Original subtitles

We use moral persuasion and then we barbecue them.

Mr. McShane, are you saying that you're going to personally prosecute the case

against Nicholas Barron? That's exactly what I'm saying.

Hello? All we want is justice.

Whenever I find who's responsible for endangering my daughter, I'm going to

him to the district attorney piece by piece.

I could feed his board for this. You were saying?

By the homecoming of Nicholas Barron, the reputed gangland leader known

sometimes as the Barron, who was paroled yesterday after seven years in prison.

Turn that up.

Barron was convicted only of tax evasion, but his imprisonment was

authorities say, to loosen the grip the Barron family had on organized crime

operations in this area.

Advanced age and failing health were reportedly factors in his release. Don't

wait up for me. Barron is 65.

On the local weather front.

Something in the air is playing havoc with my nose.

Hay fever.

You take what?

Oh, I see. So the idea is the pills make you so sleepy you forget you got hay

fever. Well, if I find somewhere to lie down, I'll take one of them. Tell

Charlene I'll be there in a few minutes.

Okay. I'm sorry to keep you waiting. That's all right. Actually, Mr. Mallock,

was waiting for you.

Here.

My name is Paul Barron.

My father is Nicholas Barron.

Somebody planted a car bomb in Donald Kovacs' car this morning.

He's dead.

Police think my father killed him, but he didn't do it.

But he would like to talk with you.

Oh, I'm sure Nicholas Barron has lots of lawyers with far more experience in

this sort of thing than I have.

He wants you.

Well, thanks, but I'd clap.

No, it's all right. I've got blanks.

You, uh, you talk with my father whether or not you decide to take the case.

This is what you get.

That's $20 ,000.

That's what it says.

You want to go for a ride?

Air -conditioned?

I left it running full blast.

Know anything about roses, Mr. Matlock?

Oh, a fair amount. I know you're supposed to fertilize them, water them,

them.

That's more than most people know.

This is a cultivar that I personally helped to develop.

I call it Irene's Ruby.

Roses are a hobby that became a business.

I know a fair amount about you, too, Mr. Matlock.

Born in some backwater town that doesn't even exist anymore.

Poor family, father killed in a car crash.

And here you are, one of the best -known lawyers in the country. Now, how do you

explain that?

Hard work.

I believe it was preordained.

I think you simply followed along the path that had been laid out for you,

like I followed along the path that had been laid out for me.

Looking back along that path, I can see some things I regret having done.

Some of the crimes that I did, I've already paid for in prison.

All of the others, I'll pay for soon enough.

But I did not murder Donald Kovacs, and I refuse to pay for the crimes of

others.

It's a matter of honor.

I should return this.

I don't charge for consultations.

As for the case, I decline.

Mr. Matlock, I'm going to do something I've never done before.

I'm going to beg.

Please, clear my name.

I didn't do this, and I want to stand trial so people will know that.

I want to do it soon, because in about six months' time, I'm going to be dead.

Please, Mr. Matlock.

I have one condition.

The case will be handled my way, on my terms.

I make all the decisions.

And I take it all the way, no matter what.

All the way, no matter what.

Or I'm out right now.

You have my word.

The first thing you're going to do is turn yourself in.

All right, anybody want to do the honors?

Miranda and Charlie, then book him.

All right, Frank.

What do you got on the client?

Motive.

Donald Kovacs was the man who, according to your client, bribed the accountant

whose testimony sent him to prison.

He's also the man who took over many of the Barron family's illegitimate

enterprises while their client was in prison.

Smother. That hay fever gone.

Sorry.

We got Eddie A., Eddie Alonzo, the man who made the bomb and indeed planted the

bomb that killed Colfant.

Now, Eddie A. was an old friend of the Barron family. I say was because he's no

longer with us. He was found shot to death in a field this morning, two

to the head. Now, the phrase that comes to mind is gangland -style killings.

Hey, well, what are friends for?

Now, we got mud from that field.

Found embedded in the tires of a certain car.

Could we get out of this dancing park?

No problem, because we got an eyewitness who saw the driver of that certain car

shoot and kill Eddie Alonzo. And we also got this.

Found at the scene of the crime, and this belongs to, guess who?

Frank, you really think my client would murder his own friend? Oh, come on,

Counselor. I think your client would murder his own mother if it meant saving

his hide.

The baron's on our family. They're a pack of wolves.

Here I am defending the head wolf.

Right. Why?

I don't know, Frank.

I guess I'm just living right.

Phillips, I can't get a conviction on this turkey unless the wife will testify

that she saw him pull the trigger.

If those detectives of yours spent less time staring out their windows and more

time chasing criminals, we could put a few more of them away, couldn't we?

Don't tell me how tough it is. I was a cop, remember?

Will you stop trying to break my heart and get me some hard evidence?

I don't care how you do it, just get it!

Are you as pleased with yourself as you look?

Here's the goods on Nicholas Barrett. Sit down.

How

long

has your father been governor?

You know, if you had asked before you helped yourself, I might have warned

Max?

Oh, he's almost deaf. Max!

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

No, no, no, don't move. I'll toss them to you.

There, two.

And two more.

Okay?

You're a good boy, Max. I love you.

He's really getting bad.

Tell me something.

What do you think of the Barron case?

I think it's a lot, boss.

So do I.

I'm afraid you're going to have to take a back seat this time, Palmer.

But who's going to prosecute?

I said when I became district attorney.

But I would break the back of organized crime in this city.

And this is part of that problem.

Mr. McShane, are you saying that you're going to personally prosecute the case

against Nicholas Barron? That's exactly what I'm saying, my dear. You and Ben

Matlock almost came to blows last time you all met in the courtroom.

I never listen to rumors.

Mr.

Matlock, is it true that you and District Attorney McShane are bitter

Well, let's just say I didn't vote for him.

Defendant waives time.

Further reading of the indictment pleads not guilty.

May we proceed directly to the issue of bail?

Mr. McJane, what is the state's position?

We recommend the defendant be held without bail until his trial.

To free a man with his reputation as a mobster, one who faces two counts of

murder, would be a slap in the face of every law -abiding citizen in this

community.

Moreover, Nicholas Barron is a man of considerable wealth and means.

One who could, and I submit would, flee at the first opportunity.

I move that he remain in custody until the time of his trial.

Your Honor, my client has no intention of fleeing.

On the contrary, he wants to stand trial.

And he wants to do so as soon as possible.

No matter what his past, no matter what his reputation, he's entitled to the

rights of any citizen.

Your Honor, the parole board of the state penitentiary saw fit to grant my

client an early release.

They didn't see him as a threat to society. They saw him as an aging, ill

deserving pity.

Surely the court of the people is no less compassionate.

Bail is set at $500 ,000.

Preliminary hearing.

Set for September 12th. Is that acceptable to the defense?

Yes, Your Honor.

Mr. McShane.

Prosecution agrees.

Court will recess till 2 .30 this afternoon.

Never thought I'd see you in a courtroom again.

Never thought I'd have an opportunity like this.

That's all, boys.

Let's just say I didn't vote for him.

Do you want to elaborate on that?

How do I look?

Oh, you look great.

But your client looks suspiciously like a gangster.

Bless you. Thank you.

Whatever it is you're allergic to, I sure hope it isn't flowers.

Seems Nicholas Barron's friends, or business associates, you might say, are

delighted to have you on their team.

You, I take it, are not.

I was always under the impression we were criminal lawyers, Dad, not

lawyers.

I understand.

I'll take this one alone.

Look, I just want to know why you took the case.

Nicholas Barron has his own lawyers.

He could have gone anywhere, but he came to me.

I have to believe it's because I have a reputation for being honest.

But besides, he begged me.

He begged me to take this thing to trial.

It was very hard for him.

Try as I might, I can't get around that.

I just can't get around it.

If he wants an honest defense, I have to give him the best that I can.

If you're in, so am I.

I'll see you at 11 o 'clock at the Barron Estate.

All right.

And Ben.

Ben, you'll never guess what I heard about you down at the police station.

Does it have anything to do with my being Nicholas Barron's lawyer?

You're kidding.

Guess again.

He's not kidding.

Tala, we need you to check out an Edward Alonzo.

Apparently, he's the man who put the bomb in Kovacs' car, and he's known on

streets as Eddie A.

Charlene, we're talking major underworld here.

Well, better get started.

I'm Ben Matlock. I have an appointment.

I could have told you you'd wind up taking the case from Kathy Barron. Turn

around and place your hands on the wall, please. Hey, leave it, Marty.

This is Benjamin Matlock, father's attorney.

Come in, please.

I guess everybody's a little nervous.

Well, searching everything that moves is my brother Paul's idea.

How many times do I have to tell you? You didn't walk today, did you?

I had other things to worry about this morning.

Ah, Mr. Matlock. Yes, sir. Welcome.

I'd like you to meet my younger son, Daniel.

You're a doctor?

Internist.

You know, I've been having an awful problem with hay fever lately. I don't

suppose you... I'm sorry. I only prescribe for patients.

Cardiologist is going to stop by this afternoon.

You'll be here?

No. I have other pickings, too.

Good night. Same here.

I thought this little get -together was going to involve the whole family.

Some of us are more interested in family business than others.

And again, some of us are just not welcome.

How are you, Mr. Maylock? Fine.

Did you talk to the D .A.? Yeah.

He says he has an eyewitness who saw you shoot Eddie Alonzo.

That's impossible.

I was in the park.

Well, we need to cover all bases.

Right now, in order to plant the seed of reasonable doubt, we need to give some

thought as to who else might have killed him.

Fine. Sorry to be late.

Having car trouble lately. I'm going to have to take a taxi.

Oh, uh, Nicholas Paul. This is my daughter and partner, Charlene Matlock.

you do? How do you do?

Nicholas and Paul Barron. It's a pleasure.

Please.

May I?

By all means.

Anyone else?

I'll have some.

Thank you.

Let me go ahead with this. Because the killer had access to Nicholas's... Car

and gun. He or she was probably no stranger to this household.

What are you saying?

Just that I'd like to have a word or two with your help and any business

associates who might come by often. No.

Mr. Malick, we take care of our own here.

That's where our associates... Well, the family business over the past several

years has been reduced to a small trucking company.

And we're talking to our employees.

That's not entirely accurate.

Oh, it's not?

No.

Besides owning the trucking company, you also have partial ownership in three

restaurants, five country clubs, two refuse removal companies, and a host of

flower shops.

Sugar? No, no, sure. And that's true, by the way.

We have a few minor legitimate diversifications.

There's one thing about this case that bothers me.

The man who killed Kovac, and then was himself killed, Eddie Alonso, was

whom all of you knew.

Of course we knew.

It's one of my father's oldest employees.

He bounced all three of us on his knee.

Are you saying that one of us hired him and then had him killed?

He was like a brother to me, like a second father to the children.

Besides, he was retired.

I know.

But who could best talk him out of retirement?

I don't think a stranger.

I think someone he knew and trusted.

Well, if you'll excuse us, we'll go to work.

Let's get a line on the eyewitness.

Could I see you for a minute, please?

I'll see you outside.

Anything you have to say to Mr. Matlock, you say in front of me.

Well?

I want him off this case.

I've been against hiring an outsider from the beginning, and nothing he has

or done has made me change my mind on that.

You've made your point, Paul, but I'm going to ignore it. Mr. Matlock is my

lawyer, and that's the way it's going to be.

Kathy Barron.

Must I?

Well, I've seen your picture in the newspaper. I'm Charlene Matlock. I'm

on your father's case.

Hello. For the moment, I'm without wheels. Could I get a ride into town?

Sure.

Thanks.

Oh, tell my dad I have a lift.

Don't forget your seatbelt.

Thanks.

always drive this fast?

Sorry.

So you're a successful lawyer.

I'm envious.

Well, right now I'm just a successful junior partner, but I'm working on it.

That's a lovely locket. Is it old?

It's my mother's.

God, it feels good to get out of that house.

You still live at home?

Well, when Nicholas Barron is your father, you don't exactly have a whole

options.

I'll give you a perfect example.

Do you see that cop up there?

Yeah.

See what I mean?

I can't even get a cop interested in me. It's very limiting.

That's tough.

So how's the case going?

Well, it's a little early to speculate.

At least two.

All right.

Whoever killed Eddie Alonzo had to have access to his father's house.

You mean like one of us?

We can't rule that out.

You better learn one thing fast, and that's no matter what, we are a family

here, and no outsider dare question our loyalty to each other ever.

I can understand that, Kathy.

Just like you'll have to understand that we're not on the case to protect your

family.

We're here to defend your father.

Now, do I still get a ride or do I have to walk?

Okay, you're right. We're even.

But hang on.

Tyler? Tyler, meet Ben.

Crying out loud, what are you expecting? Eddie Alonzo's ghost? Look, somebody

killed him. And that somebody might be looking for somebody who knew him. And I

am here in his apartment.

Did you find anything?

Yeah, I found some escrow papers.

Eddie Alonzo bought himself a house ten days ago.

A house?

Sounds like he came in just for money reasons. You think that money came from

the hit?

I don't know.

Nicholas Barron and Eddie Alonzo go back almost 50 years. I don't think the

Baron would have to pay him.

What a guy.

Now, can we get out of here?

I'll tell you what, dude.

See if you can find some current pictures of the Baron's children.

Maybe somebody in this building saw them with Eddie Alonzo recently.

professional criminals here, Ben.

The baron, his family, the victim, his family. I mean, these guys are all pros,

and I'll just bet you that that sniper was, too.

If he's such a pro, why am I still alive?

Because nine times out of ten, Kovacs wanted to scare you off with a case.

A case, I might add. You had no business being on it in the first place, Mr.

Glover. No.

You see, they're afraid that you're going to somehow lead to it if this guy

walks, and that the old man just might try and recoup a few...

Of the business losses the family suffered while he was in prison?

Yeah. Trucking company did go downhill, didn't it?

Trucking company?

Come on, these guys are into numbers.

They're into so many rackets, I'll bet you they can't even keep track of them.

And now the word is that the Barons have some moral objections to dealing, and

don't give me a break.

I'll tell you what happened.

The Kovacs cornered the market first and then muscled them out. And if Donald

Kovacs had had any smarts, he would have stopped there. But no, he got greedy

and they got even.

Well, if that's the case, the Kovacs had to expect some kind of reprisal when

the old man got out.

They probably did, but they didn't expect a reprisal so soon.

Well, I guess the best thing for me to do is go over there and have a talk with

them.

And the Kovacs?

I'll call the coroner and have him keep an eye out for you.

That's the way azaleas are supposed to look.

What kind of fertilizer do you use?

What'd you say?

I say fertilizer. What kind do you use?

A little this, a little that.

Trade secret, huh?

Matlock, come in. Oh.

Phil Kovac.

Thank you. Nice house.

Beautiful grounds.

I was asking your gardener how he does it. I didn't get very far.

Well, he does have a little problem with his hearing.

Problem with his hearing or problem trying to be something he isn't?

No harm in having someone keep an eye out front.

Yeah. Is Miss Kovac here?

No.

You did indicate that you wanted to talk with me.

Can I offer you a drink?

What's your pleasure?

Maybe a glass of mineral water.

I understand you used to help your brother run his business, sort of second

command. That's right.

Any idea who might have taken a shot at my associate and me this afternoon?

Took a shot at you?

Absolutely not.

Why would we do that?

Well, if somebody frightened me off this case, nobody else worth a damn will

take it.

Nicola Barron would be convicted.

I think you'd like that.

You know, I heard prison got to the old man.

Made him soft.

If I had to guess, I'd say it was his son.

Paul?

He'd like nothing better than to start a war with us.

It's the only prayer he's got of getting back into major leagues.

Like you say, it's only a guess.

That's why we want you on the case.

To prove the bearer an innocent, you gotta find out who's guilty.

What happens then, Revenge?

All we want is justice.

Hello, Mr.

Matlock.

You said you only prescribed for patients. I'm a patient.

Hay fever is worse than ever.

Something you get every year? No, first time.

Nose is running, my eyes is watering, and the back of my throat itches,

constantly. It's driving me crazy.

And you should be seeing an allergist, not me.

I thought I'd throw a little business your way, and from the looks of your

waiting room, you could use it.

Well, having Nicholas Barron for a father is not exactly good for business.

Having him for a client isn't good for business either.

Give me five years to build up a practice and one day for my father to

it. I'm going to give you a shot, Mr. Matlock. I'll need a hip.

Huh?

You think your father's guilty?

No.

I think he was framed.

How did he do?

By somebody in our family?

Maybe.

Just for the record.

That's an allegation I deeply resent.

I can tell.

These just came.

Take them to the children's hospital.

These are for Charlene.

Oh, thank you.

Where are they from?

Paul Barron.

Having dinner with him tonight.

So I can interview him.

Edward Alonzo.

According to one of the tellers at his bank, the only thing Edward Alonzo has

deposited in the last nine years is Social Security checks.

But guess what happened last week?

He walked in with a cashier's check.

$25 ,000, which he withdrew the very next day and used it as a down payment

house for his sister.

Early tomorrow morning, I want you to go down to the park where Nicholas Barron

walks. See if you can find somebody who saw him there that morning.

Okay.

The only way we'll get this case dismissed is to discredit the DA's

The only way to do that is to get an eyewitness of our own.

Relax, man. It's only an interview.

That'll be all. Thank you.

Hello.

Look at you. Don't you look nice? Have a seat. Thank you.

Very pretty dress.

You have nice taste.

Thank you.

Hey, um, close the doors tonight at my request.

I wanted to spare you any embarrassment you might feel by being seen with me

socially.

I also find the idea of dining with you alone irresistible.

How nice.

So, here's to a mutually...

Useful evening.

How's your father?

Convinced your father's innocent.

How's yours?

Convinced your father can get him off.

So that was simple. So much for business.

You know what I think?

I think we should start off with the scampi.

Then move right into the veal. They've got a great veal dish here. You're gonna

love it. It's their specialty.

I hate to interrupt the festivities with anything as mundane as the case, but we

do need a little bit more to go on.

We do.

Like what?

Well, um, what about the Kovac family?

What about them?

Well, could any one of them have murdered Donald Kovac or Eddie Alonso?

Any one of them.

How do we prove that?

Well, first we have to get one of them to confess.

I don't think I want to know how you do that.

Charlene, first we talk, we're reasonable, we use moral persuasion, and

barbecue them.

You're a dangerous man.

That sounds almost like a compliment.

It is.

No.

Almost.

What? I have some questions about your family enterprise.

If you could fill that out and send it over to the office, that way I won't

to answer them over dinner.

I have to tell you, I'm really not in the mood for a scampi or a veal.

Could I see a menu?

Hello?

Ralph? Ralph?

Ralph? Ralph?

Hello. Hello?

Try your office.

Charlene? Yeah?

Charlene? Yeah?

Are you all right?

All right. Are you all right? I got this phone.

Hello. This was just a game.

We'll go to this case where you still can walk.

Somebody really wants us off this case.

Somebody's trying to scare us off this case. Let me tell you something.

Now, I don't care who it is. Anything.

I mean anything happened to my daughter, there's going to be hell to pay.

My men will find out who did it. Oh, Paul, please. He's here because he

it's one of us.

That's impossible.

Isn't Philip Kovac the one you should be dragging out of bed and harassing? Let

me tell you something.

Whenever I find who's responsible for endangering my daughter, I'm going to

him to the district attorney piece by piece.

Call it pre -hearing jitters, call it common sense, but I have this awful

feeling you're going to go out there and the DA's going to eat you alive.

You saying that because you mean it? You're trying to make me feel better.

Dad, he has an eyewitness. You have nothing. What are we going to use for

defense? I wish I knew.

Mr. Miracle, I want you to remember this moment.

Years from now, when you look back on this time, when you're old and when you

are a graceful matron with 30 grandchildren, when criminal historians

case, I want you to remember this time when things looked utterly dismal and

absolutely hopeless.

I want you to remember the time that Tyler Hudson single -handedly reached in

and pulled your fat out of the fire.

Come in, Alice.

Ben Matlock, Charlene Matlock.

Alice Jenkins.

Alice was in Lincoln Park painting a landscape on the very day and at the

time the murders were committed.

Guess who else was there?

Nicholas Barron. She saw him, and she's willing to say so, in court.

Alice, I am very happy to meet you.

Miss Jenkins, do I understand correctly that you've been working on this

painting every day at Jackson Park for almost two weeks now? Yes, you see, that

is a study in the way the sun displays and enhances the leaves and the mist on

the water. I intend to call this Sundance.

That's nice.

Have you ever seen Nicholas Barron before?

Yes, as a matter of fact, I saw him in Jackson Park because he walked in front

of me when I was painting on a week ago Wednesday.

He was so handsome and distinguished, I had to stop painting.

How far away from you was he?

Oh, nine feet.

About what time of day was this?

Close to eight o 'clock. I was almost done for the day.

Oh, that's about the time Mr. Henderson said that Mr. Alonzo was shot.

This is what you wanted.

I'll let you know.

You sure that's the man you saw?

Oh, yes, yes. Because I saw his picture in one of those news weekly magazines.

And I said to myself, that's that handsome man.

And he just got out of prison.

So you're sure that it was Nicholas Barron?

that walked in front of you while you were painting in Jackson Park on the

morning of the 19th around 8 o 'clock?

Oh, yes, I'm sure.

And I will never forget it.

No further questions.

Ah.

Miss Jenkins, do you know a man by the name of Michael Escott?

No. Hmm.

What about Anthony Perini?

No. Irrelevant, Your Honor.

Mr. McShay is confusing the witness and frankly confusing me.

I intend to show relevancy in a moment, Your Honor.

Proceed.

Miss Jenkins, do you know a Robert Daly?

No.

You don't?

Well, that's odd. I say that because according to this Atlanta police

record, You do know them.

Or at least you did.

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

Isn't it true that these three men were each charged with serious felonies, but

in each case you came forward and provided alibis?

Isn't it true, Miss Jenkins, that in fact you were paid in each of these

instances to provide an alibi?

I'd just like to help you. Just answer that question!

Did you see Nicholas Barron in the park the morning of the 19th?

Well... Just a simple declarative sentence, Miss Jenkins!

Tell the truth, for a change!

Your Honor?

Did someone approach you to be a witness for the defense in the case?

Were you told to testify that you saw Nicholas Barron in that park?

Yes.

You lied, didn't you? I mean, you never saw him there, did you?

No.

Did someone pay you to lie, Miss Jenkins?

Yes.

Would you point him out, please?

Lawyer, Mr. Matlock. I beg your pardon?

The lawyer.

Mr. Matlock.

Mr. Matlock?

Mr. Matlock.

I have no further use for this witness.

I could beat his board for this.