Perry Mason (1957) s02e17 Episode Script
The Case of the Romantic Rogue
( suspenseful theme playing ) ( noirish jazz theme playing ) ( sedate theme playing ) WOMAN: Oh, darling.
It's lovely.
It belonged to my mother.
Oh, Stacey.
Oh, I'm so happy I could-- Oh, I've-- I've never known anyone like you before.
Maybe you were better off, Helen.
One of these days, you'll hear stories.
Well, I won't listen.
That might be a mistake.
I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of.
WOMAN 2: That's good psychology.
I always said you were a smart boy, Stacey.
You remind me of my husband.
He had a way with the ladies too.
Oh, Aunt Florence, please.
I'm sorry you don't approve of me, Mrs.
Harvey.
Whatever gave you that idea? Just because I compared you with my husband? Oh, Uncle Frank was a wonderful man.
I don't think you're exactly an authority on the subject, Helen.
You were only a child when he took off with that trollop.
This just came for you.
I think I'll be running along.
Goodbye, Mrs.
Harvey.
( flatly ): Bye.
( dramatic theme playing ) Oh, why do you talk to him like that? I don't like your Mr.
Chandler.
( door closes ) Or hadn't you noticed? I'm going to marry him.
( chuckles snidely ) Bad news? Uh, no.
( dramatic theme playing ) Surprise.
Someone would think you're not glad to see me.
How did you get in here, Margo? I told the desk clerk I was your sister.
Ha.
Why haven't I heard from you? There was nothing to report.
Don't give me that.
This is Margo Lawrence you're talking to, remember? I've seen you operate.
You don't know Helen.
Oh, now I get it.
You've actually fallen for the girl.
( scoffs ) If that's not one for the book.
Let me tell you something, buster.
You double-cross me, and I'll be in the DA's office so fast, it'll make your head spin.
( knock on door ) Hi.
Are you Stacey Chandler? Well, may I? I'm busy.
Oh, that's too bad.
I wanted to talk to you before I spoke to Helen Harvey.
Maybe you'd better come in.
Well, thank you.
( closes, locks door ) It's not bad.
I'm glad you like it.
I was worried.
( laughs ) You know, I think you and I are gonna get along just real fine, Mr.
Chandler.
Or would you rather I called you Stacey? What do they call you? Irene.
Irene Wallace.
STACEY: What's on your mind? Did you ever hear of a man named Frank Harvey? What do you know about him, except for the fact that he's your girlfriend's uncle, and he skipped off with his secretary about eight years ago? You're doing the talking.
Well, I have an idea that sooner or later, someone is going to go into court and ask that Mr.
Harvey be declared legally dead so that his will can be probated.
What's that supposed to mean to me? A half-a-million bucks.
I hear tell that's what he left your girlfriend.
And I understand she's crazy about you.
But there's only one fly in the ointment.
Frank Harvey is alive.
You're crazy.
Uh, no.
No, he lost his memory in an automobile accident, but he is alive.
And that's the main thing.
In fact, he's right here in Los Angeles.
How do you know he won't get his memory back? Oh, well, there's always that chance.
Especially if he should run into a good psychiatrist.
But, uh for $10,000, I can practically guarantee that won't happen.
Otherwise? ( blows ) Otherwise, I take Mr.
Harvey by the hand and return him to the bosom of his family.
Then you go right ahead.
It's all right with me.
Well, just in case you think I'm bluffing maybe this lighter will change your mind.
Now, you think it over, sugar.
I'm staying at the Esquire Motel in the Valley, and, uh I'll expect you about ( door closes ) ( door opens ) That dirty little liar.
She'll cut herself into this deal over my dead body.
Frank Harvey's dead.
Then where did she get this? MARGO: Doesn't mean a thing.
Anyone can get a cigarette lighter and have it engraved.
John Bass was Frank Harvey's best friend.
He died Very few people know that.
Youdo.
Not everyone has my contacts.
I got it from Helen.
( dramatic theme playing ) Please tell Mr.
Chandler I'm not in.
STACEY: Why don't you tell him yourself? No, that's all right, Doris.
I'm sorry to force myself on you like this, but I had no choice.
Something has come up.
Yes.
It has.
I suppose it was all a mistake.
No.
Well, you should be very proud of yourself.
But then I wasn't much of a test of your ability.
I was too easy.
I told you you were gonna hear stories.
You know, Aunt Florence was right.
It was good psychology to prepare me.
I wasn't ready for anything like this.
Oh, Stacey, you ought to go on the stage.
When you told me you cared, I really believed it.
It was very convincing.
Well, you've got to believe me, Helen.
It may have started out like the others-- But I was different.
Yes.
I never intended to fall in love with you.
Oh, that's very funny.
Do you know where this came from? Isent it.
That's right.
I didn't plan to see you again.
I thought you were entitled to know the reason.
But I never got up nerve to tell you face to face.
You weren't going to see me again? No.
Well, then, what are you doing here? You once told me your Uncle Frank was the only one you really cared for.
Well, what has that got to do with-- ( dramatic theme playing ) ( knock on door ) ( knock ) You're a little early.
Miss Wallace? Yes, that's right.
I'm Helen Harvey.
Just a minute, sugar.
Where's my uncle? Do you mind if we run through this again? Where did you get this? Well This is very pretty.
Where did you get it? Well, you just gave it to me.
Miss Wallace, may I tell you a story? When I was 10, my parents died within a month of each other.
Frank Harvey was my uncle.
He took me in.
He made me feel as though I were his own child.
Well, you've got enough material there to start a soap opera.
Where do you think you're going? Who's in there? That's none of your business.
( knob clatters to floor ) Oh, now, you get out of here before I lose my temper! Go on! Where's my uncle?! He's in the madhouse if he's anything like you.
Now, get out of here before I call the cops.
Go on! ( door slams ) Let me in! Let me in! MAN: Hey! Cut that out! What do you think you're doing? She's got my uncle hidden in there.
Your what? I tell you, My uncle is in there.
Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Wallace.
But this young lady says-- Yes, I know.
Look, honey, why don't you run along with him? He's a very nice man.
And maybe your uncle is hiding in his office.
Yeah, you'd better come along with me, young lady.
Let me go.
I'll let you go this time, but you make any more trouble, I'll call the cops.
( engine starts ) ( car drives off ) Thank you for your help.
You, uh, ain't afraid she might come back, are you? Well, if she does, I know I can count on you.
Good night.
( sighs ) ( blows ) It's okay now.
I didn't figure on that.
Stacey must have told her.
He's a lot smarter than I thought.
Still, he may have overplayed his hand.
( mysterious theme playing ) ( hopeful theme playing ) HELEN: I received that from him about six months after my uncle disappeared.
After? It was mailed from St.
Petersburg, Florida.
Oh, Mr.
Mason, what am I going to do? I know I made a mistake in going to see Miss Wallace alone.
That was your second mistake.
Your first was not calling the police.
Did you tell your aunt that you went to see Miss Wallace last night? No, she would have stopped me.
She doesn't care if Uncle Frank is dead or alive.
She's never forgiven him for running away with Vivian West.
This Miss West was your uncle's secretary? Only, it'sMrs.
West.
I take it then there's aMr.
West somewhere? Yes, his name is Harry C.
West.
He lives right here in Los Angeles, out in the Valley.
Mm-hm.
Your uncle told you he was remembering you in his will? He said Aunt Florence and I would share everything between us.
Would you happen to know who is the executor of the will? I think it's my aunt.
I know she's taking care of everything now.
But she never had the will probated? All right, then.
We'll file a petition asking the court to determine that your uncle is legally dead.
That will also pave the way for having the will admitted to probate.
Well, what good will that do? Well, that should force Miss Wallace's hand.
She told Chandler she'd produce your uncle if he didn't pay off.
Let's call her bluff.
Well-- Well what? You do want to find your uncle? Of course.
I'll call you the moment I have something.
Well, I-- I would appreciate that.
Goodbye, Miss Street.
Goodbye.
( door opens ) ( door closes ) Get hold of Paul.
Tell him I'll meet him downstairs in five minutes.
( dramatic theme playing ) ( sedate theme playing ) ( dramatic theme playing ) ( buzzer rings ) Mr.
West? That's right.
My name is Mason.
This is Paul Drake.
If you would like to see my identification.
Well, what's the trouble? No trouble.
We'd just like to talk to you.
All right.
Come on in.
( door closes ) Make yourselves comfortable.
Guess I'm asking the impossible.
We think we, uh, may have a lead on your wife.
Aren't you interested? No.
First of all, she isn't my wife anymore.
Got a divorce four years ago on grounds of desertion.
Nevertheless, we'd still like to find her.
When was the last time you heard from Mrs.
West? Don't you read your own files? I answered all those questions years ago.
"When was the last time you saw your wife? "How was she dressed? Did she take any luggage with her? Did she leave a note?" Did she? No.
What was she gonna write? "Dear Harry, I found myself a better meal ticket.
" She just picked up and took off with that Mr.
Harvey.
I know what you're thinking.
Well, this place didn't always look like this.
You see those drapes? They're custom-made.
I ate hot dogs and beans for lunch for a year so she could have 'em.
Anything she wanted, I got her.
I even bought a couple of acres out in Encino to build her a house out there.
One of those big, ranch-type deals.
( buzzer rings ) Excuse me.
Uh-oh.
Mr.
West? That's right.
My name is Tragg.
Lieutenant Tragg.
This is Sergeant Brice.
What is this, a convention? I got another two inside.
TRAGG: Oh, really? I'd like to meet them.
Well Hello, lieutenant.
You know the, uh, penalty for impersonating an officer? Why, we didn't claim we were officers.
Drake just showed him his identification.
And if Mr.
West jumped to an erroneous conclusion that wasn't your fault.
You mean they're not policemen? No.
You've got your nerve.
What do you want here? That's what I'd like to find out.
Only I'm sure I wouldn't get a straight answer.
Let me have that, sergeant.
Where did you get that? Well, according to Klein Jewelers, you bought it Sure.
I bought it for my wife on our first anniversary.
That's her picture.
Mine used to be on the other side.
We found it in bungalow 9 at the Esquire Motel.
A girl named, uh, Irene Wallace was strangled to death with it.
Um Did you ever, uh, see this before? No.
MASON: May I? According to the man who runs the motel, Miss Wallace had a run-in with some girl last night.
She was about, uh, weighed about You, uh know anybody who meets that description? I know about20.
Hm.
We're only looking for one.
We think this belongs to her.
( tense theme playing ) We've got a hunch she's the killer.
( mysterious theme playing ) PAUL: And Irene Wallace worked for the Brownell Agency in Dallas.
All right, Just a minute, Paul.
I just spoke to Mrs.
Harvey.
She still hasn't heard from Helen.
Did you check Chandler's hotel room again? Mm-hm.
No answer.
All right, Paul.
That's about all there is on Irene Wallace.
Except that Faulkner worked with her once on a divorce case.
Said he wouldn't trust her as far as he could throw a horse.
Uh, where did she get Frank Harvey's cigarette lighter? And that locket? Once we find that out, that's half the battle.
( phone rings ) Yes, Gertie? Put her on.
Our wandering girl.
Hello, Miss Harvey? Where are you? Las Vegas.
Stacey and I got married That's right.
Haven't you heard about Irene Wallace? No.
Oh, that's impossible.
She was perfectly all right last night.
Now, listen to me, Helen.
And listen carefully.
I want you and Mr.
Chandler to take the first plane back to Los Angeles.
As soon as you arrive, you're to go to the Coastal Airlines reservation counter.
A man named Paul Drake will be waiting for you.
You're to do exactly as he tells you.
Understand? MAN: Okay, let's go.
MAN 2: All right.
Let her roll.
( inaudible speech ) ( men chatter ) MAN 2: Number five's the bullet.
All right.
Number four.
All right, number five's the point.
Get your bets down.
Number three.
What's wrong? Irene Wallace was murdered last night.
( dramatic theme playing ) Yep.
I'd know that girl anywhere.
Like I told Mr.
Burger the minute I saw her beating on that door, I should have called the cops.
What sort of a woman was this Irene Wallace? Oh-ho.
Nice as they come.
She was here for two weeks, and never gave me a bit of trouble.
( door opens ) Oh.
Yes, sir, come right in.
Uh-- Have you anything with a kitchen? Uh, you bet.
Now, let me see.
Oh, uh, good evening.
Oh, excuse me, Mr.
Daniels.
Would you happen to have a match? Oh, sure.
Keep the book.
Thank you.
Any idea how long you folks will be staying? I don't know yet.
I-- It all depends.
Well, I'm sure that you and the Mrs.
will like it here.
Uh, if you'll follow me-- Well, I'll find it.
I'm the explorer type.
Good night.
Uh, it's the third bungalow down on this side.
Anything else I can tell you? No, I don't think so.
Uh, thanks a lot, Mr.
Daniels.
You've been more help than you know.
( dramatic theme playing ) If I've seen this cameo once, I've seen it nine million times.
Hm.
Stacey always said it belonged to his mother.
Personally, I think he found it in some hock shop.
Yes, but what was the name of the woman he gave it to, Miss Lawrence.
Aren't we forgetting something, Mr.
Burger? I came here of my own free will.
Your worried about immunity, huh? That's exactly what I'm worried about.
All right.
I'll promise to give you the very best break I can.
Ha.
And I don't mean one like this.
What's the woman's name? Her name is ( sighs ) Helen Harvey.
She meets the description in there to a tee.
Thank you, Miss Lawrence.
We'll be in touch with you.
Nice meeting you, lieutenant.
( door closes ) Well, what do you think? Hm.
Classic case of the woman scorned.
Yeah, but you can't get away from the facts.
If Helen Harvey is the girl that had the fight with Irene Wallace the night of the murder, we've gone a long way toward establishing motive.
Leon will you step in here a minute, please? ( phone rings ) Uh-- Hold on, Paul.
Margo Lawrence went into Burger this morning and sang like a bird.
And they've issued a warrant for Helen Harvey.
Paul? Perry.
I want you to call Helen at the motel immediately.
Tell her she's to check out and surrender to the police.
She's not to answer any questions until I get there.
And one more thing.
I want everyone connected with this case under surveillance.
Right.
( hangs up phone ) ( dramatic theme playing ) Little idiot! Why did she go to the police? That wasmysuggestion, Mrs.
Harvey.
It was ridiculous.
Irene Wallace had a cigarette lighter that belonged to your husband.
Where did she get it? Why ask me? I think you supplied it.
Get out.
You don't like Stacey Chandler.
No, I don't.
What better way to discredit him than to send Irene Wallace to see him? If he accepted her proposition, that would have proved you were right.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Irene Wallace's murder is tied up with your husband's disappearance.
Now, what can you tell me about it? All right, Mrs.
Harvey.
From now on, it's up to you.
( door opens ) ( door closes ) ( dramatic theme playing ) Information.
I want the telephone number of Harry C.
West.
He's a carpenter somewhere in the Valley.
Yes.
( indistinct speech ) Thank you.
( phone ringing ) Hello.
Yes, this is Harry West.
Uh, Mr.
West You come very highly recommended.
Would you be interested in doing some carpentry for me? Sure.
When do you want to see me? Well, my husband's only home evenings.
Could you drop by tonight, say, at 9? Okay.
What's the address? ( speaking indistinctly ) "1435 Essex Place, Gardena.
" And the name? Mrs.
Walter Harris.
Now, don't disappoint me.
Well, we'll expect you at 9:00.
It was in this flour canister.
How do you explain this, Mr.
West? S-- Someone's trying to frame me.
I told you about that telephone call I got last night.
Oh, when I got to Gardena, there was nothing there but a vacant lot.
Honest.
That's the truth.
Is there anyone who can substantiate that story? No.
You'd better come along with us.
We've got to straighten this out.
All right.
Then I tailed West clear to Gardena.
He got there about He parked in front of a vacant lot.
And he kept looking at a piece of paper he had.
Obviously an address of some sort.
Go on, Faulkner.
Well, that's about it, Mr.
Mason.
After he drove back to his house, the police were already there.
They took him to the DA's office.
Now, do you want Walsh's report? He's the man I had covering, uh, Florence Harvey.
Just the highlights.
Well she left her house at 8:50.
Drove directly out to West's place.
She must have been pretty sure there was no one there.
She walked right in.
Wasn't the door locked? Apparently, Mr.
West feels he's got nothing worth stealing.
Well ( sighs ) it's pretty obvious what happened.
She decoyed West out of the house, and went in and planted that watch and chain.
Do you think that Mrs.
Harvey was trying to help your client? That's the kind of help that will put Helen right in the gas chamber.
All right, Faulkner better tell Tragg the story.
He'll be delighted.
( dramatic theme playing ) Death occurred sometime between 9 pm and 11:30.
The deceased had been struck a blow at the base of the skull, and then garroted or throttled to death with a chain.
Is this the chain, doctor? Yes, sir, it is.
Lieutenant Tragg.
Thank you.
May I, your Honor? Uh, certainly.
Uh, doctor.
Using this plastic figure, I wish you'd demonstrate to the court how the garroting was done.
The chain was on the victim's neck in the usual fashion.
The killer seized the chain like this.
Then with a twist of the hand, the slack was taken up.
And with continued pressure the victim died in a comparatively short time.
Would any unusual strength be required? Not at all.
Particularly if the victim was stunned.
I mentioned she had been struck on the head.
Now, doctor I show you this doorknob.
And I ask you if this could have been the weapon used to inflict such a blow? Yes, sir.
It, uh, could.
Thank you, doctor.
Your witness.
No questions.
Uh, you may step down.
I call Lieutenant Arthur Tragg.
( door opens ) CLERK: Raise you right hand.
Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? TRAGG: I do.
CLERK: State your name.
TRAGG: Arthur Tragg.
CLERK: Be seated, please.
Lieutenant, I show you this doorknob.
I ask you if you've ever seen it before.
Yes, sir, I have.
Whereabouts? I found this at the scene of the crime.
Did you have it subjected to analysis? Yes, we did.
And what were your findings? The examination disclosed particles of skin and hair adhering to this.
It matched those of the deceased.
Did you have the doorknob examined for fingerprints? Yes, sir.
Over here, we found a right index and middle finger belonging to the defendant, Helen Harvey.
And did you find other fingerprints of the defendant elsewhere in the bungalow? Yes, sir.
On the table near the couch.
And on a portable radio.
And on the wall near the light switch.
I see.
Now, lieutenant, I show you this cameo.
And I ask if you've ever seen it before.
Yes, sir.
We discovered this under the sofa in bungalow 9 of the Esquire Motel.
About how far from the body of Irene Wallace? Oh, between, uh five, six feet.
I see.
Thank you, lieutenant.
That'll be all.
Cross-examine, counselor.
( man coughs ) Lieutenant, you testified that you found the defendant's fingerprints on here.
That's correct.
I believe you said you also found them on the table and on the wall near the light switch? And the radio.
I stand corrected.
Were those the only places? Yes, sir.
I notice a curious omission.
What about the doorknob? No, no.
This one led to the bedroom.
I mean, the one on the front door.
Did you find the defendant's fingerprints there? No.
It had been wiped clean.
Then you would have us believe that the defendant left her fingerprints on here, three or four other places in that room, but stopped to wipe them off the front doorknob? Thank you, lieutenant.
That's all.
When was the last time you saw that necklace, Mr.
West? About eight years ago.
Just before your wife ran off with Frank Harvey? I object, your Honor.
Question assumes facts not already in evidence.
Objection sustained.
( sighs ) Let me put it to you this way.
When was the last time you saw yourwife? Well, it was on the morning of January 29th, eight years ago, when she went to work for Frank Harvey.
She was his secretary.
And when Mrs.
West failed to return home, what did you do? Well, first I called Mrs.
Harvey.
And when I learned that her husband hadn't come home either, I called the police.
I see.
Thank you, Mr.
West.
Cross-examine.
Mr.
West you testified that you're a carpenter.
You self-employed? That's right.
Now, would you say your business is a successful one? Well, not exactly.
I just had to borrow from the bank.
And I would assume that you are trying hard topay that back.
Well, naturally.
So that if you received an offer of a job late at night-- oh, let us say, all the way in Gardena --you wouldn't turn it down? HARRY: Well, of course not.
I'd drop everything and go right out there.
Isn't that exactly what happened on the evening of February 8th? Yes, sir.
But the police wouldn't believe it until someone that was following me c-- Corro-- Cor-- Corroborated? Yeah.
Corroborated my story.
Thank you, Mr.
West.
That's all.
DANIELS: When I walked in, I found her right there.
And then I called the police.
Now, Mr.
Daniels on the previous night, you observed an altercation between the deceased and another woman, is that correct? Yes, sir.
Is that other woman in court today? Well, there she is.
BURGER: Let the record show that the witness pointed to the defendant, Helen Harvey.
And now, Mr.
Daniels, would you describe for us please the defendant's behavior at the time of the altercation? Oh, well, she was pounding on Miss Wallace's door and screaming, "Let me in! Let me in!" I told her to cut it out.
What was her response to that? Well, she pointed to Miss Wallace and said, "She's got my uncle hidden in there.
" Huh.
I thought she was crazy.
I see.
Yes.
Thank you, Mr.
Daniels.
Your witness.
Mr.
Daniels, what time did this alleged quarrel between Miss Wallace and the other girl take place? About 9:00.
Then you're positive that Miss Harvey was the other girl? DANIELS: Oh, absolutely.
I'd recognize her anyplace.
Now, Mr.
Daniels, I believe you were served with a subpoena duces tecum? Uh, you mean that piece of paper that asked me to bring those registration cards for January and February? That's right.
Thank you.
Do you recognize this? Yes.
It's, uh, one of the registration cards from the Esquire Motel.
Mr.
Burger.
If the court please, I should like this marked for identification.
Defense exhibit 1.
Mr.
Burger? No objection, Your Honor.
Thank you.
Now, Mr.
Daniels will you please read the name registered here? "Mr.
and Mrs.
Stacey Chandler.
" Was Mrs.
Chandler in the office when her husband registered? Yeah.
Did you recognize her then as Helen Harvey? Don't know what you mean.
You testified you'd recognize Helen Harvey anywhere.
I ask you now if you recognized her when she checked into your motel as Mrs.
Stacey Chandler.
No.
If it please the court Mr.
Mason, may I see that card again for a moment, please? Your Honor, it's perfectly obvious that Mr.
Mason has been up to one of his usual tricks.
He knew we were looking for the defendant-- If it please the court I should like to remind Mr.
Burger that no felony warrant was issued for the arrest of Helen Harvey until almost 12 hours after she and Mr.
Chandler registered at the Esquire Motel.
As soon as the warrant was issued I advised her to surrender to the police.
( sighs ) It would seem to me, Mr.
Burger, that counsel was within his rights.
Yes, Your Honor, I'm sure he was.
And I'm aware, under the circumstances, that the identification of this witness is practically valueless.
But if Mr.
Mason has concluded his examination-- I have, Your Honor.
JUDGE: Uh, you may step down.
I call Robert Riley.
( clears throat ) And I've been a traveling salesman for the Watkins Dress Company for the past five years.
Would you describe for us, please, your actions on the evening of February 8th? That's the night of the murder.
Well, I drove down from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
I wanted to go straight through to San Diego, but I got a little tired.
So I decided to spend the night here.
And where did you stay? At the Esquire Motel.
BURGER: Do you remember what time you registered, Mr.
Riley? RILEY: Oh.
It must have been around 10:30.
You're quite sure of that? 10:30? Yes, sir.
And to what bungalow were you assigned? Bungalow 10.
All right, sir.
And what happened next? Well, I drove over to the bungalow.
And as I was taking my sample cases out of the car, I saw this gal come out of the next cabin.
That would be bungalow 9.
The one where the murder occurred? Yes, sir.
Did you get a good look at this girl? Could you describe her to us? Why, I'm sure I could.
I-- She ran right through my headlights.
I got a good look at her.
I'll say she was size 12.
What do you mean when you say "size 12"? Well, she was about 5'6" and weighed around Did you happen to notice what she was wearing? Why, certainly.
That's my business.
She was wearing a sheath dress.
It was a dark-gray tweed material with a high neck.
And is that girl in this room today? Well, yes, sir.
She's the defendant in this case.
She's even wearing the same outfit now.
Thank you, Mr.
Riley.
Your witness, counselor.
( sighs ) ( man coughs ) Mr.
Riley when did you first see the defendant? She was on the porch of bungalow 9.
She had just come out.
Did you actually see her come out? Well.
Uh no.
Then, for all you know, she might never have gone in.
She might have just been standing there hoping to hear her uncle's voice? Your Honor, I object.
That question is argumentative and calls for a conclusion.
Sustained.
And I move to strike out the part that the defendant was comingoutof the bungalow as a conclusion of the witness.
The motion is granted.
And that part of the witness' testimony is stricken out.
MASON: Why did you go back to Irene Wallace's bungalow? Well, I discovered I lost the cameo Stacey gave me.
So you went to look for it? Was she alive? I didn't see her.
The coroner said Irene Wallace died between 9 and 11:30.
If you were there at 10:30, you must have seen her.
Now, was she alive or dead? ( voice breaks ): Dead.
That's why you came to my office that following morning.
Well, I did want to find my uncle.
But your real purpose was to use me, because you were afraid you'd be involved in a murder.
( sobbing ): Yes.
Now, leave me alone.
Please, leave me alone.
( sobs ) And then Miss Wallace told Stacey that Frank Harvey was still alive, and that she was keeping him out of sight.
I see.
Then what happened? She gave Stacey the cigarette lighter.
Then she left.
And what did Mr.
Chandler do immediately thereafter? He called the defendant and told her he was coming over to see her.
He said that there was something that he had to show her.
Thank you, Miss Lawrence.
That'll be all.
Your witness.
Miss Lawrence how long have you known Stacey Chandler? Too long.
Mm, that doesn't answer my question.
I met him about seven years ago.
As a matter of fact, you and Mr.
Chandler were partners in a confidence game to bilk Miss Harvey, isn't that so? I told the district attorney all about that.
Did you also tell 'em that when Irene Wallace left Chandler's apartment, you said, "The only way she'll cut herself into this deal is over my dead body"? I don't remember saying that.
But you do remember that Irene Wallace wanted $10,000? Yes.
Thank you.
Would you mind telling us what you did on the night of the murder? I mind very much.
I'm not on trial here.
Just answer the question, please.
I spent the evening at home.
Were you alone? Yes.
If I'd known I was going to need an alibi, I would have arranged to have company.
( all laugh ) ( gavel bangs ) NowI believe you testified that you went to the district attorney's office immediately after seeing the picture of the cameo and Miss Harvey's description in the newspapers? Mm-hm.
That's right.
Did you go to the district attorney's office voluntarily? ( scoffs ) I did.
Isn't it true that such cooperation with the authorities is a departure for you? I don't know what you mean.
Well, did you offer to cooperate with the authorities the last three times you went to jail? BURGER: Your Honor! ( gasps ) I'll withdraw the question.
.
Thank you, Miss Lawrence.
That's all.
I know I shouldn't have done it.
But I was only trying to help Helen.
So you actually planted your husband's watch in Mr.
West's house? I'm sorry.
It was wrong.
But you shouldn't make Helen pay for it.
You're very fond of the defendant, aren't you, Mrs.
Harvey? Yes, I am.
When her parents died, my husband and I adopted her.
And then when he disappeared she continued to live with me.
I understand.
Now, Mrs.
Harvey have you ever seen this cameo before? ( quietly ): Yes.
My niece was wearing it on the day of the murder.
She told me Stacey Chandler had given it to her.
Thank you, Mrs.
Harvey.
That will be all.
Your witness, counselor.
Uhmay I, Mr.
Burger? Of course.
Thank you, Mr.
Mason.
Uh, you don't approve of Stacey Chandler? No, I don't.
I feel he only wanted to marry Helen because of her money.
You mean you were afraid Mr.
Chandler would have the defendant insist on having your husband's will probated? That's not true.
Under the terms of the will how much would you estimate the defendant's share to be? I don't know exactly.
Would you say a half-a-million dollars is a fair estimate? I guess so.
I believe you testified that you planted this in Mr.
West's home out of a desire to help your niece? Yes.
Where did you get it? FLORENCE: My husband left it behind when he disappeared.
There were a lot of things he didn't take with him.
( snaps closed ) Was there anything else besides the lighter and the watch? There were some studs and a gold money clip.
Then you, uh gave this lighter to Irene Wallace? No.
But you admitted you had the lighter originally.
How did Miss Harvey get it? You did hire Irene Wallace, didn't you? FLORENCE: Yes.
MASON: Did you give Irene Wallace Mrs.
West's locket? Yes.
We hoped that would convince Mr.
Chandler that my husband and Mrs.
West were still somewhere in the neighborhood.
Where did you get the locket? I found it in one of my husband's coats after he disappeared.
It was in a jeweler's envelope.
( unclear dialogue ) Oh.
Was there anything else in the envelope? Just the bill for having it repaired.
You saw Miss Wallace on the night she was murdered? Yes.
What time did you leave her bungalow? About 9:30.
I didn't want to run into Mr.
Stacey Chandler.
And Miss Wallace felt that he would still show up at 10.
When you left the bungalow, Miss Wallace was still alive? Absolutely.
Then why did you wipe your fingerprints off the front doorknob? I didn't! E-excuse me, counselor.
Uh, do you anticipate your examination will continue much longer? Why, yes, I do, Your Honor.
Well, an important pre-trial conference had been scheduled for this time in chambers.
Therefore, it will be necessary to adjourn until tomorrow morning at 10:00.
( people murmuring ) If anyone should ask, I don't trust Florence Harvey.
I don't think she was trying to help Helen at all.
Do you believe that story about her finding Mrs.
West's locket in one of Mr.
Harvey's old coats? I don't know what to believe anymore, Della.
Somewhere, we missed a turn.
Oh, I wish we could find Frank Harvey.
He certainly must have heard about the trial.
It's been in all the papers.
No matter where he is.
I don't see why he doesn't come forward.
Maybe he can't read.
I don't know why everyone is so concerned over Frank Harvey.
What about Vivian West? What about her? She's the forgotten woman in this case.
You know, I think I have an angle.
Get me the telephone number to the Valley Land Company.
Hm? ( intense theme playing ) According to the title search, this is it.
All right.
Let's get them started.
All right, fellas, get the tools out.
( digging ) What's the trouble, Paul? It's getting late.
Well, let's keep the work going.
All right.
HARRY: What do you think you're doing? I asked you something.
What do you think you're doing? Why, we're looking for uranium, Mr.
West.
Are you crazy? You bought this land nine years ago from the Valley Land Company.
But they reserved oil and mineral rights.
I took an option on them.
So they told me.
I asked them to.
All right, Paul, let's try over there.
That looks like a good spot.
Boysover behind that bush.
Hold it.
Get off my property.
What's the matter, Mr.
West? Afraid we'll find more than uranium? All right.
I warned you.
( gunshot ) you can go back to work now.
Okay, Paul.
Would you like a cigarette? We might be here a long time.
( indistinct speech over radio ) Apparently, we're late.
Apparently.
Radio headquarters.
Have them send out a crew and some tools.
Don't bother.
Why did you kill Irene Wallace? Well she phoned me that night andsaid she had some information for sale about my wife.
I got there about 10:00.
Minute I walked in, she said she knew where my wife and Frank Harvey were.
I told her she was lying.
Then she showed me Harvey's lighter.
I don't have to tell you that gave me quite a turn.
Then she opened that robe she was wearing, and And I saw Vivian's locket.
And you thought she'd actually found your wife? What else was I to think? She had the locket, didn't she? The last time I saw Vivian, she was wearing it.
That's the trouble with a guilty conscience.
Never get used to living with it.
That's when I picked up the doorknob.
Actually, all she wanted was to milk me for a few bucks.
You mean, she knew nothing at all about where your wife and Frank Harvey were? Mr.
West where are they? O-o-over by those trees.
( sobbing ) That's where we were gonna build our house.
Don't you remember, I told you about it? I remember.
( inhales ) ( intense theme playing ) Lieutenant.
Talk about irony.
There was a nice hunk of it in this case.
This is the first one I recall where someone tried to frame the man who was guilty.
Personally, I don't see why you latched onto Mr.
West in the first place.
Well there was a couple of things, Della.
Mm-hm.
Remember when you wondered why Frank Harvey didn't come forward? Mm-hm.
And you wondered why everyone overlooked Mrs.
West.
You said that she was the forgotten woman in the case.
Well, she was.
I maintained all along that Irene Wallace's murder was tied up with Frank Harvey's disappearance.
What I forget was that the same held true for Vivian West.
Suppose she hadn't left voluntarily eight years ago.
Suppose she had been murdered.
Oh.
And Mr.
West was the obvious suspect.
Poor Mr.
West.
Why poor Mr.
West? Because he said he owed money all over.
He also owned two acres in Encino.
You know what they're worth.
Well, he didn't dare sell that.
Mm, hardly.
WellI still say you were lucky that that option bit paid off.
How can you say that, Paul? That was skill.
Now, if Perry had been lucky he would have found uranium.
( noirish jazz theme playing )
It's lovely.
It belonged to my mother.
Oh, Stacey.
Oh, I'm so happy I could-- Oh, I've-- I've never known anyone like you before.
Maybe you were better off, Helen.
One of these days, you'll hear stories.
Well, I won't listen.
That might be a mistake.
I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of.
WOMAN 2: That's good psychology.
I always said you were a smart boy, Stacey.
You remind me of my husband.
He had a way with the ladies too.
Oh, Aunt Florence, please.
I'm sorry you don't approve of me, Mrs.
Harvey.
Whatever gave you that idea? Just because I compared you with my husband? Oh, Uncle Frank was a wonderful man.
I don't think you're exactly an authority on the subject, Helen.
You were only a child when he took off with that trollop.
This just came for you.
I think I'll be running along.
Goodbye, Mrs.
Harvey.
( flatly ): Bye.
( dramatic theme playing ) Oh, why do you talk to him like that? I don't like your Mr.
Chandler.
( door closes ) Or hadn't you noticed? I'm going to marry him.
( chuckles snidely ) Bad news? Uh, no.
( dramatic theme playing ) Surprise.
Someone would think you're not glad to see me.
How did you get in here, Margo? I told the desk clerk I was your sister.
Ha.
Why haven't I heard from you? There was nothing to report.
Don't give me that.
This is Margo Lawrence you're talking to, remember? I've seen you operate.
You don't know Helen.
Oh, now I get it.
You've actually fallen for the girl.
( scoffs ) If that's not one for the book.
Let me tell you something, buster.
You double-cross me, and I'll be in the DA's office so fast, it'll make your head spin.
( knock on door ) Hi.
Are you Stacey Chandler? Well, may I? I'm busy.
Oh, that's too bad.
I wanted to talk to you before I spoke to Helen Harvey.
Maybe you'd better come in.
Well, thank you.
( closes, locks door ) It's not bad.
I'm glad you like it.
I was worried.
( laughs ) You know, I think you and I are gonna get along just real fine, Mr.
Chandler.
Or would you rather I called you Stacey? What do they call you? Irene.
Irene Wallace.
STACEY: What's on your mind? Did you ever hear of a man named Frank Harvey? What do you know about him, except for the fact that he's your girlfriend's uncle, and he skipped off with his secretary about eight years ago? You're doing the talking.
Well, I have an idea that sooner or later, someone is going to go into court and ask that Mr.
Harvey be declared legally dead so that his will can be probated.
What's that supposed to mean to me? A half-a-million bucks.
I hear tell that's what he left your girlfriend.
And I understand she's crazy about you.
But there's only one fly in the ointment.
Frank Harvey is alive.
You're crazy.
Uh, no.
No, he lost his memory in an automobile accident, but he is alive.
And that's the main thing.
In fact, he's right here in Los Angeles.
How do you know he won't get his memory back? Oh, well, there's always that chance.
Especially if he should run into a good psychiatrist.
But, uh for $10,000, I can practically guarantee that won't happen.
Otherwise? ( blows ) Otherwise, I take Mr.
Harvey by the hand and return him to the bosom of his family.
Then you go right ahead.
It's all right with me.
Well, just in case you think I'm bluffing maybe this lighter will change your mind.
Now, you think it over, sugar.
I'm staying at the Esquire Motel in the Valley, and, uh I'll expect you about ( door closes ) ( door opens ) That dirty little liar.
She'll cut herself into this deal over my dead body.
Frank Harvey's dead.
Then where did she get this? MARGO: Doesn't mean a thing.
Anyone can get a cigarette lighter and have it engraved.
John Bass was Frank Harvey's best friend.
He died Very few people know that.
Youdo.
Not everyone has my contacts.
I got it from Helen.
( dramatic theme playing ) Please tell Mr.
Chandler I'm not in.
STACEY: Why don't you tell him yourself? No, that's all right, Doris.
I'm sorry to force myself on you like this, but I had no choice.
Something has come up.
Yes.
It has.
I suppose it was all a mistake.
No.
Well, you should be very proud of yourself.
But then I wasn't much of a test of your ability.
I was too easy.
I told you you were gonna hear stories.
You know, Aunt Florence was right.
It was good psychology to prepare me.
I wasn't ready for anything like this.
Oh, Stacey, you ought to go on the stage.
When you told me you cared, I really believed it.
It was very convincing.
Well, you've got to believe me, Helen.
It may have started out like the others-- But I was different.
Yes.
I never intended to fall in love with you.
Oh, that's very funny.
Do you know where this came from? Isent it.
That's right.
I didn't plan to see you again.
I thought you were entitled to know the reason.
But I never got up nerve to tell you face to face.
You weren't going to see me again? No.
Well, then, what are you doing here? You once told me your Uncle Frank was the only one you really cared for.
Well, what has that got to do with-- ( dramatic theme playing ) ( knock on door ) ( knock ) You're a little early.
Miss Wallace? Yes, that's right.
I'm Helen Harvey.
Just a minute, sugar.
Where's my uncle? Do you mind if we run through this again? Where did you get this? Well This is very pretty.
Where did you get it? Well, you just gave it to me.
Miss Wallace, may I tell you a story? When I was 10, my parents died within a month of each other.
Frank Harvey was my uncle.
He took me in.
He made me feel as though I were his own child.
Well, you've got enough material there to start a soap opera.
Where do you think you're going? Who's in there? That's none of your business.
( knob clatters to floor ) Oh, now, you get out of here before I lose my temper! Go on! Where's my uncle?! He's in the madhouse if he's anything like you.
Now, get out of here before I call the cops.
Go on! ( door slams ) Let me in! Let me in! MAN: Hey! Cut that out! What do you think you're doing? She's got my uncle hidden in there.
Your what? I tell you, My uncle is in there.
Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Wallace.
But this young lady says-- Yes, I know.
Look, honey, why don't you run along with him? He's a very nice man.
And maybe your uncle is hiding in his office.
Yeah, you'd better come along with me, young lady.
Let me go.
I'll let you go this time, but you make any more trouble, I'll call the cops.
( engine starts ) ( car drives off ) Thank you for your help.
You, uh, ain't afraid she might come back, are you? Well, if she does, I know I can count on you.
Good night.
( sighs ) ( blows ) It's okay now.
I didn't figure on that.
Stacey must have told her.
He's a lot smarter than I thought.
Still, he may have overplayed his hand.
( mysterious theme playing ) ( hopeful theme playing ) HELEN: I received that from him about six months after my uncle disappeared.
After? It was mailed from St.
Petersburg, Florida.
Oh, Mr.
Mason, what am I going to do? I know I made a mistake in going to see Miss Wallace alone.
That was your second mistake.
Your first was not calling the police.
Did you tell your aunt that you went to see Miss Wallace last night? No, she would have stopped me.
She doesn't care if Uncle Frank is dead or alive.
She's never forgiven him for running away with Vivian West.
This Miss West was your uncle's secretary? Only, it'sMrs.
West.
I take it then there's aMr.
West somewhere? Yes, his name is Harry C.
West.
He lives right here in Los Angeles, out in the Valley.
Mm-hm.
Your uncle told you he was remembering you in his will? He said Aunt Florence and I would share everything between us.
Would you happen to know who is the executor of the will? I think it's my aunt.
I know she's taking care of everything now.
But she never had the will probated? All right, then.
We'll file a petition asking the court to determine that your uncle is legally dead.
That will also pave the way for having the will admitted to probate.
Well, what good will that do? Well, that should force Miss Wallace's hand.
She told Chandler she'd produce your uncle if he didn't pay off.
Let's call her bluff.
Well-- Well what? You do want to find your uncle? Of course.
I'll call you the moment I have something.
Well, I-- I would appreciate that.
Goodbye, Miss Street.
Goodbye.
( door opens ) ( door closes ) Get hold of Paul.
Tell him I'll meet him downstairs in five minutes.
( dramatic theme playing ) ( sedate theme playing ) ( dramatic theme playing ) ( buzzer rings ) Mr.
West? That's right.
My name is Mason.
This is Paul Drake.
If you would like to see my identification.
Well, what's the trouble? No trouble.
We'd just like to talk to you.
All right.
Come on in.
( door closes ) Make yourselves comfortable.
Guess I'm asking the impossible.
We think we, uh, may have a lead on your wife.
Aren't you interested? No.
First of all, she isn't my wife anymore.
Got a divorce four years ago on grounds of desertion.
Nevertheless, we'd still like to find her.
When was the last time you heard from Mrs.
West? Don't you read your own files? I answered all those questions years ago.
"When was the last time you saw your wife? "How was she dressed? Did she take any luggage with her? Did she leave a note?" Did she? No.
What was she gonna write? "Dear Harry, I found myself a better meal ticket.
" She just picked up and took off with that Mr.
Harvey.
I know what you're thinking.
Well, this place didn't always look like this.
You see those drapes? They're custom-made.
I ate hot dogs and beans for lunch for a year so she could have 'em.
Anything she wanted, I got her.
I even bought a couple of acres out in Encino to build her a house out there.
One of those big, ranch-type deals.
( buzzer rings ) Excuse me.
Uh-oh.
Mr.
West? That's right.
My name is Tragg.
Lieutenant Tragg.
This is Sergeant Brice.
What is this, a convention? I got another two inside.
TRAGG: Oh, really? I'd like to meet them.
Well Hello, lieutenant.
You know the, uh, penalty for impersonating an officer? Why, we didn't claim we were officers.
Drake just showed him his identification.
And if Mr.
West jumped to an erroneous conclusion that wasn't your fault.
You mean they're not policemen? No.
You've got your nerve.
What do you want here? That's what I'd like to find out.
Only I'm sure I wouldn't get a straight answer.
Let me have that, sergeant.
Where did you get that? Well, according to Klein Jewelers, you bought it Sure.
I bought it for my wife on our first anniversary.
That's her picture.
Mine used to be on the other side.
We found it in bungalow 9 at the Esquire Motel.
A girl named, uh, Irene Wallace was strangled to death with it.
Um Did you ever, uh, see this before? No.
MASON: May I? According to the man who runs the motel, Miss Wallace had a run-in with some girl last night.
She was about, uh, weighed about You, uh know anybody who meets that description? I know about20.
Hm.
We're only looking for one.
We think this belongs to her.
( tense theme playing ) We've got a hunch she's the killer.
( mysterious theme playing ) PAUL: And Irene Wallace worked for the Brownell Agency in Dallas.
All right, Just a minute, Paul.
I just spoke to Mrs.
Harvey.
She still hasn't heard from Helen.
Did you check Chandler's hotel room again? Mm-hm.
No answer.
All right, Paul.
That's about all there is on Irene Wallace.
Except that Faulkner worked with her once on a divorce case.
Said he wouldn't trust her as far as he could throw a horse.
Uh, where did she get Frank Harvey's cigarette lighter? And that locket? Once we find that out, that's half the battle.
( phone rings ) Yes, Gertie? Put her on.
Our wandering girl.
Hello, Miss Harvey? Where are you? Las Vegas.
Stacey and I got married That's right.
Haven't you heard about Irene Wallace? No.
Oh, that's impossible.
She was perfectly all right last night.
Now, listen to me, Helen.
And listen carefully.
I want you and Mr.
Chandler to take the first plane back to Los Angeles.
As soon as you arrive, you're to go to the Coastal Airlines reservation counter.
A man named Paul Drake will be waiting for you.
You're to do exactly as he tells you.
Understand? MAN: Okay, let's go.
MAN 2: All right.
Let her roll.
( inaudible speech ) ( men chatter ) MAN 2: Number five's the bullet.
All right.
Number four.
All right, number five's the point.
Get your bets down.
Number three.
What's wrong? Irene Wallace was murdered last night.
( dramatic theme playing ) Yep.
I'd know that girl anywhere.
Like I told Mr.
Burger the minute I saw her beating on that door, I should have called the cops.
What sort of a woman was this Irene Wallace? Oh-ho.
Nice as they come.
She was here for two weeks, and never gave me a bit of trouble.
( door opens ) Oh.
Yes, sir, come right in.
Uh-- Have you anything with a kitchen? Uh, you bet.
Now, let me see.
Oh, uh, good evening.
Oh, excuse me, Mr.
Daniels.
Would you happen to have a match? Oh, sure.
Keep the book.
Thank you.
Any idea how long you folks will be staying? I don't know yet.
I-- It all depends.
Well, I'm sure that you and the Mrs.
will like it here.
Uh, if you'll follow me-- Well, I'll find it.
I'm the explorer type.
Good night.
Uh, it's the third bungalow down on this side.
Anything else I can tell you? No, I don't think so.
Uh, thanks a lot, Mr.
Daniels.
You've been more help than you know.
( dramatic theme playing ) If I've seen this cameo once, I've seen it nine million times.
Hm.
Stacey always said it belonged to his mother.
Personally, I think he found it in some hock shop.
Yes, but what was the name of the woman he gave it to, Miss Lawrence.
Aren't we forgetting something, Mr.
Burger? I came here of my own free will.
Your worried about immunity, huh? That's exactly what I'm worried about.
All right.
I'll promise to give you the very best break I can.
Ha.
And I don't mean one like this.
What's the woman's name? Her name is ( sighs ) Helen Harvey.
She meets the description in there to a tee.
Thank you, Miss Lawrence.
We'll be in touch with you.
Nice meeting you, lieutenant.
( door closes ) Well, what do you think? Hm.
Classic case of the woman scorned.
Yeah, but you can't get away from the facts.
If Helen Harvey is the girl that had the fight with Irene Wallace the night of the murder, we've gone a long way toward establishing motive.
Leon will you step in here a minute, please? ( phone rings ) Uh-- Hold on, Paul.
Margo Lawrence went into Burger this morning and sang like a bird.
And they've issued a warrant for Helen Harvey.
Paul? Perry.
I want you to call Helen at the motel immediately.
Tell her she's to check out and surrender to the police.
She's not to answer any questions until I get there.
And one more thing.
I want everyone connected with this case under surveillance.
Right.
( hangs up phone ) ( dramatic theme playing ) Little idiot! Why did she go to the police? That wasmysuggestion, Mrs.
Harvey.
It was ridiculous.
Irene Wallace had a cigarette lighter that belonged to your husband.
Where did she get it? Why ask me? I think you supplied it.
Get out.
You don't like Stacey Chandler.
No, I don't.
What better way to discredit him than to send Irene Wallace to see him? If he accepted her proposition, that would have proved you were right.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Irene Wallace's murder is tied up with your husband's disappearance.
Now, what can you tell me about it? All right, Mrs.
Harvey.
From now on, it's up to you.
( door opens ) ( door closes ) ( dramatic theme playing ) Information.
I want the telephone number of Harry C.
West.
He's a carpenter somewhere in the Valley.
Yes.
( indistinct speech ) Thank you.
( phone ringing ) Hello.
Yes, this is Harry West.
Uh, Mr.
West You come very highly recommended.
Would you be interested in doing some carpentry for me? Sure.
When do you want to see me? Well, my husband's only home evenings.
Could you drop by tonight, say, at 9? Okay.
What's the address? ( speaking indistinctly ) "1435 Essex Place, Gardena.
" And the name? Mrs.
Walter Harris.
Now, don't disappoint me.
Well, we'll expect you at 9:00.
It was in this flour canister.
How do you explain this, Mr.
West? S-- Someone's trying to frame me.
I told you about that telephone call I got last night.
Oh, when I got to Gardena, there was nothing there but a vacant lot.
Honest.
That's the truth.
Is there anyone who can substantiate that story? No.
You'd better come along with us.
We've got to straighten this out.
All right.
Then I tailed West clear to Gardena.
He got there about He parked in front of a vacant lot.
And he kept looking at a piece of paper he had.
Obviously an address of some sort.
Go on, Faulkner.
Well, that's about it, Mr.
Mason.
After he drove back to his house, the police were already there.
They took him to the DA's office.
Now, do you want Walsh's report? He's the man I had covering, uh, Florence Harvey.
Just the highlights.
Well she left her house at 8:50.
Drove directly out to West's place.
She must have been pretty sure there was no one there.
She walked right in.
Wasn't the door locked? Apparently, Mr.
West feels he's got nothing worth stealing.
Well ( sighs ) it's pretty obvious what happened.
She decoyed West out of the house, and went in and planted that watch and chain.
Do you think that Mrs.
Harvey was trying to help your client? That's the kind of help that will put Helen right in the gas chamber.
All right, Faulkner better tell Tragg the story.
He'll be delighted.
( dramatic theme playing ) Death occurred sometime between 9 pm and 11:30.
The deceased had been struck a blow at the base of the skull, and then garroted or throttled to death with a chain.
Is this the chain, doctor? Yes, sir, it is.
Lieutenant Tragg.
Thank you.
May I, your Honor? Uh, certainly.
Uh, doctor.
Using this plastic figure, I wish you'd demonstrate to the court how the garroting was done.
The chain was on the victim's neck in the usual fashion.
The killer seized the chain like this.
Then with a twist of the hand, the slack was taken up.
And with continued pressure the victim died in a comparatively short time.
Would any unusual strength be required? Not at all.
Particularly if the victim was stunned.
I mentioned she had been struck on the head.
Now, doctor I show you this doorknob.
And I ask you if this could have been the weapon used to inflict such a blow? Yes, sir.
It, uh, could.
Thank you, doctor.
Your witness.
No questions.
Uh, you may step down.
I call Lieutenant Arthur Tragg.
( door opens ) CLERK: Raise you right hand.
Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? TRAGG: I do.
CLERK: State your name.
TRAGG: Arthur Tragg.
CLERK: Be seated, please.
Lieutenant, I show you this doorknob.
I ask you if you've ever seen it before.
Yes, sir, I have.
Whereabouts? I found this at the scene of the crime.
Did you have it subjected to analysis? Yes, we did.
And what were your findings? The examination disclosed particles of skin and hair adhering to this.
It matched those of the deceased.
Did you have the doorknob examined for fingerprints? Yes, sir.
Over here, we found a right index and middle finger belonging to the defendant, Helen Harvey.
And did you find other fingerprints of the defendant elsewhere in the bungalow? Yes, sir.
On the table near the couch.
And on a portable radio.
And on the wall near the light switch.
I see.
Now, lieutenant, I show you this cameo.
And I ask if you've ever seen it before.
Yes, sir.
We discovered this under the sofa in bungalow 9 of the Esquire Motel.
About how far from the body of Irene Wallace? Oh, between, uh five, six feet.
I see.
Thank you, lieutenant.
That'll be all.
Cross-examine, counselor.
( man coughs ) Lieutenant, you testified that you found the defendant's fingerprints on here.
That's correct.
I believe you said you also found them on the table and on the wall near the light switch? And the radio.
I stand corrected.
Were those the only places? Yes, sir.
I notice a curious omission.
What about the doorknob? No, no.
This one led to the bedroom.
I mean, the one on the front door.
Did you find the defendant's fingerprints there? No.
It had been wiped clean.
Then you would have us believe that the defendant left her fingerprints on here, three or four other places in that room, but stopped to wipe them off the front doorknob? Thank you, lieutenant.
That's all.
When was the last time you saw that necklace, Mr.
West? About eight years ago.
Just before your wife ran off with Frank Harvey? I object, your Honor.
Question assumes facts not already in evidence.
Objection sustained.
( sighs ) Let me put it to you this way.
When was the last time you saw yourwife? Well, it was on the morning of January 29th, eight years ago, when she went to work for Frank Harvey.
She was his secretary.
And when Mrs.
West failed to return home, what did you do? Well, first I called Mrs.
Harvey.
And when I learned that her husband hadn't come home either, I called the police.
I see.
Thank you, Mr.
West.
Cross-examine.
Mr.
West you testified that you're a carpenter.
You self-employed? That's right.
Now, would you say your business is a successful one? Well, not exactly.
I just had to borrow from the bank.
And I would assume that you are trying hard topay that back.
Well, naturally.
So that if you received an offer of a job late at night-- oh, let us say, all the way in Gardena --you wouldn't turn it down? HARRY: Well, of course not.
I'd drop everything and go right out there.
Isn't that exactly what happened on the evening of February 8th? Yes, sir.
But the police wouldn't believe it until someone that was following me c-- Corro-- Cor-- Corroborated? Yeah.
Corroborated my story.
Thank you, Mr.
West.
That's all.
DANIELS: When I walked in, I found her right there.
And then I called the police.
Now, Mr.
Daniels on the previous night, you observed an altercation between the deceased and another woman, is that correct? Yes, sir.
Is that other woman in court today? Well, there she is.
BURGER: Let the record show that the witness pointed to the defendant, Helen Harvey.
And now, Mr.
Daniels, would you describe for us please the defendant's behavior at the time of the altercation? Oh, well, she was pounding on Miss Wallace's door and screaming, "Let me in! Let me in!" I told her to cut it out.
What was her response to that? Well, she pointed to Miss Wallace and said, "She's got my uncle hidden in there.
" Huh.
I thought she was crazy.
I see.
Yes.
Thank you, Mr.
Daniels.
Your witness.
Mr.
Daniels, what time did this alleged quarrel between Miss Wallace and the other girl take place? About 9:00.
Then you're positive that Miss Harvey was the other girl? DANIELS: Oh, absolutely.
I'd recognize her anyplace.
Now, Mr.
Daniels, I believe you were served with a subpoena duces tecum? Uh, you mean that piece of paper that asked me to bring those registration cards for January and February? That's right.
Thank you.
Do you recognize this? Yes.
It's, uh, one of the registration cards from the Esquire Motel.
Mr.
Burger.
If the court please, I should like this marked for identification.
Defense exhibit 1.
Mr.
Burger? No objection, Your Honor.
Thank you.
Now, Mr.
Daniels will you please read the name registered here? "Mr.
and Mrs.
Stacey Chandler.
" Was Mrs.
Chandler in the office when her husband registered? Yeah.
Did you recognize her then as Helen Harvey? Don't know what you mean.
You testified you'd recognize Helen Harvey anywhere.
I ask you now if you recognized her when she checked into your motel as Mrs.
Stacey Chandler.
No.
If it please the court Mr.
Mason, may I see that card again for a moment, please? Your Honor, it's perfectly obvious that Mr.
Mason has been up to one of his usual tricks.
He knew we were looking for the defendant-- If it please the court I should like to remind Mr.
Burger that no felony warrant was issued for the arrest of Helen Harvey until almost 12 hours after she and Mr.
Chandler registered at the Esquire Motel.
As soon as the warrant was issued I advised her to surrender to the police.
( sighs ) It would seem to me, Mr.
Burger, that counsel was within his rights.
Yes, Your Honor, I'm sure he was.
And I'm aware, under the circumstances, that the identification of this witness is practically valueless.
But if Mr.
Mason has concluded his examination-- I have, Your Honor.
JUDGE: Uh, you may step down.
I call Robert Riley.
( clears throat ) And I've been a traveling salesman for the Watkins Dress Company for the past five years.
Would you describe for us, please, your actions on the evening of February 8th? That's the night of the murder.
Well, I drove down from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
I wanted to go straight through to San Diego, but I got a little tired.
So I decided to spend the night here.
And where did you stay? At the Esquire Motel.
BURGER: Do you remember what time you registered, Mr.
Riley? RILEY: Oh.
It must have been around 10:30.
You're quite sure of that? 10:30? Yes, sir.
And to what bungalow were you assigned? Bungalow 10.
All right, sir.
And what happened next? Well, I drove over to the bungalow.
And as I was taking my sample cases out of the car, I saw this gal come out of the next cabin.
That would be bungalow 9.
The one where the murder occurred? Yes, sir.
Did you get a good look at this girl? Could you describe her to us? Why, I'm sure I could.
I-- She ran right through my headlights.
I got a good look at her.
I'll say she was size 12.
What do you mean when you say "size 12"? Well, she was about 5'6" and weighed around Did you happen to notice what she was wearing? Why, certainly.
That's my business.
She was wearing a sheath dress.
It was a dark-gray tweed material with a high neck.
And is that girl in this room today? Well, yes, sir.
She's the defendant in this case.
She's even wearing the same outfit now.
Thank you, Mr.
Riley.
Your witness, counselor.
( sighs ) ( man coughs ) Mr.
Riley when did you first see the defendant? She was on the porch of bungalow 9.
She had just come out.
Did you actually see her come out? Well.
Uh no.
Then, for all you know, she might never have gone in.
She might have just been standing there hoping to hear her uncle's voice? Your Honor, I object.
That question is argumentative and calls for a conclusion.
Sustained.
And I move to strike out the part that the defendant was comingoutof the bungalow as a conclusion of the witness.
The motion is granted.
And that part of the witness' testimony is stricken out.
MASON: Why did you go back to Irene Wallace's bungalow? Well, I discovered I lost the cameo Stacey gave me.
So you went to look for it? Was she alive? I didn't see her.
The coroner said Irene Wallace died between 9 and 11:30.
If you were there at 10:30, you must have seen her.
Now, was she alive or dead? ( voice breaks ): Dead.
That's why you came to my office that following morning.
Well, I did want to find my uncle.
But your real purpose was to use me, because you were afraid you'd be involved in a murder.
( sobbing ): Yes.
Now, leave me alone.
Please, leave me alone.
( sobs ) And then Miss Wallace told Stacey that Frank Harvey was still alive, and that she was keeping him out of sight.
I see.
Then what happened? She gave Stacey the cigarette lighter.
Then she left.
And what did Mr.
Chandler do immediately thereafter? He called the defendant and told her he was coming over to see her.
He said that there was something that he had to show her.
Thank you, Miss Lawrence.
That'll be all.
Your witness.
Miss Lawrence how long have you known Stacey Chandler? Too long.
Mm, that doesn't answer my question.
I met him about seven years ago.
As a matter of fact, you and Mr.
Chandler were partners in a confidence game to bilk Miss Harvey, isn't that so? I told the district attorney all about that.
Did you also tell 'em that when Irene Wallace left Chandler's apartment, you said, "The only way she'll cut herself into this deal is over my dead body"? I don't remember saying that.
But you do remember that Irene Wallace wanted $10,000? Yes.
Thank you.
Would you mind telling us what you did on the night of the murder? I mind very much.
I'm not on trial here.
Just answer the question, please.
I spent the evening at home.
Were you alone? Yes.
If I'd known I was going to need an alibi, I would have arranged to have company.
( all laugh ) ( gavel bangs ) NowI believe you testified that you went to the district attorney's office immediately after seeing the picture of the cameo and Miss Harvey's description in the newspapers? Mm-hm.
That's right.
Did you go to the district attorney's office voluntarily? ( scoffs ) I did.
Isn't it true that such cooperation with the authorities is a departure for you? I don't know what you mean.
Well, did you offer to cooperate with the authorities the last three times you went to jail? BURGER: Your Honor! ( gasps ) I'll withdraw the question.
.
Thank you, Miss Lawrence.
That's all.
I know I shouldn't have done it.
But I was only trying to help Helen.
So you actually planted your husband's watch in Mr.
West's house? I'm sorry.
It was wrong.
But you shouldn't make Helen pay for it.
You're very fond of the defendant, aren't you, Mrs.
Harvey? Yes, I am.
When her parents died, my husband and I adopted her.
And then when he disappeared she continued to live with me.
I understand.
Now, Mrs.
Harvey have you ever seen this cameo before? ( quietly ): Yes.
My niece was wearing it on the day of the murder.
She told me Stacey Chandler had given it to her.
Thank you, Mrs.
Harvey.
That will be all.
Your witness, counselor.
Uhmay I, Mr.
Burger? Of course.
Thank you, Mr.
Mason.
Uh, you don't approve of Stacey Chandler? No, I don't.
I feel he only wanted to marry Helen because of her money.
You mean you were afraid Mr.
Chandler would have the defendant insist on having your husband's will probated? That's not true.
Under the terms of the will how much would you estimate the defendant's share to be? I don't know exactly.
Would you say a half-a-million dollars is a fair estimate? I guess so.
I believe you testified that you planted this in Mr.
West's home out of a desire to help your niece? Yes.
Where did you get it? FLORENCE: My husband left it behind when he disappeared.
There were a lot of things he didn't take with him.
( snaps closed ) Was there anything else besides the lighter and the watch? There were some studs and a gold money clip.
Then you, uh gave this lighter to Irene Wallace? No.
But you admitted you had the lighter originally.
How did Miss Harvey get it? You did hire Irene Wallace, didn't you? FLORENCE: Yes.
MASON: Did you give Irene Wallace Mrs.
West's locket? Yes.
We hoped that would convince Mr.
Chandler that my husband and Mrs.
West were still somewhere in the neighborhood.
Where did you get the locket? I found it in one of my husband's coats after he disappeared.
It was in a jeweler's envelope.
( unclear dialogue ) Oh.
Was there anything else in the envelope? Just the bill for having it repaired.
You saw Miss Wallace on the night she was murdered? Yes.
What time did you leave her bungalow? About 9:30.
I didn't want to run into Mr.
Stacey Chandler.
And Miss Wallace felt that he would still show up at 10.
When you left the bungalow, Miss Wallace was still alive? Absolutely.
Then why did you wipe your fingerprints off the front doorknob? I didn't! E-excuse me, counselor.
Uh, do you anticipate your examination will continue much longer? Why, yes, I do, Your Honor.
Well, an important pre-trial conference had been scheduled for this time in chambers.
Therefore, it will be necessary to adjourn until tomorrow morning at 10:00.
( people murmuring ) If anyone should ask, I don't trust Florence Harvey.
I don't think she was trying to help Helen at all.
Do you believe that story about her finding Mrs.
West's locket in one of Mr.
Harvey's old coats? I don't know what to believe anymore, Della.
Somewhere, we missed a turn.
Oh, I wish we could find Frank Harvey.
He certainly must have heard about the trial.
It's been in all the papers.
No matter where he is.
I don't see why he doesn't come forward.
Maybe he can't read.
I don't know why everyone is so concerned over Frank Harvey.
What about Vivian West? What about her? She's the forgotten woman in this case.
You know, I think I have an angle.
Get me the telephone number to the Valley Land Company.
Hm? ( intense theme playing ) According to the title search, this is it.
All right.
Let's get them started.
All right, fellas, get the tools out.
( digging ) What's the trouble, Paul? It's getting late.
Well, let's keep the work going.
All right.
HARRY: What do you think you're doing? I asked you something.
What do you think you're doing? Why, we're looking for uranium, Mr.
West.
Are you crazy? You bought this land nine years ago from the Valley Land Company.
But they reserved oil and mineral rights.
I took an option on them.
So they told me.
I asked them to.
All right, Paul, let's try over there.
That looks like a good spot.
Boysover behind that bush.
Hold it.
Get off my property.
What's the matter, Mr.
West? Afraid we'll find more than uranium? All right.
I warned you.
( gunshot ) you can go back to work now.
Okay, Paul.
Would you like a cigarette? We might be here a long time.
( indistinct speech over radio ) Apparently, we're late.
Apparently.
Radio headquarters.
Have them send out a crew and some tools.
Don't bother.
Why did you kill Irene Wallace? Well she phoned me that night andsaid she had some information for sale about my wife.
I got there about 10:00.
Minute I walked in, she said she knew where my wife and Frank Harvey were.
I told her she was lying.
Then she showed me Harvey's lighter.
I don't have to tell you that gave me quite a turn.
Then she opened that robe she was wearing, and And I saw Vivian's locket.
And you thought she'd actually found your wife? What else was I to think? She had the locket, didn't she? The last time I saw Vivian, she was wearing it.
That's the trouble with a guilty conscience.
Never get used to living with it.
That's when I picked up the doorknob.
Actually, all she wanted was to milk me for a few bucks.
You mean, she knew nothing at all about where your wife and Frank Harvey were? Mr.
West where are they? O-o-over by those trees.
( sobbing ) That's where we were gonna build our house.
Don't you remember, I told you about it? I remember.
( inhales ) ( intense theme playing ) Lieutenant.
Talk about irony.
There was a nice hunk of it in this case.
This is the first one I recall where someone tried to frame the man who was guilty.
Personally, I don't see why you latched onto Mr.
West in the first place.
Well there was a couple of things, Della.
Mm-hm.
Remember when you wondered why Frank Harvey didn't come forward? Mm-hm.
And you wondered why everyone overlooked Mrs.
West.
You said that she was the forgotten woman in the case.
Well, she was.
I maintained all along that Irene Wallace's murder was tied up with Frank Harvey's disappearance.
What I forget was that the same held true for Vivian West.
Suppose she hadn't left voluntarily eight years ago.
Suppose she had been murdered.
Oh.
And Mr.
West was the obvious suspect.
Poor Mr.
West.
Why poor Mr.
West? Because he said he owed money all over.
He also owned two acres in Encino.
You know what they're worth.
Well, he didn't dare sell that.
Mm, hardly.
WellI still say you were lucky that that option bit paid off.
How can you say that, Paul? That was skill.
Now, if Perry had been lucky he would have found uranium.
( noirish jazz theme playing )