Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996): Season 7, Episode 10 - Murder in F Sharp - full transcript
Dennis Stanton investigates when a prominent pianist's wife is murdered shortly after the pianist's hands are badly burnt.
There is a reasonable
explanation why you are sitting here
typing with mittens on.
Boxing gloves were
too cumbersome.
FEMALE NARRATOR:
Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.
I cannot play a piano
that is out of tune.
Have you done something stupid?
Within a year he would have lost
nearly all the dexterity in both hands.
We could fly off to Majorca.
Oh, if I thought
you were serious...
But I am.
What is that? Lighter fluid?
Might as well be.
BEN: Nobody, but
nobody plays Mozart
like Vaclav Maryska
did in his heyday.
You're in for a
rare treat, Jess.
(ROCK MUSIC BLARING)
(LAUGHING)
Somehow I don't remember
Mozart sounding like that.
Head on Collision?
This must be something my nephew Billy
brought when he stayed with me last month.
Well, it looks to me as if you've
been the victim of a switch.
I suppose that means next time
Billy tries to play his traffic accident,
he's going to be
exposed to Mozart.
(CHUCKLES) Good.
Especially played by Maryska.
You know, it's a
shame the boy will never
have a chance to hear
the old maestro play live.
You did hear about
what happened to him?
Hear? I got a blow-by-blow
description of the whole thing,
including a lot that never
got into the newspapers.
Oh, not another tape
from that Stanton guy.
Is he involved in every crime that
takes place west of the Mississippi?
Well, sometimes it
just seems that way.
Pretty odd, Jess, a man with his past just
stumbling into one theft after another.
Oh, but this one
isn't about theft.
Murder, arson, fraud,
unrequited love, you name it.
Dennis thinks that this
would make a wonderful novel.
Tell me what you think.
DENNIS ON TAPE:
Jessica, dear heart,
I've just finished a case that is
perfect fodder for one of your books.
It involves Vaclav
Maryska, the piano virtuoso.
You may have read about his
troubles in the paper, but believe me,
they are only a
fraction of the real story.
Thank you, Fritz.
Vaclav, it's so good
to see you again.
Nicole! You look wonderful.
But a year?
You should not
stay away so long.
Well, I've been
busy, thanks to you.
Still studying in New York,
and I've even played a few
concerts on college campuses.
Nothing like this.
Now you wait patiently.
Your turn will come.
Now tell me, the room at
the hotel, is it satisfactory?
It's fabulous. Look, will I
see you after the concert?
Oh, I've been counting on it.
Wonderful. Good luck.
Thank you.
Milena.
You know Nicole Gary.
Of course.
Vaclav is very proud
of your success.
You were an apt pupil.
Thank you.
MAN: One minute,
everyone, one minute.
Well, I will see you after
the concert, maestro.
Yes.
Why did not you tell
me the girl was coming?
I thought I had.
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
Take your seat, Milena.
I've only got a few moments.
No. I am going home.
This is one concert
I prefer not to hear.
MAN: Thirty seconds,
maestro. Thirty seconds.
(PEOPLE MURMURING)
I cannot play a piano
that is out of tune!
(SMASHING)
What are you doing?
Doing? I am about to pick
up the pieces of this lamp.
What does it look
like I'm doing?
You have been drinking.
Sipping.
A great deal of
sipping, I'll admit.
Why not?
Fritz called. I am so
sorry about the concert.
Yes.
At least it was short.
Was there ever any
doubt about that?
You will excuse me, won't you?
I am going to go into the study.
Oh, there was not
enough liquor in the bar.
You had to stop and buy some?
But this is slivovitz.
Imported brandy. Very special.
Go ahead. Drink yourself
silly, if that is what you want.
I am going back to bed.
(VACLAV COUGHING)
(FIRE ALARM BEEPING)
(SCREAMING)
VACLAV: A fire! A fire!
Vaclav?
What is it?
I can't put it out!
Are you all right?
I can't put it out!
Vaclav!
Oh, Milena! Milena!
Open the door!
Please help me!
(BANGING ON DOOR)
GUARD: Security! Open the door!
Hurry! It is my husband.
VACLAV: Please hurry, Milena!
Hold on. Hold on!
Milena, where are you?
GUARD: Stand away from the door.
(COUGHING)
Milena, help me.
Help me. My hands!
My God, Milena...
ROBERT: Today
is not your day off!
I mean, Saturday is your
day off! Sunday is your day off!
And maybe Christmas,
if I am in a good mood,
which I am not at this moment!
Robert. Robert, did you know
that stress shortens the lifespan?
It's all in our
actuarial tables.
You should look
them over sometime.
I have a case for you.
It's rather routine, actually,
but Mr. Keating thinks you
should handle it personally.
Oh, does he? Then I'm
sure it's far from routine.
A couple of years back, we
wrote a policy on some piano player
named Misher... Marishen...
Vaclav Maryska? Is he dead?
It would have been cheaper.
He's burned his hands.
Yes, I see.
And the policy insured his
hands against injury. How much?
Ten million.
(CHUCKLING) How routine, Robert.
We have to find a way to get
out from underneath this one.
Do you know what fascinates
me about you, Robert?
Your pathological belief that everyone who
files a claim is out to cheat our company.
I have been right a few times.
Yes, and a stopped clock
has the correct time twice a day.
Really, Robert.
Should I ask the nurse
to get you a painkiller?
No, no, the pain is not bad.
Oh, Vaclav, you must
tell me what happened?
What happened?
Isn't it obvious?
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Oh, excuse me. Mr. Maryska?
I'm Dennis Stanton from
Consolidated Casualty Insurance.
Oh, yes, yes. How do you do?
Forgive me for
not shaking hands.
This is my wife, Milena.
How do you do?
I've been an admirer of
yours for many, many years.
I was lucky enough to attend your
Rachmaninoff Concerto in Milan back in '78.
Truly inspired.
You're a man of exceptional
taste, Mr. Stanton.
Please sit down, won't you?
No, no. I won't stay. I
just wanted to let you know
that we will process your claim
as expeditiously as possible.
Oh, this is very kind,
but we are in no hurry to make
a settlement on the fire damage.
Vaclav's recuperation is the only
thing we must think about for now.
Well, I'm sorry. I haven't
made myself clear.
I was referring to the injury
policy on your husband's hands.
We have no need for this policy.
My hands will heal.
I'll be back playing the
piano in a very short time.
Vaclav.
I came as soon as I heard.
Hello, Mother.
It was nice to meet
you, Mr. Stanton.
Thank you.
This is my stepson, Alex Seletz.
Mr. Stanton of the
insurance company.
A pleasure.
Hello.
Well, I didn't mean to intrude.
I just wanted to let
you know we are here.
Thank you.
Tell me, Mr. Stanton,
how long ago did Vaclav
purchase this
insurance on his hands?
More than 10 years ago.
You weren't aware of it?
Oh, yes, yes, of course.
But I never pay much
attention to those things.
You never think something
terrible like this is going to happen.
No, you don't.
On the way home, he bought that
at the liquor store around the corner.
He was very drunk,
Mr. Stanton. Embarrassingly so.
It was not like him.
His cigar was still
burning in an ashtray
and he threw it into
that wastebasket.
Excuse me, please.
Of course. I'll
only be a moment.
(SNIFFING)
No, I think not.
But you're very tempting.
That insurance man came
by to look at the study.
He seemed very
curious about the slivovitz.
Why? Did he think something
was unusual about this fire?
Why do they have
to snoop around?
Have you done
something stupid, Vaclav?
You must tell me
you did not set this fire
to purposely burn your hands.
Are you mad?
Go. Go, Milena.
Let me rest. Please. Please.
(PIANO PLAYING ON TV)
Lunch at Berlini's, $123.
I was pumping the forensic
specialist at the police department.
What was her name?
Listen, Stanton, I realize
I'm interrupting you,
but do you think that maybe you could
watch the videos on your own time?
Actually, it is in the
line of work, Robert.
Well, I hope so, because I have
spent most of the morning with legal
looking for loopholes
in this policy.
(EXCLAIMS) There it is!
The fifth and sixth
bars. He's light years off.
Of course he's off.
Don't you read the paper?
The damn piano was out of tune.
I wonder.
Your hands. I can't believe it.
I've been playing the piano
since I was four years old.
Perhaps I have performed enough.
You know, I was thinking, I
might concentrate on teaching.
Someone with talent,
that is. Like you.
Are you serious?
We could fly off to Majorca
where Chopin composed
some of his greatest pieces.
I have a villa there, you know.
I could teach you
everything I know.
That way I could continue to
play, don't you see, through you.
Oh, if I thought
you were serious...
But I am.
Very much so.
Vaclav.
The doctor says you
can go home today.
Oh, excellent. I feel like
applauding.
I have to go. We'll talk soon?
Certainly.
Don't. Don't start with me.
It's not what you think.
MORRIS: Out of tune!
I been tuning pianos
for 43 years, Mr. Stanton.
So I don't care what
the great Maryska says.
I tuned that piano the morning
of the concert and it was perfect.
You're right, Mr. Morris.
I see it was Mr. Maryska who
was out of tune the other evening.
Your son's here, Mrs. Maryska.
Your guest has arrived.
You can't shut him out
of your life forever, Milena.
Not once has he apologized
for the grief he has given me.
Not one word of
remorse or regret.
I have nothing to say to him.
I'll get it, sir.
Hello, Fritz.
Good afternoon, sir.
Good to see you again.
Are you quite sure you won't
be needing me anymore, sir?
No, no, Fritz, I can manage.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Come in, Alex, come in.
VACLAV: It's good to see you.
How are you feeling?
Better.
Where's Mother?
In her bedroom. She'll
be out in a moment.
You know, I received the loveliest
letter from Madame DeVries,
the Chairman of the
Marseilles Symphony.
I would love to respond but...
I wonder, Alex, would you mind jotting
down a short note to her? I'll dictate.
No problem.
There's some stationery
in the desk drawer.
So, Mother still doesn't
want to see me, right?
Well, she can be
stubborn. You know that.
She's been hurt for many years.
I think maybe she's afraid to
let herself believe that you've
finally straightened yourself out.
Put the paper back.
I'll get your mother.
It's time you two talked.
Alex is here.
I am busy.
I am going for a
walk. Alex will stay.
Whatever you two have to say to
each other, you can say in private.
But you will talk to
him, Milena. Now.
I've had enough
of this nonsense.
He says he's
ready to forgive you.
Forgive me?
Is he?
Do you happen to
have the time, Charlie?
I can't even wear a watch
with these bandages.
Yeah, bummer. Oh, it's 3:05.
Thank you.
Oh, do you want
me to call you a cab?
No, no, I'll walk.
Thank you, Charlie.
MILENA: Stealing
money from me for years
to ruin your life
with drugs is severe!
ALEX: I don't use drugs anymore!
Oh, really?
I remember hearing those same
words many, many times from you!
Thank you, Mother. Thank
you for your understanding!
That is enough!
(GLASS SHATTERING)
(DOOR SLAMMING)
I'm sorry I'm late. Have
you been waiting long?
A little. What time is it?
4:15.
Something wrong?
No, I just had a phone call
to make, and I got lost, and...
What difference does
it make? I'm here now.
That's right. What
would you like?
Café au lait, please.
Two, please.
So, have you given any
more thought to Majorca?
Oh, yes, it's a wonderful dream.
Is that what you think
it is? Only a dream?
Vaclav, I thought you
were joking. Oh, I'm sorry.
Well, I'm very, very flattered,
but I've got my
studies in New York
and I've booked
concerts for the summer.
Cancel them.
And as for your studies, I can teach
you as well as anyone in New York.
Maybe better.
You're a very persuasive man.
Then it's settled. Good.
I'll make the arrangements.
Wait, wait, wait, I
didn't say I could go.
But you will consider it?
Don't these look wonderful?
(CHATTERING)
Mr. Maryska, this basket
of fruit came for you.
NICOLE: I'll take that.
Thank you. Oh, I forgot my key.
Will you let us in, Charlie?
No problem. Let me carry that.
Okay, thanks.
The door wasn't locked.
It wasn't? Milena?
Milena, are you here?
Put the fruit in the pantry, Charlie.
Would you care for some tea?
Sure. I'll make it.
Good. Milena?
Oh, my God! Oh, my God!
Oh, Milena! Milena!
Oh, no, no, no!
Check the service entrance, have
somebody question the neighbors,
and get that doorman back
here. I want to talk to him again.
Stanton, what are
you doing here?
I was gonna ask you the
same thing, Lieutenant.
Well, since I'm a homicide cop,
it's a pretty safe bet that
somebody's been killed.
Who's the victim?
Lady of the house.
One slug in the heart.
Now make yourself scarce.
I got some work to do.
Mr. Stanton.
As soon as I catch
up with an old friend.
Is there anybody in this
town you don't know?
May I offer my most heartfelt
condolences, Mr. Maryska.
This is beyond my comprehension.
First my hands,
now this.
I'm ready to answer your
questions now, Lieutenant.
I'll make this as
fast as I can, sir.
When was the last time
you saw your wife alive?
Right before I went out.
My stepson had come
by to talk to his mother.
Oh, yeah. Albert
somebody or other...
Alex, I believe.
That's right,
Mr. Stanton. Alex Seletz.
He came by to try and
make peace with her.
Make peace? About what?
Oh, they hadn't
gotten along for years.
I had hoped the two of
them could work things out,
so I went out for a walk.
Well, the doorman
said that was at 3:05.
That's correct.
Then I strolled
down to this little cafe
where I met a former student
of mine, Miss Nicole Gary.
She was with me when I...
When I discovered
my wife's body.
Miss Gary is in the guest
bedroom trying to compose herself.
When did you meet Miss Gary?
Nice to see you again, Stanton.
Drop by again some time when
you've got some business here.
(CLEARING THROAT)
Now, Lieutenant, now I had a notion
that we might join up on this one.
Like Holmes and
Watson or Nick and Nora.
How about this one?
Butt out and adiós.
Crude.
RHODA: You wanna hear what
I've got on this Maryska fella?
Absolutely.
Well, it's right out of a
Jerzy Kosinski novel.
He was orphaned during
the Second World War at 13.
A member of the underground
until he was arrested at 14
and stuck in a Nazi
internment camp.
He's made mountains of money,
but he carries the overhead
of a Fortune 500 company.
He's got houses in
Rome, in London, Majorca,
a fancy apartment
here in San Francisco,
and that is just
the real estate.
Well, a man, it would seem,
with a formidable need for money.
Yeah, and another thing.
As I was
cross-checking the files,
his hands weren't the
only thing we had insured.
Oh?
We also carried a $200,000
policy on Mrs. Maryska.
Really?
But if you are thinking that he knocked
her off for the insurance, you're wrong.
He wasn't the
beneficiary. Her son was.
A guy named Alex Seletz.
ALEX: I still can't
believe my mother's dead.
We didn't get along
at all, you know.
I should never have gone
to see her in the first place.
Why did you?
It was my stepfather's idea.
I see.
Look, I didn't kill my mother.
Perhaps not.
Either way, it's
only a matter of time
before Lieutenant Catalano
comes knocking at your door.
He's as tenacious as a bulldog.
A sort of Javert
in a cheap suit,
and he never fails to jump
to the wrong conclusion.
If I were you,
I'd talk to a good
lawyer, and soon.
VACLAV: Calm yourself,
Alex. Calm yourself.
The police haven't
charged you, have they?
No, but it's like they
already assume I'm guilty.
It's just procedure, I'm sure.
I only wish you'd
reconciled before her death.
She could be a very hard woman
but she loved you.
And I'm getting
$200,000 to prove it.
I'd rather have her alive,
the way things used to be
when you two first got married.
You remember?
Those were some
pretty good days.
(SIGHING)
Yes.
They were.
Do you need something?
Yeah, my reading glasses.
They must be in my briefcase.
Oh, I left it out in the cab.
Would you mind
getting it for me, Alex?
No. I'll be right back.
CATALANO: Look, I
don't wanna hear about it.
Search the office again and then
search his apartment a third time.
I want that gun!
Hey, look, you missed the letter
the first time around, didn't you?
Now just do it!
What about that letter, Perry?
What have you got,
paid spies in here?
My sources are my own
business and so is that letter.
Or perhaps you're unaware that
our firm held a policy on Mrs. Maryska
and the beneficiary
is your suspect.
Is that the truth?
Afraid it is. So, please.
Okay. But keep your
grubby paws off of it.
"Give me $500,000
or I will kill you."
Where was this found?
It was buried in Mrs.
Maryska's personal papers.
We just dug it up this morning.
How convenient.
You wanna know what I think?
The ransacking was
obviously just a cover up
because nothing was missing.
Now Seletz shows up at the apartment
with a gun equipped with a silencer
since nobody heard a shot.
Now that's premeditated,
Stanton. Murder one.
I see this has been
dusted for prints.
Oh, yeah. We got
some prints, all right.
Two sets, clear as day.
The victim's when she read it
and the killer's,
Seletz', when he wrote it.
He admitted that, too?
He didn't have to. As
soon as we found this,
we ran off a sample on the typewriter
from his desk at the drug rehab center.
That letter was
typed on that machine.
I don't get it, Stanton.
If the kid's guilty, your
company's off the hook
and you're acting like I just kicked
your pet puppy dog or something.
You ought to be thanking me
for solving your case for you.
Yes, well, thank
you, Lieutenant.
I'm sure my superiors
will be delighted.
You're welcome!
DENNIS: Any progress
on the Maryska finances?
Yeah, I backtracked his charge
card for the past six months.
The guy sure knows
how to spend money.
Sort of reminds me of
your expense accounts.
Rhoda dear, if one's gonna
go to the bother of living,
one might as well
do it comfortably.
Right.
Anyway, there were several
trips back and forth to New York,
and one to Rochester, Minnesota.
Rochester, Minnesota,
there's only one earthly reason
that anyone would go
to Rochester, Minnesota.
The Mayo Clinic. Find
out what he was up to.
Listen, I know I'm
just a lowly secretary,
but would you let
me in on something?
You really think
Maryska killed his wife?
Possibly.
Next you're gonna tell me that he
deliberately burned his own hands.
Excuse me, don't you think it's
a little early in the day for that?
Even for you?
Hey, Rhoda, take a
little sip of that. Gently.
What is that, lighter fluid?
Might as well be.
Observe.
Makes a wonderful
incendiary, doesn't it?
Here's a curious thing.
Maryska was, very, very
drunk when he came home
and yet he was still able to consume
an entire bottle of this slivovitz.
Or so it appeared.
Maybe he's got a hollow leg.
Well, dear heart,
I understand that Mr. Maryska
is dining out tonight.
In his absence, I think I'll
drop in on his apartment.
I may be able to stumble onto
something the lieutenant overlooked.
(DOOR OPENING)
Mr. Maryska?
Is there anyone here?
I'm sure I heard someone.
Maybe you should
check the bedroom.
Thirty-two seconds.
Same as before.
(SIGHS)
DENNIS: Robert,
come in, come in.
I know there is a reasonable
explanation why you are sitting here
typing with mittens on.
But of course. Boxing
gloves were too cumbersome.
"Give me $500,000
or I will kill you."
Nice. Short. To the point.
What the hell's it all about?
Well, it's my clumsy way
of trying to prove a point
of establishing, if you will,
that the impossible is possible.
Oh, I get it.
You think that Maryska, even
with his hands all burned up,
might have been able
to type the extortion note.
Well, actually,
that's only a part of it.
Oh, now wait a minute. The
police have arrested the son.
When he's convicted, that will
save the company $200,000.
Stanton, please.
This is an apple cart
I do not wish to upset.
Yes. That would be very convenient,
but it would hardly be justice.
Come on!
His fingerprints were
all over the letter.
The letter was typed on a machine in his
office down at the rehab center. Come on!
Now, Robert, last night I paid a
visit to Vaclav Maryska's apartment.
Oh, what'd he do, confess?
Well hardly. He wasn't there.
Oh, now, wait a minute. I
don't think I want to hear this.
And while I was waiting around,
I inadvertently looked into
the wall-safe in the study.
I can't hear this.
You'll never guess what I found.
What?
Two tickets to Majorca.
One in the name
of Vaclav Maryska,
the other was made out to
Nicole Gary, his former student.
So?
Well, the date of departure
is the day after tomorrow,
but what is fascinating is that the tickets
were purchased nearly two months ago.
Now, two months ago,
Maryska was scheduled
to be in Tokyo this week
for the second leg
of his world tour.
Oh, so that means he knew...
Oh, yes, I'm afraid he did.
And I'll tell you
what else I found.
A gun.
The murder weapon?
No, no, no. Milena
Maryska was killed with a .38,
this was a .32 automatic.
But it certainly indicates
that someone in that
household is familiar with guns.
That was the Mayo Clinic.
Maryska was there in April
and underwent some tests,
but the results
are confidential,
so if you want more information,
you're just gonna have to call the doctor.
Gerhardt Hummel.
Good girl. Now get me a
number for this Dr. Hummel.
Where are we calling from?
Well, the County
General. Where else?
Let's see.
Hospital. Hospital.
Hospital, hospital.
Oh, I don't believe this.
Hospital coming up.
Hospital.
WOMAN ON TAPE: Dr. Perry
to the OR. Dr. Perry to the OR.
Yes, Dr. Hummel?
One moment please. Dr. Dennis
Stanton calling from San Francisco.
(TAPE CONTINUES PLAYING)
Dr. Hummel?
Sorry to trouble you.
Dr. Dennis Stanton,
San Francisco.
It's about a patient of
yours. Vaclav Maryska.
He tells me that he was
in to see you last April.
Oh, yes, yes, a lovely man, yes.
And a great talent, yes.
No, no, he told me about
the tests only this morning.
You know how tight-lipped
these Europeans can be.
(CHUCKLING) Yes.
I'm afraid he was very
unspecific, medically speaking.
Yes.
Degenerative arthritis.
I suspected as much.
Severely affecting his hands.
Yes, my conclusion precisely.
That soon?
Well... Yes.
Well, if I need to know
anything else, I'll get in touch.
Thank you.
(TAPE STOPS PLAYING)
Well?
Within a year he would have lost
nearly all the dexterity in both hands.
All right.
Then we're off
the hook for 10 mil.
I mean, arthritis is a disease,
but the policy only
covered accidental injury.
Wait, excuse me, Mr. Butler,
but arthritis or not,
the man was injured.
Absolutely correct, Rhoda,
but Robert may also be right.
We may be off the hook if Vaclav
Maryska's burns were self-inflicted,
which I believe they were.
The larger and more difficult question
is how do we go about proving it?
(PIANO PLAYING)
VACLAV: I have
a surprise for you.
Reach into my pocket
here. It's in an envelope.
What is this?
Two first-class
tickets to Majorca.
I told you I have a villa
there. It overlooks the bay.
But these tickets
are for tomorrow.
Well, why delay the inevitable?
The weather is
lovely this time of year.
I can't leave just like that.
I told you, I'm still in school
and I've got concerts booked.
I realize this may
be a bit sudden.
I am also well aware of
the difference in our ages,
but you are the only good
thing that's ever happened to me.
(PHONE RINGING)
I'll get it.
No, let it ring. This
is more important.
Hello?
There's a Mr. Stanton
downstairs to see you.
What does he want now? Tell
him to come back tomorrow.
I'm sorry but Mr. Maryska
is busy at the moment.
He says he has a check for you.
Oh, very well, let him come up.
Send him up. Thank you.
I'll get rid of him quickly.
No need. I have to leave.
Nicole, please stay. Please,
I didn't mean to upset you.
I think it's best if we don't
see each other for a while.
I'll call you from New York.
New York? No.
No, you can't.
Everything's arranged.
But for me, it isn't.
Please don't say any more.
Nicole...
I love you. And I
know you love me.
I can see it in your face,
the way you look at me.
No.
I admire you and I respect you,
and for years I
felt sorry for you
being stuck in a difficult
marriage. But that's all.
You don't know
what you're saying.
I am engaged to
be married, Vaclav.
Married?
No.
I didn't tell you because I
knew what you would say.
That I was throwing
away my future.
It isn't true but you
wouldn't understand that.
He's a composer, Vaclav.
He's bright and
talented and young.
You forced me to
tell you, and I'm sorry.
Miss Gary, I presume.
I seem to have come
at a very bad time.
You look as if you
could use a drink.
Knowing how much you like it,
I bought you this bottle
of slivovitz yesterday.
You have a check for me.
Please give it to me,
Mr. Stanton, and then leave, huh?
Your check, maestro.
But I do think it would
verge on the sacrilegious
if I were to hand
over $10 million
without at least one
celebratory drink.
You know, now that this
claim has been settled,
I'm free to tell you
that there were moments when I
had serious doubts about this case.
Prosit.
(COUGHING)
Excellent.
I must remember this label.
Doubts? What doubts?
Well, nothing serious, taken separately,
but it's just that, added together
they presented a
very disturbing picture.
For instance, the piano.
And that was the first
thing that bothered me.
It was not out of tune.
But you knew that.
Of course you did.
And then there was that
doctor I discovered in Minnesota.
What was his name?
Hummel. Dr. Hummel.
Yeah, he was the one
that diagnosed your arthritis.
You are mistaken.
A terrible affliction
for some people,
but in a case like yours, it
spelled the end of a career,
the end of a lifestyle to which
you'd grown accustomed,
and a bizarre thought
occurred to me.
Could a man facing total ruin
find it within himself to
deliberately burn his own hands?
Well, if the reward were immense wealth
for the rest of his life, perhaps so,
if he were drunk
enough to numb the pain.
I think you had better go.
Yes, of course.
Oh, by the way, I took the liberty
of borrowing your wastebasket.
The one the fire started in.
I plan to send it to a lab that's able
to conduct those sophisticated tests
that detect the trace elements
of combustants in fires.
Like, well, brandy, for example.
If traces of slivovitz were
found in your wastebasket,
it might follow that the
fire was not accidental.
I've pieced together a
rather intriguing scenario.
Would you care to hear it?
Why not? Since you seem
insistent about telling me.
Splendid. Now,
I presume your wife
knew about the arthritis
and that it spelled
the end of your career.
She probably also sensed that
you had set the fire deliberately,
and she knew it was wrong for
you to take the insurance money.
Have you done
something stupid, Vaclav?
DENNIS: But what
she didn't know was
that you planned to fly off
with Miss Gary to Majorca.
You purchased the
tickets months ago.
Yes, your wife stood
in the way of everything.
Miss Gary, the insurance claim.
You had to get rid
of her in such a way
that someone else would
be accused of the crime.
Your stepson was
the logical candidate.
Somehow, you got him to
handle a piece of stationery,
thereby getting his
fingerprints on the paper.
Then you left your
son-in-law and your wife alone,
knowing that they'd argue.
You walked out past the doorman,
making certain that
he noticed the time.
But you didn't go
for a walk, did you?
You reentered the building
through the service entrance,
you went up the service stairs
and you waited till your stepson left.
Then you came in here, and you
shot your wife.
You took the piece of stationery
that your stepson had handled,
you pressed your dead
wife's fingers against it
so that her prints would
later be detected by the police.
Then you went out
through the service entrance
and took a cab, not a walk
to meet Miss Gary for coffee.
Shall I continue?
Please do.
I'm fascinated.
Finally, using the
piece of stationery,
you typed the threatening
letter at the drug clinic,
while you sent poor Alex out
to get your briefcase from a taxi.
(CHUCKLING) Yes. He told
me about that little diversion.
Very imaginative, Mr. Maryska.
Brilliant, you fool.
How am I supposed
to have shot my wife
with these?
Yes, yes, that does
have me puzzled,
but I'll let the police
deal with that little detail.
Tell me, Mr. Stanton.
If you believe all this,
why did you bring me a check?
Oh come, come, Mr. Maryska.
It's one thing to
accuse a poor man,
it's quite another to throw suspicion on
a man who's just come into $10 million.
Apropos which, did you
know, that I get the same salary
no matter how successful I
may be at saving my firm money?
Something basically un-American
about that, wouldn't you say?
So we're talking blackmail, huh?
Oh, no, that word has
such a nasty ring to it.
I prefer to think of it as two
gentlemen sharing a generous bounty.
I'm not a greedy man.
Ten percent would be
more than adequate.
Is a personal check acceptable?
Of course.
(police sirens)
You are very
clever, Mr. Stanton.
But the thought of you
hounding me the rest of my life
is not my idea of a
peaceful retirement.
Oh, come now. There's no
need to behave so childishly.
You overlooked one
thing, Mr. Stanton.
If I was able to kill once,
I can kill again.
Come now, you're bluffing.
You can't pull that trigger.
Why?
Because of the pain?
Yeah.
When I was a very young man,
I was tortured by
experts, Mr. Stanton.
This...
This is nothing.
(SHOUTING)
Police!
We heard a shot.
Why, Perry, what
took you so long?
Last night, I dropped by.
I took the liberty of replacing the
real shells in that gun with blanks.
It was all theory, you know.
None of it would hold
up unless we could prove
that you were physically
able to fire a gun.
Then this...
It was all for nothing.
For nothing.
All right, Stanton, not bad.
But what would you have done
if he hadn't gone for the gun?
Oh, that's simple, Perry.
Go on back to the office
and try to explain to Mr. Butler
why he wouldn't be
getting his $10 million back.
Cheers.
(COUGHS)
explanation why you are sitting here
typing with mittens on.
Boxing gloves were
too cumbersome.
FEMALE NARRATOR:
Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.
I cannot play a piano
that is out of tune.
Have you done something stupid?
Within a year he would have lost
nearly all the dexterity in both hands.
We could fly off to Majorca.
Oh, if I thought
you were serious...
But I am.
What is that? Lighter fluid?
Might as well be.
BEN: Nobody, but
nobody plays Mozart
like Vaclav Maryska
did in his heyday.
You're in for a
rare treat, Jess.
(ROCK MUSIC BLARING)
(LAUGHING)
Somehow I don't remember
Mozart sounding like that.
Head on Collision?
This must be something my nephew Billy
brought when he stayed with me last month.
Well, it looks to me as if you've
been the victim of a switch.
I suppose that means next time
Billy tries to play his traffic accident,
he's going to be
exposed to Mozart.
(CHUCKLES) Good.
Especially played by Maryska.
You know, it's a
shame the boy will never
have a chance to hear
the old maestro play live.
You did hear about
what happened to him?
Hear? I got a blow-by-blow
description of the whole thing,
including a lot that never
got into the newspapers.
Oh, not another tape
from that Stanton guy.
Is he involved in every crime that
takes place west of the Mississippi?
Well, sometimes it
just seems that way.
Pretty odd, Jess, a man with his past just
stumbling into one theft after another.
Oh, but this one
isn't about theft.
Murder, arson, fraud,
unrequited love, you name it.
Dennis thinks that this
would make a wonderful novel.
Tell me what you think.
DENNIS ON TAPE:
Jessica, dear heart,
I've just finished a case that is
perfect fodder for one of your books.
It involves Vaclav
Maryska, the piano virtuoso.
You may have read about his
troubles in the paper, but believe me,
they are only a
fraction of the real story.
Thank you, Fritz.
Vaclav, it's so good
to see you again.
Nicole! You look wonderful.
But a year?
You should not
stay away so long.
Well, I've been
busy, thanks to you.
Still studying in New York,
and I've even played a few
concerts on college campuses.
Nothing like this.
Now you wait patiently.
Your turn will come.
Now tell me, the room at
the hotel, is it satisfactory?
It's fabulous. Look, will I
see you after the concert?
Oh, I've been counting on it.
Wonderful. Good luck.
Thank you.
Milena.
You know Nicole Gary.
Of course.
Vaclav is very proud
of your success.
You were an apt pupil.
Thank you.
MAN: One minute,
everyone, one minute.
Well, I will see you after
the concert, maestro.
Yes.
Why did not you tell
me the girl was coming?
I thought I had.
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
Take your seat, Milena.
I've only got a few moments.
No. I am going home.
This is one concert
I prefer not to hear.
MAN: Thirty seconds,
maestro. Thirty seconds.
(PEOPLE MURMURING)
I cannot play a piano
that is out of tune!
(SMASHING)
What are you doing?
Doing? I am about to pick
up the pieces of this lamp.
What does it look
like I'm doing?
You have been drinking.
Sipping.
A great deal of
sipping, I'll admit.
Why not?
Fritz called. I am so
sorry about the concert.
Yes.
At least it was short.
Was there ever any
doubt about that?
You will excuse me, won't you?
I am going to go into the study.
Oh, there was not
enough liquor in the bar.
You had to stop and buy some?
But this is slivovitz.
Imported brandy. Very special.
Go ahead. Drink yourself
silly, if that is what you want.
I am going back to bed.
(VACLAV COUGHING)
(FIRE ALARM BEEPING)
(SCREAMING)
VACLAV: A fire! A fire!
Vaclav?
What is it?
I can't put it out!
Are you all right?
I can't put it out!
Vaclav!
Oh, Milena! Milena!
Open the door!
Please help me!
(BANGING ON DOOR)
GUARD: Security! Open the door!
Hurry! It is my husband.
VACLAV: Please hurry, Milena!
Hold on. Hold on!
Milena, where are you?
GUARD: Stand away from the door.
(COUGHING)
Milena, help me.
Help me. My hands!
My God, Milena...
ROBERT: Today
is not your day off!
I mean, Saturday is your
day off! Sunday is your day off!
And maybe Christmas,
if I am in a good mood,
which I am not at this moment!
Robert. Robert, did you know
that stress shortens the lifespan?
It's all in our
actuarial tables.
You should look
them over sometime.
I have a case for you.
It's rather routine, actually,
but Mr. Keating thinks you
should handle it personally.
Oh, does he? Then I'm
sure it's far from routine.
A couple of years back, we
wrote a policy on some piano player
named Misher... Marishen...
Vaclav Maryska? Is he dead?
It would have been cheaper.
He's burned his hands.
Yes, I see.
And the policy insured his
hands against injury. How much?
Ten million.
(CHUCKLING) How routine, Robert.
We have to find a way to get
out from underneath this one.
Do you know what fascinates
me about you, Robert?
Your pathological belief that everyone who
files a claim is out to cheat our company.
I have been right a few times.
Yes, and a stopped clock
has the correct time twice a day.
Really, Robert.
Should I ask the nurse
to get you a painkiller?
No, no, the pain is not bad.
Oh, Vaclav, you must
tell me what happened?
What happened?
Isn't it obvious?
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Oh, excuse me. Mr. Maryska?
I'm Dennis Stanton from
Consolidated Casualty Insurance.
Oh, yes, yes. How do you do?
Forgive me for
not shaking hands.
This is my wife, Milena.
How do you do?
I've been an admirer of
yours for many, many years.
I was lucky enough to attend your
Rachmaninoff Concerto in Milan back in '78.
Truly inspired.
You're a man of exceptional
taste, Mr. Stanton.
Please sit down, won't you?
No, no. I won't stay. I
just wanted to let you know
that we will process your claim
as expeditiously as possible.
Oh, this is very kind,
but we are in no hurry to make
a settlement on the fire damage.
Vaclav's recuperation is the only
thing we must think about for now.
Well, I'm sorry. I haven't
made myself clear.
I was referring to the injury
policy on your husband's hands.
We have no need for this policy.
My hands will heal.
I'll be back playing the
piano in a very short time.
Vaclav.
I came as soon as I heard.
Hello, Mother.
It was nice to meet
you, Mr. Stanton.
Thank you.
This is my stepson, Alex Seletz.
Mr. Stanton of the
insurance company.
A pleasure.
Hello.
Well, I didn't mean to intrude.
I just wanted to let
you know we are here.
Thank you.
Tell me, Mr. Stanton,
how long ago did Vaclav
purchase this
insurance on his hands?
More than 10 years ago.
You weren't aware of it?
Oh, yes, yes, of course.
But I never pay much
attention to those things.
You never think something
terrible like this is going to happen.
No, you don't.
On the way home, he bought that
at the liquor store around the corner.
He was very drunk,
Mr. Stanton. Embarrassingly so.
It was not like him.
His cigar was still
burning in an ashtray
and he threw it into
that wastebasket.
Excuse me, please.
Of course. I'll
only be a moment.
(SNIFFING)
No, I think not.
But you're very tempting.
That insurance man came
by to look at the study.
He seemed very
curious about the slivovitz.
Why? Did he think something
was unusual about this fire?
Why do they have
to snoop around?
Have you done
something stupid, Vaclav?
You must tell me
you did not set this fire
to purposely burn your hands.
Are you mad?
Go. Go, Milena.
Let me rest. Please. Please.
(PIANO PLAYING ON TV)
Lunch at Berlini's, $123.
I was pumping the forensic
specialist at the police department.
What was her name?
Listen, Stanton, I realize
I'm interrupting you,
but do you think that maybe you could
watch the videos on your own time?
Actually, it is in the
line of work, Robert.
Well, I hope so, because I have
spent most of the morning with legal
looking for loopholes
in this policy.
(EXCLAIMS) There it is!
The fifth and sixth
bars. He's light years off.
Of course he's off.
Don't you read the paper?
The damn piano was out of tune.
I wonder.
Your hands. I can't believe it.
I've been playing the piano
since I was four years old.
Perhaps I have performed enough.
You know, I was thinking, I
might concentrate on teaching.
Someone with talent,
that is. Like you.
Are you serious?
We could fly off to Majorca
where Chopin composed
some of his greatest pieces.
I have a villa there, you know.
I could teach you
everything I know.
That way I could continue to
play, don't you see, through you.
Oh, if I thought
you were serious...
But I am.
Very much so.
Vaclav.
The doctor says you
can go home today.
Oh, excellent. I feel like
applauding.
I have to go. We'll talk soon?
Certainly.
Don't. Don't start with me.
It's not what you think.
MORRIS: Out of tune!
I been tuning pianos
for 43 years, Mr. Stanton.
So I don't care what
the great Maryska says.
I tuned that piano the morning
of the concert and it was perfect.
You're right, Mr. Morris.
I see it was Mr. Maryska who
was out of tune the other evening.
Your son's here, Mrs. Maryska.
Your guest has arrived.
You can't shut him out
of your life forever, Milena.
Not once has he apologized
for the grief he has given me.
Not one word of
remorse or regret.
I have nothing to say to him.
I'll get it, sir.
Hello, Fritz.
Good afternoon, sir.
Good to see you again.
Are you quite sure you won't
be needing me anymore, sir?
No, no, Fritz, I can manage.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Come in, Alex, come in.
VACLAV: It's good to see you.
How are you feeling?
Better.
Where's Mother?
In her bedroom. She'll
be out in a moment.
You know, I received the loveliest
letter from Madame DeVries,
the Chairman of the
Marseilles Symphony.
I would love to respond but...
I wonder, Alex, would you mind jotting
down a short note to her? I'll dictate.
No problem.
There's some stationery
in the desk drawer.
So, Mother still doesn't
want to see me, right?
Well, she can be
stubborn. You know that.
She's been hurt for many years.
I think maybe she's afraid to
let herself believe that you've
finally straightened yourself out.
Put the paper back.
I'll get your mother.
It's time you two talked.
Alex is here.
I am busy.
I am going for a
walk. Alex will stay.
Whatever you two have to say to
each other, you can say in private.
But you will talk to
him, Milena. Now.
I've had enough
of this nonsense.
He says he's
ready to forgive you.
Forgive me?
Is he?
Do you happen to
have the time, Charlie?
I can't even wear a watch
with these bandages.
Yeah, bummer. Oh, it's 3:05.
Thank you.
Oh, do you want
me to call you a cab?
No, no, I'll walk.
Thank you, Charlie.
MILENA: Stealing
money from me for years
to ruin your life
with drugs is severe!
ALEX: I don't use drugs anymore!
Oh, really?
I remember hearing those same
words many, many times from you!
Thank you, Mother. Thank
you for your understanding!
That is enough!
(GLASS SHATTERING)
(DOOR SLAMMING)
I'm sorry I'm late. Have
you been waiting long?
A little. What time is it?
4:15.
Something wrong?
No, I just had a phone call
to make, and I got lost, and...
What difference does
it make? I'm here now.
That's right. What
would you like?
Café au lait, please.
Two, please.
So, have you given any
more thought to Majorca?
Oh, yes, it's a wonderful dream.
Is that what you think
it is? Only a dream?
Vaclav, I thought you
were joking. Oh, I'm sorry.
Well, I'm very, very flattered,
but I've got my
studies in New York
and I've booked
concerts for the summer.
Cancel them.
And as for your studies, I can teach
you as well as anyone in New York.
Maybe better.
You're a very persuasive man.
Then it's settled. Good.
I'll make the arrangements.
Wait, wait, wait, I
didn't say I could go.
But you will consider it?
Don't these look wonderful?
(CHATTERING)
Mr. Maryska, this basket
of fruit came for you.
NICOLE: I'll take that.
Thank you. Oh, I forgot my key.
Will you let us in, Charlie?
No problem. Let me carry that.
Okay, thanks.
The door wasn't locked.
It wasn't? Milena?
Milena, are you here?
Put the fruit in the pantry, Charlie.
Would you care for some tea?
Sure. I'll make it.
Good. Milena?
Oh, my God! Oh, my God!
Oh, Milena! Milena!
Oh, no, no, no!
Check the service entrance, have
somebody question the neighbors,
and get that doorman back
here. I want to talk to him again.
Stanton, what are
you doing here?
I was gonna ask you the
same thing, Lieutenant.
Well, since I'm a homicide cop,
it's a pretty safe bet that
somebody's been killed.
Who's the victim?
Lady of the house.
One slug in the heart.
Now make yourself scarce.
I got some work to do.
Mr. Stanton.
As soon as I catch
up with an old friend.
Is there anybody in this
town you don't know?
May I offer my most heartfelt
condolences, Mr. Maryska.
This is beyond my comprehension.
First my hands,
now this.
I'm ready to answer your
questions now, Lieutenant.
I'll make this as
fast as I can, sir.
When was the last time
you saw your wife alive?
Right before I went out.
My stepson had come
by to talk to his mother.
Oh, yeah. Albert
somebody or other...
Alex, I believe.
That's right,
Mr. Stanton. Alex Seletz.
He came by to try and
make peace with her.
Make peace? About what?
Oh, they hadn't
gotten along for years.
I had hoped the two of
them could work things out,
so I went out for a walk.
Well, the doorman
said that was at 3:05.
That's correct.
Then I strolled
down to this little cafe
where I met a former student
of mine, Miss Nicole Gary.
She was with me when I...
When I discovered
my wife's body.
Miss Gary is in the guest
bedroom trying to compose herself.
When did you meet Miss Gary?
Nice to see you again, Stanton.
Drop by again some time when
you've got some business here.
(CLEARING THROAT)
Now, Lieutenant, now I had a notion
that we might join up on this one.
Like Holmes and
Watson or Nick and Nora.
How about this one?
Butt out and adiós.
Crude.
RHODA: You wanna hear what
I've got on this Maryska fella?
Absolutely.
Well, it's right out of a
Jerzy Kosinski novel.
He was orphaned during
the Second World War at 13.
A member of the underground
until he was arrested at 14
and stuck in a Nazi
internment camp.
He's made mountains of money,
but he carries the overhead
of a Fortune 500 company.
He's got houses in
Rome, in London, Majorca,
a fancy apartment
here in San Francisco,
and that is just
the real estate.
Well, a man, it would seem,
with a formidable need for money.
Yeah, and another thing.
As I was
cross-checking the files,
his hands weren't the
only thing we had insured.
Oh?
We also carried a $200,000
policy on Mrs. Maryska.
Really?
But if you are thinking that he knocked
her off for the insurance, you're wrong.
He wasn't the
beneficiary. Her son was.
A guy named Alex Seletz.
ALEX: I still can't
believe my mother's dead.
We didn't get along
at all, you know.
I should never have gone
to see her in the first place.
Why did you?
It was my stepfather's idea.
I see.
Look, I didn't kill my mother.
Perhaps not.
Either way, it's
only a matter of time
before Lieutenant Catalano
comes knocking at your door.
He's as tenacious as a bulldog.
A sort of Javert
in a cheap suit,
and he never fails to jump
to the wrong conclusion.
If I were you,
I'd talk to a good
lawyer, and soon.
VACLAV: Calm yourself,
Alex. Calm yourself.
The police haven't
charged you, have they?
No, but it's like they
already assume I'm guilty.
It's just procedure, I'm sure.
I only wish you'd
reconciled before her death.
She could be a very hard woman
but she loved you.
And I'm getting
$200,000 to prove it.
I'd rather have her alive,
the way things used to be
when you two first got married.
You remember?
Those were some
pretty good days.
(SIGHING)
Yes.
They were.
Do you need something?
Yeah, my reading glasses.
They must be in my briefcase.
Oh, I left it out in the cab.
Would you mind
getting it for me, Alex?
No. I'll be right back.
CATALANO: Look, I
don't wanna hear about it.
Search the office again and then
search his apartment a third time.
I want that gun!
Hey, look, you missed the letter
the first time around, didn't you?
Now just do it!
What about that letter, Perry?
What have you got,
paid spies in here?
My sources are my own
business and so is that letter.
Or perhaps you're unaware that
our firm held a policy on Mrs. Maryska
and the beneficiary
is your suspect.
Is that the truth?
Afraid it is. So, please.
Okay. But keep your
grubby paws off of it.
"Give me $500,000
or I will kill you."
Where was this found?
It was buried in Mrs.
Maryska's personal papers.
We just dug it up this morning.
How convenient.
You wanna know what I think?
The ransacking was
obviously just a cover up
because nothing was missing.
Now Seletz shows up at the apartment
with a gun equipped with a silencer
since nobody heard a shot.
Now that's premeditated,
Stanton. Murder one.
I see this has been
dusted for prints.
Oh, yeah. We got
some prints, all right.
Two sets, clear as day.
The victim's when she read it
and the killer's,
Seletz', when he wrote it.
He admitted that, too?
He didn't have to. As
soon as we found this,
we ran off a sample on the typewriter
from his desk at the drug rehab center.
That letter was
typed on that machine.
I don't get it, Stanton.
If the kid's guilty, your
company's off the hook
and you're acting like I just kicked
your pet puppy dog or something.
You ought to be thanking me
for solving your case for you.
Yes, well, thank
you, Lieutenant.
I'm sure my superiors
will be delighted.
You're welcome!
DENNIS: Any progress
on the Maryska finances?
Yeah, I backtracked his charge
card for the past six months.
The guy sure knows
how to spend money.
Sort of reminds me of
your expense accounts.
Rhoda dear, if one's gonna
go to the bother of living,
one might as well
do it comfortably.
Right.
Anyway, there were several
trips back and forth to New York,
and one to Rochester, Minnesota.
Rochester, Minnesota,
there's only one earthly reason
that anyone would go
to Rochester, Minnesota.
The Mayo Clinic. Find
out what he was up to.
Listen, I know I'm
just a lowly secretary,
but would you let
me in on something?
You really think
Maryska killed his wife?
Possibly.
Next you're gonna tell me that he
deliberately burned his own hands.
Excuse me, don't you think it's
a little early in the day for that?
Even for you?
Hey, Rhoda, take a
little sip of that. Gently.
What is that, lighter fluid?
Might as well be.
Observe.
Makes a wonderful
incendiary, doesn't it?
Here's a curious thing.
Maryska was, very, very
drunk when he came home
and yet he was still able to consume
an entire bottle of this slivovitz.
Or so it appeared.
Maybe he's got a hollow leg.
Well, dear heart,
I understand that Mr. Maryska
is dining out tonight.
In his absence, I think I'll
drop in on his apartment.
I may be able to stumble onto
something the lieutenant overlooked.
(DOOR OPENING)
Mr. Maryska?
Is there anyone here?
I'm sure I heard someone.
Maybe you should
check the bedroom.
Thirty-two seconds.
Same as before.
(SIGHS)
DENNIS: Robert,
come in, come in.
I know there is a reasonable
explanation why you are sitting here
typing with mittens on.
But of course. Boxing
gloves were too cumbersome.
"Give me $500,000
or I will kill you."
Nice. Short. To the point.
What the hell's it all about?
Well, it's my clumsy way
of trying to prove a point
of establishing, if you will,
that the impossible is possible.
Oh, I get it.
You think that Maryska, even
with his hands all burned up,
might have been able
to type the extortion note.
Well, actually,
that's only a part of it.
Oh, now wait a minute. The
police have arrested the son.
When he's convicted, that will
save the company $200,000.
Stanton, please.
This is an apple cart
I do not wish to upset.
Yes. That would be very convenient,
but it would hardly be justice.
Come on!
His fingerprints were
all over the letter.
The letter was typed on a machine in his
office down at the rehab center. Come on!
Now, Robert, last night I paid a
visit to Vaclav Maryska's apartment.
Oh, what'd he do, confess?
Well hardly. He wasn't there.
Oh, now, wait a minute. I
don't think I want to hear this.
And while I was waiting around,
I inadvertently looked into
the wall-safe in the study.
I can't hear this.
You'll never guess what I found.
What?
Two tickets to Majorca.
One in the name
of Vaclav Maryska,
the other was made out to
Nicole Gary, his former student.
So?
Well, the date of departure
is the day after tomorrow,
but what is fascinating is that the tickets
were purchased nearly two months ago.
Now, two months ago,
Maryska was scheduled
to be in Tokyo this week
for the second leg
of his world tour.
Oh, so that means he knew...
Oh, yes, I'm afraid he did.
And I'll tell you
what else I found.
A gun.
The murder weapon?
No, no, no. Milena
Maryska was killed with a .38,
this was a .32 automatic.
But it certainly indicates
that someone in that
household is familiar with guns.
That was the Mayo Clinic.
Maryska was there in April
and underwent some tests,
but the results
are confidential,
so if you want more information,
you're just gonna have to call the doctor.
Gerhardt Hummel.
Good girl. Now get me a
number for this Dr. Hummel.
Where are we calling from?
Well, the County
General. Where else?
Let's see.
Hospital. Hospital.
Hospital, hospital.
Oh, I don't believe this.
Hospital coming up.
Hospital.
WOMAN ON TAPE: Dr. Perry
to the OR. Dr. Perry to the OR.
Yes, Dr. Hummel?
One moment please. Dr. Dennis
Stanton calling from San Francisco.
(TAPE CONTINUES PLAYING)
Dr. Hummel?
Sorry to trouble you.
Dr. Dennis Stanton,
San Francisco.
It's about a patient of
yours. Vaclav Maryska.
He tells me that he was
in to see you last April.
Oh, yes, yes, a lovely man, yes.
And a great talent, yes.
No, no, he told me about
the tests only this morning.
You know how tight-lipped
these Europeans can be.
(CHUCKLING) Yes.
I'm afraid he was very
unspecific, medically speaking.
Yes.
Degenerative arthritis.
I suspected as much.
Severely affecting his hands.
Yes, my conclusion precisely.
That soon?
Well... Yes.
Well, if I need to know
anything else, I'll get in touch.
Thank you.
(TAPE STOPS PLAYING)
Well?
Within a year he would have lost
nearly all the dexterity in both hands.
All right.
Then we're off
the hook for 10 mil.
I mean, arthritis is a disease,
but the policy only
covered accidental injury.
Wait, excuse me, Mr. Butler,
but arthritis or not,
the man was injured.
Absolutely correct, Rhoda,
but Robert may also be right.
We may be off the hook if Vaclav
Maryska's burns were self-inflicted,
which I believe they were.
The larger and more difficult question
is how do we go about proving it?
(PIANO PLAYING)
VACLAV: I have
a surprise for you.
Reach into my pocket
here. It's in an envelope.
What is this?
Two first-class
tickets to Majorca.
I told you I have a villa
there. It overlooks the bay.
But these tickets
are for tomorrow.
Well, why delay the inevitable?
The weather is
lovely this time of year.
I can't leave just like that.
I told you, I'm still in school
and I've got concerts booked.
I realize this may
be a bit sudden.
I am also well aware of
the difference in our ages,
but you are the only good
thing that's ever happened to me.
(PHONE RINGING)
I'll get it.
No, let it ring. This
is more important.
Hello?
There's a Mr. Stanton
downstairs to see you.
What does he want now? Tell
him to come back tomorrow.
I'm sorry but Mr. Maryska
is busy at the moment.
He says he has a check for you.
Oh, very well, let him come up.
Send him up. Thank you.
I'll get rid of him quickly.
No need. I have to leave.
Nicole, please stay. Please,
I didn't mean to upset you.
I think it's best if we don't
see each other for a while.
I'll call you from New York.
New York? No.
No, you can't.
Everything's arranged.
But for me, it isn't.
Please don't say any more.
Nicole...
I love you. And I
know you love me.
I can see it in your face,
the way you look at me.
No.
I admire you and I respect you,
and for years I
felt sorry for you
being stuck in a difficult
marriage. But that's all.
You don't know
what you're saying.
I am engaged to
be married, Vaclav.
Married?
No.
I didn't tell you because I
knew what you would say.
That I was throwing
away my future.
It isn't true but you
wouldn't understand that.
He's a composer, Vaclav.
He's bright and
talented and young.
You forced me to
tell you, and I'm sorry.
Miss Gary, I presume.
I seem to have come
at a very bad time.
You look as if you
could use a drink.
Knowing how much you like it,
I bought you this bottle
of slivovitz yesterday.
You have a check for me.
Please give it to me,
Mr. Stanton, and then leave, huh?
Your check, maestro.
But I do think it would
verge on the sacrilegious
if I were to hand
over $10 million
without at least one
celebratory drink.
You know, now that this
claim has been settled,
I'm free to tell you
that there were moments when I
had serious doubts about this case.
Prosit.
(COUGHING)
Excellent.
I must remember this label.
Doubts? What doubts?
Well, nothing serious, taken separately,
but it's just that, added together
they presented a
very disturbing picture.
For instance, the piano.
And that was the first
thing that bothered me.
It was not out of tune.
But you knew that.
Of course you did.
And then there was that
doctor I discovered in Minnesota.
What was his name?
Hummel. Dr. Hummel.
Yeah, he was the one
that diagnosed your arthritis.
You are mistaken.
A terrible affliction
for some people,
but in a case like yours, it
spelled the end of a career,
the end of a lifestyle to which
you'd grown accustomed,
and a bizarre thought
occurred to me.
Could a man facing total ruin
find it within himself to
deliberately burn his own hands?
Well, if the reward were immense wealth
for the rest of his life, perhaps so,
if he were drunk
enough to numb the pain.
I think you had better go.
Yes, of course.
Oh, by the way, I took the liberty
of borrowing your wastebasket.
The one the fire started in.
I plan to send it to a lab that's able
to conduct those sophisticated tests
that detect the trace elements
of combustants in fires.
Like, well, brandy, for example.
If traces of slivovitz were
found in your wastebasket,
it might follow that the
fire was not accidental.
I've pieced together a
rather intriguing scenario.
Would you care to hear it?
Why not? Since you seem
insistent about telling me.
Splendid. Now,
I presume your wife
knew about the arthritis
and that it spelled
the end of your career.
She probably also sensed that
you had set the fire deliberately,
and she knew it was wrong for
you to take the insurance money.
Have you done
something stupid, Vaclav?
DENNIS: But what
she didn't know was
that you planned to fly off
with Miss Gary to Majorca.
You purchased the
tickets months ago.
Yes, your wife stood
in the way of everything.
Miss Gary, the insurance claim.
You had to get rid
of her in such a way
that someone else would
be accused of the crime.
Your stepson was
the logical candidate.
Somehow, you got him to
handle a piece of stationery,
thereby getting his
fingerprints on the paper.
Then you left your
son-in-law and your wife alone,
knowing that they'd argue.
You walked out past the doorman,
making certain that
he noticed the time.
But you didn't go
for a walk, did you?
You reentered the building
through the service entrance,
you went up the service stairs
and you waited till your stepson left.
Then you came in here, and you
shot your wife.
You took the piece of stationery
that your stepson had handled,
you pressed your dead
wife's fingers against it
so that her prints would
later be detected by the police.
Then you went out
through the service entrance
and took a cab, not a walk
to meet Miss Gary for coffee.
Shall I continue?
Please do.
I'm fascinated.
Finally, using the
piece of stationery,
you typed the threatening
letter at the drug clinic,
while you sent poor Alex out
to get your briefcase from a taxi.
(CHUCKLING) Yes. He told
me about that little diversion.
Very imaginative, Mr. Maryska.
Brilliant, you fool.
How am I supposed
to have shot my wife
with these?
Yes, yes, that does
have me puzzled,
but I'll let the police
deal with that little detail.
Tell me, Mr. Stanton.
If you believe all this,
why did you bring me a check?
Oh come, come, Mr. Maryska.
It's one thing to
accuse a poor man,
it's quite another to throw suspicion on
a man who's just come into $10 million.
Apropos which, did you
know, that I get the same salary
no matter how successful I
may be at saving my firm money?
Something basically un-American
about that, wouldn't you say?
So we're talking blackmail, huh?
Oh, no, that word has
such a nasty ring to it.
I prefer to think of it as two
gentlemen sharing a generous bounty.
I'm not a greedy man.
Ten percent would be
more than adequate.
Is a personal check acceptable?
Of course.
(police sirens)
You are very
clever, Mr. Stanton.
But the thought of you
hounding me the rest of my life
is not my idea of a
peaceful retirement.
Oh, come now. There's no
need to behave so childishly.
You overlooked one
thing, Mr. Stanton.
If I was able to kill once,
I can kill again.
Come now, you're bluffing.
You can't pull that trigger.
Why?
Because of the pain?
Yeah.
When I was a very young man,
I was tortured by
experts, Mr. Stanton.
This...
This is nothing.
(SHOUTING)
Police!
We heard a shot.
Why, Perry, what
took you so long?
Last night, I dropped by.
I took the liberty of replacing the
real shells in that gun with blanks.
It was all theory, you know.
None of it would hold
up unless we could prove
that you were physically
able to fire a gun.
Then this...
It was all for nothing.
For nothing.
All right, Stanton, not bad.
But what would you have done
if he hadn't gone for the gun?
Oh, that's simple, Perry.
Go on back to the office
and try to explain to Mr. Butler
why he wouldn't be
getting his $10 million back.
Cheers.
(COUGHS)