Perry Mason (1957–1966): Season 2, Episode 16 - The Case of the Fraudulent Photo - full transcript

The District Attorney in Wearing City, Brander Harris, hires Perry Mason to help him out after a crude attempt at blackmailing him begins to interfere with his investigation into corruption around a hospital construction. Harris was called to a meeting by Leora Matthews who offered him information. Once there however, she puts him in a comprising position and a photographer snaps a photo. Matthews was working for Marshall Scott and when he's found dead, Brander Harris is the prime suspect. Perry tells him he must surrender to the police and he soon finds himself the acting DA running the grand jury on his client's behalf. The grand jury room serves as the ideal setting for Perry to get information on those who took kickbacks on the hospital deal. Information that comes in handy at Brander Harris' preliminary hearing. At the Harris trial the people involved in the graft make it appear that Harris himself was involved by overseeing the graft.

Waring House Hotel.

Hold on, please.

Waring House Hotel.

Room 112?

Yes, I'll connect you.

Yes?

Just a moment, please.

Yes, may I help you?

Room service? Just
a moment, please.

Leora Mathews?

And you're Brander Harris.



Just so I'm not making a
mistake, Miss Mathews,

you are the county
auditor's secretary.

And you're district
attorney of Waring County.

Where do we go from there?

Well, on the phone,

you told me you
had some information

on the Northport Hospital graft.

What's in it for me?

Well, I have no
money to pay you.

It's a matter of civic duty.

Civic duty, my eye.

You could make
a career out of this.

I could make enemies.

It will cost you $500.



Well, I'll have to pay
you out of my own pocket.

As long as it's negotiable.

First I want to
see this evidence.

Will you excuse me for a moment?

Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

Make yourself comfortable.

Oh, thank you.

I don't see any names
mentioned here, Miss Mathews.

Not even Jimmy Castleton.

I thought...

Try the miscellaneous envelope.

I'm sure it's in
there somewhere.

Well, I... I still don't see...

Mm-hm.

Yeah, I'm lookin'
at him right now.

That Walker's a real
pro with a camera.

Of course, he had wonderful
material to work with.

I never realized you
were so photogenic.

Well, it's your
own fault, Marshall.

Maybe you need glasses.

They didn't seem
to help Harris much.

Did he mention any names to you?

Only Jimmy Castleton.

He didn't mention yours.

Maybe he didn't have time.

Oh, when am I going
to see you, honey?

I don't know.

I think I'd better drop
out of sight for a while.

Harris may be gunning for me.

But don't you worry.
I'll keep in touch.

Yeah.

Who was that, Marshall?

Haven't you got
anything better to do

than to eavesdrop?

I'm sorry.

Ready, Mother?

Yes, darling.

Does that fancy school of
yours keep bankers' hours?

Stop picking on Helen.

She was up late studying.
I'm driving her to school.

Oh, Mother. Don't
bother to explain it to him.

I'd handle her a lot differently

if she were my daughter.

Well, thank goodness I'm not.

Come on, Helen.

Imagine my surprise, Harris,

when I got this by
special messenger.

That's why I asked you to lunch.

Who sent it to you?

I haven't the slightest idea.

Perhaps somebody figures

I'm keeper of the public morals.

How about a cocktail?

No, thanks.

I understand you're
making an investigation

of the Northport
Hospital project.

That's right, for the
Waring County Grand Jury.

You know, I'm tremendously
flattered, Mr. Blake.

You're a very busy man...

Behind-the-scenes
power in politics

and industry in the state,

principle stockholder in the
Century Newspaper Alliance.

And here you come to me.

I think I know why.

Why, Mr. Harris?

I'm getting uncomfortably close

to the man you're grooming
to step into your shoes.

Jimmy Castleton,

political editor of the
Waring Sun Ledger.

I don't deny that I've had
an eye on Jimmy Castleton.

I'm proud to have
him working for me.

He makes most other men his age

look like Lilliputians.

You sound as though
he were your son.

I can't say that
hasn't occurred to me.

What connection
are you trying to make

between Jimmy and
the hospital project?

I think he engineered the graft.

What about this picture?

It's a fake.

It doesn't look like a fake.

Appearances can be
so deceiving, Mr. Harris.

Where are you sending it?

To Jimmy Castleton.

Despite what you think,

his paper has been
behind you 100 percent.

I think they have the
right to this picture.

What do you want, Mr. Blake?

Now you've hit the nail
on the head, Mr. Harris.

I'm interested in
Jimmy Castleton.

I don't want him injured.

What if he's guilty?

He isn't. Take my word for it.

But he can be hurt
by your accusations

just as you can be
hurt by this picture.

No, I'm sorry.

I'm not going to whitewash him.

I've got to do my job.

Take this to
Mr. Castleton right away.

Will you excuse me, Mr. Blake?

Brander. Brander Harris.

Mason. You're just
the man I want to see.

My secretary, Miss Street.

Oh, how do you do?

I've heard so many nice
things about you, Mr. Harris.

Thank you. Perry,
I've got to talk to you.

How about my office in an hour?

I'll be there.

What have you got
against Jimmy Castleton?

That's just it. Nothing
but suspicions up to now.

But apparently, that young man

knows how to anticipate trouble.

He must have arranged this...

This blackmail
with Leora Mathews.

Who is she?

Works for the Waring
County auditor.

I thought I could get some proof

on where the padding was
on this hospital construction.

You understand what
publication of this photograph

can do to your personal
and political life?

Oh, it's just a smear tactic.

Smear tactics can be
very effective at times,

especially against young,

career-minded
district attorneys.

Yes, and they can
boomerang, too.

Perry, I just haven't got time

to get involved in
this mess right now.

The grand jury meets on Monday,

and I've got to finish my
investigation before then.

What do you want me to do?

Take this thing off my back.

Represent me.

All right. I'll do my best.

Thanks.

Oh, uh, I'll send
you a retainer.

Five hundred all right?

Oh, sure.

Della, get ahold of Paul,

then call Waring City

and see if this Leora Mathews

is still at that same hotel.

Waring House Hotel.

I'm sorry, the
line is still busy.

Hi, honey. I'm Paul Drake.

We're, uh, checking
out room 201.

Would you like to help us?

Sure, why not?

What do you have to
do to that switchboard

to make it look like
201 is out of order?

Oh, that's easy. I
just ignore the signal.

The line stays dead.

Fine. I'll be sitting
right over here.

Waring House Hotel.

Hold on, please.

Miss Mathews?

Yes.

My name is Perry Mason.

Well, I'm busy.
What do you want?

I'd like to discuss this
photograph with you.

What is this, a badger game?

Are you trying to tell me

that you and Brander
Harris know each other?

What does the photograph
look like, mister?

Who are you, anyway?

I'm an attorney
representing Mr. Harris.

Representing him? Against who?

You and whoever employed you.

Why that dirty double-crosser!

Would you care to
tell me your side of it?

I'll tell it to the newspapers.

I'll tell it in court.

If I were in any kind
of game against him,

do you think I'd
use my own room?

Check around.

There's a dozen places
we've been together.

You know, your
reputation will be in shreds.

It must have been
quite some inducement

to make you do this.

What was it, Miss Mathews,

Money, love... Or both?

Operator. Operator!

I'm in 201. What's
wrong with my phone?

Oh, uh, we've been
having a little trouble.

The repairman is due any time.

Waring House Hotel.

Room 112?

Yes, I'll connect you.

One moment, please.

Waring House Hotel.

Go ahead, please.

Well, I got D.A.

That would be the
Dakota exchange

Six, seven, oh, blank, blank.

Bad luck, Paul.

Maybe it will ring a
bell with Brander Harris.

Anyway, I put a man on it.

He's going to check the business
office of the phone company.

All right.

Where are you going, Perry?

About three quarters of
an hour drive. Waring City.

Yes, sir. Can I help you?

I'm looking for Mr. Castleton.

He's right back there.

Thank you.

The first I saw of this picture

was when Mr. Blake's
messenger arrived with it.

Harris says it's a frame

to get him to call off
his hospital probe.

Well, that makes sense.

Knowing Brander
Harris, he's the idealist.

Always tilting at windmills.

Who does he think engineered it?

You.

Me?

Why?

He apparently found some link

between you and
the hospital graft.

Well, that's impossible.

He couldn't have.

Then you have no
demands to make on Harris,

no trades, no barter
for indemnities?

Oh, of course not.

Then you'll hold up
publication on this photograph?

Well, I don't know.

Despite the fact that Harris
seems to be out after my scalp,

I'm not out after his.

I'm going to try
to find the truth.

I would like to speak
to him face to face.

I'll, um, relay your message.

Good day, Mr. Castleton.

Mr. Mason.

Get me Dakota 6-7054.

Dakota 6-70, blank, blank.

Unfortunately, Paul didn't catch

those missing numbers.

Leora Mathews
made the phone call.

I'm sorry, Perry. I have no
idea whose number it could be.

All right, Brander.
We're going ahead.

Castleton said he wanted
to speak to you face to face.

That's on my agenda
when the time comes.

So long, Perry.
I'll keep in touch.

Good.

Dakota 6-7054.

"Offer of proof that
some of defendants

"acted on advice of
counsel was objectionable

"where offer did not state

"that defendants had made
a full disclosure to counsel.

"US code annotated, section 454.

US against Thomas,
DC Washington, 1943."

Hello?

Yes, Paul?

Wait a minute.

Dakota 6-7054.

What's the name?

Got it. Thank you, Paul.

See you in the morning.

Well, now we know

who Leora Mathews
was trying to reach.

Who?

A gentleman by the
name of Marshall Scott.

I don't think it's too
late to go calling.

Get the door.

Oh, good evening, counselor.

Well, lieutenant, I didn't
see your car outside.

I came over in a prowl car.

Uh, what brings you here?

I wanted to have a little
talk with Marshall Scott.

Murder?

That's right.

What was the
little, uh, talk about?

That's, um,
confidential, lieutenant.

That bookend the murder weapon?

That's, um,
confidential, counselor.

This puts me in a very
curious situation, Perry.

After all, Brander Harris
is the district attorney too.

Did you check his background?

Of course I did.

He's the youngest
district attorney

ever elected in Waring County.

He's got a brilliant record.

But what can I do?

He killed Marshall
Scott in this county,

and I've got to prosecute.

He didn't kill him.

Don't bet on it.

Harris' fingerprints
on the murder weapon.

Nice and big and fat and clear.

How'd you find out
about the murder?

Phone tip.

Man or woman?

Couldn't tell. The voice
was obviously disguised.

What else have
you got on Harris?

Just take my word for
it. There's lots more.

Thoroughly damning.

Look, I've known Brander
Harris for several years.

He's a dedicated man.

Well, that doesn't
alter the fact

that he killed Marshall Scott.

I'll tell you one thing.

Marshall Scott was implicated
in the Northport Hospital graft,

and so is your
friend Brander Harris.

In what way?

That's all I'm gonna tell you.
Now, you take my advice.

Tell Harris to give himself up.

I don't know where he is.

Perry, I've got enough
problems of my own

without you adding any.

The newspapers are gonna
have a field day with this thing.

"District attorney
charged with murder."

Can't you just see it?

Kind of smirches the name
of "district attorney", doesn't it?

Yes, it does!

Embarrasses me.

Puts me in a position of
having to pull your chestnuts

out of the fire.

And then I drove my
daughter to a friend's house.

She was going to
spend the weekend there.

Julie Stewart's house.
The Blackmore-Stewarts.

The investment banker. You know.

Miss Scott.

Miss Preston.

My mother's husband
was not my father.

Thank goodness.

Helen.

Mrs. Scott, what was
your husband's connection

with the Northport General
Hospital building fund?

He was chairman of
the bids committee.

I understand there's
some evidence

linking his death to the graft.

Well, tell him, mother.

Tell him how big-hearted
you gave away $50,000.

And for what?

I turned the money
over to Mr. Burger,

the district attorney.

I found it in a hatbox
in Marshall's closet.

Did your husband tell you
with whom he was dealing?

No...

But he may have mentioned
the inspector's name, though.

I heard him talking
on the telephone once.

Do you remember the
name he mentioned?

It was an odd one,
like... Leclaire...

Leclerc... Le...

I'm sorry.

I see.

Mr. Mason.

You said that you
represent Brander Harris.

Yes.

Then you know
about the photograph

of Mr. Harris and that woman.

Yes, I do.

I feel that... That my husband

may have been
responsible for that.

Lieutenant Tragg found
several copies in his desk.

Thank you.

Goodbye, Mrs. Scott.

Goodbye, Mr. Mason.

Miss Preston.

Almost 10:00, Della. Hungry?

I can't leave the office.
What if Brander Harris calls?

I'm about ready
to call it a night.

Brander must have some
reason for his silence,

otherwise I don't
quite understand why...

Hello.

Oh, yes, Paul.

Oh?

He was the inspector in
the Northport Hospital job?

What's the name?

D-U-C-L-E-R-C. Duclerc.

Fine, Paul.

I'll wanna see
him in the morning.

Right.

All right, let's go, Della.
We can't wait all night.

But...

It's about time
you called it a day.

We were waiting
to hear from you.

I couldn't very well
go up in the building.

The police might be around.

Then you know you're wanted
for Marshall Scott's murder?

Yes, the evening papers
say I'm being sought.

Official language
is a little stronger.

There's a felony
warrant out for you.

Well, I'm sorry about that,

but I didn't kill
Marshall Scott.

Where are you going?

Better to be driving
than just staying here.

Perry, the grand jury
meets in three days.

After the hearing,
I'll turn myself in.

They found your fingerprints
in the murder room.

I was there.

I'm sorry, Perry,

but when you told me
that partial phone number,

well, it wasn't till
after you left my office

that I remembered it
was Marshall Scott's.

So you went to him?

Yes, I figured I'd
have it out with him.

I got there around 6:00.

I accused him of engineering
the blackmail photo,

of taking graft from
the hospital deal.

What did he say?

He got ugly.

He made a threatening
move toward me.

I grabbed one of the glass
bookends to protect myself.

It slipped out of my hand

and broke on a marble-top table.

Then what?

Nothing.

Breaking that bookend
cooled us off, I guess.

I left.

What time?

Oh, I was only
there a little while,

not more than 15 minutes.

What are you stopping here
for? That's the police station.

You're going to
turn yourself in.

But... But I told
you. I can't afford to.

You can't afford not to.

I don't have to
tell you the law.

Evading arrest,
resorting to flight.

But my investigation,
the grand-jury hearing.

No, the whole thing
goes down the drain

if this hearing is
passed up on Monday.

Brander, is there anything
in the Waring County charter

that would prohibit
you from appointing me

deputy district attorney?

You... Well, no.

And as your deputy,

I could conduct that
hearing, couldn't I?

Well, yes, you can.
You... You could.

All right, then.

When you get in there,
ask for Lieutenant Tragg.

Good luck, Perry.

You know, I don't know how I
was going to conduct that hearing.

I haven't the slightest
idea how you will.

I understand you do
hold a contractor's license.

Yes.

And that you performed
for Waring County

on Public Projects
as an inspector.

Yes. Uh, you've made inquiries?

Naturally.

Well, what is this job you
wanted to talk to me about?

Mr. Drake said that...

What is this all about?

Pretty grim, isn't it?

That was once the
Heywood School.

Fortunately, it
happened on a weekend,

so no one was hurt.

They weren't so lucky there.

That was the Lake City Library.

Eight people were killed
when the building collapsed.

What's this got to do with me?

Well, suppose it happened

to a building you'd
inspected, Duclerc.

What building?

The Northport General Hospital.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

You know the material
didn't meet specifications.

That's a lie!

What about the core
samples you took?

Where did you get
your information?

Never mind.

Why is it you guys

always pick on
the little fellow?

Because we can't
get the big fellow

unless the little
one cooperates.

Graft couldn't exist
without men like you.

That's a hot one!

I didn't make 50
cents on that deal.

I didn't say you made
any money on the deal,

but when people are
killed, as they were there,

are you going to feel any better

because you closed your
eyes just to protect your job?

You expect me to get
up there and tell the truth?

Yes.

You know what would
happen to me if I did?

The police will protect you.

Ah! Are you kidding?

Harris will see to it.

From where, San Quentin?

I notice he's doing
pretty fine for himself.

Listen to me, Mr. Mason.
I've got a wife and three kids.

I'm not taking any chances.

You get me up
before that grand jury,

I'll tell them I don't
know from nothin'.

Suppose it was your
wife or one of your kids.

What?

Suppose you had to leave one
of them at Northport Hospital.

Hello, counselor.

Mr. Blake.

I know how busy you're going
to be in there today, Mr. Mason.

The incapacitated Mr. Harris

has come up with a
formidable substitute.

Yeah, thank you.

I understand you
talked to Duclerc.

Oh, how so?

Oh, one hears rumors.

I presume he'll be here today?

Oh, I'm a little surprised to
find you taking such an interest

in this rather, um,
local affair, Mr. Blake.

You know why.

Jimmy Castleton?

Yes. He assures
me he's innocent.

I have big plans for him, Mason.

Will you do me a favor?

If I can.

Perhaps I don't
even have to ask you.

If Jimmy Castleton is
guilty of graft or corruption,

then let him pay for it.

But if he isn't...

You don't have to ask.

There'll be no
guilt by association.

No innuendo.

But I do intend to follow
through on this, Mr. Blake,

no matter who gets hurt.

That's all I ask.

Then we understand each other.

Perfectly.

Will the sergeant at arms
call Mr. Theophile Duclerc?

I was told to take
my core samples

at certain designated places.

They checked to
specifications there.

Throughout the whole
hospital structure, however,

I knew the specifications
would not stand inspection.

Who gave you instructions

as to where you were
to get your core samples?

Mr. Fairbanks.

There's an item of
6 and one half tons

of special steel cable.

Only one truckload
of steel cable

was delivered to
the job, Mr. Mason.

Their truck couldn't possibly
carry 6 and a half tons.

It's a relief.

It's a relief to get
it off my chest.

Thank you, Mr. Duclerc.

I'd like to call
Mr. Eugene Milton.

Now, Mr. Milton, you
are the county auditor?

Yes, sir.

What is your secretary's name?

Leora Mathews.

I have here some figures

broken down by the CPA
firm of Wyett and King,

which indicate... I will
take just this one item

which Mr. Duclerc mentioned.

Six and one half
tons of steel cable.

Duclerc mentioned
the steel cable?

That's right. He did.

What about it, Mr. Milton?

What about grade
B concrete blocks

at grade A prices

and second-quality plumbing
supplies at premium cost?

I still can't believe

that Duclerc mentioned
the steel cable.

Well, he did.

If I tell you what
I know, will...?

Will I get some
sort of protection?

Then you were connected
with the cover-up?

Who gave you orders?

The contractor,
Mr. George Fairbanks.

Who else was in the
deal, Marshall Scott?

I understand he was.

I didn't have anything
to do with him.

Mr. Foreman, we'll want

this man's complete
statement, of course.

May I suggest that we
expedite this hearing

and get on with
our next witness?

Thank you.

I'd like to call
Mr. George Fairbanks.

Now, Mr. Fairbanks,

you were the prime contractor
on the Northport Hospital project?

Yes.

When you submitted your bid,

you were worried
about it being the low bid,

were you not?

Well, yes. We, uh...
We wanted the contract.

And so you went to someone

to find out how you could
be assured of getting it?

I...

No.

No?

Didn't you give
instructions to Eugene Milton

to falsify his books?

And how about
Duclerc's core samples?

Am I imagining where he
was told to take them from?

And the $50,000 Marshall
Scott's wife turned over

to the district attorney?

How much, in all, did you
pay out, Mr. Fairbanks?

A hundred and fifty
thousand dollars.

And you watered the construction

to make up for it?

Yes, I padded all costs.

It was the only
thing I could do.

No, sir, it was
not the only thing

you could have done.

Now, to whom did you
pay this $150,000 bribe?

I gave it to Marshall Scott.

What was he supposed
to have done with it?

Keep $25,000 and take
care of the higher-ups.

Did he ever tell you who
any of these higher-ups were?

He only mentioned one name.

What name, Mr. Fairbanks?

Brander Harris.

It's the truth, I swear.

Why would I lie?

I'm in enough trouble now.

Marshall told me
Harris' cut was $25,000.

I show you these broken
pieces of glass bookend, doctor,

marked people's exhibit A.

Now, I ask you if death could
have been caused by them.

Yes, sir. The wound on the skull
fits the shape of this bookend.

And what was the
time of death, doctor?

Sometime between 6 and 7:30
p.m. Thursday, December 11th.

Thank you, sir. That'll be all.

Cross-examine.

No questions.

We arrived at the
Scott house at 8:10,

went in and found
Marshall Scott dead.

I see. Lieutenant,
I call your attention

to this glass bookend
marked people's exhibit A

and ask if you had it examined.

Yes, sir.

We found the decedent's blood

and the fingerprints of the
defendant, Brander Harris.

I'll show you these photographs

and ask if you
can identify them.

Yes, sir. I found the
negative and several prints

in the decedent's desk.

If it please the court,

I should like these
marked for identification

and entered in evidence.

Mr. Mason?

No objection, Your Honor.

Your witness.

Lieutenant, I'm trying to recall

if there were two
glass bookends.

Yes, sir. They, um...
They come in pairs.

Were there any prints
on the unbroken one?

No, no prints, Mr. Mason.

Thank you,
lieutenant. That's all.

You may stand down, lieutenant.

Miss Leora Mathews
to the stand please.

Miss Mathews,
would you tell the court

what transpired
in your hotel room

on the night of December 10th?

Well, Brander...
That is, Mr. Harris

and I were having a quiet time

when this guy
busts into the room

and takes our picture.

What guy, Miss Mathews?

I never saw him before.

Go on, please.

Well, they started to fight,
and Brander got knocked out,

and the man went away.

Would you tell the court
what you and the defendant

were talking about
before this happened?

Well, Brander was very upset.

He told me that the grand jury

had got its bit
between its teeth

and was running away.

They wanted him to investigate

the Northport Hospital business.

So I asked him what he
was going to do about it.

And what was his
response to that?

Well, he said, "Every
man for himself."

He was going to put the
spurs to Marshall Scott.

Did he mention any other names?

No, sir, he just said
that the only one

that could cut his
throat was Mr. Scott.

Thank you, Miss
Mathews. Cross-examine.

Miss Mathews, did you
know Marshall Scott?

No, I never met him.

Now, on the day of the murder,

do you recall my visit
to your hotel room?

Yes.

Just after I left,

you tried to make a
telephone call, did you not?

Phone call?

Not being able to
reach the hotel operator,

you went downstairs to the
lobby and used the pay phone?

Well, yes.

What number did you
dial, Miss Mathews?

I don't remember.

Could the number have
been Dakota 6-7054?

It could have been, yes.

That's Marshall Scott's
home telephone number.

Now, you did know
him, did you not?

Well, I didn't admit
it because, well,

you might misunderstand
our relationship.

And you have know him
for a long time, haven't you?

Just a couple of years.

Wasn't it because of
your love and affection

for Marshall Scott that
you conspired with him

to entrap Brander Harris?

I didn't conspire with
anybody for anything.

Then it was just
pure coincidence

that the pictures taken
of you and Brander Harris

were delivered
to Marshall Scott?

Thank you, Miss Mathews.

Now, Mrs. Scott,
did your husband

make any phone
calls from your home

during the day of December 11th?

Yes, he did. He
made two of them.

The first one was made
about 9:30 in the morning.

Do you know to whom your
husband was talking at that time?

No, I don't.

But you did hear
what Mr. Scott said.

He said something to the effect

that he might have to
drop out of sight for a while

because Mr. Harris
would be gunning for him.

I see.

Now, Mrs. Scott, what time did
you return home that evening?

About 10 after 9.

Marshall was dead.

I left later on to
go to your office.

Why did you do that?

To tell you about the $50,000

I found in Marshall's hatbox.

Of course.

Thank you, Mrs.
Scott. Cross-examine.

Now, Mrs. Scott, you testified

that your husband made
two phone calls that day.

What time was the
second call made?

At exactly 4:25.

Would you happen to
know whom he was calling?

I heard him ask for
Mr. James Castleton.

You said the call was
made to Mr. Castleton

at exactly 4:25.

Yes.

What makes you so
positive about the time?

Because I left the house
five minutes later, 4:30,

to pick up my
daughter at college.

And you brought her home?

No, I drove her
to a friend's house,

Julie Stewart's, and then
I returned home alone.

And when did you arrive?

At about 10 after 9.

Now, in checking,

we find that you left the
Stewart home at 8:30.

They live only 20
minutes from the campus.

What took you so long?

We were delayed.

We had a flat tire.

Did you go to a garage?

No, it was way out
on Valley Boulevard.

A gentleman stopped

and was kind enough
to change it for us.

Did you get the name
of the gentleman?

No.

What kind of a
car was he driving?

A blue one.

What make?

I don't know! I don't know!

Mr. Mason, I lied
about the flat tire.

Mother, don't!

Order.

Order in the courtroom.

Now, I'll tolerate
no more outbursts.

Proceed, Mr. Mason.

Your Honor.

Now, I want the
truth, Mrs. Scott.

What time did you
really arrive home?

At a quarter to 8.

My husband was dead.

And being frightened,

you decided to phone
the police anonymously

and drive Helen to
her friend's house?

Yes, that's right.

Now, we've heard evidence

that your husband died
between 6 and 7:30.

And you say you
arrived at a quarter to 8.

Then that proves that I
didn't kill my husband,

if that's what you mean.

But can you prove

that you arrived at
a quarter to 8:00?

Yes. I didn't dare mention
this to the police before,

but when I turned our
corner, I almost hit a car

that was going in
the opposite direction.

Driven by the same gentleman
who fixed your flat tire?

I tell you, I'm
speaking the truth now.

It was a white convertible.

I just barely
scraped his fender.

Did the driver stop the car?

No, but if you
look at my fender,

you can see traces
of white paint.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Scott,

that won't tell us
when it happened.

Now, you testified that you lied

about the time of your arrival

because you were afraid.

Yes.

What were you afraid of?

People knew that Marshall and I

didn't get along too well.

Is that the only reason?

Yes, that's right.

We have, in the course
of our investigation,

uncovered $150,000 bribe.

You turned in 50,000
of it to Mr. Burger.

How much didn't you turn in?

Did you hold out a
share, Mrs. Scott?

No, I turned in
every penny I found!

Then what happened
to that other $100,000?

Your Honor, I protest. Mrs.
Scott is not on trial here.

If counselor will consent to
my calling my next witness,

I believe we can clear
up the whereabouts

of the missing money.

Mr. Mason, have you finished
your examination of the witness?

No, your honor, but I will defer

if I'm allowed the privilege
of recalling her later.

Granted. Call your
witness, Mr. Burger.

I call Mr. James Castleton.

You may step down, Mrs. Scott.

Raise your right hand.

Do you solemnly
swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth?

I do.

State your name.

James Castleton.

Be seated, please.

And now, about these
photographs, Mr. Castleton.

Could you tell us
who sent them to you?

Yes. Marshall Scott sent
them after a phone call to me.

Did you have a conversation
with the defendant

about that phone call?

Yes.

I believe that if I question you

about that conversation,
that Mr. Mason will object.

Therefore, I can
only question you

about the duration
of the conversation.

On the contrary, Your Honor.

Mr. Mason has no
objection whatever.

The witness can testify

to the entire
conversation if he wishes.

That would be
hearsay, Mr. Mason.

The defense considers
it part of the res gestae.

If it isn't brought
out on direct,

we'll ask for the
conversation on cross.

Very well. Continue, Mr. Burger.

All right, Mr. Castleton.

Tell us about the conversation.

I asked the defendant
to confirm or deny

certain statements
by Marshall Scott

that he had paid Harris $25,000

to keep his nose out of
the hospital investigation.

What did Mr. Harris say to that?

He said he considered
my question insulting.

Did you tell him

about any other
statements by Mr. Scott?

Yes, I told him that Scott said

he knew Harris had
the goods on him,

but that he'd bring Harris
down with him when he fell.

And what was Mr. Harri"
reaction to that?

He hung up on me.

I see. Thank you, Mr. Castleton.

Cross-examine.

Mr. Castleton, do you
recall my visit to your office

to discuss those photographs?

Yes, I do.

Do you recall saying

the first time you
saw the photographs

was when Mr. Blake's
messenger arrived with them?

Yes, while I'd spoken
to Marshall Scott

about the photographs, I
hadn't actually seen them

until Mr. Blake's
messenger arrived.

Now, where did Mr. Blake
say he got the photographs?

What?

Mr. Blake had the
photographs at Marchands.

He must have assured you
that his source was reliable.

Where'd he get them?

I, uh, I guess I've
confused my chronology.

Actually, uh, I remember
Mr. Scott mentioned

that he had sent copies
to Mr. Blake and myself

at the same time.

I suggest that we unravel
the confusion by admitting

that Mr. Scott didn't send
Mr. Blake a copy at all.

You were the one
who gave it to him.

Yes, I guess I did.

I... I always take Mr. Blake
into my confidence.

Thank you.

Now, at any time, did
you act as a go-between

for the purpose of insuring

that Fairbanks got
that hospital contract?

Certainly not.

Did you arrange for Marshall
Scott to receive $25,000?

You're a little
confused, Mr. Mason.

I believe Mrs. Scott testified

that she had found
$50,000 in their home.

But you testified on
direct examination

that Scott told you

he was to pay the
defendant $25,000 as a bribe.

Yes.

Yet when you spoke
to the defendant,

didn't he deny that?

No.

He did say he considered
the question insulting.

Yes.

So wouldn't you say there
was a strong possibility

that the deceased lied
and withheld the $25,000

he claimed was Harris' cut?

I object, Your Honor.

That calls for a conclusion
not based on the facts.

Sustained.

Now, isn't it a fact that
when the grand jury

started to investigate
the hospital,

you got in touch with Scott

and demanded he stop Harris?

Absolutely not.

Would you describe
your activities

on the night of the murder?

Well, there's very
little to describe.

I went to work at 4:00
and remained in the office

till a little after 11:30.

And I suppose the members
of the Sun Ledger staff

can vouch for that?

They certainly can.

Your Honor, I
would like to interrupt

my cross-examination
of this witness

to recall a previous witness.

Does Mr. Burger
have an objection?

Which witness?

Lieutenant Tragg.

No objection.

You may step down.

Lieutenant Tragg, please.

Now, lieutenant, did
the police laboratory

perform any of the very
delicate chemical tests

such as the benzidine
test on the other bookend?

That is, the unbroken one?

No, sir. Why should we?

It wasn't the murder weapon.

How can you be positive
it wasn't, lieutenant?

Well, because there
was blood and fingerprints

on the broken bookend.

And none on the other.

You, therefore,
jumped to a conclusion.

But couldn't it have been the
unbroken bookend, lieutenant?

They were twins, weren't they?

If the depression in the
skull accommodated one,

wouldn't it accommodate
the other as well?

Yes, it would. But then it
would have to be wiped off

to make the broken bookend
seem to be the murder weapon.

And while it was
being wiped off,

all prints would be
erased, wouldn't they?

Yes, yes, yeah.

Now, lieutenant, despite
the wiping, a benzidine test

would show traces
of blood, wouldn't it?

You could wipe it several times,

and it would still show up.

Thank you, lieutenant.

I now request
Mr. James Castleton

to return to the stand.

Step down, lieutenant.

You understand, Mr. Castleton,
you're still under oath.

Now, Mr. Castleton,
I'll ask you once again.

What were your activities
on the night of the murder?

I was in my office.

I believe you own a
convertible. Is that correct?

Yes.

What color?

White.

We've heard Mrs. Scott testify

that on her way home that night,

her car was scraped
by a white convertible.

By any chance, was it your car?

Remember, Mr. Castleton,
you're under oath.

Also remember that
Mrs. Scott testified

there were traces of white paint

from the car in
question on her fender.

It would be a simple
matter to see if that sample

matches the paint on your car.

So I ask you once
again, Mr. Castleton,

what were your activities
on the night of the murder?

I wish to make a
statement, Your Honor.

I confess to being
the principle party

in the payoff of
the Northport graft.

And the murder
of Marshall Scott?

No, I told you. I was
in my office that night.

Someone borrowed my car.

For 6 years now, I've
done his dirty work.

He taught me to lie and steal.

"This is how a
manipulator works," he said.

"You've got to learn every facet

"if you want to
step into my shoes.

We pull strings and control
votes and representatives."

So I failed, Mr. Blake.

I've taken all the risks
for you, all the blame,

all the chances,
all these years.

But I didn't go to Marshall
Scott's house for you.

I wasn't that enraged
at Scott's double-cross.

Do you want me to take
the blame for that, too?

No. No, Jimmy.

I guess nobody can
fill my shoes this time.

And that's when Mr. Blake

took a hand in the proceedings.

He was the one who
went to see Marshall Scott

on the night of the murder.

I thought that was Castleton.

No, that was Mr. Blake himself.

When he found out that
Scott had double-crossed him

and couldn't control
you, why, he...

He exploded and killed Scott.

That's the part I find
difficult to believe.

I mean, a man like Blake
deliberately committing murder.

Well, in all fairness to him,

I don't think there was
any premeditation involved.

If there had been,

he would have sent
a professional killer

or at least taken a gun along.

He certainly wouldn't
have relied on that bookend.

Well, premeditation or no,

I don't know how I
can every repay you.

Uh...