1 00:00:00,626 --> 00:00:03,129 [Jessica] Tonight on Murder, She Wrote. 2 00:00:03,212 --> 00:00:05,381 My murder victim dies here in the animal park, 3 00:00:05,464 --> 00:00:08,217 and there are several major suspects, 4 00:00:08,300 --> 00:00:09,719 all of them animals. 5 00:00:09,802 --> 00:00:11,345 Naturally, he's too small 6 00:00:11,429 --> 00:00:13,305 to swallow that .45-caliber ammunition clip. 7 00:00:13,389 --> 00:00:14,974 Their agenda is not to fire you, Sir. 8 00:00:15,057 --> 00:00:16,684 It's to close down the park. 9 00:00:16,767 --> 00:00:18,561 We're talking serious felonies here. 10 00:00:18,644 --> 00:00:20,730 What do you know? "Zoogate". 11 00:00:20,813 --> 00:00:24,066 All I've ever wanted is what's best for the animal park. 12 00:00:24,150 --> 00:00:26,068 You tell the gate I'm pulling Russell's pass, 13 00:00:26,152 --> 00:00:27,528 and if you show your face on zoo property, 14 00:00:27,611 --> 00:00:29,071 I'll have you arrested! 15 00:00:29,155 --> 00:00:30,740 Be distressed somewhere else if you must, 16 00:00:30,823 --> 00:00:32,450 but not in my house. 17 00:00:32,533 --> 00:00:34,326 There's a moment I could've killed him. 18 00:00:34,410 --> 00:00:36,162 I felt so betrayed. 19 00:00:36,245 --> 00:00:39,123 Corpses just seem to be part of our job description. 20 00:00:39,206 --> 00:00:41,876 This should be your killer, Jessica. [roars] 21 00:02:42,371 --> 00:02:44,540 [woman] Good evening, Mr. Russell. 22 00:02:44,623 --> 00:02:46,375 Why don't you come out where I can see you? 23 00:02:46,458 --> 00:02:48,836 There'll be an appropriate time and place. 24 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:51,338 What do you know? "Zoogate". 25 00:02:51,422 --> 00:02:54,925 [laughing] I don't think you realize how right you are. 26 00:02:55,009 --> 00:02:57,845 You're aware of the petition calling for the immediate dismissal 27 00:02:57,928 --> 00:03:00,431 of Norman Gilford as director of the animal park? 28 00:03:00,514 --> 00:03:03,684 Yeah. Petitions don't usually cut it. 29 00:03:03,767 --> 00:03:06,437 You and your newspaper can help promote it. 30 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:08,689 I suggest you interview Gilford. 31 00:03:08,772 --> 00:03:10,357 He hates my guts. 32 00:03:10,441 --> 00:03:12,276 Ask him about the suppliers he works with 33 00:03:12,359 --> 00:03:16,655 that bill the animal park for beef and ship horse meat. 34 00:03:16,739 --> 00:03:18,616 They kick back the difference to Gilford. 35 00:03:18,699 --> 00:03:20,826 And that's just the tip of the iceberg. 36 00:03:20,910 --> 00:03:22,703 That's all for now. 37 00:03:22,786 --> 00:03:24,538 Oh, and the key I sent you? 38 00:03:26,540 --> 00:03:28,042 This better be real. 39 00:03:28,125 --> 00:03:29,710 Trust me. 40 00:03:36,216 --> 00:03:37,927 [Kelly] I'm happy to show you around, Mrs. Fletcher. 41 00:03:38,010 --> 00:03:39,970 Now, tell me about your new plot. 42 00:03:40,054 --> 00:03:42,890 [Jessica] My new book will be something of a departure. 43 00:03:42,973 --> 00:03:46,101 It's kind of wild, actually. 44 00:03:46,185 --> 00:03:49,313 You see, my murder victim... a woman or a man... 45 00:03:49,396 --> 00:03:52,858 I haven't quite decided, dies here in the animal park 46 00:03:52,942 --> 00:03:56,028 and there are several major suspects, 47 00:03:56,111 --> 00:03:59,865 all of them animals, although none of them did it. 48 00:03:59,949 --> 00:04:01,742 Oh, I love it! 49 00:04:01,825 --> 00:04:03,994 Is it gonna be another Inspector Jellicoe story? 50 00:04:04,078 --> 00:04:06,121 I don't think so. 51 00:04:06,205 --> 00:04:09,792 Anyway, last time I was in town, a friend brought me out here 52 00:04:09,875 --> 00:04:12,336 and I met Ted Fraley and Dr. Stinson. 53 00:04:12,419 --> 00:04:15,172 They have never stopped talking about you. 54 00:04:15,255 --> 00:04:17,841 Well, I just hope they're still as enthusiastic 55 00:04:17,925 --> 00:04:21,095 when I get through picking their brains. 56 00:04:21,178 --> 00:04:23,097 I can't tell you how proud we are that you've chosen 57 00:04:23,180 --> 00:04:25,015 the animal park as the site of your next novel. 58 00:04:25,099 --> 00:04:28,477 Oh, God! Spoken like a true flack. 59 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:30,813 I am really becoming a cliche. 60 00:04:30,896 --> 00:04:33,565 Miss Michaels, I've gotta talk to you! 61 00:04:35,401 --> 00:04:37,736 Jessica Fletcher, City Councilman Joe Gandolph. 62 00:04:37,820 --> 00:04:39,405 -Mrs. Fletcher. -How do you do? 63 00:04:39,488 --> 00:04:41,615 You wrote this nonsense about me, didn't you? 64 00:04:41,699 --> 00:04:43,784 I wish that I could take credit for it, but no. 65 00:04:43,867 --> 00:04:45,703 That's one that the boss insisted on writing himself. 66 00:04:45,786 --> 00:04:47,496 I think it showed a lot of eloquence. 67 00:04:47,579 --> 00:04:48,998 -Then you can tell him for me-- -I'm sorry. 68 00:04:49,081 --> 00:04:50,874 You'll just have to tell him yourself. 69 00:04:53,002 --> 00:04:56,213 That man goes whichever way the wind is blowing. 70 00:04:56,296 --> 00:04:58,590 Right now it's blowing against our director, Mr. Gilford. 71 00:04:58,674 --> 00:05:02,886 Something to do with all the repair work in progress? 72 00:05:02,970 --> 00:05:05,264 Well, that's part of the problem. 73 00:05:05,347 --> 00:05:07,307 A lot of it isn't in progress. 74 00:05:07,391 --> 00:05:10,310 Between earthquake damage and an aging facility, 75 00:05:10,394 --> 00:05:12,396 we're between a rock and a hard place. 76 00:05:12,479 --> 00:05:13,897 Hmm. 77 00:05:16,066 --> 00:05:18,402 Mr. Gilford told me that it would cost me my job 78 00:05:18,485 --> 00:05:20,946 if I didn't bring you by so he could say hello. 79 00:05:28,746 --> 00:05:30,831 [Gilford] I don't give a hoot in hell 80 00:05:30,914 --> 00:05:33,042 how The Chronicle grades my performance. 81 00:05:33,125 --> 00:05:35,586 And I won't be drawn and quartered for running this place 82 00:05:35,669 --> 00:05:38,172 on the totally inadequate budget I've been given. 83 00:05:38,255 --> 00:05:40,507 Then how about Councilman Gandolph's recent attacks? 84 00:05:40,591 --> 00:05:42,301 He calls this park 85 00:05:42,384 --> 00:05:44,553 "an outrage to the body politic." 86 00:05:44,636 --> 00:05:46,722 Would you like to comment? 87 00:05:46,805 --> 00:05:48,807 I consider Councilman Gandolph's personal attack 88 00:05:48,891 --> 00:05:50,726 a contemptible political ploy. 89 00:05:50,809 --> 00:05:54,438 And I won't dignify it by a response. 90 00:05:54,772 --> 00:05:56,940 Jessica, this is Bea Huffington. 91 00:05:57,024 --> 00:05:59,485 -Anything you need to know, just ask her. -Hello. 92 00:05:59,568 --> 00:06:01,195 Come on, Norm, talk to me. 93 00:06:01,278 --> 00:06:02,946 I mean, whoever started this petition, 94 00:06:03,030 --> 00:06:05,199 the word is it's turning into a real groundswell, 95 00:06:05,282 --> 00:06:07,910 -and it's only gonna get bigger when-- -Get out of my office. 96 00:06:11,288 --> 00:06:13,123 So I guess my getting a look at your ledger entries 97 00:06:13,207 --> 00:06:15,417 regarding feed purchases is out of the question? 98 00:06:15,501 --> 00:06:16,877 Get out of here! 99 00:06:19,713 --> 00:06:21,298 You tell the gate I'm pulling Russell's pass, 100 00:06:21,381 --> 00:06:22,633 and if you show your face on zoo property, 101 00:06:22,716 --> 00:06:24,551 I'll have you arrested! 102 00:06:24,635 --> 00:06:26,845 And that goes for anybody else from The Chronicle! 103 00:06:26,929 --> 00:06:31,266 Thanks, pal, you just gave me tomorrow's page-one lead story. 104 00:06:31,350 --> 00:06:33,477 [phone ringing] 105 00:06:33,560 --> 00:06:36,772 Oh. Forgive my manners. 106 00:06:36,855 --> 00:06:39,066 J.B. Fletcher, isn't it? 107 00:06:39,149 --> 00:06:41,110 Mr. Gilford, if this is a bad time-- 108 00:06:41,193 --> 00:06:43,028 Oh, no, not at all. Not at all. 109 00:06:43,112 --> 00:06:45,030 Kelly, see if you can find Stinson. 110 00:06:45,114 --> 00:06:46,782 He's not answering his beeper. 111 00:06:46,865 --> 00:06:49,201 And since we can't prevent Councilman Gandolph 112 00:06:49,284 --> 00:06:50,828 from entering the premises, 113 00:06:50,911 --> 00:06:52,955 be sure you keep him away from me. 114 00:06:53,038 --> 00:06:55,666 Call the gate, Bea, now. 115 00:06:55,749 --> 00:06:57,501 And see if you can rustle up some coffee 116 00:06:57,584 --> 00:06:59,753 for Mrs. Fletcher and me. 117 00:06:59,837 --> 00:07:01,797 Oh, Mr. Gilford, I'm on a very tight schedule. 118 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:03,507 Nonsense. For the moment at least, 119 00:07:03,590 --> 00:07:05,134 this is still my park, 120 00:07:05,217 --> 00:07:07,636 and I want to hear all about your book. 121 00:07:13,934 --> 00:07:16,145 [Ted] I'm really worried about another aftershock, Doc. 122 00:07:16,228 --> 00:07:18,605 Several of these glass panes 123 00:07:18,689 --> 00:07:20,774 were shaken out of their frames. 124 00:07:20,858 --> 00:07:22,484 We can kiss half our species good-bye 125 00:07:22,568 --> 00:07:24,528 if we get another aftershock like that last one. 126 00:07:24,611 --> 00:07:26,446 Yeah. So what did Gilford say? 127 00:07:26,530 --> 00:07:29,241 Take a guess. He will not touch the contingency fund. 128 00:07:29,324 --> 00:07:31,910 He wants FEMA to come through with the money. 129 00:07:31,994 --> 00:07:34,788 I guess you heard about that petition going around this morning. 130 00:07:34,872 --> 00:07:37,124 A lot of folks think you ought to have his job. 131 00:07:37,207 --> 00:07:39,626 No. I'm an animal doctor, Ted. 132 00:07:39,710 --> 00:07:41,545 So is this our guy with the problem? 133 00:07:41,628 --> 00:07:43,672 Yeah. He's been off his feed since the earthquake. 134 00:07:43,755 --> 00:07:46,758 Yeah. There's a little nasal discharge. 135 00:07:46,842 --> 00:07:48,218 [Bea] Look who's here. 136 00:07:48,302 --> 00:07:49,511 Jessica! 137 00:07:49,595 --> 00:07:50,721 -Hello, Ted. -How are you? 138 00:07:50,804 --> 00:07:52,222 -And Ray. -Hello, Jessica! 139 00:07:52,306 --> 00:07:54,057 Gilford's looking for you. 140 00:07:54,141 --> 00:07:56,018 He wants you in his office muy pronto. 141 00:07:56,101 --> 00:07:57,811 Well, Mr. Gilford's gonna have to wait. 142 00:07:57,895 --> 00:07:59,730 I've got a problem with the elephants. 143 00:07:59,813 --> 00:08:02,065 -So, Jessica, I'll see you again later? -Oh, yes. 144 00:08:02,149 --> 00:08:04,401 Have I got some clues for you. 145 00:08:04,484 --> 00:08:07,279 Ever since I got your fax, I've been making notes like crazy. 146 00:08:07,362 --> 00:08:09,907 I wake up in the middle of the night with these ideas. 147 00:08:09,990 --> 00:08:13,577 You better watch out, because that is a writer's disease. 148 00:08:13,660 --> 00:08:16,038 Here. I hope this is what you're looking for. 149 00:08:16,121 --> 00:08:19,875 Oh, this is gonna be a tremendous help, Ted. Thank you. 150 00:08:21,710 --> 00:08:23,837 Doc thinks maybe it was the earthquake dust 151 00:08:23,921 --> 00:08:25,047 that got everything all stirred up. 152 00:08:25,130 --> 00:08:26,298 Oh, poor baby. 153 00:08:26,381 --> 00:08:27,799 My goodness. 154 00:08:27,883 --> 00:08:29,384 What a beautiful bird. 155 00:08:29,468 --> 00:08:30,761 Hello. 156 00:08:30,844 --> 00:08:33,013 So, 7 o'clock okay? 157 00:08:34,932 --> 00:08:37,392 Ted, I'm really sorry. I've gotta cancel. 158 00:08:37,476 --> 00:08:38,894 Couldn't let me know a little later? 159 00:08:38,977 --> 00:08:42,481 Something personal came up. I'm sorry. 160 00:08:42,564 --> 00:08:44,316 -Jessica. -Hmm? 161 00:08:44,399 --> 00:08:46,318 Let's take a stroll this way, 162 00:08:46,401 --> 00:08:48,028 and I'll show you that alligator you expressed interest in. 163 00:08:48,111 --> 00:08:49,446 Great. 164 00:08:54,076 --> 00:08:56,787 Norman, I had nothing whatsoever to do with any petition. 165 00:08:56,870 --> 00:08:58,205 Of course you didn't. 166 00:08:58,288 --> 00:08:59,665 I just want to remind you 167 00:08:59,748 --> 00:09:01,625 that politicking of any kind 168 00:09:01,708 --> 00:09:03,919 is a violation of your employment contract. 169 00:09:04,002 --> 00:09:05,379 Uh, pardon me, Mr. Gilford, I-- 170 00:09:05,462 --> 00:09:07,256 Kelly, stay out of this. 171 00:09:07,339 --> 00:09:09,967 Look, Ray, let me spell it out for you. 172 00:09:10,050 --> 00:09:11,635 Contrary to anything you may have heard 173 00:09:11,718 --> 00:09:13,804 about my imminent departure, 174 00:09:13,887 --> 00:09:16,848 I have no intention of going away, gently or otherwise. 175 00:09:16,932 --> 00:09:19,142 And when the dust settles, 176 00:09:19,226 --> 00:09:23,063 I'll be taking a hard look at where everyone stood. 177 00:09:23,146 --> 00:09:25,190 Ray, please. 178 00:09:25,274 --> 00:09:28,902 Norman, despite your paranoid fantasies, 179 00:09:28,986 --> 00:09:31,530 I have no interest in your job. 180 00:09:31,613 --> 00:09:33,282 Let me tell you something else. 181 00:09:33,365 --> 00:09:35,367 This petition is the least of your worries. 182 00:09:35,450 --> 00:09:37,411 It's Mark Atwater and these earth speak people 183 00:09:37,494 --> 00:09:39,079 you should be keeping your eye on, 184 00:09:39,162 --> 00:09:40,789 because from the few straight answers 185 00:09:40,872 --> 00:09:42,332 that I've been able to extract from Atwater... 186 00:09:42,416 --> 00:09:44,084 come on, Ray, that's not fair. 187 00:09:44,167 --> 00:09:47,087 I gather that their agenda is not to fire you, Sir. 188 00:09:47,170 --> 00:09:49,923 It's to close down the park, period... 189 00:09:50,007 --> 00:09:52,009 which, while it pains me to admit it, 190 00:09:52,092 --> 00:09:53,885 puts us on the same team. 191 00:09:55,846 --> 00:09:57,723 Excuse me. 192 00:10:00,726 --> 00:10:03,895 -Well? -I think he's wrong about Mark. 193 00:10:03,979 --> 00:10:05,897 Really? 194 00:10:05,981 --> 00:10:08,775 I'm sure that your relationship with Mr. Atwater 195 00:10:08,859 --> 00:10:11,153 doesn't color your opinion. 196 00:10:18,744 --> 00:10:20,620 Now, Clarence here is just a youngster, 197 00:10:20,704 --> 00:10:22,581 and naturally he's too small to swallow 198 00:10:22,664 --> 00:10:24,458 that.45-caliber ammunition clip 199 00:10:24,541 --> 00:10:26,460 you described in your fax. 200 00:10:26,543 --> 00:10:28,045 But give him a couple more years, 201 00:10:28,128 --> 00:10:30,172 he'd sooner eat you than the entire gun. 202 00:10:30,255 --> 00:10:33,300 No problem. It's not an absolute requirement of the plot. 203 00:10:33,383 --> 00:10:35,218 -There you go. Got him? -Yes. 204 00:10:35,302 --> 00:10:37,763 Now, you mentioned poisonous snakes. 205 00:10:37,846 --> 00:10:41,016 This should be your killer, Jessica, the black mamba. 206 00:10:41,099 --> 00:10:44,019 It's one of the elapidae family, like the cobras. 207 00:10:44,102 --> 00:10:45,604 I could give you a few pointers 208 00:10:45,687 --> 00:10:48,065 on what makes them such dangerous critters. 209 00:10:48,148 --> 00:10:50,692 [Atwater] Yo, Ted. 210 00:10:50,776 --> 00:10:52,986 -Excuse me, Jessica. -Of course. 211 00:11:03,246 --> 00:11:04,915 Payday, friend. 212 00:11:04,998 --> 00:11:06,792 [Ted] Atwater, listen, I'm sorry. 213 00:11:06,875 --> 00:11:08,168 Things are still really tight. 214 00:11:08,460 --> 00:11:10,587 You said that last week, Ted. 215 00:11:10,670 --> 00:11:12,381 And the week before. 216 00:11:12,464 --> 00:11:14,257 Well, I'd better see $1,200 217 00:11:14,341 --> 00:11:16,426 before the banks close tomorrow, 218 00:11:16,510 --> 00:11:18,887 or past transgressions become public knowledge. 219 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:28,605 And we're gonna learn about this wonderful little creature 220 00:11:28,688 --> 00:11:30,524 from Melanie Bryan here. 221 00:11:30,607 --> 00:11:32,567 But first, we're honored to welcome Joe Gandolph, 222 00:11:32,651 --> 00:11:34,528 a City Councilman who's made no secret 223 00:11:34,611 --> 00:11:36,321 of his sentiments regarding the animal park. 224 00:11:36,405 --> 00:11:37,781 The cat's out of the bag, Joyce. 225 00:11:37,864 --> 00:11:40,409 The petition is circulating, 226 00:11:40,492 --> 00:11:43,954 calling for the removal of the animal park director, Norman Gilford, and-- 227 00:11:44,037 --> 00:11:45,580 Mr. Gandolph, I think our audience knows 228 00:11:45,664 --> 00:11:47,332 where I stand on this issue. 229 00:11:47,416 --> 00:11:49,126 I'm only giving you this forum to allow-- 230 00:11:49,209 --> 00:11:51,211 Look, my responsibility is to the taxpayer. 231 00:11:51,294 --> 00:11:54,506 As I started to say, after Mr. Gilford's ousted, 232 00:11:54,589 --> 00:11:56,133 we have to take a hard look 233 00:11:56,216 --> 00:11:57,634 as to whether or not the animal park 234 00:11:57,717 --> 00:11:59,386 will continue to exist at all. 235 00:11:59,469 --> 00:12:01,179 [line ringing] 236 00:12:01,263 --> 00:12:02,472 [man] Hello? 237 00:12:02,556 --> 00:12:04,266 All right. 238 00:12:04,349 --> 00:12:06,893 If the offer still stands, I'm ready to talk. 239 00:12:06,977 --> 00:12:08,270 When would you like to meet? 240 00:12:08,353 --> 00:12:09,896 -Tonight. -Tonight's no good. 241 00:12:09,980 --> 00:12:11,523 Tomorrow, then. 242 00:12:16,111 --> 00:12:19,239 We're not exactly overstaffed, as you can see. 243 00:12:19,322 --> 00:12:22,325 Help yourself to any one of these desks. 244 00:12:22,409 --> 00:12:24,077 Well, hey, what is this? 245 00:12:24,161 --> 00:12:26,455 A deserving gift for the lady of my dreams. 246 00:12:26,538 --> 00:12:28,081 -Hi, doll. -Mark. 247 00:12:28,165 --> 00:12:29,916 Jessica, this is Mark Atwater. 248 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:31,751 -Oh, hello. -Hi. How are you? 249 00:12:31,835 --> 00:12:33,712 Nice to meet you. 250 00:12:35,797 --> 00:12:37,215 Let's get out of here. 251 00:12:37,299 --> 00:12:38,925 [laughing] 252 00:12:42,637 --> 00:12:44,222 The bad penny himself. 253 00:12:44,306 --> 00:12:45,724 You're sounding more and more 254 00:12:45,807 --> 00:12:47,058 like a rotten loser, Ray. 255 00:12:47,184 --> 00:12:48,477 It's very unattractive. 256 00:12:48,560 --> 00:12:50,145 [Kelly] Will you guys cool it? 257 00:12:50,228 --> 00:12:52,772 God, I'm beginning to feel like a referee. 258 00:12:57,402 --> 00:12:59,488 Damn! 259 00:12:59,571 --> 00:13:00,780 [clears throat] 260 00:13:00,864 --> 00:13:03,283 Heh. 261 00:13:03,366 --> 00:13:04,701 I'm sorry. 262 00:13:04,784 --> 00:13:07,329 What exactly does Mr. Atwater do? 263 00:13:07,412 --> 00:13:08,997 He's passionately on the side 264 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:10,749 of whoever's willing to pay him. 265 00:13:10,832 --> 00:13:12,876 Right now, that's Earth Speak, 266 00:13:12,959 --> 00:13:15,962 an organization dedicated to closing down all zoos. 267 00:13:16,046 --> 00:13:18,465 Oh, yes. I've read some of their arguments. 268 00:13:18,548 --> 00:13:22,093 The theory that if a species is destined to die out, so be it? 269 00:13:22,177 --> 00:13:24,471 Hmm. And zoos are buying time 270 00:13:24,554 --> 00:13:26,306 for a lot of those species. 271 00:13:26,389 --> 00:13:27,724 When you've got some time, 272 00:13:27,807 --> 00:13:29,601 I'll be glad to show you our plans 273 00:13:29,684 --> 00:13:32,187 for breeding programs and interdependent ecosystems, 274 00:13:32,270 --> 00:13:34,064 which, of course, are still on the drawing board 275 00:13:34,147 --> 00:13:36,816 because Gilford won't fight for more money. 276 00:13:36,900 --> 00:13:39,236 But right now, I've got two sick elephants. 277 00:13:39,319 --> 00:13:41,738 -Excuse me. -Of course. 278 00:13:50,580 --> 00:13:52,499 [Joyce] My late husband Cornelius was a surgeon 279 00:13:52,582 --> 00:13:54,125 and big-game hunter, Mrs. Fletcher. 280 00:13:54,209 --> 00:13:56,336 -Hmm. -I was his chief nurse, 281 00:13:56,419 --> 00:13:59,923 until he mercifully took me away from all the syringes and bedpans. 282 00:14:00,006 --> 00:14:01,550 [laughing] 283 00:14:01,633 --> 00:14:03,468 Actually, I find this a bit embarrassing. 284 00:14:03,552 --> 00:14:05,804 He believed he was doing humanity a service 285 00:14:05,887 --> 00:14:09,015 by helping to kill off endangered species. 286 00:14:09,099 --> 00:14:10,850 Well, that's an interesting logic. 287 00:14:10,934 --> 00:14:12,561 [laughs] Indeed. 288 00:14:12,644 --> 00:14:14,437 And the only issue Corny and I ever disagreed on. 289 00:14:14,521 --> 00:14:16,439 I'd always had an interest in zoology 290 00:14:16,523 --> 00:14:18,567 and knew the value of live animals as opposed to dead ones, 291 00:14:18,650 --> 00:14:21,611 which is why I'm such a passionate defender of the animal park. 292 00:14:21,695 --> 00:14:23,280 Mrs. Fletcher, my wife and I 293 00:14:23,363 --> 00:14:24,864 so enjoyed your book Endangered. 294 00:14:24,948 --> 00:14:27,325 -A real page-Turner. -Thank you. 295 00:14:27,409 --> 00:14:29,160 In payment for being invited tonight, 296 00:14:29,244 --> 00:14:31,329 Mr. Gandolph has promised not to say anything hostile 297 00:14:31,413 --> 00:14:33,415 to the friends of the animal park. 298 00:14:33,498 --> 00:14:35,917 So if you catch him breaking his word, I want to hear about it. 299 00:14:36,001 --> 00:14:37,294 Shush, Joyce. 300 00:14:37,377 --> 00:14:39,254 [chuckling] 301 00:14:39,337 --> 00:14:41,172 -[Bea] Jessica! -Hello! 302 00:14:41,256 --> 00:14:42,882 Hi! Ray tells me you've already come up 303 00:14:42,966 --> 00:14:44,426 with a protagonist for your new book. 304 00:14:44,509 --> 00:14:46,094 Well, subject to change, of course. 305 00:14:46,177 --> 00:14:48,388 I've decided that she'll be a zoo veterinarian, 306 00:14:48,471 --> 00:14:50,056 just like Dr. Stinson here, 307 00:14:50,140 --> 00:14:53,059 and she'll use her knowledge of animal sciences 308 00:14:53,143 --> 00:14:55,729 to solve a human mystery. 309 00:14:55,812 --> 00:14:57,647 You'll have to explain that one to me, Jessica. 310 00:14:57,731 --> 00:14:59,399 I'd like to make a statement 311 00:14:59,482 --> 00:15:01,568 that's going to be unpopular in present company. 312 00:15:01,651 --> 00:15:03,278 Oh, Mark, do you have to? 313 00:15:03,361 --> 00:15:06,531 It distresses me to see a writer of your stature 314 00:15:06,615 --> 00:15:08,575 undertaking a novel that glorifies 315 00:15:08,658 --> 00:15:11,453 an abusive, medieval system of animal confinement. 316 00:15:11,536 --> 00:15:14,331 Oh, please, be distressed somewhere else if you must, 317 00:15:14,414 --> 00:15:16,499 but not in my house. Kelly, talk to him. 318 00:15:16,583 --> 00:15:19,336 Bea, darling, may I borrow Ray for a few minutes? 319 00:15:21,546 --> 00:15:23,715 -Look, Mrs. Hacker, it's-- -Wait a minute. 320 00:15:23,798 --> 00:15:25,508 First off, I want you to understand 321 00:15:25,592 --> 00:15:27,802 I have nothing to do with this cabal against Norman. 322 00:15:27,886 --> 00:15:29,846 My God, we've been friends for years, 323 00:15:29,929 --> 00:15:31,806 but the tide's turned against him. 324 00:15:31,890 --> 00:15:34,351 And that's okay. I'm an animal doctor, 325 00:15:34,434 --> 00:15:36,645 I'm not an administrator. 326 00:15:36,728 --> 00:15:39,356 Nonsense. You're the only person around who can do the job. 327 00:15:39,439 --> 00:15:41,191 I'll find you the help you need. 328 00:15:41,274 --> 00:15:43,193 Starting with Joe Gandolph? With friends like that, 329 00:15:43,276 --> 00:15:45,320 the animal park does not need any enemies. 330 00:15:45,403 --> 00:15:47,238 You let me handle him. 331 00:15:47,322 --> 00:15:49,115 He practically owns the Parks Department, 332 00:15:49,199 --> 00:15:51,868 and he's guaranteed me the chair on the new zoo board, 333 00:15:51,951 --> 00:15:54,204 with the right to appoint my own members. 334 00:15:54,287 --> 00:15:56,289 Hmm. 335 00:15:56,373 --> 00:15:59,876 Well, no question, I'm flattered. 336 00:15:59,959 --> 00:16:04,839 Ray, I just know you'll do an outstanding job. 337 00:16:04,923 --> 00:16:07,175 Yeah. 338 00:16:16,726 --> 00:16:18,645 [chuckling] 339 00:16:18,728 --> 00:16:20,980 Not exactly a pushover. 340 00:16:21,064 --> 00:16:22,857 He'll do it. 341 00:16:22,941 --> 00:16:25,068 It was needlessly risky for you to come here tonight. 342 00:16:25,151 --> 00:16:27,320 You're only paying for my day job. 343 00:16:27,404 --> 00:16:29,698 My evenings are my own. 344 00:16:29,781 --> 00:16:31,408 Besides, if you didn't want me to come, 345 00:16:31,491 --> 00:16:33,743 you shouldn't have invited my fiancee. 346 00:16:33,827 --> 00:16:36,746 [laughs] I've been meaning to talk to you about that. 347 00:16:36,830 --> 00:16:39,457 Well, since you won't have me, I have no choice. 348 00:16:39,541 --> 00:16:42,544 Besides, her father is a partner in Berns, Fowler. 349 00:16:42,627 --> 00:16:44,921 And I thought Cornelius was amoral. 350 00:16:45,004 --> 00:16:47,841 Mmm. 351 00:16:55,932 --> 00:16:57,684 [door closes] 352 00:17:04,858 --> 00:17:06,943 -Jessica. -Hi, Ted. 353 00:17:07,026 --> 00:17:09,487 You missed a good movie last night. 354 00:17:09,571 --> 00:17:11,239 You know, I've got some time 355 00:17:11,322 --> 00:17:12,657 if you want to talk about the black mamba? 356 00:17:12,782 --> 00:17:14,159 Oh, I most certainly do, 357 00:17:14,242 --> 00:17:15,618 but could we make it a little later? 358 00:17:15,702 --> 00:17:16,953 Bea's going to show me the leopards. 359 00:17:17,036 --> 00:17:18,538 Sure. 360 00:17:21,166 --> 00:17:23,585 I said I was sorry, Ted. No rain check? 361 00:17:23,668 --> 00:17:24,919 I didn't see any rain last night. 362 00:17:26,087 --> 00:17:27,297 Okay. 363 00:17:29,466 --> 00:17:31,801 Thanks for not letting on about Dr. Stinson and I. 364 00:17:31,885 --> 00:17:33,219 Last night, I mean. 365 00:17:33,303 --> 00:17:34,888 It's really not my business, Bea. 366 00:17:34,971 --> 00:17:36,514 Well, I don't like sneaking around. 367 00:17:36,598 --> 00:17:38,391 It's just Ted, he's so insecure. 368 00:17:38,475 --> 00:17:40,477 If I told him the truth, he wouldn't believe me. 369 00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:42,687 I take it you were on a mission of mercy? 370 00:17:42,771 --> 00:17:44,939 Yeah, a regular Florence nightingale. 371 00:17:45,023 --> 00:17:47,692 Ray and I go way back as friends, 372 00:17:47,776 --> 00:17:51,404 and he's just so down because of losing Kelly to Mark Atwater. 373 00:17:51,488 --> 00:17:53,156 Well, he needed me. 374 00:17:53,239 --> 00:17:54,741 I'll straighten it out with Ted eventually. 375 00:17:54,824 --> 00:17:56,367 What? 376 00:17:56,451 --> 00:17:59,120 I was just thinking about Kelly. 377 00:17:59,204 --> 00:18:00,872 She was supposed to supply me 378 00:18:00,955 --> 00:18:02,749 with some research material this morning, 379 00:18:02,832 --> 00:18:05,627 but I haven't seen her all day. 380 00:18:27,774 --> 00:18:30,401 Look, Kell, I'm sorry, 381 00:18:30,485 --> 00:18:31,986 but you've got this whole thing wrong. 382 00:18:32,070 --> 00:18:33,363 For starters, 383 00:18:33,446 --> 00:18:35,281 Joyce and I were an item once. 384 00:18:35,365 --> 00:18:36,991 Now we're just friends. 385 00:18:37,075 --> 00:18:39,327 That's what you said about the flight attendant. 386 00:18:39,410 --> 00:18:42,121 Oh, come on, kid, there's a very simple explanation for this. 387 00:18:42,205 --> 00:18:44,123 I'd really love it if there were, Mark. 388 00:18:44,207 --> 00:18:47,752 Believe me, I would, but right now I'm just not buying it. 389 00:18:51,923 --> 00:18:55,301 Gee, Norman, imagine my surprise 390 00:18:55,385 --> 00:18:57,554 to actually receive an invitation 391 00:18:57,637 --> 00:18:59,180 to meet you face-to-face-- 392 00:18:59,264 --> 00:19:01,683 -Are you finished? -You tell me, Norman. 393 00:19:01,766 --> 00:19:04,102 Okay. I know my days here are numbered, 394 00:19:04,185 --> 00:19:07,355 but I'm asking you as a fellow human being, 395 00:19:07,438 --> 00:19:09,232 take this place down if you want to, 396 00:19:09,315 --> 00:19:11,067 but don't take me with it. 397 00:19:11,150 --> 00:19:12,902 That's part of the deal, Norman. 398 00:19:12,986 --> 00:19:15,405 The public has to have a heavy, and you're elected. 399 00:19:15,488 --> 00:19:17,490 Joe, if I take the fall for this fiasco 400 00:19:17,574 --> 00:19:18,992 you've been orchestrating, 401 00:19:19,075 --> 00:19:20,660 my career is over, finished. 402 00:19:20,743 --> 00:19:22,662 Now, you find somebody else to blame. 403 00:19:22,745 --> 00:19:25,248 Joyce hacker, the board of directors... 404 00:19:25,331 --> 00:19:27,458 Ah, but, Norman, why should I? 405 00:19:29,043 --> 00:19:33,548 I can suggest about 150,000 reasons. 406 00:19:33,631 --> 00:19:35,341 Really? 407 00:19:35,425 --> 00:19:37,886 And untraceable. 408 00:19:37,969 --> 00:19:40,597 Already in an offshore bank. 409 00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:43,641 I don't know, Norm. I'll have to think that one over. 410 00:19:43,725 --> 00:19:46,853 But I'll get back to you. 411 00:19:46,936 --> 00:19:48,688 I'd really appreciate it 412 00:19:48,771 --> 00:19:51,900 if you can mention something to your boss about it. 413 00:19:51,983 --> 00:19:53,443 Miss Huffington? 414 00:19:53,526 --> 00:19:55,236 I'm sorry, Chris. What were you saying? 415 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:57,363 [grunting] 416 00:20:02,368 --> 00:20:05,413 -How's it coming, Doc? -Almost finished. 417 00:20:05,496 --> 00:20:07,457 I heard the scuttlebutt. 418 00:20:07,540 --> 00:20:09,584 You gotta be feeling pretty good. 419 00:20:09,667 --> 00:20:11,669 I don't know, Ted. 420 00:20:11,753 --> 00:20:13,713 I'd be taking on an awful lot of responsibility. 421 00:20:13,796 --> 00:20:15,131 Nah. 422 00:20:15,214 --> 00:20:17,759 No worse than surgery on a rhino. 423 00:20:17,842 --> 00:20:19,177 Well... 424 00:20:19,260 --> 00:20:20,845 Besides, if you're the director, 425 00:20:20,929 --> 00:20:22,263 maybe you could make some changes around here. 426 00:20:22,347 --> 00:20:23,848 Yeah. 427 00:20:23,932 --> 00:20:25,683 I just wish I could be sure of that. 428 00:21:00,176 --> 00:21:02,053 Okay, Norman, 429 00:21:02,136 --> 00:21:05,473 you didn't get me out here for a nature walk. 430 00:21:05,556 --> 00:21:07,934 I want Joyce hacker off my case, 431 00:21:08,017 --> 00:21:10,520 and if she folds, Gandolph will go away. 432 00:21:10,603 --> 00:21:14,232 Now, that's a public statement you'll make 433 00:21:14,315 --> 00:21:16,359 disavowing your association with earth speak 434 00:21:16,442 --> 00:21:18,444 and its policies on zoos. 435 00:21:18,528 --> 00:21:19,904 Plus, you now have serious doubts 436 00:21:19,988 --> 00:21:21,614 about earth speak's integrity. 437 00:21:21,698 --> 00:21:23,950 Furthermore, you've given it deep thought 438 00:21:24,033 --> 00:21:25,827 and decided that Norman Gilford 439 00:21:25,910 --> 00:21:28,329 is a pretty damn fine administrator after all. 440 00:21:28,413 --> 00:21:30,331 You were simply misled by Gandolph. 441 00:21:31,582 --> 00:21:34,210 Well, you don't ask for much. 442 00:21:34,585 --> 00:21:37,255 All right, pal, what kind of dollars we talking about? 443 00:21:37,338 --> 00:21:40,008 Well, the park's got a small contingency fund 444 00:21:40,091 --> 00:21:42,218 that I can dip into for a few thousand-- 445 00:21:42,301 --> 00:21:45,471 Norman, I want half of everything 446 00:21:45,555 --> 00:21:47,056 that you've skimmed out of there, 447 00:21:47,140 --> 00:21:48,683 from the horsemeat scam 448 00:21:48,766 --> 00:21:50,560 to the donations 449 00:21:50,643 --> 00:21:52,270 to the cash from the trash removal kickbacks. 450 00:21:52,353 --> 00:21:54,522 Why, you're crazy. I... 451 00:21:56,232 --> 00:21:59,110 I can give you 20%. 452 00:21:59,193 --> 00:22:03,322 Norman, we're talking serious felonies here. 453 00:22:03,406 --> 00:22:05,033 If any of this gets out, 454 00:22:05,116 --> 00:22:07,660 it's adios, amigo. 455 00:22:07,744 --> 00:22:12,457 I'll give you until 9:00 tonight, okay? 456 00:22:12,540 --> 00:22:14,375 You have my number. 457 00:22:30,266 --> 00:22:34,562 Mrs. Fletcher, you're here so late. 458 00:22:34,645 --> 00:22:36,856 I got a call from Kelly to meet her here. 459 00:22:36,939 --> 00:22:40,026 Really? I haven't seen Kelly all day. 460 00:22:40,109 --> 00:22:43,154 I guess that she must have told you about last night. 461 00:22:44,906 --> 00:22:47,700 She didn't have to. I was there. 462 00:22:47,784 --> 00:22:49,827 [phone rings] 463 00:22:52,246 --> 00:22:54,290 Yeah? 464 00:22:54,373 --> 00:22:56,918 What? Now? 465 00:22:57,001 --> 00:22:59,337 All right. I'll see you in a couple of minutes. 466 00:23:02,548 --> 00:23:07,303 You know, maybe you shouldn't be so quick to judge, Mrs. Fletcher. 467 00:23:07,386 --> 00:23:09,722 You don't exactly have all the facts. 468 00:23:32,703 --> 00:23:35,915 Okay. Where are you? 469 00:23:40,795 --> 00:23:44,924 [hissing] 470 00:23:45,007 --> 00:23:46,551 [gasping] 471 00:23:46,634 --> 00:23:48,803 Help me. 472 00:23:48,886 --> 00:23:50,346 Help... 473 00:23:52,515 --> 00:23:54,600 [exhales] 474 00:24:00,314 --> 00:24:03,985 [chatter on police radio] 475 00:24:04,235 --> 00:24:06,195 [Caceras] Captain, I guarantee 476 00:24:06,279 --> 00:24:08,781 nobody's more aware of my caseload than I am, 477 00:24:09,073 --> 00:24:11,450 or that this is not a job for homicide. 478 00:24:11,534 --> 00:24:13,911 But Councilman Gandolph called me at 4 a.m., 479 00:24:13,995 --> 00:24:16,122 told me to get down here to investigate, 480 00:24:16,205 --> 00:24:18,124 and I didn't figure you'd be all that wild about me 481 00:24:18,207 --> 00:24:20,334 waking you up to get your opinion. 482 00:24:20,418 --> 00:24:22,086 [chattering] Right. 483 00:24:22,170 --> 00:24:23,921 Oh, come on, don't put it in my face, will you? 484 00:24:24,005 --> 00:24:25,882 -Where'd you find it? -Down the road apiece, 485 00:24:25,965 --> 00:24:27,884 trying to rustle up a warm snack. 486 00:24:27,967 --> 00:24:30,011 -It all right if I lock him up? -Yeah, go ahead. 487 00:24:30,094 --> 00:24:32,346 If I need his fingerprints, I'll call you. 488 00:24:37,185 --> 00:24:38,561 Nutley. 489 00:24:38,644 --> 00:24:40,313 We've got a couple of witnesses. 490 00:24:40,396 --> 00:24:42,648 The reporter and a novelist, Jessica Fletcher. 491 00:24:42,732 --> 00:24:44,400 She's here? 492 00:24:44,483 --> 00:24:47,195 Lieutenant Caceras? [laughs] 493 00:24:47,278 --> 00:24:49,906 My goodness, we do seem fated to meet 494 00:24:49,989 --> 00:24:52,158 under less than ideal circumstances. 495 00:24:52,241 --> 00:24:54,785 What was it you said when you were out last year? Um... 496 00:24:54,869 --> 00:24:57,413 "corpses just seem to be part of our job description." 497 00:24:57,496 --> 00:24:59,165 [sighs] 498 00:24:59,248 --> 00:25:01,209 Stevens found it in the deceased's pocket. 499 00:25:01,292 --> 00:25:03,544 Uh-huh. All right, for the record, 500 00:25:03,628 --> 00:25:05,838 you last saw Mark Atwater when? 501 00:25:05,922 --> 00:25:08,716 Well, it was just after 8 o'clock last night in the bull pen. 502 00:25:08,799 --> 00:25:10,927 He was supposed to meet Kelly Michaels there, 503 00:25:11,010 --> 00:25:13,763 and then he got a call on his cellular phone. 504 00:25:13,846 --> 00:25:16,307 He seemed to be anticipating the call, 505 00:25:16,390 --> 00:25:18,267 and he left immediately. 506 00:25:18,351 --> 00:25:20,561 Without saying who the caller was or where he was headed? 507 00:25:20,645 --> 00:25:22,063 Mm-hmm. 508 00:25:22,146 --> 00:25:23,397 Mean anything? 509 00:25:23,481 --> 00:25:24,774 Mm-mm. No. 510 00:25:24,857 --> 00:25:27,235 I'm sorry. Afraid not. 511 00:25:27,318 --> 00:25:29,695 So you figure the caller 512 00:25:29,779 --> 00:25:32,365 might've been this, uh, this Michaels woman? 513 00:25:32,448 --> 00:25:35,660 I have no idea, Lieutenant. 514 00:25:35,743 --> 00:25:37,620 You got anything to add, Mr. Russell? 515 00:25:37,703 --> 00:25:39,455 I told the officer everything I could remember. 516 00:25:39,538 --> 00:25:41,874 I just can't get it out of my head. 517 00:25:41,958 --> 00:25:44,961 This poor guy crawling around on the floor, mumbling for help. 518 00:25:45,044 --> 00:25:46,796 Yeah. Well, I guess I'd be mumbling, too. 519 00:25:46,879 --> 00:25:49,840 Now, you never actually saw this mysterious zoo lady? 520 00:25:49,924 --> 00:25:51,676 Like I said, I always found a key 521 00:25:51,759 --> 00:25:54,136 in an envelope under my door with a typewritten slip 522 00:25:54,220 --> 00:25:56,055 telling me where and when we should meet. 523 00:25:56,138 --> 00:25:58,641 Well, guess that about wraps it up. 524 00:26:00,810 --> 00:26:03,854 Lieutenant, um... 525 00:26:03,938 --> 00:26:06,232 I don't mean to second-guess, 526 00:26:06,315 --> 00:26:08,567 but don't you find it strange 527 00:26:08,651 --> 00:26:12,154 for Mr. Atwater to have been summoned to the reptile area 528 00:26:12,238 --> 00:26:14,657 at the exact moment that a poisonous snake 529 00:26:14,740 --> 00:26:16,909 just happens to be slithering around on the floor? 530 00:26:16,993 --> 00:26:18,577 No. It's just your basic case 531 00:26:18,661 --> 00:26:20,329 of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. 532 00:26:20,413 --> 00:26:22,248 -What, Jessica? -And that woman... 533 00:26:22,331 --> 00:26:24,375 the woman who sends the key to Mr. Russell. 534 00:26:24,458 --> 00:26:26,711 Well, that's just somebody one sandwich short of a picnic, 535 00:26:26,794 --> 00:26:29,005 with a grudge against Norman Gilford. 536 00:26:29,088 --> 00:26:31,215 Well, she certainly is familiar with the place. 537 00:26:31,299 --> 00:26:34,218 I mean, it's just possible that she might have witnessed 538 00:26:34,302 --> 00:26:35,886 what happened last night. 539 00:26:35,970 --> 00:26:37,555 Jessica, a word, huh? 540 00:26:37,638 --> 00:26:39,473 We're talking an accident here. 541 00:26:39,557 --> 00:26:41,309 There's no need for a witness. 542 00:26:41,392 --> 00:26:43,477 Now, forgive an overused metaphor, 543 00:26:43,561 --> 00:26:45,813 but please don't build a mountain out of a molehill. 544 00:26:45,896 --> 00:26:48,607 By the way, Gabe, on what part of his body 545 00:26:48,691 --> 00:26:50,526 was Mr. Atwater bitten? 546 00:26:50,609 --> 00:26:53,529 The puncture marks were on the neck. 547 00:26:53,612 --> 00:26:55,781 Period. The end. 548 00:26:55,865 --> 00:26:57,450 Right. 549 00:27:01,037 --> 00:27:02,872 Something the matter, Ray? 550 00:27:02,955 --> 00:27:04,582 Yeah. Where's our esteemed director? 551 00:27:04,665 --> 00:27:06,584 We have a potential disaster on our hands, 552 00:27:06,667 --> 00:27:08,544 and he hides in his office. 553 00:27:18,346 --> 00:27:20,681 Dr. Stinson, I must talk to you. 554 00:27:20,765 --> 00:27:22,975 -Hello. -Mrs. Fletcher... 555 00:27:23,059 --> 00:27:24,810 I was just about to tell Joyce, 556 00:27:24,894 --> 00:27:27,063 what with Atwater's death, 557 00:27:27,146 --> 00:27:28,773 it's clear that the animal park 558 00:27:28,856 --> 00:27:30,941 has become a major public safety risk. 559 00:27:31,025 --> 00:27:33,569 I'm going to recommend it be shut down, effective tomorrow. 560 00:27:33,652 --> 00:27:35,404 No. Mr. Gandolph, please, 561 00:27:35,488 --> 00:27:37,948 let's just cool this, for a few days, anyway. 562 00:27:38,032 --> 00:27:39,325 Mrs. Hacker-- 563 00:27:39,408 --> 00:27:40,910 No, I'm with you, Ray. 564 00:27:40,993 --> 00:27:42,536 Joe, you've got to back off-- 565 00:27:42,620 --> 00:27:44,330 believe me, Joyce, I only want 566 00:27:44,413 --> 00:27:46,207 what's best for the city, for the animals, 567 00:27:46,290 --> 00:27:47,750 but I've got a responsibility here. 568 00:27:47,833 --> 00:27:49,585 [Jessica] If I may say something. 569 00:27:49,668 --> 00:27:52,046 My observation is that, with the right leadership, 570 00:27:52,129 --> 00:27:54,215 this could be a fine park. 571 00:27:54,298 --> 00:27:57,385 Now, Ray tells me that you've asked him to take charge, 572 00:27:57,468 --> 00:27:59,804 and I believe that he passionately believes 573 00:27:59,887 --> 00:28:01,931 in all the same things that you do. 574 00:28:02,014 --> 00:28:04,725 Both of you. That is, in making the park 575 00:28:04,809 --> 00:28:07,853 more humane and more habitat-oriented. 576 00:28:07,937 --> 00:28:09,522 Bravo, Jessica. 577 00:28:09,605 --> 00:28:11,273 -Joyce-- -Oh, Joe, come on. 578 00:28:11,357 --> 00:28:12,733 For heaven's sake, stop being a politician 579 00:28:12,817 --> 00:28:14,276 for just a minute. 580 00:28:14,360 --> 00:28:16,862 I'll think about it. 581 00:28:16,946 --> 00:28:18,614 What is there to think about? 582 00:28:18,697 --> 00:28:21,242 Ray, I believe it's best to quit while we're ahead. 583 00:28:23,160 --> 00:28:27,706 [sighs] All this drama, a nocturnal death by snakebite, 584 00:28:27,790 --> 00:28:30,000 a mysterious, unseen woman. 585 00:28:30,084 --> 00:28:32,795 It would probably be wonderful grist for you as a writer 586 00:28:32,878 --> 00:28:34,797 if it weren't so tragic for this place. 587 00:28:34,880 --> 00:28:37,925 It will probably end up in one of my books. 588 00:28:38,008 --> 00:28:39,760 Good-bye, Mr. Gandolph. 589 00:28:39,844 --> 00:28:42,221 Have a nice day, Mrs. Fletcher. 590 00:28:45,850 --> 00:28:49,395 Joyce, I have something you have got to hear. 591 00:28:49,478 --> 00:28:51,689 A rather interesting conversation I had 592 00:28:51,772 --> 00:28:55,109 with Norman Gilford. 593 00:28:55,192 --> 00:28:58,362 Oh, I don't know, Doc. I checked her temperature last night 594 00:28:58,446 --> 00:29:00,364 and everything seemed to be fine. 595 00:29:00,448 --> 00:29:02,408 She seems okay to me. 596 00:29:02,491 --> 00:29:04,285 -Yeah? -Yeah. 597 00:29:06,745 --> 00:29:09,123 Ray, would it be accurate 598 00:29:09,206 --> 00:29:11,125 if I were to portray zoo personnel 599 00:29:11,208 --> 00:29:13,669 milking poisonous snakes for their venom? 600 00:29:13,752 --> 00:29:16,172 No, no. That doesn't happen. Well, not in a zoo. 601 00:29:16,255 --> 00:29:18,424 The milking severely weakens the animal. 602 00:29:18,507 --> 00:29:21,635 Oh. But I notice that you have here 603 00:29:21,719 --> 00:29:23,721 -a record of recent milkings. -That's not ours. 604 00:29:23,804 --> 00:29:26,765 The animal regulation people 605 00:29:26,849 --> 00:29:28,476 busted this guy out in Tarzana 606 00:29:28,559 --> 00:29:30,186 for keeping two dozen rattlers 607 00:29:30,269 --> 00:29:31,854 and assorted other venomous snakes. 608 00:29:31,937 --> 00:29:33,856 He was illicitly extracting the venom. 609 00:29:33,939 --> 00:29:36,025 And harboring venomous reptiles 610 00:29:36,108 --> 00:29:38,944 outside of an authorized facility is against the law. 611 00:29:39,028 --> 00:29:40,821 The animal reg people didn't have a place 612 00:29:40,905 --> 00:29:42,907 for the snakes or the venom, so... 613 00:29:42,990 --> 00:29:45,034 -So both of them ended up here, huh? -Yeah. 614 00:29:45,117 --> 00:29:46,660 Hey, Mrs. Fletcher. 615 00:29:46,744 --> 00:29:48,787 -Hello, Ted. -Ted. 616 00:29:48,871 --> 00:29:52,458 Well, this is all very helpful. 617 00:29:52,541 --> 00:29:55,794 Okay. Good. How about some lunch? 618 00:29:55,878 --> 00:29:57,546 Oh, yes, if it's on me. 619 00:29:57,630 --> 00:29:59,298 Okay. [laughs] 620 00:30:23,155 --> 00:30:25,241 [phone rings] 621 00:30:26,992 --> 00:30:28,410 Caceras. 622 00:30:28,494 --> 00:30:30,454 Gabe, I have a quick question. 623 00:30:30,538 --> 00:30:33,791 My favorite kind. Uh, hold on, Jessica. 624 00:30:33,874 --> 00:30:36,335 Nutley, you look like your pet duck 625 00:30:36,418 --> 00:30:37,920 got run over by a lawnmower. 626 00:30:38,003 --> 00:30:40,923 Heh. You better come in and take a look. 627 00:30:41,006 --> 00:30:42,841 Somebody's tossed Atwater's place. 628 00:30:42,925 --> 00:30:44,677 Could've been this they were looking for. 629 00:30:44,760 --> 00:30:46,262 Found it behind a picture frame. 630 00:30:46,345 --> 00:30:47,972 -Any prints? -Only Atwater's. 631 00:30:48,055 --> 00:30:49,974 We found another set on this. 632 00:30:52,309 --> 00:30:54,436 Uh, sorry, Jessica. What was it you were saying? 633 00:30:54,520 --> 00:30:56,855 Gabe, I was wondering if the autopsy verified 634 00:30:56,939 --> 00:30:59,900 that it was black mamba venom that killed Mr. Atwater. 635 00:30:59,984 --> 00:31:02,695 -On the money. -Well, that's very strange, Gabe. 636 00:31:02,778 --> 00:31:04,655 In doing research for my book, 637 00:31:04,738 --> 00:31:06,365 I discovered that the black mamba's habitat 638 00:31:06,448 --> 00:31:08,033 is ordinarily elevated 639 00:31:08,117 --> 00:31:10,911 in trees or in thatched roofs, for example, 640 00:31:10,995 --> 00:31:14,164 and when it does strike human victims, it's usually from above. 641 00:31:14,248 --> 00:31:16,417 -Yeah? So? -Well, as I recall, 642 00:31:16,500 --> 00:31:18,002 there was nothing on the ceiling of that area 643 00:31:18,085 --> 00:31:19,712 where Mr. Atwater was killed. 644 00:31:19,795 --> 00:31:22,464 That a snake could hang from. So... 645 00:31:22,548 --> 00:31:25,551 how was he bitten on the neck? 646 00:31:25,634 --> 00:31:27,595 That's terrific, Jessica. 647 00:31:27,678 --> 00:31:29,513 Between that and some other new evidence, 648 00:31:29,597 --> 00:31:31,807 I'm logging Atwater's death as a homicide. 649 00:31:31,890 --> 00:31:34,977 With any luck, we'll have a suspect in custody by 5:00. 650 00:31:35,060 --> 00:31:38,606 Kelly, Lieutenant Caceras now believes 651 00:31:38,689 --> 00:31:42,192 that Mark's death wasn't an accident. 652 00:31:43,986 --> 00:31:45,404 [exhales] 653 00:31:46,947 --> 00:31:49,033 There was a moment I could've killed him. 654 00:31:49,116 --> 00:31:51,785 I felt so betrayed. 655 00:31:51,869 --> 00:31:55,831 I realized that I had known all along what he was. 656 00:31:55,914 --> 00:31:58,959 I just feel this compulsive need to be with someone. 657 00:31:59,043 --> 00:32:02,087 Mark told me that you called to have him meet you here 658 00:32:02,171 --> 00:32:04,173 at 8 o'clock last night. 659 00:32:04,256 --> 00:32:06,050 I wanted to tell him what I really felt. 660 00:32:06,133 --> 00:32:10,554 I wanted to end it. I didn't have the courage. 661 00:32:10,638 --> 00:32:13,724 The police are going to ask where you were. 662 00:32:13,807 --> 00:32:15,809 And of course you can count on me, Norman. 663 00:32:15,893 --> 00:32:17,936 All I'm saying is I don't know if I'll be able to control him. 664 00:32:18,020 --> 00:32:19,688 Now that the police are calling it murder, 665 00:32:19,772 --> 00:32:21,649 Joe's like a wild man. 666 00:32:21,732 --> 00:32:24,318 It's as if this is the opportunity he's been waiting for. 667 00:32:24,401 --> 00:32:26,111 Not to mention the fact that you made 668 00:32:26,195 --> 00:32:27,821 a horrible tactical mistake with him. 669 00:32:27,905 --> 00:32:29,448 Mistake? How? 670 00:32:29,531 --> 00:32:31,367 By trying to bribe him. 671 00:32:31,450 --> 00:32:35,454 Bribe? Joyce, what in hell are you talking about? 672 00:32:35,537 --> 00:32:38,332 He recorded your conversation, Norman. I heard it. 673 00:32:38,415 --> 00:32:40,250 Oh, my God. 674 00:32:40,334 --> 00:32:42,086 I'm a dead man. 675 00:32:42,169 --> 00:32:43,921 Not necessarily. 676 00:32:44,004 --> 00:32:45,589 I've been thinking about it. The way I see it, 677 00:32:45,673 --> 00:32:47,216 you have a couple of choices. 678 00:32:47,299 --> 00:32:48,967 For instance, 679 00:32:49,051 --> 00:32:50,761 I might be able to talk Gandolph 680 00:32:50,844 --> 00:32:53,597 into forgetting about the tape if you'd resign... 681 00:32:53,681 --> 00:32:55,641 you know, with a mild mea culpa 682 00:32:55,724 --> 00:32:57,309 about how the animal park just... 683 00:32:57,393 --> 00:32:58,852 kind of got away from you. 684 00:32:58,936 --> 00:33:01,939 Wonderful. Next? 685 00:33:02,022 --> 00:33:07,444 Or...you could just go away. 686 00:33:07,528 --> 00:33:10,197 You've skimmed enough off the top of this operation 687 00:33:10,280 --> 00:33:12,449 to live out your life very comfortably 688 00:33:12,533 --> 00:33:14,702 in some nice third-world country 689 00:33:14,785 --> 00:33:16,954 that doesn't have an extradition treaty with the U.S. 690 00:33:17,037 --> 00:33:19,873 I... I... no, I can't. 691 00:33:19,957 --> 00:33:21,959 Well, don't reject it out of hand, darling. 692 00:33:22,042 --> 00:33:24,837 I mean, you have my word that I'll try my best 693 00:33:24,920 --> 00:33:28,090 to keep them from tearing down your reputation. 694 00:33:28,173 --> 00:33:30,384 Wait. 695 00:33:30,467 --> 00:33:32,845 What do you get out of all this? 696 00:33:32,928 --> 00:33:35,889 -Me? -Yeah. 697 00:33:35,973 --> 00:33:38,892 [scoffs] I thought you understood, Norman. 698 00:33:38,976 --> 00:33:40,477 All I've ever wanted 699 00:33:40,561 --> 00:33:42,479 is what's best for the animal park. 700 00:33:49,695 --> 00:33:51,697 And we keep all of our tranquilizer guns 701 00:33:51,780 --> 00:33:53,907 -right over there. -Oh. 702 00:33:53,991 --> 00:33:57,286 And I suppose it would be possible to load one of them 703 00:33:57,369 --> 00:34:00,080 with snake venom instead of tranquilizer serum? 704 00:34:00,164 --> 00:34:03,292 Yeah. It's possible. I just can't imagine why anybody would. 705 00:34:03,375 --> 00:34:04,960 [chuckles] Oh. 706 00:34:05,043 --> 00:34:06,879 You're talking about Mark Atwater, aren't you? 707 00:34:06,962 --> 00:34:08,630 Well, perhaps. 708 00:34:08,714 --> 00:34:10,466 But a dart fired from a gun 709 00:34:10,549 --> 00:34:12,134 would leave a larger wound. 710 00:34:12,217 --> 00:34:14,136 Unless it was somehow modified, 711 00:34:14,219 --> 00:34:17,097 it wouldn't look anything like a snakebite. 712 00:34:17,181 --> 00:34:20,601 That mamba... wasn't that one of the snakes 713 00:34:20,684 --> 00:34:24,480 that you were boarding for the animal regulation people? 714 00:34:24,563 --> 00:34:26,815 -Mm-hmm. -Wasn't he milked recently? 715 00:34:26,899 --> 00:34:29,193 Yeah. About three days ago, illegally. 716 00:34:29,276 --> 00:34:32,654 It takes about, oh, five or six days for the venom 717 00:34:32,738 --> 00:34:34,698 to get back up to lethal strength. 718 00:34:34,782 --> 00:34:37,826 But you're storing the illegal venom, too, aren't you? 719 00:34:44,333 --> 00:34:46,418 [exhaling] 720 00:34:46,502 --> 00:34:48,420 It's the black mamba venom. 721 00:34:48,504 --> 00:34:50,255 There's about ten milliliters of this missing. 722 00:34:50,339 --> 00:34:52,007 It was checked in full. That means that somebody-- 723 00:34:52,090 --> 00:34:53,634 You better put it down, Ray. 724 00:34:53,717 --> 00:34:55,511 The fewer fingerprints on it, the better, 725 00:34:55,594 --> 00:34:58,055 although I doubt they'll find the killer's prints on it. 726 00:35:01,183 --> 00:35:04,478 Somebody must've been very familiar with park procedures 727 00:35:04,561 --> 00:35:06,230 to have stolen that venom. 728 00:35:06,313 --> 00:35:08,690 Somebody who arranged to meet Mark Atwater 729 00:35:08,774 --> 00:35:10,400 last night in the reptile area. 730 00:35:10,484 --> 00:35:12,152 On the money, Dr. Stinson. 731 00:35:12,236 --> 00:35:14,488 This area will have to be secured, doctor. 732 00:35:14,571 --> 00:35:16,740 Well, we got our suspect, like I said, 733 00:35:16,824 --> 00:35:19,868 and he fulfills all those requisites and then some. 734 00:35:19,952 --> 00:35:22,079 Left his fingerprints all over Atwater's place 735 00:35:22,162 --> 00:35:24,164 looking for something he had to kill for. 736 00:35:24,248 --> 00:35:25,415 Who, Lieutenant? 737 00:35:25,499 --> 00:35:27,084 They arrested Ted, 738 00:35:27,167 --> 00:35:29,461 and he would never kill another living thing. 739 00:35:29,545 --> 00:35:31,421 Oh, Jessica, do you think you could help us? 740 00:35:31,505 --> 00:35:34,091 Well, of course, Bea, but-- Don't waste your time. 741 00:35:34,174 --> 00:35:35,968 We've got Mr. Fraley dead to rights. 742 00:35:36,051 --> 00:35:39,263 Means, opportunity and total hatred for the victim. 743 00:35:48,689 --> 00:35:51,984 Jessica, I did not kill Mark Atwater. 744 00:35:52,067 --> 00:35:54,528 When I heard he was dead, I busted into his place 745 00:35:54,611 --> 00:35:57,573 to find something that would've cost me my job had it gotten out. 746 00:35:57,656 --> 00:35:59,825 The records from the fish and game department. 747 00:35:59,908 --> 00:36:02,494 When I was too young and too dumb to know any better, 748 00:36:02,578 --> 00:36:05,038 I got involved in an illegal operation 749 00:36:05,122 --> 00:36:07,708 bringing in animals from overseas for private sale. 750 00:36:07,791 --> 00:36:10,836 I actually thought I was helping endangered species. 751 00:36:10,919 --> 00:36:13,005 Anyway, I was sentenced to six months, 752 00:36:13,088 --> 00:36:15,090 and I never mentioned it when I applied for my job here. 753 00:36:15,465 --> 00:36:17,426 And Atwater somehow learned about it 754 00:36:17,509 --> 00:36:19,386 and held it over you? 755 00:36:19,469 --> 00:36:20,888 For 1,200 bucks a month. 756 00:36:20,971 --> 00:36:22,264 I could barely make my rent, 757 00:36:22,347 --> 00:36:23,724 let alone have a social life. 758 00:36:23,807 --> 00:36:25,225 And if you admitted it 759 00:36:25,309 --> 00:36:26,727 to the park administration, 760 00:36:26,810 --> 00:36:28,395 Gilford would've fired you. 761 00:36:28,478 --> 00:36:30,522 In a second. With that on my record... 762 00:36:30,606 --> 00:36:33,692 Ted, this morning in Dr. Stinson's lab, 763 00:36:33,775 --> 00:36:35,777 you replaced a vial in the refrigerator-- 764 00:36:35,861 --> 00:36:38,196 And one of the tranquilizer guns, yeah. 765 00:36:38,280 --> 00:36:40,115 Caceras doesn't know that, 766 00:36:40,198 --> 00:36:42,200 but sure as heck you spotted it. 767 00:36:42,284 --> 00:36:44,578 It won't change his mind, but I was covering 768 00:36:44,661 --> 00:36:46,622 for one of the other curators who was on his honeymoon. 769 00:36:46,705 --> 00:36:50,250 I had to sedate one of his hippos who had a TB shot coming. 770 00:36:50,876 --> 00:36:52,836 I believe you, Ted, 771 00:36:52,920 --> 00:36:55,464 and I'm going to do everything I can to help. 772 00:36:55,547 --> 00:36:57,424 Whoever set up Atwater 773 00:36:57,507 --> 00:37:00,969 had to have removed the glass from the enclosure. 774 00:37:01,053 --> 00:37:03,680 And knew a lot about dangerous reptiles. 775 00:37:03,764 --> 00:37:04,848 That sinks me. 776 00:37:05,223 --> 00:37:07,392 Sorry. Time's up. 777 00:37:08,852 --> 00:37:10,687 Listen, Jessica... 778 00:37:10,771 --> 00:37:13,148 tell Bea she's got that rain check after all, will you? 779 00:37:13,231 --> 00:37:16,193 I promise. Keep the faith, Ted. 780 00:37:17,444 --> 00:37:19,488 [clears throat] 781 00:37:19,571 --> 00:37:22,240 Well, good guys don't always win, you know. 782 00:37:22,532 --> 00:37:25,327 -What's the matter? -Oh, spider bite. 783 00:37:25,410 --> 00:37:27,287 It's that time of year. 784 00:37:27,579 --> 00:37:30,332 Ha! Somebody's gonna be out 35 smackers 785 00:37:30,582 --> 00:37:33,001 plus a tow charge if he's not out of here. 786 00:37:34,252 --> 00:37:36,505 Gabe, do us both a favor. 787 00:37:36,588 --> 00:37:37,965 Shoot. 788 00:37:38,048 --> 00:37:39,591 There's a tract of undeveloped land 789 00:37:39,675 --> 00:37:41,343 North of the animal park. 790 00:37:41,426 --> 00:37:44,721 On the city map, it's described as parcel 154. 791 00:37:44,805 --> 00:37:46,139 Could you find out who owns it? 792 00:37:46,223 --> 00:37:48,433 Lot 154? Sure, Jess-- 793 00:37:55,440 --> 00:37:57,526 [phone rings] 794 00:37:59,861 --> 00:38:01,363 Jessica Fletcher. 795 00:38:01,446 --> 00:38:03,365 [Caceras] According to the hall of records, 796 00:38:03,448 --> 00:38:09,204 parcel 154 is 172 acres adjacent to the animal park. 797 00:38:09,287 --> 00:38:10,998 Now, that's primo. 798 00:38:11,081 --> 00:38:13,458 With 180s of the ocean, the city... mmm! 799 00:38:13,542 --> 00:38:15,210 Wouldn't mind having a piece of that myself. 800 00:38:15,293 --> 00:38:17,295 Gabe, do you have that slip of paper 801 00:38:17,379 --> 00:38:19,589 that your people found on Atwater? 802 00:38:19,673 --> 00:38:22,050 Oh, yeah. Sure, Jessica, I got it right here. 803 00:38:22,134 --> 00:38:25,012 As I recall, there's a top and a bottom, 804 00:38:25,095 --> 00:38:27,014 and the top is shaped like a fire hydrant? 805 00:38:27,097 --> 00:38:28,515 Yeah, come to think of it. 806 00:38:28,598 --> 00:38:30,350 With the initials "C.H." 807 00:38:30,434 --> 00:38:31,893 and isn't there a line going through the bottom half 808 00:38:31,977 --> 00:38:33,145 to the top half? 809 00:38:33,228 --> 00:38:34,896 Right. 810 00:38:34,980 --> 00:38:36,648 Suppose that's a sketch of the animal park 811 00:38:36,732 --> 00:38:38,191 and parcel 154. 812 00:38:38,275 --> 00:38:40,652 Who owns the top half, Gabe? 813 00:38:40,736 --> 00:38:42,988 An outfit called the C.H. foundation. 814 00:38:43,071 --> 00:38:45,157 It's a trust set up in 1982. 815 00:38:45,240 --> 00:38:47,951 But we haven't been able to learn anything more about them so far. 816 00:38:48,035 --> 00:38:51,913 Gabe, I'll check with you later. 817 00:38:51,997 --> 00:38:55,250 Jessica, I hadn't expected to find you here this late. 818 00:38:55,333 --> 00:38:58,628 Oh, I kind of got hung up on an idea. 819 00:38:58,712 --> 00:39:01,214 Actually, I'm here looking for, um, Kelly. 820 00:39:01,298 --> 00:39:02,716 There's no answer at her number. 821 00:39:02,799 --> 00:39:04,384 Oh, sorry, I can't help you there. 822 00:39:05,886 --> 00:39:08,388 You, um... you seem worried. 823 00:39:08,472 --> 00:39:12,309 Oh, just wondering what it's all about. 824 00:39:12,392 --> 00:39:15,979 As a matter of fact, you've given me an idea. 825 00:39:16,063 --> 00:39:19,524 What my protagonist, Clair Forrester, needs is a boyfriend. 826 00:39:19,608 --> 00:39:22,027 Someone who'll take her mind off all those animals 827 00:39:22,110 --> 00:39:23,570 once in a while. 828 00:39:23,653 --> 00:39:26,490 Oh. Glad I could help. 829 00:39:26,573 --> 00:39:28,366 Good night, Jessica. 830 00:39:28,450 --> 00:39:30,327 Good night. 831 00:39:36,500 --> 00:39:40,295 Access. That's what it's about. 832 00:39:52,766 --> 00:39:54,726 Mrs. Fletcher. 833 00:39:54,810 --> 00:39:56,812 Bea, just the person I wanted to see. 834 00:39:56,895 --> 00:39:58,313 Oh, about what? 835 00:39:58,396 --> 00:40:00,357 You asked me if I could help Ted. 836 00:40:00,440 --> 00:40:02,484 Now you have a chance to help him. 837 00:40:02,567 --> 00:40:04,945 It'll require your honesty, 838 00:40:05,028 --> 00:40:07,864 starting with admitting you're the mysterious unseen woman 839 00:40:07,948 --> 00:40:09,533 who kept anonymous rendezvous 840 00:40:09,616 --> 00:40:11,284 with that reporter, Jimmy Russell. 841 00:40:11,368 --> 00:40:13,036 How did you know? 842 00:40:13,120 --> 00:40:14,955 Oh, she had to be someone 843 00:40:15,038 --> 00:40:17,040 who's wired into the who, what and where 844 00:40:17,124 --> 00:40:18,708 of the animal park 845 00:40:18,792 --> 00:40:21,128 and details of Norman Gilford's moves 846 00:40:21,211 --> 00:40:23,213 and his finances. 847 00:40:23,296 --> 00:40:25,298 I just... 848 00:40:25,382 --> 00:40:28,051 I saw what was happening, you know, his cheating, 849 00:40:28,135 --> 00:40:30,470 the whole place was deteriorating. 850 00:40:30,554 --> 00:40:32,389 And you were afraid that if you went public with it, 851 00:40:32,472 --> 00:40:34,015 you'd be the loser. 852 00:40:34,099 --> 00:40:36,184 Well, I saw it happen to other people. 853 00:40:36,268 --> 00:40:38,562 They'd get fired, and Mr. Gilford would see to it 854 00:40:38,645 --> 00:40:40,188 that they looked like the crook. 855 00:40:40,272 --> 00:40:42,065 So you started feeding information 856 00:40:42,149 --> 00:40:44,860 to Mr. Russell and to one other person. 857 00:40:44,943 --> 00:40:48,697 Bea, I want you to make a phone call 858 00:40:48,780 --> 00:40:51,074 to a number you must already know. 859 00:41:03,962 --> 00:41:05,714 [snarling] 860 00:41:08,967 --> 00:41:10,677 Thanks for coming. 861 00:41:10,760 --> 00:41:13,263 What did you expect? 862 00:41:15,015 --> 00:41:17,809 Look, I have to know. 863 00:41:17,893 --> 00:41:19,686 Did you tell anyone else about, uh... 864 00:41:19,769 --> 00:41:21,771 you know, about this? 865 00:41:21,855 --> 00:41:24,024 Of course not. 866 00:41:24,107 --> 00:41:25,942 And you don't want money? 867 00:41:26,026 --> 00:41:27,903 I told you when I first started 868 00:41:27,986 --> 00:41:29,738 giving you information about Mr. Gilford, 869 00:41:29,821 --> 00:41:32,449 I only want the park to survive. 870 00:41:32,532 --> 00:41:35,744 Mrs. Hacker, I saw you kill Mark Atwater, 871 00:41:35,827 --> 00:41:37,746 and I will tell the police 872 00:41:37,829 --> 00:41:40,707 unless you forget about this real estate thing. 873 00:41:40,790 --> 00:41:42,667 I just can't believe you're this stupid, 874 00:41:42,751 --> 00:41:45,462 but I guess you are, so... 875 00:41:45,545 --> 00:41:48,632 come on. We're gonna take a little walk up into the Hills. 876 00:41:49,966 --> 00:41:51,551 Put the gun down, Mrs. Hacker. 877 00:41:53,094 --> 00:41:54,429 You're under arrest 878 00:41:54,512 --> 00:41:56,431 for the murder of Mark Atwater. 879 00:41:56,514 --> 00:41:58,225 Wait a minute. I didn't kill anyone. 880 00:41:58,308 --> 00:42:00,310 She threatened me over the phone-- 881 00:42:00,393 --> 00:42:02,354 what Bea wants is simple justice, Joyce, 882 00:42:02,437 --> 00:42:04,439 and freedom for Ted Fraley. 883 00:42:04,522 --> 00:42:06,483 Thanks, Miss Huffington. That took real courage. 884 00:42:06,566 --> 00:42:08,485 Heh. This must have sprung 885 00:42:08,568 --> 00:42:10,820 from your overactive imagination, Jessica. 886 00:42:10,904 --> 00:42:13,698 Why on earth would I have killed Mark Atwater? 887 00:42:13,782 --> 00:42:15,200 Access, Joyce. 888 00:42:15,283 --> 00:42:17,118 Access through the animal park 889 00:42:17,202 --> 00:42:20,956 to that 172 acres adjacent to the park 890 00:42:21,039 --> 00:42:22,832 owned by CandH Trust. 891 00:42:22,916 --> 00:42:24,542 [Caceras] Left to you by your late husband. 892 00:42:24,626 --> 00:42:26,378 I just tracked the new trustees. 893 00:42:26,461 --> 00:42:28,797 You and City Councilman Joe Gandolph. 894 00:42:28,880 --> 00:42:30,840 Oh, please. Do you people honestly think 895 00:42:30,924 --> 00:42:32,801 you can fantasize a connection between that 896 00:42:32,884 --> 00:42:35,136 and the death of Mark Atwater? 897 00:42:35,220 --> 00:42:37,889 I mean, we'd been lovers, for God's sake. 898 00:42:37,973 --> 00:42:39,391 I cared about him. 899 00:42:39,474 --> 00:42:41,142 But you cared a great deal more 900 00:42:41,226 --> 00:42:43,228 about the bonanza you'd realize 901 00:42:43,311 --> 00:42:45,313 if that useless tract of yours became accessible. 902 00:42:45,397 --> 00:42:47,107 The only way that would ever happen 903 00:42:47,190 --> 00:42:49,859 was if the park was closed down permanently 904 00:42:49,943 --> 00:42:52,362 so that you could build a road through it. 905 00:42:52,445 --> 00:42:54,281 Friends of the park was a charade 906 00:42:54,364 --> 00:42:56,658 to mask your real intentions. 907 00:42:56,741 --> 00:42:58,368 Atwater figured out the little scheme 908 00:42:58,451 --> 00:43:00,370 you and Gandolph concocted to make it all happen. 909 00:43:00,453 --> 00:43:02,080 He even drew a picture of it. 910 00:43:02,163 --> 00:43:05,500 My guess is Atwater tried to blackmail you. 911 00:43:05,583 --> 00:43:08,003 You killed him, using your familiarity with animals 912 00:43:08,086 --> 00:43:10,755 and your background as a nurse. 913 00:43:10,839 --> 00:43:14,592 Cornelius was a surgeon and big-game hunter, Mrs. Fletcher. 914 00:43:14,676 --> 00:43:17,137 I was his chief nurse, until he mercifully took me away 915 00:43:17,220 --> 00:43:19,848 from all the syringes and bedpans. 916 00:43:19,931 --> 00:43:22,392 You can't prove any of this. 917 00:43:22,475 --> 00:43:25,228 I think that we can. Though he was unaware, 918 00:43:25,312 --> 00:43:27,647 Lieutenant Caceras reminded me earlier today 919 00:43:27,731 --> 00:43:30,150 that your own words betrayed you. 920 00:43:30,233 --> 00:43:31,776 At the park this morning, 921 00:43:31,860 --> 00:43:33,820 you referred to the way Mr. Atwater died. 922 00:43:33,903 --> 00:43:36,072 A nocturnal death by snakebite, 923 00:43:36,156 --> 00:43:38,825 a mysterious unseen woman. 924 00:43:38,908 --> 00:43:42,203 This evening, I realized you had no way of knowing 925 00:43:42,287 --> 00:43:45,540 about either of those circumstances in Mr. Atwater's death 926 00:43:45,623 --> 00:43:47,292 or the location of his wound, 927 00:43:47,375 --> 00:43:49,085 unless you'd been there. 928 00:43:49,169 --> 00:43:50,879 You had access to every part 929 00:43:50,962 --> 00:43:52,630 of the animal park, Mrs. Hacker. 930 00:43:56,509 --> 00:43:58,386 The other night in my study, 931 00:43:58,470 --> 00:44:00,722 Mark told me he knew about the real estate. 932 00:44:00,805 --> 00:44:02,432 I've been doing some research, 933 00:44:02,515 --> 00:44:04,601 and guess what I turned up? 934 00:44:04,684 --> 00:44:06,644 You got an inheritance from your husband 935 00:44:06,728 --> 00:44:09,230 that turned out to be a whole lot less than meets the eye, 936 00:44:09,314 --> 00:44:10,982 so far. 937 00:44:11,066 --> 00:44:12,692 [chuckles] 938 00:44:12,776 --> 00:44:14,277 What do you want, Mark? 939 00:44:14,361 --> 00:44:16,571 It isn't a matter of want, darling. 940 00:44:16,654 --> 00:44:19,324 We're partners, you, Joe Gandolph and I. 941 00:44:20,992 --> 00:44:24,829 It's that, or I blow it wide open. 942 00:44:24,913 --> 00:44:27,123 He had to die. 943 00:44:27,207 --> 00:44:30,168 I called him to meet me at the reptile area at 9 o'clock. 944 00:44:30,251 --> 00:44:32,587 Since I had a master key, 945 00:44:32,670 --> 00:44:35,298 I got here early and let myself into the lab. 946 00:44:35,382 --> 00:44:38,134 I knew that the park was keeping snake venom in the refrigerator 947 00:44:38,218 --> 00:44:40,762 for the animal regulation people. 948 00:44:40,845 --> 00:44:42,597 I unlocked the refrigerator 949 00:44:42,680 --> 00:44:44,933 and located the vial of mamba venom. 950 00:44:45,016 --> 00:44:46,810 I grabbed the syringe from the table 951 00:44:46,893 --> 00:44:50,105 and drew off enough of the venom to kill him. 952 00:44:50,188 --> 00:44:52,107 I always knew my training as a nurse 953 00:44:52,190 --> 00:44:54,275 would come in handy again someday. 954 00:45:00,532 --> 00:45:02,575 Joyce? 955 00:45:02,659 --> 00:45:04,619 [gasping] 956 00:45:12,669 --> 00:45:14,629 [Joyce grunting] 957 00:45:24,514 --> 00:45:27,392 I knew my way around animals... 958 00:45:27,475 --> 00:45:30,478 except for the human kind. 959 00:45:30,562 --> 00:45:33,606 I guess I should've taken some lessons from you, Jessica. 960 00:45:36,901 --> 00:45:38,445 Let's go, ma'am. 961 00:45:38,528 --> 00:45:41,656 Well, Jessica, sure hope next time we meet, 962 00:45:41,739 --> 00:45:43,992 it isn't over somebody's corpse. 963 00:45:44,075 --> 00:45:46,828 But I'm not betting my house on it. 964 00:45:46,911 --> 00:45:49,497 [Bea] Jessica, it's hard to know where to begin. 965 00:45:49,581 --> 00:45:52,000 Dr. Stinson accepted the director's job. 966 00:45:52,083 --> 00:45:55,253 Oh, and Councilman Gandolph finally resigned. 967 00:45:55,336 --> 00:45:57,881 And even better, I just heard on the radio 968 00:45:57,964 --> 00:46:01,217 that Norman Gilford was arrested boarding a plane for Mexico City. 969 00:46:01,301 --> 00:46:02,927 Well, I'm glad to hear that. 970 00:46:03,011 --> 00:46:04,971 Listen, I better pick up my stuff from the office 971 00:46:05,054 --> 00:46:06,681 if I'm going to catch my plane. 972 00:46:06,764 --> 00:46:08,808 -Why don't you let us give you a ride? -Thanks. 973 00:46:08,892 --> 00:46:10,977 I think I can handle this. 974 00:46:14,230 --> 00:46:16,065 Wow, this has got a lot of zip! Oh! 975 00:46:16,149 --> 00:46:18,401 -[man] Careful! -[Jessica] I think I've got it now. 976 00:46:20,195 --> 00:46:21,362 [laughs]