Original subtitles

Bye.

Don't improvise, Barbara. Dance the dance as you learned it.

It's very good together.

No, this is the secret to your success.

It's not enough to teach them how to dance. You have to throw in a little

romance, too.

Laura, it's not what you think. I know what I saw.

Laura!

Laura!

Laura! Forget it, Scott.

Laura, I love you. My attorney will begin dissolving this partnership in the

morning. Are you out of your mind? All the woman did was kiss me. What about

others? What others?

You know exactly what I'm talking about.

No, I don't.

I'm the one who wants to get married. You're the one who won't leave your

husband. My husband's money set you up in this business, and now I'm going to

close you down.

Somebody told her I was playing around.

You wouldn't have any idea who that could be.

None.

None at all.

Who do you suppose knew I would be helping Barbara tonight and called Laura

told her to come down?

Beats me.

But if you have to look to see who's watching you, you shouldn't be doing it

the first place.

Good night.

It startled me.

Committee meeting.

Yes, dear. The opera ball, you remember?

I thought the committee had finished its work.

Well, they're tying things up. Please don't be tedious, darling. I am

dead. Good night.

Laura, give it a chance. This is all a big mistake.

I've worked too hard to let you pull the plug now.

Laura.

Laura?

Have any idea why your wife was headed out that way tonight?

No.

Perhaps a charity board meeting.

Yeah. Well, maybe she got her dates mixed up.

Bob, I think you better come outside and take a look at something.

Recognize this fabric?

Yes, it's part of the dress my wife was wearing today. Oh, my God, how did it

get there?

Where were you tonight, Mr. Frazier?

At home.

All evening?

Yes, yes.

Can anyone verify that?

Oh, yes, my houseman, Chester.

Bob, I found this.

Does the pin belong to you?

I've never seen it before.

They all look alike, so I cut a notch in the screw cap there.

Then this is your pen.

Where'd you find it?

I found it on the floor of the car that killed Laura Frazier.

How did it get there?

Well, that's another good question, Scott.

What's this?

I don't know.

Looks like they match.

This is the key to Garland Frazier's car.

The one that was used to run down his wife.

And this is a duplicate.

Scott, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to come downtown.

Yes, Laura and I were having an affair.

Yes, he put up the money for the dance studio.

Yes, we had a little argument.

Personal. I don't care what Dash Hamilton said.

I didn't kill Laura, Mr. Matlock.

I loved her.

You making any money?

The studio is successful.

How long have you been taking Dash lessons?

About a year, year and a half.

Off and on.

About that.

Can you dance?

He's all right.

Well, give me a couple of minutes. I'll see if I can take care of it.

Well, thanks, Ben.

Listen, I'm sorry about... It's okay.

She got the place if you died first?

Yes.

And you guys, if she went first? Yes.

Where were you last night?

Home. Alone?

Yes. Figures. I didn't do it.

Someone planted that evidence.

Well, I'll tell you what a jury's gonna see.

The jury's going to see this younger man romancing this older woman, taking her

money from him.

And she gets the feeling she's being two -timed, and he kills her.

I'm just telling you what a jury's going to think. They're going to think you're

a jiggler. Well, it's not true.

I love Laura.

I don't care what you or anyone thinks.

Look, I'll understand if you don't want to take the case.

Maybe you could just...

Recommend someone

Sorry about the chair, but I thought it was locked in the living room. Well, I

found it in the hall.

What are you doing home? Oh, I was going to call, but it was so late.

What happened to your fishing?

Oh, this case came up. Oh, that's too bad. Are you sure you're all right?

I'm fine.

Where did I hit you? Right here. Oh, can I fix you something? No, I'm fine. I

think I'll just go to bed.

Oh.

What's the matter?

I'm in your bed.

Oh.

Then I don't think it's a good idea for me to stay here.

Why not?

Well... Well, you can't go home. The workmen will be at your house for two

weeks. Yes, I know. But today I saw your neighbors looking over and they must

think... What the hell with them?

We have rights.

Oh, I don't think so.

I tell you what.

Why don't you just go on back to bed? I'll sleep across the hall. No, no, no.

No, no, no, no, no. I'm really wiped out.

I'll just go on back and I'll...

I'll see you in the morning.

You all right? I just knocked over my alarm clock.

Yeah, I heard the noise.

I was afraid you would.

Well, I figured it was a clock or a glass or something.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you.

That's okay.

Are you sure you're all right? Oh, yes.

Well, good night.

Good night.

Well, good morning. Good morning. How did you sleep? Fine. How about you?

Good. Hold this one.

How'd you... Oh, fine.

Hmm.

Bacon and eggs. Yes. I kept the plate hot for you.

I can't eat bacon and eggs.

Cholesterol. Oh, I'm sorry. What can you eat?

This stuff here.

The doctor told me I had to cut back on cholesterol.

I'll get the milk. Kim.

Hmm. Uh, have you seen the Metro?

Oh, yes, I have. Oh.

Have you seen it?

Yes. I hope you're not one of those people who hate sharing the newspaper.

No, I like sharing the newspaper.

Of course, here at home, I don't usually.

I know you're alone.

Yeah.

Ben, excuse me, but we have a problem.

We do?

Ah, the Scott Lazar case.

Oh, you've been at five?

Yes, I just got the call.

Oh.

Why at that five?

We have a very strong case.

I'm sure you do.

Word is he's a gigolo.

Yeah, I hear he likes women.

How did you get involved?

Well, you're not going to believe it.

Bob Brooks started dancing under the cop's arm. Lieutenant Brooks?

I guess his wife made him, I don't know.

Oh, so you're doing it as a favor. Yeah, I'll give it my best shot.

Do you think I should move out?

Out here? Yes. Oh.

You don't think it will affect our relationship?

Well, why should it? We've argued occasionally before. Yes, I know.

Well, there you go.

Miss March.

Thank you.

Um, Your Honor.

Scott Lazar.

has been a resident of the state of Georgia for less than two years. He has

real ties to this community, and the state feels that risk of flight is

substantial. Therefore, we ask that bail be denied.

Your Honor, if the courts denied bail to everyone in Atlanta who's lived here

less than two years, then it would be denying freedom to half the citizens of

the city. And excuse me for saying that would include our learned prosecutor who

has lived here under two years herself.

That is a...

This argument, Your Honor, may I remind the eminent counsel for the defense that

we're not talking about an ordinary citizen here. We're talking about a

man who has been living off the money of an older married woman while he was

seducing her. Wait a minute, Your Honor. We're not arguing the case here. We're

just discussing bail.

Your Honor,

I am here to state matters of fact.

Matters of fact, Your Honor.

Counselor, are you listening to me? No.

Counselor.

Will counsel approach the bench?

Off the record, I will not have this shouting match in my courtroom.

Your Honor, we're just having a reasoned argument.

Mr. Matlock, that'll be enough.

Back on the record.

As far as bail is concerned, prosecution's argument is well taken.

denied. But, Your Honor... Mr. Matlock, that is all.

I'm sorry, but I do think that was fair.

Are you coming home for dinner?

Yeah. Good.

I'll make you the best fried chicken you've ever had.

Yeah? Yeah.

You know, it must be terribly painful for you to hear some of the things being

said about your marriage.

Yes, but of course I know the truth. Laura and I were very happy together.

What is that?

Oh, that is a trophy for the Mambo.

Laura and her partner earned that in Montreal last summer. It's just

ugly, isn't it? Well, she was a champion ballroom dancer, wasn't she? Yes, yes.

I must confess I never understood her interest in ballroom dancing, but far be

it from me to squelch a passion.

Mr. Frazier, I'm...

embarrassed to ask, but you did know about your wife's affair with Scott

No, not at all.

And I must say, I'm shocked to hear such unfounded and vicious gossip.

Oh.

Didn't you hire a private investigator to spy on your wife?

Who said anything of the sort?

But you did hire the Temple Detective Agency.

Well, suppose I did. There's no grave.

And to be painfully honest, I

have heard rumors about Laura and her gigolo friend.

Is your wife aware that you knew about her affair?

I never found any actual evidence.

So naturally, I didn't discuss it with her.

One of my Washington friends heard about your being considered for an

ambassadorial post.

Nothing has come of it yet.

You could stand to lose a lot if there was some sort of scandal.

You could make a case for that. A suspicious person might consider that a

for murder, Mr. Frazier.

I'm sure he could.

But I didn't commit murder.

And no one can prove that I did.

So you're wasting your time.

And mine.

And I could make an even stronger case for that.

Hello? That's pretty fancy footwork.

Why, thank you.

Don't you just love the merengue?

It's very impressive.

Uh, could you tell me where I might find Mrs.

Barbara Raymond?

I might.

Who are you?

Ben Matlock, Scott Lazar's lawyer.

I'm Barbara.

Oh. Uh, may I ask you some questions?

Well, I hope you don't mind if I continue to practice.

My partner is late, and we only have two weeks until the competition.

Uh, that competition, is that the same one that you were rehearsing for

with Scott Lazar when he had his argument with Laura Fraser?

Yes, but that was a tango.

This is a merengue.

Well, how involved were you when Scott was off?

Well, since you are his attorney, I expect you to keep this in confidence.

Scott and I are lovers.

According to Scott, you were...

attached to him, but there was nothing to it.

Well, yes, that's God's way, and I agree, Mr. Matlock.

Discretion would be best under the circumstances.

Well, I think the truth would be the most common.

Well, let's just say that God and I were good friends, and Laura misapprehended

the situation.

You told the police that at the time of the murder, you were at a tanning salon.

I would appreciate it if you kept that in confidence, too.

Though I do go there once a week. Well, uh, Mrs.

Raymond, uh... Ben, spending some of your exorbitant fees on

dance lessons?

Well, Archibald, you're the last person I'd have expected to see here.

Judge Smith is my dancing partner.

Well, actually, I'm just here working on a case.

Well, actually, I'm just here working on the merengue.

Well, you're right about one thing.

This is the best fried chicken I ever had. You're just being kind. No, no, no,

I'm not. It's the best. I was just kidding when I said it would be the

you sure that's okay?

It's the best.

With all the fried chicken you've ever had in your life? Julie, I don't say

to just anyone.

that rolls some chicken and batter, throws it in the skillet, and fries it

Your chicken is the best.

It's got the crispiest skin, the juiciest meat, the most perfect flavor I

tasted.

It's the best.

Oh. Let me put it this way. My mother, my very own mother, who won blue ribbons

at state fairs, never made fried chicken as good as yours.

Dan, I don't know what this is.

It's the best.

Would you like some more? No.

My doctor would fire me if he knew I ate this much.

Oh, I forgot your cholesterol. I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'll eat cardboard tomorrow. But it was really good. It was the best.

Well, I, um... I had a couple of interesting developments in the

Arcade. Ben, I don't think we should discuss that.

It's not unethical.

You know what I mean.

To you, Scott Lazar is the victim of a frame.

To me, he's a murdering jiggle.

I wouldn't call him a jiggle. I mean, I know you don't like him and you think

he's guilty, but calling him a jiggle is kind of like street talk.

Oh, come on, Ben.

He is what he is.

A good -looking guy who trades on his charm.

Well, Scott's a professional.

He offers a service. A service for older women.

Well... Yes, and a lot of the... The fact that he was in love with Laura

has nothing to do with that. The fact that he used her for her money does.

were legal partners.

They were until he killed her. Well, I don't think he killed her. What happened

to the presumption of innocence anyway? Want some coffee? No, thank you.

Then... I refuse to argue this case out of court.

Well, who's arguing? And I also refuse to be put on trial for my personal point

of view. We're just having a discussion for faith's sake. Oh, excuse me.

Where are you going? I'm going to take a shower. You just had one. I'm going to

take another one.

I happen to like showers.

Bam.

Good morning. Good morning. Now, how'd you sleep?

Just beautifully.

And you?

Okay. You think it's okay?

Maybe that fried chicken's that heavy.

Now, here is your cereal, your milk, your pills, your paper, including the

popular metro section. Now, I don't know whether you take sugar in your cereal

or not, but here it is. Just in case. I have a breakfast meeting, so I'll be

running along now. Have a wonderful breakfast. See you in court.

Bye.

Really looking forward to working with you, Letitia.

Oh, well, I always wanted to learn the tango. My guess is that you're

championship material.

Of course, we'd find out a lot sooner if you doubled up on your lessons.

But I just bought a year's worth.

Two years cost just a few dollars more than one.

Oh, I hadn't thought of it quite that way.

Ciao.

Ciao. Now that is a thumbs -down pitch, Mr. Harrison.

Have we met?

Tyler Hudson. I'm working on the Scott Lazar case with Ben Medlock.

Not interested.

Now this could take a couple seconds of your valuable time, sir.

Or we can drag you into court.

I hadn't thought of it quite that way.

So you attended a local softball game the night Laura Frazier was murdered.

That's right.

I don't suppose anyone saw you there who could corroborate your story?

I'm new in the neighborhood.

I don't know anyone.

Look, I already told the police everything.

No, not everything.

According to Scott, you were Laura's lover before he came into the picture.

So what?

So we've heard that she intended to set you up in your own studio, but those

plans changed when she met Scott.

My friend, you're whistling in the wind.

Ah, but a man in your dancing shoes must have found it pretty difficult taking

orders from her new boyfriend.

Look, chum.

Scott killed Laura.

We'll see, chum.

We'll see.

Mr. Frazier, are you connected with the Frazier building downtown?

Yes, my father built it 50 years ago.

I believe it was sold three years ago.

A distress sale, wasn't it?

Yes, I had some minor cash flow problems. An oil lease in the Middle

affected by the trouble there.

Well, that must be nice to have a...

A building to sell when you need to raise a little cash.

Most people have to settle for a swap meeting.

Your Honor.

Mr. Matlock, I assume this is leading somewhere.

Your Honor, I assure you it is.

Proceed.

Uh, have you ever heard of the Christian Ferrer Jewelers?

Oh, yes, I've purchased some items from them in the past.

Ever sold anything?

I can't recall.

Well, maybe this will refresh your memory.

A diamond, an emerald necklace, several other items,

three months ago.

Oh, yes.

These belonged to Mrs. Fraser, didn't they? Yes.

Did she know you sold them?

I don't think so. Not at the time.

So you have testified that to raise cash, you sold a building,

some jewels. Yes, but what does that have to do with Laura's death?

Maybe you better let me ask the questions.

Last year, you took out an insurance policy on

your wife in the amount of $2 million.

Isn't that true?

Yes.

But taking out insurance is not unusual.

No, no, no, it's not. But as you say, with the soft oil market and you're

to sell off assets, it appears that maybe you were living in a financial

of cards that could have come crumbling around you at any minute. Mr. Matlock, I

did not kill my wife.

I was home.

My houseman has already testified to that.

Your houseman, Chester Grant, was nowhere near your estate that night. He

playing poker.

Ordinarily, he plays poker on Thursdays.

But it was postponed because one of the regulars was ill.

Now, that player is prepared to testify to that if necessary.

Where were you, Mr. Brasher?

You were not at home.

Why did you lie?

To protect someone.

Who? Someone I love very much. My daughter.

You and Mrs. Frazier had a child?

Laura was not the mother.

Well, who's the mother?

Her name was Carolyn Blum.

She worked in an art gallery. I barely knew her.

I had a casual affair years ago.

Carolyn became pregnant and elected to have the child over

my objections.

I told Laura about it.

And Laura stayed with me, but it ruined the marriage. I tried to keep it

very quiet.

Supported the mother, the child.

And then, last year, Carolyn died.

Well, where has your daughter lived since

her mother died?

I found a place for her with the sister of my houseman.

I was with my daughter the night.

Laura was murdered like that.

No, I didn't take the Mercedes because it was so conspicuous.

I got home just before the police arrived.

No further questions.

Cross -examine?

No questions, sir.

Court stands adjourned till 9 a .m. tomorrow morning.

What do we do now?

I guess we better regroup.

Believe me, it's all in her mind.

Did you see Julie Lee? No.

You ever been to a tanning salon?

Hey, Julie.

Hey,

Julie, I'm home. I brought Chinese.

Got all your favorites.

Hey, Julie, where...

Dear Ben, you've been so kind to let me stay here, but I think things would be

simpler if I go.

Thank you for everything.

Julie.

See this leftover chicken warming in the oven. I hope it'll be okay.

Julie? Hi.

Thanks for the chicken. It was good.

Sometimes it's better left over.

Even cold.

It was.

Did I forget to turn on the oven?

I'm sorry you left like that.

Ben. So we argue a little. Who doesn't? I know.

But neither one of us likes to give in.

I know.

Um, besides wanting to tell you I'm sorry you left, I have to tell you I

I'm on to something that'll clear Scott Lazar.

Excuse me.

Yes.

He's right here. It's Michelle.

Yeah, Michelle.

Uh -huh. Uh -huh.

Okay, give me 20 minutes.

I've got to go.

I really think we're on to something, and I just wanted you to know. And I

you know how fond I am of you, how much I enjoy your company, and you really do

make great fried chicken.

And I'm sorry about our disagreement.

If you want to call Scott Lazar a gigolo, that's fine. I think he may be a

gigolo myself.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know I really think we are on to something, and

I'll see you later.

Well, what's the verdict?

57 -34.

It's possible to make the trip in an hour.

But not without speeding.

And I forgot about that speed trap on Route 10.

Oh. Can you fix the ticket?

No.

You know somebody?

I might.

Mrs. Raymond, you've been a widow for...

Seven years, is that right?

Yes. And how have you filled the void since your husband's death? Church,

charity work?

No.

Dancing.

Dancing.

That's right.

You're something of a champion, aren't you?

Yes. I have a silver medal in the tango, and I'm going for the gold.

Do you study dancing?

Yes.

For how long?

Five years.

Oh, that's right. That's right. The first four years at the Holiday Dance

and then the last year with Scott Lazar.

Yes.

I understand those dance lessons are expensive.

How did you afford them?

Well, mostly with my husband's pension, but I took out a loan for the rest.

Mrs. Raymond, you couldn't really afford those lessons.

They came at grace sacrifice, didn't they?

And I... I guess... I guess you wanted

your money's worth, and you...

allowed yourself to slip into some kind of fantasy.

A fantasy in which Scott Lazar was your instructor, but he was also your

hero, your knight in shining armor, so to speak, who could rescue you from

the terror and loneliness you felt as a widow.

Mrs. Raymond, isn't it true that you

were the one who called Lar Frazier to come out to that deserted

road that night?

No. And didn't you somehow manage to borrow the keys to the Frazier car from

Mrs. Frazier's purse and have two copies made?

and place one copy in Scott Lazar's desk. While you were doing that,

took out one of his fountain pens and planted it

in the Fraser Mercedes.

No, this is all a lie. Scott and I are lovers.

We were wonderful together.

Yes, and that's right. You were at your tanning salon at

the time of the murder.

You were supposed to keep that confidential.

Everything has to come out now.

And I'll tell you what I think.

I think you killed Laura Frazier and made it look like

you were at your tanning salon at the same time.

Why are you doing this to me? You went to your tanning salon, and yes, you

signed in.

But you slipped out the back door, didn't you? I don't remember.

I think you did.

I think you slipped out the back door, went to the Frazier estate,

took the Frazier car, drove out to that lonely road.

You knew Laura Frazier would be there. And then you used that car to take her

life away.

After the murder,

You drove back to the Frazier estate.

And then you got in your own car and drove like the wind back to the tanning

salon, went in the back door, and made it appear as if you had just finished

your session.

Oh, that is ridiculous.

No one can do all of that in an hour. That's right.

You'd really have to race.

And there's a speed trap on Highway 10. You were almost certain to get a ticket.

I have never gotten a speeding ticket in my life.

Are you sure a motorcycle officer didn't give you a citation that night?

Yes. You could just go to City Hall and check the records.

I did.

And you're right.

There is no citation.

Well, then.

What more do you want?

So we checked.

With all the officers on duty that night

When a

citation is given There is the original That

is sent to the Department of Public Safety to be processed in the courts and

duplicates The first duplicate goes to the offender The second to

the officer.

Now, that original is the one that causes all the trouble.

Unless you've got someone who can fix it.

Do you have a friend who can fix a ticket?

I don't know what you mean.

The Honorable Archibald Smith, your dance partner.

He can fix the ticket, can't he?

This is Officer Kevin Miller's copy of the citation he issued to you

the night Laura Frazier was murdered.

It states...

That the time was 8 .33 p .m.

and the vehicle you were driving was Mrs. Frazier's.

Do you know what I mean now, Mrs. Raymond?

We all know what it means to be lonely.

I know I do.

It must have been very painful.

To love Scott Lazar and not have that love return.

It still is.

Oh, Scott.

Under the circumstances, the state moves that the charges against Scott Lazar be

dismissed.

On people's motion, this case is dismissed. Court is adjourned.

Congratulations.

You do like champagne, don't you?

Yeah.

You're right.

About what?

Good friends should be able to argue.

Sometimes, but not tonight.

Here it does.

You put on

a fine case today.

Yes, but like you said, you...

Knew something.

Oh.

By the way, the repairs on my house are going to take another two weeks.