All language subtitles for Perry Mason s01e36 Prodigal Parent.eng

Lorraine, I know it's after 6,

but would you mind staying
a few more minutes and filing this?

Oh, of course not, Mr. Durell.

Thank you.

I'll be in Larkin's office
if you want me.

Be right with you, Durell.

You all finished for the day,
Lorraine?

Yes, sir.

Oh, my, my, my. We're so formal.

Used to call me Philip, remember?

What would you say I come over
to your place tonight, hmm?

No, thanks.

Why not? Your new boyfriend's
in Europe, isn't he?

Suppose I, uh, come over
to your place at about 7:30?

I told you, Philip.

I'm not going out with you anymore.

Oh, come on.
You don't really mean that.

What's the matter with me, huh?

Will you please let me pass?

I asked you a question.

And I gave you the answer
several months ago.

Oh?

You know, it takes time
to really get to know you, Philip.

At first you're kind and considerate.

A girl could think
that you really cared.

Oh, I cared.

- Oh, no.
- Oh, yes.

If you really cared, you could never
have made those cruel accusations.

Why not, hmm? Why not?

They were true.
Why shouldn't I make them, hmm?

Did you suppose
I wouldn't follow up on it, huh?

It took me a long time,

but I've got the complete report
right here.

What would your precious
Charles Patton III say, huh?

And some other people
that we know.

[YELLING]
Why don't you leave me alone?

- Why do you keep after me like this?
- Because--

Because I want you.

And if I can't have you,
nobody else will, do you understand?

[FRENCH ACCENT]
Mr. Larkin,

Mr. Durell is waiting for you
in your office.

All right.

Just remember, Lorraine.

I meant every word of it.

Well, thank you very much,
and do call again.

Good evening.

- Oh, may I help you?
- Yes.

I'm here to pick up a package
for the Larkin lmport-Export Company.

- Larkin lmport?
- Mm-hm.

Now, are you sure
you have the right place?

Positive.

Well, it might be under the name
of George Durell.

Durell. Durell.

- Uh, what was the merchandise?
- I don't know.

My instructions
were to just pick up the package.

Well, I'm terribly sorry.
It's almost 9:00 and I must close.

Uh, would you like to use
the telephone?

Maybe you can contact this party
who gave you your instructions.

Well, that's just it.
I don't exactly know who it was.

Well, I mean, I assumed
that it was Mr. Durell.

Well, why don't you call him
and find out?

[PHONE RINGING]

Hello.

LORRAINE [OVER PHONE]:
May I speak to Mr. Durell?

Who is this?

This is Lorraine Stevens,
his secretary.

Is that what they call them
nowadays?

- What?
- You're not fooling me.

I know what you and my husband
are up to.

What's the matter? Isn't it enough
that you see him all day

without hounding him at home?

Really, Mrs. Durell--

You're all alike.

Cheap little trollops
that can't let a man--

[DOOR OPENS]

George,

I didn't mean it.

Honest.

Well, is anything wrong, miss?

Bring a glass of water. Hurry.

I don't know
why I say things like that.

I just can't seem to help it.

George, I didn't mean it.

You know I didn't mean it, George.

I know, Claire.

- George--
- I know.

Thank you very much.
I'm all right now.

Good.

Is there anyone else
you'd like to call?

Well, I suppose I could call
Mr. Larkin.

Well, then why don't you do that?

[PHONE RINGING]

I can't understand it. Someone picked
up the phone, but there's no one there.

You've been very kind.
I'm sorry to have kept you this late.

Oh, that's quite all right.

- Good night.
- Good night.

By any chance, did you take an order
for the Larkin lmport-Export Company?

Well, that's very strange.

Very strange indeed.

[DOORBELL RINGS]

[DOORBELL RINGS]

[DOORBELL RINGING]

Hold your horses. I'm coming.

Officer Norton, ma'am.
We're investigating a call.

What are you babbling about?

Did you telephone
police headquarters?

No, I didn't telephone
police headquarters or anywhere else.

I don't know what you want here.
Just a minute.

Where are you going?

He's dead.

Better call Homicide, Tom.

[DOORBELL RINGS]

- Yes, sir?
- What's going on here?

- Who are you?
- My name is Joseph Harrison.

What's the trouble?

Are you Philip Larkin's stepfather?

I was.
His mother and I are divorced.

Then what are you doing here?

I came to see Mrs. Harrison.
Is there anything wrong with that?

Come on in.

Lieutenant, this is, uh, Mr. Harrison.

Hello, Ethel.

What's happened?

TRAGG: Your stepson, Philip,
has just been murdered.

I'm terribly sorry, Ethel.

- Who did it?
- That's what we're here to find out.

Excuse me, lieutenant,
can I take Mrs. Harrison to her room?

TRAGG:
Yes, of course.

ETHEL:
Come along, Mrs. Harrison.

Ethel.

When was the last time
you visited here?

About six months ago.

You, uh, recognise this gun?

Yes, it's mine.

Well, anyone in the house
could have used it.

Your wife said that you--

I beg your pardon. Your ex-wife said
that you were out of the state.

Yes, I was.

I've been under a doctor's care.
I've spent the last six months

at the Double Jay Ranch
outside Salt Lake City.

But you left there two weeks ago.

You seem to have been doing
some checking.

Well, that's my job, Mr. Harrison.

Just what have you been doing
these last two weeks?

I've been at Lake Tahoe.

- Just drove in tonight?
- That's right.

I, uh, wonder if you'd let us take
an impression of your fingerprints.

Sanchez, get that to the crime lab
as fast as you can.

There's no doubt about it, Mr. Burger.
They all match.

Those are Harrison's fingerprints
on that gun case.

He claimed that he hadn't been
in the house for six months.

- Any other fingerprints on the case?
- Not a one.

The maid--
Uh, Sarah Winslow is her name.

--claimed that she polished that
yesterday afternoon.

How about the gun?
Were there any prints on it?

No, nothing identifiable.

How did Harrison get along
with his stepson, Philip Larkin?

He didn't.

I understand the boy
was the reason for the divorce.

Where do you understand that from?

I talked to the maid.

She's a well of information.

She claimed that Philip kept after
his mother until she finally gave in.

If that isn't enough, the kid
practically booted his stepfather

out of the family business.

The, uh, business was originally built
by Philip Larkin Sr.

- The boy's father.
- Yes.

When old Larkin died, he left
the business to his widow, Ethel.

And about four years later
she met Harrison.

When they were married,
she let him take over the management.

Over young Larkin's protest,
I presume.

The strenuous protests.

Harrison had an exporting outfit
of his own.

He closed it, brought his staff over,

and they apparently ran things
pretty much to suit themselves.

And then when Mrs. Harrison
divorced him, the party was over.

That's how it looks to me.

And then the first night
he gets back,

after being away for six months,
the boy is murdered.

Well, it, uh, could just be
a coincidence.

Oh, sure. It could be a coincidence.

How does Harrison explain
his prints on this case?

Well, I thought maybe, ahh,
you'd like to ask him that.

I think you're right, lieutenant.

Pick him up.

Then when I heard
they had arrested Joseph

and charged with him murder,

I thought I should consult
an attorney.

Does Mr. Harrison know
you've come to me?

No.

I just don't understand
your concern, Mrs. Harrison.

After all, the victim was your son.

It does sound illogical, doesn't it?

Highly.

Do you think your husband
killed Philip?

He said he didn't.

- Do you believe him?
- I have finished with not believing him.

What does that mean?

I believe now
that Joseph was tolerant and patient

much beyond
what I could have expected.

Will you represent him?

I'll have to talk with him first.

I understand.

In the meantime,
whether I represent him or not,

your testimony
can be most damaging.

But Joseph and I were married.

They couldn't make me testify
against him.

That rule doesn't apply
to a divorced wife.

Then you think that I--?

Mrs. Harrison, I can't advise you.

If I do undertake this case,
I'll be representing Mr. Harrison.

I see.

Uh, thank you.
Thank you for coming in.

Will you tell Joseph

I believe in him?

Yes, I will.

Thank you.

Goodbye, Miss Street.

Goodbye.

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

Della, get ahold of Paul Drake.

I'll need everything possible
on Philip Larkin.

All his background:
girlfriends, gambling, everything.

I'd also like to know
a little more about his mother.

Mrs. Harrison?

- Why?
- Oh...

I don't know how much of her story
to believe

or how much she's left out.

She's still in love with a man
she's divorced.

I tell you, I have no idea

how my fingerprints
got on that gun case, Mr. Mason.

I have.

- You were in that room that night.
- No.

Look, Harrison, we'll get nowhere
if you lie to me.

It's bad enough you've lied
to the police and the district attorney.

There's no other explanation
for those fingerprints.

And you had a key to the house.

Well, I didn't kill Philip.

But you were in that room.

And you did see the body.

Yes, when I went
into the drawing room,

I saw Philip lying on the floor.

I felt his pulse
and I knew he was dead.

The phone rang
and I started to answer it.

But then I realised
I'd better get out of there.

Then?

Then I wiped my fingerprints
off the phone,

and that's when I saw the gun.

I was so frightened I must have left
my fingerprints on the gun case.

Anyway, I got out the French door
as fast as I could.

And you returned
a couple of hours later.

Who do you think
killed your stepson?

Does that mean
you think I didn't do it?

His mother believes you're innocent.

I think she's right.

Thank you.

This, uh, authorisation
to go through our books

wasn't at all necessary, Mr. Mason.

We'll do everything we can
to help Joe.

- Thank you.
- Mr. Harrison didn't kill Philip.

As I understand it, Mr. Durell,

you've been handling the business
since Philip died.

Yes, that's right.

Tell me,

is everything all right?

Well, I can't be sure
until I audit the books.

Miss Collaro, you were
Joseph Harrison's secretary?

Yes, for 23 years.

When he left,
I stayed on as Philip's secretary.

I thought Mr. Harrison--

CLAIRE: How long did you think
you could pull the wool over my eyes?

- Excuse me.
CLAIRE: You're not fooling me.

Not when you have the unmitigated
gall to telephone him in my home!

Claire.

I'm sorry, Lorraine.

I can't tell you how sorry I am.

George, I'm sorry.
Please don't be angry.

DURELL: Excuse me, Mr. Mason.
- I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it.

It's too bad that had to happen.

But why does he put up with it?

Guilt.

It keeps him chained to her.

Twenty-five years ago,
he drove his car into a truck.

And that's when she was hurt?

He'll pay for that the rest of his life.

Why don't you go home?

Thanks, Miss Collaro, I think I will.

May I volunteer my services?

IRENE:
Lorraine, this is Mr. Mason.

Mr. Harrison's lawyer.

Miss, uh...?

Stevens.

Miss Stevens, I thought perhaps
I could give you a lift.

Well,

I live on Madera Drive.

Fine. That's right on my way.

All right, I'll just get my things.

I give you my word, Mr. Mason.

There's never been anything
between Mr. Durell and myself.

Then where did Mrs. Durell
get those ideas?

Maybe because I called him
at his home the other night.

Well, I couldn't help it.

You see, somebody left this note
on my desk

asking me to pick up this package
at the Alcorn jewellers.

That was on the night
of the murder?

That's right.

And when you got there,

I assume no one knew
what you were talking about.

- Well, yes.
- Go on.

Well, the manager
was very cooperative.

And he suggested that I phone
someone to get more information.

- So you called Mr. Durell?
- Mm-hm.

What time was that?

Oh, I guess somewhere
around 9:00.

Have you got the note?

I threw it away.

I see.

Well, it's true.

Why should I want to make up
such a ridiculous story as that?

Someone must have been playing
a practical joke on me.

Well, this practical joker
certainly did you a favour.

If you were
at the Alcorn jewellery shop at 9:00,

you're virtually the only one
in the case who has an alibi.

Good night, Miss Stevens.

It's a copy of the 16 mm film

we found in Philip Larkin's
bedroom closet.

- How does it look?
- Oh, pretty as a picture.

Well.

Well, I'll be most anxious to hear what
Mrs. Harrison has to say about this.

- You've gotta find her, lieutenant.
- I'm working on it.

Then I checked
at the Alcorn jewellers.

Lorraine Stevens was there, all right.
Mr. Alcorn remembered her.

She apologised half a dozen times
for keeping him past 9:00.

Point is, was she deliberately
doing that to set up an alibi?

She can stand one.

She was seeing a lot of Philip Larkin
up to a month ago.

It was a pretty steady thing.

- What made them break up?
- I don't know.

- Find out, will you, Paul?
- Sure.

Perry.

You better talk to your client again.

Why?

I understand Burger's uncovered
a hunk of evidence

that's guaranteed to put Harrison
in the gas chamber.

- Where'd you hear that?
- Well, take my word for it.

It comes
from an unimpeachable source.

- Any idea what this evidence is?
- Nope.

Well, I'll get right to work
on this stuff.

I wonder what Burger
has up his sleeve.

According to Paul,

it's a lot more than his arm.

[DOORBELL BUZZES]

Good afternoon, ma'am.
I'm from the gas company.

- Yes?
- I'm sorry to bother you, but I'd like--

Excuse me, please,
are you from the police?

Police?

- Lady, I'm from the gas company.
- Believe me,

if you are looking for Ethel Harrison,
you will not find her here.

I don't know what you're talking about.
This, uh, is 4B.

- Oh, yes.
- And you are, uh...

- Irene Collaro?
- I am.

All I wanna do is check the meter.

Oh, sir, you are very convincing.

It is not your fault that the man
from the gas company

was here just two days ago.

Excuse me.

MAN [OVER INTERCOM]: Mr. Burger,
Mrs. Winslow's on her way in.

I thought that nice Lieutenant Tragg
would be here.

Well, I'm sorry. He had to leave.

Won't you sit down?

You know, Sarah,
we're relying on you.

Lieutenant Tragg and myself.

Well, I wouldn't wanna say anything
to hurt Mr. Harrison.

Do you believe
Mr. Harrison killed his stepson, Philip?

Of course not.

Well, then the truth
can't possibly hurt him, can it?

- No.
- Well, there you are.

Now, Sarah,
where is Mrs. Harrison?

I told Lieutenant Tragg I didn't know.

Don't you think it's strange
she disappears at this particular time?

She knew what she was doing.

She had good advice.

Good advice. I'm not so sure.

Didn't you also tell Lieutenant Tragg
that she consulted Perry Mason?

Yes.

And did Mr. Mason tell her
to disappear?

All I know is she went to see him.

When she came back, she said,
"Sarah, pack my things."

She didn't want anybody
to know where she was going.

That means Mr. Mason told her
to resort to flight.

- Well, is that wrong?
- It depends on your point of view.

From where I sit, it means Mr. Mason
is guilty of unethical conduct.

Excuse me.

Yes.

Yes, Mr. Burger. I'll be sure

and tell Mr. Mason
the minute he gets in.

Tell Mr. Mason what?

That was Mr. Burger again.

He's very insistent. He wants to know
where Mrs. Harrison is.

So do I.

She may know about
that piece of evidence

guaranteed to put Harrison
in the gas chamber.

Has Paul had any luck
in running her down?

Nope.

Preliminary hearing starts tomorrow.

And if Mrs. Harrison isn't there?

Then the preliminary hearing
still starts tomorrow.

Well,

can't say you're batting
a thousand, Paul.

I'm sorry, Perry,
I just can't seem to connect.

But I'll bet my bottom dollar
that Mrs. Harrison

is in Los Angeles somewhere.

You know, this whole case
just doesn't make sense.

Why was Lorraine Stevens
sent to the jewellery store?

And who wrote the note
that caused her to go there?

How do we know
there even was a note?

That story of hers was a lulu.

Who'd send her
on a wild-goose chase like that?

The killer.

What'd be his reason?

Wish I knew.

What else did you find out
about Lorraine, Paul?

Well, only that she got her job at
Larkin lmports through Irene Collaro.

At least, uh, Miss Collaro
recommended her to George Durell.

How long has Lorraine
been working there?

Since November.
That'd be about, uh, ten months.

- And before that?
- Still checking it out.

And you still don't know
what Mr. Burger has up his sleeve.

Well, there's one consolation.

Tomorrow night at this time,
we'll all know.

Now, gentlemen,

in this case of The People of the State
of California v. Joseph Harrison,

the defendant has been advised
as to his constitutional rights.

This is the time, heretofore fixed
pursuant to stipulation,

for the preliminary hearing.

Are you ready?

Ready on behalf of the people,
Your Honour.

Ready for the defence,
Your Honour.

All right, Mr. Burger,
you may call your first witness.

BURGER:
I call Dr. Hoxie.

Death was practically instantaneous,
caused by the passage of a bullet

through the rib cage, the peritoneum
and left ventricle of the heart.

BURGER: And were you able to
establish the time of death, doctor?

Somewhere between
20 minutes to 9 and 9:00,

- on Monday night, August 3rd.
- Thank you, doctor. Your witness.

No questions.

BURGER:
Call Sarah Winslow to the stand.

BURGER: Then you were
with Mrs. Harrison eight years

before her marriage
to the defendant?

Yes, sir, I remember the first time
he came to dinner.

That was before he and the missus
decided to get married.

Was Philip Larkin present
at that time?

He certainly was.

BURGER: What was his reaction
to the announcement

of his mother's approaching marriage
to Joseph Harrison?

Well, I can't say
he exactly liked the idea.

He said Mr. Harrison
was after his mother's money.

He called him a con man,
whatever that means.

Well, after the marriage,

did the relationship between the victim
and the defendant improve?

Well, if you mean did Philip try
to make friends with Mr. Harrison,

the answer's no.

Towards the end, they weren't
even talking to one another.

It was terrible for Mrs. Harrison.
I felt awful sorry for her.

Yes, I understand that.

Now, Sarah,
I wanna show you something.

And I ask you if you recognise this.

Yes, sir. It's Mr. Harrison's.

BURGER: Do you remember when
the last time you polished this was?

SARAH:
Yes, sir, on the day it happened.

So this gun case was actually freshly
polished the day of the murder?

Yes, sir.

Thank you, Sarah.

Your witness.

Mrs. Winslow,

do you consider yourself a good friend
of the defendant?

Mr. Burger said the truth couldn't
hurt anybody if they're innocent.

Mr. Burger is absolutely right.

Now, you heard the doctor testify
that Philip Larkin

was shot between 8:40 and 9:00.

Do you mind telling us
where you were at that time?

Well, sir, I was in the kitchen,
cleaning up.

- And you did not hear a gunshot?
- No, sir.

That house was really built right,
and the kitchen's in the west wing.

You can't hear anything
that goes on at the other end.

But there is a telephone
in the kitchen.

Didn't you hear it ringing
around 9:00?

That's not the same phone
as in the living room.

- Philip had his own private number.
- I see.

Now, there's a pair of French doors
in that room.

Yes, sir. They lead out to the patio.

Do you know who opened them
on the night of the murder?

Sir, I guess Philip did himself.

But the police found
your fingerprints on the doorknob.

Well, I

guess I just tried to air out the room.

You know how it is in hot weather.
You do these things automatically.

Have you any idea at what time
you automatically aired out this room?

No, sir.

Thank you, Mrs. Winslow.

That's all.

JUDGE:
The witness may step down.

The gun is registered
to Joseph Harrison

and we found the defendant's
fingerprints on the gun case.

Did you ask the defendant to explain
the fingerprints on the gun case?

Well, he said
he couldn't explain them,

that he hadn't been in the house
for six months.

We heard testimony here that this case
was polished the day of the murder.

Yes, sir.

Well, if Mr. Harrison's fingerprints
were on there from six months ago,

wouldn't the polishing
have removed them?

I'm sure it would.

Thank you, lieutenant. Your witness.

- Uh, may I?
BURGER: Of course.

Thank you.

Lieutenant, uh,

did you say that, uh,
this was a German Mauser?

Yes, I did.

How old a gun is it?

Well, it dates back
to the First World War.

Something puzzles me, lieutenant.

I noted that the prosecution
carefully refrained from asking you

about any fingerprints on this gun.

Now, what fingerprints
did you find on it?

Well, nothing identifiable.

But you did say that Mr. Harrison
left his fingerprints on the gun case?

TRAGG:
Yes, sir.

MASON: Any other fingerprints
on the gun case?

No, there weren't.

Now, you heard
Sarah Winslow testify

that she polished this case
that very day.

Yet you didn't find
her fingerprints on it?

No, we didn't.

That's rather strange, lieutenant.

How do you account for that?

I object, Your Honour.
Calls for a conclusion of the witness.

I withdraw the question,
Your Honour.

Thank you, lieutenant. That's all.

BURGER: Now, Miss Stevens,
you've been employed

by the Larkin lmport-Export
Corporation for how long?

Approximately ten months.

And how long had you known
the deceased, Philip Larkin?

Since I started working there.

Were you ever invited to his home?

Yes, sir.

How often?

Well, I used to visit there on an
average of two or three times a week.

That was before
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison were divorced.

As a matter of fact, the defendant
was fond of you himself, wasn't he?

I mean in a fatherly sort of way.

Well, I think so.

He tried to break up your relationship
with Philip Larkin, didn't he?

Yes.

Did he tell you why?

Well, he didn't think
that it would be a good marriage.

BURGER: Isn't it true the defendant
had heated arguments with Philip

about your going together?

Isn't it also true that the defendant
even threatened Philip Larkin

in his efforts to stop him
from seeing you?

Well, Miss Stevens, isn't that true?

- Well, I know they had arguments.
BURGER: Thank you.

Cross-examine.

I have no questions of this witness.

JUDGE:
You may step down.

Now, Your Honour,
I would like the courtroom darkened

and a screen set up so that I may
introduce this film into evidence.

What film? The defence knows
nothing about a film.

What is the film, Mr. Burger?

It's a segment of home movies,
Your Honour,

taken on the lawn
of the Harrison home

approximately six months ago,

three days before Mrs. Harrison

instituted divorce proceedings
in Nevada.

Your Honour, I object.

No proper foundation has been laid
for the presentation of this film.

Your Honour, the prosecution
would be most happy

to lay the proper foundation.

By a curious coincidence,

we've been unable to subpoena
the only witness able to do so.

I refer to Mrs. Ethel Harrison,
former wife of the defendant,

who has been missing
since the day after the murder.

Under the circumstances,
I think we will run these films.

Then I will rule whether
to admit them in evidence.

- Thank you, Your Honour.
- If it please the court,

I would like to reserve the privilege
of voir dire examination

for the purpose of determining
whether these films are relevant.

The privilege is granted.

We will now proceed with
the showing of the film,

and I will direct the clerk to assist
in preparing the courtroom.

[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE ON FILM]

[ALL MURMURING]

[JUDGE POUNDS GAVEL]

Since the hour is late,

we will adjourn court
until 10:00 tomorrow morning,

at which time defence counsel
can produce witnesses

on his voir dire examination.

After which, I will rule on the
admissibility of this evidence.

The court stands adjourned.

Mr. Harrison.

Sit down.

They certainly put the spurs to us
this morning with those home movies.

Why didn't you tell me?

They were made
over six months ago.

I forgot they even existed.

How could you forget
a thing like that?

Well, I had several other things
on my mind.

My wife asked me for a divorce
that same night.

Was the fight between you and Philip
the principal reason?

- It didn't help.
- What was the fight about?

That had nothing to do
with Philip's murder.

Suppose you let me be the judge.

I give you my word, Mr. Mason.

You've done that before.
Now, why did you hit your stepson?

Because he had a dirty mind
and a mouth to match.

You're still telling me nothing.

I swear it had nothing to do with this.

The whole thing was ridiculous.

Well, he accused me of marrying
his mother for her money.

He must've accused you of that
a hundred times before

and you never hit him.

No, this had to be something else.

Any idea where your wife is hiding?

She won't tell you about this, either.
I know Ethel.

You know, there was a fourth party
at that scene.

- What?
- The person who took the pictures.

Who was it?

You're a mighty stubborn man.

Yes, I guess you're right.

Who are you protecting?

This little bit of gallantry
may cost you your life.

Think it over.

[PHONE BUZZES]

Yes, Gertie.

Just a minute. Perry, it's a tipster.

Get on the extension in your office.

All right, Gertie, put him on.

- Hello?
- Mr. Mason?

Never mind who this is.

Why don't you investigate
Ethel Harrison?

She's the one who's responsible
for all of Joe Harrison's troubles.

Of course I know what I'm saying.

Ask her why she keeps writing
to George Durell.

Obviously you must have some ideas
on the subject.

Because she's in love with him,
that's why.

Can't you understand?

This poses a problem.
I can't very well investigate her

if I don't know where she is.

Hold on a second.

The address on the letter

is 142 North Delgado,

Los Angeles 29, Apartment 4B.

[DOORBELL BUZZES]

Good evening.

Why, Mr. Mason. Good evening.

Could you spare me a few minutes?

- Oh, well, it's rather late--
- This won't take long.

Thank you.

And what can I do for you,
Mr. Mason?

I'd like to see Ethel Harrison.

What makes you think she is here?

An anonymous phone call tonight,

I suspect from Mrs. Durell.

It seems that Mrs. Harrison
wrote a letter to Mr. Durell.

Gave this as her return address.

I'm sure the letter
was perfectly innocent.

It was, Mr. Mason.

I just wanted Mr. Durell
to relay some information to Joseph.

I'll need you in court tomorrow.

Oh, no, Ethel, you mustn't go.

Can't you see what he's after?

All I'm after
is Joseph Harrison's acquittal.

I told you before, Mr. Mason,
my testimony would only harm him.

He'd be no worse off than he is now.

Did you hear about the home movies
the state introduced?

What was that argument about?

Ethel, do not tell him.

It wouldn't help Joseph

and it would only hurt
an innocent person.

How would you know?

Of course. You were the one
who took those pictures.

- Well, no--
- You're right, Mr. Mason.

Then what was that argument
about?

It has no bearing on the death
of my son.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

- Who is it?
TRAGG: It's the police. Open up.

Mrs. Harrison,

you can't stay in hiding forever.

- Good evening, Mrs. Harrison.
- Good evening, lieutenant.

Well, it's obvious my informant knew
what she was talking about.

And it's obvious she didn't think
she could depend on me.

I'm afraid
you'll have to come with me.

I will not testify against Joseph.

Well, you'll have to discuss that
with the district attorney.

Excuse me.

You won't change your mind?

Will you tell me what happened

after Philip Larkin fell
against that hedge?

I'm afraid you're making
a great mistake, Miss Collaro.

Good night.

- Good night, Tragg.
- Good night, counsellor.

Do you mind
if I use your telephone?

If it please the court,

the prosecution is now prepared
to put on the stand a witness

who will lay a proper foundation
to the matter of the home movies

and who will further clarify
certain other matters in evidence.

Mr. Mason,
have you any objection to make?

Uh, no, Your Honour. No objection.

BURGER: I call Irene Collaro
to the stand, please.

Miss Collaro,

you were formerly employed
by the defendant, Joseph Harrison,

- as private secretary?
- I was.

For how long?

Twenty-three years.

During that long period,

did you have many occasions
to visit at his home?

Oh, yes.

Coming now to that occasion

about six months ago,
when on a certain afternoon,

home movies were made.
Do you know anything about that?

Yes, sir.

I took those pictures.

You were interrupted
by Philip Larkin,

who burst in and engaged in
a heated argument

with Joseph Harrison?

Yes.

BURGER:
What was that argument about?

Well, uh,

Philip said--

Go on, Miss Collaro.

Tell us what Philip said.

He--

He accused Mr. Harrison
of being Lorraine's father.

BURGER: Whereupon Mr. Harrison
struck Philip?

IRENE:
Yes.

BURGER: And how long after that
did Mrs. Harrison sue him for divorce?

Oh, I believe in one or two days.

Thank you, Miss Collaro.
Thank you very much.

Your witness.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Miss Collaro, I'm sure the court
has noticed your charming accent.

Now, you testified that you worked
for Mr. Harrison for 23 years.

Was this your first job
in the United States?

Yes.

You see, Mr. Harrison
was in the process of setting up offices

in various foreign cities:
London, Paris, Rome.

And, um, they came to the firm
I was working for in Paris,

and a business arrangement
was established.

In all those years,

did you at any time
get the slightest hint

that Mr. Harrison was indeed
the father of Lorraine Stevens?

IRENE:
No.

MASON: No hint at all? No letter?
No telephone call?

- No slip of the tongue?
- No, no.

But in the past ten months,
he had become fond of Lorraine

and he deplored her attachment
to Philip Larkin?

Yes.

Did you approve of the relationship
between Philip and Lorraine?

I was in no position to say anything.

Miss Collaro,
I have no desire to entrap you.

I feel it only fair to tell you

that I have here notarised reports

from some of the best detective
agencies in New York and Paris.

Now I'm going to ask you
certain questions.

I have reason to believe
you know the answers

of your own personal knowledge.

I object, Your Honour.

I think this is improper
cross-examination.

Mr. Mason?

Defence claims its privilege
of voir dire examination, Your Honour.

Also, on its own merits,

defence is trying to show a mental
attitude and bias of the witness.

Objection overruled.
You may continue, Mr. Mason.

Thank you, Your Honour.

Now, Miss Collaro,

we know that as a child,
Lorraine Stevens was boarded

with an elderly couple
in Brookline, Massachusetts.

We know that for 19 years,

they received a cheque
of $70 a month.

The signature on all those cheques
was Irene Collaro.

We know that Lorraine Stevens
came to the West Coast,

that she went to work.

Went to work just by coincidence
where Irene Collaro was working.

Now, Miss Collaro,

on the afternoon
you took those home movies,

Philip Larkin kept pointing
at the camera.

Pointing at you, Miss Collaro.

Why?

Why was he pointing at you,
Miss Collaro?

We know Philip had accused
Mr. Harrison of being Lorraine's father,

was he accusing you
of being her mother?

Yes.

MASON:
Irene Collaro,

I ask you now,

are you the mother
of Lorraine Stevens?

Yes, I am Lorraine's mother.

All of her life, I've denied her.

And then she came here.

But she is a fine young lady.

She's courageous and loyal.

And decent.

MASON: And you wanted
to protect her from Philip Larkin?

IRENE:
Yes.

You've been protecting people
all your life, haven't you, Miss Collaro?

Protecting Lorraine from society,

and her father
from his responsibilities.

Now I interrupt this for a moment
to observe that the prosecutor

has allowed this cross-examination
to go on unchecked.

Have you any objection to make,
Mr. Burger?

Your Honour, the district attorney's
office functions to determine the truth

and to prosecute the guilty.

I have no objections whatever

to what Mr. Mason
is uncovering with this witness.

You may proceed, Mr. Mason.

Thank you, Your Honour.

Miss Collaro,

is Joseph Harrison
the father of Lorraine Stevens?

Now, in your testimony
a few minutes ago,

you made an unusual statement.

Do you know what it was?

With the court's permission,
may I ask the court reporter

to read back
some of Miss Collaro's testimony?

JUDGE: Granted.
MASON: Thank you, Your Honour.

The early part of my questions,
please.

"Question, Mr. Mason:

Was this your first job
in the United States?

Answer, Miss Collaro: Yes.

You see, Mr. Harrison
was in the process of setting up offices

in various foreign cities:
London, Paris, Rome.

And they came to the firm
I was working for in Paris--"

Thank you, that's enough.

"They came to the firm
I was working for."

Who came, Miss Collaro?

Who?

Who, even now, is willing to see
Joseph Harrison pay for a crime

he didn't commit?

Who, Miss Collaro? Who?

DURELL:
That's enough.

You're absolutely right, Mr. Mason.

All her life,
Irene has protected someone.

I killed Philip Larkin, Your Honour.

I felt I should do my share
of protecting.

I wanted to protect the daughter
I couldn't call my own.

MASON:
Your Honour,

I have no further questions
of this witness.

Look what just came in.

A cheque from Joseph Harrison.

Once a detective, always a detective.

I guess so.

Here.

Yipe!

You know, I still can't figure
Durell's reason for framing Harrison.

Oh, he didn't really intend
to frame him, Paul.

He only used Harrison's gun
to confuse the case.

Durell thought that when the police
checked on Harrison,

they'd find that he was
a thousand miles away.

- Right?
- Right.

- Right.
- Thank you.

Durell had no way of knowing

that Harrison was coming back
to Los Angeles.

Oh. Then Durell was the one
who called the police.

Of course.

He wanted the body discovered
as close to 9:00 as possible

so that Lorraine could have an alibi.

He was the one that wrote the note

that sent Lorraine on the
wild-goose chase to the jewellers.

She is a regular Miss Know-lt-All.

Is there anything you don't know?

Yes.

Which one of you gentlemen
is going to take me to lunch.

- Oh, may I?
- Thank you.

PAUL:
Uh, what about me?

Sorry, you're not my type.
You'll have to buy your own lunch.

[CHUCKLES]

MASON:
Come on.

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