Original subtitles

It's true what they say, Jessica.

A skipper's first love is his ship.

Dennis Stanton!

As far as the law goes, I'm it.

But quite clearly, we're on a ship of thieves.

Jessica, you know, that could roughly be half the people on this ship.

Now you got J.B. Fletcher on our case.

We really are into cruising, aren't you, Mr. Brinegar?

All I'm asking you is if you... Molly, listen.

I wasn't following her.

Mysterious criminal, Amber.

Never point a gun at someone you don't intend to kill.

Agnes Lowry?

Yes.

I'm the one who left you the message?

You alone?

As promised.

My boss guarantees you immunity.

But I've got to be on that boat first thing in the morning knowing who the

courier is.

You were going to have that in writing.

I do.

After all these years, somehow I thought Amber would be older.

Well, you must come up against a lot of surprises in your business.

Your luggage will be in your stateroom, number 805, located on the promenade

deck. Happy cruise, Mrs. Fletcher. Thank you very much, and bon voyage to you.

Welcome aboard, Miss Lowry. Your luggage will be located in your stateroom,

number 911, located on the promenade deck. Thank you. You're welcome.

Beatrice McGill. I can't believe my eyes.

Oh, Jess, it is you, isn't it?

Leslie Hunter?

Yes. Oh, thank you.

Goodness.

Honestly, you haven't changed that much at all, and it's been, what, 30 years?

Star Harbor. You were on your way to Europe.

That's right, with the Italian boy, Lorenzo. Oh, a misfire.

There were a lot of them, I'm afraid.

And then you went into the travel business, I think. And you married, I

know, because your name changed to Fletcher. See, I've even read some of

your books and enjoyed them.

Are you alone?

Yes, intentionally.

I managed to finish the first draft of my new novel ahead of schedule, so my

editor gave me this trip as a reward.

He thought I needed to pay attention to my inner being for a while.

Look, Jess.

There's someone that I really want you to meet. Oh, we've got plenty of time

for that, Leslie.

Oh, not by this minute. He happens to be the skipper on this tub, and he's

throwing a little party for the in-group.

Please, just, it is kind of special.

Well, great.

I will pick you up at 5.30. Ciao.

Knock, Mr. Worthington, with two points.

Is it? Because you're so doggone pretty, the cards come to you like that.

It's just my lucky day, Mr. Worthington.

Tomorrow will be yours.

It's your play, Mr. Worthington.

Champagne, compliments of Captain O'Neil? No, thanks.

Miss Champagne, compliments of Captain O'Neil?

I'm so sorry. Hey, hey, just leave it alone. Don't even bother. Lance, you

didn't mean to do it.

Where do they hire you people anyway?

For God's sake, Lance, stop it. You're going to lose this guy's job.

Janet.

Janet, it's Roland Devereaux, remember?

No, why should I?

Wait a minute.

Miramar Hotel, Buffalo, three years ago?

Didn't you hear me? Shove off.

That was your last year.

When we roomed together.

And you took marathon showers and used all the hot water. And the girls always

blame me, you know.

I never.

Norgeastic 20, 25 minutes in the shower. Still isn't too long, is it? Oh, thanks

a lot.

Leslie tells me you're planning to retire after this trip, Captain O'Neill.

Won't you miss the seat?

I'm not so sure about that, Mrs. Fletcher. But I never grew so attached

to a ship as I have the Lady Wellington.

Ten years in the Caribbean, you don't get duty any cushier than that.

It's true what they say, Jessica.

A skipper's first love is his ship.

When we get back...

She'll be refitted so she can compete with the newer cruise ships.

As you can see, she's got all the technology, computer-linked, the

mainframe in Miami, and fax, modem.

Captain, over here.

Excuse us, Mrs. Fletcher.

J.B. Fletcher is represented in the ship's library by two recent hardbacks,

both of which I've read. Twice.

Dennis.

What in heaven's name are you doing here? If I didn't know you quite as well

as I do, I'd consider that an impolite question.

As if a retired gentleman, retired, erstwhile insurance investigator, has no

right to relax on a Caribbean cruise on the same boat as this rich and famous.

Yes, I'm on an extended vacation.

What are you doing here?

I'm unwinding between drafts.

By the way, if you're still drawing characters from life, You'll find Alma

Sobel and son Marvin.

Very tempting subjects. If I was still in the business, Mrs. Sobel could be an

insurance investigator's nightmare.

Oh, why do you say that?

Just pray you don't find out.

We're here for the captain's reception.

Oh, I'm sorry. This is the powder room. The captain's entrance is that way.

Very sorry.

You're welcome.

All right, Jess.

On a scale from one to ten.

Now, Leslie, don't put me on the spot.

Please. My captain, Rory. Well, he seems intelligent.

He certainly has feeling, and he's undeniably attractive.

And? Look, if you're asking me for an endorsement, you must be uncertain in

your own mind.

Well, he's bought this big old ranch outside of Carmel in Northern

California.

He's changing the main house into a bed and breakfast.

And over the years, he's collected a lot of antiques to decorate the place. He's

having a bunch of them brought on board this week in Old Town.

Every room's gonna have its own distinctive style, and he's... He's

gonna raise Weimaraners and cultivate roses.

Well, good Lord, Leslie.

I mean, you can't do any better than that.

We've been seeing each other for a year, Jess, and it is very serious, but...

But he hasn't asked me to be any part of it.

Everybody gets to guess the exact time the Lady Wellington crosses the 25th

parallel tomorrow night.

So write your name and cabin number and take a wild guess.

Sometime between 9.30 and 10.30, but it's got to be to the minute.

You know, when Murph Sr.

and I crossed during our honeymoon, well, a wonderful older gentleman of 86

years old, and he won this prize.

Then he keeled over and dropped dead.

Oh, Mom, for goodness sakes.

Well, it's true.

You know, at first, everybody kind of thought it was the excitement of his

winning, and then they said, no... Maybe it's because he has a new bride, 29

years old.

Leslie, I'm going to try and catch 30 or 40 winks before dinner.

All right, Jess.

Oh, excuse me, Mrs. Sobel.

I think that's my pen.

Oh? Oh, Mrs. Fletcher, you've made a mistake. You have a pen just like this

one. I know because it's my favorite pen, too.

Ta-ta, ladies.

Come on, Sonny.

Time to go get dressed for din-din.

Ship operator.

Security, please.

Shall I go dance?

Let me get a drink first.

Can

I get

a beer? Yes, sir.

Hello. You all alone, a pretty woman like you.

You really are into cruising, aren't you, Mr. Brinegar?

How do you know my name?

Is that your wife?

No.

Just somebody I'm with.

Then maybe we will be seeing more of each other.

Room 911.

Well, whoever it was was as bold as brass.

I'm not even sure whether it was a man or a woman. They left so quickly.

But I'd been through everything very carefully, and all they took was a pair

of gold earrings.

Well, thank goodness for that.

Thank goodness for what? I mean, value's not the point. They just happened to be

a gift from my late husband.

Oh, shoot.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Fletcher. So they weren't the crown jewels.

But from the standpoint of sentimental value, they were worth a great deal

more. Yes.

Mr. Palachek, you're a steward. I thought I called security.

You're looking at him, Mrs. Fletcher.

The official security guy's in the infirmary.

Seasick.

Captain O'Neill gave me the temporary assignment.

I see. Well, I'm sure you'll do your best.

Count on it, Mrs.

Fletcher. Excuse me.

Oh, Mrs. Fletcher.

Oh, Mr. Sobel. Come in. Oh, thank you. I can't stay. I just wanted to drop this

by. I think it belongs to you.

Yes. It's mine. Oh, I'm really sorry for the inconvenience.

My mother has this problem when it comes to small, glittery little keepsakes.

It's called kleptomania.

I see.

It doesn't make much sense.

We've seen psychiatrists and all that, and they know less about it than I do,

so... Mr. Sobel, I think I understand your problem.

Thank you for your trouble. Oh, no, it's no trouble, Mrs. Fletcher. I watch my

mom closely and try to return what I can.

The earrings, Diana?

18-carat gold, Rolly. What's the matter with that? I did like we always do. It's

gonna screw things up is what's the matter. I'm onto something big this

time. When you're worried that a crummy pair of earrings is gonna get in the

way? It's not the earrings, Airhead. It's who they belong to.

Don't you understand?

Now you got J.B. Fletcher on our case.

The International Showboat Lounge presents the Master of Merlin's Art.

Roland Devereaux.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, I am going to psychometrically read one of you through

an object I am holding in my hand.

There is an attractive lady in a hot pink outfit seated at table three.

I am reading her vibrations.

She has lost something of value, but it will be returned to her.

The vibrations tell me that this lady is a writer of mysteries.

But even she cannot fathom the arcane secrets of Merlin's art.

Yes, isn't he fantastic?

Roland Deverell.

The Lady Wellington now invites you to dance with Brandon Boyle and his big

band of swing. My goodness, what beautiful earrings. Wow.

Would you care to dance?

Oh, no, thank you, Dennis. I've been on my feet all day.

I will take you up on some fresh air, though, huh? Good idea.

I think that Roland's so-called psychometric talents are nothing more

than a good memory for the details he picks up from personal articles.

Oh, easier than that. Read all about you in the ship's newsletter.

I'm the celebrity guest.

They must have published the number of my stateroom, too.

Someone should land heavily on them for that.

When you look at me like that, either I've got the wrong necktie on or... All

right, Dennis. Now, look, we've only been at sea for a day, and already my

pen and a pair of earrings have been stolen. Granted, they've been returned.

But clearly we're on a ship of thieves, and I think you know a great deal more

about it than you're learning on.

Jessica, that's not very nice.

Dennis, I mean, you're simply not yourself.

Look at your clothes.

Dennis Stanton is a...

Savile Roman, not a Rienzi of Florence.

I mean, nothing about you rings true.

And don't tell me that you're on a holiday cruise.

And if you don't want to advertise that shoulder holster you're wearing, I

suggest that you wear something more substantial than that lightweight suit.

You're absolutely right.

You see before you the chief of security for the Duchess Lyon.

Now, that I can believe.

Insurance investigation's got to be something of a bore.

I had a sudden yearn to travel, and then this job popped up.

The work is minimal, but it enables me to live in a manner to which I've grown

accustomed beyond my means.

You always seem to be able to carry that off quite handsomely.

Tell me, what is the chief of security doing on the last voyage of the Lady

Wellington?

Nostalgia, perhaps.

I read about a Caribbean money laundering scheme.

A mysterious criminal, Amber, who managed to escape an FBI dragnet three

years ago.

Jessica, my assignment is infinitely more precise.

We watch for passengers who prey on others.

Now, for instance, if I were to pick someone to keep an eye on,

it would be that young man over there.

You mean he's on your list?

Implicated numerous times, but never apprehended. Oh, he's very bright.

He could have done a lot more with his life.

I don't think the young lady will be wearing that splendid diamond pendant

too much longer.

Sorry I had to let myself in, but you didn't answer any of my notes or phone

calls.

What do you want, Roland?

She remembers my name.

Whatever you're fixing to do, I want a piece of it.

And what is it you think I'm fixing to do?

Well, I hear there's a bunch of drug money hidden someplace down this way.

Everybody's coming after it.

Now, you're using an alias, meaning to me, you know what you're doing.

If it's as big as I hear, I expect there's enough to go around.

Ask what?

Hell, because I go to whoever's running this rust bucket and tell them Miss

Lowry ain't Miss Lowry. And that I remember from Buffalo three years ago

where she was scamming an old duffer out of his life savings.

And you'll neglect to mention you're running a con on the very same mark.

You think I'm gonna kill you?

You caught me in a good mood, Roland.

I'm gonna let you in.

Here's how it's gonna go.

I can't tell you anything. You're gonna have to trust me.

When it's going down, you'll know.

And you'll get yours.

You haven't forgotten how we resolved our differences in Buffalo?

Attention, everyone.

Guided tour of Old Town and the Turtle Farm will be leaving in exactly half an

hour. Don't be late.

Rory had an early morning appointment with his bank in Old Town.

You know, he should be back by now.

Look, you go on to breakfast, Jessica. I'm going to surprise him.

Will I meet you in Old Town?

Uh, when you're finished with breakfast, why don't you meet me back here and

we'll leave together?

Everything all right, Molly?

Oh, I guess.

Are you going into Old Town?

Yes, I think.

Do you believe in kismet, Mrs. Fletcher?

You mean that magic something?

No.

No, for my money, relationships don't just happen.

Why do you ask?

I thought it was kismet with Lance and me.

We decided to get married, and I wanted a honeymoon cruise.

And Lance said, great, but let's make sure the chemistry's right.

We'll get married after the cruise.

That way, this is my treat, and the honeymoon's his.

Well, that's OK, too.

What I mind is this big attitude change.

It's not like it's the money.

I mean, goodness knows this ship has cut rates, seeing how old the boat is and

how bad the service is. More coffee, ladies?

Don't apologize.

I know the boat's falling apart, and I'm not exactly a world-class steward, but

then it's not like this is my goal in life either.

Oh!

Oh! Oh, I'm sorry.

The shipment can be here no later than 3, Philippe. We weigh anchor at 5.30.

Hello, Captain.

Ah, Mrs. Fletcher. Leslie will be right back.

This is Philippe Duval, the gentleman who's rounded up most of the antiques

I'm taking to California.

Philippe, meet J.B. Fletcher. How do you do?

Pleasure, madame. I had the pleasure this morning of closing down my old town

bank account.

This check finishes the process.

Many thanks, old friend.

And long life, Captain. And good luck.

Au revoir. Well, I timed that perfectly.

Now, I think that this captain should take these two unattached females to

lunch in Old Town.

Captain?

I don't think I have any choice.

Ladies?

Hi,

it's Wendy with today's photo tip.

Oh, I'm so sorry. No, it was my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going.

Doesn't this strike you as odd?

What? I'm frequently talking to you from the floor.

Oh, you... I spilled coffee all over your table this morning.

Your ever-faithful steward, Philip Palachuk.

I'm so sorry. I feel terrible.

Don't. Look, I don't see Mr. Brinegar, and I'm really hungry.

I'd like to take you to lunch, Miss Altrip.

No. I mean, you don't take me.

I take you.

Lance was supposed to meet me an hour ago.

I'll be right out, Lance.

You make a habit of that?

Your mama teach you to go through a girl's things when she's out of the

room?

Never point a gun at someone you don't intend to kill.

Have you killed with it?

Yes.

Get out of here.

Then don't ask.

Then why'd you keep it?

To protect myself from predators and fools.

It seems we have a lot in common.

We both like to live dangerously.

Honey, you don't know what dangerous is.

Ladies and gentlemen, Sammy Ghostie. My favorite girl is from Czechoslovakia,

and I really must confess.

I took her home to meet my folks, but my folks don't accept chicks.

Well, there's one girl I actually dated, and I wanted to buy her a drink.

So I asked her what her ring size was. She said two and a half carats.

I left my medication in the cabinet. I'll be right back. Okay, hon. Oh, and

Marvin, on your way back, could you pop into the pantry and find me one of those

delicious eclairs with the gloppy goopy centers?

Sure, ma'am. Okay.

Call for you, Miss Laurie. Thank you.

Hello?

Well,

sounds good to me.

Of course.

I'll be there. Count on it.

There's a passenger over there that looks just like Lon Chaney.

I'll be right back. Sorry, madam.

And then Sammy Goldstein will announce the winner of the 25th Parallel Crossing

contest in the Showboat Lounge.

Good luck, everyone.

Folks, folks, our winners. The best guess came within one minute.

It's our charming anniversary couple from Red Bank, New Jersey.

Let's hear it.

They stole our hearts last night with their wonderful, wonderful tango, and

tonight they steal the prize, guessing within one minute.

Give them a round of applause again.

You know, darling, suddenly I'm not the least bit hungry.

Huh?

Could we eat later?

Three witnesses will testify to seeing you running from the forward hole where

the woman's body was found a few minutes after 10 last night. And that means I

killed her? So I followed Janet down.

I lost her in the dark. I heard a shot. I got the hell out.

Who's Janet?

Her name was Lowry, Agnes Lowry. How the hell should I know?

She called herself Janet back in Buffalo three years ago.

Did you have a last name?

Not that I know of.

Why did you follow her down last night?

We had business to discuss.

What business?

What are you, a cop or something?

Where do you get off asking me all these questions, Stanton?

There's a law around here, Captain.

Listen to the man, Devereaux.

At the moment, you are on the high seas, outside any recognizable jurisdiction.

As far as the law goes, Devereaux, I'm it.

Now, what was your business with the woman?

She said she was onto a big score.

I wanted a piece of it.

She said, okay, but to back away, it was something major.

So I backed off.

Last night I wanted to talk to her, keep the deal warm, that's all.

Did she tell you the nature of this score?

Not a word.

You're a splendid magician, Devereux. It's a pity that's not enough for you.

You'll answer to the Miami police when we go ashore about your involvement with

Mrs. Fletcher's earrings, if nothing else.

She caught him back, didn't she? So what do you want?

Medal of Honor?

Go on, get out of here.

What was your opinion of the deceased, Captain?

Agnes Lowry? Zero, I'm afraid. I never got to meet the lady.

You might try talking to Mrs.

Fletcher, though.

Leslie tells me they sat at adjacent tables.

He was probably Dead Rose's assistant, Diana Peel, who lifted your earrings,

but it would be difficult to prove at this point.

The ship's doctor has established that Lowry was struck over the head,

rendering her unconscious, but not dead.

After which, she was shot in the head with a 40-caliber automatic, which was

found lying beside the body.

Her watch was broken when she fell. It stopped at 10.02.

Well, all I can say is this.

Shortly before she left her table last night, the steward bought her the

telephone. She took a call, and then she left.

Now, who was she, Dennis?

Was it Agnes Lowry or Janet somebody?

We have got Agnes Lowry's social security card. I faxed that and the

photo of the victim to New York.

Let's see what they come up with.

Excuse me, Mrs. Fletcher. This just came in, Mr. Stanton. Thank you.

By the way, we're missing the lady's diamond pendant.

I think you know where we'll find that.

Molly Altrip's young man?

Oh, dear.

I mean, Dennis, theft is one thing, but murder?

Molly Galtrip may have to confront her romantic delusion.

This is a confirmation from the NCIC on the mainland.

We have Lance Brinegar's fingerprints all over Larry's cabin and the gun that

killed her.

You wouldn't mind if Molly and I had a little chat with Mr. Brinegar, would

you? I didn't murder anybody.

I told him the truth, how my prints got into her cabin and onto her gun,

everything.

You remember Mrs. Fletcher? I left that table, what, just before 10, about the

time of all that noise when we crossed the 25th parallel.

Mrs. Lowry, she'd gone off someplace.

Why did you follow her, Lance?

That's the point. I didn't follow her.

Did you?

And she?

Does it matter at this point?

Yes, it matters, Lance.

To me.

All I'm asking... Molly, listen.

I wasn't following her. I went to her cabin. I was after the diamond pendant.

I... We needed it. We needed it if we're gonna have that honeymoon

that I promised you.

Oh, that's great, you know? The minute the going gets rough... Mr. Berninger,

Lance, how did your prince get on the murder weapon?

We were fooling around.

I picked it up.

I remember.

It smelled like it'd just been fired.

And I hear you're pretty good at this kind of thing, Mrs. Fletcher. And

whatever they're telling you, I'm innocent.

Help me out here, will you?

Molly. All she thinks about is herself.

Open house bridge visit. You are invited to the bridge... Oh, Mrs. Fletcher!

Oh. Forgive me for shouting, but I've been looking all over for you. Oh.

Yeah, I'm afraid I have to apologize again for my mom.

Oh. Why, Marvin? Well, I was doing my usual, you know, damage control this

morning, and I spotted this in Mom's handbag. I went to the purser's and

checked the passenger list for someone with those initials, and believe it or

not, you seem to be the only one on board. Well, I appreciate your thought,

Marvin, but this is not mine.

It's not?

No, I suggest that you check the passenger list again.

Oh, yes, yes, of course.

It's not always easy, but I do try to return things.

Well, good luck. Oh, Mrs. Fletcher, this terrible murder, it's very upsetting.

Are they getting anywhere with the investigation?

I'm not sure, but I'll expect that we'll hear all about it when they do.

Jessica.

Some interesting developments from the mainland.

A body was recovered from the waters off Miami last night.

She's been identified as an undercover treasury agent by the name of Agnes

Lowry. Oh dear, that raises further questions, doesn't it? I'm expecting

another fax from Miami.

Have you got a moment? Yes, indeed.

It seems Agnes Lowry had set up a meeting with someone they believe was

that mysterious Amber character you talked about.

Forensics in Miami came back with a probable match. The bullet that killed

Lowry came from the same fort... T-caliber weapon that killed our lady

last night. Do you want to bet that this Janet person was Amber? But that's

impossible. Unless Roland was lying when he said that he saw Janet in Buffalo

three years ago.

Now, that was the time when Amber was in a shootout in Los Angeles.

Maybe we're mistaken in assuming that Amber is a woman.

Well, one thing we can be certain of, our victim's real name was Janet, just

as Roland said. Janet Fisk.

Where are you going?

There's something that I want to ask, Mrs. Sobel.

You're up to something. What is it?

Well, when I know, you'll know, Dennis.

Look, Jess, it's all over the ship about Lance Brenniger.

Look, you know what I'd like to know is, did he kill her because he thought she

was Agnes Lowry or because he knew she was Janet Criss? Well, Brenniger may be

a thief, Leslie, but I don't think he's dumb. Excuse me a moment.

Hello, operator.

Yes, would you please connect me with the Sobel State Room?

And I don't think he's a murderer. The question is, did Agnes Lowry know which

one of our fellow passengers was up to something illegal?

Jessica, you know, that could roughly be half the people on this ship.

Exactly. Which means someone, anyone, might have had the incentive to kill

Agnes Lowry.

They're not? Well, thank you, operator.

Oh, Jess.

Look, I'll see you at dinner.

It's your turn at the captain's table. Don't forget.

Marvin, I've been looking all over for you.

You know, I'd very much like to talk to your mother.

Oh, believe me, Mrs. Fletcher, so would I. I don't know where she's gone.

Well, did you check hairdressing and the massage salon?

Yeah, and fingers and toes and the bridge seminar. I've got to call into

the fashion clinic, and if she doesn't show up there, I'm really going to be

worried. Well, in the meantime, tell me some more about the cigarette lighter

that you showed me this morning.

Ah, the one with the initials J.F. on it.

Yes.

Do you have any idea when your mother might have picked it up?

Well, it had to have been between 8 and 9 o'clock yesterday morning, because she

didn't have it before then.

It had to have been after breakfast and before we left for Old Town. And do you

know where she found it?

She told me in the captain's cabin.

The captain's cabin?

Yeah. She said the door was half open and the lighter was laying on the table

so near that all she had to do was just slip her hand inside.

Oh, thank you, Marvin.

Mrs. Stanton, please.

He's not?

Well, please tell him that Jessica Fletcher was looking for him.

I have a message.

I think you'll find that it's all there, Captain O'Neill.

Mr. Fletcher, good Lord.

You gave me quite a scare.

I assume the substantial import duty on these pieces will blind U.S. customs to

the possibility that there's a fortune hidden inside.

Okay.

But I hardly think this is any business of yours.

Captain O'Neill.

Lance Brinegar may be a petty thief, but he doesn't deserve to become another

victim of your operation.

Operation? What the hell are you talking about?

Money laundering.

For a percentage.

Behind the protection of your uniform, you've been carrying illegal drug

profits to offshore accounts throughout the Caribbean.

Janet Fisk found out about it, and it cost her her life.

I never even knew Janet Fisk. That isn't true.

Sometime between 8 and 9 yesterday morning, when most of the passengers and

the crew were either at breakfast or in Old Town, Alma Sobel lifted Miss Fisk's

lighter from your cabin.

Janet Fisk must have been there at the time.

Threatening exposure unless you cut her in on your share of the proceeds?

I remind you, I was with Leslie at precisely the time this Fisk woman was

killed. Yes, that's what you told Dennis Stanton.

You were at your work station and Leslie was in the shower.

You're saying...

I telephoned Janet Fisk in the showboat lounge, then left my quarters while

Leslie was taking one of her epic showers?

No, I don't believe you ever left your cabin, Captain O'Neil. I called Miami

this evening, and the Duchess Line's office recorded your last computer entry

last night at 2159 hours.

But the woman known as Amber, who you thought was in one of her marathon

showers at the time, almost certainly did leave the cabin.

I'm sorry you had to come to that conclusion, Jessica.

Leslie, for God's sake, tell her she's wrong.

No, it's true, Rory.

But nothing's changed.

It's taken you quite a while to put aside all that nice tax-free money.

You've got the bed and breakfast, the roses, the dogs.

This late in the game, we're not going to let Jessica take it all away from us.

I'm curious.

It was mostly remembering, Leslie.

Remembering that Janet Fisk and Amber couldn't be the same person.

And that somebody else had to have been present when Janet Fisk threatened

Captain O'Neil.

Somebody whose personal interests were also threatened.

When I left you in the car yesterday morning, you said you were going to

surprise Rory. When you finish with breakfast, why don't you meet me back

here and we'll leave together.

But you entered the service entrance instead of the front, which enabled you

to overhear Janet Fisk threaten Laurie without being seen.

Except a quirk of fate ruined everything for you.

Alma Sobel looked through the half-open door and saw a pretty silvery thing,

Janet Fisk's lighter, which by an odd accident had my initials on it.

How can this be?

Before last year, I didn't even know you existed.

I ran it, Rory.

Lock, stop, and barrel.

I ran you, darling.

I figured you were skimming over the years.

So when the feds busted my operation up there, and I was left with nothing, I

came after you.

But I fell for you instead.

You sold me your dream, Rory.

It was supposed to be ours, wasn't it?

I haven't decided yet.

For God's sake, put the gun away.

Well, it is decided.

As of now, just go on upstairs and leave us alone.

Leslie, no!

Leave, Rory. No!

Get out! Please put the weapon down, Miss Hunter.

Mr. Stanton didn't get your message, but I happened to see you make the call.

Forgive the deception, Jess.

Phillips is my second in command.

He was good enough to go undercover.

beneath his station, as it were.

Autograph session.

Comedian Sammy Goldstein will be in the Signature Collection boutique to

autograph his tapes.

Jessica!

Oh, Jessica, here's my address.

Remember? You promised me a signed first edition of your new book. You'll have

it, Alma. Oh, thank you.

Oh, uh... Your pen.

Actually, I think this pen belongs to you.

Oh.

I'll read the dirt sheet. Thanks.

Goodbye, Marvin. Goodbye.

Thinking how you'll adapt all this into a scintillating new book, Jess?

No, no, nothing like that, Dennis.

I was thinking about expectations, youthful dreams.