Original subtitles

REPORTER (VOICEOVER): Just a few minutes ago, police

began arriving in one of San Jose's quietest neighborhoods

for what we believe to be the scene of a homicide.

Police have not released the name of the victim,

but what we have gathered so far is that the victim lived alone

and was the member of a prominent family.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

JANE: How's the Tom O'Donnell stock portfolio?

-Mm.

It is peachy.

Some CEO gets a bad cough and the company drops 10 points.

You sure you don't want me to ride

with you to pick up Gertrude?

-No, you have to pack for LA.

-Baby, I'm gone for one day.

-I know.

-So have you told Gertrude that you and I are a couple yet?

-No, but I think she's about to find out.

-Oh, is that right?

[SEAGULLS CRYING]

-I need you to get every last leaf out of there,

because last time you left a few,

it rained, the water just seeped right back into my living room.

I had a water stain down my wall.

And also, I want you to be careful of my azaleas.

Last week you crushed all of them.

You have to be careful, Virgil, please.

Hi, sweetie.

-Hello, my dear.

I still wish you were staying through the weekend.

-I can't stay the weekend.

This guy hasn't listened to anything I say.

He's terrible!

-(MUTTERING) Leave me alone.

Pain in the--

-Ask him if he ever pays attention to what I say.

You know what?

I forgot I have to stop and drop the newspaper off next door.

JANE: Share the paper with your neighbor?

-Saves each of us $10 a month.

-OK.

I really wish you'd sell the house.

I have plenty of room.

Or you could get something nearby,

so I can keep an eye on you.

-Check with me when I turn 100.

-You know you love this city.

I'm serious about this, Gertrude.

-So am I.

This is just lovely.

You see?

You just needed a little touch of a man, that's all. [LAUGHS]

JANE: [SIGHS]

TOM: Gertrude?

-Hm?

-Little of Jane's magic gravy?

-Oh, yes.

So when are you two, uh, getting married?

Well, it's either that or you're grinning like that

because you just won the lottery.

-Gertrude, you really have to stop beating around the bush.

-I was gonna feel you in.

-You don't need my approval to be happy.

So, uh, you have a special date in mind?

TOM: We're just kinda sneaking up on it.

-Oh, sounds more like a burglary than a wedding plan. [LAUGHS]

-Well, the gold futures are headed in the wrong direction.

So what I would like to do is I would like to liquidate

and I would like to apply all of the proceeds

to the German tech fund that we spoke about.

So if you could give me a confirming email that you

received this, that'd be great.

Thank you.

[BEEP]

-There you are.

-Hey.

-Doing deals at this hour?

-No, no.

Just leaving a message for my guy in Zurich,

'cause they're half a day ahead.

-I don't know how you keep track of all

these companies and accounts.

-So much for early retirement.

Takes more work to keep the money than it did to earn it.

-Mine appears to be shrinking.

-I'm going to have a look at your paperwork

before I leave for LA tomorrow.

So, how did we score on the Gertrude scale?

-She said she's never seen me so happy.

-Tell me this.

What is the greenest thing you've ever seen?

-Big fat emerald.

-No.

-A baseball field.

-Nope.

-A golf green?

Ireland.

I've never seen Ireland.

-Do you remember my trust fund in Switzerland

that I spoke to you about?

-Uh-huh.

-Well, it's going to mature in 3 months.

And I really-- I really think that'll be enough to take

care of us for the rest of our life.

So I was thinking we'd head to Zurich

and stop by Ireland on the way back.

Making you happy makes me very happy.

-So the football party, Sunday, I can pick you up if you want.

-And drive all the way back down to San Jose?

No.

-You know what?

I'm happy to swing by and pick you up on the way back from LA.

-You know, you two should spend your time

planning a trip somewhere.

I hear Ireland is very green this time of year.

[HORN HONKS]

-That sounds like my car.

Gertrude, always a pleasure.

Let me know if you change your mind.

-I'm walking you out, sweetie. -Thank you.

Hm.

-I had a chance to look at your portfolio this morning.

Anemic, huh?

-Not even keeping pace with inflation.

But I'm meeting with a couple investor pals in LA,

so I will see what we can do.

JANE: OK.

-Be at Henry Carmichael's.

Number's on the fridge.

My return will get me in at 10:00 AM on Sunday.

-Want me to pick you up?

-No, no.

You have enough to worry about with the football party.

-Oh.

-Ah.

BOTH: Lipstick.

DRIVER: Ready to go, sir.

-There you go.

-I'm good?

-Yeah.

-All right.

I will call Gertrude when I land, just

to make sure she didn't change her mind.

-OK.

I love you.

-That's my line.

-OK.

-I love you, too.

-Any good?

-Well, about every tenth book, this author recycles her plots.

-Well, I'm impressed she can find

nine original ones in between.

-Aw, honey, I am so glad that you're having a happy life.

I used to worry so much about you when you were little,

because you fretted about everything.

You worried about the dress you were going to wear,

and the lunch box you were going to take.

-I stopped worrying like that when I married Al.

-Mhm.

-He took care of everything-- the money,

the accounts, a car to drive.

I guess I stopped thinking the world

would end if I made a mistake.

And when he died, it was like the roof fell in on me.

-How long have you and Tom known each other?

Is it like 10 years?

-More like 20.

He always had his accounts with Al,

and he used to travel all over the world in his [INAUDIBLE]

and come back with these really great stories.

He saved me.

I always thought I was a "one man for life" kind of lady,

but one night he was teaching me chess,

and I just looked at him--

-You know, watching most women never

find one good man-- and you?

You found two.

So come on.

Time to take this woman home.

[CHUCKLES]

And no, no, I am not selling the house.

I see that look.

[BOTH LAUGH]

-Oh, yes.

-Love you.

-I love you.

Drive carefully.

-OK.

-Hi, Gertrude.

-Oh, hi!

-I have the newspaper for you.

-Oh, Rosaria, you're a doll.

Thank you.

[HORN HONKS]

-Oh, Virgil!

My azaleas!

[PHONE RINGING]

-This is Henry.

JANE (ON PHONE): Hi, Henry.

It's Jane Alexander.

Is Tom around?

-It's your sweetie.

-Hm.

Hey, baby.

Excuse me a second.

OK, baby, sorry about that.

We were just grabbing a bite.

How was your day?

-Oh, it was good.

I went grocery shopping.

I bought stamps.

How was your day?

-Oh, I drove around all day long, saw some friends.

Got a little bit of business done, though.

Speaking of which, I think we've found a way to refinance

the house, cut the mortgage payment by about a third.

-Oh, that's great!

And listen, I found tickets to Europe

on sale if we fly in September.

-Oh!

I can't wait, baby.

-Love you.

TOM (ON PHONE): Love you, too.

-Yeah, that last batch went pretty quick.

--[INAUDIBLE] too stuffed immediately.

-You know, I'm no good at this.

Lookit, lookit!

-[SIGHS] Sorry, sweetie.

-Hey!

-Plane took off late.

These are for you.

-Thank you!

-Hm.

Gave Gertrude a call.

No answer.

-Oh, well, maybe she's in the garden.

-Mm.

Evelyn, how are you?

Thank you very much for taking care of things in my absence.

-I'm trying to improve my cooking skills.

-Yeah.

Oh, babe, is everybody here, watching the game?

-Yeah.

-Excellent.

-Hey, wait-- Jane, he left a big hole in your tray there.

-Hm.

[RINGS DOORBELL]

-(CALLING) Gertrude.

[KNOCK]

Gertrude?

Oh!

-Whoa-ho!

TOM: Ah, thank you, baby.

-OK, OK, OK.

[ALL CHEER]

-Now we're talking.

Mhm.

Mm!

Mm!

[PHONE RINGING]

Here we go.

Here we go.

-No!

TOM: Yeah, this is it.

-No.

No!

[CHEERING]

-Hello?

Yes, this is Jane.

-This is what it all comes down to, right here.

[BEEP]

-(WHISPERING) My god.

[SIREN BLARING]

[INDISTINCT VOICE ON POLICE RADIO]

[CAMERA CLICKS]

REPORTER: Sir, can I get a comment?

Oh--

-[SOBS]

I'm Detective Romer.

-This is Jane Alexander, Gertrude McCabe's niece.

-What happened?

Please.

-She was the victim of a homicide.

-A homicide?

Who would do this?

Who would do this to her!

-Maybe you better come sit down.

We are trying to piece this together.

It appears she was sitting on the couch,

she was reading a book.

She stopped, she had a little lunch.

There's a half-eaten sandwich on the coffee table,

and the book is opened up on the couch.

The best we can figure, between 12:00 and 2:00 on Saturday,

somebody obviously came to the front door.

There was not sign of forced entry.

Blunt force trauma to the back of her head.

And as you saw, there was stab wounds.

There's quite a few.

-Oh, god!

-Is it likely that she would have opened the door

to a stranger?

-No.

No, no, no, never.

She would have given him anything he wanted.

He didn't have to kill her!

-Gertrude raised Jane.

As a matter of fact, the majority of her life,

she referred to her as Mom.

-Well, does she have any enemies?

She have any disputes?

-No, no, no.

But there was two handymen, I don't know, she fired.

-Honey, I'm gonna run to the restroom.

That was a long drive.

-Detective, they just called.

I gotta go shoot a car accident blocking the freeway.

I'll be back later.

-OK.

Ms. Alexander, are you up for a walk-through?

Please?

What we're looking for is missing objects,

things the killer might have taken.

-Where's her checkbook?

There's supposed to be a checkbook.

She always paid with checks.

DET.

ROMER: We haven't found a checkbook.

Anything missing here you can tell?

-I don't know.

I--

-Uh, your aunt, was she getting a little forgetful?

Confuse, maybe?

-No.

She was forgetting little things.

-We found almost $200 in this back.

-Emergency money.

This is not right.

Somebody stuffed this in here.

Gertrude was meticulous about her things.

-This looks to me like a robbery gone sour.

JANE: Who would do this?

I mean, who would do this to a harmless old woman?

-I've been asking myself that same question

since I was a rookie.

Can you tell me where you two both were

on Saturday afternoon?

-Yeah.

Jane was in San Francisco, shopping for a party.

I was in LA on business.

I'm happy to give you the ticket information, phone

number where I stayed, et cetera.

-Thank you.

We need to clear everyone so I can focus on the perpetrator.

-Detective, if there's nothing else,

I'm going to get her home.

-Good.

Good.

Now if there is anything at all that you can think that

would help.

-Will do.

Thank you.

-As we have been reporting, San Jose police

are continuing their investigation

into the murder of Gertrude McCabe, which they are calling

one of the most brutal and senseless crimes

they have ever witnessed.

-Hey, babe, why don't you take a break?

-No.

I have to write it all down.

All of it.

-You need to eat something.

-The only thing I need to do is make

this monster pay for what he did to her.

-I know.

I know.

I know.

-Gertrude was my life growing up.

She raised me.

Mom died.

She was one who raised me.

She did my schoolwork with me, she took me to the movies.

No child ever had a better mother.

I should have made her sell the damn house and live with us!

-Come on, there's no way you could

have forced her to do that.

That wouldn't have made her happy--

eating what you wanted her to, when you wanted her--

-No!

I should've taken care of her.

I should've looked after her.

Gonna get this murderer if it's the last thing I do.

-OK.

OK.

Come here, come here, come here.

VIRGIL: I want to know why I'm here.

Can you tell me why I'm her?

I patched a leak in the roof, I cleaned some leaves out

of the gutter, she paid me, I left, and that's all!

-Sit down!

Did you get along with Mrs. McCabe?

-Yes, I got along with her.

-Listen to me, Mr. Jackman-- Virgil--

someone killed that old woman.

Maybe it was someone who thought they got shortchanged.

-Nobody shortchanges me.

-Yeah.

I sense that about you.

Sit tight.

Mrs. Jackman, your husband is in a holding cell downstairs.

It says in this file that you and he ran a retirement home

in Florida, and that Virgil was fired for getting

funny with the old folks' money.

-Virgil can get funny with anything he puts his hands on.

-Did Virgil have a beef with Mrs. McCabe?

You listen to me.

If Virgil is responsible for Mrs. McCabe's death,

I don't have any issue with you.

But if you cover up for him, you are going down, too.

-He worked extra for that old lady, and she wouldn't pay him.

Said he'd messed up some of her flowers.

He's got a mean streak, Virgil.

-Was Virgil responsible for Mrs. McCabe's death?

OK, then let's do it that way, all right?

Jane.

-Please tell me you have good news.

-Take a look at this.

Do you recognize it?

-Yeah.

This was a plate Gertrude's brother

gave her when she graduated.

-What are the chances that she would have given it

to a worker in lieu of payment?

-No.

No.

Not in this lifetime.

-OK.

Come with me.

Can you identify that man?

-Yes, he was her handyman, Virgil.

-We found this plate in the trunk of his car.

His wife said he did it.

We haven't found the checkbook yet,

but the bank said the last check to clear was to Mr. Jackman,

and it was cashed just a few hours after your aunt's death.

-S-so that's it?

It's over.

-That's it.

We're gonna ask the DA to indict.

Uh, we cleared the crime scene, so

if you want to get your aunt's possessions, you go ahead.

[SEAGULLS CRYING]

JANE: You know what I can't figure?

Why would Virgil take Gertrude's checkbook?

It just doesn't make any sense.

-Maybe he wanted to paper the town with bad checks

and then split.

I mean, think about it.

Lot easier than pawning her jewelry.

Come on.

Let's change the mood, just for 15 minutes, all right?

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

-Hello?

-Jane, Detective Romer here.

-Is there an update?

I haven't heard anything. DET.

ROMER (ON PHONE): Well, there's been a development.

It seems that Virgil Jackman was in Monterey doing

landscaping at the time of the murder.

The homeowner alibied him.

-Why would his wife say he did it?

DET. ROMER (ON PHONE): She was lying.

She's done it before, just to get

even with him for hitting her.

So the only thing we can charge Virgil Jackman with

is stealing the silver plate.

-OK.

So what's next? DET.

ROMER (ON PHONE): Jane, we've cleared

everyone who's ever worked for your aunt.

Deliverymen, former handymen.

We're at a dead end.

I'm sorry, Jane.

[BEEP]

-So they cleared Virgil.

-Yeah.

-Hey, it's the cops' job to find the killer.

It's my job to take care of you.

-Detective Romer.

Jack Morris.

-Ah.

My replacement.

Welcome to Homicide, Detective Morris.

Oh, you got a chance to look at the McCabe files.

-Everything in the file.

-If you read everything in the file-- well, good luck with it.

I've seen some dead ends in my day,

but this one takes the cake.

You want Jane Alexander's bank statements and phone records?

You don't buy the robbery theory?

You do know we cleared Jane and her boyfriend months ago.

She was in San Francisco.

He was in Los Angeles.

They talked on the phone that night.

-Read that.

-You got a theory?

-Mm.

-Yeah.

I heard you don't talk much.

Your Captain in Narcotics said you

were the best interrogator he's ever seen.

How does that work, if you don't talk?

-Me talking ain't the point.

-You, uh, you realize it's July, right?

Probably start wrapping these Christmas presents after Labor

Day and I think you'd still make it.

-There's something missing, Tom, and it's about the checkbook.

-Jane, I really think we ought take that trip to Ireland.

Let the police do their job.

You're gonna go crazy if you keep this up.

-I can't go anywhere right now.

-I'm not going to allow whoever did

this to make you a victim as well.

I'm not.

[DOORBELL RINGS]

I'll get it.

DET.

MORRIS: Hi.

Detective Morris, San Jose PD.

Can I come in, please?

TOM: Yeah, of course.

This way.

Jane Alexander, Detective Morris,

San Jose Police Department.

-Hi.

-Jane.

Jack.

-Hi.

So what happened to Detective Romer?

-He took a job in private security.

I'm the new guy.

I Just transferred in from Narcotics.

-Oh, so it's your first homicide?

-They always give the new guy a cold case.

-Cold case?

OK.

That's encouraging.

-Detective, can I offer you a glass of lemonade?

-Ah, yes, thank you.

Kind of ran into a dead end on the robbery angle.

-Well, yeah.

Of course you said.

What robber's going to throw her stuff around

and then leave behind her cash?

-Jane's been reading a lot of Gertrude's old mysteries.

-Hm.

Oh, that's really good.

Nice and tangy.

-So do you have any leads, Detective?

-I've been looking a little closer to home--

friends, acquaintances, family members.

-I'm her only family member, and her friends

are older than the automobile.

-You know of any financial dealings

that Mrs. McCabe would have had?

Loans, private party purchases?

-I borrowed $25,000 from her for house repairs,

and when I tried to pay it back she just tore up the check.

-Hm.

-Ah, boy, that-- that is really good.

It's a lot better than the stuff in the can.

Um, do you know what Mrs. McCabe's estate was worth?

Houses, insurance?

-Well, that's all tied up in the homicide.

Even the insurance.

-Oh, right.

-I have a feeling you already know this, Detective.

-Ah, I've been looking at it.

I think it's worth about a million dollars.

-Probably.

-Oh, one more thing.

Uh, we're fingerprinting anybody who

was a regular at the McCabe house.

Would you two mind coming down tomorrow to be fingerprinted?

-Not a problem.

Of course.

-Great.

Lemonade was spectacular.

Thank you.

-I'll see him out.

[BEEP]

[BEEP]

[BEEP]

-You know the killer wore latex gloves.

There are no prints.

-Sometimes you have to stir the pot.

I want to thank you both for coming down.

-Of course.

-I just got this file from the FBI Behavioral Science Unit.

They profile crimes, difficult ones without that many clues.

-OK?

DET.

MORRIS: I shouldn't be doing this,

but I would like to share some of this with you.

You mind sitting down?

-Sure.

-No, no.

DET.

MORRIS: "It's probable the killer or killers were known

to the victim and acquainted with her normal routines.

The lack of a forced entry and trauma

to the back of the victim's head indicates

she trusted her assailant enough to permit

him entry and turn her back."

-Or maybe she turned her back to run?

DET.

MORRIS: "Since investigators have yet

to identify missing objects other then the victim's

checkbook, the ransacking may be viewed

as an attempt to mislead investigators

into thinking the crime was a robbery.

The repeated attempts at killing the victim, which included

multiple stab wounds and bludgeoning,

suggest the killer was inexperienced in the commission

of a violent crime.

The most likely motive for the murder of Gertrude McCabe

was to gain the proceeds of her estate.

Do not eliminate the possibility the killer is a woman."

-Are you insinuating I killed my aunt?

The woman who raised me?

-I'm just reading from the report.

-OK.

You know what, Detective?

This is ridiculous.

First of all, [INAUDIBLE] anyone's money.

I've got a trust that I'm about to cash that will more

than take care of us financially,

and she's very aware of that.

Not to mention the fact that she was

in San Francisco at the time of the murder.

You know, baby, I think the detective here

has is not interested in solving a murder.

I think he's interested in clearing a case.

-You're wasting your time, Detective.

And meanwhile, there's a murderer getting away with it.

-I think it's time we get you an attorney.

All right, well, let's make sure that happens ASAP.

OK.

Bye-bye.

[BEEP]

-Tom, they can't really believe I had anything to do with it?

-I have a bad feeling that Detective

Morris doesn't quite see it our way.

-They can't arrest me for something I didn't do.

It's crazy!

-I think they're giving a lot of credibility to that FBI report.

You know, they said she was killed

for the proceeds of her estate.

"Do not rule out the prospect the perpetrator

might be a woman."

-I'm scared.

-Baby, look, I'm going to go to Switzerland,

I'm going to take care of business,

I'm going to come back, and we're going to figure this out.

I just need you to be strong right now.

We're going to be together forever.

I just need to know that you're OK, your finances are OK,

the house is taken care of.

-I love you so much.

-I love you, too.

It's gonna be fine.

[PHONE RINGING]

[BEEP]

-Hello?

-Jane.

Jack Morris.

Not calling too late, am I?

-Uh, no, it's OK.

-I was wondering if you could do me another favor.

Could you and Tom come back down to San Jose?

-Tom just left for Switzerland.

Why, what do you want?

-Need you take a polygraph.

-You want to take a lie detector test.

-I just need to clear everyone I can.

Trying to refocus the case.

-This is insane.

-Come down tomorrow.

Get a good night's sleep.

[BEEP]

-Yeah, I'm sure I will.

-I'm Jim Rhode, Jane's attorney.

I'd like to see the questions that you're going to ask her.

-Chris.

-Is your name Jane Alexander?

-Yes.

EXAMINER: Do you live in Pacific Heights?

-Yes.

EXAMINER: Did you enter the home of Gertrude McCabe

on October 6 of last year?

-No.

EXAMINER: Did you learn about the death of Gertrude

by phone call?

Did you learn of the death of Gertrude McCabe by phone call?

-Yes.

-Did you plan the murder of Gertrude McCabe with anyone

prior to her death?

-No.

EXAMINER: Did you take the checkbook

from Gertrude McCabe's home?

-No.

-Did you assist anyone in planning

the murder of Gertrude McCabe?

JANE: No.

EXAMINER: Were you present at the home of Gertrude

McCabe at the time of her death?

JANE: No.

-Did you murder Gertrude McCabe?

-No.

-You didn't do it.

-[SIGH] Of course I didn't.

-I was pretty sure you didn't.

-Why did you put me through that?

-Had to make sure you had no involvement before or after.

-Are we done here?

-Sure.

-What's your next step?

-Same old step.

Catch a murderer.

[DIALING PHONE]

[PHONE RINGING]

JOEL: op: Hello?

-Hi-- hi, Joel?

It's Jane Alexander, up in San Francisco.

-Yeah!

What can I do for you?

-Um, I'm just wondering if maybe you heard from Tom lately?

He's in Switzerland, but I-- has he called you at all?

-No, not in a while.

Not since he left.

-If he calls you, can you just ask

him to get in touch with me?

-Sure, no problem.

Take care.

-Thank you.

[PHONE RINGING]

[DOORBELL RINGS]

[DOORBELL RINGS]

-Jack.

-You got some coffee?

I got something you need to see.

Look at that.

-It's a car rental receipt with your name on it.

-Yesterday I flew to Los Angeles, I rented that car,

and I drove from the airport to San Jose.

I marked the mileage at the bottom.

JANE: 672 miles.

-Now, look at this receipt.

JANE: Henry Carmichael.

-That's the same car, same license plate, rented the day

that your aunt was murdered.

Look at the mileage.

-You're telling me that Henry Carmichael killed my aunt?

-No.

Henry Carmichael rented the car, but he never left Los Angeles.

I checked.

-I don't understand.

-Henry Carmichael gave the car that he rented to someone who

didn't want his name on the rental car receipt.

[RINGS DOORBELL]

TOM (VOICEOVER): Tom O'Donnell drove to San Jose.

Tom O'Donnell murdered Gertrude McCabe.

-Have you gone completely mad?

I've known this man for 20 years.

I've never even heard him raise his voice.

-The mileage points to Tom.

-What possible motive could he have?

-The oldest motive in the world-- money.

Your aunt's estate was worth almost a million dollars.

-No.

Tom is not related to Gertrude.

He doesn't get a penny.

-I knew this was going to be difficult for you--

-No, I'll tell you what's difficult.

My aunt is dead, and since you can't nail it on me,

you're gonna nail it on someone else

who had nothing to do with it.

-Something else I want you to look at.

This is a picture of a tissue that

was found in your aunt's house.

Didn't match anything she had.

There's also a lipstick smudge.

And we checked around, and it didn't

match anything that she owned.

I need you to just think about this.

Check it out.

-Where did they find it?

-They found it stuffed down her throat in your crude attempt

to keep her silent.

-Good night, Detective.

JANE (ON PHONE): This detective said you rented a car

and gave it to Tom.

-[SCOFFS]

I put the rental car on my credit card

because I owed Tom money.

You know, he spent all day going to banks,

trying to refinance your house for you?

I-- I can't believe this, Jane.

BANKER: I'm sorry, Jane, you don't have enough to cover it.

-How can my balance be this low?

I've never overdrawn.

I've been at this bank forever.

-You weren't aware that Tom transferred

a large sum before he left?

-He was just managing some stocks.

BANKER: Well, he transferred the money somewhere.

-What about the line of credit on my home?

-Looks like you're maxed out, plus

you have a balloon payment due.

Sorry.

TOM: "My dearest Jane, I asked a friend to forward this letter

to you.

When I returned to Switzerland, the authorities

were investigating my former business

partners for some of our transactions.

It's a mess.

My partners tried to blame me.

There have been threats, and I fear

it could be dangerous for anyone I'm close to.

It pains me more than you will ever know,

but you must not try to contact me

until this mess is cleared up.

I only want what's best for you, and I

miss you more than you could imagine.

I will never forget our magnificent years together.

All my love, Tom."

DET.

MORRIS (VOICEOVER): This is a picture of a tissue that

was found in your aunt's house.

There's also a lipstick smudge.

Now we checked around, and it didn't

mention anything that she owned.

They found it stuffed down her throat in a crude attempt

to keep her silent.

-This is an antique.

It belonged to my aunt.

So $200 is the best I can do on that.

OK, sir.

Thank you very much.

-I got a message you wanted to see me.

Something important?

-Yep.

DET.

MORRIS: You moving?

-No.

Um, the bank foreclosed on my house.

I owe more than it's worth, so they're

just gonna take it off my hands.

Let's go inside.

Evie, you can keep an eye on this, right?

This is the lipstick.

I kissed him when he was going to LA,

and he wiped it off and put the tissue in his pocket.

This is the exact tube.

It was very clever, giving me the photo.

-Some people you push.

Some people come by their own design.

-I got this from Tom on Christmas Eve.

He says he's in Europe.

He's still in the country, isn't he?

-I checked every airline and cruise ship from Canada

to Mexico, and unless he swam, he's in the US somewhere.

-I feel like the world's biggest idiot.

-You said it yourself, Jane.

He never gave you any reason to mistrust him.

-And that trust has taken everything from me.

-Even with this, I have no evidence.

There is one thing that I can do.

You fill out a complaint for him taking your money

and I will put it on the wire.

And when we find him, I will interrogate

this guy for murder.

This guy's dangerous, Jane.

There's no telling what he's going

to do when he finds out we're on his trail.

-OK.

You arrest Tom O'Donnell.

I can take care of myself.

It's kind of small.

-Ooh!

Kind of small?

You know, I-- maybe it should come

with a shoehorn or something.

What do you think?

-It's cozy.

-Wait a minute.

Come on, you're not seriously thinking of living here?

-It's very cheap by San Francisco standards.

-Well, how about free?

Come live with me and Bob.

I can't let you-- I can't-- I can't let you stay here.

-Ev, you're a great friend, but I dug myself into this hole.

I'm digging myself out of it.

INTERVIEWER: Honestly, when I spoke to the agency,

I was a little concerned.

JANE: Why?

-Well, the job recruiter said you

hadn't worked in, um, what is it?

-Um, it's a little while.

INTERVIEWER: Oh.

-I worked on Wall Street.

-Makes me wonder why they sent you here.

-Something about nobody else wanting this job.

-OK.

Do you mind if I ask you why you requested the night shift?

-Um, during the day, I'm tracking a killer.

[PHONE RINGS]

-Deirdre Hill Rest Home, how may I direct your call?

DET.

MORRIS (VOICEOVER): This guy's dangerous, Jane.

There's no telling what he's gonna

do when he finds out we're on his trail.

-[GASP]

[SLAMS DOOR]

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

-Hello?

-Jane.

Jack Morris.

-Have you been getting my letters?

-You mean, "Roses are red, violets are blue,

Tom O'Donnell's laughing at you"?

We got a whole pile of them.

-You can expect more.

-Jane, listen to me.

If Tom is in touch with his friends

and he finds out you're trying to track him down,

that increases the chances of him coming after you.

-OK, let's look at it this way.

If Tom O'Donnell kills me, he'll be easier to catch.

You can expect more letters.

[BEEP]

-Good night, Jane.

-Good night. -Try to keep awake.

-OK.

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

[BEEP]

-Hello?

Hello?

[BEEP]

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

[BEEP]

Hello?

[DIALING PHONE]

[PHONE RINGING]

WOMAN (ON PHONE): Hello?

JANE (ON PHONE): Is-- is this Shelley Markham?

This is Jane Alexander.

-Oh, hey.

Joel told me you called a while back.

How are you doing?

Did the cops ever find that guy who killed your aunt?

-No.

No, they-- no, they didn't.

I'm just wondering if you've heard from Tom.

-Mm, not in a while.

JANE (ON PHONE): But do you remember when you saw him last?

He did mention that he might, um, swing by Las Vegas

and see you and Joel on its way to Europe.

-Yeah, yeah, he stayed with us on his way

to Sweden or something.

-Switzerland.

Switzerland.

You saw him on his way to Switzerland?

-Yeah.

Hey, I gotta get to work.

You take care, OK?

-OK.

[BEEP]

(WHISPERING) Yes, yes, yes!

[BEEP]

Jack.

You have to take a trip to Las Vegas.

DET.

MORRIS (VOICEOVER): Not a bad place to hide, Vegas.

Blend in with all those tourists.

+

-Excuse me, ma'am, have you seen this man?

You folks seen this man?

-Hello, cowboy.

You been bad, Tom, stealing Jane's money.

-I didn't steal anything.

-Then there's the other matter.

You know, Gertrude McCabe.

--[SIGHS] And you wonder why I left.

Is there anyone competent there where you work?

Anywhere at all, Detective?

-I found the car your buddy Henry rented for you.

The one with all those miles?

If you can explain that, this'll all go away, Tom.

-If I was fleeing a murder charge,

why would I move to Vegas, where anyone with a brain

could find me?

Besides, if you had me on murder charges,

you wouldn't be arresting me for fraud.

That's for sure.

JANE (VOICEOVER): What do you mean, you won't extradite him?

He murdered an old woman.

DA MCARTHUR: First of all, you don't have sufficient evidence.

The issue isn't murder right now.

It's fraud, for stealing your money.

I mean, on the surface, the jury could

see this as a financial dispute. DET.

MORRIS (VOICEOVER): No.

I want this guy for the murder of Gertrude McCabe.

You don't extradite him, we'll lose him forever.

-And god help you if you let that happen.

DA MCARTHUR: Extradition proceedings aren't cheap!

DET.

MORRIS: You're kidding, right?

-How do people like that get in power?

-They get elected.

-Not by me.

So where are we?

-Well, unless we can wave a magic wand

and get him to volunteer for extradition,

Tom O'Donnell walks tomorrow.

-Not if I can help it.

-Don't do something you're going to regret.

[KEYS JANGLING]

[BEEP]

-Are you OK?

-Yeah.

Yeah, Jane, I'm fine.

Why?

Jane, why-- why would you do that to me?

-I didn't want to file the fraud complaint, Tom.

Please, the bank was going to come after me.

I never wanted to do it.

-But you know why I took that money.

I took it so I could go to Zurich

and cash the trust, for you!

I did that for you.

And now you know what that crazy detective is saying?

That I killed Gertrude.

Me!

-I know.

-Have you ever seen me hurt anyone?

-Never.

-Threaten anyone?

JANE: No.

No.

No, never.

Tom, please come back willingly and talk to them.

Don't make them extradite you.

Please?

I would never testify against you.

And I'll drop the fraud charges.

I settled Gertrude's estate.

I'm gonna get you an attorney.

I'll post your bail.

Please come back.

-(WHISPERING) I love you, baby.

-I miss you so much.

DET.

MORRIS: OR: You've reached Detective Morris.

Please leave a message.

[BEEP]

-Jack, I waved the magic wand.

Tom O'Donnell just agreed to voluntary extradition.

[BEEP]

BAILIFF: All rise.

Please be seated.

JUDGE WILSON: Thomas O'Donnell, you

pled guilty to one count of fraud for the theft of monies

from Jane Alexander.

Do you have anything to say before sentencing?

-Yes, Your Honor.

I'm innocent.

Jane Alexander actually requested

that I invest a sum of money for her, which I did.

It wasn't until I paid myself a fee

that she filed fraud charges against me.

I pled guilty under duress because of false information

provided by Ms. Alexander, which is also

the reason I returned here voluntarily.

-Wrong speech, Mr. O'Donnell.

What I was looking for was, "I'm sorry I stole her money

and ruined her life."

Perhaps four years in the state penitentiary

will give you some time to mull it over.

Bailiff, remand him to custody.

Counselor, would you approach the bench, please?

-But we still can't charge him with murder.

-DA needs more evidence.

Right now Tom's got an alibi for everything.

-Jack, I'm gonna get justice for Gertrude if it kills me.

[TROLLEY BELL RINGING]

-Excuse me, do-- do you know where Margaret is?

-Over there.

-Thank you.

Margaret.

-Jane, how are you?

I heard what Tom did, taking your money.

Can't say I'm surprised.

-Why's that?

-Well, my husband and me gave him money to invest.

We never got no statements, nothing.

He said the company went bankrupt.

Big lie, that was.

-Margaret, I-- I was looking at my phone bill

and I noticed he called you the morning my aunt was murdered.

-He called to say she died, and-- and that he was coming

into some money, so he could finally pay us back.

MAN: Margaret? -I gotta go.

-Are you sure that was the morning Gertrude was killed?

He called you three times that month.

-I'm pretty sure.

There was a football game on TV.

49ers and Broncos.

MAN: Margaret.

-I really gotta go.

Sorry.

[PHONE RINGING]

-Homicide, Detective Morris.

-Jack, Tom called his niece and told her Gertrude was murdered

an hour before we knew she was dead.

And he told her I was coming into Gertrude's money, OK?

So there's your motive.

-She's sure?

That's the only call he made to her during that period?

-No, he called her three times that month.

But she's pretty sure, 'cause she

remembers the football game being on.

DET.

MORRIS (ON PHONE): I'll call the DA and let him know.

-Mr. McArthur.

I'm Jane Alexander, remember?

Did you review Detective Morris' note on Tom O'Donnell's niece?

-The note says Margaret Wilson was, uh,

"pretty sure" about the date of Tom's call.

I can't convict on "pretty sure."

-You're a pretty good prosecutor, right?

What is it, 82% convictions on major felonies?

-A lady who does her homework.

JANE: Yeah, well, somebody has to.

Batting average like that should earn you a big fat salary

in private practice, right?

-I'm going to need more than this.

-And I'm gonna need a prosecutor with some guts.

You don't happen to know where I can find one, do you?

-Joyce Saldano.

Guy in my office calls her the queen of lost causes.

She'll try any case if she believes in it.

-Thank you.

-I'll call you back.

Jane?

-Yeah.

-Joyce Saldano.

-Hi.

-Do you mind if we get straight to the point?

-Please.

-Frankly, this case stinks.

There's no physical evidence.

Not a strand of hair, a fingerprint-- nothing.

No murder weapon, no witnesses.

-Cases based on circumstantial evidence

get won all the time, and every bit of this points

to Tom O'Donnell.

-Then there's the motive.

I searched every murder conviction

in this county going back 30 years.

There's not one case of a suspect murdering someone

so that someone else could collect the victim's estate.

Unless--

-Unless they're in it together.

We're just off to a rousing start.

-Tom's friend Henry still claims that Tom went to Vegas

and was back in the afternoon too

early to have driven to San Jose and back.

-Personally, Ms. Saldano, I would charge Henry

with perjury and accessory to murder.

-That's exactly what I intend to do.

-I thought you said you weren't gonna take the case.

-I said the case stinks.

I didn't say I wasn't gonna take it.

Why don't you sit down and have some dinner?

I have a few questions to ask you.

Please, sit down.

-Fire away.

-Jane, if we fail, Tom O'Donnell is a free man.

-But he isn't free yet.

No.

No, no, don't tell me.

-Model prisoner.

First offense.

Gets out this week.

He only had to serve nine months of the four-year sentence.

-See, this is why they call it the criminal justice system,

because it's criminal, the way they administer justice.

Just don't ask me to hide from him.

-You know, Detective Morris tells me

that you're quite adept at finding

the little pieces of this puzzle.

I sure could use some more pieces.

-I just don't understand the purpose of this.

DET.

MORRIS: I got Tom to agree to one more interview.

Told him if he checks out, that he

never has to talk to me again.

-But you're lying, right?

-Me, lie to a murderer and his attorney? [CHUCKLES]

-Charlie Vaughn.

I'm Mr. O'Donnell's attorney.

I want to remind you, Detective, that we're here voluntarily.

-Anything I can help you with here?

-I'd like to clear up this Gertrude McCabe stuff.

-Not as much as I would.

-It says, um, here you-- you drove to Vegas, correct?

TOM (ON MONITOR): I drove to Las Vegas.

I drove up and down the Vegas strip.

I was waiting for a woman to get off of work.

DET.

MORRIS (ON MONITOR): For?

-For personal reasons, Detective.

-I can't find her name.

-You're gaming us, Detective.

Mr. O'Donnell has refused to supply her name.

The lady was married.

-The hotel where this rendezvous took place?

-You remember every hotel you've ever been in?

Every restaurant?

And yes, I did.

I paid cash.

I didn't want to hurt Jane if she

stumbled across a credit card statement.

DET.

MORRIS (ON MONITOR): Was it a big hotel, little hotel?

JANE (ON MONITOR): I was meeting a woman

in a hotel room, Detective.

I was more interested in her than the decor.

I would appreciate it, Detective, if Jane Alexander

didn't find out about any of this.

Despite making my life miserable,

I actually care about her.

[SCOFFS]

-I'll just keep that between the two of us.

This is a rental receipt.

It's the car Henry rented and you drove.

-OK?

DET.

MORRIS: It amazes me that the mileage is exactly the distance

between the Los Angeles Airport and Gertrude

McCabe's house and back.

-I was in Las Vegas, Detective.

-The round trip to Las Vegas is 220 miles closer than San Jose.

You would have had to have driven up and down the strip 84

times to make up the difference.

-I got lost driving back to LA.

I was tired.

I was actually falling asleep at the wheel,

and I accidentally pulled down a country road.

I found a burg town named Attola, or A-- Attoya,

something like that.

-That totally explains it.

I wish you'd have said that before.

How far up the road was this little town?

Attola?

Attolia?

How do you spell that?

-Look it up, Detective.

[KNOCK]

-Unless you're planning on re-arresting my client,

he walks in two hours.

Let's go.

-Yep.

-At least he really cares about my feelings.

-He's that kind of man.

-You think you know someone your whole life,

and one morning you wake up to the devil.

-They're gonna let him go.

And you have to be more careful than ever.

JANE: It's Atola?

Atola.

Anything-- A-T-T-O-L-I-A. Anything.

It's a town.

[INDISTINCT VOICE ON POLICE RADIO]

-(WHISPERING) Oh my god.

Oh my god, oh my god, what happened?

DET.

MORRIS: Someone broke in.

One of your neighbors heard noises, called 911.

I put you on a watch list with the San Francisco PD.

I came as soon as they called.

-This-- is it Tom?

-No, it's not Tom.

I called his parole officer in San Diego.

He's right where he should be.

This is a random event.

-Now what am I supposed to do?

What am I supposed to do now?

What am I supposed to do?

Oh, god.

-Jane, you called me with some information.

-Yeah.

The town, Attola.

-Attola is a ghost town.

I talked to the sheriff.

No one's lived there for 40 years.

Tom probably found a map in the prison library

and calculated how far he had to drive

to make up the mileage on the rental car.

-I guess if you lie enough, then sooner or later,

one of those lies is going to catch up with you.

-I've already got Joyce issuing an arrest warrant.

[KNOCK]

DET.

MORRIS: They've been living together for months.

He met her online using a computer in the prison library.

Told her he was an investment banker.

-So that's how he can afford the fancy lawyer.

He found another one as pathetic as me.

NEW GIRLFRIEND: Tom?

-The pathetic one is in handcuffs.

-Watch you head.

JOYCE: Your Honor, just how many continuances

is Mr. O'Donnell going to receive?

This is the fifth one.

This is a murder case, Your Honor.

The defense needs time to prepare.

JOYCE: Mr. O'Donnell is stalling.

His alibi witness, his pal, Mr. Carmichael, has cancer.

Mr. Carmichael is afraid I'll slap him with perjury

when he's called in to testify.

Mr. O'Donnell is stalling until Mr. Carmichael dies.

-Well, if that happens, we'll proceed

without Mr. Carmichael's testimony.

Until then, Mr. O'Donnell will remain in jail.

-I know you've had a long day, and I'm not

gonna keep you here any longer than I have to.

But there's something I have to show you.

These are the original photos taken at the crime scene.

This picture was misfiled, taken by a second photographer

later that day.

Someone put the checkbook back in the drawer

while you were still in the house.

Where was Tom?

JANE (VOICEOVER): At one point, he

excused himself to go to the bathroom.

DET.

MORRIS (VOICEOVER): Unbelievable.

This guy's a piece of work.

He put the checkbook back in the drawer,

not knowing the desk had already been photographed.

-Why would he do that?

-Because he knew the estate, the big money,

would be tied up with the homicide.

He wanted to know how much cash Gertrude had on hand.

-He was desperate for money.

That's why he killed her.

[PHONE RINGING]

-Hang on.

Morris.

Henry Carmichael's dead.

Tom's attorney's demanding the right to a speedy trial.

JOYCE: Jane, can I speak with you, please?

I'm concerned about you testifying.

Tom's attorney has asked to see everything you've touched,

every witness that you spoke to, and every letter

you sent to the cops.

He's coming after you, Jane.

-I can handle it.

-Look, what you did was miraculous.

But it's my case now.

-Just the facts, ma'am.

-Circumstantial evidence is like playing

chess with just the pawns.

If your anger takes over, the defense will eat you alive.

This is one of the most heinous crimes ever,

the cold, calculated, and remorseless murder

of Gertrude McCabe.

The defendant, Tom O'Donnell, bludgeoned her,

stabbed her repeatedly, and when she wouldn't die,

he strangled her-- all so that the victim's niece, Jane

Alexander, who had no knowledge of any of this,

could inherit the estate and Mr. O'Donnell

could enjoy the proceeds.

-Would you stop, please?

You're driving me crazy.

-You're gonna have to chain me up.

-You want to explain to me why they don't want you

sitting in on the opening arguments?

-Because they don't want any witnesses

to be influenced by someone else's statements.

-You know, maybe you should consider

a career in criminal justice.

It's really scary, but you're getting good at this stuff.

-Maybe I should consider a career

on a bomb squad, which would be saner than this.

No thanks.

JOYCE: The defendant was clever enough

to dispose of the murder weapon and wear latex gloves.

That alone proves premeditation.

He plotted an elaborate alibi, which she later

changed repeatedly when being interviewed by detectives.

Our case is built on circumstantial evidence,

and all of it points to the defendant, Tom O'Donnell.

MARGARET: Tom said Gertrude had been murdered

and Jane was going to inherit her money.

Then he was gonna pay us back the money

that we gave him to invest.

-Marked exhibit three.

Let the record show that Tom O'Donnell made that call to San

Francisco to his niece two hours before the body was found.

-When did you first hear your uncle mention Gertrude McCabe's

death before her body was found?

-Jane told me.

Jane Alexander.

-So you didn't report it to the police.

-No.

-This whole thing-- the time of Gertrude McCabe's death,

your uncle being the alleged culprit-- all of this

came from Jane Alexander?

-Yeah, she came to visit me at work.

-And what was the reason for the visit?

-Objection.

Calls for speculation.

-It establishes the underlying motive

of the prosecution's star witness.

-I'll allow.

-She was looking into who killed her aunt.

VAUGHN: Detective Morris, this was a difficult case,

wasn't it?

-Yes.

-So difficult that you felt like you

needed to seek outside help.

Defense exhibit 11, Your Honor?

This is a report from the Behavioral Science Unit

of the FBI, a report you requested.

Would you read the underlined portion, please?

-"The most likely motive for the murder of Gertrude McCabe was

to gain the proceeds of her estate.

Do not eliminate the possibility the killer is a woman."

-I-- I'm sorry, one more time, the last piece there.

-"Do not eliminate the possibility

the killer is a woman."

-Which led you to suspect Jane Alexander.

-Until I found out she was still in San Francisco

at the time of the murder.

-Providing your theory about the time of the murder is correct.

The body wasn't discovered for at least

24 hours, isn't that right?

-Right.

-And yet you continued to question her several times.

Who gained financially from Ms. McCabe's death?

-No one yet.

-But that's only because the insurance company refused

to pay, while Mrs. McCabe's house deteriorated

because the estate was in probate.

Now how much was the estate worth at the time of her death?

-Estimate, around $1 million.

-And Jane Alexander was the sole beneficiary?

-Yes.

-One million reasons to suspect the woman

who is now your star witness.

[SIGH]

-Perfect.

-Nobody said anything, but I can tell from Joyce's face.

We're not doing so well.

-Well, I hate to say that I agree with you,

but I gotta say that I agree with you.

-They're trying to pin this on me.

And we can't even tell the jury I passed the polygraph?

-Jane, how does anybody get through an ordeal like this?

I mean--

-They don't.

They take their poison one grain at a time.

REPORTER: We're awaiting the arrival of star witness

Jane Alexander to take the stand.

The defense has portrayed the victim's niece

as a woman who tampered with witnesses, a woman bent

on revenge.

-Witnesses have testified that you

made phone calls, tracked witnesses, collected evidence.

What exactly is your training in criminal procedure?

-I read a lot of books.

-Sort of a self-taught Sherlock Holmes.

-Objection.

The jury can draw their own conclusions.

-Sustained.

-You were obsessed with this case.

-I was determined to get justice for a woman

who never hurt anyone.

VAUGHN: Mr. O'Donnell's niece, Margaret, whom you visited,

knew you were out to get him.

-Objection!

-Sustained.

Please, would you rephrase?

-Did Mr. O'Donnell's niece know that you

were out to prove that Mr. O'Donnell was

guilty of this crime?

-No.

No.

When I spoke with Margaret, I had no idea

he'd mentioned the murder several hours

before the body was found.

-You were angry with Mr. O'Donnell

for losing your money in investments.

-No.

At the time of my aunt's murder, I was unaware of his theft.

-But you became angry, vengeful that your financial setbacks

eventually cost you your house.

-They weren't "financial setbacks," Mr. Vaughn.

Your client robbed me.

VAUGHN: But your anger had do have fed this desire

to see Tom O'Donnell behind bars.

JANE: Justice is fed by many things, common decency

being one of them.

-Prior to her death, how much money

did you borrow from Gertrude McCabe?

-Prior to her murder, I borrowed $25,000.

VAUGHN: Which you never repaid.

So once she died, you were off the hook.

-No, I tried repeatedly to repay her, but she wouldn't take it,

so there's no hook, right?

I-- I was never on one.

-You were desperate for money.

-After Tom O'Donnell stole my money,

I had to take care of myself, as any sane person would do.

-Motion to strike as non-responsive, Your Honor?

-You asked about the financial state of mind.

Overruled.

But continue.

-So you were not motivated in any way by anger or revenge?

-Anger will kill you.

And revenge isn't justice.

-Your honor, the defense has exhausted this line

of questioning, not to mention the entire courtroom.

-We'll take a noon recess.

When we return, Mr. Vaughn, you'll move on.

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

DET.

MORRIS: Hello?

Yeah, this is Morris.

Yes, sir, I'm the detective on the McCabe case.

I'm at the courthouse, room 103.

Can you get that to me?

I'll be here.

JANE: It pains me to say it, but his lawyer is really good.

-Well, he should be for what Tom's

new sweetie's probably paying him.

JOYCE: You're doing great up there, Jane.

Just stay vigilant.

Keep your answers focused.

He's trying to wear you down and trip you up.

Just answer the questions.

Don't offer anything he doesn't ask you.

Remember, focus.

-I need to see you.

-Uh, you guys, uh, why don't you just go sit down?

What's up?

-This might help.

-Good.

'Cause if the defense keeps attacking like they are,

I don't know what's going to happen.

(QUIETLY) Let's not say anything about this right now.

Thank you.

VAUGHN: Ms. Alexander, the police originally suspected you

of committing this crime, didn't they?

-Uh, yes, yes, they did, until the evidence

pointed to Tom O'Donnell.

-Would you please read the underlined portion

of the FBI profile?

-"Do not eliminate the possibility

the killer is a woman."

-Pretty damning conclusion.

-Well, it's-- it's just wrong, 'cause he's the killer.

-How much money did you stand to inherit when Ms. McCabe died?

-Gertrude McCabe was murdered.

-A forensic accountant said it was $1 million.

You really had no idea?

-I'm not the one who put a dollar sign on her life.

-You told friends and police that you would do anything

to convict Tom O'Donnell of this murder.

-Originally I told them I would do anything to clear his name.

Then this evidence started piling up,

and even a fool like me had to believe it.

-You told police that in all the years you knew Tom O'Donnell,

you never met a kinder man, that he never used an unkind word.

-Yes, that's true.

That's true.

I was completely fooled by him.

VAUGHN: And then all of a sudden,

this gentle, generous man turns into a coldblooded killer?

-Yes.

He did.

-I'm sorry, Ms. Alexander, it just doesn't seem plausible.

Nothing further, Your Honor.

The defense rests.

-Ms. Saldano, does the prosecution

want to reexamine the witness?

-Briefly, Your Honor.

I'd like to submit this document that I've

just received as evidence.

-Objection.

Permission to approach the bench?

Your Honor, the defense was not given proper notice.

JUDGE WILSON: Overruled.

I'll allow it.

-Thank you, Your Honor.

Ms. Alexander, this document with just

given to me by Detective Morris a few minutes ago.

Could you tell the jury, please, what is the document?

-It's a life insurance policy.

-And who is the insured?

-I am.

-And what is the amount?

-$1.5 million.

[MURMURS]

-Did you take out that policy?

-No, I didn't.

And is that your signature?

-No.

It looks a little like it, but I've never seen this before.

-Would you please tell the court whose

name is there as the beneficiary?

-Tom O'Donnell.

[MURMURS]

-Jack was right.

You were gonna kill me next.

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]

EVELYN: No questions, I'm sorry!

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]

BAILIFF: All rise.

-Please be seated.

Now, in the matter of "The People v. Thomas J. O'Donnell"

on the sole count of murder in the first degree,

how do you find?

-We the jury find the defendant, Thomas O'Donnell, guilty.

[MURMURS]

[GAVEL STRIKES]

-Mr. O'Donnell, given the time that it has taken to bring

this case to justice and the jury has found you guilty,

do you, uh, have anything to say for yourself?

-Yes, Your Honor.

The uh, FBI report said the crime was committed

by someone timid, someone inexperienced.

Understand me-- I was raised in Montana.

I know how to hunt and kill.

I've killed deer, elk, bear, and I

know how to do it with a gun, knife, or stick.

If I wanted to kill Gertrude McCabe,

I'd do it right, clean and fast, not like some pathetic amateur.

-Ms. Alexander?

I'm juror number four, and I just

want to tell you that I prayed every night for you

to survive on that witness stand.

I am so happy for you.

-Thank you.

JANE: Need a police escort?

[BOTH LAUGH]

-OK, where'd you find the policy?

-I got a phone call from a guy named

Daniel Niles, insurance broker.

He sold a policy to Tom O'Donnell for $1.5 million

with your name on it.

He was watching the case, put two and two together.

Me?

I answered the phone.

-No, you saved me.

-No, you saved yourself.

But then again, that's why I make the big bucks.

-OK.

-[LAUGHS]

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]

REPORTER: Ms. Alexander, are you happy with the verdict?

-Um, justice was served.

Nothing's going to bring back my aunt.

-The defense portrayed you as a spurned woman bent on revenge.

How would you describe yourself?

-Moral.

You borrow $50, you pay it back.

You kill someone, you go to jail.

REPORTER: Thank you.

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]

Uh, Ms. Alexander?

-Yes.

-Hi.

Lyle Sanders.

-Hi.

-Thanks for taking this meeting with me.

I read about what you did, getting justice for your aunt.

-I only hope if I was murdered, someone

would do the same for me.

So tell me about your sister.

-Well, uh, her husband shot her in the kitchen of her house.

He claimed that the gun went off accidentally,

and-- and the police closed the case in four days.

They ruled it was an accident.

What they didn't know was that she inherited a large sum

of money from our parents and was

scared to death of her husband.

-How long ago did this happen?

-It was 12 years ago.

Here's the police file.

-I'll call you as soon as I read it.

-Thank you.

Thanks.

Thanks a lot.

[MUSIC PLAYING]