All language subtitles for Murder.She.Wrote.S01E11.Capitol.Offense.WEBRip.x264-ION10.

[Jessica] Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.

He didn't die in bed.

He was an alcoholic.

I'm not a killer
and I wasn't drunk.

The governor's going to ask you

-to fill the seat.
-I'm not a politician.

Which is precisely why
you're the perfect choice.

Harry's never denied
knowing her, only killing her.

-He could have been set up.
-Not by me

You're scum, Dickson,
and so are you.

Three nights ago,
I spotted Marta

coming out of the water gate.

It's the amateurs
who tend to get hurt.

[lively instrumental music
playing]

[weary music playing]

[Dan] I figure
I got an obligation

to everybody who
voted for me, right, Harry?

[Harry] Absolutely, Dan.
Absolutely.

A lot of these guys,
they think a seat in congress

is like a free ride...

a great big cookie jar they can
just dip their mitts into.

So where's my old buddy
Wendell Joyner?

I thought he was coming.

[Ray] He'll be here,
Congressman.

Meanwhile, Harry and I
would like to talk to you

about that Cannery Bill, huh?

-Harry.
-Come on.

That's business, Mr. Dixon.
We're here to party.

[Dan] What time is it?
And where is everybody?

[Ray] Well, we wanted to keep
the group small.

[shutter clicking]
give us a chance to talk.

-Talk? About what?
-You need a refill, Dan.

Marta, why don't you fill up
the congressman's glass?

Good idea, Marta.

Martini on the rocks, luscious.

[whispers]
I don't like this guy.

Come on, Ray.
He's on the committee.

We need him.
[knock on door]

Betty.

And another thing.

Why did you tell him
Joyner was coming?

Joyner hates my guts.

I know. It was the only way
we could get him here.

[Wendell] Pardon me, young lady.

-Dan.
-Wendell.

Why are you so late?
Where've you been?

[Dan] We-we were wondering
where you were.

Congressman Joyner,
how gracious of you

to accept our invitation.

Come on, Dan.

Now surely, Congressman,
you're not rushing off?

You'll join us for a drink.

Yeah, Wendell.
The party's just started.

Dan's right, Congressman.
What'll I fix you?

You couldn't leave him alone,
could you, Dixon?

You two rattlesnakes.
You find a man's weakness--

-Wait a minute, Joyner--
-You're scum, Dixon!

And so are you!

Tomorrow I'm making
a full report

to the house ethics committee--

-You try it!
-With great pleasure!

It's about time somebody stood--

[dramatic music playing]

Wendell.

[grunts]
What's,

what's the matter with him?

[Harry] Congressman?
Get him up on the sofa.

No! Don't move him!
Call an ambulance!

[shutter clicking]
[Harry] No. No. No ambulance.

[Harry] No ambulance.

[light music playing]

[Jessica] No bother at all,
Eleanor.

Voter registration is a lot
more important than my lunch.

[doorbell rings]
Oh,

there's somebody at the door.

I've got to go.
I'll see you at 12:00.

[Harold] Mrs. Fletcher?
Yes?

I'm Harold DeWitt.

I'm an aide to the governor,

and I'm here on a matter
of great urgency.

Dead? I can't believe it.

Congressman Joyner
had a serious heart problem.

It's the reason
he'd decided to retire.

His housekeeper found him
in his bed early this morning.

The news hasn't
been released yet.

Except to me.

As you know, the party's
two most qualified candidates

are competing in the primary.

Oh, yes. I've been working

with the voter
registration committee.

Well, normally,
the governor would appoint

our party's nominee
to fill the vacant seat,

but we won't know who that is
for another six weeks at least.

That's why the governor
is going to ask you

to fill the seat,
on an interim basis, of course.

Me? Oh, don't be silly.

I'm not a politician.

Which is precisely why
you're the perfect choice.

You have no political ambitions,

you're nationally known,

and your integrity
is not in question.

Mrs. Fletcher,

several important
pieces of legislation

are going to be considered
in the next few weeks.

Maine's interests
must be represented.

I don't know what to say.

Say yes.

Your State needs you,
if only for a few weeks.

[bright music playing]

[phone rings]

[Diana] This is Diana Simms.
Oh, yes, Mr. Speaker.

No, I'm sorry. Mrs. Fletcher
hasn't arrived yet.

She's being met at the airport

by our media liaison officer,
Joe Blinn.

[Jessica] I have gotten
red-carpet treatment before,

Mr. Blinn, but, uh,
ooh, nothing like this.

[Joe] Well, you better get
used to it.

And, please, uh, call me Joe.

We've, uh, checked you into
a suite at the Embassy Towers.

If you want something fancier,
let me know.

Oh, I'm sure that'll be fine.

My job is to get your name
in the papers, Mrs. Fletcher,

or to keep it out,
whatever you prefer.

You've inherited
a crackerjack staff

from congressman Joyner.

So your biggest problem should
be deciding where to have lunch.

Joe, even though I'll only
be here for a few weeks,

I intend doing this job
to the very best of my ability.

-I am sure you will.
-We'll get along just fine

if you try to remember
that I'm not your addlepated

great-aunt from east nowhere.

Whoops.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Fletcher.
Let me start again.

Whatever I can do for you,
consider it done.

Thank you.

[cheerful music plays]

[light music playing]

My goodness, this is impressive.

Yes, it is, isn't it?

Wait till the first time you
step foot on the house floor.

It'll knock you over.

[Dan] Mrs. Fletcher.

Dan Keppner, Mrs. Fletcher.

We share a couple
of committees.

Oh, how do you do?

Congressman Joyner
was my friend.

His death was tragic.

I agree, Mr. Keppner.

Look, uh,
I'd like to drop by later.

There are several
important matters

that I'd like to discuss,

particularly
the Maine Cannery Bill.

Oh, yes, of course.
Well, I'm so glad we met.

My pleasure.

What a nice man.

-Where's he from?
-East nowhere?

Diana.

Oh, Mrs. Fletcher, welcome.
Diana Simms.

-Oh, how do you do, miss Simms?
-Diana's your AA.

-My what?
-Administrative assistant.

Right-hand gal. Indispensable.

I'd introduce you
to the rest of the staff,

but as you can see,
it's lunch time.

Oh, speaking of which, I am off.
Uh, be back around two-ish.

-Now, thanks for the lift, Joe.
-Sure.

Let me show you your office.

Oh, this is nice.

Oh, yes, very nice indeed.

Mrs. Fletcher, my resignation
is already on your desk.

But I want you to know that
I'm prepared to work closely

with your incoming staff.

My what? But I don't have
an incoming staff.

It's customary
for a congressperson

to appoint
his or her own people.

Diana, don't you like your job?

-Of course.
-Well, in that case,

Congressman Joyner's staff
will do me just fine.

[knock on door]
[Jessica] Yes?

-Mrs. Fletcher?
-Yes.

Harry Parmel,
an attorney by trade.

By choice,
an acknowledged expert

on this city's
finest restaurants.

Would you do me the honor
of joining me for lunch?

Why, thank you. Uh...

You're very kind, Mr. Parmel,
but I ate on the plane.

Uh, perhaps another time.

At your convenience, dear lady.

I look forward
to the opportunity

of working with you closely
whenever I'm needed.

May I?

Thank you.
[Harry] Thank you.

Diana.

And what was that?

Harry is a lobbyist
for Pendrake Foods.

To Harry, "working closely"

translates
to wining and dining

and doling out dollars
to get you to vote his way.

-The opening salvo?
-Mm-hmm.

Most lobbyists
are good people.

They know the rules.

Harry not only breaks the rules,
he's never heard of them.

I can see that I am going
to need a fast education.

[Joe] Mrs. Fletcher,
I must tell you that I enjoyed

-your last book very much.
-Oh, I'm so glad.

When's the next one?

Well, we hope to have it out
in about three months.

Oh, I can't wait.

-May I help you?
-Yes.

This is Mrs. Fletcher, 2560.
Oh yes, Mrs. Fletcher.

-So nice to have you with us.
-Thank you.

Your luggage is already
up in your room.

-Oh, good.
-I'll get your key.

Hm-mmm.

Well, if you don't need me
anymore...

-No, you run along, Joe.
-Got a heavy date.

The lady from the SCC.

Ah, ears like an elephant.

Last time she dropped
a stock tip on me,

I just about cornered
the entire sports car market.

Hmm. Doesn't sound
very honest to me.

In this city, that is a word

for which there is
no clear definition.

Well, good night.

Well, I'll see you tomorrow.

-And thanks.
-And thank you.

[bell rings]

[lady] Show Mrs. Fletcher
to her room, please.

[Jessica] Thank you.

[car hooters honking]

[coins clinking]

[phone rings]

-Yes?
-Mrs. Fletcher? Dan Keppner.

We met today in the hall.

-Oh, yes.
-Sorry if I woke you, but...

Look, uhm, there's something
I have to talk to you about.

Uh, well, uh, actually,
Mr. Keppner, I-I'm in bed.

I'm awfully tired. Could it wait
until tomorrow morning?

Tomorrow? Sure.

How about breakfast
at your hotel?

-Say 8:00?
-I'll see you then.

[car hooter honks]

Hey, cabbie?

[Marta] Congressman?
Sorry, honey, not tonight.

Mr. Keppner, it's Marta Craig.

Remember me? From the party?

Sure. Marta, how are you?

I'm not so good. I'm scared.

About what?

You know about what.

The other night,
moving the body?

-Sorry, I--
-Hey, Congressman.

I was there, remember?

[sinister music playing]

[bright music playing]

Excuse me.

May I ask who you are
and why you are following me?

Detective Lieutenant Avery Mendelsohn,
Mrs. Fletcher.

And I am following you
in the hopes of

maybe finding out

who the hell killed
Congressman Wendell Joyner.

So, maybe I'm wrong.
Maybe he wasn't murdered.

The coroner says cause of death
was a heart attack.

But let me also tell you this.

He didn't die in bed.
Somebody moved his body.

And when people move bodies,
I ask myself why.

Well, I'm sorry, lieutenant,
but I was in Maine

-when the congressman died.
-Oh, no. Don't misunderstand.

Not for one minute
would I suggest

that you are
in any way involved.

Thank you.
[groans]

-Oh, are you all right?
-No. No, no. No.

It's, it's just a back pain.

It's nothing serious.
It's, uh, it's chronic.

My sister Rachel
has the same thing.

Ah, you get a little old,
get a little heavy,

you begin to expect it.

Bad feet, bad back...
Runs in the family.

My father, now there
was a man with pain.

I am very sorry.

Lieutenant--
[stomach growling]

[Avery] Ha.
My stomach's acting up too.

Maybe I'm making
somethin' out of nothin'.

When my gut starts to growl,

it's a sure sign there's a fox
loose in the China shop.

[silly music plays]

[sinister music playing]

What the hell? Hey!

Hey, my wallet!

[dramatic music playing]

[horn honking]

[cop] Watch him.

Charlie, hold it!

That's the guy!

So, Congressman,
are these yours?

That's my jacket
and my wallet.

Where did you find them?

What about this key?
We found this in your jacket.

-It's not mine.
-That's right.

It belongs to a woman
named Marta Craig.

It did. She's dead.

-What?
-Beaten to death

in her apartment
sometime last evening.

Cheekbone crushed,
jaw broken, nose splattered.

-Not a pretty sight.
-Hey, wait a minute--

We found your jacket
draped over a chair.

And considering
the condition of your hands,

I think you have
a few questions to answer.

[Diana] Uh, the bill would
permit the construction

of a fish cannery
on McHenry's Point.

I believe that's only
a few miles from Cabot Cove.

Oh, yes.
I read up on it last night.

It's a very complicated issue.

It's a classic case
of business interests

versus the environmentalists'.

Congressman Joyner was going
to vote against the measure.

Well, I may, too, Diana,

after I've sifted
through the testimony

and had a chance
to make up my own mind.

Of course.

Diana, I'm sorry,
but I have to ask you something.

[Jessica] The police talked
to me this morning.

They think that congressman
Joyner did not die in his bed.

What?

[Jessica] They say
that he died elsewhere

and that his body was moved.

Mrs. Fletcher, that's awful.

Now, someone is trying
very hard to muddy some waters.

Diana, where was
he supposed to be that night?

Where he was every night.

He didn't care much
for Washington nightlife.

Yes, just what I thought.

He had nothing scheduled
on the 12th.

[Diana gasps] Wait a minute.
There was one thing.

Harry Parmel invited him
to a party that evening.

Harry Parmel?

The unctuous gentleman
bearing roses.

Right.

Only congressman Joyner
turned him down.

We're due
at a committee meeting.

[Thor] Excuse me,
Mrs. Fletcher?

I'm Thor Danziger.

I'm with
the Ecological Foundation.

Oh, how do you do?

I wonder if I could spare
a few moments of your time

to take a look
at these papers?

They have to do
with the Cannery Bill.

We're late, Mr. Danziger.

Look, miss Simms, I just want
a couple of minutes of her time.

Your position is
already on the record.

Would you excuse us, please?

Nice to meet you.

Diana, weren't we rather rude
to that young man?

They had their chance
last week.

May I have your attention,
please?

Before we start,
the Chair wishes to welcome

the distinguished congresswoman
from the State of Maine.

Thank you very much.

One moment, please.

Congressman Keppner
was supposed to meet me

for breakfast this morning
to talk about this bill.

-I don't suppose he called you?
-I haven't heard from him.

Mr. Dixon, are you ready?

Yes. Thank you, Sir.

Mr. Chairman, distinguished
representatives, guests.

My name is Raymond Dixon.

I am Vice President
in charge of operations

for Pendrake Foods,

a nationally known firm
involved in

-the packaging of food stuffs.
-Why is he reading his speech?

He's testifying.

I know. But if it's
all written out,

why are we wasting
each other's time?

That's the way we do things
here in congress.

Oh.

-I don't know any Kaye Sheppard.
-She's only the empress

of Washington gossip
syndicated in 98 newspapers.

Now, believe me.
Look, Mrs. Fletcher,

you're gonna get good exposure
and a great lunch.

But I don't need exposure, Joe.

And I know
I don't need a great lunch.

-But if you just--
-I'm sorry.

I know that you mean well,
but just now I don't have

the time. You have lunch
with miss Sheppard.

Sure, then afterwards,
I'll drop in on the president

for afternoon tea.

I'm gonna keep trying.

Lieutenant.

Oh, you'll excuse me.
They said it was okay

-for me to wait in here.
-Oh, of course, but, uh--

You didn't tell me you were
meeting congressman Keppner

-for breakfast.
-You didn't ask.

Anyway, I overslept,
and he never showed up.

Well, that's right.

We're holding him
on suspicion of murder.

-What?
-We've got the evidence,

and I should book him, but...

But you're having, uh,
trouble with your stomach.

Also my feet.

See, my gut tells me
there's trouble,

but when my feet hurt, it's a,

it's a sign that
things are not...

exactly kosher.
You got a minute?

It was dumb
to move Wendell's body,

but I was too drunk
to think straight.

That's why I wanted to talk
to you this morning,

Mrs. Fletcher,
to tell you what happened.

But how does moving the body
involve the dead girl?

Marta was at the party.

Last night, I'd ducked
into some bar to call you.

I don't remember which one.

And when I came out,
there she was.

She showed me this picture
she'd taken of me...

and Parmel and Dixon...

with the congressman dead on
the floor of Dixon's penthouse.

[Dan] I was scared.
So I went with her to her place.

I remember having a drink...

ginger ale.

Why did you have the key
of her apartment?

That was planted on my jacket.
I never saw it before.

That still doesn't explain
the blood and makeup

on your shirt and the scrapes
and bruises on your hands.

I didn't kill her!
I swear to God!

Mrs. Fletcher, I'm not a killer,
and I wasn't drunk...

as God is my witness.

[sinister music playing]

You've gotta believe me.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Fletcher.
I told you it wasn't pretty.

Lieutenant, Congressman Keppner
did not kill that woman.

Oh, so now you're telling me
I know what I don't know.

If Mr. Keppner had
beaten that woman,

he would have spattered blood
all over his shirt.

In case you didn't notice,
Mrs. Fletcher,

there was both blood and makeup
on the front of his shirt.

Some, but not much,
and no makeup on his hands.

Now, if he had hit that woman
that severely,

his hands would have shown
not only blood

but makeup as well.

I noticed that.

Lieutenant,
if you believe his story,

you have to believe
that he was dragged unconscious

from that apartment
and dumped in that alley.

Would you mind giving me
your jacket?

-What?
-Your jacket.

Would you take it off, please?

Okay. It's off.

Now, assume
that I am the killer.

My hands are covered
with Marta's blood and makeup.

Now, I have to move
an unconscious body.

How would I do that?

Traces of blood and makeup
from the killer's hands.

That's good, Mrs. Fletcher.
Very good.

Maybe you should have been
a cop.

I am a cop
when I'm at the typewriter.

You're not
at your typewriter now.

[Diana] Dan Keppner.
It's unbelievable.

He had his problems, sure.
He was an alcoholic.

But for six years,
he'd been attending meetings,

working the program.

Well, then,
a couple of months ago, he...

Diana, I need to know.

His wife left him.
Took the kids to New York.

He started drinking again.

Wendell was trying
to get him back on track.

Mrs. Fletcher,
I know Dan well enough to know

he'd never hurt anyone,
no matter what.

Well, I'm glad
to hear you say that,

because he's been framed...
and very clumsily too.

[Jessica] Joe, you're an expert
on this town.

I want you to find out
everything about Marta Craig.

Who she was? Who she knew?
Any ties that she might have had

with Harry Parmel,
Raymond Dixon--

Now wait a minute, Mrs. F.

I'm a press agent.
I'm not a-a detective.

And you're also a bright
and resourceful young man.

[Jessica] That is
what you told me.

Hey. Well, all right.
I'll see what I can do.

[door clicks shut]

[indistinct background talking]

-Ray.
-Harry.

I'd ask you to join me,

but I'm expecting Senator Wexler.

I won't be staying, Ray.

I don't think I like
the edge in your voice.

I want you to understand me.
My job does not include murder

before, during
or after the fact.

What are you talking about?

One of my contacts
on the District Police Force

sent me this.

"Marta Craig, murdered
by Congressman Keppner." Hmm.

She's dead all right.
Whether Keppner did it...

He could have been set up.

Not by me.

[Harry] After what happened
the other night...

some nasty temper you got, Ray.

Always told you
it was gonna get you

in trouble one of these days.

I don't have
to answer to you, Harry.

Maybe not, but you better
pay attention to this.

The first sign I'm getting
dragged in to a murder,

I protect myself, not you.

[sinister music playing]

Thor.

What is it?

I saw it on the news
about Marta.

What is it, Thor?

These came in the mail.

You showed me these photos
last week.

You told me they were
faked and I believed you.

They're a duplicate set, Diana.

They came with this note.

[Diana] "Stay away
from Mrs. Fletcher.

You won't be warned again!"

[Jessica] Miss Craig certainly
lived very well for a secretary.

Maybe she put in overtime.

So, Mrs. Fletcher, could you
tell me what you expect to find?

Well, maybe nothing.

I didn't know the young lady,
lieutenant.

Just what was on
your police report

and that wasn't very much.

You call two charges
of extortion and blackmail

not very much?

[Avery sighs]
I should've been a doctor.

If I'd have been smart enough,

I would have gone
to medical school.

It's a little late to, uh,

second-guess that choice,
isn't it?

What choice?

I said if I was smart.
I wasn't smart.

[Avery] C-plus average.

[Avery sighs] Did I tell you
I was the first cop

in my family?

[Avery] My two brothers
are rabbis.

My sister's a cantor
in Baltimore.

Ah, why should I complain?

I could have gone to work
for the phone company.

[Avery] Ah, the phone company,
that's security.

[Avery sighs]
Well, Mrs. Fletcher,

I gotta get back to the office.
You had enough?

Oh, yes, quite enough,
thank you.

I wonder, could you drop me off
at the library of congress?

Why not?

[Kaye] Mrs. Fletcher,

how delightful
you could join me.

I could hardly refuse
your urgent invitation,

Mrs. Uh, or is it miss Sheppard?

Miss. Permanently, irrevocably.
Call me Kaye.

[Kaye] This is Peanuts.

Hmm. He was given to me

by a former occupant
of the White House.

I defy you
to guess which one.

Oh, thank you, Richard.

Come on, sweetie.
[mumbling]

[cat meows]
Such a baby doll, yes.

I shouldn't think
they'd allow that.

They don't. Want a drink?

An iced tea.

One more time on this one.

Look, Jessica.
I'm going to call you Jessica.

The first thing you've
got to learn about this town

is that everyone
responds to clout.

When you've got it, use it.

Well, in your note you said

you had information
about Marta Craig's killing.

The second thing you learn is
the fine art of back-scratching.

I see. A trade-off?

Hmm. You've been helping
the cops with the Craig murder.

My instinct tells me that you're
going to help bust it open.

Oh,
that's very flattering, but...

[Kaye] And when you do,
I want an exclusive

right from the horse's mouth.

And in return,
you'll pass along to me what?

Information
I couldn't give the police

because of repercussions.

I have to live in this town.
You don't.

Do we deal?

I'm listening.

[Kaye] My sources
tell me that Marta was playing

both sides of the street.

Thank you, Richard.

As I was saying, Jessica,
this town is run by clout,

and clout is fueled
by information.

Three nights ago,
I spotted Marta

coming out of the Watergate.

She was upset.

Suddenly Dixon
came running out after her,

grabbed her arm, they fought.

About what?
[Kaye] I wish I knew.

I was in my car
about a half-block away.

But I can tell you this.

Ray Dixon looked
mad enough to kill.

[Joe] Well, congratulations.
You are the talk of the town.

-Oh?
-Yes.

Meetings with Kaye Sheppard
do not go unnoticed.

-I found her very interesting.
-Uh-huh.

Should I check for stab wounds?

What did you find out
about Marta Craig?

Not much.

She had, uh, six jobs
in the last four years,

uh, did the party circuit
five, six nights a week.

Uh, not much else.

Hmm. Where's Diana?

I don't know. She called in sick
after lunch. Said she would

talk to you later. Listen,
if you don't need me anymore

today, I have a date tonight
with a very hot number

-from the State Department.
-Oh? Go ahead.

-Oh, and, Joe?
-Yes?

Tomorrow, a little more
on Marta Craig, please?

I will do my best.

[knock on door]

Mind if I come in?

I'm glad to see
you've been released.

-Look, Mrs. Fletcher...
-Jessica, please.

Jessica, I appreciate
everything you've done,

but don't go to any more trouble
on my account.

The fact is, I've decided
not to seek re-election.

[Dan] I've got a call
in to New York right now.

That is a very foolish
decision, I think.

-You don't know all the facts.
-And what are those?

That you're an alcoholic?

That you spent
the last six years sober

until last month?

And I've been sober ever since
the night Wendell died.

So what?

Don't you understand, Jessica?

I'm living on the edge
every day.

It's been like that
for a year and a half.

Trying to live up
to two responsibilities.

To the people who elected me
and to my wife and kids.

[Dan sighs] I don't know.
Maybe it's the way I'm built.

I can't go halfway in anything.

I drove them away
because of my work,

and now I've got nothing.

I don't believe that,
and neither do you.

Ever since that night

I've been going
to two and three meetings a day,

but I still don't know
from one day to the next

if I'm going to slip.

Dan, like most of us,
you're slightly imperfect,

but that's not
a capital offense.

If I were you,
I'd cancel that telephone call.

I'd catch the first plane home
and talk to that wife of yours,

find out what she thinks.

She might surprise you.

Women in love do that.

[melancholic music playing]

I guess things
can't get much worse.

That's one way of looking at it.

My goodness.

You know, Jessica...

this is the first time
in eight weeks

that I'm beginning
to feel good about myself.

Thank you.

If you'll excuse me...

I've got to cancel
that call to New York.

By the way...

I think I'll hang around
until after tomorrow's vote.

I think I owe Ray Dixon
a good kick in the slats.

[knock on door]

Mrs. Fletcher?

Diana, I'm so sorry
you're not feeling well.

I've got a couple of questions.

I'm very confused
by this Cannery Bill.

If it's not too much trouble,
could we talk?

-Well, I really--
-I hate to impose on you

like this, but I really
do need clarification

on a couple of points.

Perhaps we could ask
that nice Mr. Danziger,

the young man
from the environmental group.

I'm sure he'd be glad to help.

Well, suppose we ask him.

Why don't you have him
come out of the bedroom?

-Well, Mrs.--
-I couldn't help but notice

the no smoking sign
on your desk in the office.

[sighs]

Thor? Thor?

How did you know it was me?

Well, it was a guess.

But I did notice the tiepin

you were wearing
the day that we met.

The lion's head?

[Jessica] The same design
that Marta and Diana

had on
their cheerleader costumes.

[Jessica] Then I checked with
the library of congress and--

You dug up an old
Brighton University yearbook

and found out that
the three of us

had attended school together.

And then you two
made such a production

of not liking each other.

You jumped to a conclusion.

[Diana] We couldn't make
our relationship

common knowledge, Mrs. Fletcher.

In my position,
it would be construed

as a conflict of interest.

What about your relationship
with Marta Craig?

We used to be good friends.

Then Marta got in
with the wrong crowd.

She started up
with Harry Parmel

and men like him,
working the party circuit.

But if your relationship
with Marta was so casual,

why did you hide it from me?

We were scared.

After Marta's death,

we were sure that the police
would be looking for suspects,

and I knew I would be
at the top of the list.

Hmm.

Now those photos
were faked, lieutenant.

As you can see,
I was unconscious.

Marta had asked me
up to her apartment.

She said she wanted
to discuss something.

I took one drink.

She must have drugged me.

Thor wanted to bring you
the photos, but I stopped him.

Innocent or guilty,
it would have cost him his job

at the Ecological Foundation.

They're very publicity shy.

Okay, all right. All right,
the two of you can go.

Keep yourselves available.

Faked photos, a murder,
attempted frame.

It seems to me, if you'll
pardon the presumption,

that this guy
Marta was working for

is more than likely
the guy who beat her to death.

Why do you say guy, lieutenant?

It could just as easily
have been a woman.

[weary music playing]

[Joe] At around, uh, 6:30,
she had an early supper

with some middle-level guy
from the state department.

He's married, but doesn't
let that get in the way. Uhh...

[tires screeching]

Your driving's not getting in
the way of your reading, is it?

Oh, this? No.
I do this all the time.

Anyway, uh,
she and the guy left,

uh, the restaurant separately,

and then, uh, she picked up
congressman Keppner

at around 9:30

outside the, uh,
Stockman's Bar and that's it.

Bottom line is
she had no close friends.

Nobody seems to know
much about her private life.

Well, there has to be something.

I mean, her meeting
with Harry Parmel

at the hairdresser proves
that they had a relationship.

Well, Harry never denied
knowing her, just killing her.

Mrs. Fletcher.
Your hotel said you had left.

I was hoping we might have
a chat before your day begins.

-I'd love to, Mr. Dixon.
-That's very generous of you.

You don't know how much
this Cannery Bill

means to my company
and to me personally.

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought
you wanted to chat with me

about Marta Craig's murder.

I wouldn't know anything
about that.

I hardly knew the woman.

Amazing.

You didn't choke, and you hardly
blinked an eyelash.

What?

Lying is a very difficult art,
Mr. Dixon,

but you have mastered it
beautifully.

-Mrs. Fletcher, I assure you--
-I know.

You want to assure me
that it wasn't you

who chased Marta Craig
out of the Watergate

three nights ago.

Mrs. Fletcher,
we play a game in this town.

Those of us who are good at it,
get things done.

It's the amateurs
who tend to get hurt.

[unsettling music playing]

[bright music playing]

Morning, Diana.

-Good morning.
-How are we?

I have to warn you. Ray Dixon's
already been sniffing around.

-Yes, I know.
-The committee meeting's

less than two hours away.

Is there's anything
I can help you with...

Mrs. Fletcher?

Hmm?

Oh. Diana, I have to go out.

Don't let them
start the vote without me.

But the meeting starts
in less than two hours.

[Dan] The problem of waste
was carefully researched

by Dr. A. Bruno Townsend

of the University
of Western Minnesota

in his 1981 tract
Investments In Our Coastline ,

a sociological treatise,
published by Acorn Press.

-Uh.
-Joe, I'm so glad you're here.

Aren't you supposed to be
in the committee meeting?

Oh, never mind that.
Come with me.

Uh, later.

So?

I just got a most wonderful
lead from Kaye Sheppard.

It seems a jilted boyfriend
of Marta's was hanging around

her apartment when she brought
Dan home with her.

-What?
-A few minutes later,

the boyfriend saw
another man going inside.

Now, he didn't get
a very good look,

but it had to be Ray Dixon.

Are you sure?

Well, after that
terrible fight

they had at the Watergate,

Marta was probably
blackmailing him too.

He went inside the apartment,
saw Dan passed out,

killed Marta
and blamed it on Dan.

Oh, boy.
If that were true, then...

You know, he probably
took those photographs too.

The ones at the party
when congressman Joyner died.

Joe, we have to get
inside his penthouse.

Well, how are we
going to do that?

Oh, for heaven's sakes!
I've got to vote on that bill.

Right after
the committee meeting,

I want you to meet
with me and Kaye.

We'll talk
to Lieutenant Mendelsohn,

and we'll try
to get a court order.

Right. It sounds
like a real break.

Oh, I'm sure it is.

[raspy voice] It's not just
a question of pollution,

but the effect of biodegradables
on the coastline.

Uh, Mr. Keppner,
may I interpret this brief pause

as a sign that you have
finally finished

stating your position
on this bill?

I have just a few
more observations, Mr. Chairman.

[inaudible speech]

But, in the interest of time,

I will defer to my esteemed
colleague from Maine.

Very well, but this is taking
much too long, you know.

I'm so sorry to be late.

[chairman] Perhaps now we could
put this measure to a vote,

specifically whether
to permit the construction

of a cannery at
McHenry's Point in Maine.

[Jessica] Uh, excuse me,
Mr. Chairman.

Would it be possible
for me to say a few words?

[chairman] I would hope,
Mrs. Fletcher,

that they will be
considerably fewer

than those voiced by
your colleague from New York.

Uh, I have studied this bill
very carefully.

And heaven knows, this cannery

would certainly bring a lot
of new jobs to my district.

And if that were
the only consideration,

I would vote for it
without any hesitation.

However, I've discovered
that there are seven

abandoned canneries in my State.

[Jessica] Can you imagine?
Seven, no longer working,

no longer employing people.

[Jessica] And why?

Because the owners
walked away from them

rather than spend money
to modernize their operations.

Now, I believe two of them
are your companies, Mr. Dixon.

Now, I realize that there
is expense involved

in updating equipment

and perhaps those locations
are no longer as convenient

as McHenry's Point.
But, you know, I'm very upset

by this notion that we can just
dispose of buildings or people

when they become
a little troublesome

or unprofitable.

Almost 5,000 people used to work
at those abandoned canneries.

Now that's truly disgraceful
to put people out of work,

to abandon perfectly
good buildings,

because our tax laws make it
financially advantageous.

Well, I'm sorry, but I think
that sort of attitude is,

not only preposterous,
but it's inhuman.

Now, the Pendrake Corporation
doesn't need a new cannery.

They need to put the canneries
they already own

back into operation.

Now, Mr. Dixon,
you and your fellow canners

have been taking a lot
out of the state of Maine

and I think it's high time you
started putting something back.

[bright music playing]

Order! Order, please!

[weary music playing]

[Avery] It's pretty obvious,
Mr. Blinn.

Give us cops credit
for a little intelligence.

Ray Dixon would be
smarter than that.

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

[Avery] Is that so?

[knock on door]

I'm sorry.
I raced as fast as I could.

You're just in time.

Mrs. Fletcher,
this is not what it seems.

Don't be silly, Joe.
Of course it is.

Those are the photos
from the party, aren't they?

Yes. I found them in the desk.

[Jessica] Really?

You know, until this morning,
I was totally baffled.

Of course, I knew that
Mr. Keppner was innocent,

and I was also pretty sure
that Marta had been murdered

by the person
she was working for.

What happened Joe?
Did she get greedy?

Look, you said Dixon was guilty.
That's why I'm here.

Please, Joe.
What happened to your gloves?

My gloves.

[Jessica] Those fancy
driving gloves

you were wearing
the first time I met you.

[Jessica] You weren't wearing
them after Marta was killed.

Were you wearing them
when you beat her to death?

[Jessica]
Of course you must have been.

That's why your hands
were never marked.

On the other hand,
it's almost impossible to remove

blood and makeup from suede.

You had to get rid of them.

That's a lot of guesswork.

[Jessica] Mm-mm. I'm afraid not.

[Jessica]
The gloves are only part of it.

You slipped badly
this morning, Joe.

When you were telling me
about Marta's activities

the day she died,

you said she picked up
congressman Keppner

outside Stockman's Bar.

That is part
of the police report.

[Jessica] No. That night, Dan
had been wandering the streets.

He had no idea where he was

or where he'd called from.

We just checked the bartender
and the waitresses

who were working there
that evening.

None of them remember
Keppner being there.

Which means you could have
learned it was stockman's

only from talking
to Marta Craig.

[unsettling music playing]

I'm no different than
anyone else in this town,

Mrs. Fletcher.

You buy and you sell.

People...

Legislation influence.

There's a price tag
on everything and everyone.

And I was doing
real well, too...

until Marta got just
a little bit too big...

for her panty hose.

And did you think that you
were the only one allowed

to play the game
of buy and sell?

He's wrong, you know.

For every Parmel and Dixon

there are dozens of honest men
like Wendell Joyner.

Only they don't get their
names in the paper.

So how did your vote go?

-The cannery?
-Oh, we won. Unanimous.

Terrific.

What do you say, Ms. Fletcher?

I got an appointment
with the podiatrist at 2:00,

but I still got time
for a bite to eat.

Lieutenant, I haven't eaten
a thing since breakfast.

Come to think of it,
I didn't even eat then.

Good. I know this deli.

The guy who runs it, Max,
friend of my cousin Sadie,

he makes a lox
and cream cheese platter

you could die from.

Lox? Is that something
like gefilte fish?

Mrs. F., for a bright woman

you have been leading
a very uninformed life.

Permit me the pleasure
of educating you.

[cheerful music playing]