley.
Thanks, Miss Huffington.
That took real courage.
(SCOFFS) This must have sprung from your overactive imagination, Jessica.
Why on earth would I have killed Mark Atwater? Access, Joyce.
Access through the Animal Park to that 172 acres adjacent to the park owned by C and H Trust.
CACERAS: Left to you by your late husband.
I just tracked the new trustees.
You and City Councilman Joe Gandolph.
Oh, please.
Do you people honestly think you can fantasize a connection between that and the death of Mark Atwater? I mean, we'd been lovers, for God's sake.
I cared about him.
But you cared a great deal more about the bonanza you'd realize if that useless tract of yours became accessible.
The only way that would ever happen was if the park was closed down permanently so that you could build a road through it.
Friends of the Park was a charade to mask your real intentions.
Yeah.
Atwater figured out the little scheme you and Gandolph had concocted to make it all happen.
He even drew a picture of it.
JESSICA: My guess is Atwater tried to blackmail you.
You killed him, using your familiarity with animals and your background as a nurse.
Cornelius was a surgeon and big-game hunter, Mrs.
Fletcher.
I was his chief nurse, until he mercifully took me away from all the syringes and bedpans.
You can't prove any of this.
I think that we can.
Though he was unaware, Lieutenant Caceras reminded me earlier today that your own words betrayed you.
At the park this morning, you referred to the way Mr.
Atwater died.
A nocturnal death by snakebite, a mysterious unseen woman.
This evening, I realized you had no way of knowing about either of those circumstances in Mr.
Atwater's death or the location of his wound unless you'd been there.
You had access to every part of the Animal Park, Mrs.
Hacker.
The other night in my study, Mark told me he knew about the real estate.
I've been doing some research and guess what I turned up? You got an inheritance from your husband that turned out to be a whole lot less than meets the eye, so far.
(CHUCKLES) What do you want, Mark? It isn't a matter of want, darling.
We're partners, you, Joe Gandolph and I.
It's that, or I blow it wide open.
He had to die.
I called him to meet me at the reptile area at 9:00.
Since I had a master key, I got here early and let myself into the lab.
I knew that the park was keeping snake venom in the refrigerator for the animal regulation people.
I unlocked the refrigerator and located the vial of mamba venom.
I grabbed the syringe from the table and drew off enough of the venom to kill him.
I always knew my training as a nurse would come in handy again someday.
Joyce? (GASPING) (JOYCE GRUNTING) I knew my way around animals, except for the human kind.
I guess I should've taken some lessons from you, Jessica.
Let's go, ma'am.
Well, Jessica, sure hope next time we meet, it isn't over somebody's corpse.
But I'm not betting my house on it.
BEA: Jessica, it's hard to know where to begin.
Dr.
Stinson accepted the director's job.
Oh, and Councilman Gandolph finally resigned.
And even better, I just heard on the radio that Norman Gilford was arrested boarding a plane for Mexico City.
Well, I'm glad to hear that.
Listen, I better pick up my stuff from the office if I'm going to catch my plane.
Well, why don't you let us give you a ride? Oh, thanks.
I think I can handle this.
Wow, this has got a lot of zip! Oh! MAN: Careful! JESSICA: I think I've got it now.