Original subtitles

What?

Looking for me, the good Samaritan?

I'm looking for a ride back to town.

You got it.

What's the matter? Did somebody give you a bad time?

I'm an everyday surfer.

Don't worry, I won't.

You stood your up, huh?

Worse. I hang around the beach all day while those long -haired kooks are out

chasing waves.

Then the creep comes ashore and starts making passes.

Oh, I see.

Oh, come on, honey, get in. Oh, I, um, I promise I won't make any waves.

Come on, come on.

You know how many pretty girls I see every day at my work, dressed in much

than you have on.

Oh?

I'm, uh... I'm Stacey Garnett.

I'm Debbie Conrad.

Are you Stacey Garnett?

Golden Bear Club?

Golden Bear Magazine?

Among other things.

You know, I, um... I'd be able to do something for you.

Like what?

Well, in my business, we can always use a new, fresh, pretty face.

Wait.

Why are we turning?

Oh, I have an appointment to meet somebody.

Now, our business will only take about ten minutes.

Then you and I will have a talk about your modeling for the magazine.

Or maybe even becoming a teddy bear at the club.

How does that sound to you?

Mr. Garnett, I'm young, but, uh, you leveling?

Yeah.

My personal card with a note to my office telling them definitely to hire

Satisfied?

Well... Relax, honey. You're among friends.

Something's not right.

Mr. Garnetta, I think I hear... No, no, you wait right here.

I'm sorry. Nobody here by that name.

Please, ask around again. He's supposed to be there.

Mister, I need a ride to town bad.

Please.

I left my boyfriend on the beach. I'm scared.

You can't leave me out here all alone.

All right.

I'll take you as far as I can.

Look, nobody touches the merchandise.

You can cool off one of these penny -ante Casanovas with a smile, not a

See what I mean?

Now, our customers come here, they live in some sort of a fantasy world. They

don't really want to take you out, they just like to speculate on what it would

be like.

Mr. Florian.

Yes, Mrs. Garnett? Excuse me, please.

You knew I had a whole new class of teddy bears to be photographed this

Couldn't you be on time just once?

Well, I was on my way up when Corinne called. She wanted these props.

Whatever for?

Oh, I'm glad I caught you before you left.

Left? For where?

Before your husband went to Santa Barbara yesterday. He fired Florian. Do

have everything in here?

So, Stacy fired you again.

Twice a week, regular as clockwork.

Mr. Montalvo's pixel isn't in here.

I remember giving it to you to use.

Well, ask Mr. Garnett when he comes in. He said he'd return it.

Now, let's see which girl we want first.

You, honey.

Then you, doll.

Just think, the world waits anxiously to find out which one of you will be the

golden bear of the month.

Well, good morning.

Well, good morning.

It doesn't hide much, does it?

Maybe sometime, though, you can see me in her dress, huh?

Well, I shall certainly be looking forward to it. Oh, Miss Richland.

Excuse me.

Corinne, what's that girl doing here, that girl who just spoke to me?

She brought in a card of introduction from Mr. Garnett. Mrs. Garnett said she

could use her as a teddy bear. What?

Oh. Hmm? There's a man in your office that he's a reporter.

Another one?

He says it's very important to both of you that he see you.

If

you're

expecting an interview from me on the new Golden Bear Club, Mr... Durbin, Rick

Durbin. Mr. Durbin?

I've already said all I intend to on that subject. You talk to my partner.

entirely his idea to convert the ranch of Montalvo into a den where tired

businessmen can ogle half -dressed females. I know.

I'm not a club member, but I was a faithful reader of The Golden Bear until

Stacey Garnett changed it from a literary magazine to a girly book.

And that's why you're here?

To tell me that?

Well, not exactly.

But it does fit in, knowing how you cherish the old California family name.

Montalvo. Please, Mr. Durbin, what's the point?

I'm coming to it.

You see, I make my living as a lag man, digging up items for gossip columnists.

Late last night, I was checking a story at the Miraflores Hotel.

The Miraflores?

When I saw this distinguished gentleman come in and pay for a room for a young

girl, not much more than 18, wearing a swimsuit.

I thought I recognized him.

When I checked with the clerk, he assured me I was right.

The name was Montalvo.

Ridiculous. The girl was in trouble. I helped her. There's no more to it. Of

course there isn't.

The fact that I just saw her out there playing teddy bear doesn't mean a thing.

We're just helping her.

That's why I came to you first.

Because I know how my clients can take a perfectly innocent set of circumstances

and make them sound just terrible.

I presume you came to me first for a reason.

The one that comes immediately to mind is...

Blackmail? Please, Mr. Montalvo, you're making it sound just... Well, I don't

like to... to impose on you.

But I'm up against it right now.

How much?

I think that does it.

You want to take a look?

Hold it, just like that.

Where were you last night?

Waiting for you.

Where were you?

They delivered my car here. I was home.

I tried to call, but your phone rang and rang.

Yeah.

You met this girl. She said she was frightened. You gave her a lift, found

room in a hotel, and now you're being blackmailed. That's all there was to it.

Doesn't sound too compromising.

Unless there's more.

Something you're not telling me.

I swear to you, as soon as I saw she had a room, I got in my car and I drove

away. You didn't touch her? Of course not. She's a child.

Then let's tell the black... Mr. Mason, with my attempting to regain control of

the Golden Bear Enterprises, the slightest breath of something like

Montalvo, I'm afraid your chances of winning a proxy fight are minimal.

Grant can assume control if he gains support of one more stockholder.

But you don't understand, Mr. Mason.

I've seen this girl again.

This morning, at the club.

She's been hired as a teddy bear.

After what happened, you gave her a job?

I didn't. My partner did.

Garnett knows her, too? The same girl?

Apparently.

Now that you mention it, it does seem very strange.

That young woman moves around.

Who are you going to call?

Well, the police. They're the ones to handle this. No, please. I won't have

police brought in. Not now.

Very well.

When is this man Durbin supposed to call you? He said no later than noon. He

wanted how much? $2 ,500.

That's only the beginning.

When he calls, have your secretary refer him to me.

Meantime, I want you to put your signature on this.

Let me have one of your blank checks.

For what purpose?

Well, there's only one way to pay a blackmailer.

With the right kind of check.

You've apparently been making quite a study of Mr. Montalvo.

Counselor, you want to find out how much I know.

Well, frankly, I know even more than you think I do.

But I'm a man of my word.

Just deliver the money and you heard the last of me.

I don't like checks, Mr. Mason.

And I don't like blackmailers.

But an endorsement on a check gives my client a slight protection in case you

come back for more.

I might say also that I advise my client not to deal with you at all.

He insisted.

But if you refuse the check, why?

I'm not a blackmailer, Mr. Mason.

Even the word is offensive to me. It's just that I'm forced by circumstances to

sell some information.

But if this check doesn't clear... I know.

You'll smear my client in every tabloid from coast to coast.

Nothing, thank you.

For my client's sake, I must deliver that check.

But I choose the people I drink with, even coffee.

Good night, Mr. Durbin.

Good night, Mr. Durbin.

Rick Durbin?

Paul, I want to study in depth on that gentleman.

Durbin claims to be a scandal sheet reporter, but he shapes up as an old

-fashioned shakedown artist.

For lack of a better expression.

Paul, I'd like you to inform every bank in the city that there's a forger in

town tracing important men's signatures on large checks.

You never complained about my coffee before.

The coffee was fine.

I was brewing up something slightly more bitter for our friend.

We picked him up at a Valley Bank. He was trying to pass a $2 ,500 check with

Victor Montalvo's forged signature on it.

He knows. He gave it to me.

Did you say why I gave you that check, Mr. Durbin? Keep pushing me, Consular.

I'll give you an answer.

Consider that you've been pushed.

All right.

That's the way you want it.

I know plenty about Montalvo.

And he had me pay you to keep you quiet.

What are you trying to pull?

You conned me once. You're not getting away with it again.

I don't intend to see anyone get away with anything, Mr. Durbin. If you

establish your innocence on the forgery charge, you lay yourself open to a

charge of extortion.

That's not a very happy alternative.

Well, maybe we all made some mistakes.

If there's no blackmail, then there's no forgery either.

It's amazing how fast you're catching on.

Now, hold it.

Nobody can convince me the signature on this check wasn't traced by someone.

I can assure you, Sergeant, Mr. Montalvo will not prefer charges.

And Mr. Durbin has no further use for that check. Why not keep it on file?

I'll just do that.

Sergeant Eggers here.

Steve Drum.

He'll talk to either one of you.

Hi, Steve.

You're where?

Sure, Steve, right away.

Thanks, Sergeant.

Mr. Montalvo wants you to meet him at the Rancho de Oro.

The police have just found Stacy Garnett dead.

There are two bullets in him.

Bruce Bateman, he was rough and ruthless, did things his own way.

But I'll say this, anyone he was associated with, he made money for.

Well, some of us feel there are other considerations.

I won't pretend we were close because we weren't.

This is Terry.

Paul Perry.

Paul, I want to ask your client a few questions, but he insisted that you be

here. That is his legal right.

Of course, now that you're here.

Mr. Montalvo, when did you see your partner last?

Two days ago, he left at noon to drive to Santa Barbara on business.

Can you account for your activities over the past two days?

Steve, I'll now have to advise my client not to answer any further questions

until we've had an opportunity to talk.

If you think it's necessary, it's perfectly all right with me, Perry.

I can get a formal statement later.

I'll drive you home, Beverly.

We could all use a little time to recover.

Straight shot is what I could use.

Here it is, everything you had on him.

What?

There's Montalvo's attorney.

How about this, Perry?

A voting proxy granted by the Santa Barbara stockholder to Mr. Garnett,

puts him in the driver's seat at Golden Bear Enterprises.

Does anyone else have to see this proxy letter for the president?

Could be embarrassing to my client in a business sense.

It'll be sealed with his other effects, Barry.

Thanks, Steve.

What about the death weapon?

We haven't found it yet.

Rosalie, you got a tranquilizer?

There's a bear hunter out there that's driving me nuts. Look in my case.

That's mine.

The one at the other end, honey.

Mr. Montalvo has not seen me anywhere.

Oh, he'll see me. I'm sure.

I tried to stop her. She insisted.

I told her you'd see me. You will, won't you?

All right, just for a moment.

Thank you, Corinne. Will you wait outside, please?

Now then, young lady.

My name is Debbie.

You remember, Victor.

What do you want?

I want to do you a favor.

I owe you one.

Not at all.

You were kind to me and all the other night when I needed a lift.

And I've been reading all about poor Mr. Garnett in the paper.

And, well, like, it's tragic, you know.

Yes, I know.

Now, about the favor.

Well, it's this way.

I found something you lost.

And I'm here to return it.

What?

Something like an old family keepsake.

I figured it probably has lots and lots of sentimental value.

You know, all silver and ivory with the golden bear on the handle.

And the initials V .M. I considered someone might have taken it from my car.

So it was you.

How much?

Uh -uh.

No checks. What?

Some people are crazy enough to fall for that check jazz.

But not me.

I want $5 ,000 cash.

Right now.

Or maybe I'll do the police a favor instead.

If I give you the money, how soon can I have my souvenir?

As you can see, I don't have it on me.

But it won't take me more than ten minutes to go and get it and bring it

you.

I feel sorry for you, young lady.

So young, so pretty.

Already making such mistakes.

Don't feel sorry for me, Victor.

I'll make out.

Here comes my teddy bear.

You're neglecting me, honey.

When I need a hand from you, sir, I'll ask. Oh, don't be like...

aren't you on the floor i broke a strap i was just looking for a safety pin in

the newspaper now get back to work yes ma 'am

Mr. Montalvo, I would like a direct answer.

We know that you own a .41 caliber antique pistol.

Yes, that's true. I, uh... It's a family keepsake.

May I examine it, please?

I'm afraid that won't be possible just now.

You see, Lieutenant, I don't have the gun. Mr. Montalvo, will you or will you

not produce the gun voluntarily?

The gun has... It's been misplaced.

Well, let's hope that it turns up.

Mr. Montalvo, I'm placing you under arrest.

On suspicion of murdering Stacy Garnett.

No, you can't. And I must warn you that anything you say now may subsequently be

used against you.

Corinne, notify Mr. Mason.

Oh, and Corinne, when that girl comes... If that girl comes back...

Double -crosser, I ought to slap you soon.

Yeah, I will.

You put the bite on Montalvo yourself without cutting me in. No, Rick, I

wouldn't do that to you.

No? Then where did you get this, little teddy bear?

Tips. I was going to spill it with you, Rick. Honest, I was.

Sure you were.

Hey, what did you hit him for?

5 ,000.

Not bad.

I'll make an operator out of you yet.

Just to prove there are no hard feelings here for you.

2 ,000?

That isn't fair. I put the score on him. I deserve more.

You're right, baby.

You do deserve more.

And you're going to get it a whole lot more.

No, Rick.

No. No, Rick!

No wonder you were so willing to pay blackmail.

Since that girl can place you in the area at almost the precise moment of the

crime.

But I just didn't know.

She looked so young and innocent, helpless.

It didn't occur to me that my giving her a ride could possibly ever have any

connection... That's the way the badger game works.

The come on is almost always young and innocent and helpless.

I presume you had the good sense not to pay her off.

If you had, the district attorney would claim you bribed a witness.

$5 ,000 cash.

Well, it could be worse, but I don't know how.

If you'd only called the police in the first place when you found the body. But

I was just going to.

I was already in a roadside phone. I was dialing the number.

I saw that girl, and, well, one thing leads to another.

They frequently do.

But, Mr. Mason, I swear,

By the honor of my family.

I've told you the complete truth.

I did not kill Stacy Garnett.

All right, Victor.

But our immediate problem is that girl.

Debbie called the office scared to death.

She wanted to get in touch with Mr. Montalvo, but I couldn't find either you

Paul, so I came over myself.

Found her packing.

At least trying to.

Perry, she's been beaten up.

Who did this to you, Debbie?

Rick. Rick Durbin?

Look, can you please get me out of here before he comes back?

to help you, Debbie, and to make sure you help us.

So forget the naive teenage act.

Try being honest for a change.

Then will you help me to get out of here?

We'll help you, but I expect you to testify.

To what?

To the truth.

After you've given us back the $5 ,000.

But I can't give it back.

Rick took most of it. And he can tell the police where you obtained it?

Very.

Look. All right, now listen, Debbie. This is what we're going to do.

We'll take those things to my office.

Whatever you do, don't volunteer any information. Answer their questions no

more. Remember, extortion is a felony.

And for that, people go to jail.

Perry, hurry up. This is a fast elevator.

And as soon as the police leave, call my office. We'll come for you.

Police, Miss Conrad.

We picked up your friend Rick Durbin.

We'd like to talk to you about him. May we come in, please?

Absolutely nothing. Not a trace of her.

Our little Debbie really pulled a fast one on us.

Why would she just run out like that?

Disappear? She's a sharp little cookie.

But with luck, she won't get very far. I've got men staked out at the bus,

train, and air terminals, an operator watching her room, and the officers

calling the hotels and motels.

Did they know anything at the Golden Bear Club?

No, nothing. I went there myself.

Oh! I did get this from Garnett's wife. The car Debbie used to get her job

there.

What about that fellow that beat her up, Rick Durbin? Never got near him. I hear

Steve Drum's got him on ice.

He'll be Berger's key witness, tell him.

Florian dropped an interesting bit at the club.

Something about Durbin having worked for Garnett a while back. I've got a man

checking it out.

Well, true or not, he's still the key to Berger's case.

And if we can find her, Debbie Conrad might be the key to ours.

Case of the people versus Montalvo.

This is the time fixed for the preliminary hearing. Are you ready,

Ready for the prosecution, Your Honor.

Your Honor, we've issued a subpoena for Miss Debbie Conrad. However, we've been

unable to find her.

And we request that a continuance be granted until such time as she is

Your Honor, if Miss Conrad's testimony is necessary, she will testify for the

state. Then the police have been holding this witness incommunicado.

Will you promise this court that you are going to put her on the stand?

I don't have to promise any such thing, Mr. Mason.

If Miss Conrad's testimony is not necessary at this time, and if I wish to

until this case comes to trial in superior court... Your Honor, the

that the court require the prosecution to present the witness at this time or

make the witness available to the defense.

The order of proof is in the hands of the district attorney.

If Mr. Berger chooses to put the witness on the stand later during the course of

this hearing, he has the right to do so.

If he does not put her on the stand, Mr. Mason...

I will hear argument at that time.

All right, Mr. Berger, proceed with your case.

I noticed that this tire track, which you say was lifted from the parking area

at the murder scene, has a distinctive imprint.

Let me ask you this, Lieutenant.

Did you have occasion to examine the defendant's automobile?

Yes, sir, I did. What did you find?

If the district attorney's purpose is to show that the tire tracks were made by

the defendant's car, defense will stipulate.

Thank you, Mr. Mason.

Lieutenant, let me ask you about the fingerprints which, under your

were taken at the murder scene.

If you propose to show that the fingerprints of the defendant were found

murder room, defense will stipulate. Thank you again, Mr. Mason.

Lieutenant Drum, you heard the medical examiner's testimony that death was

caused by two gunshot wounds in the chest and abdomen.

You heard Ballistic's testimony that the two bullets removed from the dead body

were fired from a .41 caliber weapon.

Now, have you made an attempt to locate such a weapon and to trace its

ownership?

Yes, sir.

The bullets were of a somewhat unusual caliber.

A check of manufacturers and the State Historical Association showed us that a

unique pistol of this caliber was presented. If the purpose of this

is to establish that the defendant's grandfather received a .41 caliber

as a gift from the first American governor of California, and that that

is the property of the defendant,

Defense will stipulate.

Very well, then. You may inquire, Mr. Mason.

Lieutenant.

Can you tell us when the fingerprints were left in the murder room?

No, sir. Well, that disposes of the fingerprints.

Now, what about the tire tracks?

How did it happen that you were able to find those particular tracks and no

others?

Well, there were other tracks, Mr. Mason, but they were partially obscured.

Did any of those partially obscured tracks have a definite characteristic?

Yes, sir.

One set was apparently quite worn.

Another looked like snow tires.

Lieutenant, in the course of your investigation, did you learn anything

made you believe that the defendant had in his possession at the time of the

murder a gun capable of firing .41 caliber bullets?

Well, it was his gun, Mr. Mason.

You admitted that.

I didn't ask you that.

I asked you if he had possession of that gun at the time of the murder.

Well, since it was his gun, it was a pretty good assumption.

At least you're willing to grant that it is an assumption.

No further questions.

Stacy Garnett was a man without culture, without taste, without manners, brash,

loud, vulgar.

Why, now, if I understand it, Miss Richland, then please don't hesitate to

correct me if I'm mistaken.

Mr. Garnett actually saved the Golden Bear Enterprises, both the magazine and

the club, from almost certain bankruptcy. Isn't that true?

It is not.

He took a fine, traditional publication on California life and turned it into a

purveyor of filth. And he took the oldest men's club in this state and made

den for lechers out of it. Mr. Montalvo was ashamed to have the family name

attached to the men he fought.

Every way...

Possible to keep Garnett from doing what he did. Let me caution you, Miss

Richland. I'm not interested in conjecture on your part.

I'm only interested in facts.

Well, Mr.

Montalvo tried to buy Garnett out.

And Garnett taught the stockholder in Santa Barbara into backing him.

So he could gain complete control.

And Mr. Montalvo did, in your presence, threaten the decedent with a pistol.

Isn't that true?

With a .41 caliber antique pistol?

He didn't threaten him.

Mr. Montalvo just made some remark about it.

What remark?

Well, I don't recall exactly.

Well, just give us the substance of the remark.

Well, he said that his grandfather had used the gun to kill bandits and that it

was a shame Garnett wasn't around then.

Mrs. Garnett, would you please explain to the court how you happened to be

present during the argument in which the defendant threatened the decedent with

a pistol?

Stacy agreed to meet Victor at the rancho that evening, and Victor asked me

come along, too. What did the defendant want you to do?

Help him convince Stacy to let him buy back control.

So after a bitter argument with the decedent, the defendant did indeed go to

rancho on the night of the murder. I didn't say it was a bitter argument. I

it was a discussion.

And I didn't say he went there. I said he had an appointment to go.

Yes, of course.

Cross -exam.

Mrs. Garnett, did you keep your appointment to meet the defendant and

husband at the rancho?

Well, I intended to. I was leaving on a ski vacation, and they were putting new

tires on my car.

I didn't think it would be ready on time.

According to the garage, your car was delivered to the Golden Bear Club at 7

.30. Well, I wasn't there at the time.

I didn't even know the car had been delivered.

Do you know what type of tires they used?

Why, snow tires.

Thank you, Mrs. Garnett. Oh, one more thing.

With your husband's death, who inherits his interests?

Why, I do, of course.

You say the defendant objected to this change in the format of the Golden Bear

magazine. I used to hear that argument at least once a month when the proofs

the centerfold came out.

You know, a double -page spread with a doll coyly relaxing.

Garnett called it money in the bank. Mr. Montalvo just cringed.

And then the yelling started.

Your witness.

Was your reaction to the girly pictures the same as the defendant's?

I've worked for Victor Montalvo for the last ten years shooting pictures of

California wildlife.

As far as I'm concerned, indoors or outdoors, wildlife is wildlife.

I don't want to hear laughter in this court again.

Why did the decedent fire you the afternoon before his murder?

I walked in on him when he slapped Bev, that is, his wife.

And one thing led to another, and he fired me.

Then why did you show up for work the next morning?

Well, he'd fired me before.

He'd always gotten over it. In previous testimony, it's been established that

you took some pictures in which an antique pistol was used as a prop. Am I

correct?

That's the picture.

What did you do with that gun after you'd finished?

Stacy Garnett took it. Said he'd return it to Mr. Montalvo.

Was anyone else present when he took it?

No.

Well, since the decedent can't testify, we'll have to take your word, won't we?

Do you want this court to understand that Mr. Mason gave you a check for $2

to keep you from disclosing that the defendant was with some girl in the area

the beach that night?

Yes, sir.

You'll witness me tonight.

Were you in the vicinity of the beach the night of the murder?

No. Then how did you know the defendant was there?

He came into the hotel with the girl.

She was wearing a swimsuit.

And from that, you deduced that he'd been to the beach?

Yes.

What did you think when you saw Mr. Montalvo get into that elevator with the

girl? I was certain I had him.

That's all.

Mr. Durbin, you were never in the hotel lobby.

You never saw Mr.

Montalvo there. Isn't that true?

What are you talking about? I told you.

I know what you've told me. One lie after another.

Mr. Montalvo did not enter the elevator.

Would you like me to bring in the desk clerk to prove that?

I, uh, I thought he did.

When did you obtain your information?

Well, Mr. Berger isn't going to help you now. His deal surely doesn't cover

perjury. Objection, Your Honor. Your Honor, it's obvious that the district

attorney has granted this man immunity on an extortion charge.

Very well, I'll stipulate to that, but certainly extortion is a mild crime

compared to murder, Your Honor.

I won't question the arrangements made in the past, Mr. Berger.

But I'm considering asking you to prepare formal charges against this

for perjury. Very well, Your Honor. With that in mind, Mr. Durbin, let me ask

you this. Look, all I know is this guy paid me off because he murdered Stacy

Garnett. Is that the same Stacy Garnett for whom you previously worked?

The same Stacy Garnett who added your name to an unofficial blacklist so you

couldn't get a decent job?

The same Stacy Garnett who threw you out of his office two weeks ago?

Objection! I'll withdraw the question.

Your Honor, I'm through with this witness.

And since his testimony was vital to any case against my client, and his

testimony has been, by his own words, thoroughly impeached, would this not be

appropriate time for the court to entertain a motion for dismissal?

I'm inclined to agree with you at the present moment, Mr. Mason, unless...

Honor, the prosecution's case is still incomplete.

At this time, I should like to ask for a 15 -minute recess.

For what purpose, Mr. Berger?

For the purpose of putting on one last prosecution witness.

A Miss Debbie Conrad.

And the man who picked you up in the vicinity of Rancho De Oro at

the time of the murder is in the courtroom at this moment.

Yes, sir.

He's sitting right over there.

Mr. Montalvo.

Your witness.

Very well.

Miss Conrad.

Isn't it true that the morning after the defendant picked you up, you went to

the Golden Bear Club and obtained employment as a teddy bear?

Yes, sir. Mr. Montalvo seemed kind and... Using this note from the

Yes, sir.

When did he give you this card?

You've already told the district attorney you never met Mr. Garnett

night of the murder.

Well, Rick was out to get him and he set it up.

And then Mr. Garnett drove by like Rick said he would. And picked you up and

gave you his card with the note?

Then he drove you to the Rancho de Oro and the two of you went into the house.

No, that is he drove there, but he took the gun and went in alone.

I heard two shots inside and then I got scared.

I ran to the highway where Mr. Montalvo picked me up and then I was really

scared. Why?

Because there was the same gun on the floor of Mr. Montalvo's car.

Then...

You must have taken the gun with you.

And that's why Mr. Montalvo paid you the $5 ,000.

For the gun.

Isn't that right?

Well, yes.

But I didn't give it back.

Why not?

Well, the cops came to the club before I had a chance. And I didn't want to get

caught with it there. So I stuck the gun in my teddy bear case and ran.

Where is the gun now, Debbie?

Why, you have it, Mr. Mason.

It's in the teddy bear case you took from my room.

There's no gun in here.

Mr. Mason, did you remove a weapon from this case?

I swear I put it in there.

Mr. Mason, I'd like to see you and the district attorney in my chambers

immediately. This court is recessed until 2 o 'clock this afternoon.

I'm sorry. I should have... I paid her to return the gun.

I didn't think... Let's leave it at that. You didn't think.

Just let me walk right into it. Della.

Yes, Patrick.

I'll need some keys.

See if you can catch Montalvo's secretary.

Corinne, what's her name?

Have her meet me in the Golden Bear office in 30 minutes.

Right. Oh, Steve.

Yes, Craig.

The key to the dressing room is in this drawer.

Here it is.

This is the most difficult thing I've ever had to do, but I've no choice.

I'm an officer of the court. I must find that gun and turn it over to the

police.

How could they ever prove he fired the gun?

He left the scene of the murder with it.

He paid blackmail to hide the fact.

And that's more than enough.

Not if the girl lied.

And she's the type that would.

Even if it were true, and he was there, couldn't he have just recognized the

gun, taken it?

The jury won't believe that.

Why? Why do you say that?

Because I don't, and I'm his lawyer.

I'll take that ferry.

I happen to own this place.

Sorry.

Now, hold it. Let's wait right here.

You realize this is your client's one -way fare to the gas chamber?

No, you are wrong.

Mr. Mason, he's not to blame. I am.

Miss Richland, if you're trying to make me believe that you...

Loyalty to an employer goes only so far.

You're not going to murder that man.

Steve, we thought that only you and I knew Garnett had brought back that vital

proxy from Santa Barbara.

But, Corinne, you also knew. You testified to it.

And you could have only learned that from Garnett himself, just before you

killed him.

I went out there that night in Beverly's car to plead.

Garnet bragged he had the final proxy and was going to use it.

He had laid the gun on the table and I picked it up.

He didn't live to destroy Victor.

Because I destroyed him.

Did you want this, Paul?

Yes, Clay, thank you, I did.

Oh, Clay, I, uh...

Somehow I didn't think of you as being a Golden Bear fan.

Somehow you don't seem emotionally adolescent.

No, no.

No sour grapes, Miss Street.

Actually, Della, this is the first issue under the new, or should I say old,

Montalvo policy. A magazine for California gentlemen.

Larry, what beats me is how you ever caught on to Corinne Richland.

Of all the people involved, she was the only one without a motive.

I'd say she had a very strong motive.

That of loyalty.

Well, at least Montalvo had sense enough not to change that.

The golden bear of the month on the gatefold.

Look at that.

May I see?

Sure, now.

Feast your eyes on a real golden bear.