Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996): Season 1, Episode 4 - It's a Dog's Life - full transcript

Hah!

[Neighing]

You cannot possibly believe
that a dog is capable of murder!

Selfish relatives. All they ever
wanted from him was his money.

- This is insane. Teddy's a dog!
- [Growling]

Teddy's gone completely mad.
He went for my horse and then me.

- Oh, my God. There goes the will!
- Over my dead body it does!

I have little use for
theories, private or otherwise.

My first real ghost and
no one will believe me.

Which means that the killer
had to be someone in this house.

That's the kind of
thing I have in mind.



[Songbird Singing]

[Birds Chirping] [Nickering]

[Footsteps Approaching]

[Snorts]

♪ [Chamber] [Chattering]

[Laughing]

Well, how about
a toast for later?

Anthony, we're awfully sorry your
wife couldn't make it. Aren't we, Trish?

Pay no attention to my brother.
Now that Spence is unemployed,

he can't bear to see
anyone having a good time.

Matter of fact... [No
Audible Dialogue]

[Laughing] Oh, Trish.

Don't be flattered. She
says that to all the boys.

Oh, Spence, stuff it!



Are we having a good
fight? Echo, why don't you go

play with your electronic
toys like a good little girl?

My little niece here is into electronic
music... tweeters, woofers, heavy metal.

It still sounds
like cats in heat.

- And so do you, Aunt Trish.
- [Spencer] Ladies, please.

Please, let's pretend to be civilized,
if not for my sake, at least for Father's.

Come along, Anthony.

[Chuckling] Whatever will she do if
the world runs out of married men?

Well, laugh all you like, but your
aunt desperately needs treatment.

Who needs treatment,
dear brother?

My astral projectionist puts all
these phony psychiatrists to shame.

Morgana, try to pretend like you're
on the same planet. At least today.

Now, there's a painter who knew
his horseflesh. Look at those withers.

Not that I spend a lot
of time eyeing horses.

[Chuckles] Careful, Denton.
They warned me about you.

Good, good. My
reputation's well-earned.

To life, love... and
a nice set of withers.

Let's freshen up that drink.

[Chuckling] You know, I never
realized a hunt breakfast...

required so much,
uh, liquid refreshment.

Only way to get those
milksops over the first fence.

Tom? Eh, good morning.

Tom, meet Jessica
Fletcher. She's here for a visit.

Sharing the cottage
with her cousin.

Jessica, my old drinking
buddy, Tom Cassidy. Well...

How do you do? Abby's told
me a lot about you, Mrs. Fletcher.

Great honor to meet
a world-famous writer.

Oh, but an infamous
rider, I'm afraid.

Oh, please call me Jessica.

Don't go sweet on him, Jess.
I'm the one with the bucks.

All poor Tom's got is that
miserable 600 acres next door.

Aw, poor me. Can
I get you a refill?

Oh, uh, another one of
these. Thank you. Coffee.

Morning, Abby. Hello.

Just trying to soften up
your cousin with a few drinks.

But gettin' nowhere. Now,
Denton, don't be an old lech.

Oh, isn't she wonderful?
She expects an old

fellow like me to start
an orgy right away!

You're always making fun of me. How
am I supposed to get any work done?

You've trained every
other animal on this

place. I guess all
we've got left is Denton.

She'll have my Guernseys jumping
through hoops before that happens.

[Chuckles] Well,
how about a toast?

A toast! What a marvelous idea.

To Father, on his 80th birthday.

- And many more, Daddy.
- Where's that damn dog of mine?

- Teddy!
- [Barking]

[Chuckling] Oh.

Come on, Teddy. [Chuckles]

- Teddy. Teddy.
- Ladies and gentlemen, to horse.

[Horse Neighing]
Good morning, Spence.

Trish, you shouldn't be riding in your
condition. It's dangerous to the horse.

Go away. Why don't you go kiss up
to Father while you've got the chance?

The day he goes,
honey, so do you.

What was that all about? Around here,
some of the real beasts walk on two legs.

[Denton] Jessica,
Abby, over here.

Ladies, I've picked
out your horses for you.

Oh, well, this old gray
looks just about my speed.

Sawdust? He's too
ancient for anyone but me.

[Intercom Buzzing] Hasn't
broken out of a trot in years.

Barnes, we're ready to go.

Open the gates!

Very good, sir.

[Dogs Barking]

[Barking Continues]

Why don't you go
ahead? It can't be much

fun poking along with
an old fellow like me.

I wish you'd stop
calling yourself old.

Ahh, if I were 30 years younger.

[Chuckling] [Trish]
Hee-yah! Hee-yah!

Sawdust! S-Sawdust! [Neighing]

Whoa! Easy, boy!

[Abby] Denton!

Whoa! Damn it!

[Abby] Denton!
Help him! Rein him in!

Hah!

[Barking]

Whoa! Damn it!

Tallyho!

[Denton Grunts]
[Abby] Denton! Denton!

[Teddy Whimpering] [Gasps]

[Whimpering Continues]

[Police Radio Chatter]

Anything I can do
for you, Mrs. Fletcher?

That's very kind, but
I'll look after my cousin.

[Sniffs] Oh, Tom.

Let's go sit down, huh?

[Radio Chatter Continues]

Terrible accident, Tom. Just
terrible. But the old boy had a full life.

I don't think he wanted
to take that jump.

I know he didn't. He was under
doctor's orders to take it easy.

Well, Denton was
always a wild one.

I guess he just got carried
away with the excitement, Ms...

Fletcher. He was carried away,
all right, by a runaway horse.

- Are you the vet?
- Yes, ma'am.

[Tom] Found the horse yet? He's
halfway to the next county by now,

but he'll come home
when he calms down a bit.

Look, I don't want to be
a pest about this, but...

isn't there a test that could
be made on the horse?

Test? Jessica and Abby...

saw that horse take off like
Seabiscuit comin' down the homestretch.

That doesn't sound
like Sawdust. A calm, old

horse like that doesn't
suddenly go wild.

Just what are you
suggesting, foul play?

[Jessica] I was so certain there
was something wrong with that horse.

I feel so foolish.
But tests don't lie.

Don't they? It was hours
before they found him.

And there are drugs
that leave no trace.

Abby. It's wrong, Jess!
His death is wrong.

He was such a wonderful person.

But he was so unhappy
underneath it all.

Because of them,
those selfish relatives.

All they ever wanted from him
was his money. And now they'll get it.

I wouldn't put it
past any of them.

Abby, I know how
you felt about him.

What do you mean?

Abby.

I... admired him very much.

Would you like me to stay
here with you a little longer?

Would you, Jess? Oh,
just till after the will is read.

I'd just feel so much better if
you were here. Oh, of course.

You could add some orange
juice to that and call it breakfast.

Where is Boswell? He should
have been here three minutes ago.

You're not nervous, are you,
little sister? You're breaking out.

I... I keep thinkin'... What?

Father's gonna pull a fast
one? Don't be ridiculous.

Have you noticed
who's not here, Spence?

"Miss Stable Nanny." Abby?

No. [Chuckles]

No, he wouldn't...
[Morgana] Spencer!

What now, Morgana?
Spence, the tea leaves!

Look. Yes?

But don't you see? See what?

Oh, for God's sakes.
[Doorbell Chiming]

Spencer.

Please accept my
heartfelt sympathy.

Greenville won't be the same without
Denton Langley. Thank you, Marcus.

We're all devastated
by the loss.

Oh, hello there, Echo.

I... I'm sorry that we have to meet
again under such sad circumstances.

Funny. That's what
the undertaker said.

Yes.

Well, as Denton's attorney,
I'd best get down to business.

What's that, a movie?

No, Trish. This is, uh,
the latest in will technology.

[Denton On TV] Greetings,
friends... and kinfolk.

I went to a lot of trouble
putting this little show together,

so I hope you all enjoy it.

By the way, this
is all legal as hell,

so don't get any funny ideas.

Since I know you’re all
there, waiting breathlessly,

I think I'll prolong
the suspense...

with a parting
word to each of you.

Spencer, it's too bad they
keep blowing up your clients.

But I never thought lobbying
for dictators a decent job for you.

But then, what is?

As for you, baby Trish,

you were always your
mother's spoiled child.

I'm glad she can't see you now,

guzzling martinis the way
you used to suck up root beer,

collecting men instead of dolls.

Find a nicer hobby, honey.

This one's not only
unseemly, it's dangerous.

Morgana, you're not a bad woman.

You've just got no common sense.

Come in out of your fantasy
world and face your problems,

such as that mixed-up
daughter of yours.

Hello, Echo.

Is there something stirring
underneath that unique haircut of yours?

You'll never know, old man.

Well, so much for fond
farewells. Now to business.

Boswell's got the usual "sound
mind” claptrap written down someplace.

So, here's what
you all came for.

I know my old
friend Tom is here.

Tom, boy, I'm going to miss you.

Remember that old
shotgun you always liked?

Well, it's yours.

There's a cash gift
for each of the staff.

Barnes gets something extra
for guarding all the paintings.

By the way, those now
go to the National Gallery.

That's right, children.

A fast three million in oils
now on their way to Washington.

The rest of my estate, built
with my brains and my sweat,

comes to about 15 million.

It takes a sound mind and good
judgment to handle that much money.

Maybe even a good nature.
So that lets out all of you.

Therefore, except for
a modest family trust,

the whole shebang...

goes to my faithful
friend and companion,

Teddy.

[Teddy Barks]

Of all the dirty tricks!
Damn it, Boswell!

I may faint. This is
insane! Teddy's a dog!

Boswell, we're gonna
break that will. Oh, no!

No, no. I'm afraid you won't break
the will. You see, I helped him write it.

There's a clause here that if you
challenge it, it cuts you out completely.

- [Teddy Whimpers]
- [Boswell] Oh, don't even consider that.

If Teddy dies of anything
but natural causes,

every dime goes to the S.P.C.A.

[Barks]

Hello? Ethan?

Ethan, it looks like I may not
be home for a few more days.

Well, Abby is very upset.

Well, she's convinced that
someone murdered Denton.

Well, I'm afraid she
just might be right.

No, no. Your reins
are far too tight.

A pat on the head is more
effective than a kick in the teeth.

- Don't give me any ideas.
- Young lady, it's high time
you learned some manners.

It's high time you
learned your place!

If you think you're going to chase
me away, Trish, you're wrong.

That's enough, Abby! You're
here to train the horse, not the rider!

Spencer, I want her off
the property... immediately.

You're not my
employer... Either of you.

Teddy is! Only Marcus
Boswell can fire me.

And I have no intention of leaving till
I find out what really happened here!

You've been making some very
serious accusations, Miss Freestone.

If I were you, I'd be
careful. Very careful!

You really should be careful,
Abby. I'm not afraid of Spencer.

I was thinking more of Trish.

Her Gemini is in the ascendant.
Your Capricorn is at a very low ebb.

And last night,

three owls were seen
in a black oak tree.

Am I supposed to
be frightened by that?

- The signs are there for the reading.
- [Horse Neighing]

[Neighing] [Teddy Barking]

[Barking Continues] What are
you doing to that dog? Teddy, sit!

Sit!

Good boy! Sit!

That damned dog
has got to be put down!

Spencer, what happened?
Teddy's gone completely mad!

- He went for my horse and then me.
- Which showed perfectly good sense.

Giving this stuff to a dog is
like feeding locoweed to a horse.

Uh, excuse me, but whatever that is,
would it have the same effect on a horse?

You mean Sawdust? No, I
found no trace in the horse.

- So, who'd he bite?
- No one. Spencer and his horse
weren't even touched.

I'm sorry, Miss Abby,
but he bit something.

There's blood all over
his collar. [Whimpering]

- That's the dog, Sheriff!
- Are you sure?

I swear to it! He got
me down, tore my arm!

- He oughta be put away!
- I agree!

- You would.
- [Whimpers]

Abby? Marcus Boswell here.

Yes, Mr. Boswell.

Well, it took my entire bag of tricks to
get Teddy released on his own recognizance.

You can pick him up at the
sheriff's office anytime you want.

Thank heavens. And you'll be
happy to know he wasn't rabid.

- Are they sure?
- They're positive.

Potts hasn't died. [Chuckling]

Well, thanks so much,
Mr. Boswell. Teddy's coming home.

Abby, I really think you should
come back with me to Maine.

The maples are turning,
and it's so... Jessica,

please don't treat me
like a mental patient.

Well, you must admit
you're not yourself.

Isn't that understandable,
with a murderer on the loose?

Well, we simply have no
proof one way or the other.

And that's what's so
unsettling for both of us.

Abby, tell me about
this man Potts.

He's a notorious liar.
Oh, I gathered that.

Maybe what he really wants is to win a
big lawsuit against the Langley estate.

Oh, how awful. He
might start an epidemic.

You know, I think we
should talk to Mr. Boswell.

Mmm, he seems to have done
very well by the Langley estate.

Face it, Marcus, I could drive a
freight train through that loophole.

Well, Abby, Miss Fletcher.

Yes, but have your clients
considered the risks first, Gary?

You know, it could be
a long and bloody battle.

[Chuckles] Let's, uh... Let's hit
the ball around next time I'm in D.C.

[Door Closes] Hello.

Good-bye, Marcus.
[Phone Ringing]

Morgana.

Well, uh, ladies, please. Oh.

Thank you. Mr. Boswell,
it's your broker.

It's the third time
he's called today.

Tell him I'm tied up, please.

Come in. Come in. Thanks.

Sit down, please.

Ah, I assume that this means
Morgana plans to challenge Denton's will.

Yes. Yes. Afraid so.
They're all in on it.

And the gentleman from D.C.?

Gary Deems.

His speciality
is breaking wills.

[Chuckles] But, uh, ladies,
don't you worry about that.

I may be a country boy, but, uh,
I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

Now, what can I do
for the two of you?

Oh, uh, I beg your
pardon, the three of you.

[Chuckles] I can't get used
to a client who doesn't talk.

[Chuckles] Well, we're actually
curious about that man Potts.

Has he filed a
suit against Teddy?

Yes, well, he's making noises,

but I intend to head him off.

I intend that every quick-draw
attorney around here...

is gonna know that
this dog is no pussycat.

That right, Teddy?

But Mr. Boswell, just
how vulnerable is the will?

Well, a good will can stand
up to famine, fire, pestilence...

- But, uh...
- But Mr. Deems has found a loophole?

More like a rathole!

Yes, you see,
his... his angle is...

the question of “sound mind."

Well, nonsense. Denton Langley's
mind was as sound as anyone's.

Oh, yes! Yes, I know
about Denton's mind,

but, uh, what about his?

- Teddy?
- Yes, you see, if a court declares
that dog mentally incompetent...

That's ridiculous. Yes,
of course it's ridiculous,

but it might take a lot of
years in court to prove it.

[Intercom Buzzes] Excuse me.

Yes? [Secretary] I'm sorry, sir.

It's your broker. He
insists on speaking to you.

[Sighs] Put him on.

Hey, Jim boy.

How you doin', you old
son of a gun? [Chuckles]

Is that right?

Uh-huh.

Yes. Well, you know
I'm already up to...

All right, Jim boy, I'll
get you a check off today.

Mm-hmm. Yes. Yes. And this
time I'll even put a stamp on it.

[Chuckles] So long.

[Sighs] Ladies, never, never...

buy any stock touted
by Spencer Langley.

Dumbest thing I ever did.

My only consolation is that he
bought even more of it himself.

Oh? Spencer's in debt?

Right up to his Adam's apple.

[Teddy Whimpering,
Scratching On Door]

[Chuckling] Back again.
Just like clockwork.

[Grunts] You know you're
safe in here, don't ya, hmm?

I'm gonna miss ya, Teddy.

When those paintings
go next week, so do I.

[Chuckles]

[Teddy Whimpering]
Here comes trouble.

Oh, that darn fool Trish.

She shouldn't be
allowed to drive.

Some night she's gonna
smack into the gate.

Sh-She can hardly stand up.

[Buzzing] Drunk again.

Well, I... I'd better
see if she’s all right.

A wonder she got
home in one piece.

Okay, Teddy Watch the
place while I'm gone, huh?

[Crickets Chirping]

[Birds Twittering]

What the... Oh, my God.

Trish! Get up! Get up!

[Gate Closes]

[Whimpering]

[Whimpering Continues]

[Police Radio Chatter]
[No Audible Dialogue]

Be skeptical. Say I'm
crazy. But I really saw it.

- What, the accident?
- No.

My dear sister's ghost rising
up from her earthly form...

and crying like a mourning dove.

Mother, you're just
upset. Of course, I'm upset.

Wouldn't you be if you'd just
seen Trish's spirit take wing?

Mighty strange hour to be
lookin' out windows, Ms. Cramer.

I'm often up at night. My
aura thrives on moonlight.

I heard a car horn,
so I looked out.

My bedroom has the
only clear view of the gate.

[Doorbell Chiming]

My first real ghost, and
no one will believe me.

This is a tragedy,
an awful tragedy.

Yes, just awful.

I'm sorry to hear about Trish. I
came as soon as I could. Sheriff.

Well, now that everybody's here,
maybe I can ask a few questions.

[No Audible Dialogue]

Really? Excuse me.

Sheriff, I think we should all
hear what your deputy had to say.

Well, up in the security room
there's this button that closes the gate.

And whoever pushed that
button killed your sister.

- Turns out the killer left a print.
- A fingerprint?

I didn't say that. Near as we
can tell, it's more like a paw print.

- Well, that's absurd!
- Oh, my God! There goes the will!

- Over my dead body it does!
- [Spencer] First he attacks Potts,
now he's murdered Trish!

- That dog has got to go!
- Oh, wouldn't that be convenient!

All right, everybody, just hush.

Uh, Sheriff, you cannot
possibly believe...

that a dog is capable of murder!

Well, of course not.
He'd have to be trained.

[Engine Stops Running]

Oh.

Mrs. Fletcher, I just heard.

It came over the
Sheriff's band on my C. B.

How's the, uh... How's
the family taking it?

About what you'd
expect, I'm afraid.

Hmm. Well, I'll run up there and
see if there's anything I can do.

[Engine Starting]

[Police Radio Chatter]

Here, Will, let me
help you to fold that.

Oh, Mrs. Fletcher,
am I glad to see you.

Sure needs a lady's
touch. It is Will, isn't it?

Yes, ma'am. Will Roxie. Mm-hmm.

I tell ya... my wife would give
her eyeteeth for that. It's beautiful.

[Chuckles] How strange.

Now, this is a new coat, but the
seams are split just like my car coat.

Seems a shame.

It seems like you brought
everything but the helicopter.

Yes, ma'am. It's not often we
get to use the sheriff's new gizmos.

Who are all those
men? Ah, Sheriff's posse.

They're all dressed up
with nobody to chase.

I guess I'll set 'em to
combing the grounds.

Sounds like an
excellent idea. Will, I hope

you don't mind if I just
sort of poke around.

Oh, no, ma'am. Feel free.

And that's all I know. The door to
this room locks. It automatically locks.

I've got the only key.

And when you left, Teddy
was alone in this room?

Was there any sign of any
tampering with the door?

No. No. Do you really think
Teddy pushed that button?

Oh, yes. Yes,
I'm quite sure of it.

Mr. Barnes, you say your view of
the gate was obstructed at one point.

I wonder, did you
hear anything unusual?

No, ma'am. Just the usual...

Crickets, a... a
night bird calling.

Could you show me the
way to Morgana's room?

Just as I suspected. Under stress,
the English always head for the teapot.

Can I have a cup too?
Yes, have this one.

Thanks. Well, the patients
are screamin' for their medicine.

I'm in charge of
the ice brigade.

We've got plenty here.
The ice bucket's up there.

Oh, yes.

I tell ya, ladies. I will be
glad when this night's over.

Oh, dear, Mr. Boswell. You have a
nasty grease mark on your trousers.

Well, now, isn't that wonderful?

I had a flat on the way over here. I
guess I got some grease off the jack.

A flat? How far from the house?

Oh, a half mile.

And how long did you stop?

I don't know. Maybe 20 minutes.

So, someone leaving here would
have to pass you on their way?

Say... N-N-Now, that's right.

But nobody came by.

Which means that the killer had to
be someone in this house. I knew it.

[Echo] How about the ice?

Yes.

You know, I have something
that'll take that grease right off there.

Oh, that's all
right, Mrs. Fletcher.

These... These trousers
need cleanin' anyway.

First Denton, then Trish.

Jessica, you weren't in there
when they practically accused me...

of training Teddy to kill.

Well, you didn't do it. But
somebody else might have done it.

Abby, how do you go about
training a dog to press a button?

Oh, endless repetition.

You could train him to
respond to a vocal command.

You know, "Teddy, push!
Good boy." No, it's too risky.

I mean, someone would have to turn on the
intercom, and they'd recognize the voice.

Is there any other way?
Well, any sort of sound,

as long as the dog
learned to recognize it.

Um, snapping
fingers, a whistle...

Whistle! That's the kind
of thing I have in mind.

What is it? You've figured
something out, haven't you?

No. Well, I'm not sure.

I'm telling you, Sheriff.
Whoever is responsible...

will never get away
with framing that dog.

If that's an accusation,
Boswell, be rather careful,

because I know a thing
or two about slander laws.

Spencer, why don't you
sit down and be quiet?

[Boswell] Let me tell
you something, Spencer.

You are talkin' about a perfectly
normal dog as if he's possessed!

You've been seeing too many
Stephen King movies. Oh, no.

There is such a
thing as possession.

So, you all thought you
could get away with murder!

Well, think again, because
my cousin has worked it all out!

Go on. Tell them, Jessica. Abby!

I wanted to talk to the sheriff about
it privately. Got it all worked out, eh?

Let us all in on it. Well, uh,
I-I, uh, only have a theory.

Splendid! Do tell
us all, Mrs. Fletcher.

Well, I... Sheriff, I do
think that you and I should

discuss it together. I
mean, it-it's just a guess.

Mrs. Fletcher, I have little use
for theories, private or otherwise.

Now, you got an
idea, tell us all about it.

Well, uh, I believe that it... It
could have happened like this...

Now, Trish came
home at 2:00 a.m.

Reckless driving made her
Mercedes swing wide on the turn...

and come to a
sudden, screeching halt.

Now, someone got out of the car
and pushed the intercom buzzer.

Barnes looked
into his monitor...

and saw someone outlined
against the headlights.

But no one spoke
into the intercom.

Barnes assumed it was
Trish, so opened the gate.

Barnes went out to pick her up.

The door closed and
locked behind him.

But Teddy was alone in the room.

Now, Barnes couldn't
see the gate from the drive,

but Morgana could...
from her window.

I didn't know what to do. I pounded
on Spencer's door, but he didn't answer.

I'm a heavy sleeper.
You know that.

I saw her spirit! I swear!

Oh, you saw something, all right,
or rather, someone... the murderer.

- I don't understand.
- You saw a coated figure rise up...

before the gate closed.

But who was it?

Now, at that time, you had no way
of knowing that your sister would die.

It was only later
that you interpreted...

what you saw as a ghost.

Now, I believe that Trish
was still inside the car,

that she was either
unconscious or-or drunk.

I think the killer
drove her home,

deliberately swerving
along the road...

to make it look
like drunk driving.

Then the murderer
put on her coat.

It was a safe disguise.

In that light, Barnes could
only see the coat, not the face.

- It's guesswork.
- Makes sense to me.

Trish's new coat
was split at the seams.

Now, I believe that
the killer tore it...

when he or she
put it on quickly.

And then the killer put
the coat back on Trish?

Right. Once Trish was laid
back in the path of the gate,

it was only a matter of
giving the signal to Teddy over

the intercom, disappearing
before Barnes came into view.

And Teddy?

The murderer must have
trained him to scratch

on the door of the
security room every night.

That same person taught him to press
the button when he heard a special sound.

- Like a whistle?
- Possibly.

One like this? Got
some initials on it too.

Is there an "A.B.F."
in the house?

Abigail Benton Freestone.

Fact is, we found it
down near the driveway.

Well, of course, I'm
innocent. I was framed.

Oh, I know they all say that. But
do I strike you as a violent person?

This whole ghastly ordeal
has knocked me for a loop.

But you know how it feels.

Well, first of all, Sheriff,
she's got no motive.

Well, I hear Miss Freestone
had a thing for the old man.

Till Trish put a stop to it.

Sheriff, I don't know
what the voters of this

county see in you,
but I know what I see...

A man of limited vision saddled
with a gossipmonger's mentality.

That's fancy talk, ma'am. But it
only adds up to one thing... you're kin.

And you're playing right
into their hands, Sheriff.

Now, you've already
locked up Teddy here.

Now... Now maybe he
bumped off Denton too?

Yes! What about Denton's
death? Isn't it a little strange...

that there've been two deaths in
the Langley family in one week?

You're wasting your breath.

Friday's the inquest. Till then, the
dog is an accessory after the fact.

And Denton Langley's death
was accidental, pure and simple.

And Mrs. Fletcher, thank
you so much for your help.

Oh, thanks for the ride.

You're welcome, Mrs. Fletcher.

Say, uh, you sure you don't want
me to take you on up to the gate?

You got about a half
a mile to go, you know.

Oh, no, this is fine. I need the
exercise, and some time to think.

Be careful.

Well, howdy, Mrs. Fletcher.
Out for a walk? Morning, Will.

Mmm, everything smells
so sweet after the rain.

[Chuckles] Yes, ma'am.

Uh, excuse me. You
looking for something?

Well, actually, I was...
I was just thinking.

You wouldn't happen to
have one of the sheriff's

new metal detectors
with you, would you?

No, ma'am. But I could get one.
Tryin' to find somethin' in particular?

Bicycle clip. Plain,
ordinary bicycle clip.

Bicycle clip?

Don't worry, Will. You'll
know it when you see it.

Good morning,
Echo. Good morning.

Have you seen Spencer?
His horse is gone.

No, I haven't seen my
uncle. Where are you going?

I'm going to go see a
man about a dog bite.

- Which way to the Potts farm?
- It's that way.

Ah, thank you. [Clicks Tongue]

[Chainsaw Blaring]

[Chainsaw Idling]

[Chainsaw Resumes Blaring]

[Jessica] The
bandage. I thought so.

I took the liberty of putting
your horse in the stable.

Potts!

I should've never listened
to you and your crazy ideas!

You didn't actually think
you could get away with

drugging Teddy and having
that man fake an injury?

Having the dog destroyed seemed
the surest way of breaking the will.

We'll go to jail!
Unless we shut her up.

Oh, don't be absurd.
You men aren't killers.

You'll get off lightly if
you confess to fraud.

Confess? Oh, no, ma'am.

I've been in jail once,
and I ain't goin' again.

Oh, Mr. Potts, believe me.

When I reveal who killed Trish, your
little scheme will hardly be noticed.

- Do you know who did it?
- Yes, Mr. Langley.

I knew just as soon as I
stopped looking at the crime...

the way the murderer
wanted me to look at it.

- You have to explain that.
- She's just tryin'
to talk her way out of this!

I say we plant her out
there in the orchard.

Potts, stop acting
like a damned hillbilly.

[Sighs]

[Whispering, Indistinct]

The sheriff has just informed me of a
little matter involving Spencer Langley...

and his accomplice, Asa Potts.

Off the record, Spencer,
you've been a stupid ass.

Well, let's get
down to business.

What in blazes is that?

Oh, uh, part of my
presentation, sir.

So be it. Uh, Ms.
Fletcher here...

will be starting off this
inquest as "amicus curiae."

For you yahoos in the back,
that means "friend of the court."

Thank you. I do feel a
little silly standing up here.

I hope I don't sound too
much like a schoolteacher.

Uh, to keep this short, I'm only
going to call one witness... Teddy.

Now, this is the gate
button that Teddy pushed...

the night that Trish
Langley was killed.

This is Abby
Freestone's whistle,

which the sheriff
found near the gate.

He believes that Abby
used it that night...

to command Teddy
to push the button.

Would you blow
this, please, Will?

[No Audible Sound]

[Barks]

[Teddy Whimpering] This
is an ultrasonic whistle,

audible only to a dog.

Now, please, go
into the hall, Will,

and blow into the intercom
that is connected to this one.

[Will On Intercom] I blew into
this end just like you said, ma'am.

Thank you, Will.

Even Teddy's sensitive
ears couldn't hear it this time.

- Why not?
- Because that whistle is above
the range of any loudspeaker.

Therefore, it couldn't
have been the killer's signal.

Could I ask someone a
question, Mr. Coroner?

Please, Mrs. Fletcher.

Mr. Barnes,

do you remember hearing
any unusual noise...

outside the gate that night?

Ah, you already asked
me that once, ma'am.

Like I told you, just some
crickets. And a night bird calling.

Yes, a night bird.
A mockingbird.

That's mostly what
we got around here.

Morgana said she saw her sister's
spirit rise with the call of a bird.

Now, I believe that the call was
the same one that Mr. Barnes heard.

- Well, what's the point?
- I'm sorry.

I... I guess I'm not
making myself clear.

I'm trying to tie
everything together.

You see, Denton's
death, the inheritance,

the attempts to...
To eliminate Teddy.

You see, the facts do fit. Denton
had to die. Teddy had to be discredited.

Now, the Sheriff has
Spencer's confession.

And I think that his
scheme against Teddy...

provided the opportunity
for Trish's murder.

The perfect opportunity
to kill and avoid exposure.

Everyone would connect the
murder with the attempt on Teddy.

But they were two
separate crimes.

Now, for the motive. Fifteen
million dollars worth of it...

If you expected to inherit.

But suppose we look a little further, to
somebody who never expected to inherit.

Somebody deeply in debt...

through bad investments.

Someone who needed an income...

that a lengthy litigation
would bring him.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

That's irrelevant, immaterial
and just plain inane.

Is it, Mr. Boswell? You
had access to Teddy.

And you had a
pressing need for money.

I wouldn't go too
far, Mrs. Fletcher.

Oh, but you did go too far,

when you persuaded Trish
to dope her father's horse.

Why did she do it? For the millions
that she couldn't wait to inherit.

But she didn't get
anything in the will.

Oh, but I suspect she
was told that she would...

by the one person
who had seen the will.

Imagine her surprise when
she saw that videotape.

[Chuckling] You have a
remarkable imagination.

Trish must have been furious,

perhaps even made threats.

But you'd planned
for that eventuality.

A quiet meeting that night, a few drinks,
some promises, a blow on the head...

Teddy was ready. You'd
trained him in advance.

Please. Please, please, please.

Now, my... my friends and
neighbors know me better than that.

They do not believe one
word of this poppycock.

- Do you own a bicycle?
- Yes, I do. So do lots of other people.

Do you ever ride out
by the Langley Manor?

- Sometimes.
- What about the night that Trish died?

No!

Then why was
this bicycle clip...

picked up half a mile
from the manor gate?

[Scoffs, Chuckles]

That bicycle clip could
belong to anybody.

Now, Mr. Coroner, how long are we
gonna entertain this, uh, comedy routine?

Till I'm satisfied, Mr. Boswell.

Well, Mrs. Fletcher?

Trish's killer hid his bicycle along
the road earlier in the evening.

It would have been a quiet,
perfect means of leaving the scene,

if he hadn't lost
his bicycle clip.

Without this clip, he
got that characteristic

greasy mark on his
trouser from the chain,

the mark I saw on your
cuff the night of the murder.

I told you. I got that
mark changing a tire.

Not true. Two days ago,
I saw your tire tracks.

All of your tires
were evenly worn.

So? Well, if your car
is like most people's,

the spare's never
been out of the trunk.

It would have shown
deep, new tread.

Not necessarily.

Why don't we look in
the trunk of your car?

Why don't we look in your
closet for your greasy trousers?

- Will, are you still there?
- Yes, ma-am.

Go ahead, please.

[Birds Twittering On Intercom]

[Barks]

[Whimpering]

Why don’t you
feed him his treat?

Just like you did when you trained
him to help you to murder Trish.

[Crying]

Oh, Jessica, you were marvelous.

I don't know what Teddy and I
would have done without you.

Oh, you'd have managed. I bet
you'll be glad to get home to Kent.

Yes, far away from the Langley
clan. And Marcus Boswell.

I still don't understand
why he did it.

Simple, Abby. He who controlled
the dog controlled the money.

And I bet he would
have thought of a hundred

different, clever ways to
rake off all that he wanted.

His behavior was indefensible.
Mmm, not to a good lawyer.

[Both Laughing]
[Vehicle Approaching]

Well, beautiful
mornin'. Isn't it? Teddy!

Tom, what's it like
managing a dog's finances?

Well, all that cash
makes me a little nervous.

But it's gonna go to a lot of
folks that need it more than we do.

And what about the
clamoring relatives?

Well, either get
a job or starve.

I know Teddy will be very
happy in his new home.

Well, we're not gonna
forget either one of you.

Come on, Teddy boy. Yes.

Time for you to
get back to work.

[Chuckling] Whoops.

[Engine Starting]