All language subtitles for Columbo S01E04 Death Lends a Hand 1080p AMZN WEB-DL DD+2 0 H 264-playWEB (1)_track3_[eng]

[gun shots]

-This one is as crooked
as a dog's hind leg.

Fire in the vice
this afternoon.

Are those yesterday's
field reports?

-Yes, sir.

-I want them now.

-Three more units added to
security at coastal aircraft.

No progress on the Fairfax
insurance investigation.

We're working with their
accountants on the audit.

Uh, Brooks and Wilcox are in
court this morning on the

Manzio divorce.

Brooks anticipates no problem.

James case looking
very positive.

No negative signs in sight.

All men on surveillance have
checked in except Russell.

But he's in Santa Barbara.

And at the moment,
he's undercover.

-Let me have the afternoon
report at 5:30.

-Yes, sir.

-I assume our guest
has arrived.

-Yes, sir.

But Mr. Kennicut
isn't here yet.

-Well, he's not due for
another 30 seconds.

-Well, he's not due for
another 30 seconds.

He's just coming in now.

I want you to listen very
carefully, please.

-My name is Arthur Kennicut.

Mr. Brimmer's expecting me.

-Oh.

Yes, sir.

Would you go right in, please?

-Thank you.

-Oh, Mr. Kennicut.

You're right on time.

Won't you sit down?

-Thank you.

-Would you care for something
to drink?

-Oh, some coffee, black.

-I was just reading one
of your papers.

I see you've taken a stand on
this federal judgeship that's

giving everybody fits.

-I'd rather not talk politics
right now, Mr. Brimmer, if you

don't mind.

-Yes, of course.

Thank you, Henry.

Well, this is your wife's
file, Mr. Kennicut.

And the fact sheet shows five
weeks now of intensive

surveillance--

all movement, personal
contact, telephone

communications.

It's really quite extensive.

-And?

-Mr. Kennicut, you have nothing
to worry about.

It's a clean bill of health.

-You sure?

-Well, I'm not in the habit
of making mistakes.

-Yes, I'm sorry.

Of course.

But lately it's been like
waiting for a biopsy report--

benign or malignant.

-Well, in this case benign.

-I don't know which I feel
most, relief or anger.

-Anger?

-At myself, my idiotic
suspicions.

But I suppose when one marries
a much younger woman, one

tends to become a
little paranoid.

-Well, sometimes there's
good cause.

In this case, not.

Read it at your leisure.

There's not a hint
of another man.

-You know, it's funny.

I love her.

I love her very much.

And I think I know her.

But lately I could
have sworn that--

well, it doesn't matter now.

I feel so guilty,
I'm gonna start

showering her with gifts.

She won't know what hit her.

Mr. Brimmer, I owe
you a great deal.

-Well, it's a pleasure to set
your mind at rest, sir.

-Thank you.

And you'll have my check
in the morning.

-That's very kind of you.

ARTHUR [OFFSCREEN]:
Thank you again.

-Thank you.

Could you hear everything?

LENORE [OFFSCREEN]: Yes.

-Well, you seem confused.

-Well, I don't know why you
asked me to come here.

-I thought it was obvious.

-No, not really.

You--

-What you're trying to say is
that I lied to your husband.

Well, that's correct,
Mrs. Kennicut.

I even went so far as to
falsify the report.

Would you like a
glass of water?

-No.

Uh, nothing, thank you.

-In point of fact, you were
having an affair.

The man's name was Archer.

-It's over, Mr. Brimmer.

But I'm sure you already
know that.

It was a mistake, a
stupid mistake.

But I ended it, and it won't
ever happen again.

Why didn't you tell my
husband the truth?

-Oddly enough, Mrs. Kennicut,
I am a moralist--

a vanishing specie,
so I'm told.

1,000 broken marriages
come across my desk.

Infidelity is a domestic
deceit.

In your case, 10 years of
marriage and one brief

indiscretion.

So why not bend the truth
a little bit?

-Then you're not going
to tell him?

-I haven't, and I won't.

File's closed.

-Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Brimmer.

I'm so grateful.

-How grateful?

Mrs. Kennicut, a detective
agency runs on information.

That's our raw material.

Your husband owns three
newspapers, two on this coast

and one on the east.

Whenever anything happens on
the inside of business or

politics, or even
in the jet set--

-I still don't understand
how I--

-Information, Mrs. Kennicut, it
is our only stock-in-trade.

For example, at the moment I'm
working on a case, wherein it

would be very beneficial to
my client to have certain

information about a federal
judge that your husband is

supporting.

-Are you saying that
you want me to be a

pipeline to my husband?

-No, just a good listener.

Is it really asking so
much, Mrs. Kennicut?

I can't do this kind
of work alone.

I need that kind of help.

Why don't you think about it?

Then we'll talk again.

-Your terrace door was unlocked,
so I trespassed.

-There's no car in the front.

-Oh, I thought you knew
everything, Mr. Brimmer.

We're neighbors.

My husband and I have a weekend
house about three

miles from here.

Ironic, isn't it?

-Why are you here?

-Oh, why else?

To discuss your--

what shall we call it?

Your proposition.

I've been walking on the beach
for hours, thinking.

-And you've come
to a decision.

-Oh, yes.

Tell me something,
Mr. Brimmer.

How many other rich men's
wives owe you favors?

Do they all capitulate easily?

-I'm waiting for your answer.

-Indulge me.

I should think the blackmailee
has some right.

-Mrs. Kennicut, I--

-The answer is no.

No deal.

Is that plain enough for you?

If you want to spy, you
find someone else.

-All right.

I'll have to call your husband
in the morning and--

-And what?

Tell him I had an affair.

Sorry, it won't work.

I'm going to tell him myself.

-I can't believe that you'd
want to do that.

-Well, what you believe really
doesn't matter, does it?

It's what Arthur thinks
that's important.

Maybe he'll ask for a divorce,
or maybe he'll forgive me.

But it's time I was
honest with him.

-You're being very foolish.

-Only if I lose.

But you can't threaten
me anymore, can you?

You just lost your leverage.

Oh, and one other thing.

I'm also going to tell
him about the way

you run your business.

-Wouldn't advise that.

-I'm sure you wouldn't, because
whether he forgives me

or not, he's gonna despise
you for lying to him.

And Arthur's not the right
man to have for an enemy.

Goodnight, Mr. Brimmer.

-Mrs. Kennicut, I want
you to reconsider.

Your husband has some very
powerful friends.

-[chuckles]

That's right.

Now, if you'll please
excuse me.

-I cannot permit
you to do that.

-Oh, you don't understand.

It's not your choice.

You let go of me.

Let go!

[breaking glass]

-What's the trouble, officer?

-May I see your license
and registration?

-Turn signal, right?

-The right one.

-You know, it's the second
time I got stopped today.

I'll tell ya, I'll, uh, I'll get
those things fixed as soon

as I can.

-You'll give them fixed now.

-I would, but I'm on
my way to a 187 PC.

-Say, are you a cop?

-Uh, yeah.

Uh, Lieutenant Columbo.

-Well, I'm sorry, Lieutenant,
that I flagged you down.

-Oh, that's all right.

You're just doing your job.

Listen, I'll get those
things fixed.

-This license expires
next week.

-Oh.

Oh, well, thanks.

-Say, I'd better give
you an escort.

That way, you'll get where
you want to go.

-Oh, OK.

Appreciate that.

Well, listen, not too fast.

FEMALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]:
[WALKIE TALKIE] 13T62, Roger,

William 6-12.

13T62, Roger, William 6-12.

-Can't tell for sure,
but I don't think

she was killed here.

Looks like the body was moved.

MALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]:
And the cause of death?

MALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]:
Probably a severe concussion.

-Print team all wrapped
up, Captain.

Nothing.

MALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]:
There were two blows.

-Yeah, send them on home.

-Laceration on the cheek, and
major contusion at the base of

the skull.

-Well, how do you read that?

-It's hard to say.

Maybe somebody hit her and she
struck her head going down.

-Lieutenant, you got that?

MALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]: I'll
know more about this after the

autopsy, plus the approximate
time of death.

-Uh, yeah.

Got a match?

-No.

MALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]: No
tire tracks we can use,

Captain?

-Got a match?

-I'm sorry, I don't smoke.

-Looks like they've been
here for weeks.

-No.

-No prints, just smudges.

-Money?

-Just change, no currency.

-You got a match?

-No.

No, sorry.

-Got a match?

-Yeah, sure.

MALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]: Uh,
we're all finished here.

You can load it up.

-Identification in the purse.

Mrs. Arthur Kennicut,
the Arthur Kennicut.

-How do you know that?

-Credit card's made out to
Kennicut Publications.

-What's the problem?

-Newspapers.

If we don't handle this
according to Kennicut's

satisfaction, he's got an awful
lot of front pages to

beat us over the head with.

Thought I told you to move
that outta here.

Lieutenant, what are
you looking at?

-Uh, the bruise, sir.

Uh, the lady has a bruise
on the left cheek.

-We know that.

I knew you weren't listening.

-It's Lenore.

I wanna get out of here.

Oh, thank you, Lieutenant.

-Would you like to be alone
for a few moments?

-No.

I can feel sorry for myself some
other time, after you've

caught him.

Well, should we get
down to business?

-Are you sure there's nothing
else you want?

-As the husband, I'm the most
likely suspect, correct?

-Uh--

-You don't have to worry about
my feelings, Lieutenant.

She was killed last night.

What time?

-Between 8:00 and 9:00.

-Well, I was in San Francisco
addressing a conference.

I didn't fly back until
this morning.

-Uh, you have the flight
numbers on that?

-My secretary can give them to
you, together with my hotel

and my schedule.

You check them all
out, naturally.

-Yes, sir.

-And when you do, you'll dismiss
me as a possibility.

Then you can get down to the
real business of finding the

real killer.

And I want him found,
Lieutenant, soon.

-I'll do my best.

-I'm sure you will.

-Uh, Mr. Kennicut, it
would help if you'd

tell us a few things.

Did your wife have
any enemies?

-Lenore never offended a soul.

She was an extraordinary
woman.

-I see.

This question is a bit awkward,
but, uh, I'm afraid

I'm gonna have to ask it.

Was there ever, uh, another
man in her life?

-Naturally, more than one.

But that was years ago, before
we were married.

-I know, sir.

I mean since you were married.

-You're speaking of an affair?

-Well, I'm afraid we're gonna
have to consider it.

-Well, don't bother.

Lenore was faithful to
me in every way.

She had a clean bill
of health.

-All right.

Clean bill of health.

So you don't think we oughtta
go in that direction.

-No, I don't.

-All right.

Can you tell us about
her habits?

What did she do in
her spare time?

-Nothing unusual.

Shopping, charity work, sports.

-Sports.

What kind of sports
did she play?

-Oh, tennis.

She was also very fond
of skin diving.

-Yes.

Uh, did she do this,
uh, with you, sir?

Did she do it with friends?

-With friends, Lieutenant.

Female friends, in case
you're wondering.

-Female friends.

All right, sir.

I think I've had enough
to start with.

Thank you very much.

-Lieutenant, I want you to
understand something.

I married a woman young enough
to be my daughter.

A lot of people were
skeptical, but

it worked for us.

We loved each other, loved
each other very much.

We even thought of
having a child.

I want this man caught.

And I must warn you, I don't
intend to be patient.

-Yes, sir.

-Oh, Lieutenant.

Thanks for the coffee.

-You're welcome, sir.

-Good morning, Lieutenant.

-Morning, sir.

-Can I get some coffee,
some juice?

-Uh, nothing for me, no.

Thank you very much.

-Any progress?

-Uh, no, sir.

I hate to admit this,
but, uh, nothing.

-Not a single lead?

-No, sir.

Nothing.

No.

Uh, no, some of my associates
think that, uh, your wife was

mugged and the fella ran
away with the money.

But, um, you see, they can't
really explain how

the body was moved.

Uh, now me, I don't know.

I, uh, I think she knew
the murderer.

-Why?

[phone ringing]

-Uh--

-Excuse me.

-Yes.

-Yes?

All right, be right in.

Why?

-Well, her behavior, uh, seems
a little strange, sir.

Uh, she, uh, went out to the
beach house in the middle of

the week, uh, which
is unusual.

And, uh, she said to the
caretaker, she had some

thinking to do, and then
she went for a walk.

And then the next morning, her
body was found on the other

side of town.

-What are you getting at?

-I wish I knew.

I don't know.

It's just that it sounds
to me like a

woman that has a problem.

Now, did your wife have
any personal problems?

-My wife was a very happy
woman, Lieutenant.

-Uh-huh.

Yeah, well, it's just if she did
have a problem, I thought

that maybe it would be connected
with the murder.

-But you've no proof of that?

-Oh no, sir.

No.

-Lieutenant, I call the city
room every half hour to find

out what you people are doing.

So far, not a word.

No arrest, not even
a promise of one.

Now you tell me you
haven't a lead.

-I'm sorry, Mr. Kennicut.

Uh, it looks like it's
gonna be slow.

-It doesn't have to be.

Lieutenant?

Lieutenant Columbo, this
is Mr. Brimmer.

-How do you do?

-Lieutenant.

-You've heard of Brimmer
Associates?

-Uh, no, I haven't.

-Well, it's security and
investigations, Lieutenant.

You might say you and I are
in the same business.

-Oh, really?

-Matter of fact, I was talking
about you just last night.

I ran into the, uh, commissioner
at a party.

He speaks very highly of you.

-Naturally, you're wondering
why Mr. Brimmer's here.

Now, please don't take this as
a reflection on you, but I've

engaged his firm to
work on the case.

-Well, now, Arthur, I'm here
in an advisory capacity, a

supplemental capacity only.

I don't want the lieutenant
to get the idea that I'm

competing with him.

Uh, but there's no reason why a
private agency and a public

one can't cooperate, is there?

-No.

-You see, I want as
much coverage in

this case as possible.

And when Mr. Brimmer called and
offered his services, I

thought it was an
excellent idea.

-Sure.

Uh, I can understand that.

Uh, you two know each other?

-Well, Mr. Brimmer's done
some work for me.

-I see, I see.

Some kind of security work,
guards for the paper?

-Oh, it was a personal matter.

The point is, Lieutenant, I
told Arthur on the phone I

couldn't imagine you wouldn't
accept a helping hand,

considering the manpower
shortage in your department.

ARTHUR [OFFSCREEN]: You see,
Mr. Brimmer used to be a

police officer himself.

-Well, that was a
long time ago.

But at least I can understand
your problems, Lieutenant.

-Well, now listen.

I said to Mr. Kennicut,
I'm grateful for all

the help I can get.

I'm just not sure how my
superior's gonna take this.

-That's already been
taken care of.

-It's just that Mr. Kennicut
is anxious for a quick

resolution to the case.

You can understand that.

-Well, naturally.

-Well, good.

I hope the association will
be beneficial to you.

-Oh, I'm sure it will.

Yeah.

You know, I suddenly feel very
much more optimistic about

this whole thing.

Uh, it's not based on
anything, no facts.

But you know, I'm a
superstitious guy.

You know, I believe the signs.

I believe in palmistry
and astrology and all

that kind of thing.

You don't, I know that.

ARTHUR [OFFSCREEN]: No,
definitely not.

-Let me see your hand.

You see, Mr. Kennicut, that's
your fate line,

and it breaks there.

That was your bad fortune.

But it picks up again, and
that's interesting.

That's a very good omen.

May I?

Mmm, deep line of Apollo.

That's a man devoted
to his work.

Your Apollo line crosses
the mount of the moon.

You know that's very rare?

And very impressive.

That's the sign of a man who's
destined to attain a very

particular kind of
distinction.

That's a very good sign.

I know you think it's silly, but
I'm gonna make a believer

out of you before I'm done.

It was very nice meeting you.

-Nice to have met you.

-Bye-bye.

Oh, Mr. Brimmer?

Large thumb, low
mount of Venus.

It means ambition,
purposefulness.

-That's a closet, Lieutenant.

-Oh, gee.

I'm sorry.

-Lot of people make
the same mistake.

-Say, that's a terrific
looking set of clubs.

Do you mind?

-Go ahead.

-These seem light.

Are these lady's clubs?

-They were Lenore's.

-You didn't say she played
golf, did you?

You mentioned tennis
and skin diving.

-That's because she
just started.

-Ah, I see.

Where'd she play?

-At the country club.

COLUMBO [OFFSCREEN]:
I see, at the club.

Oh, I just wondering why she
just didn't keep her clubs in

the locker room.

-She did.

That's an extra set she used
to take lessons with.

-Oh, I see.

Well, that explains it.

Right.

Uh, you mean she didn't take
lessons at her own club.

She took them someplace else?

-Skylane.

Why?

Is it important?

-It's not important.

It's just that I like to get
that background information

very precise if I can.

Bye-bye.

Is this the right door?

-Yes.

Well, what was that all about?

-Well, I think, uh, police
techniques have changed a

little over the years.

-Here, try it again.

And remember, keep the back of
your left hand straight.

None of this.

Just stroke it easy,
all right?

Oh, that was good.

Getting better.

-Well, I still don't think I'm
ever gonna learn this game.

-Oh, you just have to keep your
eye on the ball, watch

your concentration.

You're coming along fine.

-Do we have time for
another bucket?

-Sorry, Jenny, time's up.

Tomorrow at 3 o'clock.

-Tomorrow then.

-You a member of the club?

-Uh, no.

No, I'm, uh, Lieutenant
Columbo.

I'm from the police.

-Well, what's the problem?

-I'd like to ask you
a few questions

about a Lenore Kennicut.

Uh, you knew her?

-Not very well.

I gave her a few lessons.

-I see.

Uh, but this is your appointment
book, isn't it?

-Well, you should know.

You've been looking at it.

-Well, no offense, I was
just killing time.

But, uh, you know, now that you
mention it, I see that you

gave her a lot of lessons.

-Well, she liked the game.

-I see.

Well, look, here's the thing.

Um, since you spent a lot of
time with her, I was wondering

if you could give
me some help.

-How?

-Was she the type of woman--
now, this is just

between you and me.

Was she the type of woman
who was on the lookout?

I mean, did you ever notice her
give a ride to any of the

men around here?

-Uh, look, Lieutenant.

We'd better get one
thing straight.

I teach them golf and I play
in their tournaments, but I

don't get involved in their
personal lives.

If they want to pair off, that's
none of my business.

-OK.

All right.

Uh, well, thanks a lot.

-It's quite all right.

-Take it easy.

Uh, say, uh, what kind
of club is this?

ARCHER [OFFSCREEN]: Uh, that's
a number one wood.

-Number one wood.

Listen, uh, could you
give me a lesson?

-What?

-No, I'm serious.

You know what my trouble is?

I work too hard, never
out of the office.

I figure this.

If I could take up a sport-- you
know, get out in the fresh

air and get some exercise--

that'd do me some good.

What do you say?

-Well, I--

-Just for a few minutes, just
to, you know, start the swing.

Come on.

Say, you know what's a funny
thing about your appointments

with Mrs. Kennicut?

Uh, the first two were in the
morning, and all the rest--

and I counted 13 of them-- uh,
they were always in the middle

or the late afternoon.

-So?

-Uh, well, I guess it's
not important.

I guess it's nothing.

Let me--

I'll take off my coat.

Except that, uh, now every time
you had an appointment

with Mrs. Kennicut, it
was always the last

lesson of the day.

-I like to finish at
a reasonable hour.

Doesn't everyone?

-Oh, I see.

So those days, you
left the club.

I thought maybe you'd hang
around to see if you could

pick up an odd lesson.

-Well, I didn't always
go home.

-Uh, who said anything
about going home?

-No.

Well, what I mean is, I didn't
always leave the club.

Sometimes I--

-Hey, listen.

Can I help you out?

Don't say anything else.

You don't have an attorney.

Wait until you get
an attorney.

This way, you can
hurt your case.

Believe me.

I--

I know something about
my business.

I don't know anything about
golf, you know.

See, that's your business.

I know something about
my business.

And believe me, you know, down
through the years, uh, you get

so that you--

you develop a nose for
things, you see.

And, uh, after a while, the old
nose just tells you when

And, uh, after a while, the old
nose just tells you when

someone's not giving
you the truth.

Now, uh, I'm gonna forget about
the lesson, because I

could never learn this game.

But I'll be back
to talk to ya.

-Ground covered by the police
is not our concern.

One thing to bear in mind,
money was taken.

Granted, it could've been a
smokescreen, but sometimes the

obvious answer is
the correct one.

Now, Brooks?

-Yes, sir.

-Check into her banking account,
with particular

attention to withdrawals.

See if you can find out
how much cash she was

carrying that day.

Mr. Kennicut will be
glad to cooperate.

Now, my theory, gentleman-- and
you will gear your efforts

in this direction--

Mrs. Kennicut was walking
along the

Pacific Coast Highway.

She was forced into a car--

by someone.

The motive was robbery.

She probably fought back.

In any case, she was killed.

The murderer drove around in a
panic, and finally all the way

out to here--

[phone ringing]

--and got rid of the body.

Yes?

FEMALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]:
Lieutenant Columbo to see you.

-Who?

Oh, yes.

Yeah, send him in.

Gentlemen, we'll finish
this later.

I'll call you.

Thank you.

Lieutenant?

Come in.

-Whew.

Boy, this is quite a building.

This all yours?

-Afraid So.

-Must be a lot of business for
your kind of company these

days.

-Well, we can't handle it all.

Sit down.

-Uh, listen, uh, your
secretary called.

She said you wanted to see
the files on the case.

So I thought it would
be a lot safer if I

brought them over myself.

-Well, that's very
nice of you.

Uh, wasn't necessary, but, uh,
appreciate it very much.

Uh, want some coffee?

-No, no thanks.

-Thank you.

-Uh, those are the duplicates.

-OK.

Yes, this will help.

A lot of it.

I wonder if you can give
me a little rundown.

-Well, it's just what
I told Mr. Kennicut.

No leads.

Except, you know, I was looking
through that stuff

last night.

-Mm-hm?

-And, uh, drives my wife crazy,
you know, because we

have the lamp right next to the
bed, and the poor thing,

she can't sleep.

-Did you find anything?

-No, not really.

Well, uh, take the--
the autopsy report.

-Yes, here it is.

-You see now, that jives with
something that I noticed about

the body the first
time I saw it.

And that bothered me.

You see, Mrs. Kennicut was
struck on the left cheek.

And she had a bruise, and she
had a weird kinda cut.

Um, do you see what I mean?

-Um, no, I don't think so.

-Well, let's start with the
cut, because that's what

bothered me.

I said to myself, now what in
the world could have caused

that kinda cut?

Uh, does this lighter work?

-Yeah, I think so.

-Uh--

uh, where-- where was I?

-About the cut.

-Oh, yes.

What could have caused
the cut?

I said to myself,
could be a ring.

-A ring of--

wait, you, uh-- you mean
a-- a finger ring,

this kind of ring.

-Yeah, something like that.

Now, here's where
I figured it.

Suppose you were gonna
strike somebody, and

suppose it was a woman.

Now, do you punch her?

Well, maybe.

But more than likely, you hit
with your open hand, either

this way or this way.

Now, if you hit this way,
then the ring is not

gonna cause any cut.

So I figured it was a backhand
blow like this.

See?

-Well, I still don't follow
you too well, because that

would, uh, that would
put it over--

-Well, I used my right hand.

-Yeah?

-You see?

-And if the ring was on the
right hand, then the bruise

would be on the right cheek.

-But it was on the left cheek,
so the murderer was

left-handed.

Struck her like this, which
means the murderer is

left-handed.

Well, that's interesting.

That's provided, of course,
all these, uh,

speculations are valid.

-Yeah, I would say that
we have a left-handed

murderer and a--

and an unpremeditated crime.

-We have?

-Oh, I think so, yes.

I mean, I don't think a man
kills with his hands unless

he's angry.

As a matter of fact, you know,
maybe he didn't mean to do it.

Could be.

You know, maybe it
was an accident.

You know, I got a feeling that
when we find our friend, it's

gonna turn out that he has
a terrible temper.

-Hmm.

[chuckles]

Well, maybe you're right.

I certainly wish I had your
crystal ball, Lieutenant.

Why don't you let me digest this
material, and then we'll

talk again.

-OK.

All right, fine.

Sure.

Listen, I wanna thank
you for the time.

-Yes, and thank you.

-Right.

Oh, listen, before
I forget, uh--

let's see, where's--

I didn't wanna forget that.

But, uh, let's see.

I had a receipt here that
I wanted you to sign.

Well, listen, let's
just make one up.

Uh, it's a receipt
for the files.

Isn't that weird?

What a coincidence.

-What's that?

-Here a moment ago we were
talking about left-handed

people, and you're
left-handed.

-And right-handed.

I'm ambidextrous.

That means I don't favor either
hand particularly.

It's a character trait shared
by about 10% of the world's

population.

-10%?

No kidding.

-Anything else?

-Uh, no.

No, I don't think so.

Uh, oh.

Listen, this is a little
bit off the subject.

My sister-in-law, she wants to
buy a place out at the beach.

How do you like it out there?

-Who told you I was living
out at the beach?

-No one.

I--

I noticed your car out in
front of Mr. Kennicut's.

You know, you parked it
there in the driveway.

And as I was walking by, I saw
that the chrome was tarnished.

You know what the salt
air does to it.

It just eats the
life out of it.

-Yeah, that part's a
problem, all right.

Uh, you're a very observant
man, Lieutenant.

-That's not what my
wife says, sir.

-[laughs]

Well, you tell your
sister-in-law that she will

love it at the beach, if she
doesn't mind that, uh, problem

with the salt air
on the chrome.

-I'll give her that message.

And thanks again.

-Thank you.

-Oh, uh, say, have you ever been
in Mr. Kennicut's house?

-[sighs]

Yes.

I met you there.

-No, I didn't mean
the big house.

I meant out at the beach.

I was just wondering because
your beach house and his beach

house, they're fairly
close, aren't they?

-No.

It's a couple miles.

-That close?

Isn't that a coincidence?

I'll tell you, this case
is just full of them.

-[sighs]

-Why don't you and
I take a walk.

-When you showed up today, I--

I kinda panicked.

-Then you did have an
affair with her?

-Turning on the ladies
is about the

only thing I do well.

I'm not a very good golfer.

-Yeah, go on.

-Well, it was pretty good for
a while, at least for me.

She got the guilts.

Funny thing, I think she really
loved her husband.

One day she said, Ken, this
is bad for both of us,

let's call it off.

So we did.

-Must have shook you up when
we found her dead.

-I couldn't believe it.

Then I got to thinking, well,
sooner or later, you guys

would find out about me, maybe
even think I killed her.

The night she died, I was--

I was home watching the tube.

No calls, no company, no alibi.

That's--

that's why I started to run.

-Uh-huh.

I can understand that.

You didn't kill her.

-Now, I know that.

But this afternoon, you gave
me the impression--

-No, you're in the clear.

You got nothing to
worry about.

You see, whoever did this,
he had to wear a ring.

Now, you don't wear a ring.

-Well, I could have
taken it off.

-No, not with that tan, because
that would show.

Now listen, tell me something.

Mrs. Kennicut, did Mrs. Kennicut
ever indicate to you

that she was concerned
that her husband

knew about you two?

-No.

It's funny that you mention it,
though, because, well, I

was concerned.

-Why?

-Well, Lenore never saw anyone,
but I'm sure we were

being followed.

-By who?

-Well, there was this one
guy in particular.

Sharp, well-dressed.

I only caught him in flashes.

But, well, he-- he had a
crew cut, kind of a--

an ex-Marine type.

[phone ringing]

-Yes?

-Wilcox, Mr. Brimmer.

The subject is meeting with
Archer, and they've engaged in

conversation.

-And you hear anything?

WILCOX [OFFSCREEN]: No, sir.

But Archer seems to be doing
most of the talking.

-Maintain the surveillance.

You can report to me
in the morning.

-Yes, sir.

[phone ringing]

-Why, you little bum, you.

-Hello?

Oh, yes, he is.

Leo?

Mr. Brimmer.

-Yes, sir?

-I'm sorry to trouble
you at home, Leo.

LEO [OFFSCREEN]: No sweat.

Just playing with Teddy.

-Well, I'm gonna have
something I want

you to do for me.

It may complicate your
life a little bit.

-When?

-Immediately.

Set it up through
my secretary.

-Yes, sir.

I'll be in touch.

[gun shots]

-Every one of our operatives
is a skilled marksman.

Actually, our policy is to avoid
the use of the weapon.

This is our memory
bank, Lieutenant.

Millions of bits of information,
all cross-filed

and on tape, immediately
available.

There are more electrical
impulses in this room than in

your brain.

-Hard to believe.

-[chuckles]

We here at Brimmer Associates
use the most up-to-date

equipment, years ahead of
what you use at police

headquarters.

Company cars, custom designed
for us, most of them with

telephonic or radio
communication.

-Whew, It's very impressive.

-Oh, uh, just one moment,
Lieutenant.

Uh, one other thing that
might interest you.

Uh, if you just move
past this gate.

-It's not working.

-Well, it has to be.

Uh, you're carrying a gun,
aren't you, Lieutenant?

-Uh, no.

-No?

Oh.

Well, that explains
the malfunction.

Look here.

A special system is built
into the gate.

Now, if you had a gun, it
would have registered.

-It's just like out
at the airport.

-It's a security precaution, not
that we expect our clients

to be carrying concealed
weapons.

But, uh, well, there have
been a few exceptions.

-Really?

-Well, a guy came in here
just about a month ago,

harmless-looking, an accountant
for Midcentury Oil.

We were doing a company audit.

-[ANGRY] Mr. Denning!

I asked you to show the
lieutenant around.

I did not suggest that you
discuss our confidential

matters with anyone,
at any time!

Our clients pay us
to be discreet.

-Yes, sir.

-Won't you come in,
Lieutenant?

Sorry about the outburst, but
my people have gotta learn.

This is a business of trust.

I can't have them gossiping
about the clients.

Thank you, Henry.

Hope you'll have
lunch with me.

Like canella sole?

-Uh, well, if it's fish, uh,
I like fish, love fish.

-It's fish.

Drop your coat and dig in.

On the Kennicut case, my men
have come up with an

interesting lead.

There were two derelicts
seen in the area.

I have their description.

-Uh--

-Sent them over to your
office, copies.

-Right.

Uh, I'll have that
checked out.

-Anything new on your end?

-Uh, oh yeah.

Yeah, we got a couple
of things.

It seems, though, uh, Mrs.
Kennicut was having

an affair, you see.

Um--

boy, this is delicious.

How do you make this stuff?

-I'll have a recipe
sent over to you.

You were saying?

-Oh, yeah.

Uh, it seems as though
Mrs. Kennicut, uh--

she was having an affair.

And, uh--

-Oh?

-And, uh--

oh, listen.

When you send the recipe,
would you

send it to the house?

Don't send it to the office.

-Yes, I'll send it
to your house.

-Yeah, she was having an affair
with some golf pro,

some country club.

And, uh, here's the
interesting thing.

Not only were they having an
affair, but it seems as though

they were being watched.

Now, I got this nutty notion.

Suppose Mr. Kennicut, uh--

I'll tell ya, it's-- it's
too far-fetched.

Uh--

-Sometimes it helps
to test it out.

Try me.

-It's really crazy.

Eh, listen, it doesn't
cost anything.

Suppose--

suppose Mr. Kennicut
hired somebody to

check up on his wife.

And this somebody lied to him.

He said to Mr. Kennicut, look,
your wife, she's got a clean

bill of health.

Now this somebody, whoever it
is, he's in a perfect position

to blackmail Mrs. Kennicut.

Now, suppose she refuses.

You see?

She says, no, I'm gonna
go tell my husband.

-Hmm.

-I think it's a terrific
motive, don't you?

-Lieutenant, you have a
marvelously convoluted mind.

-I do?

-I like it.

The trouble with your theory
is it-- not only is it very

tenuous, but it's impossible
to prove.

Isn't it?

-Gee, I, uh--

oh, got a little tomato
on that there.

Well, I said it was nutty.

What do you think?

Do you think I oughtta
drop it?

Hmm?

-If you believe in
it, stick to it.

Run it on down.

One other thing you should
keep in mind.

Nothing at all to do
with the case.

-What's that?

-Your future.

I'd like you to work for
Brimmer Associates.

-Me?

-That's why I had you
taken on a VIP tour.

We're a growing organization.

You can see that.

You can be a valuable piece
of manpower for us.

-Boy, you really know
how to toss a curve.

-No, no, I don't mean
it that way.

I'm quite serious.

You're a good man,
Columbo, up here.

It's time you were thinking
about advancement.

What does a lieutenant make?

If you come with us, I'm almost
positive I can triple

your yearly income.

-Whew.

Boy, I tell ya, it's
all so sudden.

Uh, let me talk it over
with my wife.

-Of course talk it over
with your wife.

Think about it.

Think about it carefully.

But remember, we
want you here.

-Listen, I'm very flattered.

I mean that.

Uh, just let me mull it
over a little bit.

-Well, and while you're mulling,
consider my career.

Now, if I'd stayed with the
force, by now, probably with

luck, I could have been a
captain of detectives, hmm?

With one eye on the promotion
list and the other eye on my

car payments.

No house by the ocean, no
freedom to travel, no-- what

would you say?

Power, a sense of
accomplishment.

Have I succeeded in getting
through and stimulating you?

-Definitely.

Yes, sir.

Yes, I'm gonna give it
all a lot of thought.

-That's as much as I can ask.

-Uh, one thing.

-Mm-hm?

-If I came in with you, uh,
would I still be working on

the Kennicut case?

-Well, let's see.

I have men who are perfectly
capable of handling the

Kennicut case.

No, I have several other matters
that are far more

important than that I'd like
to put you on right away.

-Oh.

-Lieutenant, to the knock
of opportunity.

-Hey.

Hey, dry throat for
some reason.

-Oh, help yourself.

-May I?

Hey, I hope I didn't get you
into trouble before.

I mean, I'm sorry about
what happened.

-Oh, I'm used to it.

-Why?

What, does he blow off
a lot of steam?

-Well, let's just say our
founding father has quite a

temper.

-No kidding.

That's funny, because he sure
looks to me like he's a guy

that's always under control.

-Uh, correction, he's under
control most of the time.

And when people like that
let go, stand back.

-Oh.

I tell you why I'm interested.

Offered me a job.

-Oh?

-Yeah.

-Well, welcome to the family.

-Yeah, here's my problem.

I don't know how much
to ask for?

-Oh, whatever you can get.

Top man can pull down
about 30,000.

-No kidding.

[whistles]

That's a lot of money.

Gee.

Listen, does anybody else here
make more than that?

I mean, besides Mr. Brimmer.

-Well, maybe Leo.

-Who's Leo?

-Leo Gentry.

He's the boy who gets the
cream of the cases.

-Hey, I think I know him.

Crew cut, ex-Marine type?

-Oh, that's Leo.

Teacher's pet, at least
this month.

-Hey, listen, where
can I talk to him?

Maybe he can give me
a few pointers.

-Mmm.

I haven't seen him around today,
but, uh, I'll get his

address from personnel.

Uh, don't mention
it to Brimmer.

-Who, me?

No, that's the last
thing I'd do.

-Higher.

-Higher?

Listen, if you go any higher,
you're gonna go

right over the top.

-Hey, what's going on?

-Uh, Mrs. Gentry, I wanna
tell you, you got a

terrific kid here.

Nothing frightens him.

You can't scare this boy.

-I said higher.

-Higher?

All right, listen.

You go higher, and I'll eat
your ice cream, all right?

-No, I wanna eat it.

-You wanna eat it?

All right.

Here you go.

You're coming down.

Down to earth, there you are.

Get your ice cream.

-Do we know each other?

-Uh, no.

Uh, my name is Columbo.

I'm a--

I'm a lieutenant.

I'm from the police.

-My daddy's a private eye.

-I know that, Teddy.

And he's a very good one.

Listen, do you mind if I ask
you a few questions?

-Well, is it about Leo's work?

-Well, not exactly.

You see, I'm working
on a case.

And I thought maybe he could
help me out, but I can't see

to locate him.

-He went away.

-That's right, Lieutenant.

His boss called last night
and sent him on a special

assignment.

-Oh, I see.

Uh, do you know where he
went or, uh, how long

he's gonna be away?

-Sorry.

That's the way it is with Leo.

He took his passport, so I guess
he's overseas somewhere.

-I see.

Uh--

-Is there something wrong?

-No, no, no, no, not really.

Now listen, maybe you
could help me out.

Uh, was Leo recently on a case
where he was following a

woman, a married woman?

-Well, it's-- it's possible,
but I don't really know.

-Oh?

You never discuss Leo's work?

-No.

It's a household rule.

I mean, I'm not very much
at keeping secrets.

If Leo were to tell me anything,
it'd be all over the

laundromat.

If you have any questions,
you better ask Leo.

-Yeah.

It's kinda hard to ask him
because I can't locate him.

-He went away.

-But why don't you talk to
his boss, Mr. Brimmer?

He can tell you what
Leo's working on.

-Uh, oh yeah.

Uh, thanks.

Uh, I have the feeling he
won't be too much help.

But, uh, at any rate, uh, I'm
sorry I bothered you.

Bye-bye, Ted.

-F, E, L, O, P, Z, D.

-All right.

Now try the next,
the bottom line.

-F, D, P, T, C, E, O?

-Perfect vision.

-Well, it should be.

This is a new prescription.

-Now here's your temporary.

You should have your license
in a few weeks.

-Thank you very much.

-Keep this, too.

-Thank you.

-Next?

Now, while I mark your test,
please read from the eye

chart, third line down.

-Did that lady say
that she just got

a new pair of glasses?

-What?

-She wasn't wearing glasses.

-Of course she was.

-Excuse me.

-Uh, wait.

What about the eye chart?

-And all of a sudden, I
remembered this picture.

See?

She's wearing glasses.

But there were no glasses
on the body.

Now, could she have dropped
them somewhere?

-I'm sorry, Lieutenant, but
you're on the wrong track.

-Why?

-Well, shortly after that
picture was taken, Lenore gave

up wearing glasses.

She switched to contact
lenses.

-Ah, contact lenses.

-Just a matter of vanity.

She thought she looked better.

-Uh-huh.

Did she wear them often?

-All the time.

She was extremely nearsighted.

-Mr. Kennicut, where's your
wife's personal effects?

-That field director
sent them over.

-Mm-hm.

-I've avoided going
through them.

-Do you mind?

-No, go ahead.

-This her lens case?

-Yes.

-It's empty.

-Well, she was probably wearing
them when she died.

-Well, then maybe, uh--

-Maybe what?

-Mr. Kennicut, I'm gonna ask
your permission for something.

This is the world's
biggest long shot.

And it's gonna be painful
for ya, but I think

it's worth a try.

-Would it help?

-There are no guarantees.

-All right, Lieutenant.

You have a blank check.

-Mobile operator, the number
I want is 476-7301.

[phone ringing]

-They just arrived, and they're
entering the vault.

Medical examiner is with them.

-Why?

What's the reason?

-Haven't been able
to find out, sir.

But I did learn one thing.

Kennicut signed an
exhumation order.

-All right, stay there.

I'll be right over.

Get my car ready.

-He says it won't take long.

[engine choking]

-What's the trouble?

-I don't know, sir.

The battery's OK, but
the car won't start.

-I'm in a hurry.

Get me another car.

-Yes, sir.

-Have this one serviced.

Tell them I want it tomorrow.

MALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]:
Yes, sir.

[police walkie talkie chatter]

-Arthur?

-I should have phoned you,
but there wasn't time.

-Well, it's all right.

One of my men told
me you were here.

Something break?

-I don't know yet.

They're exhuming
Lenore's body.

-Tell me why.

-The lieutenant's working
on a long shot.

Apparently she was wearing
her contact lenses

when she was killed.

-How is that significant?

-Well, there's a chance that
she might have lost one of

them, maybe both of them, at
the scene of the crime.

-Well, Arthur, I don't like to
be critical, but that's more

than a long shot.

You might as well buy
a lottery ticket.

-Maybe not.

Listen to me.

My nephew wears those things,
and half of the time they're

falling out.

Now, the other morning at
breakfast, one of them ended

up in the cereal.

BRIMMER [OFFSCREEN]: Mrs.
Kennicut is not your nephew,

Lieutenant.

-Listen, Mrs. Kennicut
was struck forcibly.

Now, let's bear that in mind.

Why isn't it possible that
they were knocked loose?

-Anything's possible, but the
autopsy report said nothing

about any of this--

COLUMBO [OFFSCREEN]: Listen.

--at all.

-Listen, forget about
the autopsy report.

I checked with the medical
examiner about that.

They snuffed it off.

They didn't even
bother to look.

All they were concerned about
was the cause of death.

MALE SPEAKER [OFFSCREEN]:
Lieutenant?

-Well, hope it's not a waste.

-What else can I do?

I've gotta pursue every
possibility.

-Arthur, it's almost a criminal
breach to disappoint

you now, after what you've
been through.

-Move over.

Listen, we're in luck.

The right contact lens
is missing, and

it's not in the coffin.

-Well, it might have fallen out
in the morgue, I guess, or

in the ambulance, or
in the street.

She might have lost it before
she was killed.

Could be 100 places.

-That's true.

But maybe--

and this is what we
gotta hope for.

Maybe it's at the place where
she was murdered.

ARTHUR [OFFSCREEN]: But we don't
know where that place

is.

-No, sir, we don't.

We don't know for sure.

But I've got a few hunches.

-Unless you can be specific,
I can't help.

-I think the lieutenant deserves
some room, don't you?

-As you wish.

-You go your own way,
Lieutenant.

-Thank you, sir.

I will.

-But keep us posted.

-Yes, sir, I will.

I'll keep you posted.

-[sighs]

-I only wish one thing.

I wish the murderer
knew about this.

-Why?

-There'd be a piece of
conclusive evidence that might

be lying around in his premises,
and he'd have to

find it before we did.

I'll keep you posted, sir.

[door bell]

-Oh, uh--

-Lieutenant?

-Mr. Brimmer, listen,
I'm sorry to

bother you at this hour.

But, uh, may I come in?

-Yeah, sure.

Come on in.

-There's something I wanted
to talk to you about.

-OK, fine.

If you can make it
a little brief.

It's been a late day.

-Oh, sure.

Say, this is some terrific
place you got here.

And you got the sound of the
ocean all the time, huh?

-Yeah.

-Well, me, I love the beach.

I love it.

Except when the water
gets cold.

Then I don't like to go in.

-Uh-huh.

-Then I like the pool.

-Lieutenant, did-- did
you say you had

something on your mind?

-Oh, yeah.

It's about that job
you offered me.

I've been giving it
a lot of thought.

Uh, as a matter of fact, uh, I
haven't been able to sleep.

And, uh--

boy, this is a fantastic rug.

My wife would love this rug.

We gotta get a new rug,
and this is just

the kind she wants.

Fantastic piling, huh?

Very soft.

Bet you could lose a shoe
in here for a week.

You wouldn't find it.

-I still got a lot
of work to do.

Uh, you were talking
about my job offer.

-I really don't think I'd be
very happy making a change.

Uh, I like it where I am.

It's not a bad life.

-Mm-hm, OK.

Uh, that final?

-I think so, yes.

No hard feelings.

-No, no.

Certainly not.

I just, uh-- well, I
think you're making

a mistake, is all.

-You're probably right.

You know, my wife, she's always
said I don't have

enough ambition.

You know what it was that
really made up my mind?

-What was that?

-The Kennicut case.

I don't wanna give up working
on it just now, not when I'm

so close to a solution.

-Well, uh, you gonna
let me in on it?

-Oh, certainly.

Don't worry.

You'll be the first to know.

Goodnight.

-Goodnight.

[car engine]

[car driving away]

[phone ringing]

-Hello?

-Yes, this is Mr. Brimmer.

Now, you took my car in to
be repaired, didn't you?

-Yes, sir, just like you said.

They'll try to have it for
you as soon as they can.

-All right, then.

Goodnight.

-You mind telling us
what you're doing?

-I'd say that was none of your
business, Lieutenant.

-Well, if you say so, but, uh,
it's gonna be kinda hard to

explain, isn't it?

I mean, breaking and entering?

That's against the law.

Checking the trunk
of your car?

What in the world were
you looking for?

-Papers.

Or a case.

I thought they were here.

It's an emergency.

-Why don't you admit it?

You were searching the
trunk because that's

where you hid the body.

-All right, what's
the next step?

-Why don't we go downtown
and talk it over?

-Am I under arrest?

-I guess you could say so.

-On what evidence?

-I think it's gonna be more
comfortable downtown.

-All right.

Let's get this farce
over with.

-Grab his arms!

-It was an accident, Arthur.

It wasn't premeditated.

I hardly knew your wife.

I didn't wanna hurt
either one of you.

It happened.

How'd you get it?

-I got it from the cut on
her cheek and your ring.

You never should have let me
read your palm, because then I

felt that ring, and I felt the
two diamonds sticking out and

that ring's rectangular
border.

That matched up with the
cut on her cheek.

-You should have
taken that job.

-You know, we're lucky
Lenore lost this.

-Uh, she didn't lose it.

-What?

-When I spoke to the medical
examiner at the cemetery, he

told me that both contact
lenses were on the body.

-But that's impossible.

If it isn't hers,
whose was it?

-Who knows?

Anyway, it doesn't make
any difference.

The fact that it's not the
real contact lens, that

doesn't count.

What does count is Mr.
Brimmer's actions.

Coming here tonight, trying to
get rid of that thing, and

doing it all in front
of witnesses.

-What would you have done if
the car hadn't broken down?

You couldn't set up this trap.

-Well, I guess we would have
found some other way.

You know what this place
reminds me of?

Just seeing all these cars, you
know, in our neighborhood,

we had a bunch of jokers.

I mean, we were a real
loud bunch of guys.

And we figured out a perfect
way to put a car out of

commission.

You take a potato, you stick
it in the exhaust pipe.

Doesn't cause any damage,
but the car won't start.

It was a terrible thing to do.

And I got a feeling that the
reason I became a cop was to

make up for all of those jokes
I played when I was a kid.

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