All language subtitles for Perry Mason - S01E22 - The Case of the Fugitive Nurse-eng

JACKS:
Stay right where you are.

- Hey, what is this?
- Oh, no, you don't.

What is this?

Police. What's your name?

Dave Kirby.

This the man, Mrs. Morris?

Yes, that's the man.

Lady, you got the wrong slant on this.
Me and your husband are buddies.

Look, I wouldn't take a nickel
from Doc Morris.

All right, Kirby, turn around,
hands against the wall.

- Now, wait a minute, you haven't got--
- Turn around.

- You live in this building?
- No. That key belongs to Doc Morris.

All right.

All right, I'm in no mood
for a striptease.

Can I help you a little?

I knew he was stealing
from my husband.

That's a lie.

Why don't you
keep your mouth shut?

How much money is there?

Depends on who's looking at it,
Mrs. Morris.

For a police sergeant,
it comes close to about ten years' pay.

- All right, fella, let's go.
- You heard him. Come on.

[TYPEWRITER KEYS CLACKING]

Sign here.

And would you please
sign over here too?

Mrs. Morris signing a crime report
against Kirby, lieutenant?

With enthusiasm. There was over
$92,000 in that guy's shorts.

Forget it.
Kirby's smelling like a rose.

- What are you talking about?
- Dr. Morris is outside.

He says he did send Kirby
to the Coronet Apartments

to get the money for him.

BREWER:
You hear that?

Yes.

- Wanna talk to the doc?
- I most certainly do.

Dr. Morris,
would you come in here, please?

Hello, Janet.

Charles.

I'm Lieutenant Brewer.
What's this I hear about Kirby?

It was a regrettable mistake,
lieutenant.

I explained matters to this officer.

Well, I wish you'd explain matters
to me.

That apartment was rented
in the name of M. Morris.

That's my name.

BREWER: Only part of it.
Your first name is Charles.

And how come you forgot to mention
that you're an M.D.?

I prefer not to advertise.

Funny, your wife didn't know
that was your apartment.

Mind telling me what you use it for?

MORRIS:
There are times, lieutenant,

when a doctor likes to
get away from it all.

The doctors I know
never seem make it.

Apparently, I'm more fortunate.

All right, doctor.
I intend releasing Kirby,

and I'll see that
you get your money back.

I'd appreciate it.

But I also intend to inform
the Treasury Department

about you keeping all that cash
in a wall safe

in an unoccupied apartment.

They may be curious too.

This makes me look rather foolish.

On the contrary, Janet,
I'm the one that looks foolish.

How did you find out
about the apartment?

- Well--
- There was no need to hire detectives.

- If you'd wanted a divorce--
- I don't want a divorce.

Oh, you just had me watched
to keep me out of trouble.

You've got to believe I had no idea
this man, Kirby, is a friend of yours.

You're a liar.

[DOOR CLOSES]

JANET: All I've accomplished so far,
Mr. Mason,

is to make matters worse.

How long has Dr. Morris
had that apartment?

- About six months.
- What's he using it for?

JANET:
I don't wanna know.

Don't let me mislead you, Mr. Mason.
I'm not the long-suffering wife.

If Charles looked around
for someone else,

it's no more than I deserve.

You have any idea
who this someone else might be?

- His nurse, Gladys Strome.
- You want a divorce?

Not at all.

But thanks to my efforts,

Charles is now having trouble
with the income-tax people.

They would like to know
where that $92,000 came from.

If they take legal action,
I want you to defend him.

I'm sure Dr. Morris
will wish to retain his own lawyer.

But that money is community property,
half of it's mine.

Where can I find him?

You can get him at his office,
but you'll have to do it before Friday.

He goes to Salt Lake City
for a medical convention.

All right. I'll do what I can.

That's all I ask.

Thank you, Mr. Mason.

- Goodbye, Miss Street.
- Goodbye.

[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]

What do you think, Della?

I can't make up my mind.

I don't know whether she's genuinely
interested in protecting her husband,

or the money.

See if you can arrange an appointment
with Dr. Morris.

Good morning, doctor.

It is now, Gladys.

- What?
- A good morning.

Oh, how can a woman fall in love
with a face like that?

[CHUCKLES]

- Busy night?
- Yes.

All dressed up in blue uniforms
and brass buttons.

You've made the papers.

Also, there was a call
from the Treasury Department

about an hour ago.
I told them you weren't in yet.

Good old Lieutenant Brewer,
a man of his word.

What happened to Kirby?

I put him on the bus for Loganville
at 3:00 this morning.

What are we going to do?

Ever looked closely
at a set of pathogenic bacteria?

Yes, why?

Minute organisms, whipping madly
about but really going nowhere.

Still, the course of nature says
that nothing can be really aimless.

So they must take a direction,
and destroy or be destroyed.

Charles.

[DIALLING]

Long distance.

I wanna speak person-to-person
with David Kirby,

at Kirby's Drive-ln Restaurant,
Loganville, California.

Well, sure, doc.

Look, I've spent the night
in jail before.

You don't have to apologise.
That's what friends are for.

Well, I can catch the next bus
and be back in L.A. again by 5.

Of course the old lady won't mind.
I just get in her hair.

Surely, now.

I'll see you later. Bye.

[SNIFFLES]

[SNIFFLES]

So I can't turn my back
for a minute, can I?

- Now, honeybunch.
- Oh, don't "honeybunch" me.

I knew I should've changed
the combination on that thing.

Give it to me, David.

I need bus fare.
I gotta go back to Los Angeles.

Doc Morris wants me
to do something for him.

You're not going. Not on my money.

Angela, I promised.

What about all the promises
you made me?

Dave, you've got to stay away
from Dr. Morris.

I'm telling you, he's no good.
Any married man who would--

Now, don't say that, honeybunch.

If it wasn't for the doc,
I wouldn't be alive today.

Enough steel in me to build a jail.

Yeah, and that's where you spent
last night, thanks to him.

Oh, honey--

Will you fix the screens?
The flies are nibbling me to death.

Take my advice,
and send that by air express.

All right, Dave, anything you say.

Oh, I'm sorry, this office is closed.

- Is Dr. Morris in?
- No, he isn't.

I'm Mrs. Morris.

Well, I guess I better run along.

You're Gladys Strome, aren't you?

Don't worry,
I'm not gonna make a scene.

I wasn't worried at all, Mrs. Morris.

- May I?
- Please.

Thank you.

You know,
you're nothing like I pictured you.

What did you expect?

Somebody very blond
with clutching hands.

- I'm sorry to disappoint you.
- I'm sorry too.

If you were that type,
you'd be fairly easy to deal with.

Miss Strome,
can I ask you for a favour?

That all depends.

I want you to leave my husband.

I must say, I admire your nerve.

I've been working for Dr. Morris
for almost a year now,

and to my knowledge,
this is the first time you've been here.

And this is where he spends
most of his life.

May I say a word
in my own defence?

- I was very young when--
- You still are.

You'd be surprised how much older
I've gotten this last year.

I realise the mistakes I've made.
I want a chance to make up for them.

It's too late. You had your chance.

I'm entitled to mine.

You asked me for a favour.

Now I'm going to ask you for one.

Give him a divorce.

Charles doesn't want you.

Can't you understand that?
Can't you understand--?

The minister said,
"Till death do us part."

I believe he meant that literally.

Is there anything else, Mrs. Morris?

No.

I think I've said it all.

- Hello, doctor.
- Hello, Mr. Reese.

Hello, Charles.

Coming all the way out here
to see me off

is a little out of character,
isn't it, Janet?

Well, I thought I'd bring you
some hot coffee for your trip.

Just like old times.

You didn't come out here
to bring me coffee, Janet.

Miss Strome tell you
I was in the office last night?

She told me.

Ever since I talked to her,
I've been thinking things over.

I realise I've been very selfish.

I've retained a lawyer, Perry Mason.
Has he been in touch with you?

He phoned.
I was too busy to see him.

Where can he get hold of you
in Salt Lake City?

At the Townsend Hotel. Why?

I've asked him
to start divorce proceedings.

Once again, please.

- Isn't that what you want?
- What have you got up your sleeve?

Nothing, I just realised that
I've been wrong.

If I can't make you happy,
maybe somebody else can.

And you've already asked Mason
to start proceedings?

- Yes.
- All right. Let's talk to him.

There's a phone
in the operations shack.

All right, I haven't talked to
Mr. Mason yet about a divorce.

I only reached the decision last night.

What earthly purpose could I have
in lying?

I don't know.
But I'll find out in the long run,

and I'm sure it'll cost me dearly.

Goodbye, Janet,
and thanks for the wifely gesture.

I'm looking for the airport manager.

I'm the airport manager,
Phillip Connors Reese.

You wanted to see me?
I'm Lieutenant Tragg.

Oh, yes, lieutenant.
I hope I haven't put you out.

That was an airplane at one time.
It belonged to Dr. Charles Morris.

The aeronautic authorities
are investigating the case.

But there are some facts
about this accident that,

well, they disturb me.

Such as?

Well, Dr. Morris was talking
to a radio checkpoint

seconds before the crash.

I talked to the radio operator,
and he told me

the doctor's exact words were,

"I'm very tired.
I can hardly keep my eyes open."

Then he started to mumble.

Then everything
was completely unintelligible.

Naturally, the authorities picked up
the various personal effects,

but I thought you might like
to examine this.

Well, if Dr. Morris was drugged,

there could have been
something in there.

Mrs. Morris placed that vacuum bottle
in the aircraft

ten minutes before takeoff.

Where was Dr. Morris at this time?

On his way up
to the operations shack.

Well, thank you, Mr. Reese.

We'll be in touch.

TRAGG:
I know your husband's death

must have been a terrible shock
to you, Mrs. Morris.

It was a shock to everyone
who knew him, lieutenant.

- He was a great man.
- He have any enemies?

Of course not.

Why do you ask?

Do you know anything about
the effects of morphine sulphate?

It's a narcotic. Why?

Your husband's body
was almost completely destroyed,

but the coroner managed
to do an autopsy.

And he found morphine sulphate
in the stomach.

Now, you brought your husband
a container of coffee.

You think I put--

I think that if you know a good lawyer,
you better call him.

The district attorney
wants to see you.

[DIALLING]

Information.
I'd like the telephone number

of Mr. Perry Mason, please.

It's Madison 5-1190.

[DIALLING]

Did the district attorney
keep you long?

- About an hour.
- What did he ask you?

Mostly about
how my husband and I got along,

and if Charles had ever asked me
for a divorce.

- What was your answer?
- That he didn't.

Now listen to me, Mrs. Morris.

The district attorney's office
can get the facts within five minutes.

Now I wanna know.

Did your husband ever ask you
for a divorce?

- I agreed to give him one.
- When?

At the airport, just before he took off
to Salt Lake City.

Did anyone overhear
that conversation?

I'm sorry, Mason, time is up.

I gave you a special concession
seeing Mrs. Morris

before she was processed into jail.

I-- I know it looks as though the world
has just exploded in your face,

but with time,
we'll get to the bottom of all this.

That bit about time was sheer poetry.

I'm glad you liked it.

I don't suppose that I'm jeopardising
the prosecutor's case

by telling you that the doctor
left Mrs. Morris a sizeable estate.

It was half hers anyway.

But he didn't have to leave her
his insurance.

He carried $125,000 worth.

And it was all payable
to Mrs. Morris?

Well, guys have been murdered
for less.

- Get my message last night?
- I did.

- Been here since then?
- Just about.

What did you find out
about the nurse?

Gladys Strome, age 34.

Graduated from St. Mark's.

Been with the doctor
since March of last year.

- Ever been married?
- No.

She's the sole support of her mother
and a younger brother.

Did you talk to Miss Strome?

Couldn't. She's away on vacation.

Away on vacation? Where?

Mama didn't know.

Oh, did you hear about
Dr. Morris' will?

Yes, Tragg told me
he left everything to his wife.

Not quite.

He left a $50,000 bequest
to Miss Strome.

That guy was really was loaded.

Hmm.

What happened to the $92,000
the doctor had Kirby pick up for him?

- Found on the plane?
- Nope.

Isn't likely that $92,000 in cash
would burn without a trace.

PAUL:
Perry, what are you getting at?

This Kirby, what sort of a man is he?

Harmless. Likes to take a nip
now and then.

MASON: Where does he live?
- Loganville. Kirby's Drive-ln.

Della, call the garage,
have them bring my car around.

Paul, I'll look up Kirby.
You check further on Gladys Strome.

All right.

Hey, young man,
you dropped these screws.

Thank you, ma'am,
but I've got lots more.

I'm paying you
on a time-and-material basis,

and what I pay for,
I would like to receive.

- Mrs. Kirby?
- Yeah.

- My name is Mason. I'm an attorney.
- Well, I don't need any.

Good, because I already have a client.
Mrs. Janet Morris.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Nowadays, you know, it isn't the
making of money that concerns one,

it's keeping others from taking it away.
Come on in.

Thank you.

- Did you just recently buy this place?
- Yeah.

It must've called for
quite an investment.

I had to put down $8,000 in cash.
That's a lot of chilli and beans.

Would you care for something?
Our hamburgers are quite good.

They're only 35 cents,
and that includes french fries.

No, thank you, I'm on a diet.

Mrs. Kirby,
I'm looking for your husband.

- Well, he's not here.
- Where I can find him?

You might try skid row
in Los Angeles.

He's on one of his lost weekends.

This must be a beaut.

There was $154 sales tax money
in here.

When did you last see Mr. Kirby?

A week ago Monday.

He got a long-distance call
from Dr. Morris, and took off.

- That would have been the 16th?
- Yeah.

I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know
when you hear from him.

Why?

Mr. Kirby had seen a great deal
of Dr. Morris just before the fatal crash.

I'd like to talk with him
about those meetings.

Are you implying that my husband
had something to do with that?

- I didn't say that.
- You didn't have to.

You guys are as slick as okra

when it comes to pointing the finger
of suspicion at somebody else.

Oh, Frederick.

Are you putting three whole pickles
on every hamburger plate?

- Yes, Mrs. Kirby.
- Why?

Well, to garnish the coleslaw.

Wouldn't three half slices
do just as well?

It's the waste that kills you,
Frederick.

Yes, Mrs. Kirby.

And speaking of waste, Mr. Mason,

that's all you and I are doing
with one another's time.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

Come right in, Mrs. Kirby.

I think you'll find
this chair comfortable.

And this is our district attorney,
Mr. Burger.

How are you, Mrs. Kirby?

Sit down, won't you?

I don't understand this, that officer
downstairs in the Missing Persons--

Now, there's nothing for you
to worry about.

My husband's missing and you tell me
there's nothing to worry about.

Well, what I meant was
we want to help you.

You see, the last time
your husband came to Los Angeles,

he got himself in a little trouble.

It seems he picked up $92,000.

He did that as a favour to Dr. Morris.

I'm not disputing that.

I just wondered if you had any idea
what happened to that money.

What are you getting at?

Well, just for the sake of argument,

let's say that Dr. Morris turned
the money over to your husband.

Dr. Morris is dead, and your husband
feels no obligation to return the money.

Matter of fact, people might even think
it gave Mr. Kirby kind of a motive.

You trying to say my Dave could have
killed Dr. Morris for that money?

- We're attempting to rule out--
- Don't pull the wool over my eyes.

My Dave has his faults,
but he wouldn't hurt a fly,

and he loved Dr. Morris
like a brother.

He did.
They flew in the war together.

- Let me ask you something--
- No, let me ask you something.

You're telling everybody you got
a perfect case against Mrs. Morris.

Now all of a sudden you're hinting
Dave could be the murderer.

- I never said--
- What made you change your mind?

You afraid of her lawyer, Mr. Mason?

Or did you think I was gonna sit still
and let you smear my husband?

If you've got no objections,
I'm getting out of here.

[WHISTLES]

- I didn't know Kirby was a flier.
- Oh, yes, he was a pilot in the war.

How long would it take you
to drive up to Chatley?

You mean where the plane crashed?
Oh, two and a half, three hours.

Take two men with you.
I want you to comb the entire area.

Hmm.

Hey, Paul.

It's a good-luck medallion.
You know, a zodiac sign.

See, that's-- That's Leo.
I'm a Scorpio myself.

David Kirby, 1480 Clarke Avenue,
Loganville, California.

- Well, I guess that clinches it.
- Yup.

What made Mason think of this bit,
anyway?

Well, he just figured that
if Dr. Morris were dead,

it seemed strange his nurse didn't
come tearing home from her vacation.

After all, she was supposed to be
crazy about the guy.

Well, guess it proves that great minds
run in the same channel.

Burger had the same idea
you fellas had.

Only he was a little late.

Oh, well, that depends
on how you look at it.

You sure saved us a lot of work.

Well, I guess this belonged
to the late Mr. Kirby.

Is that the way you pegged it?

- Aren't you embarrassed, lieutenant?
- Embarrassed? Why?

You fellows were so sure
Dr. Morris was killed in that plane.

Well, that doesn't make any real
difference. Murder is still murder.

Just because Mason's client
picked the wrong man by mistake

doesn't alter that one bit.
Let's go, boys.

Oh, I'll see you get
your handkerchief back.

PAUL:
Thanks.

I guess it wasn't very smart of me
to lose my temper with Mr. Burger.

But he had absolutely no right to make
those insinuations about my Dave.

Mrs. Kirby,
did you ever see this before?

Huh?

- Where did you get this?
- You better sit down.

- Where did you get it?
- It was found about 200 yards

from where
Dr. Morris' plane crashed.

Your husband was flying that plane.

No. No.

[SOBS]
Ooh.

BURGER:
The State will prove,

beyond reasonable doubt,
that Janet Morris

did murder David Kirby
in an attempt to kill her own husband.

We shall prove further
that Mrs. Morris actually believed

her husband was flying that plane
to Salt Lake City,

and that she was aware that she was
residuary legatee of his will

and sole beneficiary of his insurance.

Mr. Reese,
you are the manager of the airfield

where Dr. Morris kept his plane.
Is that correct?

Yes, sir. I also handle operations
and run the coffee shop.

- It's a very small field.
- I see.

And what time
did Dr. Morris' plane take off?

Well, I issued permission
for his takeoff at 2:17 p.m.

The plane left the ground
at 2:24 and one-half p.m.

Would you have any idea how many
people were there at about that time?

Oh, yes. There were several people.
Eleven, to be exact.

That is,
in addition to our regular staff.

And among that number,
did you see the defendant?

I did.

- When did you first notice her?
- When she parked her car.

It was a blue Buick convertible
with white and blue upholstery.

Licence number JRZ 426.

She parked right next
to a Pontiac station waggon.

Licence number XYL 116.

I see. Well, when did you see
Mrs. Morris next?

About 15 minutes before takeoff.

She was talking to Dr. Morris
on the field.

They talked for a while and then when
the doctor went in to file his flight plan,

Mrs. Morris placed a vacuum bottle
in the doctor's plane.

- Do you recognise this?
- Yes, sir.

That's the vacuum bottle that
the authorities found in the aircraft.

Thank you.
Your witness, Mr. Mason.

Mr. Reese, don't you think
it's unusual for a person

to be able to recall someone else's
licence number so readily?

Well, yes, sir.
I have a photographic memory.

A photographic memory?

Well, would you be so kind as to
demonstrate this gift of yours for us?

Why certainly.

You've been interrogated
by the district attorney.

Without looking at him,
please answer these questions.

- What is the colour of his suit?
- Charcoal grey.

- Colour of his necktie?
- Gold and black striped.

The second button
on his left sleeve is loose.

That's very good, Mr. Reese.
But since you're so observant,

would you please explain
why you failed to notice

the substitution of David Kirby
for Dr. Morris in the plane?

Well, I wasn't there.
Hank, that's my assistant,

called me in the office.

He was having trouble
with Form 13-28.

Then you actually did not see
the takeoff.

No, sir.

Perhaps you noticed the defendant
slipping some morphine sulphate

- into that vacuum bottle?
- Well, no, sir.

So as far as you know,
there was no morphine sulphate

- in the bottle at all.
- No, sir.

As a matter of fact, you can't even say
for sure the bottle contained coffee.

- No.
- No further questions.

I call Lieutenant Arthur Tragg
to the stand, please.

If Your Honour, please,
it is nearly 5:00.

I wonder if the court would care
to take an adjournment,

so that the entire testimony of
the witness can be heard at one time.

Why, that's very considerate
of the counsellor.

But my direct examination
will take less than half an hour.

I'm afraid my cross-examination
may be quite lengthy.

Court's adjourned
until 10:00 Monday morning.

- Well, that gives us another 48 hours.
- What good will that do?

Mrs. Morris, we need all the time
we can get. Now, just hold on.

Perry. No dice, sir. I couldn't get a lead
on the doc or Miss Strome.

They've got to be somewhere, Paul.

Dr. Morris had at least
$92 thousand in cash

and a wife who wouldn't
give him a divorce.

He wanted to disappear.

So he had Kirby fly that plane
to Salt Lake City.

What guarantee did Morris have that
Kirby wouldn't give the show away?

Well, there's always a chance.
Especially when Kirby was drinking.

But if Kirby's dead,
that chance is eliminated.

You couldn't get a thing
from Gladys Strome's family?

No.

Where are they getting
their money from?

You told me that Gladys
was their sole support.

Come on, Della.

MASON: When do you expect
your daughter back, Mrs. Strome?

You think she'd tell me?
That girl has no consideration.

Don't bolt your food, Arthur.
He has a very delicate constitution.

Yes, one can tell.

But your daughter's been gone
for over a month. Aren't you worried?

Of course I'm worried, but that's what
a mother has to put up with.

If you knew the sleepless nights
I've spent on account of that girl.

You think she appreciates it?
Not a bit.

And you haven't heard from Gladys
since she went on vacation?

Not so much as a postcard.

Too bad. It would be worth $100 to me
just to get in touch with her.

Arthur, have some more meat.

- Any more potatoes?
- Sure.

You mean what you said about it being
worth 100 bucks to locate Gladys?

[QUIETLY]
She's in Mexico.

Town called Boca de Oro.

She's using the name of Hennessy.

- How do you know?
- Sent Mom some dough yesterday.

Come on, Della.

DELLA:
Say goodbye to your mother for us.

I was rather expecting you or someone
representing you, Mr. Mason.

- Why?
- We get the Los Angeles papers.

Thank you.

It's a strange feeling for a corpse,

watching his wife
being tried for his murder.

- But you're no longer the corpse.
- That's not Janet's fault.

- Police know where I am?
- Not yet.

There are a few things
I wanted to straighten out first.

- Such as?
- Who killed Kirby?

- Is there any question about that?
- In my mind, yes.

Janet thought I was on that plane.

The fact still remains,
you're very much alive.

Now, how did it happen
that Kirby took your place?

I had some money.

Ninety-two thousand dollars,
to be exact.

On which I'd already paid the taxes.

I thought if Kirby flew my plane
to Salt Lake

and left a trail
in the opposite direction--

Your wife wouldn't know
where you were.

MORRIS: Exactly.
- But you're still married to Janet.

I got a divorce three weeks ago.
Right in Boca de Oro.

MASON: It isn't legal in California.
- That doesn't bother me.

I intend to reside permanently
in Mexico.

- Does that answer all your questions?
- Not quite.

Will you come back to Los Angeles
to testify for Mrs. Morris?

I will not.

Then you're willing to see
your wife go to the gas chamber?

Janet isn't my wife anymore.
Gladys is.

- Will you come back?
- Why should I?

For the first time in my life I'm happy.

MASON:
What kind of happiness can you build

on someone else's misfortune?

Please spare us the bromides.
Janet tried to kill Charles.

- Then why are you afraid to see her?
- All right.

Gladys and I will take the first plane
out of Boca de Oro tomorrow.

- I'll be looking for you. Good night.
- Good night.

[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]

What did you say that for?
We can't go back.

I said we'd take the first plane
out of Boca de Oro.

I didn't say in which direction.

Della, let me have that last affidavit,
will you, please?

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

Morning

The newspapers don't seem to think
I have a chance.

When you were first arrested, I told
you that time was our greatest ally.

If things go against us,
I'll ask for a continuance.

On what grounds
can you get a continuance?

When the court learns that Dr. Morris
and Miss Strome are in Mexico,

they'll wanna know
why the two disappeared.

- They're in Mexico?
- I'll tell you about it later.

And if they come back
like he promised?

I don't think we ought to count on it.

[RATTLING]

Were you able to find out
who purchased this bottle, lieutenant?

Yes, sir. The defendant.
She bought it at the Maxon Drug Store.

- What was the date of purchase?
- February 19.

That's 24 hours before the murder.
Thank you, lieutenant.

Now, lieutenant, it has been stated
that the body of the victim

- was that of David Kirby.
- That's correct.

But the police originally listed
the dead man as Dr. Charles Morris.

Well, the body was burned
beyond recognition

and there was no reason to assume
it was anyone else.

And since part of the coat
had been torn off

and was not destroyed
in the explosion,

it had been identified
as belonging to Dr. Morris.

And what made you finally decide
that the victim was David Kirby?

A little medallion that Mr. Kirby wore.

And having established that fact,

don't you feel
that under the circumstances,

- you should've talked to Dr. Morris?
- Well, yes.

Why didn't you make an effort
to locate him?

We did.

Perhaps you'll be interested
in knowing

that Dr. Morris and his nurse,
Gladys Strome,

are presently residing in Boca de Oro,
Mexico. If I could find them,

why couldn't the police, with all the
facilities they have at their command?

Your point is well-taken, Mr. Mason.

And the answer is, we have.

[CROWD MURMURING]

- I have no further questions.
- I call Dr. Charles Morris.

The district attorney knows full well

that Dr. Morris
is the husband of the defendant.

And as such, cannot be called upon
to testify against her.

Your Honour, Dr. Morris is no longer
the husband of the defendant.

He now resides
in Boca de Oro, Mexico.

On March 4th of this year,
he obtained a divorce.

And that divorce is legal
where he now resides.

But it is not legal
in the state of California.

- He doesn't live in California.
- It makes no difference.

Gentlemen, gentlemen.

Your Honour,
may I say one thing more?

Mr. Mason went to Mexico

to try to get Dr. Morris to come back
with him to testify for the defendant.

If the doctor had agreed,
Mr. Mason would've maintained

that he was perfectly qualified
to be a witness.

Now when he sees that Dr. Morris
will testify for the prosecution,

he changes his mind
and says he cannot testify.

If it please the court,

I am not a member of the legislature.
I do not make the laws.

I'm merely trying to use their provisions
to protect my client.

This is a very fine point and I know that
legal authorities are in disagreement.

However, despite Dr. Morris' intent
to reside permanently in Mexico,

as far as this court is concerned,
he's still married to the defendant.

- Very well. I call Gladys Strome.
CLERK: Gladys Strome to the stand.

Raise your right hand.

Do you solemnly swear the testimony
you're about to give is the truth,

the whole truth
and nothing but the truth?

- I do.
- Be seated.

- Miss Strome--
- I prefer to be called Mrs. Morris.

BURGER: Of course.
When did you marry Dr. Morris?

GLADYS:
On the 4th of March of this year.

BURGER: How long had you
known the doctor before that?

Almost a year. I was his nurse.
We worked side by side.

Do you think Dr. Morris was happy
in his marriage to the defendant?

Obviously not. He asked her
for a divorce a number of times.

- And what was her answer?
- Objection. This is hearsay.

The witness would have no way
of knowing the defendant's response.

Yes, I would. I was on the extension
phone whenever he talked to her.

As a matter of fact,
didn't she personally tell you

- how she felt on the subject?
- Yes.

She came to the office the day before
Charles and I left for Mexico.

- Do you recall what she said?
- I do.

She told me that she would
never give the doctor up.

- That only death would set him free.
- I didn't mean it like that.

BURGER: Thank you, Mrs. Morris.
You may cross-examine.

- Now, Miss Strome.
- The name is Mrs. Morris.

It's still Miss Strome in California.

When was the first time you went out
with Dr. Morris?

About a month
after I went to work for him.

- You knew he was married?
- Yes.

- Yet you still went out with him?
- I did.

Where did you spend
most of those evenings?

GLADYS:
Various places.

Are you familiar with the apartment
on Claring Avenue the doctor rented

- under an assumed name?
- It wasn't an assumed name.

MASON: He just omitted his first name
and his medical degree.

Isn't that right?

Now, weren't you surprised
when you read that Kirby's body

had been originally identified
as that of Dr. Morris?

GLADYS:
Of course.

Part of that identification
was due to the fact

that Kirby was wearing a suit
belonging to Dr. Morris.

Charles often gave him clothes.

When did the doctor give him
that particular suit?

I don't remember exactly.

MASON: Well, was Kirby wearing
that suit on February 16th

when he came to Los Angeles in
answer to the doctor's telephone call?

I told you, I don't remember.

Very well.
We'll let that pass for the moment.

Now, Miss Strome,

I suppose that Mr. Kirby
thought a great deal of Dr. Morris.

Naturally.
The doctor once saved his life.

Was Dr. Morris treating him during
his various visits to Los Angeles?

Whenever Mr. Kirby
needed treatment.

Occasionally, Mr. Kirby wouldn't be
feeling well after he'd been drinking.

And how was Dr. Morris
treating him?

Charles gave him a sedative
to calm his nerves.

Did Dr. Morris ever prescribe
morphine sulphate for him?

I don't recall.
Dr. Morris had hundreds of patients.

I can't remember what he prescribed
in every single case.

Your Honour, I have
no other questions at the moment.

However, I may wish to recall this
witness for further cross-examination.

You may step down, Miss Strome.

Mrs. Kirby,
did you ever see this before?

Yes. I bought it for David.

For the record, it's a medallion
bearing the zodiac sign of Leo.

Inscribed, "David Kirby, 1048
Clarke Place, Loganville, California."

I should like this marked for exhibit.

BURGER: Mrs. Kirby,
I know this is a painful subject for you.

But when did you first realise

that your husband was the victim
instead of Dr. Morris?

MRS. KIRBY: When Lieutenant Tragg
showed me the medallion.

BURGER: Up until that time,
you believed your husband was alive?

MRS. KIRBY:
Yes.

BURGER: You knew he was gonna fly
Dr. Morris' plane to Salt Lake City

- on Friday the 20th?
- No.

BURGER: Mrs. Kirby, wouldn't
you say that your husband's decision

was a carefully-guarded secret,
even from you?

It would be virtually impossible

for the defendant
to know about the change in plans?

Information. I'd like the telephone
number of Van Dorf & Cole Jewellers.

Yes, they're in Los Angeles.

Mrs. Kirby, how long were you
and your husband married?

Eighteen years.

- Were you happy together?
- Very.

You understand his problem
about drinking?

Yes. He tried,
but he couldn't help himself.

Sometimes he disappeared for days.

And when he came home
from these sessions,

did he take something
to calm his nerves?

Yes. He took morphine sulphate.

Who prescribed this medication
for him?

Dr. Morris.

- You're sure of that.
- I'm positive.

I took the prescription
to the druggist myself one time.

Thank you, Mrs. Kirby.

Oh, Mrs. Kirby, did your husband
carry any insurance?

- I mean life insurance.
- Yeah, he might've had a small policy.

- How small?
- Five thousand dollars.

What about his military insurance?
He served in World War II, did he not?

Yeah. He had that too.

- That was for $10,000?
- I'm not sure of the amount.

In other words, you haven't filed
claims with insurance companies

- for your husband's death.
- I didn't say that.

- You have filed claims?
- Yes.

Oh.

Mrs. Kirby, I-- I'm curious.

Curious as to why you bought this
for your husband.

Do I have to have a special reason
to buy a present for my husband?

No, but I think you had
a special reason for buying this one.

The reason being so your husband's
body could be readily identified.

What are you saying?

You knew your husband was flying
Dr. Morris' plane to Salt Lake City.

- He must've told you.
- That's not true.

You drove out to the airport
to see him off.

You gave him this medallion--
a medallion made of platinum

--so that it wouldn't be destroyed
by fire.

You also gave him
a bottle of whisky.

The morphine sulphate
was in that bottle of whisky.

- Not the coffee.
- That isn't so.

Your plans went down the drain
when this medallion was overlooked

and the body was mistakenly identified
as Dr. Morris.

It created quite a problem for you,
didn't it?

No. No.

I stand corrected.
It created no problem at all.

You just went
to the Missing Persons Bureau

and started the hunt for your husband.
That's when this medallion was found.

Only then
could you claim his insurance.

That's a lie.
You can't prove a word of this.

Mrs. Kirby, when did you give
your husband this present?

- I don't remember.
- Perhaps I can help you.

Now, look closely
on the back of this medallion.

You'll see engraved the mark and name
of the jewellers, Van Dorf & Cole.

Now, according to their records,

this medallion was purchased
and engraved on February 19th,

delivered to you the morning
of February 20th, the day of the crash.

Yet you testified you hadn't seen
your husband since the 16th.

I didn't.

What kind of a car do you drive,
Mrs. Kirby?

Pontiac station waggon.

All right, we'll get the manager
of the airport back to the stand.

In case you haven't heard,
he has a photographic memory.

He's already testified
that Mrs. Morris' car was parked

next to a Pontiac station waggon,
licence numbers XYL 116.

And according
to the Department of Motor Vehicles,

that car belongs to you.

We'll ask Mr. Reese
to look at both the car and you.

If Your Honour please,
I should like to call

Mr. Phillip Reese back to the stand.

- Is Mr. Reese in the court, please?
- Don't bother!

I built that drive-in up from nothing
with my own two hands.

I work like a slave.
Dave couldn't be bothered.

Every time I ask him to do something
he'll find an excuse.

Why should he be entitled
to a half interest?

He was no good to me alive.

I figured he might be
worth something dead.

[EXHALES]

Della.

Della.
Funny. She didn't answer.

Well, she's not here.
You want me to go find her?

Think you'd have better luck
than you did with the fugitive nurse?

Heh. Touché.

Now, I still don't figure
what made you suspect Mrs. Kirby.

What would you say
was her outstanding characteristic?

The way she pinches pennies.
She's the tightest dame I've ever seen.

Exactly. When I heard
she'd given her husband a present,

and an expensive one at that, I felt--

You felt she must have
an ulterior motive.

And she wanted to make certain
Kirby's body was discovered

- so she could collect the insurance.
- Right you are.

Oh. How did you know Reese had
seen her at the airport that day?

I didn't.
From my experience with Mr. Reese,

I was convinced he was a man
who saw everything.

[DOOR OPENS]

What's all this?

In case you haven't noticed,
I've been losing weight, Mr. Mason.

In fact, I drop about 3 pounds
after every one of your cases.

From working too hard?

No, from coming back here
and going without dinner.

So this time I brought my own.
Cold cuts, anyone?

- Mm. Thank you.
- Thank you.

- Bread, please.
- Pardon my fingers.

- Sure.
- May I? Thank you.

- Yeah, looks good.
- Mm-hm.

- Pardon me.
- Mm-hm.