Murder Once Removed (1971) - full transcript

A doctor and the wife of one of his wealthy patients hatch a plot to get rid of her husband so they can be together and get his money.

Hello, Fred.
Keeping out of trouble?

How would I be in trouble?

You guys back from Viet Nam
get kind of restless, you know.

Well, take it easy.

Where are you heading?

To Dr. Wellesley
if that's okay with you.

No, no, just checking.

Do me a favor will you, Phil.

Keep off my back.

Sure thing.

- Hi.
- Hello, Fred.



Fred, don't forget
we're expecting you tonight.

Oh, I wouldn't miss it, Mrs Manning.

Frank, what time do I pick you up?

Well, I'm due at the doctor's
at four. It shouldn’t take to long.

- Something really wrong with you?
- No, no.

You know doctors. They're not happy
unless they're making their the little tests.

Dr. Wellesley is
a really fine doctor, isn't he?

Quite a lady's man too, I'm told.

Well, he’s not my style.

Bye, dear.

Dr. Wellesley's office.

Oh, yeah...

Well...

How about...



2 on Monday?

Fine, thank you.

So, when do you start back to college?

Oh...

As soon as Dr. Wellesley
has sent me away.

By the way, Fred,
I've been meaning to ask you.

What do you tell people
you're coming here for?

- I just say I have an allergy.
- It's pretty good.

We had one fellow who used
to tell people it was for acne.

Acne... That's more humiliating
that what I have.

Dr. Wellesley's office.

No, I'm sorry. He's still out
making house calls.

- I'm so glad you could get away.
- Darling...

- Frank's in your waiting room.
- I had to see you. I just had to see you.

You know, it's funny.

I've got a nurse who's supposed to
chaperone me with my female patients.

- But here I am...
- Here you are involved with one.

Not as involved as
I'd like to be. Lisa...

You will speak to
Frank again, won't you?

It won't be any good.
He says no divorce.

You tried to offer him... money?

You know, the trouble with Frank
is that is really a nice guy.

All he wants to do
is get along with me.

Yes but I want you, Lisa.

I want you now. Not when Frank gets
ready to release you.

Dr. Wellesley will fix you
if anybody can.

Though to tell you the truth,
I don't trust any of them.

- Doctors?
- Not a one.

I have a lot of confidence
in Dr. Wellesley.

- Frank said something odd the other night.
- What was that?

He said that you didn't inherit
your father's practice,

that you had to buy
it from the estate.

- Yes, as a matter fact that's true.
- It is?

Well, my father wanted me to go to his
practice right away with them and...

I had a few things
I had to get out of my system first.

Yeah, I remember that.

They say you could get a lot
on your system as the ship doctor.

It had its moments.

But after I got married...

my wife wanted I set up
practice in her hometown.

My father took that
as a kinda personal rejection.

He never knew her, did he?

No, it might have been
different if he had.

Then she died... and he died.

Poor baby.

- I've got to get back.
- All right.

That should do for another day.

Thanks.

I know I said it a lot.
I really mean it. Thanks.

Mm?… Oh…

Sure, sure, Fred.

Most of guys have picked the habit
in not to have to go cold turkey.

If they go at all.

- I really don't think I can take that, you know.
- I'm glad to help.

- Tomorrow same time, then?
- Yeah, sure.

Hey, listen,
I don't mean to binge here.

I mean... I guess you've got
plenty on your mind without me.

I supposed you could say that, Fred.

Take it easy.

Must be quite a mark up on X-rays, Ron.
You take so many of them.

Only fair.

Real profit is an imaginary ailment.
One of my bestsellers.

I bet.

All right, Frank. I'll phone
when I get the results of your tests.

Oh, by the way, I...

I took a business trip
couple weeks ago...

to Hagerstown.

- Hagerstown?
- Mhm...

How long were you in practice
back there?

Oh, about five years.

Is that right? Five years?

Yes, you are well remembered
back in Hagerstown.

- Glad you came, Fred.
- Glad to be here.

You think Fred Kramer will be all right?
You said he had pretty hard.

Oh, I think he's having a little fun.

- Lisa...
- Ron, I spoke to Frank.

You'd better know we're going away.

- Going away?
- Europe for a few months.

It's a common prescription for
couples getting another chance.

What about us?

Darling, it because of us.

We'll just have to stop.

We haven't done anything!

- We would.
- We will.

- How did his tests came out anyway?
- Oh, he's fine.

He has a small cyst on his shoulder
I'll have to remove in just a…

minor office procedure.

You couldn’t manage to lose him on
the operating table, could you?

That's nothing to joke about.

No, of course not.

Ron...

I'm sorry about everything.

Excuse me.

- I buy you a drink, Ron?
- You couldn't have timed it better.

- Having a good time?
- Yes, yes, just fine.

- Oh, thank you, cheers.
- Cheers.

She dances well, doesn't she?

Lisa?...
Yes, I... I suppose so.

Ron, I...

I did something recently which
I'm not particularly proud of.

Oh, what was that?

I hired a private detective.

You did? What for?

I know Lisa was interested
in another man.

Phil Proctor?

I'm talking about you, Ron.

Please, don't bother
to confirm or deny it.

I also have you checked out pretty
thoroughly back in Hagerstown.

- What for?
- Well, I was curious.

I wanted to know more about
certain stories I've heard.

About you and those...
strange deaths.

I had to see this Dr. Waterbury
while I was out in Hagerstown.

- It was a bad break for you really.
- Waterbury, uh?

Not one of my biggest boosters.

He said that people out are pretty well
convinced you're involved in both deaths.

The man and the wife.
One after the other.

In fact, the word he used was er…

"murdered".

It makes quite a story, doesn't it?

- I thought so.
- There isn't a single word of truth in it.

- Never was a shred of evidence.
- Not enough to bring to the court.

Apparently enough
to drive you out of town.

Did Waterbury happen to tell you
what this whole affair was based on?

The awful fact that my mother-in-law
died of a heart attack one year and...

Helen died at the same cause the next.

They wonder why you're signed
both death certificates yourself.

It's not unusual.

- And why the quick cremations?
- It's what they wanted.

Frank, if you checked this out,

you must know that the charges
came from a cousin of Helen's

who hoped to inherit their money.

Yes, but the money
did come to you, didn't it?

Mother to daughter to you.

They assume that was the motive.

- Do you watch much television, Ron?
- No, not much, why?

I guess the only thing I ever learnt
from it was a meaning of...

"M.O."

- "M.O."?
- Mhm...

"Method of operation".

Cop talk.

The criminal's tendency to
repeat a successful method.

First, there was Carol Hansen,
wasn't there?

Your detective was
pretty thorough, wasn't he?

It is possible, isn't it, to imitate
heart attack symptoms with certain drugs

like insulin.

Carol Hansen died of
a sudden heart attack too.

- And you signed that death certificate.
- She was a stewardess, I was the ship's doctor.

She was carrying your child,
wasn't she?

It could have been mine,
I told them that at the time.

Things do happen to your women,
don't they?

Look Frank, I'm sick defending myself
against baseless charges.

You believe what you like.
I couldn't care less.

Now that was the first false note.

You were very good until then.

How long do you think
you'd last here in Woodfield

if I were to spread
the story around?

Is that what you intend to do?

I haven't told anyone yet.

I don't see any reason
why you'd want to.

- I don't really.
- Then what's this all about?

You can't imagine that
I enjoy going through

this old witch-hunt all over again.

The fact is, Ron, I'm...

I'm hoping for an
accommodation with you.

- Accommodation?
- Mhm...

I'm hoping I can persuade
you not to murder me.

You're not serious, Are you?

I thought I was.

For Heaven's sakes,
why would I want to kill you?

Because I'm like the others.
I'm in your way.

You're not serious.

Why would you keep coming
to me as a patient

if you thought I was gonna kill you?

Oh, I was safe enough as long as you
thought there might be a divorce.

But you know better now.

You decided how I intend to do it?

Like the others.

I think I'm a candidate
for a heart attack.

You said as much yourself.

I told you there was
no immediate cause for worry.

I worry.

I went to a heart specialist and
had another EKG (Electrocardiography).

There's nothing wrong with my heart.

I hope he's right.

You know, Frank, EKGs don't read
as simply as market reports.

Different men often get
different readings.

I was surely there would be
some medical cop-out.

There usually is. It’s
the strength of our profession.

I know I could be
wrong about you, Ron.

That's the first nice thing
you said to me all day.

I realise it's been innocent
between you and Lisa so far.

But I can't allow this to go on.

The only thing that would
make sense is you to go.

Go? Where?

Anywhere.

- Away from Waterfield.
- Oh, come on, Frank.

You'll be gone by the time Lisa
and I get back from Europe

or I'll spread the word
about your colorful past

and drive you out of town.

- You'd do that too, wouldn't you?
- Believe me, Doctor.

Right or wrong, I won't roll over
and play dead for you.

I suppose that means that...

now you won't want me to take
care of that cyst for you.

I have to have it done anyway.

It might seem peculiar if I would
suddenly change doctors.

But I should tell you
I've taken certain precautions.

- Your detective?
- No, no.

I've paid him off.

He gave me all I need.

Look Franck,
how do I get through to you?

I'm a doctor.
I don't deliberately kill people.

Hey, Ron!
You got an emergency.

The hospital sent me to get you.
Come on, We'll make better time

- in my car.
- All right, Phil.

Thanks for the game, Frank.
I enjoyed every minute of it.

How is she?

- We lost Mrs Sullivan.
- Oh, it's a shame.

I drive you home now?

I need a couple of minutes.

I tell you...

Why don't you go into the doctor's
lounge and have cup of coffee

- and I'll meet you there?
- Sure, I'll wait for you.

Miss Regis,

what time is Fred Kramer coming
in for his treatment today?

Good.

Miss Regis, it's important that
we get another test on Mr. Manning.

The lab needs it.
Have him come in this afternoon.

We'll remove the cyst
at the same time.

Ah... Better now?

I never quite got used
to losing a patient.

Come on, Ron, you're a good doctor.

Yes, I suppose so but...

it's hard not to feel that if I've done
my job a little bit better that...

It's not as if
I've done it deliberately.

Why would you have done that?
She leaves any money or anything?

Not that I know of.

- Is that a serious question?
- Remember Dr Adams, the British doctor?

They had him up on
knocking some of his patients

just because they happen
to remember him there wills.

The jury found him innocent.

You are not suggesting
there is any connection, are you?

No, no, I've just got
homicide on the brain.

It's this course something.
The one for the exams for Captain...

Was I supposed to lend you a book
on forensic medicine, wasn't that?

Yeah… What if doctors
had been murderers?

You'd be surprised
how big they'd been in the field.

One of the great traditions.

- Dr. Crippen, Dr. Palmer, Dr. Clemens.
- Giants.

I guess because
it'd be so easy for a doctor.

Our instructor said an interesting
thing once. He said...

homicidal types like that, you gotta
think them like a loaded revolver

just waiting to be pointed at somebody.

Cheerful thought.

Phil, you've made my day.

At least, you got
your mind off things.

Right through here,
Mr. Manning, please.

You just remove your shirt.
You can wait here.

I hope you won't
keep me waiting too long.

Look, Mr. Manning...

Either the patient wait for him
or he waits for the patient.

Who's time is more valuable?

Some of his patients do
important work too, you know.

But dollar for dollar, I mean.

- Oh, I see what you mean, yes.
- In the healing art, time is money.

- You’re very funny.
- We take an oath.

"Cheer up the sick and dying."

Well, there goes another one.

- Another what?
- Another patient.

He howls every time we lose one.

- Your dog knows?
- It's spooky how he knows.

- He doesn't do it very often, is he?
- Oh, now and then.

Listen, you can win them all.

Now, Happy, you quiet down!

Stop it and quiet down.

Happy, you quiet down
in there, now. Quiet!

Oh doctor, Mr. Manning is waiting for
you in the treatment room.

Fred Kramer will be here in any moment.

- Lieutenant.
- Miss Regis.

Miss Regis, will you go
and quiet your dog?

I don't want to hear how
Happy can always tell.

- So it's goodbye, Mrs. Sullivan, right ?
- Yes.

Come on in, Phil.
I'll give you that book.

Let's see...

I had it somewhere here.

Look, why don't
I drop over to your place

on my way back to the hospital?
Say around...

- 6:30?
- Great, thanks.

Come on, cheer up.

Now they all gonna go sometime.

Yes...

The trouble is that we doctors are
taught that we can save lives and...

the only thing you can do really is
to fight a rearguard action against death.

Sooner or later, we have to lose.

I never thought of it that way.

My father used to say...

"How nice would be just once
to be on the winning side."

- "The winning side"?
- The side of death.

The object was to kill the patient.

That'd be the only way you'd be
reasonably sure a success.

"The winning side", uh?

You'd better not let your a patient
hear you to talk that way.

- You can be sure of that.
- I see you later.

We do keep meaning to have you
over to dinner, Phil.

Oh, it's okay.

I guess your husband doesn’t
like the idea we used to date

- before she was married.
- Oh, I know.

Well, that was a long time ago.

It’s funny about people
you grown up with.

I sometimes get the feeling

that we're all still kids
just pretending to be grown up.

You pretending to be a cop.

- Ron pretending to be a doctor.
- And you?

Mm... pretending to be a woman I guess.

No, not you.

Nobody can pretend that good, Lisa.

You're nice.

I'll see you.

He's such a nice man.

I always thought you
could have done a lot worse.

I did.

Your tests were negative but
the lab forgot to do your blood sugar.

So while you're here
I'll need another sample.

Be my guest.

You are sure you're not worried
about my "M.O."?

Some dread poison on a needle
or something like that?

No, but perhaps you’d better
know about my precautions.

Oh? Perhaps I should.

It's my will.

I've left instructions there's to be
an autopsy not matter what.

They're to pay particular attention to
the possible presence any unusual drugs.

My, my, my....
You did all that, uh?

If I do have a heart attack, Ron,
it'd better be a legitimate one.

- Or the police will know about it.
- Sure.

- I can no longer safely murder you.
- That's right.

Then I won't murder you.

I was hoping you'd say that.

Er... You... got me blocked.

Well, any formal social
protest is better than none, right?

You mind moving it?
I hate booking in heroes.

You're a funny cop, Phil.

Like when Charlie Chaplin play Hitler.

- He never.
- No? Don't argue with the law.

Romantic idea, murder for love.

If that's what it is.

Is that Lisa you want
or just her inheritance?

Is that the entire plot
that I kill you marry her

- and then kill her too?
- You might.

Oh, come on now, Frank,
how many murders is that?

Three in my past
and two more on my schedule?

It does seem like a lot.

But we have nothing to worry
about anymore, do we?

We never did.

Frank, would you mind if I took
care of Fred Kramer first

before we remove that cyst?

- No, if it doesn't take too long.
- Not at all. You can wait right in here.

- It must be particularly hard for a doctor.
- What must?

Being backed into a corner.

- Why particularly a doctor?
- I don't know.

You must all develop something
of a sense of omnipotence

if you don't start out with one.

Scared trusting people coming here
with their problems...

You disposing of them with a quick
scribble on your prescription pad.

- You all play God a little bit, don't you?
- Occupational hazard.

Of course, we are called on to make
life-and-death decisions sometimes.

Not life-and-death really.

Patients are going to die anyway.

A little sooner... or a littler later,
it's all you decide.

That's all God himself decides.

I had to have this because while
there's not much danger in it anymore,

I had to be sure that hepatitis
doesn't show up.

- It had to be from the needle, right?
- Your needle, not mine.

How's been going lately?
Feel any impulse to give a fix?

No, not since we started.

Before, that was a scariest part.

The... arrogant feeling that it's me...

and that I have to have it.

Do anything to get it, you know.

That's not typical of just the addict.

That attitude is not unknown
of the rest of us.

I’m gonna give you a larger dose
of the substitute this time.

It might make you a little drowsy.

It might be better if you rested
here while before you went home.

Anything you say.

- You feel anything yet?
- No...

Get up and move around.

Do me a favor, will you?

Go over and pock
the fire for me a bit.

Sure.

It would frighten me most about
getting the habit of vulnerability.

An addict is like a sitting duck.

- Yeah...
- No!

Put the poker back
where you go, please.

Feeling it now?

Man, it's...

Look, man, it's like as sharp
as the real stuff you know.

Yeah, it will some time.

Take Fred upstairs and let him
stretch out for a while, uh?

Oh, sure thing.

- Anybody else waiting out there for me?
- Only Mrs. Manning.

She's waiting for her husband.

Lisa, it will be at least
another hour, I'm sorry.

- Why don't you come back later?
- That's all right.

- I did tell Frank I'd wait.
- It distracts me

to know that you are here,
don't you understand that?

- Well, I'll go if you insist.
- Yes, please.

Go to Mario's and have a drink.
Think about us.

I'm trying not to.

Still upset about Mrs. Sullivan?

- Never easy to lose a patient.
- Sure.

But you mustn't let it get you down.

Yes, I suppose you're right.

After all I...

- I have been on the winning side before.
- Of course you have.

And I'll be on
the winning side again.

Thatta boy!

- Well, that wasn't too bad.
- You did survive!

I want you to rest here
for about 15 minutes or so.

My nurse will let you know
when it's time for you to go home.

- You won't be here?
- No, I have to get back to the hospital.

You think you feel safer?

Don't let me drive you away...

just yet.

All finished, are we?

Oh, Miss Regis...

Say... Get Mr. Manning
a glass of water, will you please.

- And see if he needs anything else.
- Of course.

- Resting comfortably.
- And Fred's all right up stairs.

This might be a good time
for you to walk your dog.

Oh, thanks for reminding me.

- Happy doesn't forgive easily.
- And when you get back,

- you can send both home.
- Fine.

6:30... I'll be at Phil Proctor's
and then at the hospital

- if you need me.
- Fine.

Here's Mummy coming!

Well, does he want to go out?
Yes, Mummy's taking now!

Oh, quiet down, you now. Come on!

Looking for your friend the doctor?

He's gone!

He's not there.

You want me show you?

Oh, a bloodhound you're not.
Now come on, let's go.

Come on, good boy!

That's you, Miss Regis?

No.

I thought you'd left.

I did but I...

I forgot I had friend
Fred Kramer resting up stairs and...

just had to come back
to let him go home.

You won't forget about me, will you?

No.

Miss Regis will call you.

Fred!

Fred, it's all right,
you can leave now.

Everything all right?

Er... I guess so.

This is your coat, isn't it?

You will take it easy
on the way home, won't you?

Sure...

That'll be shorter
for you to get out this way.

Thanks.

I hope you've given some thoughts
to my suggestion.

You're asking me to give up
quite a lot, you know.

This was my father's practice
before it came to me.

Before you bought it.

Yes, I bought it
because I had to have it.

And I was prepared to do...

anything...
to anybody in order to get it.

This isn't a confession, is it?

No, just quoting a patient.

By the way...

You know, your theory about...
that "M.O."...

Business of a...

criminal repeating his method?

Oh? What about it?

I don't think you can
really count on it.

- There you are.
- Oh, thank you very much.

- Am I late?
- By two minutes.

I've got a little time. Perhaps
I can forward that for you.

Great, come on up.

I spend most of my time
reading a medical dictionary.

I can't keep cross-referencing
terms and things...

It's a little complicated for me.
Come on, straight ahead.

All right, Happy! Come on.
Get on with it before we get soaked.

That's a good boy.
Come one, let's get home!

We made it!

Here, in you go!

Come on, that's good boy.

Here we go, dear, just
a little while longer.

That's it.

Be a good boy now.
See you later.

Will you knock it off, Happy?
We haven't even got anybody critical!

Dr. Wellesley's office.

Oh, hello, Meg.

Oh, Gee, I'm sorry. No, this is
my night at work late at the office.

What's playing?

Oh... That's one of those arty things
they make for the kids.

Whoever can understand it?

I don't think the kids can either.
They won't admit it, will they?

No, I'm sorry.
We'll have to make it another time.

Okay, Meg. Bye-bye.

Rise and shine, Mr. Manning.

Good Lord!

Mr. Manning, are you all r...?

Boy!

Boy!

Hello?

Yes, he is.

Emergency.

Yes?

What?

- What's his condition?
- I just said.

His head’s all bashed in.
I barely get any pulse.

You get a pulse?

All right, I'll be right there.

Someone attacked
Frank Manning in my office.

Oh, brother...

- Get my bag where I left it, will you?
- Yeah.

- Where do you want the bag?
- Put it right down there.

- Here! Help me get him up on that table.
- Yeah.

- I've got blood all over you.
- It won't be the first time.

Okay...

Doctor, Fred's gone. He wasn't
here when I came back.

Never mind about that.

Phone for an ambulance and blood.
I think it's AB Rh positive.

- But you'd better check first.
- Yes, doctor.

I'll do it at the cop phone anyway.

AB Rh positive is right.

I'll see if I can give
the doctor a hand.

- Phil's calling...
- I told you to call, now!

Burt... Phil Proctor,
move at doc Wellesley's.

Looks like a homicide here,
attempted anyway.

Yeah, get an ambulance here right away
and tell them we need plenty of...

type AB Rh positive blood.
Got that? Hold a minute.

Never mind about the blood.

Dead, uh?

Amazing how long he hang on.

He's dead now.

Okay, now. When would you say
you last saw Manning alive?

Just before I went over to your place.

If you really have to know,
it was exactly 6:30

under the clock's strike.

6:30, uh?

You got to my place a couple
of minutes after that

so you wouldn't have
time to do all this.

Isn't that big of you?

I saw him alive after the doctor did.

Why don't you say
I could've killed him?

- No, no, forget it.
- You bet, forget it.

The big question is
where's Fred Kramer.

Miss Regis, it's not our business
to cast suspicion.

It's my business, Ron.

- What about Fred?
- Nothing about Fred.

I'll get Happy some milk.
That usually quiets him down.

Fred was here along
with Manning, right?

- He comes here every day for treatment.
- He's on junk, ins't he?

- Now why would you say that?
- Come on, Ron!

Nobody's gunning for anybody. I'm just
reading what you can read for yourself.

Somebody broke into your cabinet in there

got a hypo and some of
that dope there on the floor.

- That spells junky, doesn't it?
- It might.

Chances are that
there’s blood on him and...

maybe even left his fingerprints.

That's what's going nail him,
not anything you say.

I'm sure you won't find
any blood on Fred Kramer.

Fine! Great! I hope there isn't.
Only he is on drugs, right?

"Was" is the operative word?
He's in the process of withdrawal.

Okay...

He was sedated shortly before I left.

It's unlikely he'd commit
a violent act. Is that clear?

Yeah, right, sure.

Burt?... Phil Proctor...
Get Fred Kramer picked up right away.

- Oh, come on, now!
- Make it wanted for questioning

in connection with a homicide.
All right?

Okay, Burt.

- Oh, Lord. Lisa...
- Phil, what's going on here?

It's Frank. He's dead, Lisa.

I don't believe you.

Sorry but it's true.

He was murdered.

Murdered...

- No...
- Right inside there.

Ron...

You didn't do it, did you?

No, he was with me when it happened.

Oh, thank god!

It's going to be all right, Lisa.

It's going to be all right.

Okay, he's not there.
Then look someplace else.

In a town of this size,
you couldn't loose a midget poodle,

for crying out loud,
let alone a grown...

I know he's a fugitive, but there's
only so many places he can hide!

Come on, let's get on the p...

Is-is anybody here?

I'll call back later.
I've got something here.

In here, buddy.

Oh, hi, Phil.

Hey, listen... Er...

Here’s a question...

M-maybe you can help me with it.

You think a dumb cop could help you?

Who said anything about that?

I got that idea you weren't
so crazy about cops.

Oh, nobody is real crazy about cops,
Phil, but... now, you-you're okay.

Thanks a lot.
What's the question?

The question, right...

Hey, how can...

somebody get blood all over him,
you know, without an...

any cut anywhere? You know?

You've got blood on you.

Don't you remember
what happened tonight?

No... To tell you the truth...

Not that much.

You're high right now, aren't you?

Well, it sure feels like it...

But could I've got this stuff,
you know?

Fred, let me tell you something...

You have the constitutional
right to remain silent...

and also have right for
the services of a lawyer.

Yeah... Sure, okay.

Sergeant! Let's go!

Now we take a ride.
Maybe you'll remember something.

Look, Fred...

You're probably thinking:
"here's a cop

"who maybe resents you college kids
and who wants to nail you."

It's not true.

I honestly don't want it to be you.
Believe that please.

Phil...

Wha-what happened here?

Somebody bashed in Frank Manning's
head. He was murdered.

Oh, no...

Did you do it, Fred?

I don't know.

And why would I?

But... I-I-I don't know.

- Fred!
- It's nothing to get excited about, Miss Regis.

You're just questioning.
You go on home now.

All right.

- Only, Phil, take it easy, will you?
- You bet.

Mrs. Manning's resting.
We gave her a sedative.

To tell you how it looks, Fred...

Someone busted into the cabinet,
here,

got out the morphine and a needle.

Manning was on the couch,
surprised him.

So he panicked and picked up
a poker and... Whap!

bashed in his head.
You get it?

Wh-who-whoever did it had
to get blood all over him, uh?

Is that the way it happened, Fred?

I-is... C-could a guy
do something like that an-and...

You know, and not remember it?

He had to forget 'cause he couldn't
stand to think about it.

You don't know?

Come on, get off your coat
and let me check your arm.

They got marks alright.

Come on, stop foxing around. Don't give
the "I don't remember" business.

Nobody could do this and
not remember something.

Maybe I didn't do it!

I mean... I swear, Phil, I honestly
swear that I wouldn't do anything...

Don't swear!

- Just give me some explanation...
- Phil, stop it!

Why are you doing this if you know
this boy couldn't have killed Frank?

I'm a cop, Lisa. All I'm allowed
to know is evidence!

Well then get better evidence.
Get the real killer.

- And just who is that, Lisa?
- I don't know that.

- How I am suppose to know that?
- You see, that's just the point.

I'm supposed to know it.

I-I'm sorry, Mrs. Manning. Really...

Why?

You didn't kill him, did you?

No... I-I mean, I'm sorry he's dead.

Thank you, Fred.

We've got fingerprints.
There's blood all over him.

They’re gonna match,
there's no other way.

The killer got morphine and
this case is loaded with it.

- Come on!
- Do what you have to do, Phil.

- You're gonna have to live with it.
- Yeah, I know that.

Charlie, take him and have him booked.

What about you?

Pick me up, I'll stay
around for a while. Charlie...

- Yeah?
- Take this with you, its evidence.

It just...

Maybe it's too clear. These things
just don't work out that way.

All wrapped up like that!

It just don't break that way.
Not often they don't.

Take it easy, Fred.

Look, I’m not going anywhere.

Hey, listen...
Can't you get hold of my doctor?

Yeah, I told the lieutenant.
He said he'd try to get hold of him.

Yeah, but did you tell him I need him?

Yeah, I told him.

I mean, I really need him, man.
I really need him.

Doctors are like what
they say about us cops:

"never around when you need them."

Oh, yeah, right...

Yeah... Sure, thanks a lot.

Doctor Wellesley.

Oh, yes, Phil...

Fred Kramer...

I suppose you have to do
what you think is right.

What problem?

Oh, I'm sure I gave you
Manning's correct blood type.

But the lab people can certainly
check it from the body.

That certainly is odd.

I'll have those clots at the lab
run the test again.

No... No, no, no trouble at all.

Bye.

Ron...

- What are you doing?
- Lisa!

That's blood, isn't it?

Just tidying up some samples
that I won't need any more.

Are you all right now, Lisa?

Yes, I think so.

Ron...

Who's samples were those?
Who's blood?

It doesn't matter.

Why, I heard what you just
said on the phone.

That was...

Phil Proctor at the County lab.
There's sort of a mix-up out there.

About blood samples, wasn't it?

Lisa, you shouldn't be sitting
in this room at all

thinking morbid thoughts.

- Yes, I guess I was.
- Come on. Come on.

Let's go outside.
The fresh air will be good for you.

Okay.

I don't know...

I just can't help remembering how
I spoke to you about it at the party,

- about killing him.
- Yes,

- but you just joking, weren't you?
- Of course I was,

- you knew that.
- Yes, I knew that.

Ron...

On the phone,
what did Phil say exactly?

I suppose you'll find out about it
eventually anyway.

They couldn't get the blood
on Fred Kramer's coat

to match up with your husband's.

You know...
I've been sitting there...

Ever since they arrested that kid,

I-I just couldn't believe
he could do it.

- Ron?
- Yes?

Did you have anything to do
with Frank's dead?

You mean, did I kill him?

The mix up about the blood,
what does that mean really?

Most likely some lab technician got
a hold of the wrong sample to test,

checking it now.

- It could mean something else.
- What?

Well, it could mean that...

you made a mistake.

That you put the blood
on Fred Kramer's coat

and that you got the wrong bottle
by mistake.

No, it doesn't mean that.

That's good.

But you poured out the blood
the minute you heard.

You do think I killed him, don't you?

I don't know, Ron.
I just don't know.

My poor darling...

You know more than you should.

But not as much as you must

if we're to go on together.

We are going to go on
together, are we, Lisa?

Of course, darling.

But we can't have this doubt
standing between us, can we?

Ron...

Just tell me you didn't kill him.

I can't tell you that...

because I did kill him, Lisa.

I killed him, Lisa!
I killed him!

Oh, my God!

Oh, my God!

Lisa, I did it for us.
Don't you understand? I did for us.

Somebody in the house!

Miss Regis...

Oh, hi.

Would you believe it, I was so upset
I forget to take a sample to the lab.

Well, there... There are
no blood samples today.

They're always blood samples.

Weren't you going to do
a blood sugar on Mr. Manning?

Oh, I guess that doesn't make
much difference now, does it?

Not much.

- Are you all right, doctor?
- Yes-yes, I'm fine, thank you.

- You're sure?
- Yes, yes, just fine.

Miss Regis, won't you leave
those things and then...

go on home and get some rest?

Well... Maybe I’ll do.

You know, I was wondering.

How will our other patients
feel about this murder?

I mean, would a thing like this
hurt our business?

- Go home, will you, Miss Regis?
- I guess you think I've wigged out, uh?

You may have a point there.

You know would have gotten
a kick out of this?

Your father.

Goodnight, Miss Regis.

- Have a good night.
- Thank you. You too.

You really killed him.

That's right.

That's right, Ron.

We say the words but
I-I just cant take the bin.

Darling...

Darling, we talked
about miracles, didn't we?

Well, miracles just don't happen.
We must make them happen.

I did it so
we could be together, Lisa.

Frank died so that
we could be together.

Just you and I, Lisa.
Just you and I.

Maybe... Maybe the three of us.
Maybe you and I...

and the ghost of Frank.

Maybe-maybe we'll think of
Fred every once in a while too.

You won't be able to forget,
will you?

I-I don't think so, Ron.

Would you tell the police
what I just told you?

I don't know,
I haven't thought about that.

That's the problem now, isn't it?

Ron...

Suddenly I'm afraid of you.

You should be.

What are you going to do?

I'm sorry, Lisa, but you're going
to have a heart attack.

- You are going to kill me?
- I have no choice, have I?

None of us have really.

We are all programmed
one way or another.

We react when you push
the right buttons.

You can't hope to get away with it,
not two people in two days.

I'll get away with it.
I always have.

Always?

It's quite painless, Lisa.
I promise you that.

Just one small injection
and you blackout.

And that's it.

No one won't believe that
I had a heart attack.

The grieving widow?

You won't be the first
to go that way.

Particularly when you had a
history of a bad heart.

You've always said my-my heart
is in fine condition!

It's not what your records show.

You see... the immense advantages
to be a doctor, Lisa.

There're several bad EKGs
(Electrocardiograms) in your file.

- Well, there are not mine.
- They have your name on them.

Ron…

Am I supposed to just
stay here? Let you do it?

I think it's for the best, Lisa.

Because if you struggle I'll just
have to put you under restraints.

Somebody might come by.
Phil said he might come back.

Phil's half hour away at the county lab.
I won't take nearly that time.

I'm sorry, Lisa.
It's the only solution.

- Why?
- Self-preservation.

- I must survive, Lisa. I must!
- Ron... please.

- Doctor Wellesley...
- Help me! Help me! Please, help me!

Oh, Mrs Manning!
Are you all right?

I'm sorry, Mr. Collins, something’s
happening. It's Mrs. manning.

I believe she's having a heart attack, I'll call you right back.

There really isn't any help,
is there?

No, I-I suppose not.

It'd better for both of us
if you don't struggle.

Yes.

It will kill you quickly,
you'll see.

- Yes.
- Come on, now...

Let me have your arm.

Let me have your arm.

Phil!
Phil!

Hold right there!

- Charlie, you right there?
- Right here, lieutenant.

Alright, give me the key,
Ron... Come on!

Book him, Charlie.

- You were out there all that time?
- Most of the time.

I've called from my house.

Of course, that blood on Fred Kramer's
coat did match, didn't it?

You know it did. You had
it worked up perfect, Ron.

Lisa!

No!

No... no.

Let's go.

Be sure they let Fred Kramer go.
Be sure he gets to see a doctor.

All right?

Yeah...

- Let's get out of this room.
- Sure.

You certainly took your time
about coming in.

I had to let him to make his move.

Do you know he almost killed me?

He didn't kill you, honey. What he did
was killed her husband, remember?

That's right.

That's what he did, the good doctor.
He did just that, didn’t he?

Like the man said,

he was programmed. All we had
to do was push the right buttons.

Like a loaded revolver just waiting
to be pointed at somebody.

Now you're quoting yourself.

I'm entitled.
It was trickier than I thought.

But from the time I fed your husband
all that info about Hagerstown.

It worked out the way I said, right?

You know something?

For a dumb cop,
you're pretty clever, darling.

Like the man said, doll,
it was for us.

Wrong, baby.

It was for me.

You mean, without me?

Definitely without you.

No way,
you don't think it's through.

- You wouldn't?
- Count on it.

It's no kick for me.

but you and me
the rest of the way, right?

You...

and me...

Forever.

Give me the police.

— Subtitles: NICHOLAS DUBREUIL —