Original subtitles

Yes, darling? He didn't say goodnight to Bobby.

Pat, I'm awfully late. You know, they're throwing this party for us, and since

you can't go, the least I can do is... It'll only take a minute, Alex.

Please, he's calling for his daddy.

He won't go to sleep without his tiger.

Be sure the crib side's up.

He's learning his prayers.

I'll try to be home early.

Enjoy yourself, Alex.

Good night.

Oh, where's Alex Turner?

Where's the guest of honor?

How about it, Greg?

You're hosting this blast.

The most audacious display of... Apple polishing in the history of the Fourth

Estate. Come on, let's dance.

Lola Stanley, who plays both ends against the middle.

All right, knock it off, Danny.

Danny, let's go get some coffee. Well, look at them, Norma, baby. They're all

waiting here for Tanner. They all want something.

There's Greg, my loyal assistant.

What does he want? He wants my job.

You're out of line, Danny.

And Perry Mason, what do you want from Tanner?

The dispenser of riches.

Ah, you want a nice fat retainer to represent Globe News Syndicate.

That's enough.

Come on, let's go get some fresh air.

My secretary, little Norma, needs some air.

Come on, turn out wherever you are.

I'm sorry, Perry.

I want to apologize.

Don't, Greg.

You've been apologizing for Danny, Shine, for as long as I can remember.

Eric, Hannah, where are you? Come out, come out.

I'm all right.

I'm all right.

Here

he

is at last.

The next chairman of the board of the Globe News Syndicate.

The stockholders haven't elected me yet, Mr. Shine. They will.

Nothing beats marrying the boss's daughter.

Yeah, you know what, boss? You don't mind if I call you boss, do you?

I came out to welcome you in person today, but you weren't home.

On the other hand, your wife was.

So I got to meet the Patricia King Tanner.

And the baby, of course.

Didn't she tell you?

No, no, it must have slipped your mind.

Yeah.

You know, you've got the ideal wife.

And the ideal child.

And the ideal situation.

Read all about it in the ideal column I'm going to write.

Ideal, ideal, ideal.

Well, I can't pass judgment on Los Angeles. You know, we've only been here

a week.

Oh, thanks, Greg.

And we had the funeral for Pat's father, so I guess we haven't made too many

friends. But you have discovered the servant problem.

You know, having lived in Japan, I'm afraid we're spoiled. But Pat's managing

just great.

Can someone get me a damp towel? Honey, would you get it, please?

Isn't it that idiot out there?

Greg, get me some ice in one of those napkins.

I'll be about the towel.

May I help you?

Oh, here, I'll be right out.

Thank you.

Oh, pardon me. Greg told me where to find the phone, but I'm lost.

It's right in there, Mr. Tanner. Thank you.

That horn could wake the dead.

Greg, you'd better get him home.

Del and I will drop Norma off.

All right, Perry.

Move over, sleeping beauty.

Greg's driving you home for the last time.

All right, wake up, Danny. You're home.

Come on, Danny.

What have you done?

What have you done to my husband?

All right, Mr. Stanley, let's go over it again.

You were caught by Mrs. Shine.

What does that mean, caught?

You think I was delivering a dead body to the house? I'll continue to ask the

questions. This is the murder gun. Your fingerprints were all over it. Danny

Shine's blood was all over you.

You were discovered with the buy. I had just discovered he was dead.

You mean to tell me that you lifted him from behind the wheel, drove five miles

to his house with him beside you, and you didn't know that he was dead? Yes, I

didn't know.

He must have been dead when I got in that car, and I didn't know it.

I talked to some people at the party, Mr. Stanley. They told me that when you

left to drive Danny Shine home, he was out on the street in the car blowing the

horn.

You know, dead men don't do that.

You wanted his job, didn't you?

Don't answer that.

Enough's enough, Steve.

Don't you think we could all use some sleep? I want an answer to that

And I don't want him to answer. Why?

Because it's self -incriminating. Because he's tired and shaken.

Because you're being much too aggressive.

Before he got so tired and I got so aggressive, you kept him from answering.

Four? No, five questions.

If you want to talk to him in the morning, I'll be here to accommodate

there'll be no more questions tonight.

Now, will you give me five minutes with my client?

Sure, Perry. Sure.

Coach him.

Coach him on how he's gonna answer the questions tomorrow morning that you

wouldn't let him answer tonight Harry

there was a moment And I handled that gun After I got in the car just a

I Thought how right it would be if I put a bullet through that perverted sick

mind.

I Didn't realize it then but somebody else had saved me the trouble

That kind of talk only serves to substantiate the motive Lieutenant Drum

trying to pin on you.

Perry, I didn't need to kill Danny Shine to get his job.

Alex Tanner told me that Mrs. Tanner planned to get rid of him after his

contract expired next month.

When did he tell you this?

Yesterday at the office.

He said Mrs. Tanner was upset because of Danny's column.

You see, they've been living abroad for so long, they haven't been reading it.

She was afraid that, well, that Danny was giving...

Globe News Syndicate, a bad name.

So they offered you the job.

Well, Mr. Tanner didn't have the authority until he was elected chairman

board, but he told me not to worry there. As far as they were concerned,

was mine.

If that's the case, their testimony will very effectively destroy their motive.

Oh, Perry, I had less reason to kill Danny than lots of other people I know.

What about all those people that he ruined with his exposés?

Any one of them had a better motive than I did.

Pat and I were shocked with Shine's articles. It seemed that his column had

become nothing more than a cheap scandal sheet while we were gone. Pat felt,

well, we both did, that it was definitely not the sort of thing her

have wanted. So we decided Shine had to go.

And you offered the job to Greg?

Yes, it was obvious that he was the logical one to take over.

Excuse me.

Yes?

Mr. Tanner, Mrs. Gloria Shine would like to see you.

Mrs. Shine, would you ask her to give me about a half an hour?

Rather tied up right now.

He says... As I heard him.

He called me. I didn't call him.

I'm sure if you come back in a half hour.

All right.

A touching.

The faithful secretary labors on.

I was only trying to help Danny.

He behaved the way he did because he was unhappy.

Misunderstood? Poor abused husband and a considerate secretary?

Danny needed someone who didn't want something from him. Someone who'd at

treat him like a... Like a human being?

Danny wasn't a human being.

No more than you're the sweet little innocent you pretend to be. Get out of

here.

There's a bond between us, Norma.

We both loved him, then hated him, and wished him dead.

What do you mean?

What do you mean?

Come now, you can do better than that.

I have work to do. Would you please just leave me alone? You've already done

your work, Miss Innocence. The only reason you're here is because Danny's

If he were alive this morning, you'd be out in your ear.

Oh, that's not true.

In his way, Danny cared. He cared about me, and I know he did. Don't delude

yourself, my dear.

You're not the only one who thought he cared. Far from it.

You were just... One of a passing parade.

Well, you threatened to kill him if he didn't stop seeing me.

Yes, he told me that.

I didn't have to use my threats where you were concerned, did I?

Because it was all over last night.

The end of the line for you.

Oh, don't bother to deny it.

I saw him slap you around.

Well, how could you? You weren't there.

Or were you?

Alex, I'd appreciate it if you would prepare a statement including all these

points.

Your testimony indicating that you made the offer and your wife's testimony

stating that she authorized it will be invaluable to Greg.

As I told you this morning when you phoned, we'll be more than happy to do

anything we can, Perry.

Yes? Your wife is on the phone, Mr. Tanner.

Would you tell her I'll call her right back?

Excuse me, sir, but she sounds terribly upset about something.

All right, all right, put her through.

Pat, darling, what's wrong?

Honey, slow down a minute. I can't under... Yes?

Yes, I'll come.

I'll be right home.

All right, but just try to stay calm.

She's hysterical.

I couldn't make heads or tails of it.

I've got to get home.

My baby.

My baby.

Pat? Pat, where are you?

Darling, what is it? What's wrong?

They took my baby.

Who, Pat? Who?

Bobby's gone.

They took him away.

Pat, who took him? When? Wait, Alex.

Mrs. Tanner, try to tell us when you first found out Bobby was missing.

A man called on the phone.

He said he had Bobby.

I didn't believe him at first.

Exactly what did he say?

He said to go check the nursery.

I went and looked in the crib.

It was empty.

They even took Bobby's stuffed tiger.

Did you recognize the voice?

No, it was strange, muffled.

Like he was talking through his head.

What else did he say?

I never should have left Bobby alone, even for a minute.

Oh, for heaven's sake, Pat, that's not important now. What else did the man

He said he wouldn't hurt Bobby if we did exactly what he told us. What did he

tell you to do?

I told him Bobby wouldn't go to sleep without his tiger.

But they won't know what to feed him.

They?

Then there's more than just one man involved.

Yes, of course.

Maybe there's a woman. She'll know how to take care of him.

How do you know there's more than one?

Well, there must be, because he said... We'll...

Return the boy as soon as the case goes to the jury.

Now you're not making any sense, Pat. What case?

The Shine murder trial. They don't want us to testify.

And nothing else?

No, that's all.

Alex, we've got to do what they say so they'll give us our baby back.

Hello, who is it?

Hello?

Hello?

If there's somebody out there, please say something.

Hello?

What are you doing?

I'm calling the police.

No, no police.

The police are your only hope of finding your son, of catching this man.

I don't care about him. I just want my baby back.

You just can't wait here and hope for the best.

No police.

He warned me.

If we notify the police or try to find them ourselves, he'll kill Bobby.

She's right.

We have to do what they say.

No police, no testimony.

Bruno Grant in.

I'll ask Mr. Vandenberg to have Mr. Grant call me at DI -593.

With or without the Tanner's testimony, I still have a client to defend.

And I'd be a fool to ignore the obvious fact that the kidnapping and the murder

are somehow related.

Perry, why don't you turn me loose on this thing?

Obviously, I'm not the police who should be on it. But at least my people can

use our sources.

If the kidnappers knew you were after them, they'd kill that baby.

Well, what are we supposed to do? Keep on sitting in this bind they have us in?

We start with the premise that Greg Stanley is not guilty.

So whoever killed Danny Shine was afraid of something the Tanners might say on

the stand.

So they kidnap an 18 -month -old baby.

Anyone who'd take a chance like that has to be plenty afraid of the Tanner's

testimony. Or determined to see that Greg Stanley's convicted.

I don't want to put that child in any more jeopardy than he's in now.

But I can't ignore the fact that my client's life is at stake.

Perry, we won't tip what we're doing. But obviously we have to do something.

Paul. Greg told me this afternoon that somewhere in Danny Shine's files there's

a secret report.

One that's kept in a locked drawer.

A file Danny wouldn't let anyone see.

There's no doubt that Danny collected enemies.

Fine, that's a good place to start.

Remember, we move fast but carefully for the child's sake.

If the killer is the kidnapper, he... Or she.

Won't hesitate to kill again.

Alex Tanner.

Yes, Alex.

I promised I'd call, but there's nothing to report.

Shouldn't you tell him about the little man with the mustache, the one we saw

outside? Alex, you have to reconsider going to the police.

No, no, I haven't, but of course I won't. Harry, I know this may sound

but I'm not too concerned with Greg Stanley right now.

Good night, Alex.

I can't understand what's keeping Paul. He surely had time to get that file.

Here, try it.

Now, please, hurry.

I'm never late.

Some guy out front seems awful interested in what's going on in here.

What guy?

What does he look like?

A good -looking guy in a trench coat. There was a man like that in a car

the Globe building.

And I had a feeling all the way over here that I was followed.

Please, hurry.

I've got to get these back to the office before they find out they're missing or

I'm in trouble.

You are in trouble.

Find out who it is.

I'll sign it in now.

I followed her from the print shop to the office where she returned the file

back here to her home.

She's alone now.

Do you think you were recognized?

Well, I know I was up to something.

But I'm afraid I burned myself on this case.

And we're still nowhere.

One of my people checked with a proprietor of the print shop. And he

never saw the three guys before.

But I'm having the place staked out anyway.

Okay, Perry, I'll check in later.

Well, we've certainly put some things in motion.

It's just possible we've triggered the kidnapper into carrying out his threat.

Let's go.

Coming.

Taxi, I'll be right there.

Oh. Good evening, Lola. Hello.

You going somewhere?

No.

Oh, I just came in from a late dinner.

Then you won't mind if we come in.

Yes, I am going to stay with my sister during the trial.

Lola, I don't have much time. I know you took a file from Danny Shine's office

tonight. I know you delivered it to someone who made copies.

I know you returned it to the office.

I'd like to know what was in that file and to whom it was delivered.

I don't know what was in it. I swear I don't.

Who was the man?

Leon Vandenberg.

Then you're working for Mr. Vandenberg?

No, I'm not.

I mean, he forced me to bring him that file. I didn't want to. How could he

force you to do something you didn't want to do?

Well, because a few months ago, he wanted me to use my influence with Greg

to keep something about his building projects out of Danny Shine's column.

He offered me $5 ,000.

And you accepted it?

Yes.

But I didn't have to influence Greg. He'd already decided not to use what he

on Vandenberg.

Because there wasn't any evidence of fraud.

And then somehow, Danny got hold of some other information on Vandenberg.

He kept it in a secret file, his own trust fund, he called it. And Vandenberg

wanted to know what was in that file. I know I shouldn't have taken his money in

the first place.

But after all, I didn't do anything so horrible.

I didn't do anything at all except take the money.

Vandenberg was happy.

Greg didn't know about it, and I had $5 ,000.

Lola, I'd like you to get to the point.

Well, today, Vandenberg told me that if I didn't bring him that file, he'd

accuse me of blackmail and implicate Greg.

Well, what would you do?

He just wanted to copy it. I put it right back.

I only did it for Greg, supposing it would have come up in the trial.

I'm glad to hear that you're finally concerned about Greg.

Now, you listen to me.

Unpack those suitcases and start acting like a woman whose husband is on trial

for his life.

He needs you in that courtroom.

Now, you're going to be there and you're going to do everything you're told.

I don't want you to leave this house until I send for you.

Don't answer your phone.

Don't do one thing without talking to me first.

You understand that?

No Vandenberg file that I can remember, Mr. Mason.

What about the file Danny called his trust fund, the secret file?

I haven't seen any secret file.

Norma, you know what a decent man Greg is. I'm trying to defend him.

Trying to find the man who killed Danny. I want you to help me.

Department houses that slipped down the hillsides during the rainy season.

Suspected payoffs to building inspectors.

All right.

I can put this back.

I may need some copies later.

That's strange.

Danny brought this in the afternoon before... Before he was killed.

It's for the Tanner baby.

Seems a little out of character for Danny Shine.

I remember he made a special trip out to see the Tanners. He met Mrs. Tanner and

the baby.

And first thing, he bought a gift.

He told me once that Gloria didn't want children.

Oh, but he loved kids.

Most people wouldn't believe that of Danny.

But there were a lot of things that people didn't know about him.

The ideal gift for the ideal child.

Find Danny Shine.

Have you heard any more from the kidnapper?

Same telephone call.

The baby's okay.

Three words, that's it.

And you can't identify the voice?

I've never heard it, Perry.

Every time I answer the phone, they hang up.

Pat's the only one that's heard the voice.

They wait for Alex to leave the house before they call.

Perry, it's driving us out of our minds.

We sit here night and day waiting for the phone to ring.

I've hardly been out of here since this thing happened.

I'm doing all I can, Alex, but you've tied my hands.

There's only one thing, one leave.

I have an investigator tailing a man who may be involved.

No! Perry, I told you to do nothing.

Now suppose this man you're having followed finds out he's being watched.

There's no point in speculating on what a kidnapper may or may not do.

Speculating? Good Lord, Perry. They don't want us to look for them. So don't

look. They don't want Pat or I on that stand. We won't go on that stand.

Now, that's all there is to it.

Just leave us alone.

Don't you realize our child's life is at stake?

Not only his life, Mrs. Tanner, but my client's life.

If it has to be his or my child's, then let it be his.

Please leave us alone. Go away before you kill my child.

She's losing her mind over this thing.

Somehow we've got to hold on.

And pray till this nightmare's over.

Greg Stanley murdered Daniel Shine with cold -blooded premeditation and

deliberate intent.

The state will show that when the defendant walked out of his house on

fateful night, To the car where his employer, Daniel Shine, sat huddled,

and helpless.

That he was driven by envy, fear, anger, and humiliation.

Driven by all these things to kill.

The state will show that not only did Greg Stanley want Daniel Shine's job,

but that on the other hand, he knew Daniel Shine intended to fire him.

Mr. and Mrs. Tanner can prove that's not true.

And we will show that Greg Stanley accepted payoffs to keep items out of

Daniel Shine column.

That's not true either. The state will describe for you, ladies and gentlemen

the jury, the grim moment when the defendant stood with his victim's blood

his hands, revealed as a murderer.

The jury believes him too.

Already.

And if I were a reporter covering this thing, I... I...

I probably believe in myself.

The state will ask you to convict Greg Stanley of murder in the first degree.

The coroner's report stated that death was caused by a .38 caliber bullet which

we found lodged in the seat of the car.

Intense powder burns indicated, if I may demonstrate, that the gun was pressed

deep in the victim's abdomen and then fired.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

Now, I ask if you recognize this weapon.

Yes, sir, I do.

Where did you find it?

In the glove compartment of the murder car.

Did you subject it to any tests?

Yes, sir, I did. I was present during ballistic tests, which proved this is

.38 caliber gun which fired the fatal bullet.

Anything else?

Yes, sir. Fingerprints analysis showed that the defendant's fingerprints were

all over the barrel of the gun.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

Cross -examine.

Lieutenant.

You referred to the coroner's report.

Does that report state death was instantaneous?

Not definitely, Mr. Mason. The report states that death could have occurred 10

or 15 minutes after the fatal shooting.

In other words, Danny Shine could have been shot while his car was still parked

in front of the Stanley house.

Yes, Mr. Mason, that's possible.

Then isn't it also possible that if he lived 10 or 15 minutes before he died,

Danny Shine was sounding his car horn in a desperate attempt to summon help?

Objection, Your Honor. Defense counsel is using hypothetical questions to

present his own wild conjectures in the guise of fact.

If Your Honor, please.

I'm trying to establish the approximate time or location of the shooting and the

circumstances that made it possible for someone other than the defendant to

commit this murder.

Then I'm afraid you'll have to take another route, Mr. Mason.

Objection sustained.

When I left Annie sitting in his car, he was alive.

I went back inside, and then Greg Stanley left to drive Danny home.

Thank you, Miss Fenn.

Take the witness, Mr. Mason.

Miss Fenn, what were you and the decedent doing in the car?

I was going to take him home.

Then why didn't you?

Well, we... He had... Well, he'd had too much to drink, and we had a little

argument. A little argument?

Come now, Miss Fenn, it's already been established he hit you.

I want to know why.

I don't know what you're getting at.

With your help, I'm trying to get at the truth.

The truth, that's all.

Now, Miss Fenn, were you in love with Danny Shine?

Yes. Did he tell you he loved you?

Yes. Were you going to be married?

Yes. Well, I mean, no.

His wife refused to give him a divorce.

Is that what he told you that night?

Yes, yes.

But you refused to accept that, didn't you? You argued, and that's why he hit

you, isn't that right?

Objection, Your Honor.

Mr. Mason's browbeating of this witness is obviously designed just to deceive

the jury.

I would assume that your objection has the same intent, Mr. Becker.

Overruled. Proceed, Mr. Mason.

Now, Miss Fenn, when you left the deceased to return to the party, you

left him alone.

There was no one else out front with him?

She was.

She was sitting in the car across the street, spying on him.

And now, Mrs. Shine, would you please tell the jury the substance of the

conversation you had with your husband on the night of the murder immediately

before he left to attend the party at the home of the defendant?

Yes, sir. I'll try to remember exactly what Danny said. The way he put it, he

said, I'm going to get rid of Greg Stanley. I can't trust him anymore.

Did he say why he couldn't trust him?

Yes.

He said, I found out last week he took a $5 ,000 bribe to...

withhold information from me, and now he's trying to cut me out with a new

He said he was going to get rid of Greg Stanley. Now, did he say when he was

going to get rid of him?

Yes. I remember the words to a T. He said, tonight's a perfect time to pull

rug on Greg.

And then he laughed. He had that funny little boy laugh.

And then he said, the ideal time in the ideal place for the ideal people.

You may inquire, Mr. Mason.

Mrs. Shine, I see that you have the gift of recalling in

minute detail every syllable of a conversation which apparently took place

a month ago.

Objection, Your Honor. Badgering the witness. I'm merely trying to establish

that the witness has an excellent memory.

Overruled. Proceed, Mr. Mason.

Tell me, Mrs. Shine.

Did your husband tell you who allegedly paid the defendant a $5 ,000 bribe?

No, he didn't say who the man was.

But he did tell you it was a man, not a woman.

I don't believe he mentioned... But you just said he didn't tell you who the man

was.

Well, he might have said man.

Well, did he say it or didn't he, Mrs. Shine?

I don't remember.

You don't remember?

With your ability at recall?

Now, please, Mrs. Shine, let's concentrate on this. Try to remember.

Did your husband say what information the defendant allegedly withheld from

Oh, yes.

It was something about land erosion and apartment houses.

Yes, that was it.

Because the person involved threatened Danny over the phone several weeks

before, I think. And Danny told me then who it was.

Name's right in my tongue.

I'll get it.

Never mind, Mrs. Shine. I'm sure you'll be able to evoke that name in time.

Let's drop it for now.

In fact, if certain parties come forward with certain information, it won't be

necessary for you to remember that name.

Now, Mrs. Shine, the witness Norma Fenn has testified that you were present

outside the Stanley house on the night of the murder. Is that true?

Yes.

From where you were, could you see what was happening in that car?

Well, they were fighting.

Did you see Norma Fenn leave the car and rush back to the party?

Yes. Did you then go to your husband's car and speak to him?

No. There was no need to.

It was over with him and Norma.

Whenever he started hitting him, that was always the end of it.

I heard her scream, and so I just left and went home. Then how is it you

at home only after Greg Stanley got there?

When he left the same spot some ten minutes after you did.

Well, I was upset.

I must have gone out of my way.

I'm finished with this witness for now.

But I reserve the right to recall her. The witness may stand down.

This court is adjourned.

Mr. Mason.

Yes, Bruno Grant.

You probably don't remember me. I met you when you spoke at a bar association

San Francisco.

Mr. Vandenberg is my client and your witness.

Mr. Vandenberg?

What brings you all the way from San Francisco, Mr. Grant?

Don't play cat and mouse, Mason. You know very well that he's here because

sent me a subpoena.

I hope I needn't remind you, Mr. Mason, that any unsubstantiated claims that

tend to besmirch the reputation of Mr. Vandenberg will not go unnoticed or

unchallenged. Mr. Grant, I'm sure you wouldn't attempt to intimidate the

defense. I'm simply asking your cooperation and not letting your zeal

too far afield.

I've examined Shine's file against Mr. Vandenberg.

And though my client may have acted on the basis of caveat emptor, he was not

violation of the law.

Excuse me, Mr. Grant.

I made that phone call still no luck.

Mr.

Adams, Mr. Mason.

Mr. Adams is an investigator working for my firm.

I believe we almost met at the Turner residence.

Almost. What were you doing there?

Mr. Mason, you should be the first to respect the confidential relationship

between an investigator and his client.

Very well, then. I'll ask your client. Mr. Vandenberg, what was he doing there?

How the devil would I know?

Mr. Adams doesn't work for Mr.

Vandenberg, Mr. Mason.

For weeks, he's been on an assignment for me.

And what's your interest in the Tanners?

I represent the Globe News Syndicate and the estate.

That's why I went to Mr. Grant in the first place.

Mr. Grant, I'd like to have a word with you in private.

May serve us both.

Why not?

It is now. Ever since I talked to Bruno Grant, I've been treading water,

stalling whenever I could. What the devil's going on, Paul?

I'm sorry, Perry.

My man in Japan's knocking himself out. But digging into records anyplace is

rough. And so far, he just hasn't been able to come up with your information.

There's the complete transcript of the first week, Perry.

And Berger's used everyone on the stand that you expected him to.

Thanks, Dylan.

Have you talked to Japan today?

Nope. What time is it over there?

Well, let's see. There's 17 hours ahead of us.

It's about 7 o 'clock tomorrow evening.

All right. Call your man right now.

Berger's certain to wind up his case tomorrow, and I have to be ready to act.

But I cannot do it on a hunch.

Our case hinges on a report from Japan.

Overseas operator, please.

Dillon, will you stand behind the phone in the corridor? Paul will call in as

soon as he's talked to his contact.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you have already heard the last witness for

the state.

And now I beg of you, as the defense begins to present its case, do your best

separate rhetoric from evidence and to distinguish between speculation and

Mr. Berger, you will have an opportunity in your summation to address the jury.

Meanwhile, you might take your own advice and... Avoid rhetoric and

on the defense's case.

Of course, Your Honor.

The state rests.

Mr. Mason?

Is counsel for the defense ready to proceed?

I ask the court's indulgence for a moment.

Just one moment, Your Honor.

That's all, Paul Siff. The records confirm Bruno Grant's information.

This is going to be difficult for you, Greg.

But I want you to go along with me.

What do you want me to do?

Just show no surprise at what I do.

Because I'm going to... Mr. Mason, you want a recess?

No, Your Honor.

All right, proceed with the defense.

Your Honor, defense rests.

Quiet, quiet, please.

Will counsel please approach the bench?

Oh, Mr. Mason, frankly, I'm astounded.

I do not consider that you've given your client adequate defense.

Therefore, I'm going to call a recess and discuss this matter with you in

chambers.

Barry, I heard what you did. It was on the news.

I know what it must have done to you to abandon the defense of a client. I

haven't abandoned my client, Alex.

The kidnapper left me no choice at the moment.

But once your son is safely returned... Come in. Come in, please.

Can I fix you a drink or some coffee? No, thank you.

What arrangements did you make with the kidnapper, Mr. Tanner?

I'm to pick him up at a playground in Santa Monica at midnight.

He'll be at the sandbox, Lieutenant.

Lieutenant?

A policeman?

Why is he here?

You know what the man said on the phone about the police? That we'd never see

Bobby alive if we... It's all right, Mrs. Tanner.

The police haven't been notified.

Lieutenant Drum is here unofficially.

As a friend.

I told him one plainclothesman would be okay, Pat. Just in case.

How far is the playground from here? What?

Oh, it's not very far. Perhaps we'd better be going.

You'll be all right, dear.

I'll wait with her.

Thank you.

Don't worry, Mrs. Tanner.

Just keep thinking.

When the hands on that clock are pointed straight up, my baby will be back in

his crib.

Asleep. There, look.

Your... son is...

Dad. You had to bring in Drake, didn't you?

He scared him.

If he hadn't, they might have returned Bobby alive.

You've murdered my son.

Alex, I understand your feelings, but... Then you explain it to Pat. This might

be the blow to finish her.

be safe.

Let's go see in the nursery.

Bobby?

Bobby, are you back?

Bobby?

Somehow I've got to tell Pat.

I thought he'd lost his tiger.

We went in the nursery, and there he was in the crib looking so peaceful,

asleep. Asleep?

You've got to come look at him. Come on. Come on, everybody.

There, you see?

Doesn't he look beautiful?

He must have had the best of care.

We can thank them for that anyway.

My baby.

My darling baby's safe.

Bobby's home again.

So,

the boy was kidnapped to keep Mr. Tanner off the stand, huh?

Not Mr. Tanner, Steve. Mrs. Tanner.

So that she wouldn't testify for Greg Stanley.

Oh, what happened to Greg was a little moment to the kidnapper and the

The stakes were much higher.

Full control of Globe News Syndicate.

Ah, I see.

The loss of the child might have affected Mrs. Tanner's mind.

And if her mind was unstable, she couldn't vote her controlling interest,

The loss of her child did affect her mind, Steve.

But not the kidnapping.

The death of her child in Japan six months ago.

The baby drowned in its bath when Mrs. Tanner left him alone for a few moments.

Prisoner's been booked. You want to talk to him, Lieutenant?

Yeah, I'll talk to him.

Harry, what if Mrs. Tanner had testified on the stand?

Then her mental condition would have been evident. Her proxies would have

nullified automatically by Bruno Grant acting for Globe Syndicate and the

estate.

But the...

Imaginary kidnapping was supposed to solve all your problems, wasn't it,

was worried about Pat.

Then you'll be glad to know that she's finally going to get the treatment she

should have had when your baby died.

The doctors were encouraging.

I did it for Pat, not for me, for Pat.

No, Alex.

You did it to explain your wife's imbalance and get control of the

And Danny Shine's murder?

He was a pig. What?

I thought I was safe.

No one could find out.

We found out a bit at a time.

First, about Shine's unexpected visit to Mrs. Tanner.

Then, the ideal gift for the ideal child.

Next, the fact that you were never present when the kidnapper called your

And finally, the terms of the estate.

I argued with Shine that night.

The man had no humanity in him.

He was going to print that item.

Pat's delusion over our dead child.

He would have destroyed Pat and me for one paragraph in that filthy

column.

Would you have let that happen? Would you?

Would any man?

I killed him.

With his own gun, I killed him.

The ideal murder was the ideal cause.