All language subtitles for Murder.She.Wrote.S01E01.The.Murder.of.Sherlock.Holmes.Part.2.WEBRip.x264-ION10

[cheerful orchestral music]

[Preston] Is this what you
improvise out of odds and ends?

[Jessica] Well, with a little
help from Louise McCallum.

And, before you ask,
I'm Cinderella's godmother.

Care to make a wish?

I could use a dozen more novels
by J.B. Fletcher.

Oh. That's not magic.
That's just hard work.

Suppose I just settle
for the pleasure of her company.

[Peter] Hey, look here.

[Peter] If it ain't
Sherlock Holmes himself.

Fine, darling. I'll, I'll just trod along
like a civilized wife and...

... let you and Ashley do whatever
it is you do. Excuse me.

Once more, what are you doing here?

[Dexter] I have been retained
by a very influential individual

to conduct a discreet investigation.

With Dexter Baxendale,
discretion is a way of life.

[screaming]

-What's the matter?
-In the pool!

In the pool!

[Jim] Yeah, Madge.
The name's Caleb McCallum.

You know, that seafood guy.

Of course, that's unofficial.

The chief won't let the wife
identify. It's just as well,

the guy got his face blown off
with a 12-gauge.

[chief] I'm looking for motive.

Half the country had reason to kill him.

[Ashley] The captain
wasn't particularly well loved.

Though I doubt that any of us
despised him enough to kill him.

Except for me.

What are you telling me?

The guy in the pool wasn't McCallum?

[Caleb] Sure as hell wasn't.

Well, Mr. McCallum, suppose
you tell us who the corpse

was in the pool, and how come
he was wearing your costume.

[Caleb] Baxendale.

I hired the man.

He's working for me.

All right. I'm having some
trouble in my, uhm...

in my business. Some little problems.

And somebody is leaking out
confidential information.

So I hired Baxendale
to find out who it was.

You're investigating the murder
of a private detective.

Now, suppose the killer didn't
know that it was Mr. Baxendale.

Suppose the killer thought
it was Captain Caleb.

At 6:00 this morning, we found
that detective's car

parked about a half mile
from Giles's place.

In the glove compartment,
we found a confidential

real estate report
that McCallum tells us is worth

300,000 or 400,000 dollars
in the wrong hands.

And it was stolen from his office

early Friday morning.

And you assume that Grady is the thief?

I never saw that report before
or that detective.

[Preston] Well, the way
the police figured,

Baxendale got the goods on Grady,

and came back to the party
to confront him.

Probably to extort a payoff.

They think that Grady lost his temper

and shot him with a skeet gun.

[Preston] Please don't worry.

Karl Teretsky is one of
the state's best trial lawyers.

Do you really think
it'll come to that, a trial?

No, of course not.

Jess, you have my word.

Grady will be exonerated
one way or the other.

I'm sorry, I think the police

have already made up their minds.

Kitt tells me she caught up
with you at the railway station.

I was going to call you.

From Maine.

I feel a little foolish.

This weekend...

before the trouble...

was one of the happiest times
I've spent in years.

Did I misread you so badly?

Of course not.

But back home we have a saying:

Flowers that bloom too quickly

are fair game for a late frost.

Do you really say that?

Actually, no.

You'll be going back then?

Well, not until I know
that Grady's all right.

[tires screeches]

Driver, take the lady to her hotel.

[driver] Sure thing, Mac.

How about dinner tonight?

Well, there's a lot to do.

And you do have to eat.

I'd love to.

I'll call you later.

Uh, driver, do you know
a place called, uh...

Where was it?
I had it here someplace.

h, it was Bay View? Bay Town?

We got a Bay Ridge, lady.
That's in Brooklyn.

Over in Jersey,
you got your Bayonne.

Now, out on the island, you got
your Bay Shore, your Bayville,

-your Bayside--
-Bayside. That's it.

Bayside. Bayside yacht club.
Would you mind driving me there?

Hello!

Captain Caleb.

Mrs. Fletcher.

[grunts]

[clears his throat]

[sighs]
Well, well, well.

-What a delight.
-Well, I called your office.

I... They told me I'd find
you here. I hope you don't mind.

Oh, not a bit.
Come right aboard.

To what do I owe
this great pleasure?

Well, I assume you know that
they've arrested my nephew.

Yes. Well, uh...
The evidence is conclusive.

Evidence?

[Jessica] You've been talking
to Chief Gunderson.

Gunderson is an incompetent fool.

I'm trying to get hit five to six months.

Strange.
I found him very diligent.

Well, he's a political hack,
Mrs. Fletcher.

Putting in his time
until he gets his pension.

However, in this case, I think
he does have his facts correct.

What facts are those?

Well, I told you,
someone in my organization

has been stealing information.

This information is about

proposed sites for my chowder houses.

[Caleb] These leaks have cost me
a great deal of money.

Baxendale narrowed the list
of suspects down to six.

And at his suggestion,
I made those six people -

and only those six -

aware of a confidential report
that I'd received.

[Caleb] The report was a phony, of course.

I also let it be known

that I'd be acting
on that information on Monday.

Oh, I see. You, uh...

forcing your traitor
to act quickly.

Precisely.

Those six people were
very carefully watched.

As you know,
Baxendale's surveillance

took him
to that party on Saturday.

You don't suppose
he could have found that report

-in Ashley's room?
-No, I don't.

He wasn't caught
in Ashley's room.

And as you also know,
Ashley had an alibi that night,

which is more than I can say
for your nephew.

Grady was with Kitt Donovan.

That's like Bonny Parker
alibiing Clyde Barrow.

[Jessica] Captain, uh,
we may be forgetting something.

I mean, how do we know for sure

that anyone intended
to kill Baxendale?

I mean, in that costume,

the killer may have been after you.

Not a chance.
According to the police,

the shot was fired
from 25 feet away. No more.

I just can't help but think.

It was such a dark night,
you know, so cloudy.

And you know
that if a mistake was made...

Oh, you're probably right.

Mrs. Fletcher,
you're a very shrewd cookie,

but you're barking up the wrong tree.

All my employees know that I am

Captain Caleb's chowder houses, okay?

Without me,
the whole thing falls apart.

And as for my wife, Louise,
we have a prenuptial agreement.

As long as I'm alive,
she lives like a queen.

If I die, she gets next to nothing.

There goes your theory
of mistaken identity.

[phone rings]

Hello?

Aunt Jess, where have you been?
We've been worried sick.

Grady, what time does your office close?

What time what?

I don't know.
What's the difference?

What time, Grady?

Uh, 6:30, 7:00...

Aunt Jess, what's going on?

Listen, only two people

could have stolen
that real estate report:

you and Ashley Vickers.

Now, I've pretty much
eliminated you as a suspect.

Thanks.

Which means we have to prove
that Ashley is the culprit.

Now, I want to look around her office.

Aunt Jess,
that's police business.

Well, at the moment,
the police business

seems to be convicting you of murder.

Look, meet me
outside the hotel at 7:00.

Swell. They can tack on
breaking and entering

onto my murder-one sentence.

Are you sure you want to do this?

I'm only sure that
someone has to do something.

Well, even if Ashley
did take those papers,

she couldn't have killed
that detective.

-No, but her accomplice could.
-What accomplice?

Grady, at great risk of exposure,

miss Vickers not only stole that report;

she brought it back
to New Holvang.

Why? Obviously to pass it on
to someone else.

-Someone at the party.
-Yeah, probably.

And remember,
whoever she was dealing with

was just as vulnerable
as she was.

Well, it doesn't figure
she'd keep anything

incriminating in her office.

Well, we'll never know
unless we look.

[inquisitive music playing]

All right. Now Ashley's office
is at the end of the corridor

-on the left.
-Why are you whispering?

-Shh.
-Oh, for heaven's sakes, Grady,

there's no one here.
Now, I'll search the office,

-and you check the records.
-What?

We need to know the names
of the people from whom

the company bought
the properties.

-Now, can you get them?
-Yeah, they're in the computer,

-but I don't want to--
-Grady,

whoever bought and then re-sold
those overpriced properties

has to have some connection,
directly or indirectly,

with Ashley and her contact.
Now scoot! I'll be fine.

[Grady] This may take a while.

[suspenseful music playing]

[elevator bell pings]

[phone ringing]

Yes?

Why are you calling me here?

I told you I don't want you
calling me anywhere,

especially now.

[Ashley] Talk about what?
I thought I made it clear.

It's over.
I want no part of murder.

[Ashley] All right, all right.
Stop getting hysterical.

Where are you?

All right, I'll be there
as soon as possible.

Because they may be
following me. I can't be sure.

I will do the best I can!

[sinister music playing]

[Tom] Boy, that was a fast trip,
miss Vickers.

-Sign me out, will you, Tom?
-Sure thing.

Good night now.

[elevator dings]

So nice to meet you, Tom.

Ma'am. Ma'am.
Excuse me, ma'am. Ma'am!

Uh, Taxi! Taxi!
[horn honking]

Oh! Taxi!

Oh! Taxi!

Can you follow that bus?

Are you kidding me, lady?

You know
where that thing's going?

But that's the trouble.

I don't know where it's going!

[bus decompresses]
[horn honking]

Thank you so much.

Does this bus go to the same place

as that bus up ahead?

[bus driver] That's the way
it works, lady. Up the street,

down the street. Seventy-five cents.

Oh, yes, of course.

I've got my wallet here someplace.

Oh, here we are.

Exact change, lady.

Oh, but I don't have exact change.

Then off you get
at the next stop.

Excuse me. Do you have
four quarters for a dollar?

No, but I've got three quarters
for a dollar.

Oh, yes, uh... three quarters.

[Jessica] Ah.

George, I want to get off.

You just got on.

And now I want to get off... immediately.

[suspenseful music playing]

Hey, mama, you looking

-for something?
-Ah, excuse me.

-Hello.
-Oh, excuse her.

-The lady wants to be excused.
-Please,

Would you mind letting me pass?

Uh-huh. You give me your purse,
and I'll let you by.

Oh, don't be ridiculous.

Step aside before I call the police.

Oh, you gonna call the police?

What, do got the phone in there?

Ah. Well, ah... Yes,
as a matter of fact, I do.

[dramatic music playing]

[grunts]

You see, I'm not only going
to take your purse;

I'm gonna give you
a free blood test.

[grunting and groaning]

[XXX] Are you all right?

Yes... I think so.

Oh, thank you. Thank you.

You want some advice? I'd stay
out of this neighborhood,

Mrs. Fletcher.

-You know me?
-Yes, ma'am.

I recognized you soon as
I saw you back on the bus.

I read your book. It's terrific.

[Jessica] Oh, thank you.
But I still don't--

Hey, don't you know,
Mrs. Fletcher?

You're a celebrity.

[laid-back music playing]

What time is it?

About the same as it was
a minute ago, 11.30,

I'm sure she'll be all right,
Mr. Giles.

Chasing around New York city,
alone, at night,

maybe following a killer?

What happens if Ashley discovers
she's being followed?

Sir!

Jess, in God's name,
where have you been?

Oh, we've been worried sick.

For heaven's sake, Preston, I'm fine.

Don't tell me you've been
waiting here for me.

You weren't actually
following Ashley Vickers?

Well, I was, but I lost her.

Oh, I must hurry.
I've a phone call to make.

Kitt, Grady, did you get what we need?

Well, not exactly.

Roy Gunderson.

He's the Chief of Police.

Grady, what were you saying
about that computer?

I think I hit a wrong button.

Instead of real estate transactions

it started spitting out

last year's wholesale fish prices.

Well, we may not need that
list of names, anyway.

Hello, operator?

Well, would you be good
enough to connect me?

Well, that's very kind.

What do you mean
you won't need them?

You could have been arrested
for trespassing.

Yes, but I think
I've got the connection.

[Jessica] Hello?
Hello. Chief Gunderson?

This is Jessica Fletcher.

Jessica Fletcher.

Uh, well, I believe it's about
a quarter past midnight.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Yes. Yes, but we do have
a murder to solve,

and I think you'll sleep much better

once you've arrested Ashley Vickers.

[Jessica] Chief, this evening,
I was privy to a conversation

in which she practically admitted

having stolen that report.

Chief, would you please stop
complaining about your insomnia

and listen?

Now, I believe
that your private detective

was the intended victim all along.

[Jessica] And I suggest
that you scour his records

to find some connection
between Ashley Vickers

and that Broadway composer,
you remember him, Peter Brill.

-Peter!
-[Jessica] Now, I-I may be wrong,

but frankly, I doubt it.

Anyway, Mr. Baxendale's files
need a good going-over.

[Jessica] Well, I...

Yes, I suppose tomorrow
would be soon enough to start.

Oh, you're quite welcome, Chief.

Good night.

You can't be serious
about Peter Brill.

What do you mean? Don't you
remember at the party,

him telling us about
how he was holding auditions

for a new musical
in a small theater

off 17th street? That's where
I lost Ashley Vickers.

That could just be a coincidence.

[Jessica] Oh, I don't think so, Kitt.

Mr. Brill has been very unsuccessful

for several years.
Yet now he has the funds

to mount a new show.

I mean, even off-broadway
doesn't come that cheap.

There is nothing
in these papers about the show.

Oh, but there must be an item
or an ad or something

that would identify the theater.

Now, first thing tomorrow morning,

that gentleman and I
are going to have a little chat.

[piano music playing]
[woman singing]

Listen...

sounds of life.

No, Grady,
I want you to wait out here.

I'm not letting you go in alone.

Of course, you will.

Aunt Jess,
it could be dangerous.

If Mr. Brill believes
that we're ganging up on him

I mean, it could be very unproductive.

And I think
I'll get further on my own.

All right, but if
you're not back in 20 minutes,

-I'm coming in there.
-I'll count on you.

♪ You played a trick
On my heart honey ♪

♪ You made my love disappear ♪

♪ I was the rabbit in your hat ♪

♪ I was your lucky boutonniere ♪

♪ You played a trick
On my heart honey ♪

♪ It became so very clear ♪

♪ When you tucked me
Up your sleeve ♪

♪ And you didn't even
Shed a tear ♪

[Marvin] Well, Petey,

sweetheart, ain't she great? Huh?

Yes, Marvin,
your client's talent is exceeded

only by her monumental capacity

for flagellation
of the treble clef.

Ah, you got it.

[girl stutters]
Are we through here?

I got to be on the switchboard by 8:30.

Yes. I've heard all I need to hear.

Thank you so much, Mrs. Devine.

That means I stink, right?
Hey, well, listen, buddy,

you know, you don't play so hot either.

Yes, but you see, I've had
only two hours sleep.

Whereas with you, sweet thing,

the oblivion of Morpheus seems to be

a perpetual state of mind.

Oh, yeah?

-Uh, listen, honey...
-[girl shrieks]

Honey. Sweetheart.
Sweetheart, come on.

Come on. Let's get out of here.

Petey. Petey, I'll be seeing you.

Uh, listen...

You got the dough
for this thing, right?

Yes, Marvin, I got the dough.

Dynamite!

[Marvin] Come on.

[Jessica] Just where did you
get the dough, Mr. Brill?

If you're here to audition,
honey, come back tonight.

I was hoping we could have
a nice little private chat.

Mrs. Fletcher.

Well, nothing would delight me
more, but not this morning.

Perhaps, uh, lunch sometime
later in the week.

Mr. Brill, tell me
about the stolen information

that you've been receiving
from Ashley Vickers.

My dear lady,

I have no idea
what you're talking about.

But of course you do.

I followed her here last night.

If Ashley chose
to sit in on my auditions

that is no reason
to assume that we are in league

in some clandestine scheme.

Oh, now,
stop this fiddle-faddle.

Now, a young man's future
is in dire jeopardy

because of your shenanigans,
and I won't allow it.

At the risk
of repeating myself,

I don't know what you're talking about!

[Ashley] Peter!

Give it up.

Don't be a fool.

It's going to come out now,
anyway. All of it.

Are you out of your mind?
Do you want to go to jail?

Do you want to be arrested
for murder?

Yes, Mrs. Fletcher...

Peter and I have enjoyed
a perfect partnership.

He made enough money
to stage a modest comeback,

and I had my revenge
on Captain Caleb.

But murder?

You of all people should realize

I couldn't possibly
have killed that detective.

Yes, of course.

What a pity Mr. Brill couldn't
have been in the room with us.

Then I could have been
your alibi too.

What a generous thought.

But you needn't concern yourself with me.

At the time of that detective's
untimely demise,

I was seated at the parlor piano

delighting my fellow guests
with dozens of melodic gems

from my incomparable repertoire.

Aunt Jess? You all right?

Just fine.

[cop] Hold it, mister!
Stay right there.

Now, very slowly...

Put your hands over your head...

Flat against the wood.

I know the drill, son.

My name is Roy Gunderson.

I'm Chief of Police up at New Holvang.

My identification
is in my inside coat pocket.

Sorry, Chief.

Can't be too careful, you know?

What are you fellows
doing here?

Got an anonymous tip.

Said we'd find something
very interesting on this boat.

Funny...

I got the same message.

[frivolous music playing]

You boys know anything
about sailing?

Sure, a little bit.

Lay on that winch.
Let's hoist this mainsail.

Turn the crank.

[dramatic music playing]

The victim's wife,
Louise McCallum,

arrived at the Hudson street
police station

shortly after 13:00 today,
accompanied by her attorney.

When asked
if she was under suspicion

of her husband's death,
authorities

had no official comment.
Mrs. McCallum, could I ask you,

why would they ask you
to come down here today?

Could I get just one answer
from you, ma'am?

Well, to recap:

Fast food mogul Caleb McCallum
is dead at 58,

fatally shot several times
in the chest.

-I can't believe it.
-Why not?

The murderer was just rectifying
his earlier mistake.

It's so hard to imagine Louise a murderer.

[knock on door]

-Oh, Chief?
-Mr. Giles.

Hope I'm not, uh, disturbing...

Afternoon, Mrs. Fletcher.

Chief, why did they arrest
Louise McCallum?

Oh, they just brought her in
for questioning, ma'am,

that's all.

To tell you the truth,

we're kind of back
to the start line on this thing,

except for the fact that
your nephew is off the hook.

Miss Vickers and Mr. Brill
have made full statements

about the theft of the documents.

But not about the murder.

Jess, that detective

was just in the wrong place
at the wrong time

and wearing the wrong costume.

Caleb's murder proves that.

It sure does.

Anyway, the two of them have alibis

for both killings.

Seems that last night
Brill dragged the lady over

to some New Jersey nightclub
to catch this singer's act.

According to the witnesses,

they didn't leave there
till past 2:30 in the morning.

The coroner says McCallum
was dead by that time.

Well, the New York city homicide
is taking over this case,

so I'm heading back home.

I just want to say,
Mrs. Fletcher,

that I'm proud I met you.

You can horn in one of my cases any time.

Thanks, Chief.
And any time you're in Maine,

you let me cook you up some lobster stew.

I'll do that.

[Preston] Jess...

That any time business sounds
like you've decided something.

Yes, Preston,
I'm, I'm going back.

I've got a... I've got a 4:30
reservation on the train.

Funny...

Despite the insanity
that has surrounded

our brief acquaintance,

these days have been very special to me.

You know, over the past
several years, I've acquired

every luxury a man could want.

But I've been operating
on automatic pilot.

Automatic banking,

automatic security systems,
automatic lights, appliances.

I'm a pampered rich man
who does nothing for himself,

and I'm miserable.

[soft music playing]

Or at least... I have been.

Preston, wait.

I do like you...

a great deal...

but, uh... Oh, I'm sorry.

This is all moving just...

too fast for a widow woman
from Maine.

I can respect that.

-You sure?
-Absolutely.

Look, Jess...

you and I are going to be
joined at the hip professionally

for a long, long time.

If something else is destined

to come out
of this relationship, so be it.

If not...

At least...
I've made a very good friend.

They're talking
about a movie deal,

but don't get your hopes up.
They usually fall through.

Oh, I certainly hope so.

After New York, I know
I'm not ready for Hollywood.

Well, the tape
with Barbara Walters

is going to air on Friday.

Oh, and finally, The New York Times

book reporter that's been
assigned to you, uhm,

Chris Landon, uh,
will be calling you by phone.

-Fine. Is that it?
-Well, not quite.

There's a reporter
from the Yale newspaper

that wants to get on
with you in New London

and ride to Providence.

Be nice to him, Jessica, those
Yalies are big fans of yours.

Oh, I adore them,
and I adore you too.

You're a dear, Kitt. Now,
see that this nephew of mine

-keeps out of trouble.
-Promise.

-Are you sure you have to go?
-Positive.

And I was so sure
you'd solve the mystery.

Well, I couldn't and I didn't,
and that's it.

It will have to remain unsolved,

-at least by me.
-[Daniel] All aboard!

Well, Mrs. Fletcher.
Nice to see you again.

Hello, Daniel.

You sure you're leaving this time?

Absolutely.

Oh, and one other thing, young man.

I want no surprise telegram
mentioning the word "elopement."

I expect the deed to be done
in my parlor.

[Daniel] Well, I guess
you must have had a fine visit.

Well, I could hardly drag myself away.

[Daniel laughs]

Did your boy hear
from the university?

Oh, yes, ma'am.
He starts next September 4th.

Oh, you and your wife must be so proud.

Hmm. That we are.

Excuse me, ma'am. Uh...
You feeling all right?

Yes. Why? Don't I look well?

Oh, yeah, you look just fine.
It's just that, uh...

Well, you seem
a little out of sorts.

Now, it's funny.
You know, this past week or so,

I, I couldn't wait
to get out of this city,

to go back where I belong. And now, I'm...

I'm not exactly sure
where that is.

Yes, ma'am.

Well, if you need anything,
you just let me know.

Thank you.

[lively music playing]

Daniel!

[Jessica] Daniel! Daniel!

[Daniel] What happened?
What's the matter?

How do I get a train
to New Holvang?

Well, you have to take the ramp
to the North end of the station.

But... But you...

Mrs. Fletcher,
what about your luggage?

Check it through to Boston.
I'll pick it up there.

Good night, Jane.
Have a pleasant evening.

[Jane] You, too, Mr. Giles.
[phone ringing]

Mr. Giles' office.

Yes.

One moment, please.

It's some reporter
from Yale University.

I think you'd better take it.

This is Preston Giles.
What can I do for you?

She wasn't?
Well, where did she go?

New Holvang? Are you sure?

Well, thank you for calling.

Jane, this is what I need.
I want a charter plane

waiting for me at Teterboro
ready to go when I arrive.

Yes, Sir.

[train noises]

Excuse me.
Do you know 33 Apper Lane?

Big house. Red brick.
Iron gates. Sure, I know it.

Are you sure you wanna go there?

Oh yes.

Oh, good evening, Deputy.
Nice to see you again.

Oh yes, ma'am.

[driver] Hey, lady,
you sure you want this house?

I mean, maybe nobody told you,

but we had a murder here a few days ago.

Yes, I was here.

Oh, yeah?

You know, uh, I don't think
there's anybody here right now.

Well, I didn't expect there would be.

Uh, look. I'm not sure
how long I'll be here,

but would you please wait?

Oh, gee, Lady, I don't know. You know,

it was the end of the shift,
and I was on my way home--

well, naturally,
I'll make it worth your while.

Well... Ah, sure. I guess so.

-For a few minutes, anyway.
-Thanks so much.

[sonic boom explodes]
[suspenseful music playing]

[Preston]
I can unlock that for you.

That is you, isn't it, Jess?

Yes, it's me.

It's a little hard to see.

I thought you were in New York.

You were supposed to be
on your way to Maine.

What are you doing here?

Trying to tie up a loose end.

I didn't think
you'd go away happy.

What is it?
What have you figured out?

I'm not sure.

It's almost 8:00.
[Preston] What happens at 8:00?

Maybe nothing.

The house is dark. Where's Davis?

I gave him a couple of days off.

Look, this is silly.

I paid your cab driver
and let him go.

Come on, let's go inside
and have a drink.

Not yet.

[Preston] What is it?
What are you trying to prove?

You know, Preston,
you and I are standing

about 25 feet apart.

That's the same distance the killer was

from Sherlock Holmes
when he was shot.

I guess.

The police believe
that Mr. Baxendale

was shot by mistake,
that in the darkness,

the killer thought
he was firing at Captain Caleb,

but at this distance,
I can see you perfectly.

That's because we're standing
in bright moonlight.

Jess, the night of the party,
it was overcast.

There was no moon.
It was pitch dark out here.

The killer saw the costume

and assumed that McCallum
was in that costume.

Automatic lights.

I'd hoped I was wrong.

They went on at 8:00.

When do they shut off?

Midnight, but what's the point?

The point is,
the murder occurred at 11:15.

The point is, the killer knew
exactly who his victim was...

or more specifically, Preston,

you knew you were shooting
that detective.

Jess, for God's sake,
you're not serious?

With this much light there
couldn't have been a mistake.

Someone had reason
to kill Baxendale.

We know it wasn't
Ashley Vickers or Peter Brill.

No one at the party knew he was around,

no one but you and me
and Kitt and Grady.

I can't believe
you're saying this.

Do you think I'm taking
any pleasure in it?

But why would I kill the man?
I didn't even know him.

Oh, I think you did.
At least he knew you.

Don't you remember?

As he was leaving the bedroom?

[Jessica] He saw that
brass figure of blind justice

and he turned and he said
something very strange.

He knew that you were
the Count of Monte Cristo.

It was as if something
suddenly clicked into place.

[Preston] Is that it?
No, of course it isn't.

There were lots of little things,

things that didn't mean
anything at the time,

but now I understand.

In the cab, after you
had retained the lawyer,

you promised that Grady
would be exonerated

-"one way or the other."
-I was trying to comfort you.

Oh, no, I think you would have confessed

if you thought that Grady
was in any real danger.

Jess, honestly--

No, you're not being honest,
Preston. Not at all.

The telephone call proved that.

What telephone call?

[Jessica] At the party,
when you were on the telephone,

when Ashley and I walked into the kitchen,

and I asked you who was calling.

Do you remember what you said?

A very persistent reporter
from the New York Times .

He insists on interviewing
you first thing Monday morning.

I told him you'd left for Pago Pago

and weren't expected back
till the turn of the century.

The Times reporter
assigned to interview me

was a young woman,
not a man, Preston.

It was Mr. Baxendale
on the phone, wasn't it?

Yes.

[melancholic music playing]

He insisted I meet him
by the pool at 11:00.

The subject was blackmail.

I couldn't go through that...
not after all these years.

I was in a blind rage.

I took a gun and shot him.

When I realized how easily
I could have been seen...

if anyone had been outside...
they could have heard the shot.

Many years ago,
I was betrayed by three partners

in a business venture.

An apartment house we'd built collapsed.

Several people were killed.

Although I had nothing to do
with the construction end,

I was made the scapegoat.

They got off free,
and I was sentenced

to 15 years in prison.

After two years,
I managed to escape.

Don't ask the details

but the police assumed
I died in the attempt.

Like the Count of Monte Cristo.

As you well know,
my favorite fictional character.

Well, not everyone was convinced
that I was dead.

A hotshot detective third-grade

had a hunch
that I was still alive.

He became
even more positive when,

over the next couple of years,
like the Count of Monte Cristo,

I financially destroyed

my three ex-partners
from a safe distance.

Saturday was the first time
I'd seen him in 22 years

and I didn't recognize him.

But, obviously,
he recognized me.

He'd changed his name, as I had.

But I knew that if the police

ever started poking around his files,

sooner or later,
they'd come across me.

Yes. The files.

That's why
you dressed Baxendale up

in the Sherlock Holmes outfit,

to make the police think

that the killer had intended
to kill Caleb.

You had to divert attention away
from Baxendale.

Yes.

He was a slimy blackmailer,
Jess. He'd threatened

to destroy my life.

Morally,
it was a case of self-defense.

Preston, even if I could
bring myself to believe that,

there's no way
that you can justify

the murdering of Caleb McCallum.
And you did kill him.

For the same reason:

to divert suspicion
from yourself.

Caleb wasn't much
of a human being, either.

Oh, but he didn't deserve killing.

No one deserves killing.

Oh, Preston, I'm so angry,

I don't know
whether to scream or cry.

All the way
to the railway station,

I was thinking about you.

Twice I nearly turned around
and came back.

Then, when I realized...
When I read that newspaper...

[somber music playing]

I'm sorry, Jess.

I truly am.

Another time, a different place,
we might have had something.

I'm going to talk to Gunderson.

Would you go with me?

Yes, I'd like to very much.

Grady, I'm not coming back to this city.

Not next month, not next year.

Hey, I know you're a little upset.

Upset? These last seven days have been

the most miserable week
of my entire life.

You really liked him, didn't you?

Yes, I really liked him.

Oh, Grady, if only I hadn't been
such a terrible busybody,

if only I could have just let it be.

Great, then I'd be on trial,
not Preston Giles.

Well, I've had enough.

I've had enough murders,
enough puzzles, enough suspects.

You know, I don't even think
I'm gonna write another book.

Sure you will, and I'll be
the first one to read it.

-We'll see.
-[Kitt] Jessica, wait!

-Oh, thank God, I caught you.
-Kitt, what's the matter?

Oh, the police, they've been
trying to find you all morning.

They won't say,
but I think they need your help.

Help from me?

Well, the bodies
of two dead wrestlers

were found this morning
at Madison Square Garden.

They were lying
in the middle of the ring.

One had been stabbed,
and the other drowned.

Absolutely not.

Oh, but they say
there's a logical explanation,

-but they really need your help.
-Grady, tell her, dear.

[cheerful music playing]

Good-bye, children.
And don't forget to write.

It's been wonderful being with you both.

[Jessica] Take care.

Drowned?