McMillan & Wife (1971–1977): Season 1, Episode 7 - An Elementary Case of Murder - full transcript

[ambulance siren wailing]

Your wife has arrived
at the hospital, Commissioner.

Dr. Jackson's already there.

- Roger. I'm on my way.
- Yes, sir.

Sally, you're pregnant.
You've got to remember that.

We were lucky this time,
but another fall

could have disastrous
consequences.

You've got to be
more careful, Sally.

I realize that, Dr. Jackson,
but it happened so quickly.

One moment
I felt perfectly fine

and the next minute
I was out.



I'd better talk with
the Commissioner.

Please don't.

He's got enough worries. I don't want
to cause him any more problems.

All right.

But I'm ordering complete rest
for the next few days.

And I would like to have the
law on my side to enforce it.

She's going to be just fine,
Commissioner.

Calling the ambulance
was my idea,

you know, she wanted
to pop into the car.

But I know you, you wouldn't want
me to take any chances with her.

Where's Examining Room L?

- Just around the corner.
- All right.

Fortunately, I'm blessed
with a cool head,

which gets even cooler
in emergencies.



When I saw her lying

- at the bottom...
- This way.

Oh yeah, right. When I saw her
lying at the bottom of those stairs,

well, the first thought that came
into my head was, ambulance!

You go ahead.
I'll wait here.

Sally, are you all right?

We're fine, Mac.

Could you hand me
my shoes, please?

Yeah, what happened?

Oh, I just had
a little fainting spell.

They shouldn't have
even told you about it.

Shouldn't you be in bed?

Are you kidding?

That's how I got
into this trouble.

What did the doctor say?

He said the usual thing,
"That'll be $30 dollars, please."

Oh, Sally...

Well, Mac, really, I'm fine.

Mildred just got a little
carried away, that's all.

How do I look?

Just beautiful.

I still look beautiful?

And charming.

Just sort of
all-round wonderful, I guess.

Oh, you say the
nicest things.

[phone ringing]

Now how could anybody
know I'm here already?

Hello.

Yes, oh, yes.

Yes, he is, just a minute.

It's for you, here.

McMillan.

Who?

Oh,

yes, put her on.

Uh, hello?

Yes, of course
I remember you.

How are you?

Well, it's nice to hear
your voice again.

What?

Now?

Well, I'm afraid that's
impossible, right now.

Mac, on account of me?

I just told you I feel fine.

Now, you go ahead
and you go back to work.

You sure?

Mmm-hmm.

Well, I... Oh, no.
No, that was my wife.

Oh, thank you.

Well, I'd love for you
to meet her, of course.

All right, Lee, I'll...

I'll be there
as soon as I can.

Goodbye.

May I play detective?

You are your
father's daughter.

That was not just
another voice out of the past.

From the way
you reacted,

it sounded like you just heard
the Hallelujah Chorus.

Now, she wants you
to do her a favor,

but you're a little reluctant because
you're afraid I'll get jealous,

which means she's
very attractive.

I'll call her back
and tell her I can't make it.

- How long ago did you know her, Mac?
- Who?

About 12 years.

12 years. Go see her.

12 years can do all kinds
of things to a woman.

[chuckling]

♫ You're not a dream ♫

♫ You're not an angel ♫

♫ You're a man ♫

♫ I'm not a queen ♫

♫ I'm a woman ♫

♫ Take my hand ♫

♫ We'll build a space ♫

♫ In the lives ♫

♫ that we planned ♫

♫ And here we'll stay ♫

♫ Until it's time ♫

♫ for you to go ♫

♫ Yes, we're different, ♫

♫ worlds apart ♫

♫ We're not the same ♫

♫ We laughed and played at the start ♫

♫ Like in a game ♫

♫ You could've stayed ♫

♫ outside my heart ♫

♫ But in you came ♫

♫ And here you'll stay ♫

♫ Until it's time ♫

♫ for you to go ♫

♫ Don't ask why ♫

♫ And don't ask how ♫

♫ And don't ask ♫

♫ forever ♫

♫ Love me ♫

♫ Love me now ♫

♫ This love of mine ♫

♫ had no beginning ♫

♫ It has no end ♫

♫How I was an oak,
now I'm a willow ♫

♫ Now I can bend ♫

♫ And if I never in my life ♫

♫ See you again ♫

♫ Still here I'll stay ♫

♫ Until it's time ♫

♫ for you to go ♫

♫ Here I'll stay ♫

♫ Until it's time ♫

♫ For you ♫

♫ to go ♫

[applauding]

That was terrific, honey,
just terrific.

Thank you, Ben.

Mac.

Hello, Lee.

Commissioner McMillan.

Oh, Mac.
[chuckling]

It's so good
to see you again.

Um, this is Ben Matthews.

- Hi.
- How do you do?

And Errol Wilson.

- Hello.
- How're you?

- And the guys.
- Hi.

Oh, come here, Mac.

I want to take you
to my dressing room.

Excuse me.

Mac, you are easily
the best-looking

police commissioner
I've ever met.

I assume I'm the only police
commissioner you've ever met.

I've followed your career,
Lee. You've done very well.

I'm proud of you.

It's even gone better
than you planned.

Not true, Mac.

[crying]
Not true at all.

I'm sorry.

Forgive me,
but things just

aren't going according
to plan at all.

What's wrong?

Jason's left me.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Here I am, rich, famous,
and abandoned.

It's funny, isn't it?

I can remember so well when
we talked about our futures.

All I wanted was
a career and money.

Why did you call, Lee?

It's been a very long time.

We couldn't go back

if we wanted to.

And I, for one,

don't want to.

I know, Mac.

I've seen her pictures
in the papers.

She's adorable.

But it's just that...

I didn't know where to turn
and then I remembered there...

was a guy who once
thought I was a nice person.

He still thinks so.

What do you
want me to do?

Well, I suppose what I really
need is some legal advice.

Jason handled everything,
personal and business.

He even owns half this club.

Well, I'm supposed to open
here in a couple of days

and I'd really like
to get out of it if possible.

I've made all the money
I intend to for that scum.

I don't practice
law anymore, Lee.

I can recommend several
attorneys, good attorneys.

Anything you say, Mac.

Mac.

Tell your wife not to worry.

I won't try to
retain you

in any way.

[knocking on door]

Come in.

Miss Lee Richards?

Yes.

Commissioner?

Uh, do you know
about this already?

Know about what?

Could I talk to you
for a moment, sir?

Sure.

Excuse me.

Do you know her?

Yeah, we're old friends.

Then, sir, I suppose that she's
already told you about her husband.

You mean that they've separated?
Yeah, she just told me.

There was a call
to headquarters this morning

from his secretary
reporting him missing.

Well, he's probably out on
a bender somewhere.

No, I'm afraid there's more
to it than that, sir.

We've done a
little checking and

there's a good deal of evidence
that he's been murdered.

By Mrs. Richards.

(Jason)
No, you don't know her.

But I've been seeing her
for almost a year now

and I love her.

[Lee laughing]

Love her?
Oh, that's funny, Jason.

Very funny.

You're incapable of loving
anybody but yourself.

Well, as long as you
feel that way about it,

there shouldn't be any problem
about the divorce.

Divorce?

You want a divorce?

The sooner the better.

No divorce, Jason.

I'll never give you
a divorce.

You haven't been keeping up
with the laws, darling.

Proven incompatibility is
what's necessary in California.

I'll divorce you
whether you like it or not.

Lee, what are you
doing with that gun?

Lee, that's just
bad melodrama.

You've never even fired
that gun.

Lee!

[gunshots]

[thudding]

I don't understand.

There was no gun.

No shots were fired.

But you did argue with him?

Yes. Friday night.

We just heard it
on the recorder.

Isn't that the way
it happened?

Up to the part about the gun.

That never happened.
I swear it.

And we argued at home,
not here in the office.

Well, what about the blood
on the carpet?

I don't know what that is,
or what it means.

Well, the recording
and the bloodstain

would seem to indicate
that a man,

probably Jason Richards, was
shot to death in this office.

Well, a recording
and a bloodstain

is not necessarily proof
of a man's death.

I know, sir, but there
are other indications.

[door opening]

[dragging sound]

[door closing]

Now that, sir,
is the sound of a body

being dragged out
of this office.

And there's another
bloodstain over here

where the murderer paused while
holding the body to open the door.

You can see that there's
a groove in it, sir,

like a man's heel
was dragged through it.

All right, let's assume that a person was
shot and dragged through that door.

A: It doesn't prove the person
was Jason Richards,

B: It doesn't prove that
the person shot was dead,

and C: It doesn't prove the person was
shot by Lee Richards, now does it?

When was the last time
you saw your husband?

Friday night.

After we argued, he packed
a few things and left.

Has he done
this sort of thing before?

Yes, we didn't have much of a
marriage in the last few years.

Do either one of you
own a gun?

Yes. I do.

Where is it?

I keep it in the night
table by my bed.

Would you mind if Officer Ryan
went with you to pick it up?

No. Of course not.

This is serious, isn't it?

Well, it's a little
too soon to tell.

Same old Mac.

Always making life a little
nicer than it really is.

I'll see you later.

[door closing]

How soon will you know if that blood
is the same type as Jason Richards'?

It won't be long, sir. We've
checked with Mr. Richards' doctor

and his records are being
rushed to the lab.

All right.

Tell Hank I want a voice
graph of this tape.

I want to determine if the
voices at the beginning

and the end of the tape were
recorded in the same room.

Yes, sir.

We sure do meet people at the
wrong end of the stick, don't we, sir?

How do you mean?

Well, you know.

Here, I've been collecting her
records for maybe 10 years,

and now, for the first time,
I meet her,

and I may be taking evidence
that'll cost her life.

[music playing on radio]

Mildred, surely I don't
need all of those.

You sure do.

The doctor's prescribed
the vitamins himself.

The vitamins? Where'd the rest
of those things come from?

Well, some, the pharmacist
said couldn't do any harm and...

the rest were my idea.

Hmm.

(man on radio)
And now the latest headlines.

The Governor has vetoed
the tax rebate bill

and sent it back
to the Senate.

Well, that's no surprise.

Torch singer Lee Richards'
husband, Jason Richards,

head of the Richards
Music Corporation,

was reported
missing today.

Police Commissioner Stewart
McMillan has refused to comment,

but his presence at the investigation
indicates possible foul play.

Lee Richards.

He called her Lee.

She's the Hallelujah Chorus.

Well, she's a good
singer, of course,

but don't you think
that's going a bit far?

If I'd known the voice
out of Mac's past

had a body like that
to go with it...

And to think I sent him
right over there.

Well, you just have to keep
reminding him you're pregnant.

I'm not going to resort
to that tactic, Mildred.

Oh, are you kidding?

Now's the time
to fight fire with fire.

Keep fainting.

Even if I were worried,

just a little,

I still wouldn't use
my condition...

[phone ringing]

I'll get it.

Hello.

How're you feeling?

Why didn't you tell me that was
Lee Richards on the phone?

Oh, have you been resting?

Do you know, it was only last Christmas
you gave me one of her albums?

How could you?

I gave you one of her albums
because you asked for it.

Well, under the circumstances I think
it was a rather tacky thing to do.

I'd... I'd better come home.

No, don't come home,
not on my account.

[inaudible]

[inaudible]

Mac, what happened
to her husband?

There's every indication that
her husband's been murdered.

Oh, Mac.

I was calling to tell you
not to wait dinner for me.

But I'll come home. Enright
can handle the investigation.

You talk as if you think
I'm jealous.

You're not, are you?

Of course not.

I'm going to take her album,
and I'm gonna...

play it again.

I love the way she sings.

Maybe you could tell her
that for me, Mac.

I'll tell her I married
an angel.

Oh, get her to sing it
for you.

[phone clicking]

Mrs. Denny,

you've been Jason Richards'
secretary for years.

Did he and Mrs. Richards ever,

have words here in the office?

No, I never
heard them arguing.

I make it a practice not to
listen for that sort of thing.

You like Mrs. Richards,
don't you?

Oh, yes.

Mrs. Richards is a wonderful,
talented woman.

And she's very easy
to get along with.

She lets me run my office.

No interference,
if you know what I mean.

Yes. I think I do.

Look, Mrs. Denny,

I'm a friend of Lee's.

And the more we know, the
more we'll be able to help her.

Now, a business like this
must be filled with

young girls trying
to get a start.

I'd imagine some of them,
pretty aggressive

in trying to get
Mr. Richards' attention.

Aggressive is the nicest word
I've heard for it.

Most of them would do anything
to cut a test album.

And how does Mrs. Richards
feel about that?

Now, I know you're not the type
of person who likes to eavesdrop,

but there must be
some argument

you couldn't
help overhearing.

Arguments about other women?

Mrs. Richards has
a right to be upset.

I mean, wouldn't you be, if you'd
made your husband a rich man

and he chased everything
in skirts.

Anyone in particular?

Are you asking me officially,
as the police commissioner?

I'm not a gossip, you know.

As the police commissioner.

Good. Virginia Duke.

He even gave her
a job at the club.

A cigarette girl.

But she brings Mr. Richards
a lot more than cigarettes,

if you get my meaning.

You make it very easy
for me, Mrs. Denny.

That one knows what
she's about, all right.

She fancies herself a singer.

She's just waiting to replace
Mrs. Richards, on and off stage.

You discovered the recording

and then you called the police,
is that right, Mrs. Denny?

I always play
the tape recorder

first thing Monday mornings.

Mr. Richards usually
comes in alone

on Saturdays and leaves
some dictation for me.

Their argument sounds
very conveniently recorded.

Mr. Richards records
all his conversations.

He's got this thing
about lawsuits.

Could Mr. Richards have taken the
recorder home with him Friday evening?

No. I was using it
when he left.

Well, of course, he could have used
another machine and then just

transferred the tape.

Or he could have returned for the
recorder after everybody had gone,

taped the argument at home, and
brought the machine back on Saturday.

Well, if Mrs. Richards argued with
her husband at home on Friday night,

and that was the last time
she saw him,

what was she doing here in the
office on Saturday morning?

How do you know she was here?

Oh, I took her up on the elevator
around 11:45 Saturday morning.

I remember, because it was
just before lunchtime.

Doing a little clock-watching,
I guess.

Did you take her down again?

No. No, she must have
gone down herself

while I was eating lunch.

Did you see Mr. Richards?

No. But then,

he... he usually gets in
before I do on Saturdays.

But, I... I know he was here,

'cause his car was parked
in the basement garage

when I punched in
that morning.

His car is not there now, sir.

But there's a large bloodstain
in his parking place.

We've already taken samples.

We're comparing them with
Jason Richards' blood type

and the samples we found
upstairs in his office.

You think it's going to match,
huh?

Yes, sir, I do.

If Jason Richards parked
his Rolls-Royce head-in,

that would mean
the trunk would be

right about there, huh?

Yes, sir.

We also estimate
that the amount of blood

that was found down here
and in his office

almost guarantees
that the body was dead.

You think Lee Richards
is guilty, don't you?

Everything seems
to point that way, sir.

Her husband admitted that he
was seeing another woman.

And you think that
when Jason Richards

asked for a divorce,
she shot him,

dragged his body
out of the office,

down the service elevator,

out through that door,
all the way over here,

lifted the body
into the trunk,

drove the car off,
and buried him somewhere, huh?

Well, it is logical, sir,
it does make sense.

It doesn't make
any sense to me.

- Commissioner.
- Yeah.

We just picked up a report
that one of our Pacifica units

found a Rolls convertible
abandoned off the Coast Highway.

The vehicle's registered
to Jason Richards.

I think this will do it, sir.

The spare tire's been removed.

Yes sir. Probably
to make room.

There's another
bloodstain there.

It's obvious the body was taken
someplace in this trunk, sir.

And by a woman.

A dress button, sir,

with blood on it.

It's all the same
blood type, sir.

The office, the parking lot,
the trunk, and the button.

And most likely
all from the same person.

That's an assumption.

Is Jason Richards' blood
the same type?

Yes, sir.

Yes, Ann?

Mrs. Richards and Officer Ryan
are here, sir.

Have them come in.
Thank you, Doctor.

Mac,

my gun.

It's missing.

I checked the house
out thoroughly, sir.

No sign of it.

Lee, did you go to Jason's
office Saturday morning?

Why yes, I did.

Why?

He called me and asked me
to meet him there, but,

I never saw him. When
I arrived he wasn't there,

so I waited about a half-hour
and then I left.

Were there any indications
that Richards had returned

to the house
and picked up anything?

No sir. We checked for that.

If he was planning
to go anyplace,

he must have figured
on coming back soon.

'Cause his shaving gear
was intact

and his closets were full
of clothing.

We did find something
in Mrs. Richards' closet.

There's a fresh stain
on this dress.

It looks like dried blood
that's been partially

washed out with cold water.

And there is
a button missing, sir.

[piano playing]

Of course, I don't
think she did it.

Only I don't know how
I can help.

Everything I know
is right here.

How well do you know
Jason Richards?

I work for Lee,
and that's it.

I started with her way back.

I don't talk to anyone else,
I don't listen to anyone else.

How do you feel about him?

I feel about my music,
and that's all.

After all these years
of working with Lee Richards,

surely you must have
some opinion about him.

In my opinion, whoever
killed him was a music lover.

Probably ought to get
the Grammy Award.

Lee's a great singer,
that's all I know.

What about her husband?

I don't know anything
about Jason.

You mean, you don't even know
that he's your partner in this club?

You guys have a way of finding
out everything, don't you?

Okay, he's my partner.
But he wants it kept quiet.

- When did you last see him?
- Over a week ago.

Well, now,
isn't that odd?

I mean, considering that you're getting
ready for your big opening?

Look, I run the club, all Jason
wants are the fringe benefits.

They ought to send
that dame to the chair.

Even that's too good for her.

California uses gas,

although they haven't used it
in over a decade now.

You're breaking my heart.

Your relationship with
Mr. Richards was serious, I take it.

I'm serious about
one thing mister, my career.

And that dame's
a career-crusher!

Now, you find her dead
in some alley,

then you come straight
to little Virginia.

Because I'll be
your number one suspect.

But until then, bug off.

- Did you learn anything?
- No.

She's just a typical little country
girl, frightened by the big city.

[bullet ricocheting]

[gun clattering]

Commissioner, wait for me,
I've got the gun.

- You all right, Commissioner?
- Yeah, I'm fine.

Is this the gun he used?

You in love with her?

Yes.

Enough to kill Jason
Richards for her?

Yes.

Only you didn't.

Even a piano player couldn't
miss with a gun sight like this.

Unless he wanted to.

You mean you're not going
to arrest me?

Oh, we're going to
arrest you, all right.

Assault with a deadly weapon.

It'll give you a stiff fine
and a suspended sentence.

That's the best we can do
for you.

[Lee singing on record player]

♫ This is my life ♫

♫ Today, tomorrow ♫

♫ Love will come
and find me ♫

♫ But that's the way
that I was born to be ♫

♫ This is me ♫

He's here, he's pulling into the
garage right now. Do you believe it?

Yes, I do. Will you
take that surprise

out of your voice?
It's not very flattering.

Oh look, I knew
he'd show up, honey,

I kept telling you he would,
didn't I?

I wasn't asking.

Want me to turn off
the record player?

No, I've always loved
that album. I still do.

Except for that big scratch you
put in it when you put it on.

I was thinking
of your husband.

He's had to listen to her all evening,
probably. He could use a rest.

Mildred could you find
another way of phrasing that?

Okay, I'll work on it. But right
now he's coming up the stairs.

Go on and faint again, honey.

Mildred, how did my mother ever let me
take you with us when I got married?

Because she knew that you needed
me more than she did. She was right.

Hi.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Hi, sweetheart.

How're you feeling?

- Fine.
- She's exhausted.

And who can blame her,
considering...

I'm fine.

♫ I was put on earth ♫

What about you, darling?
Did you have time for supper?

You missed a wonderful meal
here tonight.

Your wife and I shared a
filet of sole by candlelight.

Oh, so romantic.

I wish I could've made it.

I only had time
for a sandwich.

Uh-huh.

Well, it's a shame you
couldn't have been with us.

I'd already set up
a lovely table by the fire

when you finally called.

Good night, Mildred.

Good night.

I'll just turn off
the record player.

[scratching]

Sorry.

You know, that was very
sweet of you to call, Mac.

I always call when
I'm going to be late.

Oh.

Well, how are things
going for Lee?

Everything we uncovered points
to the fact that she killed him.

So you're convinced
she didn't, right?

Yeah, something like that.

Is she still as lovely as she
was when you first met her?

If anything, she's lovelier.

You're so honest.
I hate that quality in you.

But she's not anywhere near
as lovely as the girl I married.

I love that quality in you.

As long as we're
on an honesty kick,

why don't you tell me why you
never even mentioned her before?

Why are you making such a
big thing out of Lee Richards?

She's not the only girl that's
popped up out of my past.

I know, but I didn't mind
all those, "Hi, Macs."

You never even remembered
any of them.

I don't think
you ever forgot Lee.

It was a long
time ago, Sally.

Twelve years.

Oh, before I was born.

Yeah, robbed you right
out the cradle, didn't I?

I'm not joking.

I wasn't alive
until I met you.

Which makes me
about five years old.

Don't you dare make a remark about
that's how I'm behaving, either.

This is very difficult for me.

Nobody is ever going to
pop up out of my past.

I don't even have a past.

You know how many years it took me to
find a girl who could make that statement?

[chuckling]

I love you.

Mmm.

From what I've learned, sir,

Ben Matthews was involved
with Jason Richards

in much more than
just the club.

He arranged women for him and just
about anything else that he wanted.

Maybe Richards
had something on him.

Forced him into taking him
in as a partner,

forced him into
getting girls for him...

Forced him once too often?

Yeah, it's a thought.

[intercom buzzing]

Yes, Ann?

District Attorney
Chapman to see you, sir.

Have him come in.

Here we go.

Hello, Commissioner, Sergeant.

Hello, Bob.

How's everything
on the fourth floor?

Well, we still get to put a
few criminals behind bars,

certainly a lot more than
when you were defending them.

Which brings us to
the Lee Richards case.

Still the same
straight-to-the-point Scotsman.

All right,
let's talk about it.

My boys feel they've got enough
to press for an indictment,

but you're recommending against
booking her, and I want to know why.

Too many things about
the case I don't like.

Such as?

Well, there's no dead body
and no murder weapon.

There is a tape of the
argument with her husband,

her missing gun,

the bloodstained button
in the trunk of the car.

That's all circumstantial,
you know that.

Come on, now.
Why don't you admit it?

You've been biased
right from the beginning.

That's a lie.

Now, come off it, Mac.

Everyone knows
she's an old friend.

It wouldn't matter if she were a
complete stranger. This case stinks.

Then maybe you ought to resign as Police
Commissioner and defend the case.

Personally, I think
I could take you on this one.

Maybe I should.

Might be fun,
taking this case.

That's what bothers me,
how you can defend

a cool, calculating woman

who killed her husband
with precise premeditation.

Ah, save it for the jury.

If Lee Richards is as cold and
as calculating as you say she is,

why would she kill her husband moments
after the elevator operator saw her?

And, according to the tape
recorder, the very convenient

tape recorder,

the murder was committed
in the heat of an argument,

which, of course, throws

premeditation right
out the window.

If a woman takes
a gun from her home,

sticks it in her purse, and
takes it to a man's office,

we can presume she
premeditated the use of it

and killed him in cold blood.

Are you sure it
was premeditation?

Or was it passion?

Can't have it both ways.

I'll take it either way.
Guilty is guilty.

Now, I want an arrest.

When I have enough evidence to
warrant an arrest, I'll make an arrest.

And then I'll let you know.

Well, you'd better
let me know soon.

Because I don't intend to be
a sitting duck for the press

when they come
screaming for blood.

I intend to let the Mayor
and everyone else know

exactly what and who
the problem is.

And you, Sergeant?

Well, sir, there's a lot that I don't
understand about you and Mrs. Richards.

How long you've
known her,

and...

All right, I'll fill you in.

So you can have
an unbiased opinion.

I first met Lee in my
second year at law school.

She was singing in a cabaret
near the campus.

[sighing]

Now, let's have your
unbiased opinion.

Do you think
I'm wrong, too?

Yes, sir.

I do.

[Music on tape recorder]

[doorbell buzzing]

♫ Love is just a
word, a faint detail ♫

Who is it?

(Mac)
Just me.

♫ I've heard before ♫

♫ A dream and
nothing more ♫

Mac,

I’m so glad you' re here.

Come in.

I'll turn down
this music.

I was just listening
to my latest master.

You know, it comes out
in a couple of months,

and, well, I was thinking of adding
some strings and maybe a cello.

What do you think?

♫ Cries the blues ♫

♫ For only fools
believe it's true ♫

Oh, I--I...

It sounds perfect
the way it is.

Ah. Well, then it's settled.

We'll print it like it is.

Mac, I...

called that lawyer
you recommended. He...

was very nice, but...

after he went over
all the evidence

he said I'd be
a lot better off

if you were
handling the case.

Oh, it's just an old lawyer's
trick to double the fee.

Well, I'll remember that.

Would you like a drink?

We have work to do.

Okay, Counselor, you ask

and I'll answer.

When did you first learn that your
husband was seeing another woman?

Well, you know women, Mac.

You can't put an exact time
to a thing like this, you just...

wake up one day
and you know, that's all.

Like you've always known.

Well, maybe it's the way
he didn't kiss you, or...

didn't mess up
your hair, or...

maybe it's just the way he didn't
pat you on the fanny, I don't know, but,

all you know for
sure is that you know.

How long ago was that?

About six months.

You waited a long time before
you confronted him with it.

Well, I was hoping
that he'd have

his mid-forties' fling
and come back to his senses.

Did he have many affairs?

If it moved,
he went after it.

Well, they weren't
anything much to him,

they were just casual affairs.

Did you ever have a private
investigator check up on him?

Well,

what good would
that have done?

I didn't want to
torture myself with

knowing who she was
and seeing her face,

and knowing where they met.

What kind of a girl
is he attracted to?

You're pursuing the theory
that he left town

with another woman,
aren't you?

I'm pursuing every theory.

That's why I want to know what
kind of a girl he was attracted to.

Well,

generally speaking, he liked
them tall, shapely, athletic.

He liked to sail his boat.

You know, we used to do a
lot of sailing in the old days.

Well, hum, he
liked them young.

Yes, I would definitely say
that it's a young girl.

Now I want to talk about
the big discrepancy.

You say the argument happened here
in your house and not in the office.

Definitely.

We argued, but
I didn't kill him.

He left home
alive that night,

and Saturday he wasn't
in his office.

I'd swear to
that under oath,

take a lie-detector test,
anything.

I didn't kill him, Mac,
I didn't!

That's what we're going
to prove.

I'll take that drink now.

What would you like?

Scotch.

Scotch?

Nothing else?

No, Lee.

Nothing else.

Well, now that's what
I call inviting.

Gonna take all my control
not to make it a threesome.

But you will use control?
[door opening]

Wait a minute.
I hear him coming.

Get into bed, quick. I'll whiten
down your face with some powder.

Mildred, I've told you,
I refuse to take

unfair advantage
just because I'm pregnant.

I can't stand women who use that
trick just to hold onto their husbands.

And you know why they use it?
'Cause it works, that's why.

When he gets here,
you will keep your mouth shut.

That's a suggestion?

- Hello, everybody.
- Hi.

Hi.

Ooh, Mildred,
what's for dinner?

Smells good.

What's with her?

Laryngitis. I hope.

How was your day?

Hmm, fine.

[moaning]

He kicked me.
Mmm-hmm.

Poor Lee.

How did you know things
were going badly for her?

I didn't. I was just
feeling sorry for her

because she let
you get away.

[phone ringing]

- Hello.
- Hello, Commissioner.

I think I've got something.

Well, sir, It seems that
a Miss Erickson always called

Mr. Richards just before
each of his business trips.

Where do we find her?

No address.

But the return phone number
was a photo studio.

You know, sir,
one of those kind

where they rent
you a camera...

(Cunningham)
Candy Erickson.

(Enright)
Wow, What a dish!

You know something, business has
dropped off almost 25% since she left.

She really knew how to bring
out the art in a fellow.

They'd go in for
a 15-minute appointment,

and wind up shooting her
for hours.

Once they start, they can't
take their eyes off her.

Did she ever talk about
any of her boyfriends?

Talking to Candy
about her social life?

That's like trying to discuss troop
movements with the Army Chief of Staff.

Although I heard lately she's been
playing house with just one guy.

What's his name?

Well, she didn't say.

But if I know Candy, he's a
player with plenty of dough.

When did you last see her?

Friday.

I called her house,
but there was no answer.

Is she in some kind
of trouble?

We don't know yet.

I'll tell you something.
She's unreliable.

She owes me a lot of money.

I advanced her
half a week's pay.

Could you give us
her address, please?

Also, all the photographs
of her that you can spare?

Hey, pal, I get a lot of money
for pictures of her.

But we know you're only
too happy to cooperate

with your police
department, don't we?

You took the words
right out of my mouth.

In this case,
I think he put them in.

Did Miss Erickson leave word
she was going out of town?

No, she didn't,
and it's most unusual,

because she always
likes to make sure

that I'll take care
of her mail and deliveries.

The closet's full
of clothes, sir.

Nothing to indicate
her taking a long trip.

And there are men's cosmetics
in the bathroom.

Tell me, did you ever see her
in the company of this man?

Well, it's hard to say,

because there were
so many of them.

Um, would you mind if we
looked around a little more?

Just take your time.

Be sure the door is locked
when you leave.

- What now, sir?
- You try it.

Okay,

now if we follow
your theory,

Jason Richards and Candy
Erickson became lovers

and they had a hideaway somewhere
outside of San Francisco.

Not too far away.
They used it for weekends.

Right.

There's a torn program
in here.

And a book of matches

and some tissue paper.

Check it for fingerprints.
In fact,

check everything
for fingerprints.

Yes, sir.

Commissioner,
I was wondering if...

[knocking on door]

[doorbell ringing]

[door opening]

What are you doing here?

That's my question.

This girl I know gave me
the key to her apartment.

Told me to pick something up.

- What?
- It's personal.

- You ever been here before?
- No.

That's funny, you knew exactly
where the lamp was.

In fact, you walked
right to it... in the dark.

I got good night vision.

You also have a good memory.

Matthews, if you're
involved in this case,

your club license could be
revoked, you know that?

I'm not involved in anything.

Tell me about it.

There's nothing to tell.

I set Candy up in this
apartment about a year ago.

We had a nice thing going.

Until Jason came along, huh?

That's right.

Jason was as dumb as I was.

He thought she was gonna
run away with him.

He told you that?

He rubbed it in.

Nothing he liked better than to take
somebody's girl away from them.

Believe me, all she
wanted was a career.

What did Jason have on you?

Nothing. Why?

Well, he forced you
to make him a partner,

he stole your girl out,
right from under your nose.

You might just want to see
a man like him dead, huh?

You're reaching,
Commissioner.

When did you last see Candy?

About three months ago.

I told her I was tired of picking
up the tab on this apartment.

She laughed and told me
to get lost.

I notice you still
have her key.

Is there a law against that?

No, but it could indicate
you're lying.

A girl like Candy Erickson would have her
locks changed after she threw you out.

Okay.

I've been seeing
Candy all along.

She promised as soon as Jason got
her career going she'd get rid of him.

Did you expect to find her
here tonight?

I didn't know.

But when I heard that Richards
had been killed,

I figured the best
thing for me to do

is to make sure nothing
of mine was around.

Tell me,

do you think
Candy Erickson

capable of murder?

You'd really love to put the blame
somewhere else, wouldn't you?

Well, I'm not going to be
any help to you there.

This folk singer was appearing
in Sausalito three weeks ago

during one of Jason Richards'
long weekends.

Richards' fingerprints
are on that program.

The owner of a
record company

is always looking
for new talent.

Yes, sir, but Candy Erickson's
fingerprints are on the program also.

All right, so he brought
along a lady friend.

Now I suppose you're gonna
show me a book of matches,

which means that
somebody likes seafood

and took a drive out
to Sausalito for dinner.

Sorry, Commissioner,
but I don't see the relevance.

You don't find it relevant
that Richards

spent long weekends
with a photo model,

and said model and Richards are
both missing at the same time?

Suppose I do.

How does that alter
the evidence

that Lee Richards
killed her husband?

Well, we won't know that till we cross
the bridge into Sausalito, now will we?

(Lee) What exactly do
you want me to do, Mac?

Keep your eyes open.

See if you can spot anybody
who knew Jason.

And if we find they did
have a place in Sausalito,

how will that help?

All we have to do
is find some evidence

that Jason was alive
on Saturday morning

and we can break the back
of Chapman's case.

And if we don't?

Sorry, I can't say
I've seen either of them.

We have a lot of
territory to cover, Fred.

Do you know where we
could rent a couple of cars?

Sure. Two blocks up the street
and a short right.

Can you spare
three walkie-talkies?

Sure thing.

I hope you find
what you're looking for, Mac.

Wow! What a figure.

No wonder you're
looking for her.

You know, if I looked like that I doubt
if I'd be pumping gas for a living.

Have you seen her?

No.

Sure I won't do,
handsome?

Thank you very much.

No, but she sure is pretty.

Did you say she was a model?

Boy, that's what
I'd like to do.

Anything to get
out of here.

[inaudible]

(Sally)
You'll find something, Mac.

You're never wrong
about these things.

I didn't call about that.

I just want to know
how you're feeling.

Oh, I'm feeling terrific.

I whipped two mountain
lions and three tigers

and Mildred,
all this morning.

You take it easy
on those mountain lions.

They're not as tough
as Mildred.

I know, you're right.

Mac, do you think you're
gonna be home for dinner?

You know, I don't like going to bed
with just a candlelit table for company.

Blow out your candles, Sally,
and take a nap.

I'll be home in time
to wake you up.

Mac,

I know that Lee is going to
come through this thing all right.

Goodbye.

[phone clicking]

Commissioner.

Nothing. Nothing.

Mac, maybe
Chapman's right.

Chapman's wrong.

Somewhere, somebody's going to be
able to recognize a picture of those two.

Let's keep looking.

Well, I can't say
I know them by the names

you've been using,
young fellow,

but they look like the Jays.

I showed them a
few houses, but...

they wanted something
a little more...

private.

Tell me, do you know if they
bought anything around here?

Well now, I hear they bought
the Macintosh place.

Thank you very much, sir.

It's in a little cove about
five miles north of town.

I'll be parked in front.

Good work, Enright.

Did you hear that, Lee?

Yes, I' ll meet you there.

Enright, call the Sheriff
and get a search warrant.

And tell him to dig up all the
information he can on the Jays.

Yes, sir.

I think we're in luck, sir.

The agent who sold the house
to Jason Richards

identified him and Mr. Jay
as the same person.

Have we really found them?

Kind of looks that way.

Enright, why don't you check the boat
and the dock? We'll check the house.

Yes, sir.

Lipstick.

Is this going to be
too tough for you?

Like the man
said on the ship,

"Damn the torpedoes!"

It's dated Saturday.

It's still fresh.

Could mean someone was here
over the weekend.

Oh, Mac.

There's no freezer
compartment.

Well, that's an old icebox.

Yeah, but there has to be
a freezer somewhere.

This is the frozen kind
of waffles.

Here it is.

Meat, vegetables, TV dinners.

Enough frozen food here to
last two people for a long time.

Most of it seems to have been
bought within the last couple of days.

What makes you say that?

There's no frost on it.
You see?

Packages on the bottom here
are covered with it. Look.

If only we could find who sold
them this on Saturday.

Yes, it could prove that Jason
wasn't in his office on Saturday.

Can't be in two places
at the same time.

Commissioner!

Out here.

- What's wrong?
- Candy Erickson.

Her body was floating
under the dock.

Well, sir, it looks like an obvious
case of a double murder.

Yeah. Jealous wife kills her
husband and his mistress.

Just a little too obvious,
don't you think?

Sir, the District Attorney's
office is going to press

for an indictment,
whether we like it or not.

And if anything about Candy Erickson's
death points to Mrs. Richards,

they'll have
a prima facie case.

There's still a body missing.

And until we find Richards,
or some other answers,

the investigation is open.

Okay, sir.

Uh, what do you wanna do
about Mrs. Richards?

I'll drive her
back to the city.

I think the best thing it would
be for her to turn herself in.

Shame,

pretty young
girl like that.

I'd sure like to get my hands
on the person who did it.

You can help, Fred.

Put out an APB
to apprehend Jason Richards.

Richards?
He's dead, isn't he?

Let's find out.

And lean on your
coroner, hard.

I want an A-to-Z autopsy on that
girl and I want the results now.

I'll do what I can.

Talk to you later.

I want you question
every grocer in the area.

I have a hunch
Richards bought some

eggs, milk, and a large
amount of frozen food

sometime Saturday morning.

But the elevator operator
said he saw him

in his office
on Saturday morning.

He saw his car,

but he didn't see
Jason Richards.

(Lee)
We don't stand a chance, Mac.

Why not admit it?

We'd have stood a better chance
if you'd told me everything.

I have.

No. Jason could've gotten a
divorce if that was all he wanted.

But, no, he tried
to frame you in a murder rap,

and be willing to disappear
for the rest of his life.

He'd have to have
a pretty strong reason.

What have you got on him?

You never did miss much.

It's more than infidelity,
isn't it?

He's been embezzling money

from our company for years
to pay for his habits.

I tried looking the other way,
and it got worse.

Soon he was forging
my name on checks

and about a year ago, he

sold several
hundred thousand dollars

of company stock
without authorization.

Did you tell him you could
have him thrown in jail?

Yes.

I told him he could have
his freedom

in exchange for 20 years
hard labor.

Do you think he killed her?

I don't know why he would.

To hear him tell it,
he loved her more than life.

Well, suppose he didn't tell her
about his plan to frame you

until he'd taken her to the cabin,
and she refused to go along with it.

He'd already committed
himself.

He left an awful lot
of blood around,

a tape recorder
in the office.

It's too late.
He had to do it.

Possibly.

But I don't think he has
the guts to kill a moth.

[phone ringing]

McMillan.

District Attorney Chapman would
like to speak to you, Commissioner.

- Put him on.
- Yes, sir.

It's the D.A.

The Highway Patrol found Candy
Erickson's car this morning.

Lee Richards'
22-caliber pistol

was in the glove compartment.
Her prints are on it.

Uh. There's an awful lot
of static in this area.

Would you repeat that, please?

The Highway Patrol found Candy
Erickson's car this morning.

Lee Richards' 22-caliber pistol
was in the glove compartment

and her fingerprints
are on it.

Let's get it over with.

We' ll meet in my
office at 4:00.

There's no longer any doubt
about it, Commissioner.

Bullets were removed
from Candy Erickson's brain.

The ballistics tests indicate they
were fired from Lee Richards' gun.

Where's the rest
of the autopsy report?

On its way from Sausalito.

In the meanwhile, Mrs. Richards,
I intend to charge you with the murder

of your husband Jason
Richards and Candy Erickson.

Now you have the right
to remain silent.

And I warn you,
anything you say

can be used against you.

And Commissioner,

this one I'll
make stick.

- Hi, honey.
- Hi, Mac.

Sorry I'm so late.

That's okay.

Any luck?

No luck.

How's Lee?

Beaten.

Like me.

What happened?

She's been charged
with the double murder

of her husband
and his mistress.

[sighing]

My Lord!

You're still convinced
she's innocent, aren't you?

Yeah.

Which makes me unique.

You won't let her
be convicted, will you, Mac?

You're remarkable,
you know that?

Most wives would love to see their
husbands' old girlfriends behind bars.

You really cared for her,
didn't you?

I thought I did.

Well, then you just better
go out and save her,

because I don't want
my competition

behind bars looking
romantic and unobtainable.

Move over.

All right, I'll save her.

First thing in the morning.

[phone ringing]

Hello.

Commissioner, you were right.

Jason was shopping for
groceries on Saturday morning.

Yes, sir. I've got a man here
who can positively identify him.

Is he willing
to make a statement?

Well, he's already agreed to.

We'll be in your office
in about half an hour.

Right. Sally...

Sally?

What would I ever do
without you?

That's something
you'll never know.

He stopped in about noon
or shortly after.

I remember because
my wife had just

brought lunch
and I couldn't eat

until he finished his order.

He didn't buy much.
Milk, eggs.

That was it.

And you're absolutely sure
that it was the same man?

Oh, yes, sir.
I know Mr. Jay real good.

Most of the time
when he comes in

he orders a whole mess
of frozen foods.

But not this time.

(Chapman)
Thanks very much.

We appreciate your
taking this trouble.

My pleasure.

If Jason Richards was alive on
Saturday, who was killed in his office?

If someone was killed
in the office.

The rest of the
autopsy report, sir.

Thank you.

A copy's been placed
on your desk, sir.

Thanks, Ryan.

Of course, there's
another possibility.

Lee Richards arrived at noon
but no one saw her leave.

Jason Richards could've arrived
at the office in the afternoon

while she was
still waiting for him.

She could've killed him
in the office,

and then she still had
time to hide the body

and get up to the cabin
and kill Candy Erickson.

Possible.

Except for this.

Take a look.

"No water in the lungs, killed instantly
by the first two bullet wounds."

I don't see anything here
to clear Lee Richards.

Look at the time of death.

According to
the autopsy report,

Candy Erickson's been dead
approximately 48 hours.

Today is Wednesday.

That means she was killed
sometime Monday afternoon.

But Mrs. Richards was in San
Francisco all day, Monday.

Talk about your
ironclad alibi.

I apologize, Commissioner.

Of course, with this, all charges against
Mrs. Richards will be dismissed.

[phone ringing]

Oh, I don't know how
to thank you, Mac.

No thanks are necessary.

Well, the paperwork's
all done, Mrs. Richards.

You're free to go.

And I want to thank you,
too, Sergeant.

Oh, well, I'm not really
so sure you should.

I mean, I really thought
that you were guilty.

Oh, well. That's all right, they
almost had me to that point.

I'll say one thing for the Commissioner,
though, he never wavered,

he knew you were innocent.

That's because
he knows me so well.

- Oh, Mac.
- Hmm.

Do you think your wife would
mind if I kissed you goodbye?

Well, Sergeant Enright is here
to insure propriety.

I don't think she'd mind.

You don't mind that
I kissed her, do you?

Of course I don't mind.

Why should I mind?

What was it, just an innocent
peck on the cheek?

Frankly, I don't know
a woman alive

who wouldn't want
to kiss my husband.

Anyway, darling, you know
how I feel about jealousy.

It's beneath a woman to concern
herself with such a cheap emotion.

I don't care if she kissed you
or if she didn't kiss you.

I think you've made
your point, Sally.

Now, have you found anything
edible in there yet?

Hmm. Mayonnaise.
You want some?

Just mayonnaise?

- Mmm-hmm.
- Mmm.

Yeah, there's nothing there.

Let's try the freezer.

Ah, let's see. Enchiladas...

Ah, macaroni and cheese.
When did Mildred buy that?

Yesterday.

Mac, if you don't want
to eat frozen food,

why don't we send out for
some of that fantastic pizza?

Yesterday.

[Lee singing on stereo]

♫ This love of mine
had no beginning ♫

♫ It has no end ♫

♫ I was an oak,
now I'm a willow ♫

♫ Now I can bend ♫

♫ And if I never in my life ♫

♫ See you again ♫

[doorbell buzzing]

♫ Still here I'll stay ♫

♫ Until it's time
for you to go ♫.

Who is it?

♫ Here I'll stay ♫

Mac.

♫ Until it's time
for you to go ♫

Well, I’m so glad you've come.

We didn't get a chance
to say goodbye properly,

or, hello either,
for that matter.

Jason.

Have they found him?

Sit down, Lee.

Mac, you're
frightening me.

What is it?

It ain't gonna work.

What are you
talking about, Mac?

The murder of your husband and
the murder of Candy Erickson.

Oh, Mac, don't make
a bad joke. Please.

You planted two sets
of evidence.

The first,
to prove your guilt,

the second, the alibis
to prove your innocence.

By very carefully
incriminating yourself,

you made it look like
Jason had framed you.

No one, including me, would ever
suspect you of framing yourself.

Mac, this isn't funny.

No, it isn't.

Friday night, you brought
a tape recorder home,

baiting Jason into an
argument, and you recorded it.

When he asked you for a
divorce, you pulled a gun on him.

He told you to put
it down and you did.

Then Jason left for the
office, picked up Candy,

went out to Sausalito
to the cabin,

and you stayed home here
and edited the tape.

You took out the part about
putting the gun down,

and you added gunshots

and the sound of a body
being dragged across the room.

Then the same night you took the
tape recorder back to the office,

because you knew
that the secretary

would play it first thing
Monday morning.

Mac, I'm not going to...

Then on Saturday
you went back to the office

to make sure
the elevator boy saw you.

Then you went
back to Sausalito,

found Candy, alone, because
Jason was at the market,

and you shot her.

Then when Jason came
back, you shot him, too.

Well, that's outrageous.
How dare you!

All that blood,

the missing button, the ditched
car, you planted all those clues.

And then you turned me loose.

Well, that isn't true,
any of it.

I didn't kill Jason,

and I couldn't
have killed Candy.

You saw the autopsy report.

I was in San Francisco
when she was shot.

An autopsy, Lee, determines
the time of death

by the amount of
decomposition

in the body at
the time of examination.

You delayed the decomposition by
placing Candy's body in the freezer.

Then on Sunday
you took the body

out of the freezer,
dumped it in the bay,

knowing it wouldn't thaw out in
the cold water until Monday.

A laboratory analysis
will prove

the food taken out of
the freezer

to make room for Candy's body
was refrozen,

after you dumped
the body in the bay.

That was freshly bought
frozen food.

You said so yourself.

The grocer said that Jason didn't
buy any frozen food on Saturday.

You didn't know that when you shot him.
That was your big mistake.

Jason's body is out there
somewhere, isn't it?

Now that we know that,
we'll find him.

You really are the best.

Of course, you needed me.

To follow up on all
those clues so quickly.

If we didn't find
Candy's body in time,

your whole plan
would have fallen apart.

Well, either way,

the object was
to have him dead.

A divorce would
have made better sense.

No. Alive,
he humiliated me.

All those girls,
the cheaper the better.

You don't know what I took.

What I would have
gone on taking,

if only he hadn't said
he was leaving me.

Surely you understand.

No, Lee, I don't.

[dialing telephone]

♫ You're not a dream ♫

♫ You're not an angel ♫

♫ You're a man ♫

♫ I'm not a queen ♫

♫ I'm a woman ♫

♫ Take my hand ♫

♫ We'll build a space ♫

♫ In the lives ♫

♫ that we planned ♫

♫ And here we'll stay ♫

♫ Until it's time ♫

♫ for you to go ♫

♫ Yes, we're different, ♫

♫ worlds apart ♫

♫ We're not the same ♫

♫ We laughed and played
at the start ♫

♫ Like in a game ♫

♫ You could've stayed
outside my heart ♫

♫ But in you came ♫

♫ And here you'll stay ♫

♫ Until it's time ♫

♫ for you to go ♫

♫ Don't ask why ♫

♫ And don't ask how ♫

♫ And don't ask ♫

♫ forever ♫

♫ Love me ♫

♫ Love me now ♫

♫ This love of mine ♫

♫ had no beginning ♫

♫ It has no end ♫

Sergeant Enright says
that you were brilliant.

♫ I was an oak ♫

He said that if District Attorney
Chapman had had his way

he would have
brought Lee to trial,

and once the alibis that she
set up had been discovered,

that she would
have been acquitted.

And he says if that had happened,
the double jeopardy law would have

prevented her from
ever being brought to justice.

♫ Still here I'll stay ♫

You know what
I can't figure out?

♫ For you to go ♫

What the clue was
that got you started?

My dad always said
that it's some little clue

that leads you
to the big ones.

But I can't figure out
what that little clue was.

And neither can Sgt. Enright.

We went over all of them
very carefully.

Come on, Mac.
Give a girl some help.

What was the little clue?

I bet if you just give me a
little hint, I could guess it.

Just a hint. One-word hint.
Just a little hint.

Let's see...

Matches.

Matches?

That's a little clue.

Matches...

he ones that Sgt. Enright
found in the wastebasket?

Mmm-hmm.

Let's see,

she wanted to lead
you to Sausalito, right?

Mmm-hmm.

Well, how did you know
that the matches were a clue?

The folder was full.

Of course, nobody throws a book
full of matches in the wastebasket.

Well, I really think
that I solved it,

because if I'd cooked you dinner
instead of making you take icebox luck,

you never would've been poking around
the freezer and found the frozen macaroni.

I guess I deserve
a lot of credit, don't I?

Mmm-hmm.

[moaning]

[chuckling]

Let's go to bed.

Do we have to turn
the fire off, first?

No, it's the kind
of flame that...

burns itself out.

That's the kind of old flame
that I like best.

Come on.

Revision and sync:
ExpansivePlatin - 2022