Original subtitles

What kind of car you got? Oh, good one.

I'm pretty happy with it. The plan is to open one every six months all across

the country.

Yeah, how you doing?

That's supposed to be a picture of you, Mike.

Billy had bigger shoulders then.

And my own knee.

Well, it sounds like a gold mine.

We could use one.

Who couldn't?

I gotta play host, Ken. I'll see you later.

Why? I heard Mike's partner is Johnny Sereno.

Don't worry. It's strictly a legitimate deal.

You say so, Joanna.

Is he here?

Johnny?

Right over there.

Working the room.

But then I can't hammer a nail in straight either, and I own a couple of

construction outfits.

Look, excuse me. I'll be back in a minute.

Great party, huh?

Yeah, thanks, Johnny. Wonderful.

Frank!

What's the matter, pal? I haven't heard you congratulate me.

I'm supposed to congratulate you?

You make a ten -minute pitch to the corners and it takes me six weeks to

the papers. Come on, piece of cake.

You never asked for a single change.

Now all we need is a country full of health nuts.

We had that for starters. Anyway, congratulations, Johnny. It's another

Yeah. Talk to you later.

Give me another, and we'll be ice this time again.

Don't you think you've had enough?

Jiminy Cricket.

I mean it.

Since we got here, you've been glued to that stool.

How would you know?

It is three o 'clock in the afternoon for God's sake. You're making a fool out

of yourself.

You mean I'm making a fool out of you.

Okay. You just drink yourself to death if that's what you want to do.

You'd like that, wouldn't you? Yeah, maybe I would.

I'm not going to make it that easy for you, Johnny.

I'm going to put you through seven kinds of hell first.

and try.

And it'll be the last thing you ever do.

Wanted to see me.

Come on.

You got something to say, say it.

You screwed me over, Johnny.

I don't like it.

What are you talking about?

It's called a connection deal.

Give me a piece of that.

Oh, hey, I owe you nothing.

Who the hell do you think you are trying to cut yourself in on my operations?

Don't treat me like some punk, Johnny.

I could make a lot of trouble for you.

Just telling you how it is. I asked, was that a threat?

Johnny. Was it?

Because you know how I react to threats.

Just like the old days.

Like this.

You'll pay for that, Johnny.

I mean it.

To tell you the truth, I'm still nervous about this whole thing.

We've been over it and over it. I know, but... Look, Joe.

We were washed up in more ways than one.

On the verge of bankruptcy. Now we're on our way back.

Just remember that. We're on our way back.

a lot more dangerous than Nancy said you were.

Oh, yeah?

Nancy who?

Nancy Gellis.

Oh.

Oh, Nancy.

She hasn't forgotten you either.

Have we met before?

No, no.

I would have remembered.

You bet you would have.

Listen.

Have you seen the house?

I mean, all of them.

Like the upstairs?

We've got some very interesting stuff up there.

More interesting than what I'm looking at now.

Maybe not.

Lead the way.

Ray, you can't keep doing this to yourself.

Let me go.

Maria, just think about it. I said let me go.

Maria. Maria.

Maria.

I

will

see you in court.

You don't understand what that was all about. I have understood what sex was

since I was ten years old.

No, Jack, I appreciate your thinking of me.

And three months in Florida is very tempting.

Yes, Dylan.

Mr. Halloran's here.

Oh, bring him in.

No, no, Jack, I'm sorry.

But it would be impossible for me right now.

Let me know how the case and the fishing comes out. Right.

Goodbye, Jack.

Well, Frank.

I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.

Just long enough so Della and I could catch up on things.

Great to see you again, Perry. Good to see you, too.

The Blar Association seminar three years ago, right?

It's awful, isn't it? We live in the same city and we have to go to San

Francisco to see each other.

I'll be working on the Parker brief.

Della, why don't you stay?

I may just need some support here.

Sit down, both of you.

What's this all about, Frank?

Remember when I called, I told you that I wanted to present something to you

face -to -face?

I remember.

Perry. Oh, excuse me. No, no, come in. Frank, this is... Yeah, we met. We met

the party, you remember?

Oh, yeah, we have.

Ken Malansky.

Frank, this business or personal?

It's business.

Sit down, Ken.

Perry.

Do you know the name Johnny Sorrento?

Who doesn't? Especially since his wife's murder three days ago.

This morning they arrested Johnny for the murder.

What's that got to do with you?

I'm Johnny's corporate attorney.

But Sorrento is a gangster.

You must have a rap sheet that could paper this office.

Now look.

I'll be the first to admit that Johnny Sorrento came out of the rackets. He'll

tell you that himself.

But he's been straight for the last ten years, maybe longer.

Believe me, Perry, when he came to me, I was just as skeptical as you. And I had

him thoroughly, and I mean thoroughly, investigated.

He was clean as a whistle.

How does he make a living?

He's a promoter, he's an entrepreneur, into a dozen different enterprises.

Shopping centers, construction companies, new chain of fitness centers,

movie company.

But everything is strictly legitimate.

I know. I negotiated most of the deals myself.

And you want me to represent him on this murder charge?

Well, Perry, I'm no criminal attorney.

He's out on bail, and he wants you.

Oh, Frank, I don't think so.

Any way that I can convince you just to meet him as a personal favor?

I will think about that.

But that's all I can promise.

Can't ask for more.

I'll call you tomorrow.

Thanks, Perry.

Philip, Ken.

Thanks. I can find my way out.

Bye, Frank.

Bye -bye.

Well, what do you think?

Remember the speech you made at that same Bar Association seminar?

What about it?

You said in this country, every person is entitled under the law to a legal

defense.

Even the lowliest and the most despised.

You went on to say the more serious the crime, the more important the defense.

And you said something about it being the attorney's job to defend any

And how it was only the jury or the judge who should determine guilt.

In other words...

You think I should take the case?

I don't think you're going to reject it out of hand.

What do you think?

I think you should reject it out of hand.

Johnny Sorrento changed his stripes?

Somebody's really putting you on.

Now, down at the shop, we can't believe you're even talking to him.

Your men found the murder weapon?

Yeah, under some brush on the side of the hill about 60 yards above where the

car went over.

And... We also found the butt of a cigarillo there, and the laboratory has

already identified it as exactly the kind Johnny Sorrento smokes.

You see, he has them made up special, smuggles them in from Cuba.

He's quite a piece of work.

And the rifle was registered to Sorrento. That's right.

Any prints?

Only his.

But Johnny left the party after his wife. I saw him.

Yeah, immediately afterwards, which means he obviously had some preplanned

vantage point behind and above her.

By the way...

You know, we do have a witness who saw and heard Sorrento threaten his wife's

life not 20 minutes before she was killed.

You have a motive?

The best, filing for divorce.

And it would have cost him millions in a settlement.

Hood like Sorrento wouldn't like that.

I was just told that he's been clean and out of the rackets for 10 years.

Mr. Mason, you could take a man out of the mob, but you cannot take the mob out

of the man.

At downtown, we got ten to one odds you're gonna walk away from this one.

And if he's innocent?

Johnny Sorrento never drew an innocent breath in his life.

Even if he didn't kill his wife, and I say he did, he's still got a lifetime of

other doozios.

Sergeant Baranski, you'd better let your mind go back over what you just said.

Mr. Malanski?

But you were in the rackets.

Loan sharking, running, making collections, the whole works.

Yeah.

Yeah, sure.

But you gotta understand something.

I grew up on the streets of Jersey City.

And it was like going to school. Everybody was into it.

My old man, his old man, too. They were both into it since they were kids.

I mean, it was all I knew.

What about enforcement?

Now, that wasn't my department. I mean, I guess I had to make some threats once

in a while, but I didn't go around breaking knees or anything, if that's

you mean.

The family business.

How can you prove you're not part of it still?

Yes, you just have to take my word for it.

Maybe Frank's.

Perry knows what I think, Johnny.

I've told him you're absolutely clean.

Yeah, the family business.

And to tell you the truth, my old man didn't want me anywhere near it.

He actually put away money for me to go to college.

But I was a smart -ass kid. I thought I knew everything already.

Anyhow, I put in 16 years.

Then I got out.

I had to.

Why?

Oh, a lot of reasons.

I guess I saw too many of my old buddies wind up dead or in the slammer.

Then I got married. I had a kid.

I guess I turned into my old man. I mean, I didn't want my son mixed up in

that either.

So I got out.

And believe me, Mr. Mason, I'd never go back. Perry, he's telling the truth.

It's okay, Frank.

I'm not sure I'd believe me either.

But, Mr. Mason, it does happen to be true.

You were found by the Calders at the edge of the cliff. Then the police found

all of you there.

Then your rifle was found.

And I hadn't touched the thing in months.

I do a little hunting sometimes.

Why did you keep the gun? In the back of some closet. I can't even remember.

Somebody could have taken it without your knowledge?

Anybody could have taken it. People are in and out of here all day long.

They found only your prints on the gun.

And whoever stole it must have worn gloves.

And a cigarillo they found?

I laid them all over the place just like this.

You think somebody's trying to frame you?

Of course.

And that's what's driving me nuts.

Look, as long as the cops are looking at me, they're not looking anyplace else.

And I want whoever did it nailed.

And nailed good.

Who would have wanted your wife dead?

Look, there are a lot of guys out there that would love to see me ice, some from

the old days, some from now.

But nobody could have had it in for her.

The way I figure it, somebody was either trying to get back at me or they were

more like it.

They thought I was driving the damn car.

But... It was daylight.

Yeah, all the shooter was what? He was 60, 70 yards away and the car had tinted

windows?

The police think you killed your wife because she was going to file for

Mr. Mason, I wasn't the easiest guy to live with.

But I loved her.

We had some bad times.

I caught her with another guy.

She swore to me that she had never slept with him and I...

I could never prove that she had.

So we just went on.

But it was never the same.

She started drinking.

I started whoring around.

And yet somehow we got through all that.

And yeah, yeah, she talked about divorce.

But she never went through with it, and she never would have.

I mean, she still loved me, even after 23 years.

And I still loved her.

So, bottom line,

are you going to take my case or not?

I'll let you know.

All right.

Frank, I'll let you know.

Hello? Yeah, Della. Hold on a second.

Yes, Della.

Barry, I'd like you to hear this right away.

Johnny and Maria Sorrento have a 21 -year -old son, Jeff.

And he tried to kill his father two years ago with a .38 revolver.

Why are you asking me all this stuff anyway?

What do you think, maybe I had something to do with my mother's murder?

Not at all. I was just... You're the only person in this world who ever gave

damn about me.

I think your father gives a damn.

Yeah. You know, there's a theory that whoever shot at the car thought your

father was driving it.

I wish he had been.

You hate him that much?

My old man quit picking me up and holding me when I was five.

Ever since then, he's never been there, not for me or her.

Now, why wouldn't I hate him?

That's why you tried to kill him two years ago.

Hey, look, I didn't try and kill him.

I was messed up on drugs.

He was threatening to put me away someplace.

down to his office to maybe scare him out of it. He grabbed for the gun. It

off. It was an accident. That's all.

You're clean now.

Yeah.

Yeah, my mom got me into a recovery program.

I've been off the stuff for almost a year now.

Like I said, she's the only one who ever cared.

No, I think your father cares.

When was the last time you saw him?

I saw him at the funeral yesterday.

I didn't talk to him.

For that, uh, nothing's that gun business.

He kicked me out of the house.

Where were you when your mother was killed?

Uh, Saturday. I was home watching a game on TV.

If only I'd been with her, maybe she'd still be alive.

If only you'd been with your father, you'd know he didn't kill her.

We'll call Frank Howard.

Well, Johnny Sereno is a hood. I just don't think he's the type of client we

should have in this office.

Who should we represent?

Just college professors?

Presidential candidates?

Nobel Prize winners?

Why doesn't he get one of these hot shots and make a living defending wise

You are a friend of Mike Calder, right?

More or less.

Do you like him?

Yes and no.

More or less. Yes and no.

Well, we were in the same dorm at college, so we should be friends.

But I don't know. He was always so perfect.

All -American running back, great looks, prom queens hanging on each arm, all

that stuff.

I don't know if I just don't like him or if... I've always been jealous.

Why did you go to his party?

Same reason I go to any party.

To meet women. Why?

Well, if he's part of this case, he'd probably rather I talk to him.

That's okay.

Perry, more background information.

Three years ago, Johnny was arrested in Vail.

He was suspected of murdering a drug dealer called Ray Dominick.

I thought Frank Halloran told us Johnny had been straight for the last ten

years. Well, he was released when another man, Dave Barrett, confessed the

crime. What happened to this Barrett?

He was convicted of manslaughter.

Got five years, served three.

Sergeant Baranski told me Barrett was released a month ago, but almost

rearrested. What for?

Barrett tried to attack Johnny at a restaurant, a Knicks place.

But Johnny wouldn't sign the complaint.

I'll try to contact this Barrett.

Baranski's office must know where to find him.

And track down that girl at the party. I want to go upstairs with Johnny. I

think her name is Karen Thatcher. Karen Thatcher.

Where are you going?

I'm going to see your friend Mike Calder.

And then I'm going to have lunch at Nick's place.

Calder, I must say, you do have a beautiful home here.

Thanks. And with your help, maybe I can keep it.

My help?

Yeah. Getting Johnny acquitted.

You know the Calder connection, fitness centers?

Problem is, it'll never get off the ground without Johnny's backing.

You couldn't swing it yourself?

Mr. Mason, I'm just about broke.

You see, we bought this place when I was making big bucks in the pros.

Then I tore up my knee.

The money stopped.

There must have been other opportunities.

To tell you the truth, the only trade I ever learned was how to take a handoff

and run like hell.

I suppose I could get a job coaching at some backwater college, but that

wouldn't be fair to Joanna.

Mr. Mason, all we've done the past few years is go through our capital.

So when Johnny came to me with this fitness center deal, I jumped at it.

All I had to do was lend my name and make a few TV commercials, and I was in

40%. Did you know Johnny's background?

Sure. But we gave him the benefit of the doubt.

40 % is 40%. Mrs. Calder, do you have a copy of the guest list

for the party?

Sure, I'll get one to you.

Thank you.

By the way, did you notice anyone other than, uh...

Nick Angel leave the party before Mrs. Sorrento. I didn't notice anyone.

I didn't either, but there was a big crowd.

Your partnership agreement with Mr. Sorrento, does it provide for mutual

insurance policies?

To tell you the truth, I never read the whole thing.

I guess I should have, huh?

I would have, but then I'm a lawyer.

Mr. Mason.

You can get him off we've got a lot at stake So there's Johnny

Yeah. Dave Barrett live here?

Who wants to know?

My name's Ken Molanski. I work for the attorney who's representing Johnny

Sereno. Can I talk to you for a minute?

Yeah, well, my husband's not here right now, so, uh... I guess not. That's okay.

I think you can tell me what I want to know.

You feel alone?

Two and a half, three years.

Your husband, he was just released from prison.

Yeah.

And right now he's out looking for a job. Must be tough out there for an ex

-con.

Look.

Look, why don't you come back later and ask him, okay?

So what do you think?

Ronk's gonna trade Winder?

What?

Still warm.

And no lipstick.

My name's Molanski.

I'm sorry, honey. I tried to stop him.

I hear you say you're Johnny Serrano's lawyer.

I work with Perry Mason. He's representing Mr. Serrano. Look, I

to the cops.

Why the cops?

Because like you probably know, I took a swing at Serrano a couple of weeks ago.

Have anything to do with the Ray Dominick murder?

Not murder.

Manslaughter.

But yeah, that was part of it.

You mind talking about it? It ain't no secret.

I used to work for Johnny. I drove for him back east and then out here.

But I had a little thing going on the side.

Dealing drugs?

Yeah.

Anyhow, Dominic was holding out on me. So I went to see him one night, he

the knife and I shot him.

Why'd you pick up Johnny?

I used his car to go see Dominic and somebody made the plate as I was driving

away. Now, how'd they nail you?

I was dumb.

I didn't get rid of the gun and they found it with my prints, so I had to cop

plea. And they let Johnny go.

He had an hour by anyway. That still doesn't explain why you took a swing at

that night.

Look, I did three years hard time for the Dominic thing, and I figured

give me a job when I got out.

So I went to see him, told him I really needed the dough and didn't care what

kind of work it was.

Well, he said he was strictly legit, and he couldn't afford to have an ex -con

on his payroll. I couldn't believe it.

Anyway, when I saw him a couple of nights later at Nick's, I sort of lost

went for him.

Look, Mr. Barrett, the reason I'm here is because we're trying to find out who

actually killed Maria Sereno.

And you came to me?

Huh?

Why the hell would I kill her?

I think you better get out of here, mister.

Yeah, sure.

But first, would you mind telling me where you were at the time of Maria

Sereno's murder?

Yeah, we were here.

Together. The whole day.

Oh, I can't tell you how lucky you are to have an alibi from such an impartial

witness.

Thanks for your time.

I'm looking for Nick Angel.

I'm not sure he's here.

My name's Mason. I'm an attorney.

And some guy named Mason wants to see Nick.

Okay?

Okay, we'll talk

later.

You're Mason.

That's right.

I heard about you.

I'm Nick Angel.

That's my wife, Connie.

How do you do?

Pleased to meet you.

I heard you're representing Johnny.

He and I grew up in the same neighborhood in Jersey.

Did you come out here with him?

No, I came out here first and worked around and finally opened this place

two, three years ago.

Then you weren't part of Johnny's organization in the East.

No, no, we traveled in different circles.

No offense, Mr. Angel, but your circle must have played a little rough.

Yeah? Yeah.

You've served time for armed robbery and assault. You were charged at various

times with extortion, arson, even attempted murder.

What do you want, Mason?

Well, I believe Johnny's innocent.

I believe somebody else killed Maria.

You want to pin it on me?

You're nuts.

You and Johnny had a fight at the Calder party.

What was it about?

Ask him.

I did.

I want to hear your side of it.

Yeah, that's fair.

Johnny owed me some points on that fitness center deal.

See, I introduced Mike Calder to Johnny in the first place.

so there wouldn't be any call to connection if it weren't for me.

Anyhow, when I tried to talk to him about it at the party, he blew up. He

slugged me.

And you were heard to tell Johnny that he'd pay for that.

Come on, it's something you say when you're mad, that's all.

You made a threat, and 15 minutes later, Johnny's car was fired on.

Having left the party early, you wouldn't have known he wasn't driving.

I'd like to see you make that charge in public, Mason.

Sue your tail off.

You know, I heard about Maria finding Johnny at the party with some dame.

It's typical.

Give Johnny a ladder, he'd hit on a giraffe.

I'll tell you.

I'm still surprised, though.

Why?

Well, I thought he had this thing going with Joanna Calder.

But I guess you knew about that.

Of course.

Doesn't everybody?

Well, I suppose there are too many people who know for me to deny it.

So, I had an affair with Johnny.

If you want to call it that.

What would you call it?

A mistake.

It went on for a couple of months and then it ended.

Your ending or his?

His.

Johnny has a low threshold of boredom.

When Mike found out, things got pretty ugly for a while.

But... Not ugly enough to call off the partnership.

Mason, if you make any of that public, I'll sue you for slander and Joanna will

deny everything.

One reason Maria was divorcing Johnny was because she found out about his

with your wife.

I think you got that wrong.

And you, Mr. Calder, were you just going to overlook it?

Joanna and I were going through a bad period then, Mason.

We've worked it out now.

Johnny's forgiven?

It wasn't anyone's fault, really.

That's an interesting attitude.

I looked at your partnership, at the papers.

If anything happens to Johnny, you will have a lot of money coming

to you.

A lot of money.

Ken, stay on Dave Barrett.

By the way, did you get in touch with... The girl at the party, Karen Thatcher?

I called her apartment.

But her roommate said she's out of town for a few days.

How'd you know she had a roommate? I don't know, just figures.

Well, she should be back soon, maybe by tomorrow.

Well, Della, that leaves the guest list.

Frank and I went over it twice.

Everybody except Johnny's bodyguard seemed to be friends of the Calders.

right. By the way, Perry, Johnny wants to see you as soon as possible.

Look, I think it's something personal. It hasn't anything to do with the case.

I hate to say this, especially with Mr. Halloran here, but why are we so certain

Johnny didn't do it?

A divorce would have cost him millions of dollars.

How much would have been involved, Frank?

Millions of dollars.

But Johnny has many millions of dollars.

I mean, whatever a divorce would have cost, it never would have been enough to

justify his killing Maria.

Wait a second.

His womanizing aside, Johnny really loved Maria.

Besides, men from Johnny's background, I mean, they like to think they control

their women. They don't kill them.

You don't know where a guy like this draws the line about killing.

I saw the way he took care of Nick Angel. Believe me, he didn't look like

Boy Scout, Frank.

Johnny didn't kill Maria.

Thank you, Frank.

Dillon.

Ken.

This office is defending Johnny Sorrento.

But you're certainly free to disassociate yourself from this case, if

you feel.

No, I'm in it for the duration.

But I can't help how I feel.

A lot of guys in the department lost a lot of money betting on Mason.

It still doesn't make sense. I mean, you guys working for a hood like Sorrento.

So who should we represent?

Just heads of state?

Pulitzer Prize winners? The United Nations?

It's okay. I didn't bet.

So what about the dominant case?

It's like I told you, I thought we had Sorrento nailed, but he got away.

Well, I guess that's what happens when somebody else is guilty.

It happened in bail, so I wasn't directly involved.

Who was?

That would be Lieutenant Wyatt's case. He was killed last year.

Keen accident.

So, uh, why are you so interested in the Dominick case?

Just curious.

Really curious?

Yeah.

Well, I'll call the station in bail, have them fax you a police report.

Thank you.

Molanski, right?

Right.

You know, I remember the Dominick case, and I always felt like there was

something fishy about it.

Well, sorry we had to meet here, but I had to appear before the judge.

That's all right, Mr. Mason.

Frank tells me you saw my son.

Yes, I like him.

And he hates my guts.

He thinks he hates your guts.

That's what I wanted to see you about.

I'd like you to talk to him. You know, tell him... Tell him I'd like to see

Maybe straighten things out between us.

You mean that?

Yeah.

You see, since Maria was... I mean, now that his mother's gone, I think it would

be good for both of us. You know, uh...

Getting together.

I mean, I tried, but he wouldn't even answer my calls.

How long has it been since you kicked him out?

He was into that drug thing, and it was driving me crazy.

Look, just tell him that I think we need each other right now, okay?

I'll tell him.

I can't promise he'll listen.

Excuse me, I'll... Mr. Mason, please.

Stay.

I sort of thought that you and I could get back together again.

You know, start over or something.

Like nothing ever happened.

Look.

Why don't we just forget about all the bad stuff that happened, you know?

What, pretend like you were this really great father?

Come on, Jeff.

More like you were this really great husband.

That's not fair. Yeah?

Well, how fair was it to Mom the way you always chased your damn women around?

I made her so crazy jealous she turned into a drunk. But, son, I made mistakes.

And what about me?

Are you fair to me?

You kicked me out of the house. Jeff, you know why I did it. Look, all I know

how it was hurting.

But right now, I think we could really help each other. No.

I'm off the stuff.

I got a job, and I'm doing just fine, okay?

What job? That crummy construction... Hey, look, it's not that bad, okay?

I don't need any help from you.

Oh, yeah?

Well, how the hell do you think you got that job, huh?

I got it for you. It's my company.

Where do you think you're going?

To go take your company. I quit!

Jeff, you sure you know what you're doing?

Do you really think that I would have taken that stinking job in the first

if I knew it was another one of his crooked deals?

How do you know it's crooked? Because everything he touches is crooked.

Don't you get it?

My dad's a gangster.

From everything I know, he's been out of all of that for years.

Yeah, well, that's crap.

He's sent it up through his neck, always has been.

How do you know that?

My mom told me.

Probably would all come out at the divorce.

I guess that's why he killed her.

Jeff, someone killed your mother, but it wasn't Johnny.

Do me a favor.

When the hearing starts, I'd like you there.

What for?

So you can hear the evidence and judge for yourself.

You owe him that much

Jeff

you owe yourself that much

You following me or what?

Yeah. Said you're out looking for work. I just wanted to find out where.

Well, now you know.

You can get the hell out of here.

Your condo.

Found out your wife paid cash for it right after you went to prison.

Until then, you were living in a two -room walk -up at 300 bucks a month.

Look, I put some dough away before I was sent up. I wanted Paula to have it easy

while I was inside.

Condo costs a quarter of a million.

That's a lot of dough to have stashed away, especially for a guy who was

as a driver. I told you I had some stuff going on the side.

My guess is killing Ray Dominick got you a bundle.

Oh, yeah?

From who?

You tell me.

What the hell do you want?

I want to know who killed Maria Sereno.

Yeah?

Well, it wasn't me.

If you're saying it was, your mouth's about to get you in some bad trouble, my

man. Where'd you get the money for the big new car with the phone and the CD

player? You lousy son of a... Get out of here, mister.

We don't want any trouble.

There won't be any trouble.

It'll be for real.

Well, I'm striking out with Dave Barrett.

He's got a lot of money from somewhere, but he'll never tell me where he got it.

Somebody must have paid him for killing Dominic three years ago. Well, our

illustrious client was arrested for it first.

You think it was him?

I don't know.

But I think Barron knows a lot more about both murders than he's told us so

Well, it's a dead end for me. He almost ran me down yesterday afternoon. Before

that, he tried to brain me with a pool cue.

Then get to his wife somehow.

I want to know if Johnny was any part of this Dominic business.

I'll do what I can. Good.

Hearing starts tomorrow morning.

And don't forget to follow up on Karen Thatcher.

What can she tell us? What she was doing at the party. Did the Calders invite

her? If not, who did?

Della. Well, she should be back in town by now. Good. Find her.

Right.

Della, those financial statements, any luck?

I'm still working on them.

And the phone records you wanted.

We need them.

Hearing starts tomorrow.

Paula, isn't it?

If Dave didn't do anything wrong, you shouldn't be afraid to talk to me.

The money for the condo, the car, where'd he get it?

Killing Dominic?

Check okay on two.

Something else?

How dare you talk to me like that?

What's your problem, lady? Is this guy bothering you? Yeah, this guy is

bothering me. He just made a very obscene proposition.

I'm going to go talk to the manager about that.

to pick up chicks, but you gotta be a little bit more subtle, okay? More

right? Yeah.

That the result of your research on the Calder?

The top one.

Very interesting.

Well, well, well.

This is the police report on the Dominic murder. It was just faxed in from bail,

and I was reading it as it came off the machine.

Johnny Sorrento's alibi was provided by the manager of a restaurant here in

town. He claimed Johnny and his wife were having dinner at his place at the

of the murder.

Tell her I can read. I can read.

And the manager's name is Nick Angel.

Do you find that interesting?

Yeah.

Nick Angel's statement not only gives Johnny an alibi, it also gives Nick an

alibi.

Is Karen Thatcher in?

Uh, Karen, someone's here to see you.

Oh.

Excuse me.

My name's Kim Alansky. Uh, Janice Kirkwood. I'm sorry, I'm running late.

work. No, I'm sorry. We were just getting acquainted.

Well, um, maybe later.

Oh, great.

Hi.

Hi. Ken Malansky.

Was that your roommate?

Janet? Yeah, she's a dance teacher.

And you're Karen Thatcher.

Do I know you?

I saw you at the Calder party.

I work with an attorney who's representing Johnny Sereno.

Oh.

Wasn't that just awful?

I mean, his wife getting killed like that.

I feel just terrible about it.

Did he really do it? We don't think so.

Why were you at the party?

I was only there because Maria invited me.

Maria Serena?

You see, we both went to the same beauty shop and got to be really good friends.

Seemed like she really needed one, too.

Like she was real lonely or something.

Anyhow, she asked me to go to this party so she'd have somebody to talk to.

She didn't care much for her husband's friends and there wouldn't be anybody

else there she knew.

And you stayed with her at the party?

For a while, but then, well, then she started drinking and I was sort of

left on my own.

And then you decided to get acquainted with her husband?

I know, I know, it sounds awful.

But see, Maria told me she was filing for a divorce, so I didn't think I was

like, you know, like trespassing or anything.

Johnny Sorrento sure is a fascinating guy.

And you didn't think she'd mind you going upstairs with her husband?

I don't know.

But I sure was blown away when she busted in and yelled at him the way she

I mean, she told me she hated him. And I guess what I'm trying to say is that

argument they had wasn't really my fault.

But I still feel really rotten about it.

I mean...

What if she hadn't have driven away like that, you know, so upset?

Then maybe she wouldn't have been... You couldn't have foreseen something like

that.

Oh, thank you for saying that.

But I can't help it.

Every time I think about it, I just start to cry.

All these pictures.

You an actress?

trying to be.

But so far, all I've done is a little modeling.

Well, I won't take up any more of your time.

Hey, Barrett's just a punk.

He had Ray Dominick killed over a drug deal that went bad. You didn't give him

job when he got out of prison. Maybe he has it in for you. I made a mistake

hiring him in the first place. It caused me enough trouble.

You mean using your car when he killed Dominick? Yeah.

He's not only a punk, he's a dumb punk.

So, how's it look?

We'll find out in the morning.

Hearing's at 10 o 'clock.

Do you know the name of the beauty shop your wife went to?

Yeah, it's, uh, Paul Garcia's. Why do you want to know? Get back!

Stay with him.

This is an emergency.

There's been a shooting. We're at 1655 Quincy.

Send an ambulance.

I'm sorry, we have nothing more to say at this time.

Well,

then he said that if Shaver tried anything like that, it'd be the last

Shaver did.

And from the tone in his voice, did you believe this to be an actual physical

threat? Objection.

Improper opinion and relevancy.

Sustained.

Mr. Halstead, was Mr. Sorrento smiling when he said this to his wife?

No, he looked really mean.

Thank you, Mr. Sorrento. Mr. Halstead?

No further questions.

Mr. Halstead, how long have you worked as a bartender?

About 11 years.

And I imagine you must have witnessed quite a few arguments.

Yes, sir.

In which one person threatened to do bodily harm to the other.

Yes, sir, and many times they did.

But did you ever find it necessary to call the police because of verbal

you may have heard?

No. No?

Why is that, Mr. Halstead? Well, you know, people get drunk and a lot of

gets said that really doesn't mean anything.

Hmm.

No further questions.

An attorney?

You're not representing that hard crane woman, are you? The one claiming we

burned her scalp?

No.

Actually, I wanted to ask you a few questions about Maria Sereno.

Wasn't that the most awful thing? I mean, I adore that woman. And when I

what happened, I couldn't even come into work. I just stayed home and cried my

eyes out.

What I wanted to know was how close a friend was Mrs. Sereno to Karen

Who?

Karen Thatcher.

Now, I don't believe I know the name.

She was a customer here, early 20s, blonde.

Anybody hear her to Karen Thatcher?

No, I'm sure she had one of our people.

Is it possible Mrs. Serena went to another shop sometimes?

Of course not. Maria was in here at least twice a week for years.

Matter of fact, poor darling was in here the day she passed away. Get her hair

done for that party she was going to.

I see.

Well, thanks for your time.

And then when we got into the room, he grabbed me and started kissing

me. And then the next thing I knew...

Maria burst into the room and said that she'd see him in court.

Wow.

And then she ran out.

And that's really all I know.

Thank you, Miss Thatcher.

Your Honor, the prosecution rests.

Does the defense wish to cross -examine?

Not at this time, Your Honor, but we reserve the right to recall this

Granted. You may call your first witness, Mr. Mason.

And you may step down.

You and your wife, Joanna, were the first to arrive at the scene of Maria

Sorrento's crash and find Johnny Sorrento on the edge of the cliff,

help her, were you not?

Yes, apparently we arrived shortly after Johnny did.

Now, you say shortly.

Would there have been enough time for Johnny Sorrento to have stopped his car

somewhere down the mountain, picked up a gun...

and shot Maria's car off the road?

Well, I... Be very careful how you answer the question, Mr. Calder.

If Johnny had stopped the car, left the motor running, fired the gun, and then

raced down the hill, yes, there would have been enough time.

Thank you, Mr. Calder.

That will be... Oh, there is something else.

If... Johnny had time to stop his car and shoot a gun at Maria and then

down the mountain.

So did you.

Now, just a minute. No further questions.

Mrs. Stewart?

No, no questions.

Defense calls.

Joanna called her.

All the events mentioned in your husband's testimony happened just as he

they did.

Absolutely. You followed Johnny Sorrento down the mountain. The car you followed

him with was yours, was it not?

Yes, it was my car.

Mrs. Calder, there's a very odd rack in the back of your car. What is it used

for?

Guns. Guns?

Yes.

Yes, it would appear that your husband wasn't the only sportsperson in your

family. No, I was the champion in France in 1988.

In what sport?

Biathlon. Well, I'm a skier, you see.

In the biathlon, you also have to use a rifle, do you not?

Yes, I'm an expert with the rifle.

So, in reality, if you had shot Maria Sorrento off the road,

you could have used Johnny's gun or one of yours.

Thank you, Ms. Calder.

No further questions.

No questions.

You may step down.

Well, I was wondering when you'd get here.

Why, who's up next?

You.

And I could hear the bullets hitting just over my head.

As far as you know, Mr. Malansky, was anybody aware that you and I were going

be at the defendant's house last evening?

Objection. While the witness's story is very exciting...

I fail to see how this so -called armed attack has any relevancy here.

Relevance? Here's your relevance.

Your Honor, part of our defense will be to establish that Mr. Sorrento was the

target of the gunman when his wife was killed.

Therefore, Mr.

Malansky's testimony is offered to prove a continuing pattern of armed assaults

against Mr.

Sorrento. Mr. Stewart?

I withdraw the objection.

The witness will answer the question.

To the best of my knowledge, except for the defendant himself, nobody else knew

that you and I were to be there at that time.

No further questions.

Thank you.

Mr. Malensky, is it true that immediately following this incident, you

phone call to the police?

That's right.

What was the subject of that call?

To report the attack, of course.

and to give them a description of the car and a partial license plate number.

Your Honor, may I approach the bench?

Your Honor, I know this is unusual, but... A rebuttal witness has just come

our attention, and I would like permission to examine him at this time.

Stewart, you know how I feel about surprises. I understand, and I

Your Honor, but this matter only just came to our attention.

Mr. Mason, of course, you have every right to object, and quite frankly, I

be disposed to sustain.

Quite frankly, Your Honor, I'd like to see what excites the prosecution so

I have no objection.

Very well, gentlemen.

I call Albert Farrow to the stand.

The police picked up me and Paul Gilardi and took us in for questioning.

Why did they do that?

Because somebody ID'd our car, they said.

Were you arrested?

Well, yeah, for the shoot -up at Johnny Sorrento's place.

Were you and Mr. Gilardi the ones doing the shooting?

Well, yeah, but we wasn't trying to hurt anybody. It was just a stunt.

Did someone pay you for that stunt?

Yeah.

And is that someone in this courtroom?

Well, sure.

Johnny did.

Let the record show that the witness indicated the defendant.

Hey, believe me, I don't know how Mr. Mason got shot. I mean, we was aiming

their heads. It must have been an accident.

No more questions.

Your Honor, I request a 15 -minute reset.

All I can say is I'm sorry.

Very sorry.

Sorry doesn't cut it, does it?

Johnny, I don't know what you could have been thinking about.

It's just that you guys weren't giving me much encouragement, and I figured we

could use a little help.

Call that charade help?

Look, I said I was sorry, and I swear I didn't mean for you to get hurt. I

didn't want anyone to get hurt.

You're the one that got hurt.

I don't know whether we can repair that damage or not, but if you don't shape

up, you can find yourself another lawyer.

You hear that, Frank?

I hear.

You hear that, Johnny?

And you testified Maria Sorrento invited you to the party.

That's right.

You became friends with Maria at a beauty shop you both went to.

Yes, sir.

Miss Thatcher, what if I told you that the only beauty shop Maria Sorrento

patronized is called Paul Garcia's and that nobody there ever heard of you?

You know what perjury is, don't you?

Yes. Then perhaps you should tell us who invited you to the Calder party.

It, um... It was a man I was involved with.

Objection. I fail to see how the love life of the witness has any relevancy to

this case.

Your Honor, the argument between the defendant and his wife resulted in Mr.

Sorrento driving home alone and being the sole victim of the killer.

Consequently, all circumstances surrounding that argument are extremely

to the defense.

I'll allow the question, and I hope the relevance will soon be more apparent.

I assure the court it will be.

Then you may continue.

May I ask why, if you were involved with this man, you agreed to

go upstairs with the defendant?

Surely you must have guessed what he had in mind.

Well, my friend wasn't paying any attention to me, and, well,

I thought that I could make him jealous or something. I mean, it was really

stupid because, you see...

He's married.

And I knew he didn't want anybody to think there was anything between us, but

was just feeling so rejected.

Miss Thatcher, who is this man?

Oh, do I have to say?

I would say you have to say.

His name is, um... Nick Angel.

Anyhow, I couldn't let anyone know that Karen and I were together.

I knew I'd get back to my wife.

But you did invite her to the party.

I wasn't planning to.

When she heard about it, she insisted on going.

And since my wife wasn't going to be there anyway, one of us always has to be

the restaurant.

Like a real dummy, I said okay.

And you'd been seeing her secretly for what, days, weeks?

Months? Yeah.

The worst part is I was planning on breaking it off as soon as I could.

Why were you going to do that?

Because I knew I was acting like a real jerk. Karen was young enough to be my

daughter. Besides, I was getting scared.

I mean, if my wife had found out about it, I knew she'd walk.

I really love Connie.

I guess I was just going through a... What do you call it?

A midlife crisis or something.

Trouble is, it'll probably cost me my marriage.

Is it true... Johnny Sorrento provided the financing for your

restaurant?

Yeah, most of it. But it paid off for him, too.

Is it also true that three years ago... You provided an alibi for Johnny with

respect to the murder of Ray Dominick?

Johnny didn't need an alibi. Some other guy confessed.

Dave Barrett.

But before Dave Barrett confessed, you gave a statement to the police that at

the time of the murder, Mr. Sorrento and his wife were dining in a restaurant

managed by you.

So what? They were there.

They were.

Yeah, they were.

I have no more questions.

Mr. Stewart?

No, no questions.

Then we'll reset for half an hour and resume at 3 o 'clock.

Here's your coat.

Thank you.

How do you feel?

Oh, some days have been better.

Think that was a good idea?

Making it seem like Nick was lying about the alibi he gave Johnny?

To find who killed Maria Sorrento, we need the truth from everyone.

You think the alibi was a lie?

Well, let's say I have a strong feeling both Karen Thatcher and Nick Angel were

not telling the truth.

Ken, I want you to get a subpoena for

Karen Thatcher's roommate.

But you don't know what she's going to say.

So you serve the subpoena and talk to her before I put her on the stand.

Well, I can do that.

Harry, I was afraid I'd miss you.

Have you taken your medicine? No. What's this?

These are the financial reports you wanted. They were delivered at the

just a few moments ago. Good. And here are the phone records, too.

Here.

I'll go with them later.

Now, I'm sure Nick was lying.

Not exactly the portrait of a cheating husband and his jealous wife, is it?

Great. That was great, ladies. I'll see you all on Friday.

Hi.

You remember me?

Sure.

You here to sign up for a class?

No, I'm not a dancer.

Then what?

This, I'm afraid.

I was hoping to see you again under different circumstances.

Well, this is a subpoena.

Yeah, we want you to testify at Johnny Sereno's trial about Karen Thatcher.

What can I say about Karen?

What is there to say?

To tell you the truth, I was planning on kicking her out of the apartment.

She hasn't paid her share of the rent in three months.

And she also hit on this guy that I was dating.

We were talking about a real flake.

Well, I'll tell you what. Why don't you get changed and we'll head right over to

the courthouse.

Okay. I'll be right back.

Are you saying she wasn't romantically involved with a man named Nick Angel?

Nick Angel?

She hated Nick Angel.

She worked for him about a year ago as a waitress.

He promised her he'd help her get a job in show business.

Then after about four months when he didn't make good, she told him off and

quit.

Do you know how or why Miss Thatcher was invited to the Calder party?

She told me...

that she was going to the party as part of some weird job, and that it would

lead to a part in a Hollywood movie.

Thank you, Miss Kirkwood. Thank you very much.

I have no more questions.

No questions.

In that case, we'll recess until 10 o 'clock tomorrow morning.

Excuse me for interrupting.

But are we going to be here much longer?

No. As a matter of fact, you can leave immediately.

Good. I want you to get a subpoena issued and served on Dave Barrett

But I have a dinner date with Janice Kirkwood tonight.

That's all right.

She can go with us.

Della and I will take very good care of her. Will we not?

Oh, yes.

Um, the Rose Room at the Carlton.

Would that be all right?

Oh, that'd be great.

Just great.

Bear! For you.

What the hell is it?

Speed.

Dave! Dave!

Excuse me.

The lady with the guy that was trapped, where'd she go?

Man, she took off in a major panic. Didn't even wait for a car.

Didn't say anything?

Just wanted to know where the nearest bus station was.

Let's go.

No. Leave the lady alone.

She's a witness to a murder. If she doesn't come with me now, the cops will

you on the road.

Make it fast.

Paula.

No. If I stay, they'll kill me too.

Who will?

I don't know.

But they got Davey.

They got Davey and they're going to get me too.

Not if we find them first. We'll protect you, I promise.

Please, look, just let me get out of town, okay? Let me get out.

You know I can't do that.

I'll make it easy on both of us.

Okay, you'll really give me some protection.

All you want.

And so, Mrs. Barrett, your... Your Honor, may I have a moment, please?

Very well, Mr. Stewart.

Thank you, Your Honor. Your Honor, may I have a moment?

You gave the prosecutor the ballistics report on the bullet that killed

Yes.

It didn't match with anything in our files.

Did you ever test the bullet that went through me?

I guess they thought it wasn't necessary. It had to come either from

gun or Gilardi's gun.

Sergeant, I need your help fast. Check that bullet through. Let me know the

results immediately.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Before the interruption, Mrs. Barrett, you were telling us your husband did not

kill Ray Dominick. Your Honor.

As we discussed in chambers this morning, the prosecution has continuing

and relevancy objections to Mr. Mason's entire line of questioning of this

witness. Your objections are noted, Mr. Stewart, but the court is overruling

those objections for now.

You may, of course, move to strike should Mr. Mason fail to fulfill the

of proof he made to this court.

Thank you again, Your Honor.

Mrs. Barrett.

Your husband did not kill Ray Dominick, did he?

No.

We weren't even in town that day. We could have proved it.

Then why did he confess?

He got paid half a million bucks.

Five thousand a month while he was in prison.

I begged him not to do it.

He said he could earn more money in jail for a couple of years than he could on

the outside.

So... Do you know who paid him this money?

He told me it was better if I didn't know.

Mrs. Barrett, you told the police that on the day Maria Sorrento was killed,

your husband never left home.

Now, that wasn't true, was it?

Mrs. Barrett, there's nothing more for you to fear.

Now, please, tell us.

No.

He wasn't home that day.

Do you know where he was?

He was on a hill overlooking Crestline Road.

Waiting to kill Maria Sorrento.

Objection, Your Honor. Motion to strike.

Motion to strike denied.

Proceed, Mr. Mason.

How do you know where your husband was when Maria Sorrento was killed?

He told me where he was going.

He even showed me the rifle he stole from Johnny's house.

Then, when he got back, he said...

He said it all went like clockwork.

Did he tell you why he killed Mrs. Sorrento?

He didn't have to.

I knew.

He already got paid $250 ,000.

He was supposed to get another $250 ,000 after he did it.

How did you know that?

I heard him talking on the phone with this guy a few times.

Well, once when I answered the phone, this guy asked for Dave, and Dave, like,

you know, motioned for me to get on the extension.

So I did.

Your Honor.

I know, Mr. Mason. Have your moment, but make it brief.

Mrs. Barrett.

Why did you and Dave go to Nick's place last night?

Because the same guy calls up and...

Tell them to get over there and collect the rest of the money.

I know it was the same guy because I answered the phone again.

Whose voice was it?

I don't know.

Was it Johnny Sorrento?

No. No. I would have known him.

No further questions.

But I request the right to recall the witness.

Granted. Mr. Stewart.

Mrs. Barrett, you're telling us that your husband took the fall for someone

in the murder of Ray Dominick. That's right.

Well, tell us, if you know, who that someone else was.

My husband took the fall for Johnny Sorrento.

Dominick was dealing bad drugs to Johnny's kids, so...

Johnny killed him.

Aye. No further questions.

Mr. Mason.

No questions at this time, Your Honor, but I will recall this witness.

Granted.

Witness may step down.

You knew that was coming, didn't you?

Yes. Didn't you?

Mr. Mason?

Defense calls Frank Halloran to the stand.

Mr. Halloran, tell us your occupation and your relationship to the defendant,

John Sorrento. Yes, I'm an attorney, but for the past ten years, my practice has

been exclusively limited to managing the business affairs of Mr. Sorrento.

Including payment of outstanding accounts?

Yes. During the past ten years, did John Sorrento or any business connected to

Mr. Sorrento pay any monies to Dave Barrett?

Not that I know of.

And I would know.

Yes, you would.

Thank you, Mr. Halloran.

No further questions, but I reserve the right to recall the witness.

Mr. Stewart?

No questions, Your Honor.

You may step down, sir.

I recall Paula Barrett.

Mrs. Barrett, under oath you told us you couldn't identify the voice of the man

who phoned your husband. Is that still true?

No. Then who was it?

The man who just testified.

Frank Halloran?

Yeah.

Thank you, Miss Barrett.

Mr. Stewart?

I... I have no questions for this witness.

Witness may step down.

Defense recalls Karen Thatcher to the stand.

We ask that she be declared a hostile witness.

Mr. Stewart.

No objections.

Granted. Miss Thatcher, you testified you went upstairs with Johnny Sorrento

make Nick Angel jealous. Is that correct?

That's right.

But how could you make him jealous?

If he'd already left the party.

I don't know. I guess I didn't realize he'd already gone.

But you approached Mr.

Sorrento immediately after his altercation with Nick Angel.

And you did see Mr.

Angel leave.

I don't remember.

You don't remember.

Your roommate, Miss Kirkwood, testified that you hated Nick Angel.

Now, it really wasn't Mr. Angel who invited you to that party, was it?

Miss Thatcher, we are talking about the murder of Maria Sorrento.

Isn't it time you started telling the truth?

You're right. It wasn't Nick.

If it wasn't Nick, then who was it?

Just a man I met when I was working for Nick.

He said he wanted me to go to a party and make a play for Johnny Sorrento.

He said all I had to do was to get Johnny to take me upstairs and he'd give

thousand dollars and a part in one of Johnny's movies.

Just a man.

Just a man.

What man?

Frank Halloran.

And when I told him that I'd been subpoenaed, he gave me that Nick story.

And he told me it had been cleared with Nick, too.

Will you recall, Frank Halloran?

Your job with the defendant pays you a substantial salary, enough that you need

no other clients.

It's very demanding work.

But you could ill afford something like Mr. Sorrento being convicted of murder.

I won't deny that, Counselor.

But that's not what I had in mind when I retained you to defend Mr.

Sorrento. Oh, I'm not talking about this case.

I'm referring to the murder of Ray Dominick.

I don't know what you mean.

Isn't it true that when Johnny Sorrento was arrested for the murder of Ray

Dominick, you arranged an alibi for him?

My actions, Counselor, on behalf of my client, Mr. Sorrento, were totally

proper. Didn't you promise Nick Angel special financing if he would swear that

when Dominick was killed, Johnny and his wife were dining at a restaurant

managed by Nick Angel? No, I did not.

Didn't you also make a deal with Dave Barrett to confess to the murder?

Absolutely not.

Mr. Halloran, I have photocopies of 36

checks.

36 checks for $5 ,000 each.

Signed by you and endorsed by Dave Barrett.

Checks he received every month while he was in prison.

I'd say that somebody must have been forging my signatures.

A month ago, you learned from Maria Sorrento's attorney

that Maria finally intended to divorce Johnny and was threatening to reveal

something incriminating about him. Isn't that correct?

I suppose so.

What of it?

Well, your next move was to...

Have all the phones in the Sorrento household tapped.

You had to know all that was going on, and you did.

You felt Maria was going to implicate Johnny in the Dominic murder.

If that happened, you would be implicated.

You'd face criminal charges. Your career would be destroyed.

That's absolutely ridiculous.

You knew of Maria's obsessive...

so you hired Karen Thatcher to make a play for Johnny.

You made sure Maria saw the two of them going upstairs together. You were

sitting with her, weren't you?

You made sure she followed them.

You waited till she stormed back and out of the house, and then, Mr. Halloran,

you had to get to a telephone.

Get to a telephone?

To do what?

You called Dave Barrett in his car to tell him Maria was on her way.

Dave was already at his vantage point.

He then shot Maria's car out from under her.

This is... Your Honor, this is all an obscene lie.

Dave Barrett left Johnny's rifle where it could be easily found. He planted one

of Johnny's cigarrillos there.

Now, Frank, now you are in bad trouble.

You had to clear Johnny without implicating yourself.

You can't prove any of this.

Karen Thatcher's testimony.

Checks made out to Dave Barrett.

Paula's testimony that she recognized your voice.

There's more, Frank.

There's what, more lies?

The Calder House phone records show a call placed to Dave's car phone ten

minutes before Maria was killed.

We have your home and office records.

Then we have this.

That bullet came from the gun that killed Dave Barrett.

It is the bullet that went through me.

Now, Frank, you were the only other person who knew we'd be at Johnny's

house.

We've been friends for almost 30 years, Frank.

Why did you try to kill me?

Because you're getting too close.

All this time I've known you, I never thought you were a great lawyer, just a

lucky one.

You were getting too close.

All I wanted you to do was to get Johnny off. I didn't want Maria to die, but

I couldn't let her go through with the divorce, could I?

I didn't want to kill Dave Barron.

I didn't want you to die.

But I couldn't let you get too far. You learned

too much.

I was...

I was never lucky.

You were always just lucky.

I'm sorry, Frank.

Your Honor, I move that all charges against the defendant be dismissed.

Motion granted.

The bond is discharged.

And the defendant is free to go.

But I order the arrest of Frank Halloran for first -degree murder.

And the arrest of Nick Angel and Ms. Thatcher on charges of perjury.

And I request that the district attorney's office further investigate

of Ray Dominick.

This court is adjourned.

Nathan, thank you for everything and nothing.

My office will not charge you for either.

Dominic business.

You want to handle it for me?

Jeff.

Jeff, do you trust him now?

I want to trust him.

No, I don't trust him.

I can't.

That's how it is, Johnny.

We can't trust him.

You will stay in touch with us.

Just that... It's just what I had to do to Frank.

Just... I know.

Yes, you know.

This was a man who lived his life in the service of others.

He was a confidant of presidents and kings, but he never forgot who he was

where he was from.

He worked tirelessly for the people of this state.

He will not be forgotten.

Senator Hyland's sudden death marks not only the end of 27 years in the Senate,

but also of a political era. The question now is who will serve out the

remaining three years in his term.

Governor O 'Neill is not scheduled to announce his appointment until sometime

next week, but sources say that at the head of his list are Congressman William

Harding, State Representative James Marshall, and Laura Robertson.

Laura, listen, everybody.

Listen, a toast to Laura.

May she go from senior partner in our firm to junior senator.

Here.

When do you think you'll be meeting with the governor, Laura?

Actually, I already have. Laura, I don't really think you should. Oh, darling,

we're all old friends here.

If anybody should be the first to know, they should.

I met with Ted privately two days ago.

I got the appointment.

Folks, folks. Out of respect for the late senator, the governor isn't going

announce this until next week.

So please, until then, say nothing to anyone.

Laura.

Terrific news.

Now, don't you go taking my name off the office letterhead just yet, okay,

Elliot? Nothing's going to go wrong, darling.

She may practice corporate law, but she lives her fees.

Glenn. Phone call.

Excuse me.

I'm very happy for you. For all it was, Audrey.

Laura.

Congratulations.

Washington is precisely the kind of place where a woman of your class should

Thank you, Emmett.

Hello. Mr. Robinson, you want to see your wife make it to the Senate?

Of course.

Well, then you and me better meet.

Do you know where the Ridge Bar is?

Who are you?

Just somebody that has some information for sale.

Information about what?

You know, um, my son...

Sunland Arizona.

Why don't you meet me at the Ridge Bar in an hour?

Hello.

Hello!

Glenn?

or my new shopping center development may fall through. Oh, couldn't it wait

till morning?

It won't take long.

Mr. Robinson?

Please, please sit down.

I saw you on TV today.

You look great.

Me, I never go to funeral.

Depressing.

What the hell is this all about?

Well, uh... You know, being a senator is a high -pressure, high -visibility

job.

Now, me, I say, so what? Your wife spent time in a mental hospital.

Most politicians probably should, right?

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

You're right.

You showed up here because you're thirsty.

Sit down.

This is what I'm talking about.

It pretty well details the nervous breakdown your wife had seven years ago.

It's all here.

Everything they did to treat her. The drugs, psychotherapy, shock treatments.

Now, I have an open mind about this sort of thing. I say if it works, use it.

But most people... Most people are very old -fashioned about the mental

stability of their representatives.

How'd you find out?

I wouldn't worry about that.

And you won't have to worry about it either.

Once you give me $50 ,000.

$50 ,000?

Cash.

There's a phone in front of your bank.

I'll call you there at exactly 11 o 'clock tomorrow and tell you what to do

the money.

What if I can't get it?

Then I have to give this to the person that hired me.

And by 11 o 'clock tomorrow night, Laura Robinson will be the lead news story on

every show in the state.

And I guarantee you it won't be because she was appointed to the Senate.

You have a good day.

What are you doing sneaking about like that? I nearly called the police.

I wasn't sneaking about.

I just didn't want to wake you up.

Where have you been?

Bill and I had to drive out to see the property owners.

Got late, so we stopped for dinner.

I'm sorry that I worried you, darling.

You missed a great party.

Are you all right?

I am.

A little tired, maybe.

Nothing that a little time in bed couldn't cure.

Sounds good to me.

Glenn!

It's good to see you again. Hello, Arthur.

I was on my way to your office.

We've sure got our fingers crossed around here.

What? Laura's appointment to the Senate.

Oh, yes, yes, of course.

I need some cash, Arthur.

Certainly. How much you want?

$50 ,000.

Yes, and I need it in a hurry.

I'm sorry, but I've got to get the president to approve waiving the notice

period for a withdrawal this large.

He's not going to be in till 1.

All right.

I'll be back by 1 .30.

And I want my money waiting for me.

You got the money?

Not yet, but I will.

I'll get it.

You're damn well better.

How do I look?

Oh, I'd say gorgeous.

No, no, no.

Fantastic.

How do I look?

Nervous.

Nervous?

Well, I'm not nervous.

Relax, darling.

You've been to these fundraisers before.

But never with a beautiful U .S. senator on my arm.

Will the governor be there?

At $500 a plate, you'd better believe it.

It won't be long before they start paying to see you.

I'll get that.

You get your coat.

Hello.

You got the money?

Yes, I've got it.

You know where the Pioneer Motel is?

I'll find it.

All right.

Now, this is what I want you to do. I want you to bring me the money to room

three at exactly 10 .30. Do you understand?

10 .30?

Right.

Right.

Ready, darling?

Reporters here who'd like to interview you, Mr. Croft. Oh, tell them I'll be

glad to talk with them in my office, but no.

Will do.

You're on your own.

Where are you going? I want to say hello to Walt.

I'll be right back.

Perry.

As always.

look wonderful.

So do you.

Beards old, canes new. I was skiing yesterday.

What are you doing here?

I'm at the hotel for the weekend.

Trial lawyer seminar.

Still practicing law? On occasion.

I'm here to lecture.

Not me, I hope.

Am I intruding? You certainly are.

Laura, this is Michael Reston. He's representing the prosecution at the

Hello.

If you'll excuse us.

Can I take you away from all this?

Hotel bar.

You might say so, yes.

Excuse me.

It wasn't too easy getting away.

You remembered.

A gimlet with fresh lime.

Yes, I remember.

It's been quite a while.

Who's counting?

How are you, Perry?

And you, Senator?

Oh, that's a bit premature.

The smart money says you're the one.

Who would have thought when we were younger that I would become a Senator

you'd become, well, Perry Mason?

Or that we'd see each other rarely.

I've missed you.

The governor's looking for you.

You remember Perry?

Of course.

Perry. Hello, Glenn.

I'll be right there.

How long will you be in town?

Until tomorrow.

I wish there was more time.

Anybody here?

Yeah, that was a nice play by Elway.

It's not locked, Ella.

Perry.

I've no right to come to you, but I don't know what else to do.

Here, sit down.

Can I get you something?

What's wrong?

Yesterday, somebody called my husband and said that he had a file of

that could ruin me.

He wanted $50 ,000.

So Glenn took the money to the Pioneer Motel at 10 .30.

Only when he got there...

The blackmailer was dead and the file was gone.

What did Glenn do?

What anybody would have done. He ran.

He came back to the fundraiser and told me everything.

What was in the file?

Clinical records from seven years ago.

My depression.

I couldn't work.

And people were told that I'd gone away on an extended vacation.

But you went away to be treated?

To the Halvan Clinic in Arizona.

I was home within six weeks, and I felt fine ever since.

The problem is, the therapy included shock treatment.

Proof of that was in the file?

Glenn knew what would happen if the media got hold of that file.

My political career would be ruined.

But now, what should we do?

Well, first Glenn has to go to the police. He has to make a report.

But he'd have to tell them everything.

Where's Glenn now?

At home.

Laura, I can only advise you that two of you will have to decide what to do.

We're investigating the death of Luke Dixon.

Laura, where have you been?

Out getting help. Who's this?

Police. Sergeant Austin, Metro Division.

What have you told her?

Nothing.

What is Perry doing here?

He thought he could help.

Did he?

As I was saying, a man was killed tonight in what appears to have been a

at the Pioneer Motel. The death clerk says you were there tonight, Mr.

Robertson. He said he recognized you from the news.

What is it you want, Sergeant?

I just want to ask Mr. Robertson a few questions, preferably downtown.

My client has nothing to say.

All right.

Thanks for your cooperation.

I didn't know that we'd hired you as my attorney.

You needed one just then.

We're very lucky to have him.

Did you tell him everything?

I had to.

Perhaps the two of you should discuss this privately.

No, that's not necessary.

She's right.

I'm grateful you're here.

I'm going upstairs.

Good night, Glenn. Good night.

Perry.

Is that the Dixon file?

I was just taking it to Laura. It's my file, Audrey. I can manage. Thanks, it's

the same.

Here's the headlines on our victim.

His name was Luke Dixon.

The police said he was a small -time nickel -and -dime private eye.

Said the guy spent most of his time tailing philandering spouses and

whatever was cheap.

How could he have gotten hold of those files?

And more important than that, where the hell are they now?

You can be sure they'll surface.

Glenn, we should go to the police. Tell them the truth.

How do we know they'll believe me?

The thing is, if you don't come forward now, nobody's ever likely to believe

you. Terry's right.

Hold on. Let's not rush it.

We've got to think things through here.

If we handle this right, maybe do some damage control.

A little stage managing. You just might be able to survive this.

It seems to me our main concern should be Glenn's future, not politics.

That goes without saying. You misunderstood me.

You mustn't throw Laura's career to the wolves.

Mrs. Robertson, the police are here.

Show them in.

Hello again, Sergeant.

We got a tip early this morning telling us Luke Dixon was blackmailing someone.

and that if we wanted to find out who, we should check out the Halvern Clinic

Sunland, Arizona.

So we did.

We were told that some records were recently stolen.

Your records, Mrs.

Robertson. And the thief's fingerprints matched Luke Dixon's.

Are you the person he was blackmailing?

That's quite an accusation, Sergeant.

Considering you have nothing to support it.

Wondering where you lost your cigarette case, Mr. Robertson?

You know, the golden with your initials on the front?

How about the Pioneer Motel, room three, not six feet from Luke Dixon's body?

You're under arrest, Mr. Robertson.

Your Honor, in the interest of time and to assist the prosecution, defendant

waives further reading of the indictment and advisement of constitutional

rights. and wishes to proceed directly to the matter of bail.

The record shall so reflect the defendant's waivers.

On the issue of bail, does the state wish to be heard?

Yes, Your Honor.

The defendant is an extremely wealthy man.

Not only does he own a home here, he also maintains an apartment in the city

New York and a house just outside Zurich, Switzerland.

This indicates not only that he has few real roots here, it also suggests that

fleeing the jurisdiction of this court is well within his means. Therefore, to

ensure the defendant's appearance in this court, the state urges that bail be

denied. Your Honor, Mr. Robertson is a well -rooted, successful member of

the community who has never been accused of a crime and who is determined to

appear here in court.

until his innocence has been proven.

I urge the court to release Mr.

Robertson on his own recognizance.

Mr. Mason, I think some bail is appropriate here.

Bail is set in the amount of $200 ,000.

Preliminary hearing is set on December 10th. Is that acceptable to the defense?

It is, Your Honor. Mr. Reston?

Prosecution agrees.

Next case, bailiff.

State v.

Sinclair.

I certainly didn't expect to see you here.

I thought you would have gone home by now.

Well, in view of Mrs. Robertson's political prominence, the district

felt that this case warranted a special prosecutor.

I'm delighted.

Oh?

Yes.

When Glenn Robertson is found innocent, no one can say it was because of

politics, right?

Right?

Right.

Has the governor at all been brought into this?

Seven years ago, I became ill, something that currently afflicts close to 10

million Americans.

I went away, got some treatment and some rest, and came home cured.

It was my husband's devotion to me, his fear that this somehow might be

misconstrued or blown out of proportion, that landed him in this unfortunate

situation.

Given the circumstances, I can well understand why the governor would be

reluctant to appoint me to the Senate.

Frankly, that's no longer important.

My job now is to do everything possible to make sure the truth is told and my

husband is exonerated of all charges.

That's all I'm concerned with.

Nothing else matters.

What's the matter, Counselor?

Lose your client?

Where'd you get him?

About an hour ago.

The hotel said I could find you here.

Let's get to work.

He's in a great mood.

The police discovered Laura's file had been stolen, found Glenn's cigarette

near Dixon's body, and took him in.

Any ideas?

Only what I've already told you.

So Dixon got greedy, tried his hand at a little blackmail instead of turning the

file over.

Then you think the person that hired Dixon to steal the records is the person

that killed him?

Sounds good.

Paul, here's his office address.

See if you can find out who his last employer was.

You did say you've been here before.

Oh, I used to date somebody who lives up here.

Broke up with her about three years ago.

Not a happy ending.

Let her down kind of hard.

hoping to see her again.

Tell her it's a big city.

The odds against that are astronomical.

Besides, I checked the phone book. She's now listed.

Just bear in mind, both of you, the murder was, one way or another, the

of an attempt to discredit Laura. When we unravel that, we'll get to the

Thanks.

How is Laura?

She's a trooper. Always has been.

By the way, Perry, I've been meaning to ask you, we didn't happen to go to the

fundraiser because we knew she was going to be there, did we?

What are we saying?

35 years isn't so long ago.

It was 30 years ago.

Who's counting?

Not me.

Talk to you later.

Excuse me, my name's Mason.

Name, address, license plate, business phone, and a major credit card, please.

would just like the key to room three.

You know the time?

Defense attorney, here's my card. Flix, Flix, get rid of it.

It's Mr.

Lane, isn't it?

Sorry.

Thank you.

Quite a game.

Right.

Clipping? Oh, give me a break.

Those referees will do it to you every time.

I

want

you to tell me and show me exactly what happened last night.

You want me to go through it again?

You're going to have to trust me sometime, Glenn.

Look, I'll level with you.

I don't like this arrangement.

All right, Glenn.

I'll level with you.

There's nothing between Laura and me except friendship.

Everything else ended a long time ago.

I, uh... I walked through the door. It was open.

The room was dark.

Curtains open or drawn?

Drawn.

I bumped into the desk coming in.

Knocked the phone to the floor.

I picked it up, placed it back on the desk.

Then I saw him lying there.

Then what?

I could feel his pulse.

He was dead.

And I started looking for the envelope that had the file in it.

I tore through the dresser.

I headed back to the desk and I tripped on something.

Right there.

Everything fell out of my jacket pocket.

And that's how the cigarette case got there.

And when you were picking things up, you saw the envelope.

Yes. It was behind the dresser.

A piece of it was sticking out, and I walked towards it and picked it up.

I looked for her.

It was empty.

I left.

Did you see anyone in the parking lot or around the office?

Not just the fellow at the desk.

Look around and think hard.

What else about last night comes to mind?

I could have told you this

trip would be a waste of time.

Waste of time?

Not at all.

Sorry.

Is there something I can do for you?

Well, that depends.

On what?

Who you are.

Pete Sutton.

I'm Luke Dixon's partner.

Who are you?

Paul Drake.

I didn't know he had a partner.

I got another surprise for you.

Luke took a cab. He's dead.

Finny. I know. I'm investigating his murder.

Cop? I work for a defense attorney.

Wants to know who hired Dixon to dig up Laura Robertson's past.

Well, don't look at me.

I'm trying to see if Luke squirreled away some money.

Get my half before his ex -wife grabs it.

Don't spend much time in the office, do you?

Why do you say that?

You're tan.

You spend a serious amount of time in the sun, don't you?

Hey, that's very good.

Hey, you're a trained observer.

That's all right.

I do a lot of surveillance.

I'm the outside man.

Must have an idea who some of his recent clients were.

Oh, sorry.

You know, you have to ask Luke.

At least if you don't mind waiting a very long time for an answer.

Didn't keep any records?

Uh... Well, of course he did. Man was obsessive. Help yourself.

In here?

No, in the closet. Where else? Here, I'll even unlock the door for you.

It's unlocked.

Got a report that somebody broke in here.

Looks like you're under arrest, friend.

Hello, Della.

Hello. I think Perry's expecting me.

Yes, he is.

Sit down, won't you?

Can I get you anything?

No, thanks, sir. Is Perry here?

He'll be back any minute.

Laura.

I'm very sorry for what's happened.

Thank you.

We'll survive somehow.

I've always admired you for your strength.

Oh, I'm a professional survivor, Della. It's what I do.

What about you? How have you been?

Fine. Just fine.

Steadfast and loyal, as always?

That's what I do.

Ever marry?

No.

I've always wanted to ask you, but never had the nerve and the bad manners at

the same time.

What about you and Perry?

I mean...

Perry and I have... Good.

I see you two are getting reacquainted.

Right.

Laura, it was nice seeing you. If you'll excuse me, I have to go out for a

while.

Where?

Oh, I'm going to buy some supplies. You just bought supplies.

Right.

Well, I'll just go return a few phone calls.

Am I interrupting something?

No. No?

Bye, Laura.

Laura, you said seven

years ago when you had your breakdown, people were told you'd gone away on

vacation. Who knew what really happened?

Let's see.

Emmett, of course. Emmett Michaels. You remember him.

Still your doctor?

He's still a good friend.

Who else?

My law partner, Elliot Moore.

He could see for himself that something was terribly wrong.

The same went for Jennifer Parker.

She not only stuck with me.

She's such a determined young woman.

Sometimes I think she willed me back to health.

And, of course, my assistant, Audrey Pratt.

Besides Glenn, that's all.

You're certain of that?

Yes.

I'm going to need all the information you can give me on those four people.

Why?

Because one of them could have hired Dixon to steal your medical records in

order to ruin your career.

And one of them could have killed Dixon when he tried to blackmail you on his

own.

Oh, Perry, you're wrong.

Those are my friends.

It's entirely possible.

that one of them is not a friend at all.

Excuse me.

Perry, Paul's on the phone.

He sounds strange.

Excuse me.

Um, I ran out of change or I'd use the machine down the hall. Do you think it's

possible I could have a cup of coffee?

Sure.

What? Please.

And who do you work for?

Lieutenant McNabb.

Lieutenant McNabb.

I'm a PI working on the Robertson case.

Oh, that's nice.

I haven't had an opportunity to meet the officer in charge yet, but they're

usually very defensive about a PI on a case.

But I have nothing against cops.

They do the best they can.

You're free to go, Paul.

Hello, Sergeant.

Mr. Mason.

Sergeant.

Come on, John Juan.

Oh, do the best you can.

The guy searching Dixon's office did the breaking and entering, not me.

Any idea who he was?

Definitely not his partner. Probably not Pete Sutton either. At least I couldn't

find a Pete Sutton in the phone book.

I'd like to know what he was doing in that office.

I wouldn't believe how much that looked like Linda.

Who's Linda?

Girl I used to date here.

I'm sorry, what were you saying?

I said I'd like to know what he was doing in that office.

Oh, my pleasure.

Matter of fact, I'll get on that right now.

Oh, Paul.

I really don't need any more clients.

Just watch yourself.

we again.

That hurt!

Well, you're a real crime stopper, aren't you?

Okay, so I'm sorry, you know?

I saw those cops coming and I freaked.

You're not Dixon's partner. You're not a P .I.

You want to tell me who you are?

My name's Wheeler. Sid Wheeler. Big Sid Wheeler. So, Sid, you break into Dixon's

office. Now you break into his house, what is this, a chronic condition with

you, breaking and entering?

I'm a desperate man, Paul. Dixon had something I must find. Like what?

Pictures.

Pictures?

That's my wife.

I thought she was stepping out on me, so I hired Dixon to follow her. Turns out

I was right.

And he got pictures, in color.

Boy, did he get... pictures.

Didn't he turn them over to you? He gave me a couple of samples.

Said he'd keep the rest until I paid my fee.

Which he suddenly doubled, that little creep.

What makes you think they're here?

Maybe they're not. They've got to be someplace. They weren't at the office.

It's just a process of elimination.

He didn't take them with him, that's for sure.

Well, big sin, I gotta go.

But good luck.

Thanks.

Well, by the way, the guy your wife was running around with, friend of yours?

Who said it was a guy?

Huh.

Huh.

Get a chance to say hello at the arraignment. What can I do for you?

I need some answers.

Anything to help?

I understand Laura was under your care at the time of her breakdown seven years

ago. Yes.

What was your diagnosis?

Well, in general, she was acutely depressed.

So much so that she simply could no longer function.

Now, whether chemical imbalances caused the depression or a result of it,

nevertheless, they were there.

Once they were brought back into balance via the proper treatment, she was

cured. I understand you were instrumental in keeping this episode a

Well, I led certain people to believe one or two things that weren't quite

concerning her health, yes.

Where were you when Luke Dixon was murdered?

You surely don't think that I... I had to ask.

You don't have to answer.

Probably reading.

Undoubtedly alone.

You should have married, damn it.

You'd have had a better alibi.

Sounds good, Phil.

Keep me posted.

Right.

According to my contacts at the Capitol, the mail's been running 7 to 1 in favor

of Laura's appointment to the Senate. In spite of what's happened. Or maybe even

because of it. Who knows?

Anyway, the best news is the governor's decided to delay the appointment until

this thing's resolved.

Proving once again that America loves a devoted wife.

And making it imperative that we give them both barrels at this preliminary

hearing. Because the way I see it, if we can get this case dismissed without a

jury trial, we might actually be better off than we were to begin with.

Of course, it's really all up to you, Perry.

What kind of progress are you making?

You seem quite determined that Laura gets that appointment.

I am.

It's a chance of a lifetime.

For you or for her?

For both.

I'm not going to lie.

I joined up with Laura seven years ago because I figured she could help get me

where I really wanted to go, and that's to Washington.

There's nothing wrong with that.

It's natural.

You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

Symbiosis. Only game in town.

Who do you think will get the appointment if she doesn't? I don't

Or at least my sources at the Capitol do.

Bill Harding, no doubt about it.

Which means he'd have to vacate his congressional seat.

Obviously.

I understand you keep a residence in that congressional district.

That's right.

But you don't live there.

No, I don't.

But that's your legal residence.

Yes.

So if Harding's congressional seat is vacated, you could run for office.

It's called hedging your bets.

Yes, indeed.

You have a phone call.

Sergeant Austin calling on behalf of a Mr. Drake.

Mason.

Maybe I should open a branch office down here.

Oh, it's not going to happen again.

Especially if I get my hands on that guy.

Still have no idea who he is? Well, he's not a Pete Sutton and he's not a Sid

Wheeler either.

I checked the license number. The plates were stolen.

You're dealing with a pro.

Yeah, well, so is he.

Linda!

For a second there, I thought... Good thing that wasn't her.

You forgot to hide.

You know what?

I've been thinking. It's been three years. She wouldn't carry a grudge that

long, would she?

You implied she was devastated when you left her.

Yeah, but it's been three years.

That's practically a lifetime, isn't it?

Mr. Mason.

Thanks for coming down here to meet me.

I appreciate your taking the time to talk to me, Mr. Moore. I'm sure you're

busy. Yes, well, first things first.

How can I help you? I understand you've been with the firm for some time.

26 years.

Tom Robertson, that's Glenn's father, founded the firm.

I was one of the first people he brought aboard.

So you worked your way to the top.

Tom made me a senior partner 12 years ago.

Three years before he died.

How long has Laura been a senior partner?

Just about the same time, 12 years.

She also worked her way to the top.

She married the boss's son.

You mean she was given a full partnership the day she walked in the

Close to it, yes.

How do you feel about that, Mr. Moore?

I don't harbor any resentment towards Laura, if that's what you're getting at,

and I rather suspect it is.

The truth is, she's a damn good lawyer.

I understand she ran for Congress nine years ago, unsuccessfully.

We all worked very hard in that campaign.

I also understand you're the sole owner of the LLD Corporation.

Yes. Why?

That corporation made quite a few campaign contributions in that election.

of them perfectly legal.

All of them went to support Laura's opponent.

You've been very helpful, Mr. Moore.

Thank you.

So what you're hearing now is Pete Sutton or Sid Wheeler or whatever he's

calling himself these days thrashing the guy's house after I left.

You think he was looking for the key?

Well, there were six keys in this case when I saw it in Dixon's office.

There's only five now.

Yeah, I need to talk to Batman.

Hey, it's me. What's the morning line on a Bronco game?

Well, get your money, all right?

How's noon tomorrow?

Yeah, I'll be there.

Gambler? My theory is he got that tan of his at the racetrack.

A bookie named Batman.

Well, I'll see you.

Where are you going?

See if I can track down this Batman.

Well, you certainly have me convinced that whoever killed Dixon had prior

knowledge of Laura's breakdown.

How many people knew?

Four, to be exact.

And each of them with a motive.

Della, there were a lot of photographers at the fundraiser.

See if you can round up some pictures. I'd like to know exactly who was there

and when.

All right.

Mr. Mason, what do you think your chances are of winning this case?

I'll let you know when we win.

Mr. Robertson, just how far would you go to protect your wife?

I've never even sought a reporter.

Mrs. Robertson, what do you think your chances are of winning the Senate seat?

As I've said before, my only concern is to prove my notes in venison.

Excuse us.

Look, I'd like to help you, but I'm due in court.

Just tell me where I can find Batman.

Come again?

You know, this guy calls himself Batman. He's a bookie. Where can I find him?

Try Gotham City.

Sergeant Austin, think of me as a lowly PI groveling in the dirt

for tiny bits of information.

And then think of yourself in this exalted position at the police

with access to all kinds of information.

Couldn't you, out of the goodness of your heart, throw me some small, tiny

tidbit?

You need help.

That's the point.

All right, try Mitchum's bar and grill. Thank you. You have a very nice smile.

Sergeant Austin, did the medical examiner arrive at a cause of death?

Yes, sir, he did.

Please tell the court his findings.

A deep wound at the temple indicated the decedent fell and hit his head on the

corner of the dresser, causing his death.

Were there any signs in the room of a prior struggle?

It appeared the decedent had been struck on the head with a blunt object.

Do you recognize this carafe marked People's Exhibit 3?

Yes, I do. It has my tag on it.

How does it come to have your tag on it? It was found on the floor approximately

38 inches to the left of the victim.

Would that be the victim's left or the onlooker's left?

The victim's left. So, here.

That's correct.

It has been stipulated by counsel that People's Exhibit 3 was in fact... the so

-called blunt object used to strike the victim.

Were fingerprints found on this carafe?

Yes, the defendant's.

I show you now People's Exhibit 9 and ask you to identify it.

This is the customized cigarette case which was found on the floor of the

victim's motel room directly beneath the front window.

Directly beneath the front window would be here.

That's right.

Were you able to identify the owner of the cigarette case?

Yes, sir. It has the initials G .R. on the front, and we traced it to Mitchell

Sterling's shop here in town.

Your Honor, we offer as Exhibit 10 this

sales receipt issued to Glenn Robertson by Mitchell Sterling,

reflecting the sale of one cigarette case engraved with the initials G .R.

On the front.

Mr. Mason?

No objection.

Thank you.

Sergeant Austin, in the course of your investigation, did you discover

anything else, anything else, that could link the defendant, Glenn Robertson, to

the victim, Luke Dixon?

Yes, sir.

The morning after the murder, we received an anonymous phone call telling

Luke Dixon was a blackmailer.

Acting on the caller's information, we contacted the Halvern Clinic in Sunland,

Arizona, and learned that records detailing the hospitalization and

Laura Robertson had recently been stolen.

Did you discover who stole those records?

Fingerprints found at the scene of the burglary at the Halvern Clinic matched

those of the deceased Luke Dixon.

Thank you, Sergeant Austin.

No further questions?

Your witness? Sergeant Austin, other than on the carafe, Where else in that

motel room were Glenn Robertson's fingerprints found?

They were all over the room.

On the chest of drawers?

Yes. Desk? Yes.

The phone?

Yes. Were anyone else's fingerprints found on the phone?

No, just his.

Doesn't that strike you as rather unusual?

No. No?

A motel room phone gets a good deal of use.

Yet on that particular phone, only one set of fingerprints were found.

Now, what does that suggest to you?

That somebody cleaned it.

A maid?

Or someone else?

Someone who was in that room ahead of Glenn Robertson, someone who wiped the

phone clean to make sure no one would know who the killer was.

Objection, Your Honor. Calls for speculation on the part of the witness.

Sustained.

Let's go back to the murder weapon, Sergeant.

How many sets of prints were on the carafe?

Just one.

Dixon's? No, Glenn Robertson's. Then it, too, had been wiped clean?

Objection. Speculation. Sorry, Your Honor. No further questions.

You may step down.

Mr. Essendon, you may call your next witness.

Thank you, Your Honor.

The people call Mr. Robert Lane to the stand.

Were you working at the Pioneer Motel the evening that Luke Dickman was

Mr. Lang?

I sure was.

On that evening at around 10 .30, did you see anyone arrive at the motel?

Yes. That person right there.

Let the record show that the witness has identified the defendant, Glenn

Robertson, as the person he saw that night at the motel.

Did you happen to notice where he went, Mr. Lang?

To room three.

Room three.

You're certain?

From the front desk, I have a clear view of everything.

And I've got a hell of a memory.

That being the case, Mr.

Lane, did you see anyone else go into room three that evening?

No, sir.

And I was right there at the front desk from eight o 'clock on.

No one else went near that room.

Thank you, your witness.

Mr. Lane.

On the night of the murder, your shift at the motel began at 8 in the evening

and ended at 8 in the morning, did it not?

Yes, it did.

Twelve hours.

How do you usually pass the time?

Watch TV.

Sometimes read.

Is it possible someone could slip by you unseen while you're engrossed in one of

these activities?

I can see things out of the corner of my eye that most people can't see looking

straight on. My boss will tell you.

He did.

He also said you're quite a football fan.

Oh, you better believe it. I never miss a Bronco game.

I understand the game they played recently against the 49ers was pretty

exciting. Oh, yeah.

Especially the last quarter.

Oh? Why was that?

Your Honor, I object. What possible relevance can the discussion of a

game have to this case?

I intend to show relevance, Your Honor.

I beg the court to bear with me just a moment or two longer.

Very well.

Proceed.

What happened in the last quarter of that game, Mr. Lane?

I'm sure you remember.

Oh, yeah.

Okay.

Score's tied with two minutes to go.

49ers have the ball on their own 48.

Montana drops back. It's a draw play. Bam! Stop the line of scrimmage. No

Second down, Montana takes a snap, drops back again.

Broncos rush, crowds going berserk.

Montana hits a screen pass, bam, out of bounds on hour 44.

It's third and short. They rush, we hold, out comes the field goal unit.

the 50, bam, from the 50 -yard line, he hits it.

49ers are up by three.

Your Honor. Quickly, Mr. Lane.

Tell us about the last minute.

Okay. There's 32 seconds to go.

49ers have the ball again on R46. It's second and seven, and they're killing

clock. Fans are heading for the exits. TV announcers thanking all his

Montana runs a simple off -tackle rush. Bam, there's a fumble. It's a huge

pileup. One by one, the referee pulls off the players. There's a Bronco at the

bottom. Bam, Bronco's ball. And Mr. John Elway leads his team out onto the

field. It's first and 10, 27 seconds to go.

Bam, Elway hits a down and out on their 48. Stops the clock with 22 seconds to

go. Second and four, Elway takes the snap. Drops back, two 49ers bust

Elway scrambles. Bam, he hits a fly pattern on the 20. There's one 49er

our guy and the game. Their guy dies, our guy cuts. Bam, TD Broncos win. It

awesome.

I remind the spectators this is a courtroom, not a nightclub.

Any further disturbances and I will have this courtroom cleared.

Yes, Mr. Lane, it certainly was awesome.

You watched the game on TV?

Most of it, yes.

At work?

Yes, I think I was at work.

Do you recall what night that was, Mr. Lane?

I can't write off, no.

It was the night of September 12th.

The night of the murder.

Isn't it true, Mr. Lane, that from the moment you arrived at work, you were

watching the game?

Well, yes.

Isn't it true the game ended at 10 .30?

And it was at that time you saw Glenn Robertson arrive at the motel?

Yes. Isn't it also true any number of people could have gotten into that room

without your seeing them while you were watching the game?

Yes, I suppose so, but...

Thank you, Mr. Lane. No further questions.

You may step down.

Call your next witness.

Your Honor, the prosecution rests.

Court will recess until 2 .30 this afternoon.

Thank you.

Meet Pete Dixon.

Meet me at the Crestmore Savings and Loan at 4 o 'clock this afternoon. We'll

wrap things up.

No, but I will.

Right.

Does that call have anything to do with the Robertson case?

I think we should talk, Mr. Dixon.

By any chance Luke Dixon's brother?

Oh, it wasn't by chance. My parents, they worked hard to have me. Now, this

good sign.

I may never forgive you.

Jane came up and roll -called Drake.

Should I be flattered?

If you like being compared to bad cold, unpleasant, hard to get rid of.

No, no.

Don't have anything nice to say. Don't say anything at all.

What's in there?

Ooh.

New money.

Uh -huh.

Real name is Pete Dixon, as in Luke Dixon.

You ever heard of him?

If you want a rap sheet on him, check with records.

I wonder what this is doing in here.

Not on here.

The safe deposit key is from Crestmore Savings and Loan.

Well, Dixon's supposed to meet someone there at four o 'clock.

Do you mind if I... Sorry.

I think you're done here.

I think you're right.

Thank you.

Sure.

I won't forget this.

Here are the photos that were muffled so far from the fundraiser.

Let me see them.

There isn't time.

Perry. What do you want them for?

Well, I don't know yet.

I checked out Pete Dixon.

He's done time for forgery, fraud, and grand theft.

He must have had some angle on this case. Knew who Luke Dixon was working

Thought perhaps he could get some money out of it.

How is he?

He's still unconscious.

We could keep that appointment for him. Unless he comes to.

Tell us who he was going to meet.

Thank you.

Bad news?

That's a good question.

All rise.

Court is reconvened.

Be seated.

Mr. Mason, you may call your first witness.

I call Dr.

Emmett Michaels to the stand.

Dr. Michaels, you were Laura Robertson's doctor at the time of her breakdown

seven years ago. Is that correct?

Yes.

Now, exactly, exactly what was her condition?

Well, she was suffering from a psychosis known as manic depression.

In layman's terms, she was on an emotional roller coaster over which she

control. Fortunately, as most cases nowadays, she responded well and quickly

the treatment. Your treatment?

Yes, my treatment.

And what did your treatment consist of, Dr. Michaels?

Well, mostly just regular doses of an antidepressant, trimipramine, I believe.

And shock treatment?

Yes, there was some electroconvulsive therapy, yes.

That therapy is very controversial, is it not?

And wasn't it controversial seven years ago as well? It was effective seven

years ago.

And the diagnosis I had made in Laura's case warranted it.

I don't suppose you could give us the name of a medical authority who concurs

with your diagnosis.

Yes, I could.

Dr. Arlington agrees with me.

Who is Dr.

Arlington? He's a psychiatrist, Mr. Mason.

Probably one of the most famous England ever produced.

We're not above a little edification, doctor. Tell us more.

Ten years ago, he published a book called Arlington on Manic Depressives.

Is Arlington on Manic Depressives considered definitive?

Yes, it's the definitive book on the subject.

And in that book, he agrees with your diagnosis?

Completely. Thank you.

Could you show us where Dr. Arlington agrees with you?

That is a copy of Arlington on manic depressives, identical to the one I saw

your office.

Please show the court where in that book Dr.

Arlington agrees with you.

Now.

Yes, now. Show us, please.

Well, I can't. I can't do that now. As you can see, that's a very thick book. I

don't want to take up the court's time at searching through them.

Don't you even know where approximately in the book he agrees with you?

Well, I'm not sure. I would have to go through the whole book.

I don't think that we have time for that now. Dr. Michaels, in order to hear the

truth, I'm sure this court will give you all the time in the world.

Your Honor, I object.

Dr. Michaels is not on trial here.

Your Honor, The prosecution is basing its whole case against my client on the

idea that the murder of which he stands accused was the result of a blackmailing

scheme. None of this is relevant.

A scheme only a handful of people, the people who knew about Laura Robertson's

medical history, could have orchestrated.

I submit that the prosecution has left me no choice but to pursue this line of

questioning.

Objection overruled.

still waiting for you to show us where in that book.

Dr. Arlington agrees with you.

Is it true that you are and always have been in love with Laura Robertson?

I suppose so.

Yes.

Isn't it true you were despondent when she married Glenn Robertson?

Yes. Isn't it true that you diagnosed her condition as emotional instability

keep her dependent on you?

No. Isn't it true that you subjected her to unnecessary shock treatment because

you were afraid you were losing your influence over her?

No. Isn't it true you knew if this treatment ever became public, it would

her career?

I prescribed it because it was consistent

with my diagnosis.

A diagnosis based on your need to manipulate and control the woman you

have.

Oh, Dr. Michaels.

How could you say you love her?

You don't even know the meaning of the word.

No further questions.

You may step down.

This court will adjourn until 9 a .m. tomorrow.

If I'm right, whoever shows up to keep that meeting Pete Dixon arranged is the

blackmailer.

Linda.

Paul. Linda.

Paul.

Linda.

Paul.

How are you?

Great. Pat.

How are you?

I'm fine.

It's a nice -looking baby you got there.

The one down here, I mean.

Thanks.

Well, you look like you're doing okay.

I am.

I'm doing pretty good myself. I'm in town on business for a few days.

I gotta go.

Doctor's appointment.

Take care.

Well, I guess she managed to get over me.

I guess she did.

There's the guy.

If you're waiting for Pete Dixon, he's not coming, Mr. Moore.

What are you talking about?

You paid his brother a lot of money to steal Laura Robertson's medical file.

I did no such thing.

Why were you going to expose Laura's medical history?

You can answer in court if necessary.

The lawyer just waltzed into a job that I worked a lifetime to get.

I was determined to stop this appointment.

That's why I hired Luke, but he crossed me up.

So you killed him?

No, no.

I never stepped foot in that motel room. Where were you the night of the murder?

I had a testimonial, didn't I?

Mr. Moore, it would have been very easy to slip out during the after -dinner

speech and slip back in again unnoticed.

Yes. But how easy is it when you're sitting on a dais, Mr. Mason?

Giving the after -dinner speech with a hundred witnesses.

Here's a list of your phone messages and your notes from today.

And you still haven't looked at the photos from the fundraiser.

Thank you, Della.

How's your leg?

Medium rare.

It hurts.

Take your medicine.

If you need anything, I'll be in my room.

Della.

Thank you.

Night.

Night.

All rise.

Courtroom 92 of the Denver District Superior Court is now open and ready for

transaction of business. The Honorable Eleanor Daniels presiding. Be seated.

Defense may proceed.

Your Honor, defense calls Audrey Pratt to the stand.

And you've been Mrs.

Robertson's executive assistant for how long, Mrs. Pratt?

Almost a year.

But you worked with her prior to that.

Yes, for nine years.

Were you working for her September 12th, the day of the big fundraiser?

Of course.

Did she get many phone calls that day?

Yes. People were calling left and right to congratulate her on her possible

appointment to the Senate.

Did you keep a record of those calls?

I always write down the name of the caller, the time of the call, and

not Mrs. Robertson takes the call.

I'd like you to think back, if you would, Mrs. Pratt.

Do any of the calls that came in that day stand out in your mind?

Well... I do remember receiving a call that day that was a bit

unusual. In what way?

The caller refused to give me his name.

I remember arguing with him. He said he just had to speak with Mrs. Robertson,

but he wouldn't tell me who he was.

What finally happened?

I put him through.

Mrs. Robertson spoke with him.

Briefly, as I recall, no more than two minutes.

Were you present at the fundraiser that was held that night?

You know I was, Mr. Mason.

That's right.

We spoke about it several days ago, didn't we? I think you said Laura

was never out of your sight except for the time she spent with me.

That's right.

Mrs. Pratt.

I've known you for a long time.

You've always been an honest and forthright person.

Thank you.

I'm sure that you wouldn't knowingly commit perjury while under oath, would

Of course not.

Did Mrs.

Robertson leave the hotel at any time that evening?

I don't know.

Perhaps.

What time did she leave?

She left at 9 .45.

She told me that she was going to have a private meeting with some backers and

that I should cover for her.

But she didn't come back, did she?

At least not right away.

No.

Do you remember...

What time she returned?

Around 10 .30.

Thank you, Mrs. Pratt.

That'll be all.

I call Laura Robertson.

Mrs. Robertson, as you know, You cannot be forced to testify against your

husband. Yes, I know.

I show you this photograph, Mrs. Robertson, and ask if you can identify

tell us when and where it was taken.

That's my associate, Jennifer Parker, and me. It was taken at the fundraiser

the evening of September 12th.

Was the photograph taken before you left the party?

I don't know.

This is a blow -up of part of that photograph.

Could you tell the court what you see?

Jennifer's wearing a watch. It says 920.

That was before I left the party.

The man who called you at the office that afternoon but refused to leave his

name, who was he?

Just a well -wisher, I suppose. I don't remember.

Was it the blackmailer, Luke Dixon?

No.

Wasn't he calling to make sure your husband would deliver the money?

Now think carefully before you answer.

The answer is no.

You're certain?

Objection asked and answered.

Please, Laura, don't make this more difficult.

Would counsel kindly speak up so that the court can hear his examination?

Isn't it true that you left the fundraiser to go to the Pioneer Motel

had a violent argument with Luke Dixon and accidentally, accidentally killed

him? Objection, Your Honor. Counsel is using this witness not to elicit

testimony but to engage in pure speculation.

It isn't speculation, Your Honor.

I can prove that Laura Robertson was at that motel.

Then by all means, proceed.

You smoke, Mrs. Robertson?

Occasionally.

Sergeant Austin testified this cigarette case was found here on the floor.

Below the window.

But Mr.

Robertson says when he tripped, things fell out of his pocket.

Over here.

Near the foot of the bed.

Across the room.

You see...

Glenn Robertson just assumed that this cigarette case was in his pocket when he

tripped and fell that night.

But it wasn't, was it?

You had it.

No, I... Look at this photograph.

The photograph you identified as having been taken at the fundraiser.

There you are with Jennifer Parker.

Her watch says 9 .20.

What is that in your right hand, Mrs. Robertson? What is that?

People's Exhibit 9, isn't it?

It's this cigarette case, isn't it?

Your husband didn't have the cigarette case that night. You did.

And you dropped it in Luke Dixon's motel room.

That is the truth, is it not?

When Luke Dixon called my office, I found out that Glenn was going to pay

the blackmail.

I decided to go to the motel before he arrived and try to get the file from

Dixon.

Your husband did not know that you were going?

No.

What happened when you arrived in Luke Dixon's room?

He was surprised to see me.

I tried to convince him to give me the file, but when he thought he wouldn't

paid, he became ugly.

I tried to take the file from him.

He struck me.

I fought back.

He fell and hit his head.

I panicked and ran.

And you never told that to your husband?

No.

I allowed my husband, who has never given me anything but love and support,

stand trial.

I used the loyalty and trust of my friends to protect myself.

I succumb to a consuming ambition and let it destroy everything that I value.

I'm sorry.

Your Honor, in view of these developments, I move

that the people's case against Glenn Robertson be dismissed.

Mr. Resnick?

The state concurs.

Case dismissed.

All rise.

you do that to Laura.

Now listen to me, Glenn.

Dixon's death was clearly accidental. Any lawyer can prove that.

But if you and Laura need me, I'll be back.

I realize it's an awkward time for me to ask, but I'd love to buy you dinner

before I leave the city.

I'd like that.

Thank you, Sergeant.

Call me Linda.

Still here?

My plane leaves in one hour.

I was sure with you representing Glenn, he wouldn't be convicted.

I was right.

I didn't want things to turn out this way.

It was my plane leaving the last time.

Goodbye, Laura.

Zella?

Yeah?

Let's go.