Original subtitles

Bye.

It's my chest.

I can't... Jack!

Oh, Jack! Somebody please get a doctor!

I'm Dr. Cordell.

Doctor, what's wrong with him?

Stand back, everyone. Give this man some room, please. Please.

Doctor, what is it?

I think he's having a coronary.

Oh, no.

Look out, look out.

Please hurry, hurry.

Gentlemen, help him on the stretcher with his feet.

Coronary disability.

Over 500 % increase in the last three years. It doesn't make any sense.

Our corporate attorney, Mr. Lamphere, he can't understand it.

We have one of the finest actuarial departments in the country. Mr. Grudy's

30 years of experience and he can't explain it. What we need from you, Mr.

Mason, is a fresh, impartial study of our problem.

Surely Los Angeles isn't undergoing a sudden epidemic of coronaries.

After all, you don't write your policies by mail order.

All these people were examined and screened before you wrote their

Ours is a small company, Mr. Mason.

Personally, I'd hate to give up writing this type of protection.

Not only has it been very profitable in the past, but many people need and

depend upon it. But a bankrupt company, big or small, is no protection and won't

make anybody happy.

All right.

Perhaps I might confer with Mr. Grudy.

Anything.

As your attorney, I want to go on record here and now against bringing Mason

into this.

Why? His reputation? He has no experience in our business.

He could involve us in legal situations we'll all regret. Have you thought of

that?

Oh, Doreen.

Yes, sir.

This is Mr. Perry Mason.

He's just undertaken a special legal study for the company.

It's a pleasure.

My pleasure. As wild as my assistant.

Doreen, could you run copies of all our disability composites, computer cross

-analysis, and list of all our disability policy holders now being

Yes, sir. Anything else?

What else is there?

Making any progress?

No.

We've been at it long enough to have taken the square root of minus one and

mathematical history.

That's only the difficulty. Impossible might take us a little longer.

Impossible? Like what?

Such as determining why a high percentage of disability policyholders

suffering and dying of heart attacks.

I seem to be wrong, Mr. Grudy.

Wrong? What?

They're having the heart attacks, yes, but they aren't dying.

Well, that's true. They're incapacitated. Well, that's our problem,

have to continue paying disability benefits as long as... Why aren't they

Mr. Groody?

Serious coronaries?

Isn't the mortality rate normally high?

Oh, yes, about 10%. What is it among your policyholders?

Less than 1 .8%. The company's been so close to the problem, they've apparently

overlooked this disparity.

Aren't these disability cases examined and certified by your own company

physician? Oh, yes, and re -examined and re -certified at regular intervals with

new electrocardiograms.

Mr. Grudy, could you arrange for me to obtain these electrocardiograms and have

them examined by an independent cardiologist?

I suppose I could.

They're in Dr. Chauncey Hartland's office.

I don't think that he might...

I don't think anything as yet.

But there has to be an explanation somewhere for all those lively

It might be in his files, huh?

Well, I'll get at it first thing in the morning.

Good night, Mr. Mason.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Well, who did what to whom? And I hope it's good because you just tore me away

from a very delectable divorcee.

How's your bedside manner, Paul?

My what?

Feel like cheering up a few convalescent coronaries?

He's putting me on.

He means it.

You know, these poor gentlemen really have it made.

They're too weak to work.

None of them recover, but none of them die either.

Oh.

Every month they collect a nice fat check.

Yes, but don't they have to be examined?

Regularly. Yet they rarely die, Paul.

That's all we have to go on.

They rarely die.

Let's take it with your iced tea, huh?

No, let me do that. You don't want to exert yourself. You know what the doctor

said.

Pretty good form, huh?

Especially for a coronary.

Of all the cases we've checked, I mean, we've covered a lot of them.

This is the only one that's worth following up.

Who is he, Paul?

Jackie David.

Years ago, he was a club fighter in town. Less than a month ago, he had a

massive heart attack.

He certainly made an amazing recovery.

Miraculous.

That's it.

Show's over.

I don't know when I've enjoyed one more.

Tell her.

Call that heart specialist for the company.

Dr. Chauncey Hartland?

Yes, ask him to order the great fighter to come to his office for a re

-examination.

Well,

Clay, what was that all about?

Just had my annual checkup. You know what my sore bones told me?

He told me that I've got the veins of a man half my age.

Well, to what do you attribute your good fortune?

Clean living.

Proper breathing.

And the fact that I come from magnificent stock.

Is that so?

Oh, we count it cork laser.

Corkers. Do you know that my favorite Uncle Finian was 87 when he took his

bride? And that's what killed him.

Don't you believe it.

He died 20 years later, lifting his horse out of a peat bog.

By himself.

By himself.

Mr. Mason.

Well, I'm sorry if you sit down. Have some coffee?

No, thank you.

You know, I've been meaning to talk with you.

When we tried to get the electrocardiograms from Dr. Hartland, he

you. That's right.

I advised him he was perfectly within his rights in refusing.

In my opinion, it would be a violation of the confidential doctor -patient

relationship.

But that's not why I'm here.

Mr. Watson told me that you're planning to call in Jack David for re

-examination. Why is?

As legal counsel for the company, I wanted to talk to you before you went

It's less than a month since Mr. David suffered a serious coronary.

I'm aware of that.

Well, according to Dr. Hartland, the man's electrocardiogram is one of the

he's ever read.

I've... I've familiarized myself with the David case, Mr. Lanphier. I hope

you've also familiarized yourself with the legal aspects.

When I heard from Mr. David's attorney... He's retained... Mr. Arthur

He wanted me to be aware of the full consequences if anything should happen

his client.

I've had dealings with Mr. Wendell before.

He specializes in personal injury cases.

And he's very able.

You might say formidable.

Shall I report that you've reconsidered?

No.

Tell Mr. Watson that as president of the company, if he wants to call off our

arrangement, that's fine.

But if I'm to continue, I don't want my hands tied.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

Who's calling?

Yes, it's all right. Put him through.

My name is Jack David, Mr. Mason.

Yeah, I'm sorry to get you up so late.

But there's something I've got to tell you. I'm scared.

Scared of what?

I can't talk now. I've got to hang up.

Tomorrow, we can talk in the doctor's office, Mr. Mason. But we've got to be

alone, see?

Do you think he'll show?

He has to, Dr. Hartland.

Or be disqualified for disability payments.

I don't mind admitting, Mr. Mason, I have serious misgivings concerning this

procedure. After talking to Mr. Lanfear... What did he tell you?

That an insurance company doctor is in a very vulnerable position.

Some consider us fair game for malpractice suits or...

Mr. Mason, I came.

I tried to get here on time.

Nurse, oxygen.

Oh, doctor, help him, please.

Quick, adrenaline.

I'll do everything I can, but I'm afraid we're too late.

Oh, no.

You killed my husband.

You and that insurance company making him come here when you knew how he was.

You murdered him!

I presume you're aware that we can sue you for everything you have. And don't

surprised, Dr. Hartland, if the medical board picks up your license.

And as for this high -powered lawyer here, he's flirting with a felony

manslaughter charge.

Well, men in that condition don't usually drop dead two days later of a

coronary.

Sometimes they do.

You read the obituary columns, don't you? It just doesn't make sense.

The day we took those pictures, the man apparently was as healthy as you or I.

So I ordered him in for re -examination.

But Hamilton, he called me in the middle of the night.

He was afraid of something or somebody.

Didn't you say he'd had a previous coronary?

A month earlier.

But it was part of a pattern.

insured people who apparently have heart attacks, draw disability, and stay

alive. Oh, Perry, I know you're bucking Artie Wendell in a liability action.

And I know these things can be expensive.

Wendell is even pushing me to press manslaughter charges against you.

Actually, I'm not going to do that or anything until I get the coroner's

What about the pictures?

I can't get Perry off the hook by creating an imaginary crime.

There's not a shred of evidence that a crime has been committed.

Hamilton.

Jack David was murdered.

And I'll prove it.

Harry, if you do that, I'll follow through with everything I've got.

Until then.

Or unless the coroner's office turns up something irregular at the inquest.

I'm afraid it's your problem, not mine.

I must tell you, Mr. Mason, the company attorney, Mr. Lamphere, called me this

morning. He explained my legal position and told me they don't want a court

fight.

That's tantamount to admission of liability, civil and criminal.

Lamphere says a court trial, the notoriety, might be enough to push the

into bankruptcy.

He wants to negotiate a settlement.

Look, Doctor, I believe we have a murder here, not a heart attack.

You can't go along with Lamphere.

I am a doctor, Mr. Mason.

Now, I won't let Lamphere dictate to me in medical matters any more than I'd

allow you to tell me what to do.

You understand the purpose of a pre -inquest conference?

We're here to determine whether this death is or is not a case for the

office. We have no prescribed procedure. It's all informal.

However, at Mr.

Mason's request, we are having a transcript made. Now then.

Circumstances surrounding the sudden death of Mr. Jack David in the outer

of Dr.

Chauncey Heartland at approximately 10 .05 a .m. yesterday. I see here that Mr.

David was under the care of Raoul Coderre.

You're a cardiologist?

I'm a cardiopathist.

My methods for treating the heart muscle are unique. I combine modern medical

knowledge with amazing new physical techniques.

New techniques?

Yes.

Unusual methods.

And esoteric drugs, which I discovered while in the Mato Grosso of South

America. I see.

Well, then, what can you tell us about Mr. David's condition?

His life was hanging from a slender thread, so thick. The slightest

Only complete rest could have saved his life.

Unfortunately, when he was compelled to visit my learned colleague's office...

The routine post -mortem discovered a massive myocardial infarction sufficient

to cause death.

In these circumstances, since there was a qualified physician, Dr. Hartland,

present, I see no reason for this to become a coroner's case.

If Dr.

Hartland certifies the apparent cause of death.

Is he ready to so testify?

I don't know. That would be Dr. Hartland's decision.

Well, Doctor?

I have no knowledge as to the...

The cause of death of the deceased.

I see.

Well, that throws this case under jurisdiction of this office with

autopsy and subsequently a formal inquest.

Thank you all for attending.

What does that mean? It means that this smart lawyer isn't satisfied with

killing her husband.

He's using a legal trick to delay a just settlement, but he won't get away with

it. He's going to end up either disbarred Or behind bars.

Well?

Well, so many things go through your mind. Could you be wrong? Could you be

responsible for someone's death?

Could you have pushed your clients toward bankruptcy?

Perry, I don't believe that, and anyone who knows you wouldn't believe it.

Is something wrong?

Della, how long has it been since you had a medical checkup? A medical

I feel fine, just fine.

There's a specialist in town.

He works all kinds of medical wonders.

Why don't you make an appointment?

It's in tomorrow.

Dr. Raoul Coderre.

Cardiopathist?

Cardiopathist. What is a cardiopathist? I wish I knew.

Naturally, we all regret this terrible, tragic business.

Mr. Watson's office called. He wanted me here for an emergency meeting. I wanted

you here. They called this meeting because I asked them to.

Mr. Wendell.

Doctor.

What's the purpose of this meeting, Mr. Watson?

Mr. Landry thought it best to arrange a conference with Mrs.

David's representative.

We're seeking to avoid the notoriety of an open inquest and a newspaper's

circuits. So far, Mr. Wendell's attitude has been completely fair and

reasonable. We're hopeful that we can negotiate.

You mean you're offering to settle?

Please, Mason, you're here to listen. I'm handling this.

Not until I've been removed from the case.

Mr. Watson, if you yield to this pressure, it's the same as paying off a

blackmailer. All right, I have heard enough.

Please, Mr. Wendell. You said that you wanted to negotiate a fair and honest

settlement. You said you wanted to avoid an inquest. I came here prepared to be

reasonable.

I made a mistake.

But I will not make the same mistake again.

From now on, we are going to play rough. We are going to collect, gentlemen,

every cent that the law allows.

It may be just a formality, but you still have to prove your case in court.

Don't worry.

We will.

See what you've done?

It's all your fault. Everything that's happened.

I warned you from the beginning, Mr. Watson. I told you.

Just one moment.

I'm aware of the position in which I've apparently placed you, your company, and

myself.

But there are times when you have to fight.

as a matter of moral and ethical principle, even though it might seem

less painful or cheaper to give in.

Cheaper? It's solvency or bankruptcy, life or death for this company.

I haven't finished.

Wendell is making excessive, immoderate statements, but he's fighting tooth and

nail on behalf of his client, as any conscientious attorney would.

Now, I'm advising you most urgently, as lawyer to client, this is one of those

times where you don't yield.

However, whatever you or Mr. Lamphere or Dr.

Heartland among you may decide to do, I am still going to fight.

Good day, gentlemen.

If only one half of my patients were in such bloom as you, I would have to close

my doors.

Well, then what's the matter with me, doctor?

Nothing. That a few pleasant drafts of my card -syntonic... Card -syntonic?

Will not correct.

Well, I don't understand about these things.

It's very simple.

You see, we human beings are ray creatures.

Now... My carcin tonic is a blend of various radiation -absorbing substances.

I see. Now, my thermotic machine provides just the proper rays in just

proper amplitudes to make the carcin molecules mildly, pleasantly,

radioactive.

Drink up.

But... I have other patients waiting.

Yes, sir.

Oh, it's you.

Miss David, please.

If the jury at the inquest decides your husband died of natural causes as a

result of my ordering his re -examination, I'll do everything I can

you get a just settlement.

But I don't believe he did die of natural causes.

What are you saying?

I think someone deliberately caused your husband's death.

I think he was murdered.

Excuse the room. I'm getting the place ready to rent.

Mr. Mason, you said you think Jackie was murdered?

Mrs. David, did you ever have a suspicion that your husband might have

faking a heart condition?

We have motion picture films of him jumping rope, punching a bag, and

with a little boy two days before he came to Dr. Hartland's office.

Your husband had been having problems for a long time, hadn't he?

Ever since he threw that fight and was barred from ever boxing again.

Natural born loser. That was Jack.

Whatever the deal, job, family, friends.

No matter how good it looked, he'd find a way to louse it up and lose them all.

But you married him. Why not? Anything was better than the life I was leading.

A practical nurse.

You know what that means?

I thought I was getting a husband and I end up with another invalid patient.

Tell me, Mrs. David, the morning of the examination, was there anything

unusual? Did your husband seem nervous or worried?

He was all shook up. Said he wasn't going to go.

Started to phone somebody and then changed his mind.

That's why I called Jerry.

Who? Jerry. He was a timekeeper on the job where Jack worked before he had the

attack. They were old friends, so I thought maybe Jerry could talk to him,

settle him down before Wendell came.

And did he calm him down?

Well, he tried to, but it didn't do any good.

And then Mr. Wendell came and picked us up.

And took you directly to Dr. Hartland's office?

No. We stopped by that Dr. Cordaire's office on our way, but Jack wouldn't go

in. Said he was feeling too bad.

May I see your insurance policy?

Sure. Why not?

I just wanted to check the death benefit.

Well, at least your husband left you in a good financial position.

The only good thing Jack ever did in his life.

And boy, you should have heard him scream every time he had to pay a

He had the whole wall papered with medical degrees.

From where?

I don't know. They were in French.

Anyway, then he gave me this carton tonic.

My heart started racing and skipping beats.

Well, the question is, was it beneficial?

Now, let's see.

You look flushed, but beautiful.

How are you feeling?

Since you put it that way, I feel great.

But I don't know if it's from your compliments or Dr.

Cordera's treatment.

May I have the appointment card?

Right here.

Paul.

Get this car to the lab. See if they can lift some prints that would help us get

a rundown on the great cardiopathist.

All right.

Oh, uh, did my insurance come through?

You're fully covered.

Policy's backdated three years.

Good. Well, I gotta run.

Just got time to punch in for the second shift.

Oh, be careful, Paul. It's been a long time since you've put in any hard

physical labor.

Della, my love, I'm an ox.

Besides which, I've got the timekeeper in the palm of my hand. I expect to

most of the day taking breaks.

One week on this job, you know what I'd like, Jerry?

What's that, Steel?

To maybe have that crane drop a tiny load on my toe just once.

Yeah.

I was figuring the other night.

All the money I spent to Safeline for disability insurance and for what?

Nothing. Nothing ever happens to me.

Safeline, huh?

Uh -huh.

Hey, uh, you like tacos, Steel?

I can take him or leave him alone. Why?

Ought to try Nappy's.

Whose? Nappy Tyler.

Has a little taco stand around the corner.

Might be worth your while.

Delicious,

Nappy.

Jerry mentioned you might be interested in a little layoff.

Oh, you've been talking to Jerry?

Oh, we cut off a few touches from time to time.

Now, maybe I know a guy can help you work it out.

Oh, by maybe breaking one of my legs for me?

Nothing that drastic.

Interested? Want to talk about it?

What can I lose talking?

It's Nappy.

Is he in?

Perry Mason's office.

Well, the working man. Where are you, Paul?

I'm at a booth at the corner of Sunset and Sycamore. I'm supposed to meet my

next contact here. Is Perry in?

And no, he's out preparing for the inquest. It's in two hours. Can you be

Well, I'll try.

Tell Perry I think I found out how they operate.

There's a guy named Mappy who has a stand near the construction site. I

he's their steerer and... Hold it, Del. I gotta run. Here's my contact now. I'll

check in later.

Paul?

I knew there was something funny about it the minute I saw it. Oh, Doreen.

I wonder if you... What's this?

You told me to report anything I found irregular.

Yes, but to me, I'm head of this department, not to anyone else.

I'm sorry.

What's irregular about this?

There was no Rod Steele file in that drawer yesterday.

I'm positive.

You might be mistaken.

I'll check it out myself.

Get Dr. Hartland.

Medical arts building.

Poison.

Mr. Berger, you're on camera. May we have a comment?

Have you decided whether or not to prosecute Perry Mason?

Now, gentlemen, let me make my position perfectly clear.

It's true I'm here on petition of the attorney for the deceased, but merely as

expected. But certainly under the circumstances, you must... Officially, I

know anything about the circumstances.

Now, if the inquest proceedings establish possible criminal liability on

part of anyone concerned, then and only then I might consider taking criminal

action. And then and only then will I make a statement.

There's Mason.

Oh, Mr. Mason.

Mr. Wendell tells us that this David case could be the end of your legal

What do you say?

I think his statement may be slightly premature.

You found evidence to refute their charges.

I didn't say that.

You haven't found evidence.

I didn't say that either.

Gentlemen, why don't we wait and see what develops at the inquest?

Well, what about L .A.'s safe line, Mr. Mason?

The rumor is that they want to settle and you won't let them.

And now they're going to go broke.

Any statements regarding L .A.'s safe line will have to come from Mr. Reeve

Watson, not from me.

What about today? Now, is safe line in this with you or against you? Ready, Mr.

Mason?

Excuse us, please.

Pardon me, fellas.

Say, do you mind opening the door for me?

Thanks.

You have been summoned and sworn as coroner's jurors to inquire into the

of death of Jack B. David.

The primary purpose of an inquest is to secure information for the possible use

of the district attorney and others charged with the prosecution of criminal

acts. You are not concerned with any civil liability that may exist or be

involved in this case.

The verdict should reflect only the results of this inquiry.

We will call as our first witness the medical examiner, Dr.

Shulby. Coronary thrombosis resulting in massive myocardial infarction.

Sufficient to cause death.

And you found no evidence of drugs or stimulants?

All standard test procedures were carried out. Results were negative.

Mr. Coroner. Mr. Coroner, I suggest you remind Mr. Mason this is not a court of

law. This is an inquest proceeding and no cross -examination is allowed.

I know my job, Mr. Wennell. I feel perfectly confident I can do it without

help.

Mr. Coroner.

I have one or two clarifying questions for the witness.

Very well.

Dr. Shulby, there are such drugs which can induce a heart reaction similar to a

coronary? Yes.

But as I testified, our autopsy procedure includes tests for all such

All such known drugs.

Now, assuming the presence of an unknown drug with similar properties, would

your standard autopsy procedures have discovered it?

It's very doubtful.

Thank you, Doctor.

That's all I have.

Witness excused.

Barry.

Excuse us, Mr. Coroner.

What's wrong? Dr. Hartland just called.

Paul's had a heart attack.

He's dying.

He's...

It doesn't seem possible.

Rugged as Paul was, the way he kept himself in condition.

It's probably the only reason he's lasted at all.

All these years.

The things he's done for us. The risks he's taken.

And now this happened.

A heart attack.

It wasn't a heart attack.

I saw the emergency report. It said... I know.

But when I got here, they told me that before Paul passed out at the Y, He

called my name and said one word.

Poison. Poison?

If I treated Paul for a coronary, like Jack David, he'd be dead now.

But we didn't.

We pumped his stomach, administered emergency medication.

And he is holding his own?

For now.

I'm going to ask for a postponement of that inquest.

There's nothing you can do here.

I don't anticipate a crisis for several hours.

I'll notify you immediately of the slightest change.

All right, thank you, Doctor.

I know you'll do your best for him.

He's still weak, still unconscious.

But he's holding on.

I don't care. I'd like to wait here.

Until we're sure Paul's all right.

Of course.

I don't know. He should be here.

Miss Street.

What's Mason trying to pull now?

What do you mean?

A disability claim on Rod Steele. The timekeeper on the construction job sent

the papers in. I got them a little while ago.

Is Rod Steele covered?

Oh, yes, yes. Mason and Mr. Watson set that up against my advice.

Does Mason expect us actually to pay this claim?

It's impossible.

Why? Well, it says right here, Rod Steele, Hospital Room 328.

There's no Rod Steele in this or any other room here.

There's a Paul Drake in Room 328.

How's Paul? Slightly stronger. He's holding his own.

Paul, that is Rod Steele's disability claim. Mr. Lanphier brought them to the

hospital. He wants you to handle it.

Lanphier himself?

We call Raoul Coderre.

Contrary to my warning, Mr. David insisted on going.

There's not the slightest doubt in my mind that the unnecessary exertion, the

nervous strain of the examination caused his already damaged heart to fail.

Mr. Coroner, again for clarification, may I question the doctor?

Doctor, who have you studied medicine?

All so good?

Mr. Mason,

are you trying to confuse the doctor?

On the contrary, Mr. Coroner.

I'm attempting to remove the language barrier by addressing him in his native

tongue. Is it possible that I have confused him?

Or is it possible that he isn't French at all?

And that he isn't a doctor?

I trust that a record of the proceedings will show that I have objected to the

line of questioning.

It's all right, Mr. Wendell. I'm used to being called a quack.

Because I haven't the establishment M .D. after my name.

But, Mr. Mason, neither did the man who discovered curare, the arrow poison, now

used in delicate surgery.

Nor the man who found the coca leaves chewed by the Incas, the source for pain

-killing cocaine.

Nor a Walfia serpentina from which came tranquilizers.

That's all very fine, Doctor.

But they didn't have police records such as...

Connolly Dunaway convicted in Washington for practicing medicine without a

license.

Isn't Connolly Dunaway your legal name, doctor? His fingerprints match yours.

All right, Mr. Mason, that's true.

But afterwards, I did go down to South America to study with the native doctors

where I learned the art of cardiopathy from their secrets.

Secrets? Such as how to administer an unknown native remedy and make a

healthy man appear a coronary case?

It also made him feel refreshed, rejuvenated, full of pep.

What amazes me, Mr.

Coderre, is that you admit to this fraud as if you feel no guilt, as if you've

done no harm. Whom did I harm?

My patients?

To the contrary, Mr. Mason, I made them feel very happy.

Happy as permanent invalids collecting every month from L .A. Safeline?

How did you collect your kickback, Coderre? In cash, or did you simply add

your bills?

Those few dollars my patients drew?

Now, how could that hurt an insurance company?

The thousands who may no longer be able to buy disability insurance because of

your fraudulent activity.

Haven't you harmed them?

What about the deceased, Jack David?

Didn't your secret Cardsin tonic do more than stimulate a coronary?

Didn't it cause his death?

It did not. It couldn't.

A normal dosage of Cardsin is harmless.

That lovely young lady who sent a spy on me, she received the same dosage with

no ill effects, Mr. Mason.

And a proper dosage was administered to a Mr. Rod Steele?

Yes. Then why is Rod Steele, in actuality private investigator Paul

in the hospital unconscious at the point of death after drinking your harmless

Cardson? Mr. Mason, I swear I didn't know about Steele.

Mr. Drake.

That may be.

Mr. Coroner, there's another person present who can further clarify this

for you and the district attorney.

At this point, I have to agree with Mr.

Wendell. We're getting a little bit too far out into the left field from...

Normal inquest proceedings, Mr. Mason, but very well.

Witness excused.

Call your witness, Mr. Mason.

Miss Doreen Wilde.

Did you know about Conner? No, Mr. Wendell. Honest. I swear I didn't.

Miss Wilde.

Mr. Grudy tells me that yesterday you were suspicious of a policy in your

a policy issued to Rod Steele and dated back three years.

Well, I... You brought it to Mr. Grudy's attention, but you also made a phone

call to someone about it.

Now, to whom did you place that call?

Miss Wilde, I think we can prove that you were the one who selected the heart

attack prospects in the disability files and passed them along to contact men

like Nappy Taylor and Jerry Ormond.

But you're implicated in a great deal more than insurance fraud now.

You're implicated in murder and attempted murder.

Mr. Coroner, it is no longer a matter of proper inquest procedure. This young

lady is without counsel.

Mr. Mason is deliberately violating her constitutional rights.

How, Mr. Wendell? Mr. Mason's own words involving her in murder and attempted

murder. Anything she says may be self -incriminating.

My advice to this young lady is to answer no more questions until she's

her own legal counsel.

Mr. Wendell is right.

I have overstepped.

My apologies, Miss Wilde.

You may leave the stand.

Mr. Corner, I've instructed the police to seal off this inquest room.

No one will be allowed to enter or leave here until these proceedings have been

concluded.

Well, Mr. Ormond, I'm afraid we were forced to start at the very bottom to

how this fraud group worked.

And I guess the very bottom is you.

You are the low man on the roster.

Is that why you subpoenaed me?

That's right.

Well, I guess there's no use trying to bug out. The fact is I picked up a few

bucks steering guys along.

I made the phone calls, set them up.

That was the end of my part of it.

What about the disability claims?

Was it your responsibility to file them on your project?

Oh, strict orders.

Same with most construction outfits.

Is this one in your handwriting?

Ah, sure. That's from my good buddy, Rod Steele.

Good buddy. Like you and Jack David.

Yeah. Kind of like that.

Actually, Jackie and I, we knew each other much longer.

Look, that's about it, isn't it?

I told you all I know.

Not all, Mr. Orman.

I think you know quite a bit more.

Such as why Jack David was afraid, why he was ready to talk, and how the poison

got into his system the morning of the examination.

You're off your rocker.

David never went near Coderre.

But you were with him alone while Mrs. David and Mr. Wendell waited outside.

And what about your good buddy Rod Steele when you found out he was a

How could I know he was a plant?

Because you were the ringleader. It was you, Doreen Wildcall, when she found the

fake policy planted in the files.

You had plenty of time to get to the YMCA gym and arrange the overdose of

harmless cardson for your good buddy.

You're making that all up. You can't prove it, none of it.

Can't I?

Do you know when you signed your confession?

When you filled out this disability form.

It was Rod Steele who had the heart attack in the gymnasium. It was Rod

who was loaded into the emergency ambulance.

But Rod Steele was never admitted to the hospital. It was Paul Drake who was

identified and checked in by Dr. Hartland.

You see, Mr. Orman, right here on this line, in your handwriting, Rod Steele,

room 328.

Now, you couldn't have gotten that information from the hospital. To write

you had to know that Rod Steele and Paul Drake were the same man.

I don't know what else to do. I've tried everything.

But you said Paul was better.

That's what I said. Now I don't know what else to do. I give up.

I thought he was out of danger.

Not unless we get him out of here.

See why I've given up?

Well, look who's come to visit my bed of pain.

Bed of pain, my foot.

You've never had it so good.

No oriental potentate ever had it so good.

Boy, here we go again.

First the doctor, now you two.

Jumping to conclusions, making accusations.

Just look at me.

I'm a very sick man.

Ha ha.