Original subtitles

I don't know why we went for a boat ride with someone we didn't know.

I just don't know.

I was so paralyzed with fear that I couldn't do anything to help Amy.

I just watched.

Come on, honey, let's go.

Billy, please, I can't. Sure you can.

Sure you can.

I'll be right there with you, just like I promised.

Please, Billy.

Sarah. I don't want to do this. Sarah.

Don't make me force you.

I can't.

She's dead.

She's dead.

It's been over 15 years. You've got to let go of it.

Come on.

All right.

Was it around here that it happened?

Okay.

Now I want you to take the wheel just like you did that.

No, Billy.

Come on, Sarah.

Take it. No, I can't.

Sarah, take the wheel.

Okay.

See what I'm doing here?

All right.

See that?

It's up to you.

Take the wheel or we're both dead.

It's up to you.

I knew you could do it, babe.

I knew you could do it.

I want to celebrate.

I want champagne.

Lots of champagne.

You want to go, uh, you want to go around to the city or you want to go to

lodge? The lodge.

That way we'll be closer to home after dinner and we can build a fire in our

room. That sounds great.

Oh, Billy.

I've never been so happy.

Oh, and they said it wouldn't last.

Hey, come to think of it, even you aren't too sure.

I was just afraid you'd miss the limelight, all those groupies on the

One of those groupies, they were kind of nice.

Nice? No, they weren't nice. They weren't nice. I'm a has -been.

I'm an official tennis bum.

My groupie days are long gone.

They better be.

Because I ain't ever letting go of you.

Attaboy, Billy!

Looks like you made a real woman out of her.

What are you doing home so early? I thought you were at work.

Well, I'm resigning.

I'm not cut out to be a mining executive.

But if you and Billy swing that deal to start a ski resort, you let me know.

I think that's more my speed.

It could be a long time from now, Skip.

Hey, I'm in no hurry.

I'm not going anywhere.

Yes, you are, Skip.

I thought we agreed if you work for the company, you'll be paid a regular

salary.

You can even stay here until you can find a place of your own.

But you just can't live here with us indefinitely.

Is that any way to treat family?

There's not that many of us left, Cousin Sarah.

Lay off.

I suppose I have you to thank for these new regulations, huh, Billy Boy?

Sarah's decision.

Right.

It's hard for me to do that.

You sure you want to do this?

Positive.

Okay.

Hey, looks like the hooks are still on the wall. Why don't you make it a snap?

Yeah.

Okay, I've got... Okay, that looks level

to me.

Level to you.

Yes. Okay.

Thanks, Hans.

You sure you're all right?

Yeah, it's... It's just going to take a little getting used to, that's all.

How are you feeling now, Walter?

I suppose there's nothing like a high -priced surgeon poking around in your

heart to remind you that you're mortal, just like everybody else.

Oh, you're mortal, all right.

That disposition of yours hasn't gotten any better since the day I got out of

law school and you gave me my first job.

What's with the cane?

That is your fault.

When I missed seeing you up here the last time, I went skiing, hence the knee

and the cane.

But it's going to be fine.

Good.

Gentlemen.

Uncle Walter.

I am not your uncle, young lady.

I let you try my patience out of choice, not family tie.

Perry Mason, I'd like you to meet my ward, Sarah Wingate Travis.

Mr. Mason, I heard you were coming to Uncle Walter's retirement party this

weekend. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

I'd like you to meet my husband, Billy Travis.

Yes, hello.

I remember seeing you a couple of years back at Forest Hills.

Did I win or did I lose?

You won. Must have been an early round. Never made it past the quarterfinals

there. Nice to meet you.

Billy's given up tennis for resort development.

You look lovely tonight, Sarah.

Thank you.

You're a lucky man, Billy. I know.

Very nice meeting you both.

Thank you.

Can I take your cane?

Yes, thank you.

Dinner has already been ordered.

Perry, you remember Sarah Wingate?

That girl has been through a lot.

For a time, most of us wondered if she'd ever recover.

Indeed, there were certain people who wanted to have her institutionalized.

She seems fine now.

Quite happy.

Thanks to Billy.

Though everybody else around here thinks he only married her for the Wingate

money.

That's the first thing you ever taught me.

Don't go with the crowd. Form your opinion based on fact.

I haven't changed.

The duck is perfect here, so I ordered fish, and that is a fact.

You want another one?

Yeah. Let's have another one. Yes, sir. Okay.

What are we celebrating now?

How about... Nathan.

Mr. Travis would like another bottle of champagne.

I'll cover for me, huh?

This one's special delivery.

How are you tonight, Mr. Travis?

I'm fine, thanks.

And so is the wine.

Aren't you going to try it?

I already have.

Why don't you just leave the bottle? I'll pour it myself.

Sure.

Should I be jealous?

Lisa, that was a long, long time ago.

You don't have to be jealous of anybody.

Okay.

Yeah, I hope it's not too late. I've got some checks in here that need to be

signed right away.

How can it wait until morning?

That's government stuff. You know, if we don't get them out right away, they'll

be paying some pretty stiff penalties.

You know, why is it always a last minute?

You're the one that's got Sarah co -signing all the checks. Nothing but

extra trouble. Oh, you get used to it.

Oh, Billy, it's all right. It's all right.

She's been Mr. Travis.

Your brother called a few minutes ago. He'd like you to call him back.

Where is he?

The bar at the lodge.

Excuse me, I didn't get it in the study.

How are you, sir?

I've never been happier, Doug.

I thought you said something about needing some signatures.

Yeah.

You're not going to let him do it, are you?

Do what?

Sell the mine.

Skip said Billy had you talking to getting out of the business altogether.

You'll have to talk to Billy about that.

That'll mean new management.

What happens to me?

Did I interrupt something?

Yeah.

Listen, honey, I'm really sorry, but I'm going to go on for a little while.

What does Frank want this time?

Nothing, really.

We'll talk about it later, okay?

Are you going to be all right?

Yeah, I'll be fine.

Doug's leaving now, too.

Do you want me to wait up for you?

Well, it's going to take a little while, but sure I want you to wait up for me.

I never would have gone out and left you here alone like that.

Got your tea ready?

That woman bartender at the lodge, Lisa Blake.

What's the gossip in the village about her?

Oh, I don't pay any attention to gossip. Yes, you do.

What are they saying?

Oh, nothing much, really.

It's about her and Mr.

Travis, isn't it?

Now, you know it's all a lie, Sarah.

Please.

What are they saying about her and Billy?

Well, they're saying how friendly they are.

About how they're always laughing and joking together.

But I was in the pharmacy yesterday and I looked out the window and I saw Mr.

Travis talking to her.

And they weren't laughing or joking.

They seemed, well, sort of serious and quiet.

Can I wait up for Mr. Travis?

No. You go to bed.

Good night, Sarah.

Good night.

All I need is enough to get Manny off my back for a little while.

I know I can make this new deal work. I know it.

Frank, it sounds great.

It's just that I can't come up with that kind of money. I'm not asking you for a

handout. You know me. I've never done that.

But, uh... Look, you're my

brother. I got no one else I can go to on this thing.

I'm sorry, Frank. I just can't do it.

All right, look, I can come up with a couple thousand cash, but you're into

Manny and those gamblers for big bucks.

Now, I just can't get it from Sarah again.

You could if you wanted to.

I put the best part of my life into teaching you how to handle yourself,

you the ropes, managing your tennis career. Doesn't that count for anything

No, I never told you this before, but you put the best part of your life in a

shot glass.

Or the poker games.

the ponies frank man i'm sorry but things are different now you know

i'm married sarah's got to come first

i

just don't know what else i can tell you

He'll be back.

Frank's like me. He always comes back.

What's that?

Margarita. Just the way I used to make them for you in Acapulco, remember?

No, thanks. I don't drink those anymore.

Maybe you forgot the taste.

Sarah, I know how it hurts you feeling.

And I know how it looked.

But you gotta believe me, it was her play, not mine.

I'm really very tired, Billy. Can you please just...

I love you.

Looking for your sister?

That's where it all happened, isn't it?

I know all about it.

Now it's your turn.

I got a call. It was a couple.

Sheriff, it's my wife.

What happened? I don't know what happened, but she's out there somewhere.

Too dark, too cold, too deep for him to find anything in that water.

Isn't there anything we can do? A drag boat coming in this afternoon, but I

don't expect they'll have much luck.

Everybody knows this lake's reputation for not giving up its bodies.

I don't think we'll ever find your wife, Mr. Travis.

She's down there now.

Just like her sister.

I got some questions for you.

Like this handkerchief?

These are your initials, aren't they?

Yeah.

I also want to know how you got that blood on your pants there.

I'll get it.

Stella, good to see you. Well, it's good to see you, too.

And you.

Walter, really, how do you feel?

I'm feeling fine, just fine.

Just because I've had some minor surgery.

Perry thinks he should take over this case.

Since when does a triple bypass qualify as minor surgery?

They're doing them every day. They're becoming as common as root canal.

Walter, you know Perry's right. You're in no condition to take over a murder

case. I figured you'd be taking his side.

Seriously, Della, I'm glad you're here.

If Perry's going to try to fill in for me, he'll need all the help he can get.

So if you need me, I'll be in the intensive care ward.

We'll be in touch with you.

Paul's downstairs checking us in.

Did you call Billy Travis yet?

I wanted to get all the background I could from Walter.

How does it look?

What about Billy?

Could be better.

A lot better.

Good morning.

Nice place.

Should have brought my ski stuff. They already got snow on the higher

elevations. Well, you might not have time to go skiing for a while.

Why's that?

It's all to be simple.

First thing you have to do is call an old schoolmate friend of yours who lives

near here.

She says if you leave town without seeing her, she'll never forgive you.

Then you can start checking these names.

Giflin Gate, Douglas Vickers, Mrs. Constance Chaney, Frank Travis. Are

suspects? According to Walter, all of them had motive.

All of them knew that Sarah was in the habit of going to the lake when she was

troubled.

All right.

Let's go talk to Billy.

Harry, Walter is convinced that Billy couldn't have done it, isn't he?

He is, as am I.

For a moment there, she looked familiar.

For a moment there, she was.

Paul?

Yeah.

Much.

Did you recognize the caller's voice?

No, I was still half asleep.

I can't even tell you if it was a man or a woman. All I know is that they

whispered.

Words.

You'll find Sarah in the lake.

So you went to the lake?

Yeah.

Yeah, I didn't know what to think.

When I got there, I found her car was empty and her... her shoe and her scarf

floating in the water.

I didn't know. I... I didn't know. I thought maybe she... Suicide?

Yeah.

But the sheriff got there just in time to see you rowing to shore alone.

But he also received an anonymous phone call from someone who was whispering.

I could never have hurt Sarah.

Never.

But somebody sure went out of their way to make it look like I did.

Somebody, Billy.

Now we're going to find that somebody.

All rise.

Division 2 of the Superior Court of Buckner County is now in session. The

Honorable Howard J. McGraw presiding.

Be seated and come to order.

Does the defendant want a formal reading of the complaint, Mr. Mason?

My client will waive a formal reading, Your Honor.

Mr. Reston?

That's fine with me, Your Honor.

Very well, gentlemen. I'll set this for Thursday the 21st.

Do you have a bail motion, Mr. Mason?

Why, yes, Your Honor.

We, uh... Your Honor.

The defendant has only lived in this jurisdiction for a number of months, and

has no ties sufficient to ensure his making his next court appearance.

Mr. Mason?

Your Honor, the prosecutor has accused my client of murdering his wife in order

to acquire her rather substantial fortune.

Using his own argument, it's not reasonable to assume that Billy Travis

now run away, thereby proving his guilt and throwing away millions of dollars.

I'll set bail at $300 ,000, Mr. Mason.

You can take care of the arrangements with my clerk.

We're in reset.

All rise.

I've seen the evidence, Mr. Mason.

You've drawn a losing card, I think.

Game's not over yet, counsel.

Not yet.

Go get a cup of coffee.

Perry.

I'm so glad I caught you. Here's the background material you wanted.

Oh, Billy, this is Della Street. She runs my office.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

Billy Travis.

Perry and I have watched you play many times.

I was just going to take Billy home.

I'm not sure when I'll get back. Why don't you and Paul dig up what you can

the old kidnapping case?

The old case?

You think there's a connection between Sarah's disappearance and Amy's

disappearance?

I'm not quite sure what I think, but I am intrigued by the coincidence.

We'll see you.

You know, Paul, as soon as I have a chance, I want to get in touch with Vi.

Who's Vi?

I didn't steal my own school chunk.

Oh, that fine, yes.

Remember, I always wanted you to meet her daughter, the librarian.

Librarian? How exciting.

Stupid. Hey, look, it's empty.

Better get some beer. Don't go away.

Oh, look who's back.

I was jailed.

How can you be partying at a time like this?

Man, how can you show your face after what you did?

You must be Mr. Wingate. My name's Mason.

Oh, yeah.

I heard you took the case from old man Haslett.

I can't understand why.

I'd be happy to explain it, if you have the time.

Sorry. As you can see, I'm wrapped up.

This is Mr. Mason. He'd like to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind.

Yes, what is it?

The morning Mrs. Travis drove to the lake, did you see or hear any other cars

around the property?

No. But you did hear Mrs. Travis' car leaving.

No. The garage is right there.

Surely the sound of a car... Mrs. Travis came back from the village that night

and left the car out in front.

I'm sorry, Mr. Travis. I was already in bed.

I didn't go out to put it away.

Hans?

Yes?

Your phone is ringing.

This is Hans.

Has he been there yet?

Yes, and asking questions.

Well, there's nothing to worry about.

I'll handle him.

You just stay in your room.

If anybody asks about me, you know nothing.

Nothing, you understand?

Sorry to intrude, Mrs. Cheney, I'm... You're Perry Mason, of course.

So, what can I do for you?

I understand you manage all the affairs pertaining to the estate.

You pay the help, order the groceries.

Yes. For the last ten years, ever since Mr. Wingate died.

Billy quoted Sarah as saying you've been in charge of everything since she and

Amy were little girls.

Well, little girls tend to exaggerate.

Sarah said that just two weeks ago.

What's your point, Mr. Mason?

Well, Sarah recently took over those duties, didn't she?

Mr. Mason...

I've been with this family for 25 years.

I've raised those two little girls.

They're the children I never had.

Suddenly, I was no longer needed.

Sarah didn't need me anymore.

That was after she married Mr. Travis?

Yes.

Everything changed after he moved in with us.

Those the financial records of the household accounts?

Yes.

general maintenance, repairs, utilities, that sort of thing. I've been trying my

best to make some sense out of it since Sarah... If you need help,

you can call on me, Mrs. Cheney.

There's going to be a general audit, you understand?

Yes, of course.

And now you'll have to excuse me, Mr. Mason.

have to see about dinner.

Mason, did you find anything?

Well, we made a start.

Did you get in touch with your brother Frank?

No. I'm worried about him.

You know, he's vanished before, but he's always stayed in touch with me.

He owes a lot of money to people from Las Vegas.

All right, Billy.

We'll try to find him.

Hopefully before they do.

Hopefully before they do.

No.

Because I'm the one doing all the dirty work, taking all the chances, not you.

Yeah? Yeah, well, that's how I'm playing it. And if you don't hold up your end,

I may just have a few more surprises for you.

Why should I tell you where I am?

Yeah, that's right. I don't trust you.

And if you try anything, I just may come after you, too.

Didn't mean to keep you waiting so long. We couldn't be avoided.

Isn't this unusual, working the mine these long hours? It is, but we're

for our lives here.

Now, Billy Travis headed his way. He shut this mine down.

Is that bad?

Sure.

The owners of the layman offer go non -union.

And replace you.

Mr. Mason, if Billy Travis gets away with this, a lot of people are going to

upset.

I take it you don't approve of Billy Travis under any circumstances.

He was just playing Sarah for a fool. Once she caught him at it, he killed

But you're no fool, are you?

Your becoming president of this company is quite a success story.

I feel very fortunate that Mr. Wingate took a liking to me.

He must have liked you a great deal.

There's no secret he gave me my first big promotion out of gratitude.

Gratitude? Well, I was one of the sheriff's posse that caught up with

Amy's kidnapper at Indian Peak.

As a reward, he upped me to foreman.

Seemed to take a personal interest in me.

Started inviting me up to the house.

The day he died was the saddest day of my life.

I understand you also spent a good bit of time with Sarah.

The girl was lonely, afraid, her father was gone.

I felt sorry for her.

Is that why you proposed to her?

Who told you that?

proposed not once, but three times?

That's nonsense. Who said that?

Sarah told Billy.

Billy! Billy!

You see, there you are.

You know, I don't know why you come around here asking me questions when the

who murdered her is your own client.

I got work to do.

Mr. Vickers, is it true that before Billy came on the scene, you approached

Walter Hazlitt with the idea of having Sarah committed?

Yeah, you better watch your step on the way out, Mason.

People have been known to take bad falls around here.

I wouldn't worry about Frank Travis, Drake.

Gamblers have a way of showing up, either in a jail cell, a hospital bed, a

steel drawer in the moors. I figure we'll find him one of those places

later. Did you have a chance to look at the motels around here? First thing we

did. It was up in the village and down here in town.

He's still around. He's hiding under a rock someplace.

All right, well, thank you very much for your time, Sheriff.

Appreciate it. Drake, one more thing.

I suppose you get used to playing pretty fast and loose working for an important

lawyer like Perry Mason.

You get a line on Frank Travis, I want to know right away. You'll be the first

to know.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

You working?

It depends on where you want me to go.

Well, you have to tell me. I got a couple hours to kill.

And I'm looking for a place I can get a good steak, a decent drink, and maybe

lay down a bed or two.

Sorry, pal, there's no place like that in this town.

You sure?

Not if you want all three, but if you don't mind lousy food and weak drinks, I

know where you can lay down a bed on anything that runs, kicks, hits, or

dribbles. Last place lounge.

Well, I'll check it out.

Uh, here, thanks for the tip.

Let's talk again, huh?

Hi. Hi.

Bye.

Bye.

What's this?

Copies of newspaper clippings on the kidnapping case.

These all you could find?

Well, that's all there was in the village library.

But tomorrow I'm going to go in and check the city's newspaper morgue.

Good idea. The papers around here should have been full of this case.

It's a long time ago.

It is quite a story, though, isn't it?

Missing body cases aren't like that.

They never seem to go away.

Did, uh... Did they ever catch the kidnapper?

He was killed in a gun battle.

Oh.

Well, Perry, I have this theory.

If the kidnapper were still alive, maybe he had something to do with Sarah's

murder.

I don't think I believe that history repeats itself.

But I do believe that sometimes people try to repeat history.

What if he didn't work alone?

What if he had help?

An accomplice?

Maybe the accomplice planned all this.

It's an interesting thought.

By the way, did we hear from Walter this afternoon?

No. There were no messages.

Please call and ask him for a copy of Sarah's will.

I want to see how the estate... You want to see how the estate will be divided.

Why, yes.

What?

That guy.

He's watching you. Who?

Him.

Is that Manny, the guy who's after you?

No.

Haven't you got something you gotta go do?

Frank, I just got here.

Go fix your face, okay?

Okay. It's a good idea, Frank.

Listen, I know that Manny is really mad, okay? Just give me a chance to explain,

okay? Well, I'm not going anywhere.

I just need a little more time, that's all.

Everybody knows I'm good for my marker, huh? And Manny's gonna get every cent

that I owe him. I mean it. Frank, Frank.

You don't want a con a con, man.

Now, where are you gonna come up with that kind of money?

Not me, my brother.

My brother has got a lock on millions.

Now, I heard...

That your brother was going to be doing time for a murder round. No, no, no, no,

no, no way. No? No.

They'll never convict him without a body.

And they're never going to find the body, believe me.

Did you know something?

Hey, man.

Well, why don't you tell me so I can explain it to Manning?

Sure, sure.

Yeah, but not here.

Hey, why don't I buy you dinner?

What about your girlfriend?

That airhead? I was going to shake her anyway.

How about Chinese?

You like Chinese?

I know a place that's got primo Chinese.

I like Chinese.

No tricks.

I promise, okay?

Look, I'm going to tell you something.

I'm tired.

I've been running and hiding and I'm tired.

In a way, I'm glad you caught up with me.

In a way, I'm glad I caught up with you, too.

Let's go. Yeah.

Did you see Mrs. Travis when she came back here that night?

Yep. I was right behind her when she came in and caught her husband and Lisa

the middle of a kiss.

Had Billy come here to meet with Miss Blake?

No. He'd been talking with his brother Frank.

Seemed that they had some sort of argument and Frank got all mad and

Next thing I saw was Lisa planning a big one on Mr. Travis.

What you're saying is it was Miss Blake who kissed Billy.

It sure is the way it looked to me.

I'd like to talk to her.

What time does she come to work?

She doesn't. Not anymore.

Since when?

She called in about 11 o 'clock the next day.

Said her mother was sick and she was going home to take care of her.

Hal, was there a particular man in Miss Blake's life?

Come to think of it, no.

Lisa liked to work all the fellas that came in here.

A lot of them tried to date her.

But I never saw her go out with any of them.

I always had the impression, though, that there was somebody she was seeing.

Thank you for your time.

If you should hear from her, I'd appreciate your letting me know.

Sure thing, Mr. Mason.

Thanks.

You admit it?

You know, sometimes I play old matches over and over again in my head when I'm

sleeping.

Guess it'll always be a part of me.

Have you given up playing?

Had to.

Two operations on the shoulder.

It was worse than when I first wrecked it.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Della said you were looking for me.

Mr. Mason, I got a call from Frank this morning.

Well, did he say where he was?

No, he wouldn't tell me.

All I could get from him was that some leg -breaker from Las Vegas almost

up with him last night.

This guy must have scared Frank pretty bad.

He said he was going to get lost for a little while.

Did Frank ever spend any time with Lisa Blake?

Frank and Lisa?

Why? What are you thinking?

Well, she seems to have left town just about the time Frank dropped out of

sight.

How long has Frank known Lisa?

We both met Lisa in Acapulco when I was there for a tournament. That was five or

six years ago.

She'd show up around the circuit every now and then after that.

But I always figured it was me she came to see, not Frank.

All right, what about you and Lisa? Wait a minute, Mr. May.

I gave up Lisa and that whole world when I met Sarah.

As far as I was concerned, Sarah and I...

As far as I was concerned, Sarah and I were going to be married forever.

Quick lunch with Vi and her daughter and then back to the front. Oh, Della, big

mistake. You probably don't really want to see her and she probably doesn't want

to see you.

Paul, that's ridiculous.

I'm looking forward to it.

Oh, here's a receipt for some car repairs I wound up with after last

What repairs?

Oh, hi, Perry. Just, uh, it's a little bill for four tires.

Four tires?

And a bumper.

Perry, you're not going to believe this, but I caught up with Frank Travis last

night.

But? But I had a little accident and he got away.

But I almost had him.

I thought some leg breaker from Las Vegas almost had him.

How'd you hear about that?

Forget how I heard about that.

Right now it's more important that you find Elisa Blake.

She was a bartender here at the lodge.

How long has she been gone?

She called in Tuesday morning about 11 with a lie about having to leave town.

I'll be in touch.

Della, I'd like you to run a check on Lisa Blake, see what you can find out

about her. Well, if it's all right, could I do it right after lunch? Sure.

Good. In fact, why don't you come along? I'm sure Vi would love to meet you. Oh,

I'm afraid she's not coming, Della. She left a message at the desk saying she'd

explain everything later.

I guess Paul was right.

She really doesn't want to see me. That's not possible.

It's not?

Who wouldn't want to see you?

Can I help you?

I certainly hope so, Mrs. Ness. Oh, call me Polly.

Polly.

I bet you're with that Mr. Mason down at the lodge, aren't you?

How do you know that?

You must be Paul Drake, right?

You got it.

You've heard of small -town gossip?

Well, we're no different here than any place else.

Well, I feel good about coming in, then.

Why don't you stop socks -opening me, Paul? Tell me what it is you need.

All right.

I am trying to trace a call that came in to the bar over at the lodge about ten

days ago.

There's no way we can do that.

I was afraid you were going to say that.

What are you looking for?

I'm trying to get a line on Lisa Blake.

All the men around here say she makes mean martini. All the women would like

swizzle her with a stick.

Swizzle her with a stick, okay?

Wait a minute. When did you say that call came in?

A week ago Tuesday.

What time on Tuesday?

11 a .m.

Think you should try the town of Oakwood.

What makes you say that?

Well, the operator over there is a phone friend of mine. You know, we talk

sometimes. But anyway, that Tuesday morning, she called trying to track down

it was that had run out on $4 .57 worth of overtime charges. It could have been

Lisa Flake.

All right.

Thank you very much.

You are terrific.

Of course I am.

You think he did it?

Who? Billy Travis.

You think he killed Sarah?

Well, you know, I'm not allowed to comment on a case that I'm working on.

Well, you don't have to, because I think he's as guilty as he can be.

He killed her for the money and then tried to make it seem like she'd had an

accident or committed suicide.

Well, you may be right.

Of course I'm right. I'm a good judge of men.

I've been married four times.

Is that all?

Okay, thanks a lot.

The operator's name's Loretta.

I'll call and tell her you're coming.

Okay, thank you very much.

a minute. Can I talk to you for a second? I'm like, talk to you for a

Harry, Harry, I have this criminal record. Lisa Blake, take a look at the

page.

Two years for assault with intent to commit murder.

Thank you.

Now, get in touch with the prison officials or parole officer.

Any friends she had at the time we can connect with one of them. I've already

started on it.

I really thought Frank would show up for this.

Why didn't he?

You're still thinking he's involved in this with Lisa?

All rise.

Division 2 of the Superior Court of Buckner County is now in session.

Hey there.

You own this place?

That's right.

You want to buy it?

Make you a good price.

Oh, well, I have to think about that.

It's lovely, though.

Pretty view.

Bet you see about everything that goes on up here, don't you?

Well, what little there is.

Say, you wouldn't happen to be from the highway department about the new

interstate, would you?

No, actually, I'm a representative for the phone company. See this booth over

here? We're losing a lot of money on it, and I'm trying to find out who's

responsible. Lots of people use that phone.

Well, I'm looking for someone in particular.

Made a phone call about a week ago, Tuesday, about 11 a .m.

Hard to say.

Boy, you wouldn't be able to miss this person. Pretty girl, about 5 '6". Wild

red hair, drives a beat -up land cruiser, I believe.

Yeah, I think I know the one you mean.

Not exactly the type you find hanging around an oil spot in a road like this.

Is she still around here? At least she was a couple hours ago. Came in and

bought a few things.

Huh.

Is she alone?

Yes.

But I've been noticing she's buying two of most things, you know, TV dinners.

Wouldn't have to know where I could find her, would you?

No, I'd try one of those places down the highway if I was you.

There's three or four of them.

All right, I'll do that. Thank you very much for your time. If you're in the

market for a grocery store, let me know.

Could be a lot of action around here once the new interstate comes through.

keep that in mind.

Now, Sheriff, I show you people's exhibit number five, man's handkerchief.

You seen it before?

Yes, sir. One of my deputies found it hidden under a pile of leaves just back

where the defendant was parked at the lake.

Were you able to establish ownership of this handkerchief?

I was.

There's a monogram on it with the defendant's initials. We traced it to

store in the village where he bought it.

Your Honor, for the record, this handkerchief is covered with dried

The record will so reflect, Mr. Wesson. Thank you. Sheriff, were you able to

determine the source of the bloodstains? Yes, sir. Laboratory analysis showed it

to be human blood type B negative.

The same blood type as the victim, Sarah Travis?

That's correct.

Thank you.

Sheriff, could you identify for me, please, for the record, people's

numbers six and seven?

And number six is a scarf belonging to the victim that was found in the

defendant's possession the morning his wife disappeared.

The bloodstains on this scarf, are they similar to those on the handkerchief?

They are.

And People's Exhibit 7, this pair of pants worn by the defendant on that

morning, the bloodstains on this pair of pants, are they similar to the stains

on the scarf and the handkerchief?

They are.

Thank you, Sheriff.

For the record, I show you People's 8. Can you identify it? It's a woman's shoe

we found in the rowboat just after the defendant had rowed ashore.

And were you able to determine who it belongs to?

Yes, sir. It's the left shoe of a pair specially ordered for the victim by a

store in the village.

Thank you, Sheriff.

No further questions.

That's all true.

Their truth, Billy.

But we also have your truth.

Sheriff Pryne, you watched Mr. Travis as he rode back to shore, did you not?

Yes, sir.

Could you describe for us his style or...

manner of rowing?

Well, I'd kind of call it kind of crab -like.

Crab -like?

Meaning what?

Well, as I recollect, he was rowing mostly with one arm.

The left one, I believe.

While with his right, he was sort of stabbing at the water.

Far from being rhythmic or smooth.

His technique was

Unusual, to say the least.

Yes, it was.

Thank you, Sheriff Pryne.

No further questions.

She's a pretty strange one, all right. Barely comes out at all during the day,

and she won't let my wife go near the place to clean it up.

She's number ten there.

I'm about ready to throw her out.

She's way behind the rent.

Is she alone?

She's got some fella in there with her.

Wouldn't happen to be Frank Travis, would it? I don't know.

I don't ask too many questions.

What's he look like?

I really never did get a good look at him. A couple of times I did see

All I caught was the back of his brown leather jacket.

What you done? You run her off and I'm out a whole week's rent.

And I had just started to scan the valley with my binoculars when I saw a

boat heading out onto the lake.

Could you see who was in that boat? No, sir. I was too far away for that.

But I could see that the person rowing was in a hurry.

And the other person? Seemed to be lying back in the boat.

About what time was this?

Maybe 5 .45, 5 .50, no later.

That's roughly half an hour before the phone call that Mr. Travis claims to

received.

Objection. Argumentative.

Sustained. Anything else, Mr. Reston?

No, nothing further, Your Honor.

You're a witness, Mr. Mason.

You just testified that you saw someone rowing, but you couldn't see who it was.

Isn't that correct?

That's right. I was too far away.

And that person appeared to be in a hurry.

Yes, that's right.

And the rower is dialed.

Could you see whether it was smooth, even, choppy, objection?

Your Honor, so far the relevancy of this line of questioning has eluded counsel

for the people.

Overruled for now.

Let's keep it moving, Mr. Mason.

You may answer, sir.

Yes, there was a smoothness and rhythm to the movement I saw.

Thank you. Nothing further.

You may step down.

With the court's indulgence, a defense witness is in the hallway.

And because of his surgical schedule, he's only able to testify today.

I ask that he be permitted to testify out of order, Your Honor.

Mr. Reston?

People are always interested in variety, Your Honor. No objections.

Call your witness, Mr. Mason.

What is your present position, Dr. Everett?

I am chief of orthopedic surgery at Valley Central Hospital.

The defendant, Mr. Travis, is a patient of yours, is he not?

He is.

Doctor, please tell us when you first saw Mr. Travis and

why you saw him.

Approximately three years ago, he came to me for treatment of a severely

rotator cuff.

That injury nearly ended his tennis career, did it not?

Absolutely. His shoulder is one of the worst I've ever seen. After several

therapies, two surgeries, we could see no improvement whatsoever.

And his condition for the past, say, six months?

A substantial nerve damage, deterioration.

His range of motion in his right arm is less than 30%. In your

experience as an orthopedist, with your knowledge of the condition of Mr.

Travis' right shoulder, do you have an opinion on his ability to have smoothly

and forcefully rowed a small boat during the past six months?

Or at the time of this alleged murder.

Yes, I do.

What is that opinion?

He could not.

Absolutely not?

Absolutely not.

Absolutely not.

Thank you, doctor. That's all.

Yes, I can call in and let you know where I am more often.

Right now I'm down in Oakwood.

Perry, you're not going to believe this, but I caught up with Lisa Blake.

And the car?

I don't think you'd call it damage.

I just lost the distributor cap, but I'm having a new one sent over.

What else?

Lisa's been checked into a motel here since the day of Sarah's death.

And there seems to be someone with her.

A guy in a brown leather jacket.

And that is who?

I don't know. I'm guessing it's Frank Travis, but I'm not sure now.

Why not?

Perry, I found a hairbrush they left behind in the room.

It's engraved with the name Amy Wingate. The same Amy who's been dead for 15

years. Paul, go back to the motel before they clean that room.

We need a complete forensic examination.

You got it.

Mrs. Chaney said you wanted to see me, Mr. Mason.

What's it about?

Lisa Blake.

You and Lisa Blake.

Me?

You got the wrong guy.

Sure, I noticed her, but I haven't had time to get around to her yet.

Is that right?

You have quite a reputation as a ladies' man.

You know, you're wasting your time.

Everybody knows Billy married my cousin for her money.

And he's the only one that has anything going on with Lisa.

Now he's going to be convicted of murder.

Which would agree with you mightily, wouldn't it?

Is there a law against that?

There is a law against murder.

You don't seriously believe that I did it, do you?

You had motive.

If Billy were to be convicted, you stand to inherit the lion's share of Sarah's

estate.

What about Mrs. Chaney?

What about you, Mr. Wingate? Forget it, Mason.

I was nowhere near the lake that morning.

And I have companions who will swear to it.

If Lisa Blake was your accomplice, you could have been on another planet.

This little talk is over.

Why don't you just get out of here? Just get out!

Excuse me.

Is there a problem here, Mr. Mason?

No, no, no.

Mr. Wingate was just bidding me good night.

Good night.

On that Tuesday, the morning of the 12th, the morning that

Sarah Travis disappeared, were you at the Wingate house?

Yes.

With the exception of days off, I've been there every day for nearly a

of a century.

I appreciate that, Mrs. Cheney.

At what time in the morning do you normally rise?

6 .30 sharp.

I have an alarm clock, but I never need it.

Is there a phone in your room?

Of course there is.

At around 6 .15 that morning, Mr. Travis...

claims that he received an anonymous telephone call.

Did you hear the phone ring that morning?

I did not.

Did you hear the phone ring at any time between 6 a .m. and 7 a .m. that

morning?

I did not.

I'm a very light sleeper, Mr. Reston.

If the phone had rung, I would have heard it.

I'm positive it didn't ring.

Thank you, Mrs. Chaney.

No further questions.

Mrs. Chaney, is the telephone in your bedroom an extension of the estate's

phone line?

It is.

Are there any telephones just for intercommunication on the estate, not

connected to that main number?

I really don't know.

Oh, Mrs. Chaney, you manage the estate. You pay the phone bills, don't you?

Yes, but I could hardly be expected to remember every detail.

Mrs. Chaney.

Is there a telephone in the caretaker's room?

I believe so, yes.

But it's an intercom line only, isn't it? There's no outside line.

Objection. Your Honor, there is no foundation for this question, and even

there is, it wouldn't be relevant.

I want to see where Mr.

Mason's going with this.

Proceed.

You weren't in your own room that morning, were you, Miss Janie?

Well, of course I was.

Isn't it true that you have an established pattern in your life?

You leave your room at night after everyone's asleep?

Leave my... Well, certainly not. Isn't it true that having left

your room, you spend...

The remainder of the night in the caretaker's room.

Order! Order!

No!

Isn't it true that you could not have heard the phone ring?

Because the phone in Mr. Bruck's room is not connected to the outside line.

Order! Order!

All right.

I was there.

And I couldn't have heard the phone ring.

If it rang.

He promised to call me hours ago. Where was he when you last heard from him? All

rise.

Continuing with the people versus Travis.

Be seated.

Your Honor, due to a pressing problem with an associate of mine, I'd like to

request a recess until tomorrow.

Mr. Reston?

The prosecution has no objection, Your Honor.

Court will adjourn till 9 a .m. tomorrow.

He was headed north out of Fairview.

But, Perry, that was at the crack of dawn.

I'm on my way.

It's far. I don't know.

Go a little slower, will you, please? The man at the gas station was positive.

Paul took this approach.

Hold it.

Get help.

I'm all right.

They want you here overnight just as a precaution.

Harry, I was that close.

Harry.

There's no sign of any concussion.

Thank you, Doctor.

Morning. You're free to go at any time.

Thanks, Doc.

See?

Told you all I needed was a good night's sleep, a hot shower, and I am ready to

go find Letha.

I certainly hope you find her.

Well, when I left the road yesterday, she was screaming up Route 118.

You know where 118 goes?

It dead ends up in the foothills.

I have a very strong suspicion that Lisa is hiding out up there.

I'd like to go with you, but I have to be back in court at nine this morning.

All I need is a car.

Take mine.

How are you going to get back?

Oh, I'll figure something out.

You better get back faster if you're going to make it by nine.

I got the forensic report on the items you found in the motel room.

Let me tell you something.

You better get back fast.

Can't be too many places they'd be staying. Just a couple of line shacks,

burned out cabin, all that's up there.

All right.

Thanks for your time.

That's what you're looking for?

What do you want?

I brought you a gift.

A subpoena.

I'm even going to give you a lift to court.

It's over. It's over. It's over.

Come on.

Let's go talk to your friend.

It is now 9 .45 a .m., and defense counsel has made no effort to even

the court, nor is his associate, Ms. Street, able to suggest why the court's

time is being wasted in this matter.

I'd nearly given up on you. I did that years ago.

I beg the court's pardon for my tardiness, but hope to show why it

helped. I'm sure we're all very curious to learn why it couldn't be helped, Mr.

Mason. You may proceed.

After you.

I'll skip Wingate.

Mr.

Wingate, how old were you when your cousin Amy disappeared in the

lake?

I was about 19.

You informed the authorities that the kidnapper, James Maisley, had been

around the estate earlier, isn't that right?

Yeah, I guess so.

In one of the first newspaper stories, you're quoted as saying there were two

men that Maisley had an accomplice.

Come on, it was a long time ago.

Would you like to look at that to refresh your memory?

No.

No, I... I was just confused.

In all the excitement, I thought there were two guys.

I was wrong.

You're positive of that now, even retrospectively?

Yeah, I'm positive.

Your Honor, I object. I fail to see any hint of relevance in the past crime to

the one before us now.

Your Honor, counsel has stated precisely the point I intend to make.

That it's not mere coincidence that Sarah Travis disappeared in the same

as her twin sister.

That there is indeed a strong connective link between the past crime and this

one.

Overruled. I'd like to see if Mr. Mason can really make such a connection.

Mr. Wingate, you were enrolled as a sophomore in the Colorado School of

the time of the attempted kidnapping.

That's right, but I left.

Would you please tell the court why?

I was, um, upset over what happened to Amy.

Isn't it true that you dropped out of school because you were failing

every single one of your classes?

I intended to go back and make up those grades. I just never got around to it.

You never got around to it because you went to work for your uncle's mining

company. Yes.

I got a good job.

But not from your uncle, isn't that so?

All right, yes.

Let's see.

You were 20 years old.

You had virtually no experience.

You failed all of those training classes.

Yet someone hired you as a research and development consultant.

I was hired to do the best I could, and I did.

The real truth is that there was no job.

What are you talking about?

Weren't you, in fact, being paid for your silence about the kidnapper's

connection with someone at Epic Mining?

No, no.

Isn't it true that you withheld information at the time of Amy Wingate's

Well, isn't it?

Mr. Wingate, I direct you to answer or I'll hold you in contempt of court.

I had nothing to do with what happened to Sarah. That does not answer the

question. It was 15 years ago. I don't remember.

Don't be ridiculous, Mr. Wingate. You have a marvelous memory.

Now, who wanted their connection with the kidnapper kept quiet?

Who?

Vickers.

Doug Vickers.

Order. Order in this court.

Thank you.

I call Douglas Vickers.

Mr. Vickers, you authorized those payments to Mr. Wingate, did you not? I

but not for the reason you're inferring.

It was good politics for me to give the kid a job. He flunked out of school, his

uncle didn't know what to do with him, so I gave him a job.

Didn't Mr. Wingate see you with the kidnapper, James Maisley, on more than

occasion?

I knew Maisley. He kept hounding me for a job at the mine, but that's as far as

my relationship went with him. A relationship you kept hidden by paying

Wingate. You blame me? I needed the job.

Tying me to Maisley would have meant my being fired.

Or worse.

I had nothing to do with the kidnapping.

Mr. Vickers.

You were a reserve deputy sheriff at the time, isn't that correct?

Yes. And when the hunt was on for Maisley, you joined the posse.

It was my duty.

You, in fact, were one of three men who tracked Maisley down to where he was

hiding in the mountains.

That's correct.

When Maisley was cornered, did he make any effort to surrender?

Not that I could see.

Apparently, there were different accounts of what happened that day.

The day Mr. Maisley was shot.

Do you remember the other two men who were with you?

Look, Mason, I know what they said and I know what I saw.

I went through all of this with the sheriff and was cleared.

So James Maisley was silenced and never lived to reveal the name of any

accomplice he might have had.

Your Honor, the court knows I have been patient, but I see no reason that this

clearly irrelevant line of questioning should continue.

I agree. The court is sustaining the objection.

Let's move on, Mr. Mason.

Yes, Your Honor.

May I have a moment?

Very well.

Mr. Vickers, as president of the Epic Mining Company, to what would you

attribute the company's declining fortunes?

A number of economic factors.

We're no different from any other mine in the state. Business is just plain

Bad? Does the word bad accurately describe large financial discrepancies

misappropriation of company funds?

I don't know what you're talking about.

The accounting firm of Harriman and Greenleaf would know, wouldn't they?

They were the firm hired by Sarah Travis to prepare a financial statement for

the company's possible sale.

I haven't seen the statement.

I'm sure you will in due time.

As would the mine's owner, Sarah Travis, if she were here today.

Her intention was to sell the mine, wasn't it?

There was some talk.

That would have meant an examination of the company records.

It would have meant losing your job.

You didn't want that to happen, did you, Mr. Vickers?

You're saying I had reason to kill Sarah? That's exactly what I'm saying.

And if you did kill her, you had an accomplice, Lisa Blake.

I don't know anyone by that name.

Isn't it true Billy Travis arranged a job interview at your office last

for Lisa Blake?

Mr. Mason, I interview a lot of people.

Maybe, but this one was a little different.

Mr. Vickers, didn't you arrange for her to get a job at the lodge?

No. Isn't it true that you and Lisa plotted to murder Sarah Travis and frame

husband because they intended to close down the mine?

That's not true.

Isn't it true that on the night before her disappearance, Sarah and Billy

had a quarrel brought on by the actions of Lisa Blake?

I wouldn't know. Isn't it true you then instructed Lisa to lay in wait for Sarah

Travis all night if necessary?

No. Isn't it true that Lisa was to murder Sarah and dump her body in the

foster the romantic notion that history was repeating itself?

I tell you, no.

Order.

Order! Order!

Mr.

Vickers, isn't it true that Lisa Blake failed to carry out your instructions

because of greed?

She wanted more money from you, and finally she had to change the plan.

Finally, she had to change your plan.

You can't prove a word of this.

I think I can.

Sarah.

What about me, Vickers?

You got me into this. Sarah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for any of this. Yes, you

did. You wanted Sarah Travis dead.

Shut up. You wanted me to kill her. I didn't do that. Shut up. Get out of

Let me go.

I believe the Honorable District Attorney should end this by moving for a

dismissal of all the charges against Mr. Travis.

That motion, Mr. Prosecutor, is granted.

The defendant is ordered released herewith.

Case dismissed.

Thank you.

We're so glad you're all right.

Look who's here.

Bye.

Oh, it's been so long.

Paul, I'd like for you to meet my good friend, Vi Dantlow. Hello.

How do you do?

And this is her daughter, Melissa.

Can we have dinner tonight?

I'd love it. I'll call you as soon as I get back from taking Melissa to the

airport.

Airport?

Back to work in Boston.

Boston?

I'll call.

I'll call, too.

Well, I guess that just leaves us.

What could be nice?

Oh, I almost forgot.

Ski Lodge will be open in a couple months.

You're invited.

Ah, skiing.

Oh, no.

Perry's given up skiing.

Viacom.