Original subtitles

Inside the Beltway, Melinda Stewart speaking.

Something's going on in the office where I work that I think people should know

about. And I'm not talking about some little divorce.

I mean something big.

It involves a big senator and big money.

Why are you calling me?

I don't know.

Your picture's above your column.

Should I call somebody else? No.

No, that's all right.

Look, why don't we meet somewhere?

And every three months, almost to the day, Michael Fitzmaurice, he's Senator

Crawford's legislative assistant.

He takes a three -day trip.

I don't know where he goes because he makes the reservations himself.

Something is going on because normally I handle all that kind of stuff for him.

So he takes a trip.

And on the very day that he gets back,

Senator Crawford always calls a meeting between himself, Michael Fitzmaurice,

Robert Irwin.

The corporate attorney?

Yes.

And Jed Palmer.

He ran the senator's re -election campaign.

The meeting never lasts longer than 15 minutes.

And Michael Fitzmaurice, who just got off the plane, he always goes in with a

very heavy -looking briefcase.

It always looks light when he comes out.

Right after that, Senator Crawford flies to Zurich for a couple of days.

It's like he's got a bank account there or something.

So you think there's money in the briefcase?

I'm sure of it.

Can you prove it?

Before I give you anything else,

you're going to have to give me $10 ,000.

Look, I've been in this town since I was 18 years old.

I sat in on a couple of Senate hearings when I came here on a senior class trip,

and I thought, wow, I want to do what they do.

So I started as a secretary, figured I could work my way up.

But the very first man I worked for told me I'd move farther, faster if I slept

with him.

And you believed him?

Pretty soon I wasn't working my way up so much as working my way around.

That's a mistake I kept making over and over again in order to survive.

Well, I finally decided surviving is what animals do. I want out, and in

to get out, I need cash.

Now, do you want this story or not?

It's not a story unless I have proof.

You give me the money.

I'll get you your proof.

Belinda, here you are.

Naughty girl, you almost didn't get an invite, you know.

After that semi -veiled reference to me in your column last week.

Social piranha, indeed.

Piranhas are little itty -bitty things.

Surely I'm up there with the sharks, at least.

Now, just when are you going to bring a date to one of these things, Precious?

Then maybe we can spread some nice, juicy gossip about you.

Actually, I was kind of hoping Jed Palmer would be here.

Ooh, follow me.

Anything to breathe some life into this party. The guest of honor, the sultan

over there?

So many wives, and wouldn't you know, every one of them is a total whore.

Oh, Robert, now what'd you do with Jed Palmer?

Melinda had her heart set on talking to him. He's just over there.

I'll retrieve him, darling.

You stay here and see what muck you can drag out of my husband.

He never tells me a thing.

I'm afraid I'm fresh out of muck today, Miss Stewart, but I'd be happy to run

you up a drink.

Oh, no thanks.

So, how's Senator Crawford?

He's fine. He's here someplace.

I understand that you had a meeting with him last...

Wednesday, wasn't it?

I may have dropped by the office. I go there so often, it's hard for me to

recollect. Every three months doesn't sound that often to me.

Here we are.

Melinda Stewart, Jed Palmer.

Come along, dear.

I hope your interest in me doesn't stem from a desire to run for office.

I've yet to run a losing campaign, and I... Just as we can keep it that way.

With all of my loyal readers out there, what makes you so sure I'd lose?

I'm sure you don't have enough of what it takes to win.

And what's that?

Money? Sad but true.

I understand that Robert Irwin promised you seven figures up front to run

Senator Crawford's last campaign.

That's why you ended up working for the senator and not his opponent.

Where did you hear that?

I hear everything.

Sad but true.

To this day, I don't think he knew the microphone was on.

Hello, Senator.

Good to see you again. Melinda Stewart, Washington Tribune. Yes, of course.

You write that delicious column.

I can say that because you've never written about me, not once.

That just goes to show what an upstanding citizen you are, sir. Yeah,

shows how old and boring I am. Oh, I don't know.

Anyone who flies to Zurich several times a year can't be leading two -dollar

life.

You make it sound as if you had a mistress there or something.

Well, what does he have in Zurich?

Old friends, going all the way back to World War II.

Actually, I have an old mistress going all the way back to World War II.

You know, rumor has it that you like to do a bit of traveling yourself.

No luck with Jed, I see.

Not that it's any great loss.

Those creative types can be such rogues.

By the way, whatever did you say to Robert?

He hasn't been in a funk like this since Dickie resigned.

Hi.

Those guys are up. Something all right. I can smell it.

But, like I said, I need proof that it's illegal.

Bank receipts, memos, letters, tape recordings.

Something that'll tell me and the public exactly what's going on up there, okay?

I'll have your proof for you by tomorrow night. I promise.

$10 ,000?

It's my own money.

I figured if I asked the paper for it, they'd just give the story to somebody

else.

Good luck.

And be careful.

Those guys aren't stupid.

Nice thing is they think I am.

If we're going to meet Dobson in the bar at six, we're going to have to hurry.

And you won't forget my wife now, will you, Karen? No, I'm going directly from

here to the airport to pick her up.

Good girl. See you tomorrow.

It's gone.

She took the bait.

Damn.

Call the others.

Looks like we've got a leak to fix.

Hello? Garrett?

I've been calling for two hours. They had me worried.

Well, I had to pick up the senator's wife at the airport and then take her

Did you find anything?

Yes, yes, a ledger. It was in Senator Crawford's desk.

Could you hurry?

I'm really starting to feel creepy.

Yeah, okay, I'll be there in a few minutes.

Karen?

When it's peach picking time in Georgia, yes, it's cow picking time for me.

Hey, old lady, hey, old lady, oh, old lady, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,

ah.

You like that, don't you?

What?

Messing with the ukulele.

Oh, yes.

I've always liked that.

I'll tell you something else I like. What's that?

I like living in Georgia.

I love Georgia.

Home sweet home? Home sweet home. No place like it.

I'll tell you the truth.

I'll tell you the truth, I'd just as soon never have to leave Georgia again.

Well, she's picking time in Georgia. What's that now?

Apple picking time.

Who is it?

Washington, D .C.

Yes?

You must be Ben Medlock. Yes.

Tom Shoford. Oh, nice to meet you.

I'm not holding up the press. Oh, not at all. Take a seat.

Did you talk to Melinda?

Well, I thought I should talk with you first.

About your fee.

Well... Well, it's high.

But the paper has no problem with it.

Good.

You want your fee now.

What?

All of it.

In advance.

Well, yes.

Newspapers these days have a tendency to do something that I find very

disturbing. Like what?

Go out of business.

Mr. Matlock, this is the Washington Tribune, where solid is a rock.

Well, that's what they said about the New York Herald Tribune.

Let's start right off with everything, okay?

She was shot with your gun.

I never carried that gun with me. I always kept it at home.

And you were caught running from the scene.

The burglar alarm went off. I panicked. The police say you gave this young woman

$10 ,000.

Yes. She had given me some information, and she was going to give me something

that would prove it was true.

But she never did.

She never had the chance.

By the time I found her, she was dead.

The police think you went over there to get your money back.

And when she refused, you got mad and shot her when she hit the panic button

the alarm system.

I didn't say that's what I believe. That's what they believe.

She came to me because she thought the man she worked for was involved in some

sort of conspiracy.

Are you talking about Lambert Crawford?

It's all on the interview tapes.

Senator Crawford, his aide, Michael Fitzmaurice, Robert Irwin, and Jed

She was sure that they were up to something illegal.

They must have figured out that Karen was feeding me stuff, so to get rid of

both of us, they murdered her and framed me.

This proof, do you have any idea what it was?

She said it was a ledger.

Was it in her apartment that night?

I never looked.

What was that address?

Ben, hi. Come on in.

Oh.

I thought it'd be the police who let me in.

That's who let me in.

Well.

Well.

Not bad.

Secretary, huh?

Secretary.

Who's shabby?

Extracurricular activities?

I guess whoever she was seeing wanted to see her and... Walk out from a

surrounding? Something like that.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Oh,

and that ledger isn't here.

I think probably back in the...

Senator's desk?

Or in the desk of one of the other three.

Senator

Crawford,

I'm Ben Matlock from Atlanta. I apologize for barging in like this, but

nobody out front.

All right, come on in.

Things are a little discombobulated right now.

It's an honor to meet you, sir.

It's something I've always wanted to do.

Ever since you introduced that legislation giving low -interest loans

students, without you, a lot of kids wouldn't have had a prayer going to

college.

Please, sit down. Oh, thank you.

It's an honor.

Are you aware that I am representing Melinda Stewart?

Oh, how can I help?

Well, Melinda's convinced that your former secretary, Karen Weiler, was

because she had gotten wind of some conspiracy.

I like Karen. I can't tell you how much it hurt to hear that she tried to sell

some bogus story about me to the press.

You think she made it up?

Somebody did.

Was anything taken from your office the night she was killed?

No. Lambert, I just talked with Cole. I think he's ready to swing over.

Ben Matlock, this is my right hand.

Michael Fitzmaurice. Hello. Pleasure to meet you, sir.

Mr. Matlock is representing Melinda Stewart.

We were just talking about that story Karen apparently sold her.

Oh, yes.

Ah, it's, um...

It's almost time for roll call, Senator. You need to get down to the floor.

Well, Mr. Matlock, it's been a pleasure. Oh, my pleasure.

I'd vote for you any time, sir.

Goodbye. Goodbye.

Next time under more pleasant circumstances.

It's an honor. It's an honor.

Honor.

If you have any more questions, maybe I could help.

Well, there is this one.

Yes? It's one of those awkward questions, but in my job, I have to ask.

Where was the senator the night Karen was murdered?

He was with me.

Working on the speech that he gave the next day, soliciting support for his aid

to the homeless bill.

We were right here in the office.

You can check with us. Oh, no, no, no. I'm sure that's true, and I'm sure that

whoever works for Lambert Crawford has as much integrity as he does.

Of course, that wasn't...

Quite the case with Karen, wasn't it?

Well, sometimes the senator is too big -hearted for his own good.

He knew that she was what is known in this town as a Potomac cadet.

Girls who don't mind being used as long as it's by men with power.

He felt sorry for her, thought that she deserved another chance.

Well,

thank you again. Oh, my pleasure, sir.

It's about time.

I fixed myself a drink, honey. I hope you don't mind.

I'll be glad to fix you one afterward.

You like it, Rufus?

You're gonna love it.

My name's not Rufus.

You've got the wrong room.

You've got the wrong attitude, baby.

Oh, wait.

Oh, wait, wait, wait. Oh, no, wait a minute. No, no, no.

No, no, wait, wait, wait just a minute. Oh, wait a minute, wait, wait, wait a

minute. Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute.

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

What the hell's going on?

I was told to come up here and entertain you.

Who told you? Some guy who drove by said you like surprises.

And I'd like my money, $200.

You get out of here.

You can go in your dress or in your underwear, but you get out of here now!

Get out of here!

What? Mr. Matlock, if you're not back in Atlanta in 24 hours, the pictures that

were just taken will go into the National Informer.

Mr. Shuford, we got a problem.

What kind of problem?

Somebody wants me to drop Melinda's case.

They hired a hooker and a photographer to ambush me last night, and now they're

threatening to give the pictures to one of those scandal sheets.

What did you tell them?

I told them to go to hell. It's common knowledge your newspaper's backing me,

if I get dragged through the mud, you're going with me. If somebody wants you

off this case that badly, it means something big really is going on.

Let's go for it.

Shuford.

Yes, he's here.

Just a moment. It's for you.

Hello?

Yeah.

Yeah.

All right.

All right, I'll be right there.

of its federal agent.

What's going on?

Karen Weiler stumbled onto something she shouldn't have and made it worse by

contacting your client.

Because of them, a major investigation is now in jeopardy.

What kind of investigation?

All I can tell you is it involves national security.

I'm just trying to keep an innocent woman out of prison.

Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Matlock.

In order to prove your client is innocent, you'll undoubtedly go looking

person that is guilty.

We can't have that. Your nosing around could scare the people that we're

for off.

What do you want me to do?

Plead your client guilty.

Our investigation will be over soon.

We'll drop all the charges. She won't spend a day in prison, I promise you.

You're crazy.

You know, we've been keeping an eye on you since you came to town, watching the

people that we're investigating, watching you.

My men nailed the...

would -be blackmailer just after he developed his piece of film.

There.

All the negatives are there.

Who did this?

I'm sorry, I can't tell you that.

So, in appreciation, I'm supposed to do what you asked, is that it?

You can do whatever you like, Mr. Matlock. Just remember, these people

keeps. The next time, they may just do a lot more than take pictures.

What are their names?

I can't answer that.

The highest levels of national security are involved here, and any breach of

confidentiality could have severe consequences.

My superiors would like to know how you intend to proceed.

I'm sorry, I can't answer that.

Well, hello, John. When did you get in? As soon as I could. You know I love this

town. I love the vibes here. I have always been into raw power.

So I hear.

Well, these big -time defense lawyers.

My experience has been that the guiltier their client, the higher their fear,

and the more outrageous their behavior in the courtroom is.

Uh, excuse me, sir. I'm, um, Ben Matlock, counsel for the defense.

Before the beginning of any procedure, I like to shake hands with the

prosecutor. I'm the judge.

And how does your client plead?

Not guilty, Your Honor.

Also, defense would like to waive time and proceed directly to the matter of

bait.

One million dollars.

One million dollars?

If I heard you correctly, you heard me correctly, Counselor.

As for the trial date, how does 9 a .m. on the second of next month sound?

The prosecution has no objection, Your Honor.

Defense has no objection.

I'd like to see counsel in my chambers.

You think the Tribble spring for the money?

I hope so.

Mr. Schubert's got a bondsman.

Is Judge Dunaway going to preside at the trial?

It looks like.

He has a reputation.

Yeah? Yeah.

For being the most meddlesome, interfering judge on the bench.

Oh, now, don't worry.

That's just a show for the press.

I'm sure I'll get in chambers and find you to be a very reasonable man.

I hate to waste time, and I hate to waste money.

And especially I hate it when I'm forced to waste both.

Of course, I understand why you feed your client not guilty.

Because she's innocent.

I know perfectly well that it's because you intend to turn my courtroom into a

headline -generating sideshow.

I intend to do nothing but pursue a vigorous defense.

Counsel, my guess is that what you intend to pursue is publicity, and I

have it in this case.

The formal news releases, the afternoon press conferences, the leaks, all to

taint the jury pool and confuse the issues.

Your Honor... Don't interrupt, Counsel. I'm well acquainted with defense

techniques of trial by the media. So?

By this court's own motion and order, defendant and the people are under

blanket gag order in this case as of now and continuing until further order of

the court. Good day, gentlemen.

We're in trouble.

Please stop.

Melinda.

Well, at least there's a party late this afternoon.

What party?

Clarissa Irwin's party.

Who's that?

Robert Irwin's wife.

Oh, yeah.

I thought I recognized the name. I haven't seen her since I was, I don't

guess 17.

She and my father are old friends. They go all the way back to prep school.

Anyway, she's having a party and we're all invited.

All right.

It's a black tie.

Well, I'll rent a tux and charge it to my employer.

I guess I'll see you all there.

Maybe you better not.

But all of our suspects will be there. Well, that's why.

I think we can operate freer if you're not there.

Got your room at Mayfair Hotel. Maybe you better stay there and not talk to

anybody, not even a bellhop, okay?

Yeah, I guess.

Look at you.

I turned my back and you grew up.

Aren't you gorgeous?

And these must be your associates.

Yes. Clarissa Irwin, I'd like you to meet Ben Matlock and Tyler Hudson.

Nice to meet you.

Welcome, all of you.

We wouldn't have missed it for the world.

I rented a tuxedo, but I didn't have time to put it on.

You look lovely in your suit.

Let me introduce you to everyone.

Have fun.

We'll start very small and then work our way up. I think the vice president's

over here.

So finally, finally, the guy shows up to shoot the commercial.

So we sit him down, point him toward the teleprompter, and start rolling.

Only then do we just...

Robert, dear, I'd like you to meet the one and only Ben Madlock. Oh. And Ben,

this is my one and only husband, Robert Earl. Oh, pleasure.

No champagne here either.

Excuse me. We two talk about torts or something.

Henri, où est la boue?

Clarissa mentioned that you might be joining us this afternoon.

Oh, did she? Uh -huh.

Because of your client, there's a rumor flying around town that Senator...

Crawford and I are involved in something illegal.

Oh?

There is no truth to it.

Lambert is a long -time client and a friend, that's all.

Good friend.

Very good.

For a lot of years.

That's good. It's nice.

Um...

I saw Senator Crawford myself today.

That's a man that I've admired for a long time.

And I hated to do it, but, you know, I have to know where other

people were who were involved with Karen at the time of the murder.

You asked him that?

Oh, no, I wouldn't ask him. I asked his assistant, Mr. Fitzmaurice.

Would you like to ask me?

Well, yeah.

I was here.

At home with my wife.

Often, I'm not.

But that night, I was.

Excuse me.

All right, who are you?

No one seems to know who you are.

Jed Palmer.

Michelle Thomas.

I'm an old friend of Clarissa's.

Well, who's your date?

Well, I don't have one.

You're that famous PR man, aren't you? No, no, I'm not that famous. I just make

other people famous.

You sure did a job for Senator Crawford.

He was history before you took over his last campaign. All in a day's work.

Your work must be fascinating.

Only to the uninitiated.

Of course, I could take you somewhere truly spectacular and initiate you.

I'll get my coat.

Evening, Mr. Palmer.

Howard, how you doing? Fine, thank you. Good.

You won't get hurt.

Don't hurt the tux. Who are you? I'm just a private citizen who's seriously

considering making a citizen's arrest.

We're federal agents, pal.

Oh.

What's going on?

Have a seat.

I'd like you to meet Mr. Whitehall and Mr.

Kabeck. Federal agents.

He said he's your investigator.

That's because he is.

We apprehended him at the residence of Jed Palmer.

Michelle left the party with Jed Palmer. As they drove off, I saw that they were

being followed, so I jumped in my car and followed the followers. Turns out it

was these guys.

Why are you people following Jed Palmer?

I can't answer that.

Well, I guess we have nothing to talk about. Let's go, Tyler. I'm sorry.

leaves until the special agent in charge reviews the situation.

He's on his way over here right now.

Well, give him our very best.

Excuses.

We made six separate TV spots.

Aired them three times every night on each of the major networks for the last

two weeks of the campaign and once.

Well, with all the bad press Senator Crawford's been getting with this Karen

Weiler thing, it seems to me maybe your job ended too soon.

Well, that's not my area of expertise.

However... You think there's anything to that conspiracy story?

Nah.

Senator is about as benign as they come.

You never picked up on anything even a little bit illegal when you were working

with him.

I'm just a media consultant.

Well, he's questions about Lambert Crawford anyway, and why are you so

Am I?

In my professional opinion, yeah.

Would you like to try some of my therapy?

Thanks, but I think I better go home.

Just kidding.

I don't even know why you're in town.

You can tell me while I'm driving you home.

I'll take a cab.

Then how am I gonna find out where you're staying?

I'll give you a call.

I enjoyed the initiation.

Well, Mr. Matlock, I was afraid something like this might happen. The

that's happened is that your men have detained my associate and me here

cause for close to two hours.

I apologize.

Of course, I warned you that something like this might happen.

How can we keep it from happening again?

Well, the easiest way would be to have your client change or plead guilty.

What's the next easiest thing?

For us to communicate.

How about you keep me informed of all your activities from now on?

You can leave messages for me on the machine at this number.

How about you keep me informed?

Oh, I can't do that. It's a matter of national security.

I wish I could tell you this won't happen again, Mr. Matlock.

But?

Well, at least they didn't hurt the tux.

And when you ran ballistics tests on it, what did you discover?

Bullets fired from that weapon matched those taken from the decedent's body.

And who was the gun's registered owner?

The defendant, Melinda Stewart.

Thank you. No further questions, Your Honor.

Mr. Matlock?

Lieutenant Norris, are you aware that Melinda Stewart

called the police to report that that gun was stolen?

Yes, but... And when the officers arrived at her apartment, To

They found evidence to suggest that a window had been forced open. Yes, but...

So isn't it possible that someone broke into Melinda Stewart's apartment, stole

the gun, used it to shoot the decedent, left it at the scene of the crime to

incriminate her?

Objection. This is speculation.

Withdraw the question. Thank you, Lieutenant. That's all.

No. That's not all, Mr. Matlock.

I think this witness was attempting to explain his last answer.

Lieutenant? Yes, sir.

I was.

The jury has a right and a duty to hear the whole truth, Mr. Matlock.

I'm sorry, Your Honor.

I apologize.

Lieutenant, didn't Miss Stewart call the police to tell them?

that gun had been stolen.

Yes, only it was after the murder.

But considering the fact that she was arrested at the scene of the crime and

held in jail until bail was posted, didn't she notify the police the gun had

been stolen at the earliest possible moment?

That's hard to say.

Was there any evidence that her apartment had been broken into?

Your Honor, may I ask my own question?

Proceed.

Was there evidence that her apartment had been broken into?

The marks that were found at the window frame could have been made at any time

by anybody.

I didn't ask you that. I asked you did it look like it was broken into.

Well, I suppose.

Nothing further.

Thank you, sir.

Redirect? No, sir.

The people will rest, Your Honor.

Court will take a 15 -minute recess after which the defense will begin its

We've got to do something about that judge. He's going to have the jury

convicting you.

It's not the damnedest thing I ever saw, but it's close.

I want you to put me on the stand.

What are you talking about?

I want you to put me on the stand.

Melinda, I haven't prepared you for direct examination. Forget what the

prosecution will put you through.

I'm the client. Don't I have a say in the matter? It is my life.

Yes, and I'm trying to see you don't spend the rest of it in prison. Now,

not getting on that stand. That's all there is to it. But I think... It's

I think it lands over to your right.

The guy gets around, doesn't he?

Is the defense ready to present its case?

Yes, we are, Your Honor. I call as my first witness. I'm going to be the first

witness. Sit down.

I'd like to testify, Your Honor.

Your Honor, I'd like a moment to confer with my client.

Your client doesn't seem to want to confer with you.

Then I request an immediate recess.

No, I confess. I'm guilty. I shot Karen Weiler.

Thank you.