Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996): Season 1, Episode 10 - Capitol Offense - full transcript

[Woman] Tonight on
Murder, She Wrote.

- He didn't die in bed.
- He was an alcoholic.

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

The governor is going
to ask you to fill the seat.

I'm not a politician. Which is
precisely why you're the perfect choice.

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

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

You're scum, Dixon!
And so are you!

Three nights ago, I spotted
Marta coming out of the Watergate.

It's the amateurs
who tend to get hurt.

[Gasps]



[Man] I figure I
got an obligation...

to everybody who voted
for me, right, Harry?

Absolutely, Dan. Absolutely.

A lot of these guys, they think a
seat in Congress is like a free ride,

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

So where's my old
buddy Wendell Joyner?

I thought he was coming.
He'll be here, Congressman.

Meanwhile, Harry and I would like to
talk to you about that cannery bill, huh?

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

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

[Dixon] Well, we wanted to keep
the group small. [Shutter Clicking]

Give us a chance to
talk. Talk? About what?

You need a refill, Dan.

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



Good idea, Marta.

Martini on the rocks, luscious.

I don't like this guy. Come on, Ray.
He's on the committee. We need him.

[Knocking] Betty.

And another thing. Why did
you tell him Joyner was coming?

Joyner hates my guts. I know. It was
the only way we could get him here.

Pardon me, young lady.

Dan. Wendell. Why are you
so late? Where've you been?

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

- Congressman Joyner, how gracious
of you to accept our invitation.
- Come on, Dan.

Now surely, Congressman, you're not
rushing off? You'll join us for a drink.

Yeah, Wendell. The
party's just started.

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

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

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

Wait a minute, Joyner...

You're scum, Dixon!
And so are you!

Tomorrow I'm making a full report
to the House Ethics Committee...

You try it!

With great pleasure! It's
about time somebody stood...

- Wendell.
- Ohh!

What... What's the
matter with him?

Congressman? Get
him up on the sofa.

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

- [Shutter Clicking] - No. No.
No ambulance. No ambulance.

[Jessica] No bother
at all, Eleanor.

Voter registration is a lot
more important than my lunch.

[Laughing] [Doorbell Rings]

Ooh, there's somebody at the door.
I've got to go. I'll see you at 12:00.

Mrs. Fletcher? Yes?

I'm Harold DeWitt. I'm
an aide to the governor,

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

Dead? I can't believe it.

Congressman Joyner had
a serious heart problem.

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

His housekeeper found him
in his bed early this morning.

The news hasn't been
released yet. Except to me.

As you know, the party's two most qualified
candidates are competing in the primary.

Oh, yes. I've been working with
the voter registration committee.

Well, normally, the
governor would appoint

our party's nominee
to fill the vacant seat,

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

That's why the governor
is going to ask you to

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

Me? Oh, don't be
silly. I'm not a politician.

Which is precisely why
you're the perfect choice.

You have no political ambitions,
you're nationally known,

and your integrity
is not in question.

Mrs. Fletcher, several
important pieces of legislation...

are going to be considered
in the next few weeks.

Maine's interests
must be represented.

I don't know what to say.

Say yes. Your state needs
you, if only for a few weeks.

[Ringing]

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

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

She's being met at the airport by
our Media Liaison Officer, Joe Blinn.

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

but, uh, ooh, nothing like this.

Well, you better get used to
it. And, please, uh, call me Joe.

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

If you want something
fancier, let me know.

Oh, I'm sure that'll
be fine. My job is to

get your name in the
papers, Mrs. Fletcher,

or to keep it out,
whatever you prefer.

You've inherited a crackerjack
staff from Congressman Joyner.

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

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

I intend doing this job to the very
best of my ability. I am sure you will.

We'll get along just fine
if you try to remember...

that I'm not your addlepated
great-aunt from East Nowhere.

[Both Chuckling] Whoops.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Fletcher.

Let me start again.

Whatever I can do for you,
consider it done. Thank you.

[Chuckling] [Sighs]

My goodness, this is
impressive. Yes, it is, isn't it?

Wait'll the first time you step foot on
the House floor. It'll knock you over.

[Laughs]

Mrs. Fletcher. Dan
Keppner, Mrs. Fletcher.

We share a couple of
committees. Oh, how do you do?

Congressman Joyner was
my friend. His death was tragic.

I agree, Mr. Keppner. Look, uh,

I'd like to drop by later.

There are several important
matters that I'd like to discuss,

particularly the Maine cannery bill. Oh,
yes, of course. Well, I'm so glad we met.

My pleasure.

What a nice man. Where's
he from? East Nowhere.

Diana. Oh, Mrs. Fletcher,
welcome. Diana Simms.

Oh, how do you do, Miss
Simms? Diana's your A.A.

My what? Administrative Assistant.
Right-hand gal. Indispensable.

I'd introduce you to the rest of the
staff, but as you can see, it's lunchtime.

Speaking of which, I am off.
Uh, be back around twoish.

Thanks for the lift, Joe. Sure.

Let me show you your office.

Oh, this is nice.

Oh, yes, very nice indeed.

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

But I want you to know that I'm prepared
to work closely with your incoming staff.

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

It's customary for a congressperson
to appoint his or her own people.

Diana, don't you like your job?

Of course. Well, in that case,

Congressman Joyner's
staff will do me just fine.

[Chuckles]

- [Knocking]
- Yes?

Mrs. Fletcher? Yes.

Harry Parmel, an
attorney by trade.

By choice, an acknowledged
expert on this city's finest restaurants.

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

Why, thank you. Uh...

You're very kind, Mr. Parmel, but I ate
on the plane. Uh, perhaps another time.

At your convenience, dear lady.

I look forward to the
opportunity of working

with you closely whenever
I'm needed. May I?

Thank you. Thank you.

Diana.

And what was that?

Harry is a lobbyist
for Pendrake Foods.

To Harry, "working closely"
translates to wining and dining...

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

The opening salvo? Mm-hmm.
Most lobbyists are good people.

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

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

[Joe] Mrs. Fletcher, I must tell you
that I enjoyed your last book very much.

Oh, I'm so glad.
When's the next one?

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

Mm, I can't wait.

[Woman] May I help you?
Yes, Mrs. Fletcher... 2560.

Oh, yes, Mrs. Fletcher.
So nice to have you with us.

Thank you. Your luggage
is already up in your room.

Oh, good. I'll get your key.

Mm-hmm. Well, if you
don't need me anymore?

No, you run along, Joe. Got a
heavy date with a lady from the S.E.C.

Ah, ears like an elephant.

Last time she dropped
a stock tip on me, I just

about cornered the
entire sports car market.

Mm. Doesn't sound
very honest to me.

In this city, that is a
word for which there

is no clear definition.
Well, good night.

Well, I'll see you tomorrow
and thanks. [Bell Dings]

[Woman]Show Mrs. Fletcher to her
room, please. [Jessica] Thank you.

[Coins Clinking]

[Rings]

Yes?

Mrs. Fletcher? Dan Keppner.
We met today in the hall.

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

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

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

- Could it wait until
tomorrow morning?
- Tomorrow? Sure.

How about breakfast
at your hotel?

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

Hey, cabbie?

Congressman? Sorry,
honey, not tonight.

Mr. Keppner, it's Marta Craig.
Remember me? From the party?

Sure. Marta, how are you?

I'm not so good. I'm
scared. About what?

You know about what. The
other night, moving the body?

Sorry, I... Hey, Congressman.

I was there, remember?

Excuse me.

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

Detective Lieutenant Avery
Mendelsohn, Mrs. Fletcher.

And I am following you in the
hopes of maybe finding out...

who the hell killed
Congressman Wendell Joyner.

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

The coroner says cause of death was a heart
attack. But let me also tell you this.

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

And when people move
bodies, I ask myself why.

Well, I'm sorry, Lieutenant, but I was
in Maine when the congressman died.

Oh, no. Don't misunderstand.
Not for one minute

would I suggest that you
are in any way involved.

Thank you. Ohh!

Oh, are you all right? No. No,
no. No, i-it's just a back pain.

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

My sister Rachel
has the same thing.

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

you begin to expect it.

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

My father, now there
was a man with pain.

I am very sorry. Lieutenant...
[Stomach Growling]

Huh. My stomach's acting up too.

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

When my gut starts to growl, it's a sure
sign there's a fox loose in the china shop.

What the hell? Hey!

Hey, my wallet!

[Horn Honking]

[Man] Watch him!

Charlie, hold it!
That's the guy!

So, Congressman,
are these yours?

That's my jacket and my
wallet. Where did you find them?

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

It's not mine. That's right. It belongs
to a woman named Marta Craig.

It did. She's dead.

What? Beaten to death...

in her apartment
sometime last evening.

Cheekbone crushed, jaw broken,
nose spattered. Not a pretty sight.

Wait a minute... We found
your jacket draped over a chair.

And considering the
condition of your hands,

I think you have a few
questions to answer.

Uh, the bill would permit the construction
of a fish cannery on McHenry's Point.

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

Oh, yes. I read up on it last
night. It's a very complicated issue.

It's a classic case of business
interests versus the environmentalists'.

Congressman Joyner was
going to vote against the measure.

Well, I may, too, Diana,

after I've sifted through the testimony
and had a chance to make up my own mind.

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

The police talked
to me this morning.

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

What? They say that
he died elsewhere...

and that his body was moved.

Mrs. Fletcher, that's awful.

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

Diana, where was he
supposed to be that night?

Where he was every night. He didn't
care much for Washington nightlife.

Just what I thought. He had
nothing scheduled on the 12th.

Wait a minute.
There was one thing.

Harry Parmel invited him
to a party that evening.

Harry Parmel? The unctuous
gentleman bearing roses. Right.

Only Congressman
Joyner turned him down.

We're due at a committee
meeting. [Gasps]

Excuse me, Mrs. Fletcher?

I'm Thor Danziger. I'm with the
Ecological Foundation. Oh, how do you do?

I wonder if I could spare a few moments of
your time to take a look at these papers?

They have to do with the cannery
bill. We're late, Mr. Danziger.

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

Your position is already on the
record. Would you excuse us, please?

Nice to meet you.

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

They had their chance last week.

[Man] May I have
your attention, please?

Before we start,

the Chair wishes to
welcome the distinguished

congresswoman from
the state of Maine.

Thank you very much.
One moment, please.

Congressman Keppner
was supposed to meet me for

breakfast this morning
to talk about this bill.

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

Mr. Dixon, are you ready?

Yes. Thank you, sir.

Mr. Chairman, distinguished
representatives, guests.

My name is Raymond
Dixon. I am vice president

in charge of operations
for Pendrake Foods,

a nationally known firm
involved in the packaging

of foodstuffs. Why is
he reading his speech?

He's testifying.

I know. But if it's all written out,
why are we wasting each other's time?

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

Oh.

I don't know any Kaye Sheppard.

She's only the empress of Washington
gossip, syndicated in 98 newspapers.

Now, believe me...
Look, Mrs. Fletcher,

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

But I don't need exposure, Joe,
and I know I don't need a great lunch.

But if you'll just... I'm sorry.
I know that you mean well,

but just now, I
don't have the time.

You have lunch
with Miss Sheppard.

Sure, and then afterwards I'll drop
in on the president for afternoon tea.

I'm gonna keep trying.

Lieutenant.

Oh, you'll excuse me. They said
it was okay for me to wait in here.

Oh, of course, but, uh...
You didn't tell me you

were meeting Congressman
Keppner for breakfast.

You didn't ask. Anyway, I
overslept, and he never showed up.

Well, that's right. We're holding
him on suspicion of murder.

What? We've got the evidence,
and I should book him, but...

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

See, my gut tells
me there's trouble,

but when my feet hurt, it's a... it's a
sign that things are not exactly kosher.

You got a minute?

It was dumb to move Wendell's body,
but I was too drunk to think straight.

[Sighs] That's why I wanted to talk
to you this morning, Mrs. Fletcher,

to tell you what happened.

But how does moving the body involve
the dead girl? Marta was at the party.

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

I don't remember which one...

And when I came
out, there she was.

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

and Parmel and Dixon...

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

I was scared. So I went
with her to her place.

I remember having
a drink... Ginger ale.

Why did you have the
key of her apartment?

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

That still doesn't explain the
blood and makeup on your shirt...

and the scrapes and
bruises on your hands.

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

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

as God is my witness.

You've gotta believe me.

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

Lieutenant, Congressman
Keppner did not kill that woman.

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

If Mr. Keppner had
beaten that woman,

he would have spattered
blood all over his shirt.

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

both blood and makeup
on the front of his shirt.

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

Now, if he had hit that
woman that severely,

his hands would have shown
not only blood but makeup as well.

I noticed that. Lieutenant,
if you believe his story,

you have to believe that
he was dragged unconscious

from that apartment
and dumped in that alley.

Would you mind giving
me your jacket? What?

Your jacket. Would
you take it off, please?

Okay. It's off.

Now, assume
that I am the killer.

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

Now, I have to move
an unconscious body.

How would I do that?

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

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

Maybe you should
have been a cop.

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

You're not at your
typewriter now.

[Diana] Dan Keppner.
It's unbelievable.

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

But for six years, he'd been attending
meetings, working the program.

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

Diana, I need to know.

His wife left him. Took the kids to
New York. He started drinking again.

Wendell was trying to
get him back on track.

Mrs. Fletcher, I know
Dan well enough to

know he'd never hurt
anyone, no matter what.

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

because he's been framed...

and very clumsily too.

Joe, you're an
expert on this town.

I want you to find out
everything about Marta Craig.

Who she was? Who she knew?

Any ties that she might have had
with Harry Parmel, Raymond Dixon...

Now wait a minute, Mrs. F. I'm a
press agent. I'm not a-a detective.

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

That is what you told me.

Hey. Well, all right.

I'll see what I can do.

[Door Closes]

Ray. Harry.

I'd ask you to join me, but
I'm expecting Senator Wexler.

I won't be staying, Ray. I don't
think I like the edge in your voice.

I want you to understand
me. My job does not

include murder... before,
during or after the fact.

What are you talking about?

One of my contacts on the
District police force slipped me this.

Marta Craig murdered by
Congressman Keppner, hmm?

She's dead, all right. Whether Keppner
did it? He could have been set up.

- Not by me.
- After what happened
the other night?

That's a nasty
temper you got, Ray.

- I've always told you it was gonna
get you in trouble one of these days.
- I don't have to answer to you, Harry.

Maybe not. But you'd
better pay attention to this.

The first sign I'm getting dragged
into a murder, I protect myself, not you.

[Gasps]

Thor.

What is it? I saw it on
the news about Marta.

What is it, Thor?

These came in the mail.

You showed me these photos last week. You
told me they were faked and I believed you.

They're a duplicate set,
Diana. They came with this note.

"Stay away from Mrs. Fletcher.
You won't be warned again!"

Miss Craig certainly lived
very well for a secretary.

Maybe she put in
overtime. So, Mrs. Fletcher,

could you tell me
what you expect to find?

Well, maybe nothing. I didn't
know the young lady, Lieutenant.

Just what was on your police
report and that wasn't very much.

You call two charges of extortion
and blackmail not very much?

[Sighs] I should've
been a doctor.

If I'd have been smart enough, I
would have gone to medical school.

It's a little late to, uh,
second-guess that choice, isn't it?

What choice? I said if I
was smart. I wasn't smart.

C-plus average.

[Sighs] Did I tell you I was
the first cop in my family?

My two brothers are rabbis.
My sister's a cantor in Baltimore.

Ah, why should I complain? I could
have gone to work for the phone company.

Ah, the phone
company, that's security.

Well, Mrs. Fletcher, I gotta get
back to the office. You had enough?

Oh, yes, quite
enough, thank you.

I wonder, could you drop me off at
the Library of Congress? Why not?

[Woman] Mrs. Fletcher, how
delightful you could join me.

I could hardly
refuse your urgent

invitation, Mrs., uh,
or is it Miss Sheppard?

Miss. Permanently,
irrevocably. Call me Kaye.

This is Peanuts.

Mmm. He was given to me by a
former occupant of the White House.

I defy you to guess which one.

[Both Chuckling] Oh,
thank you, Richard.

Come on, sweetie. [Mumbling]

[Meows] Such a baby doll, yes.

I shouldn't think
they'd allow that.

They don't. Want a drink?

An iced tea.

One more time on this one.

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

The first thing you've
got to learn about

this town is that everyone
responds to clout.

When you've got it, use it.

Well, in your note you said you had
information about Marta Craig's killing.

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

I see. A trade-off?

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

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

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

And when you do, I want an
exclusive right from the horse's mouth.

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

Information I couldn't give the
police because of repercussions.

I have to live in this town.
You don't. Do we deal?

- I'm listening.
- My sources tell me that Marta
was playing both sides of the street.

Thank you, Richard. [Giggles]

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

and clout is fueled
by information.

Three nights ago, I spotted
Marta coming out of the Watergate.

She was upset.

Suddenly Dixon came running out
after her, grabbed her arm, they fought.

About what? I wish I knew.

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

But I can tell you this.

Ray Dixon looked
mad enough to kill.

Well, congratulations.
You are the talk of the town.

Oh? Yes. Meetings with Kaye
Sheppard do not go unnoticed.

I found her very interesting. Uh-huh.
Should I check for stab wounds?

What did you find
out about Marta Craig?

Not much. She had, uh,
six jobs in the last four years,

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

Uh, not much else.
Hmm. Where's Diana?

I don't know. She called in sick after
lunch. Said she would talk to you later.

Listen, if you don't need me any
more today, I have a date tonight...

with a very hot number
from the State Department.

Oh? Go ahead. Oh, and, Joe? Yes?

Tomorrow, a little more
on Marta Craig, please?

I will do my best.

- [Knocking]
- Mind if I come in?

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

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

Jessica, I appreciate
everything you've done,

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

The fact is, I've decided
not to seek reelection.

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

That is a very foolish
decision, I think.

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

That you're an alcoholic?

That you've spent the last six
years sober, until last month?

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

Don't you understand, Jessica?
I'm living on the edge every day.

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

Trying to live up to
two responsibilities...

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

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

I can't go halfway
into anything.

I drove them away because of
my work, and now I've got nothing.

I don't believe that
and neither do you.

Ever since that night I've been
going to two and three meetings a day,

but I still don't know from one
day to the next if I'm going to slip.

Dan, like most of
us, you're slightly

imperfect, but that's
not a capital offense.

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

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

find out what she thinks.

She might surprise you.
Women in love do that.

I guess things can't
get much worse.

That's one way of
looking at it. [Chuckles]

Oh, my goodness.

You know, Jessica, this is
the first time in eight weeks...

that I'm beginning to
feel good about myself.

Thank you.

If you'll excuse me... I've got
to cancel that call to New York.

By the way, I think I'll hang
around until after tomorrow's vote.

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

[Knocking]

Mrs. Fletcher.

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

I've got a couple of questions. I'm
very confused by this cannery bill.

If it's not too much trouble,
could we talk? Well, I really...

I hate to impose on
you like this, but I really

do need clarification
on a couple of points.

Perhaps we could ask
that nice Mr. Danziger,

the young man from
the environmental group.

- I'm sure he'd be glad to help.
- Well, suppose we ask him.

- Why don't you have him
come out of the bedroom?
- Well, Mrs...

I couldn't help but notice the No
Smoking sign on your desk in the office.

[Sighs]

Thor? Thor?

- How did you know it was me?
- Well, it was a guess.

But I did notice the
tiepin you were wearing

the day that we
met... the lion's head...

The same design that Marta and
Diana had on their cheerleader costumes.

Then I checked with the
Library of Congress and...

You dug up an old Brighton
University yearbook and found

out that the three of us had
attended school together.

- And then you two made such
a production of not liking each other.
- You jumped to a conclusion.

We couldn't make our relationship
common knowledge, Mrs. Fletcher.

In my position, it would be
construed as a conflict of interest.

What about your
relationship with Marta Craig?

We used to be good friends.

Then Marta got in
with the wrong crowd.

She started up with Harry Parmel and
men like him, working the party circuit.

But if your relationship
with Marta was so casual,

why did you hide it from me?

We were scared.

After Marta's death, we were sure that
the police would be looking for suspects,

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

Now those photos
were faked, Lieutenant.

As you can see, I
was unconscious.

[Sighs] Marta had asked
me up to her apartment.

She said she wanted
to discuss something.

I took one drink. She
must have drugged me.

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

Innocent or guilty, it would have cost
him his job at the Ecological Foundation.

They're very publicity shy.

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

Keep yourselves available.

Faked photos, a
murder, attempted frame.

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

that this guy Marta
was working for is more

than likely the guy
who beat her to death.

Why do you say guy, Lieutenant? It
could just as easily have been a woman.

A t around, uh, 6:30, she
had an early supper with

some middle-level guy
from the State Department.

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

[Tires Screeching]

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

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

uh, she and the guy left, uh,
the restaurant separately...

and then, uh, she picked up
Congressman Keppner at around 9:30...

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

Bottom line is she
had no close friends.

Nobody seems to know
much about her private life.

Well, there has to be something.

I mean, her meeting
with Harry Parmel at the

hairdresser proves that
they had a relationship.

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

Mrs. Fletcher. Your
hotel said you had left.

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

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

You don't know how much this cannery bill
means to my company and to me personally.

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you wanted to
chat with me about Marta Craig's murder.

I wouldn't know anything about
that. I hardly knew the woman.

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

What? Lying is a very
difficult art, Mr. Dixon,

but you have mastered it beautifully.
Mrs. Fletcher, I assure you...

I know. You want to assure me that it
wasn't you who chased Marta Craig...

out of the Watergate
three nights ago.

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

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

It's the amateurs
who tend to get hurt.

Morning, Diana. Good morning.

I ought to warn you Ray Dixon's
already been sniffing around. Yes, I know.

The committee meeting's
less than two hours

away. Is there anything
I can help you with...

- Mrs. Fletcher?
- Hmm?

Oh. Diana, I have to go out.

Don't let them start
the vote without me.

But the meeting starts
in less than two hours.

[Dan] The problem of waste
was carefully researched...

by Dr. A. Bruno Townshend...

of the University of
Western Minnesota...

in his 1981 tract...

Investments in our Coastline,
a sociological treatise...

published by Acorn Press.

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

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

Oh, never mind
that. Come with me.

Uh, later.

So?

I just got a most wonderful
lead from Kaye Sheppard.

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

when she brought Dan
home with her. What?

A few minutes later, the boyfriend
saw another man going inside.

- Now, he didn't get a very good look,
but it had to be Ray Dixon.
- Are you sure?

Well, after that terrible fight
they had at the Watergate,

Marta was probably
blackmailing him too.

He went inside the
apartment, saw Dan passed out,

killed Marta and
blamed it on Dan.

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

You know, he probably
took those photographs too...

The ones at the party when
Congressman Joyner died.

- Joe, we have to get inside his penthouse.
- Well, how're we going to do that?

Ohh, for heaven's sake!
I've got to vote on that bill.

Right after the committee meeting, I
want you to meet with me and Kaye.

We'll talk to Lieutenant Mendelsohn,
and we'll try to get a court order.

Right. It sounds like a
real break. Oh, I'm sure it is.

[Raspy Voice] It's not
just a question of pollution,

but the effect of
biodegradables on the coastline.

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

as a sign that you have finally finished
stating your position on this bill?

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

But, in the interest of time, I will defer
to my esteemed colleague from Maine.

- Very well, but this is taking
much too long, you know.
- I'm so sorry to be late.

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

specifically whether to permit
the construction of a cannery at...

McHenry's Point in Maine.

Uh, excuse me, Mr. Chairman. Would
it be possible for me to say a few words?

I would hope, Mrs. Fletcher, that
they will be considerably fewer...

than those voiced by your
colleague from New York.

Uh, I have studied
this bill very carefully.

And heaven knows...

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

And if that were the only consideration,
I would vote for it without any hesitation.

However, I've
discovered that there are...

seven abandoned
canneries in my state.

Can you imagine? Seven. No longer
working, no longer employing people.

And why? Because the
owners walked away from them...

rather than spend money to
modernize their operations.

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

Now, I realize that there is expense
involved in updating equipment...

and perhaps those locations
are no longer as convenient...

as McHenry's Point.

But, you know, I'm very
upset by this notion...

that we can just dispose
of buildings or people...

when they become a little
troublesome or unprofitable.

Almost 5,000 people...

used to work at those
abandoned canneries.

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

to abandon perfectly
good buildings...

because our tax laws make
it financially advantageous.

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

is not only preposterous,
but it's inhuman.

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

They need to put the canneries
they already own back into operation.

Now, Mr. Dixon, you and
your fellow canners have

been taking a lot out
of the state of Maine...

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

Order! Order, please!

It's pretty obvious, Mr. Blinn.

Give us cops credit
for a little intelligence.

Ray Dixon would
be smarter than that.

[Chuckles]

I don't know what you're
talking about. Is that so?

[Knocking]

I'm sorry. I raced as fast
as I could. You're just in time.

Mrs. Fletcher, this
is not what it seems.

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

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

Yes. I found them
in the desk. Really?

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

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

and I was also pretty
sure that Marta had been

murdered by the person
she was working for.

What happened Joe?
Did she get greedy?

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

Please, Joe. What
happened to your gloves?

- My gloves?
- Those fancy driving gloves you were
wearing the first time I met you.

[No Audio]

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

Were you wearing them
when you beat her to death?

Of course, you must have been.

That's why your hands
were never marked.

On the other hand, it's almost impossible
to remove blood and makeup from suede.

And you had to get rid of them.

That's a lotta guesswork.

Mm-mmm. I'm afraid not.
The gloves are only part of it.

You slipped badly
this morning, Joe.

When you were telling me about
Marta's activities the day she died,

you said she picked up Congressman
Keppner outside Stockman's Bar?

That is part of
the police report.

No. That night Dan had been wandering
the streets. He had no idea where he was.

Or where he'd called from.

We just checked
the bartender and the

waitresses who were
working there that evening.

None of them remember
Keppner being there.

Which means you
could have learned it was

Stockman's only from
talking to Marta Craig.

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

You buy and you sell...

People, legislation, influence.

There's a price tag on
everything and everyone.

And I was doin' real well too...

until Marta got just a little
bit too big... for her pantyhose.

And did you think that
you were the only one

allowed to play the
game of buy and sell?

He's wrong, you know.

For every Parmel and Dixon, there are
dozens of honest men like Wendell Joyner.

Only they don't get their names in
the paper. So, how'd your vote go?

The cannery? Oh,
we won! Unanimous!

Terrific. What do you
say, Mrs. Fletcher?

I got an appointment
with the podiatrist at

2:00, but I still got
time for a bite to eat.

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

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

Good. I know this deli. The guy who
runs it, Max, a friend of my cousin, Sadie,

he makes a lox and cream
cheese platter you could die from.

Lox? I-Is that something
like gefilte fish?

Mrs. F., for a bright woman, you have
been leading a very uninformed life.

Permit me the pleasure of
educating you. [Chuckles]