Original subtitles

you

I'm sorry, sir. Mr. Comstock is out.

Gloria, if anybody knows who he is, you do.

Yes, sir. Mr. Comstock is still out. Don't you realize what's going to happen

I don't see him right away?

Please, Peter, wait.

I've got to go to Canaveral tonight. Look, I want to talk to Comstock for one

minute, just 60 seconds, and I'd settle for 10 seconds.

Where's Comstock, huh?

Well, your appointment was canceled, Mr. Lawson. Mr. Comstock had to go out. I

don't believe you. He's in there, and I'm going to see him. Look, there he is.

Just a minute. Get out of my way.

Don't leave me, Valerie.

Polly is lying to you, darling.

Not only Polly. They're all lying.

Darling, is gossip all you need to throw me away?

Doesn't my love for you mean anything? Our marriage?

What the devil are you doing here?

Comstock, you owe me money.

Okay, I'm sorry we barged in like this, but get out of here, Lawson.

Out!

Please think it over. Give me a chance.

The Vaughns are taking me over to Catalina, Roy.

My attorney will be in touch with you.

Valerie, don't end my life.

I'm terribly embarrassed, Mrs. Comstock. I tried to stop them. Oh, that's all

right, Miss Withers. You're new here.

Anyway, what difference does it make?

Come on in, Peter.

Look, I'm sorry. I didn't... Well, they're sending me to Canaveral tonight,

I thought... Well, the loan is almost due. $200 ,000.

Laguna Mesa. Peter, your job is to put a man on the moon. My job is to take care

of our property.

Now, as soon as I pay off the loan, I'll call you in Canaveral. All right.

Yeah. Yes.

Your wife didn't mean it, did she, Mr. Comstock?

A divorce?

She still might change her mind.

Oh, I'm sure she will.

Mr. Comstock, you go home now. I'll lock up.

None of those letters need to be finished tonight, and you certainly

with... No, no, no, Gloria, no, that's not right.

I mean, what else is there now but work?

This is Comstock.

With the evidence you and your corroborating witnesses have presented

court, I see no reason why a divorce should not be granted.

As for the property settlement, you are to receive the house at Laguna Beach,

another real estate, all tangible property, and, in addition, a cash

settlement of $350 ,000.

In view of this, I will not allot any alimony. Mr. Comstock?

It is the court's duty to keep the interests of both parties to a divorce

mind. Now, this settlement, do you consider it fair, not only to your wife,

to yourself?

Your Honor, Mr. Comstock is aware that he is generously giving his wife most of

his tangible assets.

But he will continue as president of the Comstock Construction Company, which

has, in the past, been quite successful.

And should, in the future, continue to be so.

Very well.

The court grants an interlocutory decree of divorce.

Court is adjourned.

Valerie.

Leave her alone.

Haven't you heard her enough?

Operator, listen.

It's the Comstock Construction Company.

I'm sorry, sir, but that number has been disconnected.

Well, it can't be a company that big can't go out of business and vanish in

than a month. They've got to have a phone.

I'm sorry, sir, but there is no other listing in Los Angeles for Roy Comstock

the Comstock Construction Company.

Mind if I come aboard?

Oh, hello.

Mr. Brandt, isn't it? Yes, that's right.

I'm looking for your husband, Mrs. Comstock. Well, he's not here.

Of course. Nor do I care where he is.

Please, Mrs. Comstock, we borrowed some money on my land at Laguna Mesa that has

to be paid back.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about that.

Well, excuse me. Goodbye, Mr. Brandt.

Well, look, won't you help me try to... I'll beat it, Buster.

Well, now, look, I... Sure, sure.

Now, listen, she just got over this divorce. She's feeling a little rocky.

want that Comstock, go see that Weatherby fella, maybe, huh?

Weatherby. Weatherby.

Well,

I'm worried about Roy, too.

His divorce seems to have quite unraveled him.

Well, he'd better stitch himself back together.

Now, the loan on my land is almost due. And Comstock hasn't built those houses

yet, not one.

So where is he, Mr. Weatherby?

I don't know.

Well, where's the money he borrowed to build those houses?

I don't know that either.

Well, look, you don't suppose Roy could have just taken that money or something?

No, no, of course not.

He's had an emotional breakdown and... Well, never mind.

But that doesn't help you, does it?

Because as an attorney, Mr. Brent, I'd better warn you that if Roy doesn't pay

back that loan, then you'll have to do it.

Either that or forfeit your land.

But Mr. Comstock isn't my boss anymore. We closed the office last month. Sure,

sure, but you have seen him since then, haven't you?

Oh, Peter, the poor man just looks terrible. Well, now, when am I going to

him? Where is he?

I just don't know. I told you.

Yeah, you told me.

Please, Peter, I didn't know that note on your line was almost due.

I'm sure that Mr. Comstock doesn't even realize it himself.

You mean you're sure he's not a crook, is that it?

Crook?

Peter, what a horrible thing to say.

You want me to say you're a crook, too?

Now, where is it?

I won't tell you.

And now look what you did.

Bartender. Mr. Comstock, I know you don't want to be... Bartender, if you

please.

It's about Peter Brent. That note on his land, remember?

If you could maybe tell me what to do, and I'm sure that Mr. Weatherby will be

glad to help you. Gloria, you are a do -gooding little idiot.

Well, Mr. Comstock, I'm only trying to... I told you to stay away from me,

didn't I?

Well, do it!

Now, I'm not worth helping, can't you understand that?

Just... Leave me alone.

Hey.

She gone?

Yeah.

You should have gone with her.

Yeah.

The grave, it is a quiet and lonely place.

But therein, I think, you embrace.

Hello, Comstock.

Oh, the boy scientist. The man on the moon.

So that's why Gloria showed up, huh? To bring you.

No, she didn't bring me. I followed her.

Now, where's the money? The $200 ,000?

Oh, now he's the mad boy scientist.

My friend, there is no $200 ,000.

And don't look at me like that.

I am no thief. I am the victim of thieves.

Here, take what's left. With all my worldly goods, I thee endow.

So, then he passed out, still without making any sense. He just kept laughing

and crying and saying he was sorry.

Which is very little help towards saving our property.

Now, let's see.

You inherited 50 acres of beach land worth conservatively half a million

dollars.

In order to develop this land, you gave half of it to Comstock.

Well, he was going to put up all these houses, 40, $50 ,000 homes.

That's what he told you.

But the facts are as follows.

In order to raise the money to build these houses, you and Comstock put up

entire 50 acres as collateral for a $200 ,000 loan. And I suspect you did not

borrow the money from a bank, but from a group of businessmen, all friends of

Comstock. Well, yes, he said the interest rates would be lower than the

course.

But I doubt if any actual money changed hands. There probably never was any $200

,000. Mr. Mason, you think this was just a swindle to get my land?

Well, that may not be too easy to prove.

I'll start an investigation of his financial standing. But in the meantime,

better bring Comstock in here for a talk.

Well, that bartender said he sleeps most all day. Then bring him in tonight.

If he argues, tell him we're going to slap a warrant on him.

I'll bring him in.

Don't you worry, Mr. Mixon. I'll bring him in.

Terry, that man Comstock must have some money. I remember reading about his

divorce. What about it?

He made his wife a huge property settlement.

Oh, he did?

But a man can't hide his assets behind a divorced wife, can he? I mean, the

courts would call it collusion, wouldn't they? And throw the settlement out?

They might.

If it were collusion.

And if one of the parties didn't somehow manage to disappear.

Here, my last five dollars. My last gift.

But it isn't your boat anymore, Mr. Comstock. It belongs to your wife.

My last boat, my last wife.

She should absolutely know I was to be allowed on board.

If she ever finds out... My last wallet, then.

Take it. Take the whole thing. Only get out of my way.

Comstock!

There you are. I'm ready. Go!

Comstock!

Comstock!

Wait!

Get off!

Get away from me! Did you run out the back door of that bar?

Peter, I can't help you. You're coming with me to see a lawyer. I'm coming no

place anymore!

Comstock, don't you understand? I'm all...

He told me to give you the note any time he came in, maybe like about an hour

ago.

Operator. Hold it. Get me the police.

Hurry, hurry.

He's sure been acting crazy.

Listen, I want to report a suicide.

He's going to commit suicide.

You've got to stop him.

Mr. Comstock is going to commit suicide.

Oh, it's you, Willie.

Hi. I know it's almost 5 a .m. I'm sorry. I've been with the Coast Guard.

they find the boat?

I think so. It was down the coast just a couple of miles in a little cold,

drifting around.

Roy was... Nobody on it.

They wanted me to help the cops, though, to do a little diving, maybe tomorrow

morning.

Guess they figured he took the leap all right.

Oh, poor Roy.

I haven't been able to sleep a wink.

People keep telephoning.

Look, a guy kills himself, right?

That's not your fault, is it?

You don't want to forget how badly he treated you.

If there was ever a man who didn't know how to treat a beautiful woman... I

know, I know.

And thank you, Willie.

You've been a great comfort these past few months.

Well, maybe...

You find his body, and everything else is taken care of.

You'll let me drive you someplace for a vacation.

You know what I mean?

Because you deserve to have a little fun for a change, and I know a couple of

places where we can... Yes, fine, Willie. Thank you very much.

Now, don't you cry, you hear? Because you're divorced from all that.

Don't worry.

I'm not going to cry over a man I hated. It's just the idea of a suicide, and

so... Well, good night, Willie.

Take me some more, honey. Oh, Roy.

Roy, you've got to get out of here, darling. You've got to hurry.

A man can't travel without dry clothes, can he?

When will I see you?

Wait a week or so and then go to Mexico City.

You've transferred most of your funds by now, haven't you? I did everything you

said. Darling, everything.

Good. I'll have to spend a few days at La Casita.

Weatherby won't want to go straight down there.

Well, I've got to see him before I can leave the country. Why? Boy, we have

plenty of money. Why can't you just...

Yes,

hello?

Oh, Polly.

Yeah, yes, I just heard. Isn't it awful?

No, no, wait a minute.

Willie's just been here.

He's just leaving.

Just a little longer, honey.

Just a little longer.

Be careful.

Don't worry. Nobody will see me.

I'm dead, remember?

I took the leap.

Yes, Andy, I can hear you.

What's happened? Find Comstock's body yet?

No, but Perry, I'm coming back downtown.

I want to talk to Mr. Peter Brent.

My office says he's a client of yours.

How is he involved?

Pierre Watchman says Brent was aboard this ship with Comstock last night.

Oh, Andy, in my opinion, this so -called suicide... Perry, I'm not interested in

your opinion. I'm telling you I'm looking for Brent, and I can't find him.

you have any idea where he is... You'd sure better... All right, Andy.

The moment I see Mr.

Brent, I'll send him right down to headquarters.

Perry.

What'd you say that for?

Mr. Mason, I'm afraid I'll be in all kinds of trouble.

Take it easy, Peter.

What's happened to you?

Well, I was resting down at the doctor's place at the beach. I saw the newspaper

story. Were you with Comstock last night?

Yeah, I caught up with him on the boat.

He talked like he was going to kill himself.

I tried to get him to come with me, and he slugged me.

And when I came to, well, it was almost morning. I was lying on an old pier

somewhere way down in the fog.

I guess he must have dumped me there.

All right, Peter.

Tell the rest of Della.

She'll call my doctor and let the police know where you are.

Mr. Mason, I had a fight with Comstock. What did the police say?

Comstock was quite alive when you last saw him, was he not?

Well, sure, but... Then I think we have more important things to worry about

than Roy Comstock's possible death.

Did Comstock have any interests other than his business? Did he play any games

or have any hobbies?

Well, he went hunting sometimes.

Oh? Where did he go? Who did he go with?

Down near El Centro, I think.

The man's name was... I've forgotten.

His first name was Clarence, I think.

Where did he supposedly get the money on the Brent loan?

Have you any right to ask me all these questions?

I don't think you do.

Besides, I don't know anymore.

On money or real estate like Peter's.

Why didn't you ask someone like the Vaughans?

We had absolutely nothing to do with it. What right have you got to come into

this office and make an accusation like that? Take it easy, Polly.

All our business dealings with Roy Comstock were in the past. Over a year

Mr. Mason.

It's true, we were friends.

We went duck hunting together.

But what broke up the friendship? That's what I'm driving at.

Well, the way he treated his wife.

Or do you think, Mr. Mason, we could stand by and... I think he's driving at

something else.

All right, Mr. Mason.

It's true, Roy, Comstock did get me involved in a business deal.

But when I found out it was on the shady side, I pulled out, and that's all.

You may have tried to pull out, but you haven't entirely succeeded.

A lawsuit is being filed against you for a margin call you still haven't paid

yet. Isn't that right?

Oh, Mr.

Mason.

Maybe true that I felt like murdering Roy Comstock every once in a while, but

had no more business deals with him.

As far as this Peter Brent thing goes, I know nothing about it.

All right, Mr. Vaughn.

Speaking of murder, do you really believe Comstock is dead?

I don't see what he'd have to gain by it, but maybe I believe he is.

About as much as you do.

Yes, yes, I know they've been searching that cove for nearly four days now, but

Willie says the water isn't clear. There are rocks and kelp and seaweed.

In most cases, the police might have given up by now on finding the body.

What difference does it make?

Anyway, it's a perfectly horrible subject. I don't understand why you keep

talking about it.

No, I'm not the only one who's pushing the search. Apparently, they had their

own reasons to... And I don't understand why you keep coming back here, Mr.

Mason. I've told you everything I can possibly remember about Roy.

I'm sorry if it upsets you, Mrs. Constance.

Well, it's... It's not as if I really cared about him anymore.

But really, under the circumstances... Look, Mr. Mason.

You say that you're only interested in seeing that Peter Brank doesn't lose his

land. Well, I think it would be a shame, too.

But surely I've told you ten times it's that man, Mr. Weatherby, you should be

talking to.

Oh, Weatherby's called me a couple of times from San Francisco.

He sounds more and more reasonable each time, too.

It's that, too, I don't like, Mr. Mason.

Maybe you feel by constant pressure you can stop some sort of a swindle from

going through.

But I don't even know there was one.

I simply don't know anything about my ex -husband's business affairs.

And as for his suicide... Excuse me.

Hello, I'm looking for Mr. Mason.

Oh, Paul.

Come in, this is... Excuse me, Perry, but I'm in sort of a hurry. I have to

you up early. I hope you don't mind, Mrs. Gumpton. Oh, of course not, if it's

important enough.

It sure is. You forgot we have a date for a duck dinner.

Oh, he'll be back.

Won't you, Mr. Mason?

Yes.

Yes, I suppose I will.

Duck dinner?

Place he used to go hunting, remember?

Down near El Centro?

Comstock? Mm -hmm.

We finally located a rancher in the area whose first name's Clarence. He's in

Europe now.

But he has a little shack there, a guest place, that ties in with Vaughn's

information. He calls it La Casita.

My contact in San Diego says a man's been staying there out of sight for the

past four days.

but let me go in first, just in case something comes pointing out, like a

bullet. Just don't make a real suicide out of it.

All right, get him up. Stand where you are, Drake.

Well, try.

Story of my life.

Why are you two birds always where you're not supposed to be?

Don't tell me you've been living here for the past few days.

No, of course not.

I came here for the same reason you did.

Lieutenant, the jeep's coming back again.

It's him, all right. All right, Sergeant. I won't need you.

All right, douse that lamp. Get over there. If you want to play cop, I'll let

you.

And the police stand there. Stand there!

Hold it, Comstock!

Hold it, Comstock!

Hold it!

Good evening, Mr. Weatherby.

Weatherby?

What's the matter, Perry?

You surprised?

Didn't Andy bother to tell you?

We found Comstock's body late this afternoon.

Right where it was supposed to be.

right where your client dumped it in the ocean.

There was considerable deterioration, of course, in the days of exposure to salt

water, as well as the tidal movement of the body against the rocks and sand at

the bottom of the sea.

Yes, of course, Doctor.

But would you tell us now, please, what your autopsy revealed as to the cause of

Roy Comstock's death?

An epidural hemorrhage in the left posterior fossa.

That doesn't sound much like a definition of death by drowning.

Scarcely. It's the result of a linear skull fracture.

In other words, Roy Comstock was killed by a blow on the head.

Oh, yes. I'd stake my reputation on that.

Comstock was quite dead before his body was ever submerged.

Thank you, Doctor. That'll be all.

Cross -examined.

Doctor, you weren't quite so positive about the exact time of Mr. Comstock's

death as I recall. Now, didn't you admit to a possible error of six or eight

hours one way or the other? Yes, I did.

And I suppose the error could have been as much as 12 or even 24 hours?

Well, that's remotely possible.

But on the matter of how he died?

Mr. Mason, I'll say it again, and so will every doctor on the staff. He did

drown. He was killed by a brutal blow on the head.

Lieutenant Anderson, we heard the handwriting experts testify that, in

opinion, Roy Comstock surely wrote this suicide note.

I want you to read it to us, please.

Gloria, since you're the only person left who cares, to you I'll say I'm

for what I'm about to do.

But there is peace at the bottom of the sea.

So don't cry when I fall that much farther.

The heaviest weight I can find will hold me there forever.

And the world need no longer swear at your boss, Roy Comstock.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

And I'll call your attention to this frayed piece of rope, People's Exhibit

from which the medical examiner stated that he recovered bits of skin.

Would you tell us the circumstances under which this rope was recovered?

The Coast Guardsman who first found the body, it was drifting free almost up to

the surface, found this rope still tied around the waist of the deceased.

The body would have risen much sooner, of course.

If it hadn't been held down by a weight, so far we've been unable to find the

weight that was used.

If we're to follow Mr.

Comstock's note, you should look for the heaviest weight I can find, unquote.

Thank you, Lieutenant. That'll be all. Mr. Mason?

Mr. Mason?

Excuse me a moment, Your Honor. I do have some questions of this witness.

Oh, I'm sorry.

What?

Lieutenant, since you haven't found the heavy weight yet, I take it you have no

evidence as to what it might have been?

Well, there are a number of handy things aboard a boat like that.

Metal bars in the bilge, which couldn't be accurately inventoried.

The same for a skin -diving belt some guests left aboard.

But there should be a spare anchor, which so far hasn't been located.

Or it could have been a sack of cement, tire chains, or any other heavy object

brought from shore. Brought by anyone, Lieutenant.

And at any time, isn't that correct?

Well, I suppose anything is possible, but... That's all, thank you.

Oh, one thing more. That suicide note you read.

At the time it was found, were its contents released to the radio

correspondence?

Oh, no, sir.

It wasn't released until the following morning.

In the newspapers.

Now, you say that you didn't examine the suicide note before the young lady came

in, but did anyone else examine it?

Just him. He made a grab for it. Who made a grab for it?

Mr. Brent there, the defendant.

He came in right after Mr. Comstock left. I told him Mr. Comstock just came

to leave a note for somebody.

So he reached across the bar to take a look.

I was fixing a drink at the time, but I grabbed it back as soon as I could.

Did you see the defendant unfold the note, examine it?

Sure. Then, in effect, you actually saw him read it.

Well, I thought about it later and he must have because he ran out of there

he saw a ghost.

I simply stated to you, Mr. Mason, that I had my doubts about Roy Comstock's

really being dead.

I knew from past experience just how tricky he could be and that's all.

But, Mr. Vaughn, you told the prosecutor that you talked with Roy Comstock on

the telephone that same evening before he disappeared.

Yes, he knew I'd been trying to reach him about a money matter.

Yes, I know, and he said he couldn't help you.

But did he also tell you his plans for suicide?

Not his plans, no.

He simply told me that I would never, ever be troubled with him again.

I guess it was that overly tragic voice that made me wonder later on.

But that's all.

Roy told me that if he disappeared, no matter how, I should go down to that

taunting cabin, La Casita, and wait there until he showed up.

And that's exactly what you did?

Until you were apprehended by the police? Yes, sir.

I stayed right there in that cabin the whole time.

With a few phone calls, I was able to make people think I was still in San

Francisco.

Mr. Weatherby, did Roy Comstock tell you why he wanted to see you at that cabin?

I... Well, I wanted to see him, too.

I had certain funds which I was going to transfer to him. $20 ,000.

I was going to give it to Roy in return for certain documents.

Documents relating to what?

Certain matters in my past.

But wasn't it true that Mr. Comstock had been putting pressure on you to engage

in certain business deals with him, perhaps?

Yes, he had. Like the land deal that is so upsetting to the defendant Peter

Brent, for instance.

Mr. Berger, on instructions of my attorney, I refuse to answer that on

of self -incrimination.

Your Honor, this witness is already in custody pending the investigation of

Bunko charges against him.

Then what's the point of your questioning, Mr. Berger, if the man

more specifically about his dealings with the deceased?

Mr. Weatherby has agreed to answer one highly relevant question, Your Honor.

Mr. Weatherby, of your own knowledge, had Roy Comstock ever engaged in any

illegal acts himself?

Yes, many times.

That's the way he made all his money.

To put it bluntly, Roy was a con man, a swindler.

And of your own knowledge, did he ever intend to commit suicide?

Well, I thought he was unhappy.

For a while, I was fooled.

But I was wrong, obviously.

Thank you, Mr. Weatherby.

Cross -examine.

Mr. Weatherby, why were you so anxious to meet Comstock?

Because I was afraid he was going to leave the country.

He'd agreed to give me those records back before he left. Did you know that

recently divorced wife has also been transferring her funds out of the

I did not.

Oh, come now, Mr. Weatherby. I know nothing about Mrs. Comstock, except that

was very unhappy because of her.

Or I thought so.

But hasn't she also conspired in fraud, just as you apparently have?

I won't answer that. I've only met the lady once or twice. But wasn't her

divorce just an act, a swindle?

How should I know?

Ask Valerie, not me.

As I have told you perhaps 300 times in the past two days, Mr. Berger, I hated

Roy Comstock.

Our divorce was long overdue.

I think you've interviewed at least 50 witnesses to that fact yourself.

Then you had no knowledge of any plan of his to stage a phony suicide.

I hadn't seen him since our divorce.

How would I know anything about his plan?

Well, is it your opinion that he actually intended to kill himself?

Mr. Berger, what earthly difference does it make?

Well, none, I suppose, really.

You see, the state contends that the defendant took advantage of a suicide

written by the deceased in order to cover up a murder.

Whether or not... I would suggest you let the witness answer the questions,

Berger. I just did.

What difference does any of it make?

Cross -examine.

What difference does any of what make, Mrs. Comstock?

Oh, well, what he just asked me.

And what did he just ask you?

Now, you say you no longer had any interest whatsoever in Roy Comstock.

No. You mean, yes, you had no interest or concern about him.

Didn't I say that?

Of course you did.

So, why did you leave the courtroom during the medical testimony?

Oh, well, I wanted to make a telephone call, an appointment with my

Discussions about death or descriptions of an autopsy don't ordinarily bother

you? Well, I might have left anyway, but... Then why didn't you say so?

Or mention the fact that you also drank three cups of coffee in a lunch counter?

Why didn't you answer my question more honestly?

I really wanted to phone my hairdresser.

And your husband's death meant nothing to you? Of course not.

It didn't even surprise you?

I just got through saying over and over at least 200 times.

Your Honor, there's no excuse for counsel badgering this witness.

May it please the court, I'm concerned about the competency of the witness.

I'll have you know I am perfectly competent.

What is the basis of your concern, Counselor?

With a few more questions, I believe I can clarify that, Your Honor.

Very well.

Mrs. Comstock, did you go to a drugstore this morning before court?

What is this?

Are you following me or something? Didn't you pester me enough the past

Answer the question, Mrs. Comstock.

What question?

Did you have a prescription filled at that drugstore?

A prescription for a drug, 50 tablets.

Oh, that?

Well, it's not exactly a drug. It's perfectly harmless.

Is it?

How many of those tablets have you taken by now, aside from the five you took

with your coffee, that is? Would you mind opening your purse and show us how

many? I most certainly will not.

Then would you mind reading this aloud?

Are you able to read it aloud?

Well, Walter...

California Pro... Code of Civil Procedure, Title II.

A person not capable of... Perception and

communication is not complete as a witness.

Is not competent as a witness, Mrs. Comstock.

Now I'll ask you again.

How many tranquilizers have you taken today? How much help did you think you'd

need to be able to sit there and calmly pretend you knew nothing of your

husband's activities?

I didn't. I don't know anything.

To be able to sit there and calmly say that you hated him?

Be quiet. Stop it. And why did you buy a special stick of makeup at that

drugstore? Why have you used it so freely under your eyes? Is it to hide

fact that you've been crying?

To hide the fact that you can't stop yourself from crying?

No, no, no. Leave me alone.

Your Honor, this witness is not on trial.

Mr. Berger, it might be a good idea to have Mrs. Comstock stand down until

in a better condition to testify.

If Mr. Mason would agree, you might well go on to your next witness.

But not until I'm through cross -examining Mrs. Comstock, Your Honor.

I expected to cross -examine her for the rest of the afternoon.

I may ask her each question a hundred times if necessary until she tells the

truth. I will ask her over and over about her husband.

About her husband.

About her husband.

Please, no. I can't stand it. I can't stand it anymore.

I can't stand it anymore.

Court is recessed until Monday morning.

Well, Perry, I'll give you one thing anyway. You managed to break her down.

That's something Tragg and I couldn't do in three solid days of grilling.

You had it pretty well softened up for me. And when Paul spotted those

tranquilizers... All right.

Perry, the point is, so what?

So she loves her husband.

What about Weatherby?

Sure he's out on bail by now? Yes, he went straight to his office half an hour

ago. I thought about that maneuver, too.

But listen, Perry, even if Mrs. Comstock was in cahoots with her husband, on the

divorce, on the suicide, on everything, it doesn't change my case against your

client.

That poor woman must have suffered a terrible shock when she discovered that

husband really was dead.

Perry, look.

The killing took place on board the boat.

Peter Brent was on board the boat. He fought with Comstock.

Now, unfortunately, I suppose from your standpoint, no matter how many crooks we

uncover, I've still got to go on that evidence.

Maybe she's not a crook, Hamilton.

Maybe she's just a woman.

What do you mean by that?

Well, suppose she not only expected her husband to be alive after the suicide,

but actually knew that he was alive.

Wouldn't that have doubled the shock, doubled the need for tranquilizers?

Yes.

Yes?

Well, they did.

You tell Tragg that we'll be leaving right away.

Tragg got word to Mrs. Comstock about Weatherby getting out on bail.

Five minutes later, they left for town.

Let's go. Wait a minute, Hamilton.

Paul is going to find some things we might need.

What kind of things?

Well, for one, an anchor.

You wait out here, Willie. Listen, there must be someone... Do what I tell you.

I did my best not to incriminate you. Oh, you're a magnificent liar, all

You told him you stayed at La Casita all those days.

But that's true. I didn't leave that... Bill Vaughn saw you in Los Angeles just

two days after Roy disappeared.

Well?

Explain it!

Oh, Valerie, you don't need to use that tone of voice. I was getting worried

about Roy not showing up, that's all. The jeep was there. I drove up to town

following night to see if he left a message for me anyplace, here or at my

apartment. That's all there was to it.

You drove up here to kill him.

What? I couldn't say anything to anyone until I could see you make you tell it

yourself. Valerie, what on earth? You met Roy and killed him.

And the next night you put his body in the ocean. How many of those pills have

you taken?

Of all the insane... You knew he was alive.

You were the only one but me who knew he was really alive.

Who would stand to gain by... Roy wasn't alive.

He died that first night.

And you can't get away with... I saw my husband at 5 a .m. After he swam ashore

that night.

You what?

You saw Roy Comstock?

After? Just before Roy was going to meet you, Mr. Weatherby.

Now stop lying.

Because you're going to tell me and you're going to tell the whole world

really happened.

Please listen to me.

We're in enough trouble as it is.

Willie, come in here.

I don't care about the money or the swindles or jail or anything.

Roy was the only thing who mattered to me.

All right, stand still, both of you.

That's not going to do you any good.

Willie, beat him up.

You'd better drop that gun, Mr. Weatherby.

Get away from me.

Beat the truth out of him and make him tell it. You killed Roy. You're lying.

Stop.

I'll hold it.

Hey, give me the gun.

Take it easy, Mrs. Comstock.

He wasn't going to give you a confession.

And we certainly couldn't let Willie shoot him.

What?

You were going to pull that trigger, weren't you?

Pretty brave man walking straight towards his gun.

I guess you figured it was your only hope. Kill him in self -defense and then

blame Comstock's murder on him.

What?

Well, what's this guy trying to prove?

Willie!

Must have given you quite a scare to realize that Mrs. Comstock had actually

seen her husband alive and that she was going to insist that the whole world

know about it.

He's crazy.

Who else could have put that body back where it was supposed to be?

Mr. Weatherby, would you have risked rowing a body out to see that next

I don't even know how to swim.

No, Willie.

Only someone like yourself.

Who had actually been diving for the body would have known where and how and

what time he could have... That's not true. You can't prove that. Can't we?

What did you use for a weight, Willie?

Did you use something off the boat or something off the pier where they kept

extra gear?

There were several things missing, Mr. Berger. Never mind, Andy.

How about it, Willie?

Because nothing will make us believe that anyone but you could have known

weight to use. What weight was available to make it look like Comstock really

jumped off that boat?

Well, they haven't found it, have they?

Maybe they never will find it.

Maybe it was tire chains, like anybody might use.

I've got some bad news for you, Willie.

A man named Paul Drake just phoned my office to report that he's coming in

an anchor.

Is that what you used, Willie?

A missing spare anchor off the boat?

I've been framed. You guys framed me.

I couldn't help it if the guy died, could I? I just barely hit him.

Let go of me.

All right, so you found the anchor. So what? There wasn't really murder?

Because I didn't mean to kill him, Mrs. Comstock. Really, I didn't mean to kill

him. I didn't mean to kill him.

Of course, Mr. Brent, the

district attorney's office is just as interested in the innocent as in the

guilty. You know, I feel sort of sorry for that guy, Willie. I mean, what did

plan to do? Marry Mrs.

Comstock? Get all the money?

Well, I think Willie may have had ambitious dreams.

But he didn't plan on killing the guy. He suckered for the suicide just like

everybody else.

But then he spotted Comstock on the highway past the house.

Comstock did get rough first. I don't believe Willie on that.

Sure. He told Willie to keep his mouth shut or he'd kill him. Willie talked

and Comstock made the big mistake of trying it. And then after Willie had hit

him on the head and Comstock was dead, apparently he decided that the thing to

do was to wait till the next night and take him out to that spot in the ocean.

At least now I know I'm not the only stupid man in town.

But you're going to get the land back, Peter. It was a swindle. Mr. Weatherby

finally admitted that.

Ah, now you'll have enough money to pay me for that anchor I bought.

Bought? I thought the divers found that anchor under the water.

Oh, no, that was just something Perry was going to use as a bluff, that's all.

A bluff to scare Willie.

That's right, Della.

And, Paul, why not send a bill to Hamilton?

He's the one who used the anchor.

Why not send him the anchor?