Perry Mason (1957–1966): Season 1, Episode 14 - The Case of the Baited Hook - full transcript
Albert Tydings has been stealing money from the a trust account belonging to Carol Stanley. His partner, Robert Dawson, demands it be repaid but Tydings has something on him that prevents Dawson from going to the police. Tydings took $60,000 out of the account and knows that the company clerk, Richard Ellis, has taken $20,000. He gives Ellis a day to return it. Tydings is found dead by Carol Stanley who had arranged a meeting with him to ensure her investments were safe but she and Dawson foolishly move the body. Late that night Dawson calls Perry and stops by with Stanley hid under a dark veil. He gives Perry two $1000 bills as a retainer. In addition he gives Perry half of a $10,000. Perry will receive the other half if his help is needed later. Abigail Leeds, who has known Carol since she was a baby, is a forthright woman who hires Perry Mason to sort this all out and make sure that Carol isn't convicted of a crime she did not commit.
( suspenseful theme playing)
( noirish jazz theme playing)
( upbeat theme playing)
( tranquil theme playing)
Tydings in?
Yes, Mr. Dawson.
He's tied up with Ellis.
He was.
Sorry, Ellis. This
is a private matter.
Of course, Mr. Dawson.
We'll go over this later, Ellis.
Hello, Robert, you
seem a little upset.
As your partner, I
have a right to be.
I just came from
the bank, Tydings.
Carol Stanley's trust
account is $80,000 short.
So?
Where is it?
Well, unfortunately, Robert,
we're living in the age
of the shrinking dollar.
Even the dishonest ones.
You admit you stole it?
Mm, I believe
"fraudulent conversion"
is the proper description.
Are you going to
put that money back?
Well,
the knight without armor
protecting the innocent.
Or is she?
Ms. Shaw, get me the police.
You've just got 60
seconds to raise that money.
Have I?
Well, in that case, Robert,
you better do some
pretty fast reading.
That's an interesting file.
Those are Photostatic copies.
The originals
are all quite safe.
Yes, you see, two can
play at checking up.
(buzzes)
Yes?
SHAW: Mr. Dawson's
call to the police is on one.
Ms. Shaw, you can cancel
Mr. Dawson's call to the police.
Emotional impulses
should be controlled, Robert.
They can really
be quite dangerous.
Now, there will be no
trouble with the trust accounts,
merely a slight deficiency.
You know, Carol's a lovely girl.
I wish her all the
luck in the world.
Don't push me too far, Tydings,
even with that file.
( ominous theme playing)
( upbeat theme playing)
You'd, uh, better lock
up this file, too, Ellis.
These interim accounts
of the Carol Stanley trust...
Have you been handling
this yourself, Ellis?
Of course, Mr. Tydings.
Well, Mr. Dawson tells me
that the account is $80,000 short.
Eighty thousand?
Unfortunately, he's right.
Now, I know where
$60,000 is, Ellis,
because I reinvested
it myself, personally.
That still leaves
us $20,000 short.
What was it, Ellis?
Gambling or women?
But, Mr. Tydings...
I'll give you till noon tomorrow
to replace the missing $20,000.
But it's impossible.
Nothing's impossible if
you're desperate enough.
You're not a young man, Ellis.
Ten years can be a long time.
Please, Mr. Tydings, you
don't seem to understand...
Ms. Shaw,
Mr. Ellis will be giving you
the keys to the security vault.
He won't be needing them
for the next couple of days.
Till noon tomorrow.
Oh, and, Ellis,
make it a certified check.
Just a moment, please.
Mr. Tydings, Carol
Stanley's on the phone.
She wants to speak
to Bob Dawson.
Carol?
Well, I was just
about to call you.
Anything wrong?
Well, I'm a little
upset, Mr. Tydings.
I've just heard
something about the trust.
Rumors, rumors, rumors.
Now, what was this one?
That I defaulted with your money
and ran off to Peru?
I'd like to see you
tonight, if I may.
All right, Carol.
Should we say 8:00 at my office?
Good. I'll see you then.
Bye, dear.
It's a terrible failing,
isn't it, Ms. Shaw?
I never can resist
the plea of a...
Of a lovely woman.
Oh, uh...
and suppose you
come into my office
in about 20 minutes?
I think I'll be ready for
some dictation then.
(slams)
( pensive theme playing)
( mysterious theme playing)
Mr. Tydings?
( mysterious theme
swells dramatically)
Mr. Tydings?
Bob?
Something dreadful.
It's Mr. Tydings.
He's been murdered.
( ticking)
(ringing)
Hello?
DAWSON: Mr. Mason?
Yes?
Listen carefully.
I can't repeat this.
I have two $1,000
bills in my wallet.
They're for you. A retainer.
I'll arrange for a further
payment of $10,000
if you have to act as my lawyer.
(sighs)
How did you get my phone number?
There's no time to
explain. It's life or death.
Will you see me?
Yes, I'll see you.
I'll be there in 20 minutes.
I called you.
Come in.
Are you alone?
Why, yes.
Do you mind?
Not at all.
The bathroom's on the right.
Well, I hope you
like the apartment.
Yeah. It's nice.
Excuse me.
Good evening.
Won't you sit down?
Some coffee?
No, thank you.
This is your retainer, $2,000.
And this $10,000 is your
fee, if and when you're needed.
I don't believe I've
ever seen one of those.
This lady is your client.
At all costs, I
want her protected.
An introduction
might be helpful.
At the moment, we both
prefer to remain anonymous.
How can I represent a client
if I don't know who she is?
You'll know when it's necessary.
If my friend needs your help,
she'll present you
with her half of the bill.
Mr. Mason...
Please.
I'll accept under one condition:
that I have the right
to return this retainer
in the event that, later on,
I decide not to handle the case.
Fair enough.
Do you understand this?
And agree?
Good.
Thank you, Mr. Mason.
Good night.
( ominous theme playing)
(sighs)
Got to be murder.
So I gave the serial number
of this bill to Paul Drake.
He'll check it out.
Ten thousand dollars.
You must have had a busy night.
That's only the beginning.
Wait till the other
half of that bill arrives.
Things will really
start to move.
(door opens)
Excuse me, Mr. Mason.
Will you see an A.E. Leeds?
Who's he, Gertie?
It's a she, and she
looks like a woman
who usually gets what she wants.
Excuse me.
Leeds is the name.
Abigail Esther.
I don't believe in wasting time,
so let's get to the point.
Won't you sit down?
I'm a widow.
I, uh, own farmland,
and from the taxes I pay,
I should be pretty well-off.
What's your trouble?
I'll give you the background.
Just the highlights.
Back in '39, I knew a Polish
refugee couple named Olinki.
They wanted to get
to America from Paris.
They begged me to take
their daughter, Katrina, age 3.
They were gonna come
later, but they never made it.
They died in one of those camps.
You know how it was.
And you were
left with the child?
Mm-hm. I was single then,
so I put Carol in a home.
Carol?
I called her Carol.
The Hidden Home Welfare Society.
I should have known better.
It was a baby farm. Do
you know what that is?
Yes, I do.
They sold her for
$1,000, like a dog.
Were you supporting the child
at the time? I was.
I've got the canceled
checks to prove it.
It took me five years to
find out where she was.
You wanted to get her back?
No. No, she was living
with a family named Stanley.
I saw them, and I saw her.
She was happy.
Well, you don't treat
a child like a football.
But the Stanleys
died, both of them.
They were killed
in an auto accident.
They left a trust fund for Carol
that, uh, ran into six figures.
And that crook Tydings
was named trustee.
Tydings?
Albert Tydings. He's a crook.
Look at the accounts. I
know he's robbing her.
If he's all you believe,
the proper investigation
should expose those facts.
However, I can't take the case.
Why not?
You're not a relative,
so you have no legal
standing in the matter.
Only Ms. Stanley,
as beneficiary,
can institute an investigation.
Well, then, I'll bring
her here this afternoon.
All right.
I'll expect you at 2:00.
Your girl has my
address. Send me the bill.
Timid little soul, isn't she?
You know, I'm already beginning
to feel sorry for Mr. Tydings.
(rings)
Oh.
Hello?
It's Paul Drake.
Would you mind repeating that.
I've got it.
Paul found out
about the $10,000 bill.
Good.
Perry, it was issued
to an Albert Tydings.
You know, we might be
representing opposing clients
in the same case.
Get Paul back. Tell him
I'll meet him downstairs.
That's where he is,
down at Clay's Grille.
Tell Jerry I want
my car right away.
Oh, right.
( suspenseful theme playing)
( suspenseful theme playing)
What makes you think
Tydings will be home,
if he doesn't answer his phone?
Just a hunch, Paul.
I thought you dealt with facts.
Well, when you run out
of facts, you try intuition.
If Tydings was
my midnight visitor,
he's probably sleeping
off a heavy night's work.
While we stick out
noses into a hornets' nest.
(chuckles)
Nothing unusual about that.
What else did you
find out about Tydings?
Well, he's just
another solid citizen.
Bachelor. No attachments.
"Austere" would be the word.
Oh.
No women?
He seems pretty
good at covering it up.
Yep, he is.
( suspenseful theme playing)
Paul. Mm-hm?
Will you?
PAUL: Yeah. Blood.
(rings doorbell)
(rings doorbell)
You know, a private
detective can be jailed
for breaking and entering
just as easily as a lawyer.
Why, Mr. Drake, you
saw what happened.
The door was open.
( mysterious theme playing)
Perry.
More blood.
( alarming theme playing)
Well, that's not the same man
that came to see
me at the office.
That's gonna be a great help
when the Homicide boys get here.
Well, I suppose it's
up to me to call them.
Paul.
Here.
(dialing)
Well, thank you for
waiting, gentlemen.
Uh, how did you, uh,
just happen to be here?
We came to see Tydings,
found the door unlocked,
walked in and
discovered the body.
Yeah, just, uh, pure
chance? Mm-hm.
What was your reason
for seeing Tydings?
Business.
Well, I gathered your visit
wasn't a social call.
Were you Tydings' lawyer?
No.
Mason, this is a homicide.
Why did you wanna see Tydings?
You should know
better than to expect me
to violate the
confidence of a client.
Just answer me one thing:
Are you with us on this case?
Or are you holding out
for reasons of your own?
At the moment,
lieutenant, I just don't know.
I believe you, Mason.
The question is, will the D.A.?
Mrs. Leeds get here?
Five minutes ago.
They're in the law library.
Thanks.
You're late.
My apologies, Mrs. Leeds.
This is Carol Stanley,
the girl I mentioned.
A pleasure, Ms. Stanley.
Well, let's get down
to business, Mr. Mason.
I've explained to Carol
that legal stupidity
makes it necessary
for her to sign certain papers
demanding an investigation
of that crook Tydings.
Right, Carol?
Yes, Abby.
So if you'll write 'em up,
we'll sign 'em
and leave you to
get on with the job.
Well?
The situation has
changed somewhat.
Why?
Albert Tydings is dead.
He was murdered.
Murdered?
Uh, what happens now?
The courts will
appoint another trustee
to handle the legacy.
Ms. Stanley might be permitted
to nominate a suitable person.
I'd serve, uh...
without compensation.
Thank you, Abby.
(door opens)
DELLA: Excuse me.
Lieutenant Tragg's
waiting in your office.
Please excuse me.
I'll be right back.
Something I can do
for you, lieutenant?
Well, I understand you're, uh,
representing Mrs. A.E. Leeds.
It's possible. Why?
Well, I thought you might
know where I could find her.
I'm a lawyer, not a detective.
Any particular reason
you want to see her?
No, just a routine checkout.
Just to let her
know that I called.
I'll keep it in mind.
(chuckles)
Thanks.
Oh, I... I'm sorry. Wrong door.
Aren't you Abigail Leeds?
I am.
Well, what a coincidence.
Any objection if I talk
to your client, Mason?
Not at all.
I'm Lieutenant Tragg, Homicide,
investigating the
death of Albert Tydings.
Uh, Mr. Mason will tell you
that you don't have to
answer any questions.
However, any assistance
you could give me
I would greatly appreciate.
Ask away, officer.
Um, when did you, uh, last
see Tydings, Mrs. Leeds?
A couple of days
ago at his office.
Did you threaten him?
Threaten him?
If I'd had a horsewhip,
I'd have thrashed him.
Why?
Because he's a
cheap, dirty crook
with sticky fingers.
Whoever murdered
him did a civic service.
Well, I didn't say
he was murdered.
If he wasn't, then why are you
wasting the taxpayers' money?
If you're hard-pressed
for suspects,
put me on your list.
I'll be in good company.
(chuckling): Well, you're
very frank, Mrs. Leeds.
I have a voice like a foghorn,
and when I'm mad,
I don't whisper.
Come on, Carol.
We came here to see Mr. Mason
and not to waste time
answering fool questions.
I, uh, might want
to see you again.
It's a free country, sir.
Goodbye, Mr. Mason.
(door closes)
Quite a character.
Do you, uh, have any idea
when Tydings died, lieutenant?
Oh, as a rough guess,
I'd say, uh, around 8. Why?
Oh, just curious.
(chuckles)
Idle curiosity without reason,
uh, doesn't sound like you.
Uh, mind if I give
you a little advice?
Do I have a choice?
Suppression of material
evidence in a murder
might be hard to explain
to the Bar Association.
And I'd hate to lose my
favorite sparring partner.
Bye.
Bye.
This letter from Ms. Stanley
is hardly sufficient authority
to allow you access to our
trust accounts, Mr. Mason.
If it was a court order...
That's on its way.
When it arrives, I shall
be happy to obey it.
You're not very
cooperative, Mr. Ellis.
With Mr. Tydings dead
and Mr. Dawson out of town,
my hands are tied.
When did Mr. Dawson leave?
Last night, I believe.
A little sudden, wasn't it?
Did Dawson comment
on Mrs. Leeds's accusations?
Mr. Mason, I'm a
confidential clerk.
Discussion of my
employer's business
would be most unethical.
Come down from
the clouds, Ellis.
Eighty thousand
dollars is missing
from my client's trust account.
Both you and Dawson will
need a few ethical stories
before I'm through.
Oh, Mr. Mason, you have a call.
Will you take it over
on the other desk?
Line two.
Thank you.
Yes?
The cops found
Dawson's car, Perry.
It's wrecked near Westside Lake.
They're dragging
for the body now.
Tragg on to it yet?
Nope. At the
moment, it's exclusive.
Good. I'll, uh...
I'll pick you up at the office.
Yes.
Yes.
Are you, uh...?
You're Mr. Tydings' secretary?
No, Mr. Mason.
Uh, Ms. Shaw doesn't
come in in the mornings.
Privileged or, uh,
time off for overtime?
I wouldn't know.
Uh, yes.
That's right.
Bye.
Thank you again.
( mysterious theme playing)
Paul.
Get my camera.
It's in the glove compartment.
Yeah.
Oh, officer...
Would you mind standing
next to the car, please?
Have they found the body yet?
Not yet, sir.
(camera clicks)
Uh, just one more.
The name is Duggan.
Bill Duggan. Two G's.
D-U-G-G-A-N.
Did you find anything?
Uh-hm.
When it went into the
lake, Dawson wasn't driving.
Oh, no? How come?
The gas pedal is
wired to the floor.
So it's murder.
Or fake suicide.
If you boys hang around,
you'll get quite a story.
Oh? In what way?
That's the Homicide
boys. (car approaching)
Oh, I better go
get some fresh film.
Excuse me.
Nice meeting you.
Uh, excuse me, lieutenant.
You again?
Coincidence, lieutenant.
Just coincidence.
DUGGAN: Hey, mister.
Duggan with two G's.
Got it.
Sorry we can't take
your picture, lieutenant.
Out of film.
( tense theme playing)
Perry, Ellis just left.
Good.
Come on, sleepy.
Now, don't forget the signal.
If Ellis comes back
or there's any trouble,
I'll ring the phone twice,
hang up, and then redial.
You pick it up on the next ring.
Complex but effective. Come on.
( suspenseful theme playing)
( suspenseful theme playing)
I'm sorry to bother you,
but I've locked myself out.
I'm right next door
at Tydings & Dawson.
Okay.
Thanks a million.
A pleasure, lady.
You working late?
About a half-hour.
Good night, miss.
Good night.
Good girl. (sighs)
(typing)
Comfortable? Mm-hm.
So is the city jail.
(chuckles)
Relax, Della. Nobody
broke the door down.
I have a court order to
examine these books.
Did you find what you wanted?
I think.
From a quick rundown
of these figures,
Tydings must have been
robbing Carol Stanley blind.
Let's get out of this place.
It makes me nervous.
Hold your horses. I'll
be ready in a minute.
Well.
What's that?
Empty shell.
Small caliber.
Probably a Beretta.
Uh-huh.
Easy enough to conceal.
He could have been shot at
close range, across this desk.
With the doors closed
and the street noises,
nobody would
have heard the shot.
It just doesn't add up.
Why would someone risk
taking a body halfway across town
when they could have killed
Tydings in his own home?
You're right. It
just doesn't add up.
What if...?
If A killed him,
B arrived and found him dead,
realized if the
police nosed around,
his girlfriend would be asked
some very awkward questions,
so he then moved the body and...
looked up a lawyer?
Dawson?
Who was the girl?
DELLA: Not bad.
What does it mean?
Freudian slip, maybe.
Tydings anticipated overtime.
Secretary, huh?
As I recall, her name
is, uh, Enid Shaw.
OPERATOR: What
number are you calling?
Madison-51199,
and, operator, this
is an emergency!
One moment, please.
You've got the
keys to office 410?
Will you dial your
number again, please.
(rings)
(rings)
(rings)
Perry, vanish.
The law is on its way up.
And make it fast. I got
hung up on the phone.
( suspenseful theme playing)
(speaks indistinctly)
What are you doing?
I must leave
something for Tragg.
Tragg? He's on his way up.
This is where we retire
to previously
prepared positions.
What positions, Perry?
The fire escape, of course.
( suspenseful theme playing)
Check for, uh,
latent, uh, bloodstains
around the desk.
But if Dawson's our client,
why should he cover
for Tydings' secretary?
Enid Shaw, a very
attractive woman.
Phew. What a night.
Go ahead and have a
sandwich. If you insist.
Get Dawson's picture?
PAUL: Is he your
midnight visitor?
He is.
Well, that's nice.
He's wanted for murder. What?
Tragg found bloodstains
in the back of Dawson's car
that match Tydings' blood group.
You got someone
watching the girls?
Yep. They're both covered.
I can understand
watching Ms. Shaw,
but who's the other
girl? Carol Stanley.
(phone rings)
Mason speaking.
Yeah, hold on.
Paul.
Hello?
Yeah.
She did?
Wait a minute.
All right.
Got it. Jack, stay with
it. We'll be right over.
The girl led us to Dawson.
He's holed up in a motel.
Let's get going. See you, Della.
Bye, beautiful.
( suspenseful theme playing)
They're in number 5,
and I think they're
planning to skip.
Going somewhere, Mr. Dawson?
Why?
Stop playing games.
How'd you find
us? Listen, Dawson,
I don't think you
killed Tydings,
but I'm a minority of one.
I want the truth,
and I want it fast.
That includes you, Ms. Stanley.
You keep her out of it.
Why did you move
Tydings' body from his office?
TRAGG: Why don't you
answer the counselor's question,
Dawson.
Or, uh, must I be formal, Mason?
Uh. (snaps fingers)
And I must, uh, commend you
for your sense of public duty.
I knew that if I followed you,
that you would
lead me to Dawson.
( ominous theme playing)
( tense theme playing)
Mrs. Leeds is waiting, Perry.
Just a moment.
How's it going?
Not good.
They switched charges.
Now Carol Stanley is
held on suspicion of murder
with Dawson as accessory.
Why?
Her car was seen in
front of Tydings' office
before Dawson got there.
Is the witness reliable?
I'd say so. He was a policeman.
They had to go and
park in front of a fireplug.
What's their story?
Well, Carol had an appointment
with Tydings at his office.
She arrived there,
found him dead,
got panicky, called Dawson,
and Dawson shifted the body.
Did he have any reason?
Well.
The office knew
about her appointment.
He thought by moving the
body, he'd give her an alibi.
Do you believe it?
Yes.
I'd hate to try and
convince a jury.
What about Ms. Leeds?
Oh...
Better show her in.
(door opening)
How's Carol, Mason?
Would you like some coffee?
This isn't a social visit.
I don't know what
half-witted moron
is responsible
for Carol's arrest.
But whoever it is,
is going to know Abigail Leeds
by the time I'm through.
Sit down, Abigail.
Well, the, uh,
district attorney's office
has a pretty good
case against her.
Then what are
you resting up for?
Inspiration?
Why haven't you bailed her out?
There is no bail for murder.
Murder?
Well, I thought she was being
held as a material witness.
That was last night.
Things change.
Uh,
when do they say
Tydings was killed?
About 8:00.
Then they haven't got a case.
Carol was with me
in my apartment.
Mrs. Leeds,
her car was seen by a policeman
in front of Tydings'
office at 8:00.
Oh.
Well, I've got some
things here for her.
Clothes and some cookies
that she's been fond of.
When can I see her?
Why, that's up to the police.
As a rule, only close
relatives are allowed.
Well, I'm the closest friend
that she's got, like, uh...
Oh, like a mother.
But you're not her
mother, Mrs. Leeds.
It'll be up to Lieutenant Tragg.
However, I'm sure
he'll see his way clear.
(door opens, closes)
Della.
DELLA: Yes, Perry?
Get Paul Drake on the
phone for me, will you?
Oh, and by the way,
do you have Mrs. Leeds' address?
Mm, yes. It's on Rossmore.
Why?
Because Carol
Stanley lives with her.
We are going visiting.
( ominous theme playing)
Do we skip with the diamonds
and leave the paintings?
You sound bitter.
I suppose you have a court order
for justifiable snooping.
Della, there is no
breaking and entering
when a tenant
gives you her keys.
And Ms. Stanley also
gave me power of attorney.
Now, that should be enough.
(chuckling)
All right. What next?
You search the bedroom.
I'll tackle this room.
What are we looking for?
A motive for murder.
I think you'll find it
tied in pink ribbons
and preserved in lavender.
Wherever women
keep their mementos.
Perry, I think I
found something.
No letters.
I didn't expect any.
Well.
Why don't you put these
back as you found them.
Mm-hm.
What's this?
Ellis?
Yes, Ellis.
Blackmail?
They go back over
a period of five years.
Sometimes, Della, I wish that...
I know. What next?
We'll have a chat with Ellis
and take a couple of
these along as calling cards.
No, Mr. Mason, I am sorry.
Mr. Ellis is in conference.
Can you get him on the phone?
He's not taking any calls.
May I have an envelope?
Of course, Mr. Mason.
Would you please
give this to Mr. Ellis?
Tell him I'll wait for him
exactly... 60 seconds.
But... Two, three, four,
five, six...
(door opens)
(door closes)
Would you please
go in, Mr. Mason?
Thank you.
I gather you're a man
of lightning decisions.
I'll take the evidence.
What were you in the
Hidden Home Welfare Society,
the bookkeeper?
What do you want?
Where's the file Tydings
was using for blackmail?
What's the deal?
With grand larceny and
extortion against you,
you're in a bad
bargaining position.
Now, get that file.
I haven't got it.
Then open that safe and get it,
or I'll get it myself.
You'll need a court
order to do that.
Anything else you'd like?
You win.
It's all there.
Photostats and originals.
Who collected this file?
I did.
First you used it to
blackmail Mrs. Leeds with,
then when you found she and
Tydings were having trouble,
you sold it to him.
Well, I needed the money.
Well, your worries in
that department are over.
What do you mean?
By the time you get out of jail,
you'll be drawing
an old-age pension.
Hi, Dell.
Oh, Perry.
Paul's in your office,
and Mrs. Leeds
is in the law library,
and the Lieutenant
Tragg's on his way.
I'll see Paul first,
then Mrs. Leeds,
and hold all calls,
will you, Della?
Right.
PAUL: Hi, Perry.
Paul.
Did Ellis come across?
He did.
Well, Bob Dawson's
as clean as a whistle.
He's got a straight run
clear back to grade school.
He's not brilliant, but
depressingly honest.
What about the
$10,000 bill he gave me?
He said it was
issued to Tydings.
Yeah, well, they
keep a pretty hefty
cash margin
account at that office.
Dawson must've drawn
it against his check.
Oh, that makes sense.
I got this cable
from Washington.
About Abby Leeds' passport.
It doesn't exist,
and it never has.
They can take it as gospel.
Abigail Esther's never
left the States in her life.
Adds up. Mm-hm.
I think we're adding
up to the same totals.
This is from the
Hall of Records.
Entry of birth. Dated
June 23rd, 1936. Female.
You know the rest.
(sighs)
All right. Thanks.
Sorry it came out
this way, Perry.
I know you...
Tell Della to have Tragg
wait here in my
office, will you?
How was your visit
with Carol, Mrs. Leeds?
It's killing her, Mason.
It's killing her spirit.
They're animal cages.
Locks, bars, keepers,
and a clean sort of
smell that I'll never forget.
It's quickly forgotten
when you leave.
Well, when will she leave?
The preliminary
hearing's set for tomorrow.
And her chances?
Not good.
She's innocent, Mason.
She shouldn't be there at all.
The district attorney
is asking an indictment
for first-degree murder.
What does that mean?
The gas chamber.
Oh, no.
Oh, don't worry.
That'll never happen.
I had hoped to find the killer,
but I've only been
partially successful.
What do you mean?
Knowing who killed Tydings...
and proving it to a jury
is an unbridgeable gap.
Why do you think he was killed?
All of us have a
point of no return.
Sometimes when
you're pushed too far,
you lose control.
You're wise beyond
your years, young man,
and a good guesser.
Or is it guesswork?
You have a very
lovely daughter, Abby.
You must be quite
proud of Carol.
I am, Mr. Mason. I...
How...? How much do you know?
That why you killed him, Abby?
Yes.
You've... You've never
been a child without a father.
Blushed with shame
every time you had to
produce a birth certificate.
Called names that you...
You couldn't even understand,
and cried yourself to
sleep night after night.
Well, I have, Mr. Mason.
I killed Tydings,
and I'd kill again
before I'd let anyone
harm my child.
Would you call that
Lieutenant Tragg?
He was very kind
down at the jail.
He's waiting in my office.
You think of
everything, young man.
You don't have to come down
to that place with me, Mr. Mason.
I've wasted enough of your time.
I, uh, suppose I
should get a lawyer.
At the risk of being unethical,
I'd like to apply for the job.
A guilty client isn't going
to help your reputation.
Well, Abby?
You've got the job.
Well, lieutenant,
if we have to ride
downtown together,
would you be kind enough
to give me your arm?
( dramatic theme playing)
( tranquil theme playing)
(Mason sneezes) Gesundheit.
MASON: Yeah. Thank you.
(sniffs and groans)
(sighs)
What's that?
It tastes very good.
I just have a cold. Mm-hm.
All right, now, open up.
Come on.
Ew.
(chuckles)
Oh, you know, I
forgot to tell you.
Mr. Dawson and Carol's
family dropped by the office.
They brought the other
half of that $10,000 bill.
You know, I have a feeling
that girl knows all
about her background.
Yes, ever since
high school days.
Couldn't care less.
Well, why didn't
she tell her mother?
Well, she didn't
want to upset her.
Tsk. And to think Mrs.
Leeds killed Tydings
just to protect the secret.
What a futile, senseless murder.
All murders are.
(sneezes)
Della. Della, you
don't have to stay.
I'll be fine. Mm-hm.
You know, Mr. Mason, I told you
I'm a very handy
girl to have around.
You didn't tell me one
of your accomplishments
was starting fires.
Anytime you want me to put
the heat on Lieutenant Tragg,
you just let me know.
I'll bear that in mind.
(chuckles)
Here. Come on.
Mm.
Sometimes you even
make it too hot for me.
(chuckles)
( upbeat jazz theme plays)
( noirish jazz theme playing)
( noirish jazz theme playing)
( upbeat theme playing)
( tranquil theme playing)
Tydings in?
Yes, Mr. Dawson.
He's tied up with Ellis.
He was.
Sorry, Ellis. This
is a private matter.
Of course, Mr. Dawson.
We'll go over this later, Ellis.
Hello, Robert, you
seem a little upset.
As your partner, I
have a right to be.
I just came from
the bank, Tydings.
Carol Stanley's trust
account is $80,000 short.
So?
Where is it?
Well, unfortunately, Robert,
we're living in the age
of the shrinking dollar.
Even the dishonest ones.
You admit you stole it?
Mm, I believe
"fraudulent conversion"
is the proper description.
Are you going to
put that money back?
Well,
the knight without armor
protecting the innocent.
Or is she?
Ms. Shaw, get me the police.
You've just got 60
seconds to raise that money.
Have I?
Well, in that case, Robert,
you better do some
pretty fast reading.
That's an interesting file.
Those are Photostatic copies.
The originals
are all quite safe.
Yes, you see, two can
play at checking up.
(buzzes)
Yes?
SHAW: Mr. Dawson's
call to the police is on one.
Ms. Shaw, you can cancel
Mr. Dawson's call to the police.
Emotional impulses
should be controlled, Robert.
They can really
be quite dangerous.
Now, there will be no
trouble with the trust accounts,
merely a slight deficiency.
You know, Carol's a lovely girl.
I wish her all the
luck in the world.
Don't push me too far, Tydings,
even with that file.
( ominous theme playing)
( upbeat theme playing)
You'd, uh, better lock
up this file, too, Ellis.
These interim accounts
of the Carol Stanley trust...
Have you been handling
this yourself, Ellis?
Of course, Mr. Tydings.
Well, Mr. Dawson tells me
that the account is $80,000 short.
Eighty thousand?
Unfortunately, he's right.
Now, I know where
$60,000 is, Ellis,
because I reinvested
it myself, personally.
That still leaves
us $20,000 short.
What was it, Ellis?
Gambling or women?
But, Mr. Tydings...
I'll give you till noon tomorrow
to replace the missing $20,000.
But it's impossible.
Nothing's impossible if
you're desperate enough.
You're not a young man, Ellis.
Ten years can be a long time.
Please, Mr. Tydings, you
don't seem to understand...
Ms. Shaw,
Mr. Ellis will be giving you
the keys to the security vault.
He won't be needing them
for the next couple of days.
Till noon tomorrow.
Oh, and, Ellis,
make it a certified check.
Just a moment, please.
Mr. Tydings, Carol
Stanley's on the phone.
She wants to speak
to Bob Dawson.
Carol?
Well, I was just
about to call you.
Anything wrong?
Well, I'm a little
upset, Mr. Tydings.
I've just heard
something about the trust.
Rumors, rumors, rumors.
Now, what was this one?
That I defaulted with your money
and ran off to Peru?
I'd like to see you
tonight, if I may.
All right, Carol.
Should we say 8:00 at my office?
Good. I'll see you then.
Bye, dear.
It's a terrible failing,
isn't it, Ms. Shaw?
I never can resist
the plea of a...
Of a lovely woman.
Oh, uh...
and suppose you
come into my office
in about 20 minutes?
I think I'll be ready for
some dictation then.
(slams)
( pensive theme playing)
( mysterious theme playing)
Mr. Tydings?
( mysterious theme
swells dramatically)
Mr. Tydings?
Bob?
Something dreadful.
It's Mr. Tydings.
He's been murdered.
( ticking)
(ringing)
Hello?
DAWSON: Mr. Mason?
Yes?
Listen carefully.
I can't repeat this.
I have two $1,000
bills in my wallet.
They're for you. A retainer.
I'll arrange for a further
payment of $10,000
if you have to act as my lawyer.
(sighs)
How did you get my phone number?
There's no time to
explain. It's life or death.
Will you see me?
Yes, I'll see you.
I'll be there in 20 minutes.
I called you.
Come in.
Are you alone?
Why, yes.
Do you mind?
Not at all.
The bathroom's on the right.
Well, I hope you
like the apartment.
Yeah. It's nice.
Excuse me.
Good evening.
Won't you sit down?
Some coffee?
No, thank you.
This is your retainer, $2,000.
And this $10,000 is your
fee, if and when you're needed.
I don't believe I've
ever seen one of those.
This lady is your client.
At all costs, I
want her protected.
An introduction
might be helpful.
At the moment, we both
prefer to remain anonymous.
How can I represent a client
if I don't know who she is?
You'll know when it's necessary.
If my friend needs your help,
she'll present you
with her half of the bill.
Mr. Mason...
Please.
I'll accept under one condition:
that I have the right
to return this retainer
in the event that, later on,
I decide not to handle the case.
Fair enough.
Do you understand this?
And agree?
Good.
Thank you, Mr. Mason.
Good night.
( ominous theme playing)
(sighs)
Got to be murder.
So I gave the serial number
of this bill to Paul Drake.
He'll check it out.
Ten thousand dollars.
You must have had a busy night.
That's only the beginning.
Wait till the other
half of that bill arrives.
Things will really
start to move.
(door opens)
Excuse me, Mr. Mason.
Will you see an A.E. Leeds?
Who's he, Gertie?
It's a she, and she
looks like a woman
who usually gets what she wants.
Excuse me.
Leeds is the name.
Abigail Esther.
I don't believe in wasting time,
so let's get to the point.
Won't you sit down?
I'm a widow.
I, uh, own farmland,
and from the taxes I pay,
I should be pretty well-off.
What's your trouble?
I'll give you the background.
Just the highlights.
Back in '39, I knew a Polish
refugee couple named Olinki.
They wanted to get
to America from Paris.
They begged me to take
their daughter, Katrina, age 3.
They were gonna come
later, but they never made it.
They died in one of those camps.
You know how it was.
And you were
left with the child?
Mm-hm. I was single then,
so I put Carol in a home.
Carol?
I called her Carol.
The Hidden Home Welfare Society.
I should have known better.
It was a baby farm. Do
you know what that is?
Yes, I do.
They sold her for
$1,000, like a dog.
Were you supporting the child
at the time? I was.
I've got the canceled
checks to prove it.
It took me five years to
find out where she was.
You wanted to get her back?
No. No, she was living
with a family named Stanley.
I saw them, and I saw her.
She was happy.
Well, you don't treat
a child like a football.
But the Stanleys
died, both of them.
They were killed
in an auto accident.
They left a trust fund for Carol
that, uh, ran into six figures.
And that crook Tydings
was named trustee.
Tydings?
Albert Tydings. He's a crook.
Look at the accounts. I
know he's robbing her.
If he's all you believe,
the proper investigation
should expose those facts.
However, I can't take the case.
Why not?
You're not a relative,
so you have no legal
standing in the matter.
Only Ms. Stanley,
as beneficiary,
can institute an investigation.
Well, then, I'll bring
her here this afternoon.
All right.
I'll expect you at 2:00.
Your girl has my
address. Send me the bill.
Timid little soul, isn't she?
You know, I'm already beginning
to feel sorry for Mr. Tydings.
(rings)
Oh.
Hello?
It's Paul Drake.
Would you mind repeating that.
I've got it.
Paul found out
about the $10,000 bill.
Good.
Perry, it was issued
to an Albert Tydings.
You know, we might be
representing opposing clients
in the same case.
Get Paul back. Tell him
I'll meet him downstairs.
That's where he is,
down at Clay's Grille.
Tell Jerry I want
my car right away.
Oh, right.
( suspenseful theme playing)
( suspenseful theme playing)
What makes you think
Tydings will be home,
if he doesn't answer his phone?
Just a hunch, Paul.
I thought you dealt with facts.
Well, when you run out
of facts, you try intuition.
If Tydings was
my midnight visitor,
he's probably sleeping
off a heavy night's work.
While we stick out
noses into a hornets' nest.
(chuckles)
Nothing unusual about that.
What else did you
find out about Tydings?
Well, he's just
another solid citizen.
Bachelor. No attachments.
"Austere" would be the word.
Oh.
No women?
He seems pretty
good at covering it up.
Yep, he is.
( suspenseful theme playing)
Paul. Mm-hm?
Will you?
PAUL: Yeah. Blood.
(rings doorbell)
(rings doorbell)
You know, a private
detective can be jailed
for breaking and entering
just as easily as a lawyer.
Why, Mr. Drake, you
saw what happened.
The door was open.
( mysterious theme playing)
Perry.
More blood.
( alarming theme playing)
Well, that's not the same man
that came to see
me at the office.
That's gonna be a great help
when the Homicide boys get here.
Well, I suppose it's
up to me to call them.
Paul.
Here.
(dialing)
Well, thank you for
waiting, gentlemen.
Uh, how did you, uh,
just happen to be here?
We came to see Tydings,
found the door unlocked,
walked in and
discovered the body.
Yeah, just, uh, pure
chance? Mm-hm.
What was your reason
for seeing Tydings?
Business.
Well, I gathered your visit
wasn't a social call.
Were you Tydings' lawyer?
No.
Mason, this is a homicide.
Why did you wanna see Tydings?
You should know
better than to expect me
to violate the
confidence of a client.
Just answer me one thing:
Are you with us on this case?
Or are you holding out
for reasons of your own?
At the moment,
lieutenant, I just don't know.
I believe you, Mason.
The question is, will the D.A.?
Mrs. Leeds get here?
Five minutes ago.
They're in the law library.
Thanks.
You're late.
My apologies, Mrs. Leeds.
This is Carol Stanley,
the girl I mentioned.
A pleasure, Ms. Stanley.
Well, let's get down
to business, Mr. Mason.
I've explained to Carol
that legal stupidity
makes it necessary
for her to sign certain papers
demanding an investigation
of that crook Tydings.
Right, Carol?
Yes, Abby.
So if you'll write 'em up,
we'll sign 'em
and leave you to
get on with the job.
Well?
The situation has
changed somewhat.
Why?
Albert Tydings is dead.
He was murdered.
Murdered?
Uh, what happens now?
The courts will
appoint another trustee
to handle the legacy.
Ms. Stanley might be permitted
to nominate a suitable person.
I'd serve, uh...
without compensation.
Thank you, Abby.
(door opens)
DELLA: Excuse me.
Lieutenant Tragg's
waiting in your office.
Please excuse me.
I'll be right back.
Something I can do
for you, lieutenant?
Well, I understand you're, uh,
representing Mrs. A.E. Leeds.
It's possible. Why?
Well, I thought you might
know where I could find her.
I'm a lawyer, not a detective.
Any particular reason
you want to see her?
No, just a routine checkout.
Just to let her
know that I called.
I'll keep it in mind.
(chuckles)
Thanks.
Oh, I... I'm sorry. Wrong door.
Aren't you Abigail Leeds?
I am.
Well, what a coincidence.
Any objection if I talk
to your client, Mason?
Not at all.
I'm Lieutenant Tragg, Homicide,
investigating the
death of Albert Tydings.
Uh, Mr. Mason will tell you
that you don't have to
answer any questions.
However, any assistance
you could give me
I would greatly appreciate.
Ask away, officer.
Um, when did you, uh, last
see Tydings, Mrs. Leeds?
A couple of days
ago at his office.
Did you threaten him?
Threaten him?
If I'd had a horsewhip,
I'd have thrashed him.
Why?
Because he's a
cheap, dirty crook
with sticky fingers.
Whoever murdered
him did a civic service.
Well, I didn't say
he was murdered.
If he wasn't, then why are you
wasting the taxpayers' money?
If you're hard-pressed
for suspects,
put me on your list.
I'll be in good company.
(chuckling): Well, you're
very frank, Mrs. Leeds.
I have a voice like a foghorn,
and when I'm mad,
I don't whisper.
Come on, Carol.
We came here to see Mr. Mason
and not to waste time
answering fool questions.
I, uh, might want
to see you again.
It's a free country, sir.
Goodbye, Mr. Mason.
(door closes)
Quite a character.
Do you, uh, have any idea
when Tydings died, lieutenant?
Oh, as a rough guess,
I'd say, uh, around 8. Why?
Oh, just curious.
(chuckles)
Idle curiosity without reason,
uh, doesn't sound like you.
Uh, mind if I give
you a little advice?
Do I have a choice?
Suppression of material
evidence in a murder
might be hard to explain
to the Bar Association.
And I'd hate to lose my
favorite sparring partner.
Bye.
Bye.
This letter from Ms. Stanley
is hardly sufficient authority
to allow you access to our
trust accounts, Mr. Mason.
If it was a court order...
That's on its way.
When it arrives, I shall
be happy to obey it.
You're not very
cooperative, Mr. Ellis.
With Mr. Tydings dead
and Mr. Dawson out of town,
my hands are tied.
When did Mr. Dawson leave?
Last night, I believe.
A little sudden, wasn't it?
Did Dawson comment
on Mrs. Leeds's accusations?
Mr. Mason, I'm a
confidential clerk.
Discussion of my
employer's business
would be most unethical.
Come down from
the clouds, Ellis.
Eighty thousand
dollars is missing
from my client's trust account.
Both you and Dawson will
need a few ethical stories
before I'm through.
Oh, Mr. Mason, you have a call.
Will you take it over
on the other desk?
Line two.
Thank you.
Yes?
The cops found
Dawson's car, Perry.
It's wrecked near Westside Lake.
They're dragging
for the body now.
Tragg on to it yet?
Nope. At the
moment, it's exclusive.
Good. I'll, uh...
I'll pick you up at the office.
Yes.
Yes.
Are you, uh...?
You're Mr. Tydings' secretary?
No, Mr. Mason.
Uh, Ms. Shaw doesn't
come in in the mornings.
Privileged or, uh,
time off for overtime?
I wouldn't know.
Uh, yes.
That's right.
Bye.
Thank you again.
( mysterious theme playing)
Paul.
Get my camera.
It's in the glove compartment.
Yeah.
Oh, officer...
Would you mind standing
next to the car, please?
Have they found the body yet?
Not yet, sir.
(camera clicks)
Uh, just one more.
The name is Duggan.
Bill Duggan. Two G's.
D-U-G-G-A-N.
Did you find anything?
Uh-hm.
When it went into the
lake, Dawson wasn't driving.
Oh, no? How come?
The gas pedal is
wired to the floor.
So it's murder.
Or fake suicide.
If you boys hang around,
you'll get quite a story.
Oh? In what way?
That's the Homicide
boys. (car approaching)
Oh, I better go
get some fresh film.
Excuse me.
Nice meeting you.
Uh, excuse me, lieutenant.
You again?
Coincidence, lieutenant.
Just coincidence.
DUGGAN: Hey, mister.
Duggan with two G's.
Got it.
Sorry we can't take
your picture, lieutenant.
Out of film.
( tense theme playing)
Perry, Ellis just left.
Good.
Come on, sleepy.
Now, don't forget the signal.
If Ellis comes back
or there's any trouble,
I'll ring the phone twice,
hang up, and then redial.
You pick it up on the next ring.
Complex but effective. Come on.
( suspenseful theme playing)
( suspenseful theme playing)
I'm sorry to bother you,
but I've locked myself out.
I'm right next door
at Tydings & Dawson.
Okay.
Thanks a million.
A pleasure, lady.
You working late?
About a half-hour.
Good night, miss.
Good night.
Good girl. (sighs)
(typing)
Comfortable? Mm-hm.
So is the city jail.
(chuckles)
Relax, Della. Nobody
broke the door down.
I have a court order to
examine these books.
Did you find what you wanted?
I think.
From a quick rundown
of these figures,
Tydings must have been
robbing Carol Stanley blind.
Let's get out of this place.
It makes me nervous.
Hold your horses. I'll
be ready in a minute.
Well.
What's that?
Empty shell.
Small caliber.
Probably a Beretta.
Uh-huh.
Easy enough to conceal.
He could have been shot at
close range, across this desk.
With the doors closed
and the street noises,
nobody would
have heard the shot.
It just doesn't add up.
Why would someone risk
taking a body halfway across town
when they could have killed
Tydings in his own home?
You're right. It
just doesn't add up.
What if...?
If A killed him,
B arrived and found him dead,
realized if the
police nosed around,
his girlfriend would be asked
some very awkward questions,
so he then moved the body and...
looked up a lawyer?
Dawson?
Who was the girl?
DELLA: Not bad.
What does it mean?
Freudian slip, maybe.
Tydings anticipated overtime.
Secretary, huh?
As I recall, her name
is, uh, Enid Shaw.
OPERATOR: What
number are you calling?
Madison-51199,
and, operator, this
is an emergency!
One moment, please.
You've got the
keys to office 410?
Will you dial your
number again, please.
(rings)
(rings)
(rings)
Perry, vanish.
The law is on its way up.
And make it fast. I got
hung up on the phone.
( suspenseful theme playing)
(speaks indistinctly)
What are you doing?
I must leave
something for Tragg.
Tragg? He's on his way up.
This is where we retire
to previously
prepared positions.
What positions, Perry?
The fire escape, of course.
( suspenseful theme playing)
Check for, uh,
latent, uh, bloodstains
around the desk.
But if Dawson's our client,
why should he cover
for Tydings' secretary?
Enid Shaw, a very
attractive woman.
Phew. What a night.
Go ahead and have a
sandwich. If you insist.
Get Dawson's picture?
PAUL: Is he your
midnight visitor?
He is.
Well, that's nice.
He's wanted for murder. What?
Tragg found bloodstains
in the back of Dawson's car
that match Tydings' blood group.
You got someone
watching the girls?
Yep. They're both covered.
I can understand
watching Ms. Shaw,
but who's the other
girl? Carol Stanley.
(phone rings)
Mason speaking.
Yeah, hold on.
Paul.
Hello?
Yeah.
She did?
Wait a minute.
All right.
Got it. Jack, stay with
it. We'll be right over.
The girl led us to Dawson.
He's holed up in a motel.
Let's get going. See you, Della.
Bye, beautiful.
( suspenseful theme playing)
They're in number 5,
and I think they're
planning to skip.
Going somewhere, Mr. Dawson?
Why?
Stop playing games.
How'd you find
us? Listen, Dawson,
I don't think you
killed Tydings,
but I'm a minority of one.
I want the truth,
and I want it fast.
That includes you, Ms. Stanley.
You keep her out of it.
Why did you move
Tydings' body from his office?
TRAGG: Why don't you
answer the counselor's question,
Dawson.
Or, uh, must I be formal, Mason?
Uh. (snaps fingers)
And I must, uh, commend you
for your sense of public duty.
I knew that if I followed you,
that you would
lead me to Dawson.
( ominous theme playing)
( tense theme playing)
Mrs. Leeds is waiting, Perry.
Just a moment.
How's it going?
Not good.
They switched charges.
Now Carol Stanley is
held on suspicion of murder
with Dawson as accessory.
Why?
Her car was seen in
front of Tydings' office
before Dawson got there.
Is the witness reliable?
I'd say so. He was a policeman.
They had to go and
park in front of a fireplug.
What's their story?
Well, Carol had an appointment
with Tydings at his office.
She arrived there,
found him dead,
got panicky, called Dawson,
and Dawson shifted the body.
Did he have any reason?
Well.
The office knew
about her appointment.
He thought by moving the
body, he'd give her an alibi.
Do you believe it?
Yes.
I'd hate to try and
convince a jury.
What about Ms. Leeds?
Oh...
Better show her in.
(door opening)
How's Carol, Mason?
Would you like some coffee?
This isn't a social visit.
I don't know what
half-witted moron
is responsible
for Carol's arrest.
But whoever it is,
is going to know Abigail Leeds
by the time I'm through.
Sit down, Abigail.
Well, the, uh,
district attorney's office
has a pretty good
case against her.
Then what are
you resting up for?
Inspiration?
Why haven't you bailed her out?
There is no bail for murder.
Murder?
Well, I thought she was being
held as a material witness.
That was last night.
Things change.
Uh,
when do they say
Tydings was killed?
About 8:00.
Then they haven't got a case.
Carol was with me
in my apartment.
Mrs. Leeds,
her car was seen by a policeman
in front of Tydings'
office at 8:00.
Oh.
Well, I've got some
things here for her.
Clothes and some cookies
that she's been fond of.
When can I see her?
Why, that's up to the police.
As a rule, only close
relatives are allowed.
Well, I'm the closest friend
that she's got, like, uh...
Oh, like a mother.
But you're not her
mother, Mrs. Leeds.
It'll be up to Lieutenant Tragg.
However, I'm sure
he'll see his way clear.
(door opens, closes)
Della.
DELLA: Yes, Perry?
Get Paul Drake on the
phone for me, will you?
Oh, and by the way,
do you have Mrs. Leeds' address?
Mm, yes. It's on Rossmore.
Why?
Because Carol
Stanley lives with her.
We are going visiting.
( ominous theme playing)
Do we skip with the diamonds
and leave the paintings?
You sound bitter.
I suppose you have a court order
for justifiable snooping.
Della, there is no
breaking and entering
when a tenant
gives you her keys.
And Ms. Stanley also
gave me power of attorney.
Now, that should be enough.
(chuckling)
All right. What next?
You search the bedroom.
I'll tackle this room.
What are we looking for?
A motive for murder.
I think you'll find it
tied in pink ribbons
and preserved in lavender.
Wherever women
keep their mementos.
Perry, I think I
found something.
No letters.
I didn't expect any.
Well.
Why don't you put these
back as you found them.
Mm-hm.
What's this?
Ellis?
Yes, Ellis.
Blackmail?
They go back over
a period of five years.
Sometimes, Della, I wish that...
I know. What next?
We'll have a chat with Ellis
and take a couple of
these along as calling cards.
No, Mr. Mason, I am sorry.
Mr. Ellis is in conference.
Can you get him on the phone?
He's not taking any calls.
May I have an envelope?
Of course, Mr. Mason.
Would you please
give this to Mr. Ellis?
Tell him I'll wait for him
exactly... 60 seconds.
But... Two, three, four,
five, six...
(door opens)
(door closes)
Would you please
go in, Mr. Mason?
Thank you.
I gather you're a man
of lightning decisions.
I'll take the evidence.
What were you in the
Hidden Home Welfare Society,
the bookkeeper?
What do you want?
Where's the file Tydings
was using for blackmail?
What's the deal?
With grand larceny and
extortion against you,
you're in a bad
bargaining position.
Now, get that file.
I haven't got it.
Then open that safe and get it,
or I'll get it myself.
You'll need a court
order to do that.
Anything else you'd like?
You win.
It's all there.
Photostats and originals.
Who collected this file?
I did.
First you used it to
blackmail Mrs. Leeds with,
then when you found she and
Tydings were having trouble,
you sold it to him.
Well, I needed the money.
Well, your worries in
that department are over.
What do you mean?
By the time you get out of jail,
you'll be drawing
an old-age pension.
Hi, Dell.
Oh, Perry.
Paul's in your office,
and Mrs. Leeds
is in the law library,
and the Lieutenant
Tragg's on his way.
I'll see Paul first,
then Mrs. Leeds,
and hold all calls,
will you, Della?
Right.
PAUL: Hi, Perry.
Paul.
Did Ellis come across?
He did.
Well, Bob Dawson's
as clean as a whistle.
He's got a straight run
clear back to grade school.
He's not brilliant, but
depressingly honest.
What about the
$10,000 bill he gave me?
He said it was
issued to Tydings.
Yeah, well, they
keep a pretty hefty
cash margin
account at that office.
Dawson must've drawn
it against his check.
Oh, that makes sense.
I got this cable
from Washington.
About Abby Leeds' passport.
It doesn't exist,
and it never has.
They can take it as gospel.
Abigail Esther's never
left the States in her life.
Adds up. Mm-hm.
I think we're adding
up to the same totals.
This is from the
Hall of Records.
Entry of birth. Dated
June 23rd, 1936. Female.
You know the rest.
(sighs)
All right. Thanks.
Sorry it came out
this way, Perry.
I know you...
Tell Della to have Tragg
wait here in my
office, will you?
How was your visit
with Carol, Mrs. Leeds?
It's killing her, Mason.
It's killing her spirit.
They're animal cages.
Locks, bars, keepers,
and a clean sort of
smell that I'll never forget.
It's quickly forgotten
when you leave.
Well, when will she leave?
The preliminary
hearing's set for tomorrow.
And her chances?
Not good.
She's innocent, Mason.
She shouldn't be there at all.
The district attorney
is asking an indictment
for first-degree murder.
What does that mean?
The gas chamber.
Oh, no.
Oh, don't worry.
That'll never happen.
I had hoped to find the killer,
but I've only been
partially successful.
What do you mean?
Knowing who killed Tydings...
and proving it to a jury
is an unbridgeable gap.
Why do you think he was killed?
All of us have a
point of no return.
Sometimes when
you're pushed too far,
you lose control.
You're wise beyond
your years, young man,
and a good guesser.
Or is it guesswork?
You have a very
lovely daughter, Abby.
You must be quite
proud of Carol.
I am, Mr. Mason. I...
How...? How much do you know?
That why you killed him, Abby?
Yes.
You've... You've never
been a child without a father.
Blushed with shame
every time you had to
produce a birth certificate.
Called names that you...
You couldn't even understand,
and cried yourself to
sleep night after night.
Well, I have, Mr. Mason.
I killed Tydings,
and I'd kill again
before I'd let anyone
harm my child.
Would you call that
Lieutenant Tragg?
He was very kind
down at the jail.
He's waiting in my office.
You think of
everything, young man.
You don't have to come down
to that place with me, Mr. Mason.
I've wasted enough of your time.
I, uh, suppose I
should get a lawyer.
At the risk of being unethical,
I'd like to apply for the job.
A guilty client isn't going
to help your reputation.
Well, Abby?
You've got the job.
Well, lieutenant,
if we have to ride
downtown together,
would you be kind enough
to give me your arm?
( dramatic theme playing)
( tranquil theme playing)
(Mason sneezes) Gesundheit.
MASON: Yeah. Thank you.
(sniffs and groans)
(sighs)
What's that?
It tastes very good.
I just have a cold. Mm-hm.
All right, now, open up.
Come on.
Ew.
(chuckles)
Oh, you know, I
forgot to tell you.
Mr. Dawson and Carol's
family dropped by the office.
They brought the other
half of that $10,000 bill.
You know, I have a feeling
that girl knows all
about her background.
Yes, ever since
high school days.
Couldn't care less.
Well, why didn't
she tell her mother?
Well, she didn't
want to upset her.
Tsk. And to think Mrs.
Leeds killed Tydings
just to protect the secret.
What a futile, senseless murder.
All murders are.
(sneezes)
Della. Della, you
don't have to stay.
I'll be fine. Mm-hm.
You know, Mr. Mason, I told you
I'm a very handy
girl to have around.
You didn't tell me one
of your accomplishments
was starting fires.
Anytime you want me to put
the heat on Lieutenant Tragg,
you just let me know.
I'll bear that in mind.
(chuckles)
Here. Come on.
Mm.
Sometimes you even
make it too hot for me.
(chuckles)
( upbeat jazz theme plays)
( noirish jazz theme playing)