Original subtitles

Peace.

Sorry,

ma 'am, no reporting allowed on the crime scene. My identification.

I think you should take me to the lead investigator.

Her name is Tanya Gardner.

Her husband was in Topio on business. He's on his way home now.

Murder in the commission of a burglary, huh?

That's what it looks like. And the killer is a man named Grant Connor.

Inspector Vanessa Churchill, Scotland Yard.

Inspector?

What has the yard got to do with the garden variety murder in Malibu?

Grant Connor is a jewel thief.

I've been following him for six months, getting closer and closer.

I lost him last night, three blocks away.

Ruben, Samson and Delilah.

Authentic?

Probably not.

Uh -huh.

This was Connor's usual M .O.

Cut through a glass window or door, avoiding the alarm wires.

Did he usually kill to get what he wants?

No.

Usually he just seduces and betrays his victims.

It was Connor's way of finding out where important jewels are kept.

He slept with the women who owned them.

This one.

She was very beautiful, wasn't she?

Any idea why he killed her?

Maybe she wasn't supposed to be here when he broke in.

Maybe she could identify him.

Or... Yes?

Maybe she helped him and then made demands.

Women have been known to be like that.

And maybe he didn't want to give in to her demands.

Men have been known to be like that.

But not to kill, surely?

Perhaps you've known different men than I have.

She was so sweet -tempered, you know.

Always made you feel like you're mad at her. You know what I mean?

Can you give me an idea of her itinerary the past few weeks?

Easy. Every day was the same.

She slept in late.

After lunch, she and I would go to Saks, Beverly Hills.

She'd shop three, four hours.

Come back with a lipstick.

New pair of shoes.

Like that.

And, uh...

Oh, Seton Barclay. Is he still at the yard? With the yard. He is the yard.

He was here back in... Oh, gee, when was it?

86, 87, somewhere late in the 80s. That's right. He was working on... The

runaway royalty murder. That's right.

And his wife, Tabitha, how's she?

Truthfully, I don't know. I haven't really spent any time to speak up with

for several years. Sorry.

Would you tell me something?

If I can.

That painting, Samson and Delilah, how did you know that was not the original?

The original was auctioned off in 1640, the year Rubens died.

When it appeared again in the Prince of Liechtenstein collection in Vienna, it

was widely believed to be a fake. A very good copy by Jan van Hecke.

Then it disappeared again and was rediscovered in 1929 when it was sold to

German tobacco dealer.

At the time, it was heralded as the original Rubens, but no one knew what

happened to the copy by Van Hecke.

Then the painting was lost again, resurfacing only recently.

So who can say?

Rubens, Van Hecke, or someone else entirely?

Sounds like a shell game.

A very expensive one, yes.

Good morning.

Oh! Wouldn't happen to know of any cigar shops in the area that might carry a

small, unadvertised supply of Cuban cigars, would you?

Cuban cigars are illegal in the United States.

Yes, well, even so, I had heard that some proprietors keep a limited supply

their favored customers.

Is this pertinent to the Connor case? Oh, not at all.

It's a disgusting habit, I admit, but I've developed rather a fondness for

cigars, particularly Havana.

You smoke cigars?

At first, it was a way to get my colleagues to accept me as one of the

Then I got hooked.

I see.

I wouldn't want you to give me any information that might leave you feeling

compromised.

But if you would think as I would, that I'd only be skating on the edge of the

most minor of illegalities.

Well, if you can think of anything else, no matter how unimportant it might seem

to you... I'll call her.

Thank you.

She said she'd meet you back at the station.

I've got to get to the hospital and make my rounds.

Hello? Hi, Amanda.

I'm on my way back there right now.

And I've got some good news for you.

I just spoke to Mark, and he's agreed to donate a signed Agatha Christie first

edition. Oh, no.

Mrs. Simpkins brought in a gown that was actually worn by Princess Di. Wow.

And I think we have an original teddy bear. Teddy bear from Theodore

era. Look, I know what an original teddy bear is, okay?

All right.

You're not the only one around here who knows the value of something.

Oh, where's all this coming from?

Sorry. I'm just excited about the quality of items that are being donated

the fundraiser. I know, I know. You know, the thing is, I've got this

It was a gift from my father.

Your father? Yeah, he brought it back from Eastern Europe about 18 years ago.

Anyway, it's signed.

By whom?

It's not a Stradivarius.

It's not even an Amati.

It's not pure than Roebuck, is it?

Oh, no, it's a Berganzi. A Berganzi?

Ever hear of Carlo Berganzi?

He was an 18th century violin maker who apprenticed under Amati, who ultimately

inherited Stradivari at his workshop.

And your father told you all this?

Yeah, but then I read up on him.

Well, it could be worth a fortune.

You know, it's hard to say.

Manufacturers would often forge signatures just to sell instruments.

You've never had it authenticated?

No, but, you know, I figure I might as well give it to the hospital for the

auction. Wait a minute. Now, Jesse, if the violin was actually made by this...

Berganzi. Berganzi, it could be worth what?

I don't know. I mean, a Stradivarius sold for a million dollars in 1996.

There you go.

You must get the instrument appraised. But it's not a Stradivarius.

It's probably not even a Berganzi. I mean, what are the odds of that, right?

I have an authenticator coming to appraise some items.

Would you like me to have him look at your violin?

It's probably worth $200 at most. So what? It's still a generous donation.

Look, it's not like I play the thing, so if I can give it to a worthy cause,

well then, good.

Jesse, I want you to think about it. What I don't want is for you to donate

violin and regret it later.

All right, absolutely not.

I will think about it.

According to her chauffeur, Mrs. Gardner went to a store in Beverly Hills every

day for three or four hours. But her credit card records show that she hardly

ever bought anything.

Well, there's no law against window shopping. No fun in it either.

Inspector Churchill has another theory.

The store is directly across the street from the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

I stopped in on my way here.

So? So, if the victim were having an affair, she could have been using

as a cover.

Grant Connor, courtesy Interpol.

He registered at the Beverly Wilshire ten days ago.

Checked out this morning.

Early.

So you think the thief cozied up to the victim, got her to tell him where the

jewels were, broke into her house, and then what?

Killed her?

Inspector Churchill thinks that maybe she didn't know he was going to rob her,

or maybe she did and wanted to go with him.

Grant Connor is a very charming man.

Yeah, he looks charming.

What did he take? We won't know until the husband returns, but whatever it

it must have been worth a lot if he was willing to kill for it.

All right.

I'll put out an APB. I agree.

That would be the smart thing to do.

Well, thank you, Inspector. I'm so glad Scotland Yard approves.

Can I help you?

I'm looking for Cuban cigars. I'm sorry, we don't carry them.

In that case...

I'm looking for a man who smokes Cuban cigars. This man.

You a cop?

I belong to a presidential inquiry committee.

President Cleveland, perhaps you recognize the picture.

And he would be ever so grateful if, when you see this man we're looking for,

you would give me a call.

Come here. You're on TV.

He is sought for questioning in connection with a burglary in Malibu and

possible murder of a woman, Tanya Gardner, the former model and actress

young wife of millionaire Edward Gardner.

Is that true about the woman?

Of course not. I told you what happened.

Where are you going?

Friends.

Well, Grant, how will I know how to get in touch with you? I'll call you.

I'll be a good girl and find my shoes.

I've been expecting you.

You caught the six o 'clock news.

As did a half a million other people.

Come on in.

I only need to stay a few days.

Unfortunately, I already have a house guest.

Vanessa.

One of these days you're going to have to find a fence I haven't introduced you

to.

Two eggs, boiled for exactly three minutes.

Seven -grain bread, sweet butter, and coffee, black.

Unless you've changed your dietary habits.

Doesn't appear as if either of us has changed.

You were very clever to find me.

You don't know all the places I looked where I didn't find you.

We need to talk.

Without the diamond I stole from the lovely Mrs. Gardner... Is it absolutely

necessary that she die?

Do you really want to go there? Oh, did you mean to touch a nerve?

Let's keep to the topic at hand.

Your little collection is practically worthless without the pride diamond.

Perhaps $10 million, that's hardly worthless.

But this is the case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

Six diamonds are worth maybe $15 million.

But completing the collection with all seven, what would you guess?

Fifty? A hundred million?

Maybe more.

That's assuming I can even procure the seventh.

I have no doubt you will.

What did you have in mind?

Five million.

Dollars?

Oh, yes.

I'll have to think about that.

You have five minutes.

Let me explain something to you.

For me, this isn't just about the money.

It's about owning a piece of history.

It's about having in my possession something that Nicholas Romanoff once

his hands.

I failed your education when I neglected to impart that same sense of... Oh.

And now you have four minutes.

I'll call a cab who can take me to it right now.

And they say the British have no sense of humor.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you have the five million on you.

I didn't see it when you disrobed last night.

I won't have it until I sell the collection.

The complete collection.

Then I guess you'll have to borrow it.

And how can I be certain you even have the stone?

You're certain or you wouldn't have come after me.

I would have thought you would have hidden it right here on Ira's

Hide in plain sight? Isn't that your usual M .O.? You ought to know.

You taught me everything.

Oh.

Hello? Inspector Chucho.

Yes. Yes, I think you should come out to the Gardner place right away. There's

been some developments.

My son's interviewing Tonya Gardner's husband, but I think it's unlikely he

anything to do with the murder.

That would have been my guess also.

Oh, I bought you this.

It's not Cuban, but it is expensive. I thought maybe you'd do in a pinch.

Thank you.

Lovely.

Mr. Gardner's identified the piece that was stolen from their safe.

It was a diamond, one of a set of seven.

Seven? Want a light for that?

No, I'll save it for later.

The set was called The Seven Deadly Sins. They were cut for the last czar of

Russia.

Nicholas Romanoff. Yes.

Each one was a slightly different color, I understand, and each one was cut in a

slightly different manner.

The largest one was called Gluttony, and then the one with the red tinge in it

was called Anger, and so on.

Fascinating. I guess after the Russian Revolution, the set was split up, and

move to reunite the set has become quite an obsession, I guess, with some of the

collectors around the world.

Understandably so.

You sure you don't want to light this? No, thank you. No, really. I just had

one. So, these jewels.

Well, interestingly enough, five of them have been stolen in the last 18 months.

The one that was in the Gardner safe is the sixth one.

Pride, I think.

I knew Connor was up to something. I had no idea it was this big.

You know, I have a private concern here.

The seventh one, Lust, I think it's called, has been donated to an auction

benefiting a hospital where I work.

So you think that Grant Conner is planning to steal that one as well?

Can I ask you a favor?

Certainly. Would you smoke that cigar?

Just a couple of puffs. I have to know if it's as good as Halesman convinced me

there was.

All right.

Oh, what a shame. I seem to have left my lighter. Here you go.

You have to cut the end off first, otherwise it won't draw.

You never smoked a cigar in your life, did you?

You never worked at the yard, either.

What gave me away?

Anyone who knows as much as you know about Rubin's paintings would have known

everything there is to know about those diamonds I told you about.

Not necessarily.

Well, then there's also the matter of Inspector Barclay's wife, Tabitha.

Barclay was a lifelong bachelor.

He did have a succession of dogs, bloodhounds, every one of them named

He was notorious for bringing them to work with him. And anyone who worked at

the yard would have known that.

My real name is Vanessa Thackeray.

Grant Connor broke into my house in England and stole my jewelry.

He did almost all those things to me that he did to that poor woman.

He seduced me and made a fool of me.

And you want revenge.

My typical story has a twist, however.

My husband came home unexpectedly, caught him, and they struggled.

My husband had a heart attack and died.

I want Grant Connor caught.

You have the death penalty here in America, which makes it even better. I'm

sorry if that sounds harsh, but it's how I feel.

And I'm sorry I lied to you.

I was afraid you wouldn't let me in on the investigation otherwise.

You're right.

I couldn't then, and I can now.

You know, I have to check out that identity, too.

It's cold.

You think she'll walk away from this?

I didn't think so, either.

Cigar? Yeah.

You have to bite the end off.

This one?

Jesse, is that the guy, Lynn?

No, I'm Al Capone.

Take it. I can't take it unless you're sure.

I am sure. Don't I sound it? No.

Well, I am, so take it.

You know, maybe I will just take one last peek at it.

It was a gift from my father, and then I'll hand it over.

Here. Can't accept it.

What? You're not ready to give it up.

I said I'm ready, and I am. So, here. Jesse, this is a gift from your father.

And I really think that you should hold on to it. And I'm sorry, I have tons to

do. You don't want it?

No.

You're telling me it's not good enough for your auction?

Jesse, this isn't about the violin. It's about your father.

My father? You're crazy.

Jesse, forget it. I've known you a long time. And we'd love to have your violin

in the auction, only if you and your father's ghost are willing to give it up

wholeheartedly.

I hope it is valuable.

It would be a first for my father.

Vanessa Thackeray, is there a message for me?

The girl's name is Polly Cornwallis.

I'm not looking for a girl. You're looking for this one.

She always came in with a man when he bought her savannas. She came in this

morning alone.

What's this?

Her license plate. One of those vanity things.

Polly C1.

You can get the address from that.

Well, I figure that should inspire President Cleveland's gratitude, don't

Come meet me.

What's she doing?

Something nice, it looks like.

You think there's any chance that she killed Tanya Gardner?

You know, there's two exits at this place.

I'll take the one on the west side.

Are you Cornwallis?

Polly.

Cornwallis is my last name.

I thought I went better with costume.

Cornwallis costume.

May I see that ring there? Oh, sure.

All of my stuff is guaranteed costume quality jewelry.

Very nice. Thank you.

What about that necklace there? Oh, that was worn by Rita Hayworth in Rain.

Oh. Oh, yes.

Beautiful, isn't it? Yes.

Do you have a restroom?

Sure. It's right back there.

What about that piece there?

That's, um, just decoration.

It's junk. But I like it.

How much?

I'm sorry, it's not for sale.

Everything's for sale. Name a price.

I really am sorry.

It's my boyfriend's. He's just letting me use it for window decorations, but he

was very definite.

He wants it back.

Oh.

Do you mind if I just look at it?

It's weak.

Yeah.

It's lovely.

Too bad.

I know just what I would have done with it.

And then there was one.

My boyfriend said the diamond was worth thousands of dollars and that this woman

he knew had killed somebody to get it.

Is this your boyfriend, Grant Connor?

Yes. Did he tell you you were receiving stolen goods?

No. And that that is a felony?

I don't know anything about that. He just gave it to me to hold for him for a

couple of days.

That's all.

Look, if it really was stolen, why would he have me place it here right where

anybody could see it?

Edgar Allan Poe, the Prolonged Letter.

What? The origin of Hyde in Plain Sight.

Dr. Sloan, pretty lady gave me five bucks and this address said to tell you

the man you want, this is where he's at.

that pseudonyms aside, her real name is Vanessa Sellers. I bet she's something

of a legend in Europe.

A retired cat burglar. An alleged cat burglar. She's never been convicted of

anything. What would that make you? Her alleged, uh, how should I put this?

Call sailor?

Offense is offense is offense, Mr. Janos.

Vanessa Sellers and I haven't had any business dealings for the past seven

years. As a matter of fact, I'd also heard that she was retired.

That is, until she showed up at my doorstep last night.

Who's Grant Connor?

He was her protege and her lover. A tidy.

They had a falling out three, four years ago. Another woman, I believe.

But they seemed to be on fine terms last night and early this morning when they

finally parted ways.

I hope I'm not telling you more than you wanted to know. Oh, there's no such

thing. Well, then perhaps you'll want to know this.

Grant told me that Vanessa stole a very important diamond two nights ago and

apparently killed a woman in the process.

Which part?

I don't believe she killed Tonya Gardner.

Well, there's two people that said she did.

Two people that Grant Conner told.

It doesn't fit the profile from Scotland Yard we got on Vanessa Sellers.

It doesn't fit Grant Conner's profile either.

True.

But if she killed somebody, why would she hang around waiting to be arrested?

Now, returning to the scene of the crime may be a cliche, but it's based on

fact. Criminals have been known to work themselves into the investigation of the

very crime they committed.

There is another reason she might have tried to get in on the investigation.

Seven's diamond is going to be auctioned off in two more days.

And who better to lead a right to it than you?

Yeah, but that would be foolish of her. She's got to know we're going to be

guarding that diamond more closely than ever.

Foolish or incredibly daring.

And that does fit Vanessa Sellers' profile.

I think I just lost my appetite.

Hi, I'm Jesse Travis.

Yes? Oh, I donated a violin.

Hi, Jesse. Hey, did you get a chance to look at it yet? Which?

The violin.

It's a Berganzi. Mr. Van Ark has been so busy examining all of these items.

It's a copy, isn't it?

Oh, yes. The factory -made violin.

The forged signature was quite good, actually. Almost had me fooled. But the

incorrect lacquer coating gave it away.

So it's worth what?

Oh, depending on the sentimental value, of course. There's no sentimental value.

$250, $300?

$49.

Dollars? Yes.

You couldn't even round it up to an even $50? I don't ever round up anything.

The value is the value, period.

$49. Dollars.

I understand how disappointing it would be to find out something you cherished

is worthless.

Believe me, I never cherished it. I kept it in a box, in my college locker, in

my closet, so don't worry about it.

That's fine.

I should have known it was a phony, just like everything else my father gave to

me. Phony doesn't necessarily mean worthless.

There was a rather well -known violin maker in the early part of the 19th

century who crafted exquisite copies of famous violins.

Yes, well, thank you for that illuminating information.

Some count named Rosario Caltabiano. He loved making

violins. He handcrafted them lovingly, and then, because he was a nobleman and

not supposed to do a labourer's work, He signed other people's names to them and

sent them out to be sold.

Yes, well, thank you. I believe you left a section over there undusted.

Hey, did you know about this Caltabiano guy?

Yes, of course. Everyone knows about the Italian count.

Did you check to see if mine was one of his?

Well... No.

How much would a fake Caltabiano be worth?

About $20 ,000, $25 ,000.

Thereabouts.

I'll look into it.

Good idea.

Hey, how'd you know so much about violence?

We're done.

use the code 341.

Hello. Sorry.

Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. What are you doing here? How did you get in

this car?

It's a talent I have.

I just got a call from Steve. They found a gun in your hotel room. The murder

weapon. In the loo?

Yes.

Every law enforcement agency in this county is out looking for you.

Grant Conner set me up.

Vanessa. Right from the beginning. Even the alarm that went off. I've never

tripped a burglar alarm in my life.

I'm going to have to turn you over to the police.

I won't let you.

I've got a gun.

No, you don't.

Scotland Yard sent me a copy of your files. You never carry a gun.

If you know that, you know I couldn't have killed Tanya Gardner.

I admit I'm kind of leaning that way myself, but the police department isn't.

At least let me explain my side of this to you.

Please.

Grant's been telling anybody who would listen that I did it.

He's been quite insistent.

That's bothered me a little bit, too.

So when I left the hotel, I rang up the front desk and asked them to send up a

plumber to check my loo.

Asked them which plumber they sent up.

He'll tell you there was no gun in the loo after I left.

Now, how do I know you didn't go there afterwards and stash it in the one place

you do with the alibi?

I haven't been back to my room.

I'm supposed to take your word for that?

It would be nice, but not essential.

I have witnesses.

I was at the auction house all day, casing the joint, I think you call it.

Ask your friends, Dr. Bentley and Dr. Travis, about the cleaning lady and the

violin.

Ask them to tell you the story of Count Caltabiano.

So you concocted an interesting tale so they wouldn't forget you.

It's all true.

Every word of it.

And so is the fact that I never put a gun in the loo in my hotel room.

Now, how could you possibly know in advance where Gran was going to hide

gun? I complained about the heating system.

Had them check the air vents.

Ask housekeeping to please vacuum the curtains.

Under the bed.

Behind the dresser.

I had a very busy morning.

What?

Are you going to turn me in?

Any sign of Grant Conner? Not yet.

By the way, Jesse, I think it was great donating the violin.

Oh, thanks, but it's probably not going to sell.

You weren't supposed to be here until tomorrow morning. We've got a break with

traffic out of Bakersfield.

Will they dock you for that?

Yeah. Don't want to make the company look too good, huh?

You still can take us tonight, can't you? Sure. I can't go anywhere until

the auction anyway. Great, thanks.

So, that's a real mummy?

For the Egyptian auction next week.

We'll put it in the basement and I'll unpack it tomorrow. There you go. Thanks

lot.

Nothing yet.

Here either.

You let me know if you see anything suspicious.

I will.

I have to say this again, Dad. This is a really bad idea.

The only way Vanessa can prove she didn't commit that murder is to catch

who did.

Unless he catches the diamond instead and pulls a disappearing act.

I want it up against that wall over there.

Watch the light overhead.

That's it.

Face down.

Perfect.

Thanks,

guys. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to our auction

evening. As you know, all proceeds tonight will benefit the building fund

Community General Hospital.

Our first item.

is a stunning copy of a Bagonzi violin crafted by the famous forger Count

Caltabiano.

I'm going to start the bidding at $500.

$550, thank you.

$600. $650 to the gentleman in the boutonniere.

I think he's here.

Vanessa.

Vanessa?

Vanessa?

She's not responding.

Check on the roof. I'll go check on the diamond.

Yeah, keep a close watch out here, William.

Anything suspicious?

Anything at all?

No, sir. Everything seems to be just fine.

Guard, I need some help in the basement.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the item you have been waiting for.

The piece de resistance.

The seventh jewel.

In the Romanoff Seven Deadly Sins Collection, The Last Diamond.

Any sign of Vanessa?

No, but she's got to be here. She wouldn't leave.

Not without the diamond, anyway.

We start the bidding at $300 ,000.

Thank you. Do I hear $325 ,000?

I've got to log in these items for Monday. I need you to witness it.

Company policy.

At $1 ,400 ,000 then, going once, going twice,

sold to the gentleman from Ohio.

I guess that was all much ado about nothing. The diamond is safe from the

minute to its appearance.

Looks that way.

I'll feel better about the whole thing when we find Vanessa.

Excuse me. I was told you're the gentleman who donated this beautiful

for the auction.

Yes, yes.

I have a daughter. She's 13, and she's just been accepted to Juilliard.

This violin will be her dream come true.

Really? Even a copy of a Bargondi.

It's the best $15 ,000 I ever spent.

Thank you for giving it up.

You're welcome.

Oh, I'm so sorry that I hurt you. Let me look at that.

Fair to stare.

You got the diamond on him?

Yeah, right here.

Piece of coal?

Where's the diamond?

I don't know.

It was in there.

We put out an APB on her.

She and the diamond are probably long gone by now.

Steve, I'm sorry. I was wrong.

It doesn't happen that often.

You going to be all right?

Yeah, I'll be fine.

And don't worry, Dad. We'll catch her. Yeah.

Vanessa?

Dear Mark, I couldn't take the diamond.

Not after you put your trust in me.

But at least for a few hours, I had all seven jewels in my possession.

Just like Nicholas.

Thank you for that.

By the way, tell Jesse...

There really was a Count Caltabiano, and this violin was one of his.

He should keep it as a memento of his father.

Ciao, my friend.