Perry Mason (1957–1966): Season 2, Episode 10 - The Case of the Fancy Figures - full transcript

Well, Richard?

It all adds up, Dad. Oh,
it adds up beautifully.

Miss Kirby, I want
to see Mr. Brewster

the moment he comes in.

Oh, what a brain I am. I
never suspected a thing.

Well, don't feel too
badly about it, Richard.

Neither did I.

There are a good many things
I thought Charles capable of,

but not this.

How in heaven's name did
he expect to get away with it?

The answer is he did,
for more than a year.



Good morning, gentlemen.

You rotten thief.

Really, Richard, is
that a way to greet

the vice president
of this organization?

I always knew you
were a louse, Brewster,

but I never really knew
how big a one until today!

That'll do.

I want you to look
at these, Charles.

It may explain a great deal.

Very interesting.

Is that your only comment?

Do you realize that
an innocent man

was sentenced
to five years in jail

for a crime you committed?



The jury found Mr. Ellis guilty.

The jury was not in
possession of the facts.

These facts!

Miss Kirby, get me the
district attorney's office, please.

I'd like to talk...

Never mind, Miss Kirby.

How dare you.

Aren't you forgetting
something, Jonathan?

We are not the only
ones concerned in this.

You have a daughter.

Suppose you leave
Valerie out of this.

You're asking the
impossible, Jonathan.

It just so happens that the
lady in question is my wife.

You wouldn't want anyone
to unlock the skeleton

in your own closet, would you?

Miss Kirby...

You can't do it, Dad.

You can't.

Never mind, Miss Kirby.

I'd get rid of these,

if I were you, Jonathan.

It might prove embarrassing

if they fell into
the wrong hands.

If you'll excuse me.

Aren't you starting a little
early these days, my pet?

Oh, Charles, I'm sorry.

I... I wasn't feeling very
well, and I thought maybe...

There's no need to
apologize, Valerie.

Everyone knows
you're an alcoholic.

Oh, no, Charles.
That's not true.

Why, honestly, I haven't
had a drink in... In...

I could stop anytime...

if you really wanted me to.

Don't be silly, my dear.

I wouldn't dream of
interfering with your pleasures.

Charles, please... help me.

That's all I need,
just a little help.

I know I'm a
disappointment to you.

I'm not pretty or
someone to be proud of...

And you're not
very bright, either.

What did you hope to
accomplish with that maneuver?

What maneuver?

Sending your father
those photostats.

I have absolutely no intention

of exchanging
places with Mr. Ellis.

Martin Ellis?

Well, naturally,
I assumed that...

Charles, why do you
torture me like this?

I think you need another drink.

Go on, dear.

If you drink enough of this,

it may solve all
of our problems.

Charles...

I'm sorry to bother
you, Mrs. Ellis,

but there is eight cents
due on this package.

Oh, all right, I'll
get my purse.

Why don't you just
put it in your mailbox,

I'll get it tomorrow.

Thank you.

"Enclosed is positive proof

of the innocence of
your husband. A friend."

And you have no idea
who this so-called friend is?

Do you know anything
about the operation

at Hyett, Brewster and Hyett?

Well, I should,

I worked for them
for almost a year.

Martin got me the job.

They asked me to leave
when he was arrested.

Mmm, they do business management

for some of the top
names in Hollywood.

People with incomes
in the stratosphere.

Each of the partners
handles about, uh,

a dozen accounts.

And the three-hundred thousand
dollars that was embezzled...

Came from the clients
of Charles Brewster.

How was the
embezzlement managed?

Well, there were
fraudulent bills submitted

for, uh, various things,

like, uh, household furnishings,

some jewelry, things like that.

I take it these bills came
from non-existent firms.

But my husband had
no way of knowing that

and as controller
of the organization,

why, naturally, he paid them.

"Naturally"?

Well, each of the bills

carried an authorization
from Charles Brewster.

And this wasn't brought
out at your husband's trial?

Unfortunately, the bills, uh,

disappeared from the files.

So he couldn't
substantiate his story?

Come in, Paul.

Sorry I'm late, but my
regular man was sick.

I had to go clear
down to Broadway

to find somebody who
can handle microfilm.

Let's see what we've got.

Manning Bishop?

Oh, that's one of
Charles Brewster's clients.

He's a... A director
at Acme Studios.

"Manning Bishop...

"Desmond Jewelers,
account of Manning Bishop,

one diamond solitaire, $8,500."

But that's one of the
bills that disappeared.

"Ellis, please take
care of this. C.B."

Now that proves that
Martin was telling the truth.

But look at that, there
must be 40 bills there.

Della... Mm-hm?

Put in a call to the
district attorney's office.

Uh, better still, make the
call to Mr. Burger personally.

Of course, you
understand, Perry,

these will all have
to be checked out.

Well, that shouldn't
be too difficult.

No, it won't be.

I'll give them to a
handwriting expert tonight.

I wish I could make
an adequate apology

for what seems to be a
terrible miscarriage of justice.

When your husband
couldn't produce these bills

and authorizations,
the jury had no choice

but to believe that they
existed only in his mind.

I know this will seem a
small consolation to you,

but if Brewster's
responsible for this,

I assure you he'll pay for it.

That's nice seeing
you, Hamilton.

Thank you, Perry.

Good night, Mrs. Ellis.

Goodbye. And thank you.

Oh, Hamilton, what
about this alleged friend?

Friend?

The one who mailed the
microfilm and the note to Mrs. Ellis.

Ever wonder how he got it,

or why he waited for over a
year to declare his friendship?

You might give it some thought.

So it was a
miscarriage of justice

and the district
attorney is terribly sorry?

Well, that's just dandy.

But I sat here for
a year and a half,

and who cared? Nobody.

Nobody but my wife.

And I'm supposed to be happy

because everybody says,
"Tough luck, old man."

Meanwhile, Brewster was
out having the time of his life.

He'll pay for it.

You bet he will, if
it's the last thing I do.

Listen to me, Mr. Ellis,

that attitude usually
buys nothing but trouble.

The law will take
care of Brewster.

Will it?

Yes, as a matter of fact,

he was arrested at
1:00 this afternoon.

He'll be out by tonight.

Don't forget his father-in-law
is Jonathan Hyett.

Oh, that won't
bother Mr. Burger.

We've had our differences,

but you can't accuse
him of playing politics.

Don't you want to see your wife?

Carolyn! Marty!

Oh, Marty, stop!

What's Mr. Mason going to think?

Mr. Mason thinks
he's in the way.

I'll call you in a day or so.

I can't tell you, Mr. Squires,

how flattered I am
by your concern.

I was beginning to
think nobody cared.

And all the time,

the great Southwest
Bonding and Surety Company

hadn't forgotten me.

Believe me,
Mr. Squires, I am touched.

Actually, Mr. Brewster...

Yes?

We would like to
recover the money.

Oh. Well, that presents
somewhat of a problem.

You see, I've always been

sort of addicted to
playing the stock market.

Unfortunately, I made
some rather bad investments,

and that's where the money went.

I happen to know

that you opened a new account
with Lockmill and Company

under the name
of "Charles Brown"

eight months ago.

Do tell.

You closed the
account last week.

There was close
to $308,000 in it.

Obviously, my luck changed.

We also know that you
converted your profits into cash.

But you don't know
where that cash is hidden.

Well, now, if you
would cooperate...

Why, of course.

Now, let's consider
the proposition.

You want your money
back, and I want my freedom.

That is substantially
it, isn't it?

Well...

first, I'd like you to
arrange bail immediately.

I couldn't possibly
spend another night here.

Really, Mr. Brewster.

In return, I'm prepared
to hand over to your firm

the sum of $150,000.

But you stole...

I know, Mr. Squires,
I stole 300,000.

But you must consider
the humiliation I've suffered.

Well, you realize that
what you're suggesting

is highly illegal.

All right, Mr. Squires,
have it your own way.

But what do you think
your firm would do

if you showed up with
$150,000 that they'd written off?

It'd make you a pretty big man.

How soon would I get the money?

Three hours after
bail is posted.

Hello, Elsie? Uh,
this is Mr. Squires.

I want you to call the
Heller Detective Agency.

Talk to Mr. Heller himself.

Tell him I want bail posted
for Charles Brewster,

but he's to keep us out of it.

Yes.

And I want Brewster kept
under close surveillance.

I have a hunch
he'll try to skip out.

The minute he tries it,

I want the bondsman
to surrender him.

Yes.

Yes, I think we have the
very clever Mr. Brewster

right where we want him.

What's the matter?

It's just like I told Mason.

I knew he'd be
out in five minutes.

Well, that doesn't
mean anything.

I tell you, Carolyn.

He'll never serve a day,
and I sat for a year and a half

for something I didn't do.

Is there a drink in the house?

Here's to justice.

No wonder they say she's blind.

Is there any more?

No.

Where are you going?

I can use another drink.

And I might even drop off
to congratulate Mr. Brewster.

Darling, please, for my sake...

Marty?

Hello? This is Jonathan Hyett.

No, Hyett. H, Y, E, double T.

I'm at Apartment 6
at 1411 South Auburn.

I would like to
report a suicide.

Yes. Of course.

I'll wait, sergeant.

Really, lieutenant, I
do wish to cooperate,

but there's nothing
more to tell you.

The door was
unlocked, and I came in...

And found him lying there.

Yes. And when I saw
the gun in his hand,

I couldn't help thinking this
was the one decent thing

that Charles had
done in his life.

You think he was
overcome by remorse?

It's quite evident, sir.

It's all right,
Mr. Hyett, you can go.

Lieutenant. Oh, sergeant?

Suppose you drive
Mr. Hyett home.

Oh, no, no. That's
quite all right.

Thank you. I'll...
I'll take a taxi.

Lieutenant, this is
Walter Vico, the doorman.

How do you do, Mr. Vico?

I'm Lieutenant
Tragg. Lieutenant.

You were on duty
between 8:00 and midnight,

is that right?

Boys, let me have
those shots there.

Now I'm going to show you
several pictures, Mr. Vico.

You tell me if you ever saw
any of these people before.

Now, take your time.
Nobody's rushing you.

Lieutenant, the Crime Lab.

I'll talk to him.

Here he is, Davis.

Yes, sergeant? What did it show?

Yeah, that's what I
thought. Thanks a lot.

The gun was put in Brewster's
hand after he was killed.

Lieutenant... I seen
this fella before.

When?

Tonight, a few minutes after 10.

I asked who he wanted to
see, but he pushed right by me.

He said he had an
appointment with Mr. Brewster.

Sergeant, you
know where he lives.

Pick him up.

It's a funny thing, Mr. Mason.

I've met you twice.

Each time, I've
been behind bars.

You suppose that's an omen?

I hope so.

You were innocent
the first time.

And I'm innocent now.

How do you account
for the doorman

at Brewster's apartment
house identifying you?

Well, he saw me.

How'd you know about the
place? It was a hideaway.

Everybody knew.

Brewster had it for years,

even before he married
Jonathan Hyett's daughter.

All right.

Go on.

Well, I pushed by the doorman
and went up to the apartment,

which wasn't very smart because
he must've alerted Brewster.

He was waiting for me
with a gun in his hand.

I gave him a judo cut,

and the gun went
flying across the room.

I went after it, and
he tried to stop me.

That when you got those?

Yeah, he did it with his ring.

Of course, I didn't
feel it at the time.

I was concentrating on that gun.

And after you got the gun?

I just hit him.

That's the truth.

I couldn't kill a man, no
matter what he did to me.

The man is a...

Well, no matter what he
is, he's still a human being.

Go on.

I tossed the gun on the
sofa and told him to get up.

And he pleaded with
me to leave him alone,

said he'd make
everything up to me,

even give me half
the money he stole.

That's when I slugged him again.

I hit him with everything I had.

Then a funny thing happened.
You won't believe this.

I might.

Suddenly, I wasn't mad anymore.

I put out my hand
to help him up.

I guess he didn't trust me.

How'd it happen

the doorman didn't
see you as you left?

I rode the elevator
down to the basement,

went out the service entrance.

How'd you get home?

I walked.

I didn't even have enough
money to ride the bus.

Do you believe me?

Yes, I believe you.

Have you any idea who sent
that microfilm to your wife?

I figured whoever did
it was a friend of mine.

He got me out of jail.

But now you're back in...

and charged with murder.

Della...

I'm in here, Paul.

Hi, beautiful.

My men have been
checking on this box.

No dice. You can buy
it in any five-and-dime.

What about the writing?

Done with a cheap ballpoint.

Perry's going to
be disappointed.

Oh? About what?

I didn't expect
you back tonight.

It's only 6:30, we have
half the day ahead.

Now, how am I going
to be disappointed?

Because I couldn't find
out anything about this box.

Well, I didn't think you would.

What about the microfilm itself?

I have Faulkner and
Harris working on it.

Anything else?

No, I guess not.

Well, I'll shove off.

Wait a minute, Paul.

I've been trying to reach you.

This came special
delivery at 4:00.

That would make it $5,000.

Right.

"Please use this for the
Martin Ellis Defense Fund."

No name, no return address.

Evidently, Mr. Ellis has
nothing but anonymous friends.

So does Charles Brewster.
Who went bail for him, Paul?

According to the records, it
was a man named Fred Wheeler.

Actually, he was a dummy
for the bonding company.

Then Brewster must've promised
to return the embezzled money.

Or part of it.

When Ellis threatened him, he...

What?

I'll tell you about it later,

but Ellis was in
Brewster's apartment,

and Brewster offered to give
him part of the embezzled money.

I wonder what
happened to that money.

If it had been in the apartment,

the police would've found it.

Where is it now?

Della, make an appointment

with the representative
of the bonding company

who talked to Brewster.

Paul, see if you can find
out who typed this note.

That is going to
be about as tough

as trying to find out
who sent this microfilm.

Maybe not. I
think I have a lead.

I'd like you to get
specimens of every typewriter

in the offices of Hyett,
Brewster and Hyett.

Can you handle it?

See you tomorrow.

Della...

see if you can get Mrs.
Brewster on the phone.

I'll, uh... I'll take
it in my office.

Yes?

Who's calling?

This is her brother,
Richard Hyett.

Mrs. Brewster can't
possibly come to the phone,

she's very ill.

I'm sorry to hear
that, Mr. Hyett.

When do you think I
might see your sister?

I have no idea, she's
under medical care.

May I have the
name of her doctor?

Of course I believe
you, Mr. Hyett.

But I would like
to ask her doctor

about the prognosis.

I resent this, Mr. Mason.

My brother-in-law has
just been murdered.

If you have no consideration
for my sister's feelings,

I can have none for yours.

Who was that, Richie?

Valerie...

You should be in bed.

Why, Richie?

Because you're sick.

I've been sick for years.

And this is just what
the doctor ordered.

Now I know why I came down.

It's empty.

Honey...

Come on, you've had enough.

I'll never have enough.

You don't know
how I miss Charles.

I wish I could figure out why.

I guess I'm just a
masochist at heart.

Oh, we made such
a wonderful team.

He was such a terrible sadist.

Tell me, Richie...

aren't you glad Charles is dead?

I'm embarrassing
you, I shouldn't do that.

I'm sorry.

You let me keep this

and I won't ask
any more questions.

Really, Mr. Mason,
I'd be delighted to help,

but frankly, there's
nothing I can tell you.

Oh, I'm sure there
must be something.

You posted bail for
Charles Brewster.

I beg your pardon.

You worked through a
dummy named Fred Wheeler.

No, that's not true.

You never heard of Fred Wheeler?

No.

Or the Heller Detective Agency?

Uh, well, they've done
some work for us in the past.

They're also very active
for you in the present.

Mr. Squires, are you in
the habit of posting bail

for everyone who
defrauds your company?

There were unusual
circumstances in this case.

Brewster agreed to cooperate?

What was the extent
of his cooperation?

Frankly, Mr. Mason, that
is none of your business.

Mr. Squires, are you familiar

with Section 32
of the penal code?

What?

It provides that after
a felony is committed,

anyone who harbors,
conceals, or aids the principal

to avoid punishment
is an accessory.

I don't see how that affects me.

The district attorney
might see a connection.

Brewster was guilty
of embezzlement,

yet you posted bail for him,

knowing he had every
intention of skipping the country.

Heh.

Uh, look, Mr. Mason,

I, uh... I wouldn't want you
to get the wrong impression.

Naturally, any information
I have is at your disposal.

Please sit down, Mr. Squires.

What was your
deal with Brewster?

He was to return
half the stolen money.

My agreement was to
give him a couple of hours

after we posted bail.

To get the stolen money back?

Yes. I felt he intended
to double-cross us

and try to leave the
jurisdiction of the court.

But I assure you,
the minute he tried it,

he would have been
surrendered to the authorities.

I only wanted him to
lead us to the money.

Did he?

When I arrived at his
apartment at 7:30 that night,

he had an envelope ready for me.

In it was $150,000,
in $1,000 bills.

What happened to
the rest of the money?

I have no idea.

Did Brewster stop anywhere

between the jail
and his apartment?

Well, he, uh... He stopped
at the Wayne Travel Agency.

He bought two
tickets for Mexico City

in the name of "George Kendall."

Did he make any other stop?

No.

Then that money was hidden
in his apartment all along.

Are you sure
that's all the money

you received from him?

I told you, Mr. Mason...

Della, call Mr. Squires' office.

I have a hunch they
may want to talk to him.

The number is Webster-2-2244.

Thank you.

Hello, I'm calling
for Mr. Squires.

Will you hold on
a minute, please?

Hello, Elsie, this
is Mr. Squires.

Has anybody been...

What?

Well, w-when did this happen?

Well, thank you. I'll
be there in 20 minutes.

This is incredible.

You mean, the other
$150,000 showed up?

Thank you.

It... It was in a plain,
manila envelope.

No note?

No note.

Your secretary must
still have that envelope.

Probably.

Thank you, Mr. Squires.
You've been very helpful.

Very interesting, Mr. Mason,

but I fail to see
where it concerns me.

This envelope contained
$150,000 in $1,000 bills.

Most impressive.

Yesterday, I received
this in the mail.

It contained $5,000 and a
note asking that it be used

as a defense fund
for Martin Ellis.

Both the note and the envelope
were typed in your office.

Do you know I could
sue you for libel?

No, you're thinking of slander.

And in any action for
slander, truth is a valid defense.

According to the doorman,

you were alone in
Brewster's apartment

until you called the police.

But you didn't call the police

until 15 minutes
after you'd arrived.

Are you suggesting...

I'm suggesting that you
searched the apartment,

found the balance of that money

and returned it to
the bonding company

in this envelope.

Now, look here, Mason...

I'm also suggesting

that you placed that
gun in Brewster's hand

to make it look like suicide.

You are very much mistaken.

I don't think so.

One thing does puzzle me...

Why did you send that
microfilm to Mrs. Ellis?

I didn't.

All right, Mr. Hyett.

We go to court next Monday.

I'd hoped before that,
you'd tell me the truth.

Good day, sir.

Miss Kirby...

get me the district
attorney's office, please.

I'd like to speak with
Mr. Burger personally.

And where was the murder
weapon found, lieutenant?

We found this gun

in the right hand
of the deceased.

It was owned by and
registered to Charles Brewster.

I don't see my wife.

She'll be here.

Were there any
fingerprints on the weapon?

Only those of the deceased.

What made you decide

that Mr. Brewster's
death was not a suicide?

Well, there was no
tattooing near the wound.

Even smokeless powder
will produce tattooing

if the weapon is fired
within 12 inches of the victim.

Anything else?

Yes, sir, we performed
a paraffin test

on the right hand
of the deceased,

but there was no deposit
of powder or smoke.

The result of these two
tests prove that the deceased

could not have
fired the fatal shot?

That's correct.

I see.

Now, lieutenant...

I wonder if you'd identify
these articles for me.

Yes, this is the wallet we
found on the deceased.

There was $68 in it

and two airline
tickets to Mexico City.

The flight was scheduled
to leave International Airport

at midnight.

What about this ring?

We found that ring in
Mr. Brewster's coat pocket.

And what about this ring here?

The deceased was wearing that

on the fourth finger
of his right hand.

If it please the court,

I would like all these items
marked for identification.

Now, lieutenant, with
regard to the signet ring

that the deceased was
wearing on his right hand,

did you have it subjected
to microscopic analysis?

Yes. We found minute
traces of blood and skin

embedded in the
initials of the ring.

I see.

When did you first
see the defendant?

Oh, about five minutes after 2,

on the morning
of September 15th,

when he was brought to
my office by Sergeant Brice.

And would you describe for
us his appearance at that time?

Yes, he'd been drinking.

He had several cuts on his face,

two of them still
bleeding slightly.

Did you ask him how he
happened to get these wounds?

Yes, and he told me it
was none of my business.

I see.

Thank you,
lieutenant. That'll be all.

Cross-examine.

I couldn't help noticing
the district attorney

failed to ask you who
reported the murder.

The murder was reported
by Mr. Jonathan Hyett.

And you personally
interrogated Mr. Hyett

when you arrived at the scene?

I did.

Naturally, you asked
him if he touched anything.

He claimed he hadn't
handled anything near the body.

Including the gun?
Including the gun.

Now, how long was Mr. Hyett
alone in that apartment

after he called the police?

About, uh, five minutes.

Didn't your investigation show

that he was alone
in the apartment

for ten minutes
before he called?

Yes.

So Mr. Hyett was
alone with the body

for a sum total of 15 minutes?

Yes, sir.

Did you search Mr. Hyett
before he left the premises?

No, I didn't.

I had no authority to
make such a search.

Thank you, lieutenant.
That will be all.

You may step down.

And when I saw
Charles' body lying there,

I knew that I should call
the police immediately.

And did you, Mr. Hyett?

I didn't.

I waited until I had
searched the premises.

What were you searching for?

I thought that my
son-in-law might've hidden

the money that he
had stolen there.

Did you find the money?

I did. It was in a suitcase.

What did you do with the money?

I put it inside my
shirt, around my waist.

It was too bulky for my pockets.

I subsequently
mailed it to Mr. Squires

of the bonding company.

I felt that it was
rightfully theirs.

I see.

Now, Mr. Hyett, did
you do anything else

before the arrival
of the police?

Yes, I picked up the gun.

It was lying on the
floor near his feet.

I wiped off the fingerprints
and placed it in Charles' hand.

Didn't you realize

you were tampering
with evidence?

Yes, I did.

Then why did you do it?

I object, Your Honor.

If it please the court,

I believe I should
be allowed to inquire

into the motivation
of this witness.

Tampering with evidence
is a serious crime.

He's testified that he
knew what he was doing.

I think I should be allowed
to find out why he did it.

Mm-hm. Objection overruled.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Now, Mr. Hyett, why did
you wipe that gun clean

and put it in the hand
of your dead son-in-law?

I felt that my son-in-law
had caused enough trouble.

Thank you,
Mr. Hyett. That's all.

Your witness.

Mr. Hyett, you testified
that you stole money

from your
son-in-law's apartment.

I beg your pardon.
I did not steal it.

Hadn't you been reimbursed
by the bonding company

for your loss?

Well, yes.

Then that money
didn't belong to you.

Perhaps I wasn't
thinking clearly.

And you weren't thinking clearly

when you thought you
could protect the defendant

by placing that gun
in Brewster's hand?

Now, tell me, Mr. Hyett,

did you see one
thing in that apartment,

one, single thing,
that would indicate

that the defendant
had even been there?

No.

Then who did you think
you were protecting,

the defendant or someone else?

Now, what were your
feelings about the deceased?

I was not very fond of him.

And why did you pick
this particular night

to visit him?

I wanted to talk to
him about my daughter.

I knew my son-in-law quite well.

I knew that he was just
the type to jump his bail.

I knew that he did
not have the nerve

to take his medicine
and face trial,

and I did not want my daughter
to be a fugitive from justice.

And you felt Brewster
would ask your daughter

to leave the country with him?

Oh, I knew he would. It
was quite in character.

It seems to me the person
you should have talked to

was your daughter.

You don't know my
daughter, Mr. Mason.

She loved Charles Brewster.

Even though he was guilty
of framing an innocent man?

Even though he was guilty.

When did you learn he
had framed Martin Ellis?

When Charles was arrested.

You had no idea before that?

Do you think that
I'd want to see

an innocent man remain in jail?

That doesn't answer my question.

Did you know your
son-in-law was guilty

before he was arrested?

Yes.

And yet you did nothing?

I tried to make
amends as best I could.

By mailing a roll of
microfilm to my client's wife?

I did not do that.

That'll be all, Mr. Hyett.

You may stand down.

I call Mrs. Martin Ellis.

Your Honor, this is outrageous.

Surely Mr. Burger knows
the rules of evidence.

I assume Mr. Mason
is referring to

the inadmissibility of
testimony of a defendant's wife.

If Your Honor would
care to examine these.

Mrs. Ellis is not legally
the wife of the defendant.

I have here a certified
copy of her marriage license

to Mr. Ellis.

You will note they were married
on July 4th, three years ago.

However, prior to that,

she was married to a
certain Victor H. Pulasky.

Fourteen months before he died,

she instituted proceedings
for a divorce against him,

and this is a copy of
her interlocutory decree.

Now, under our statutes,

the decree of divorce
does not become final

until a year has passed.

But Pulasky was dead.

Nevertheless, she
married Mr. Ellis in Nevada

ten months after the
decree was granted

and while Pulasky
was still alive.

Therefore,

her marriage to Mr. Ellis
was entered into illegally.

It looks that we have

a very interesting
situation here, gentlemen.

Of course, if the lady
is not legally married

to the defendant, she
can testify against him.

I don't want to, Your Honor.

I'm afraid you have no
choice in the matter, madam.

Were you served with a subpoena?

Yes, sir, two days ago.

If Your Honor please,
you can appreciate

that the defense could not
anticipate this development.

I would like to
confer with my client.

Since it's almost 5:00...

Court will be adjourned
till 10:00 tomorrow morning.

Mrs. Ellis, would you
come with me, please?

I don't understand this.

Neither do I.

How long has your wife
been in her present apartment?

What?

I mean, is the
lease in her name?

Yes, she took the
place eight months ago

while I was still in jail.

Do you own any stocks or bonds?

Yes, but what's
that got to do with it?

Are they in the apartment?

I bought them after
Carolyn and I were married.

Because if you're
not legally married,

then they're not
community property

and you have a
right to claim them.

As your attorney and
duly authorized agent,

I can do it for you.

I'll have an
authorization drawn up.

You go along.

Uh, what am I looking for?

My client's stocks and bonds.

Legally, that's all
we can look for.

Here they are.

Wait a minute. Here's
something funny.

Funny?

A check for $24, made
out to the Barton Stationers.

And?

They're in San
Francisco. I know the store.

Here.

What do you think?

Yeah, I think it's funny too.

The check before that is
made out to Far West Airlines

for a round trip
to San Francisco.

It's dated September 12th.

So is the check
to the stationers,

but the next check is made
out to a shop here in Los Angeles

and dated September 13th.

Obviously, she only spent
one day in San Francisco.

What's that prove?

It might prove why
Mrs. Ellis didn't tell me

that Burger had subpoenaed
her to testify against her husband.

Here, let's find out.

Counselor.

Now, Mrs. Ellis,

what was the defendant's
reaction to the news

that Charles Brewster
was out on bail?

I don't think I understand you.

Oh, I think you
understand me completely.

Didn't he make a
threat of some kind?

I object, Your Honor.

The question is
definitely leading.

Your Honor, Mr. Mason
knows perfectly well

that this is a hostile witness.

The objection is overruled.
You may proceed, Mr. Burger.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Now, Mrs. Ellis, I'll
repeat my question,

and I remind you
that you're under oath.

Didn't the defendant
make a threat of some kind

that you could connect
up with Charles Brewster?

Well, he did say
there was no justice,

if that's what you mean.

And did he then
leave your apartment

in spite of your
efforts to restrain him?

Yes.

What time did he
return that night?

About 1:00 the next morning.

With cuts and
bruises on his face?

Yes.

And how did he explain
these wounds to you?

Well, he said...

he'd had a little trouble
with Mr. Brewster.

Really? That's
how he described it?

"A little trouble"?

Yes.

That's all, Mrs.
Ellis. Thank you.

Cross-examine, counselor.

She couldn't help herself.
He made her say those things.

Mrs. Ellis, you're still
legally Mrs. Pulasky,

is that correct?

That's what Mr. Burger told me.

But you do want to
help the defendant?

Of course.

You've testified the
defendant left your apartment

at approximately
9:30 that night?

That's right.

And what did you do?

I stayed home
and waited for him.

The ever-faithful wife?

Now, look, I can do
without the sarcasm.

If it wasn't for me,

Martin would still be in
jail for embezzlement.

And this was
responsible for his release.

Where did you get this
microfilm, Mrs. Pulasky?

I told you, it came in the mail.

Are you familiar with a
company in San Francisco

called Barton Stationers?

Well, I've heard of them.

I show you now
what purports to be

an order to Barton Stationers.

Is that your signature?

Yes.

Would you read the
order for us, please?

Forty-two photostats of bills

to be reduced and placed
on one roll of microfilm. Rush.

And when is the order dated?

September 12th.

And when did you send
that microfilm to yourself?

I didn't send it to myself!

Don't tell us there were
two rolls of microfilm.

No, you had the
original bills all along.

Where did you get
them, Mrs. Pulasky?

Isn't it true that you got them

while helping Charles
Brewster embezzle $300,000

from a firm where
you both worked?

No, I had nothing to do
with Charles Brewster.

Suppose we ask the doorman
at the Shane Apartment

if you weren't a
constant visitor?

You were in love
with Charles Brewster.

He must've promised to
get a divorce and marry you,

but you didn't trust him.

That's why you kept those
bills instead of destroying them.

No!

Your lover behaved
just as you expected,

and you wanted revenge.

Why don't you stop?

That's why you sent
a copy of this microfilm

to his father-in-law.

When Mr. Hyett did nothing,

you brought the microfilm to me,

not to free the defendant
but to put your lover in jail.

You don't understand.

When Brewster
was released on bail,

you were afraid
he'd never be tried,

so you went to his apartment.

No.

You didn't go to
Brewster's apartment?

Yes, but I didn't go in!

I waited in a bar
across the street

to see if my husband
would come out.

When did you leave?

When I saw the police arrive.

Look, I can even
describe the place to you.

It's called Frankie's,

and they've got about
a half a dozen booths...

You could've been
there many times.

But is there anyone who
can prove you were there

at the time of the murder?

I can.

Valerie.

Bailiff, will you bring
that woman forward?

We'll have order
in the courtroom

or I'll have it cleared.

Excuse me, Your Honor.

This is Mrs. Charles Brewster,
the widow of the deceased.

Under the circumstances...

I'll overlook your misconduct,

but I do think you should
leave the courtroom.

If the court please,

Mrs. Brewster is
my next witness.

Have you any further questions
to ask this witness, Mr. Mason?

No, Your Honor.

Will you stand down, please?

The clerk will swear
in Mrs. Brewster.

And as I walked
into this little bar,

I believe it was
called Frankie's,

I saw Mrs. Ellis, I
mean, Mrs. Pulasky.

And what time did
you arrive at this bar?

Oh, it must've
been around 10:00.

You see, my husband had
promised to pick me up at 10:30

so we could
drive to the airport.

When he didn't show up, I
thought he'd forgotten me.

Yes, but didn't you notice
when the police arrived?

Oh, yes.

But by that time, I...

I was past caring.

I understand.

Mrs. Brewster, how
did you get home?

I telephoned my brother.
He came by around midnight.

I really don't know
why he puts up with me.

But from the moment
you got to Frankie's

till the time the
police arrived,

you're sure that Mrs.
Pulasky was in the bar?

Yes, sir. She was
never out of my sight.

Thank you, Mrs.
Brewster. That's all.

Cross-examine.

Mrs. Brewster,
whose decision was it

for you to wait at Frankie's?

Mine.

If you have to wait,
there's nothing like a bar.

After a few drinks, it
becomes a fairy land.

People are so kind
and considerate.

Why didn't you go directly
to your husband's apartment?

I have no pride, Mr. Mason,

but I can torture myself enough

without setting foot in
the place where Charles...

did all his entertaining.

But you did set foot in
that apartment once?

On the night your husband died.

But that's ridiculous.

I told you, I was
in Frankie's bar.

I testified I saw
Mrs. Pulasky there.

Didn't you testify you
saw Mrs. Pulasky there

because you had
no alibi of your own?

You thought by supporting hers,

you'd give yourself one?

Why would I need an alibi?

We've heard your father
testify that the deceased

was planning to take
you to Mexico with him?

I'd have gone
anywhere with Charles.

I can believe that,
Mrs. Brewster.

But with his position in
your father's firm gone,

would he still have wanted
to take you to Mexico?

I don't think so.

Well, you can't escape
the facts, Mr. Mason.

Don't you remember

they found two
tickets to Mexico City?

Yes, I do.

I also remember
the wedding ring.

Well...

that... That was for me.
I'm always losing mine.

May I see your wedding
ring, Mrs. Brewster?

Mrs. Brewster?

May I help?

Leave her alone!

You've baited her enough!

I beg the court's pardon,
but I cannot sit by any longer.

Go on, sir.

It's obvious, Mr. Mason,
that your genius

is attacking a chain
at its weakest link.

You know as well as I, sir,

that Charles Brewster
had no intention

of taking my daughter with him.

She only said that to
substantiate my story

that I'd been to see
him for her sake.

She was not at the bar.

Your Honor, I killed
Charles Brewster.

My one regret is that Mr. Mason
should have discovered it,

that I did not come
forward myself.

I'm sorry, Ellis.

I'm truly sorr...

Okay, I can understand

why you went after
Valerie Brewster.

You knew that her
father wouldn't sit idly by

while you put her
through a wringer.

But what on earth told you
that old man Hyett was guilty?

Well, first we know
Mr. Hyett considered himself

above the law.

You mean returning the
money to the bonding company?

That's right.

Now, who admitted
being in the apartment

after Ellis left?

Mr. Hyett.

Who admitted placing
the gun in Brewster's hand?

Ditto.

And who admitted
that he hated Brewster?

Also ditto.

Well?

Well, I completely shied
away from old man Hyett

because he was the
most likely suspect.

That's your trouble,
Paul. You're a cynic.

You keep looking for
things that just aren't there.

Is that what you call a cynic?

Mm-hm.

Of course, when a man
looks for things that aren't there

and finds them...

then we call him a detective.