Perry Mason (1957–1966): Season 2, Episode 17 - The Case of the Romantic Rogue - full transcript

Helen Harvey is engaged to be married to Stacey Chandler despite her Aunt Florence Harvey's misgivings. She begins to have her own doubts when she receives a copy of a magazine article describing Stacey as a con man. Aunt Florence's husband has been missing for several years and she will soon be seeking court authority to have him declared legally dead. She is convinced that Chandler is only after the money Helen is to inherit as a result. Stacey was working with Margo Lawrence as a partner in the con but he plans to leave her for her own good as he has genuinely fallen for her. Stacey is approached by Irene Wallace who has a cigarette lighter from Helen's missing uncle saying she knows his whereabouts. For $10,000 she will forget about the uncle but Stacey turns the information over to Helen who visits Irene. That doesn't stop Irene, however, as she is working for Helen's Aunt Florence. When Irene is found dead, Helen is charged and Perry defends her.

Oh, darling. It's lovely.

It belonged to my mother.

Oh, Stacey.

Oh, I'm so happy I could...

Oh, I've... I've never known
anyone like you before.

Maybe you were
better off, Helen.

One of these days,
you'll hear stories.

Well, I won't listen.

That might be a mistake.

I've done a lot of
things I'm not proud of.

That's good psychology.



I always said you were
a smart boy, Stacey.

You remind me of my husband.

He had a way
with the ladies too.

Oh, Aunt Florence, please.

I'm sorry you don't
approve of me, Mrs. Harvey.

Whatever gave you that idea?

Just because I compared
you with my husband?

Oh, Uncle Frank
was a wonderful man.

I don't think you're
exactly an authority

on the subject, Helen.

You were only a
child when he took off

with that trollop.

This just came for you.

I think I'll be running along.



Goodbye, Mrs. Harvey.

Bye.

Oh, why do you
talk to him like that?

I don't like your Mr. Chandler.

Or hadn't you noticed?

I'm going to marry him.

Bad news?

Uh, no.

Surprise.

Someone would think
you're not glad to see me.

How did you get in here, Margo?

I told the desk clerk
I was your sister. Ha.

Why haven't I heard from you?

There was nothing to report.

Don't give me that.

This is Margo Lawrence
you're talking to, remember?

I've seen you operate.

You don't know Helen.

Oh, now I get it.

You've actually
fallen for the girl.

If that's not one for the book.

Let me tell you
something, buster.

You double-cross me, and
I'll be in the DA's office so fast,

it'll make your head spin.

Hi.

Are you Stacey Chandler?

Well, may I? I'm busy.

Oh, that's too bad.

I wanted to talk to you

before I spoke to Helen Harvey.

Maybe you'd better come in.

Well, thank you.

It's not bad.

I'm glad you like
it. I was worried.

You know, I think you and I

are gonna get along just
real fine, Mr. Chandler.

Or would you rather
I called you Stacey?

What do they call you?

Irene.

Irene Wallace.

What's on your mind?

Did you ever hear of a
man named Frank Harvey?

What do you know about
him, except for the fact

that he's your girlfriend's
uncle, and he skipped off

with his secretary
about eight years ago?

You're doing the talking.

Well, I have an idea
that sooner or later,

someone is going
to go into court...

and ask that Mr. Harvey
be declared legally dead...

so that his will
can be probated.

What's that supposed
to mean to me?

A half-a-million bucks.

I hear tell that's what
he left your girlfriend.

And I understand
she's crazy about you.

But there's only one
fly in the ointment.

Frank Harvey is alive.

You're crazy.

Uh, no. No, he lost his memory

in an automobile accident,

but he is alive.

And that's the main thing.

In fact, he's right
here in Los Angeles.

How do you know he
won't get his memory back?

Oh, well, there's
always that chance.

Especially if he should
run into a good psychiatrist.

But, uh...

for $10,000,

I can practically guarantee
that won't happen.

Otherwise...?

Otherwise, I take
Mr. Harvey by the hand

and return him to the
bosom of his family.

Then you go right ahead.

It's all right with me.

Well, just in case
you think I'm bluffing...

maybe this lighter
will change your mind.

Now, you think it over, sugar.

I'm staying at the Esquire
Motel in the Valley, and, uh...

I'll expect you about...

10 tonight?

That dirty little liar.

She'll cut herself into this
deal over my dead body.

Frank Harvey's dead.

Then where did she get this?

Doesn't mean a thing.

Anyone can get
a cigarette lighter

and have it engraved.

John Bass was Frank
Harvey's best friend.

He died 15 years ago.

Very few people know that.

You do.

Not everyone has my contacts.

I got it from Helen.

Please tell
Mr. Chandler I'm not in.

Why don't you tell him yourself?

No, that's all right, Doris.

I'm sorry to force
myself on you like this,

but I had no choice.

Something has come up.

Yes. It has.

I suppose it was all a mistake.

No.

Well, you should be
very proud of yourself.

But then I wasn't much
of a test of your ability.

I was too easy.

I told you you were
gonna hear stories.

You know, Aunt
Florence was right.

It was good psychology
to prepare me.

I wasn't ready for
anything like this.

Oh, Stacey, you ought
to go on the stage.

When you told me you
cared, I really believed it.

It was very convincing.

Well, you've got to
believe me, Helen.

It may have started
out like the others...

But I was different.

Yes. I never intended
to fall in love with you.

Oh, that's very funny.

Do you know where
this came from?

I sent it.

That's right.

I didn't plan to see you again.

I thought you were
entitled to know the reason.

But I never got up nerve

to tell you face to face.

You weren't going
to see me again?

No.

Well, then, what
are you doing here?

You once told me
your Uncle Frank

was the only one
you really cared for.

Well, what has
that got to do with...

You're a little early.

Miss Wallace?

Yes, that's right.

I'm Helen Harvey.

Just a minute, sugar.

Where's my uncle?

Do you mind if we
run through this again?

Where did you get this?

Well...

This is very pretty.

Where did you get it?

Well, you just gave it to me.

Miss Wallace, may
I tell you a story?

When I was 10, my parents died

within a month of each other.

Frank Harvey was my
uncle. He took me in.

He made me feel as
though I were his own child.

Well, you've got
enough material there

to start a soap opera.

Where do you think you're going?

Who's in there?

That's none of your business.

Oh, now, you get out of
here before I lose my temper!

Go on! Where's my uncle?!

He's in the madhouse
if he's anything like you.

Now, get out of here
before I call the cops.

Go on!

Let me in!

Let me in!

Hey! Cut that out!

What do you think you're doing?

She's got my uncle
hidden in there.

Your what? I tell you,
My uncle is in there.

Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Wallace.

But this young lady
says... Yes, I know.

Look, honey, why don't
you run along with him?

He's a very nice man.

And maybe your uncle
is hiding in his office.

Yeah, you'd better come along

with me, young lady.

Let me go. I'll let
you go this time,

but you make any more trouble,

I'll call the cops.

Thank you for your help.

You, uh, ain't afraid

she might come back, are you?

Well, if she does,

I know I can count on you.

Good night.

It's okay now.

I didn't figure on that.

Stacey must have told her.

He's a lot smarter
than I thought.

Still, he may have
overplayed his hand.

I received that from
him about six months

after my uncle disappeared.

After?

It was mailed from
St. Petersburg, Florida.

Oh, Mr. Mason,
what am I going to do?

I know I made a mistake

in going to see
Miss Wallace alone.

That was your second mistake.

Your first was not
calling the police.

Did you tell your aunt

that you went to see
Miss Wallace last night?

No, she would have stopped me.

She doesn't care if Uncle Frank

is dead or alive.

She's never forgiven him

for running away
with Vivian West.

This Miss West was
your uncle's secretary?

Only, it's Mrs. West.

I take it then there's a
Mr. West somewhere?

Yes, his name is Harry C. West.

He lives right here
in Los Angeles,

out in the Valley.

Mm-hm.

Your uncle told you he was

remembering you in his will?

He said Aunt Florence and I

would share
everything between us.

Would you happen to know
who is the executor of the will?

I think it's my aunt.

I know she's taking
care of everything now.

But she never had
the will probated?

All right, then. We'll file
a petition asking the court

to determine that your
uncle is legally dead.

That will also pave the way

for having the will
admitted to probate.

Well, what good will that do?

Well, that should force
Miss Wallace's hand.

She told Chandler
she'd produce your uncle

if he didn't pay off.

Let's call her bluff.

Well...

Well what?

You do want to find your uncle?

Of course.

I'll call you the moment
I have something.

Well, I... I would
appreciate that.

Goodbye, Miss Street.

Goodbye.

Get hold of Paul.

Tell him I'll meet him
downstairs in five minutes.

Mr. West?

That's right.

My name is Mason.
This is Paul Drake.

If you would like to
see my identification.

Well, what's the
trouble? No trouble.

We'd just like to talk to you.

All right. Come on in.

Make yourselves comfortable.

Guess I'm asking the impossible.

We think we, uh,

may have a lead on your wife.

Aren't you interested?

No.

First of all, she isn't
my wife anymore.

Got a divorce four years ago

on grounds of desertion.

Nevertheless, we'd
still like to find her.

When was the last time
you heard from Mrs. West?

Don't you read your own files?

I answered all those
questions years ago.

"When was the last
time you saw your wife?

"How was she dressed?

Did she take any
luggage with her?

Did she leave a note?"

Did she?

No.

What was she gonna write?

"Dear Harry, I found
myself a better meal ticket."

She just picked up and took off

with that...

Mr. Harvey.

I know what you're thinking.

Well, this place didn't
always look like this.

You see those drapes?
They're custom-made.

I ate hot dogs and
beans for lunch for a year

so she could have 'em.

Anything she wanted, I got her.

I even bought a couple
of acres out in Encino

to build her a house out there.

One of those big,
ranch-type deals.

Excuse me.

Uh-oh.

Mr. West? That's right.

My name is Tragg.
Lieutenant Tragg.

This is Sergeant Brice.

What is this, a convention?

I got another two inside.

Oh, really?

I'd like to meet them.

Well...

Hello, lieutenant.

You know the, uh, penalty

for impersonating an officer?

Why, we didn't claim
we were officers.

Drake just showed
him his identification.

And if Mr. West jumped to
an erroneous conclusion...

that wasn't your fault.

You mean they're not policemen?

No. You've got your nerve.

What do you want here?

That's what I'd
like to find out.

Only I'm sure I wouldn't
get a straight answer.

Let me have that, sergeant.

Where did you get that?

Well, according
to Klein Jewelers,

you bought it...

12 years ago.

Sure.

I bought it for my...

wife on our first anniversary.

That's her picture.

Mine used to be
on the other side.

We found it in bungalow
9 at the Esquire Motel.

A girl named, uh,
Irene Wallace...

was strangled to death with it.

Um...

Did you ever, uh,
see this before?

No.

May I?

According to the man
who runs the motel,

Miss Wallace had a run-in
with some girl last night.

She was about, uh,

5'6", brunette...

weighed about 120 pounds.

You, uh...

know anybody who
meets that description?

I know about 20.

Hm.

We're only looking for one.

We think this belongs to her.

We've got a hunch
she's the killer.

And Irene Wallace worked

for the Brownell
Agency in Dallas.

All right, Just a minute, Paul.

I just spoke to Mrs. Harvey.

She still hasn't
heard from Helen.

Did you check Chandler's
hotel room again?

Mm-hm. No answer.

All right, Paul.

That's about all there
is on Irene Wallace.

Except that Faulkner worked
with her once on a divorce case.

Said he wouldn't trust her

as far as he could
throw a horse.

Uh, where did she get Frank
Harvey's cigarette lighter?

And that locket?

Once we find that out,

that's half the battle.

Yes, Gertie?

Put her on.

Our wandering girl.

Hello, Miss Harvey?

Where are you?

Las Vegas.

Stacey and I got
married 20 minutes ago.

That's right.

Haven't you heard
about Irene Wallace?

No.

Oh, that's impossible.

She was perfectly
all right last night.

Now, listen to me,
Helen. And listen carefully.

I want you and Mr. Chandler

to take the first plane
back to Los Angeles.

As soon as you arrive,

you're to go to the Coastal
Airlines reservation counter.

A man named Paul Drake
will be waiting for you.

You're to do exactly
as he tells you.

Understand?

- Okay, let's go.
- All right. Let her roll.

Number five's the bullet.

All right. Number four.

All right, number
five's the point.

Get your bets down.

Number three.

What's wrong?

Irene Wallace was
murdered last night.

Yep. I'd know
that girl anywhere.

Like I told Mr. Burger...

the minute I saw her
beating on that door,

I should have called the cops.

What sort of a woman
was this Irene Wallace?

Oh-ho. Nice as they come.

She was here for two weeks,

and never gave
me a bit of trouble.

Oh. Yes, sir, come right in.

Uh... Have you
anything with a kitchen?

Uh, you bet.

Now, let me see.

Oh, uh, good evening.

Oh, excuse me, Mr. Daniels.

Would you happen
to have a match?

Oh, sure.

Keep the book. Thank you.

Any idea how long
you folks will be staying?

I don't know yet.
I... It all depends.

Well, I'm sure that
you and the Mrs.

Will like it here.

Uh, if you'll follow me...

Well, I'll find it.

I'm the explorer type.

Good night.

Uh, it's the third bungalow
down on this side.

Anything else I can tell you?

No, I don't think so.

Uh, thanks a lot, Mr. Daniels.

You've been more
help than you know.

If I've seen this cameo once,

I've seen it nine
million times. Hm.

Stacey always said it
belonged to his mother.

Personally, I think he
found it in some hock shop.

Yes, but what was the name

of the woman he gave
it to, Miss Lawrence.

Aren't we forgetting
something, Mr. Burger?

I came here of my own free will.

Your worried about
immunity, huh?

That's exactly what
I'm worried about.

All right. I'll
promise to give you

the very best break I can.

Ha. And I don't
mean one like this.

What's the woman's name?

Her name is...

Helen Harvey.

She meets the
description in there to a tee.

Thank you, Miss Lawrence.

We'll be in touch with you.

Nice meeting you, lieutenant.

Well, what do you think?

Hm.

Classic case of
the woman scorned.

Yeah, but you can't
get away from the facts.

If Helen Harvey is the
girl that had the fight

with Irene Wallace
the night of the murder,

we've gone a long way
toward establishing motive.

Leon...

will you step in here
a minute, please?

Uh... Hold on, Paul.

Margo Lawrence went
into Burger this morning

and sang like a bird.

And they've issued a warrant

for Helen Harvey.

Paul? Perry.

I want you to call Helen
at the motel immediately.

Tell her she's to check out
and surrender to the police.

She's not to answer any
questions until I get there.

And one more thing. I
want everyone connected

with this case
under surveillance.

Right.

Little idiot!

Why did she go to the police?

That was my
suggestion, Mrs. Harvey.

It was ridiculous.

Irene Wallace had
a cigarette lighter

that belonged to your husband.

Where did she get it?

Why ask me?

I think you supplied it.

Get out.

You don't like Stacey Chandler.

No, I don't.

What better way to discredit him

than to send Irene
Wallace to see him?

If he accepted her proposition,

that would have
proved you were right.

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

Irene Wallace's
murder is tied up

with your husband's
disappearance.

Now, what can
you tell me about it?

All right, Mrs. Harvey.

From now on, it's up to you.

Information. I want
the telephone number

of Harry C. West.

He's a carpenter
somewhere in the Valley.

Yes.

Thank you.

Hello.

Yes, this is Harry West.

Uh, Mr. West...

You come very
highly recommended.

Would you be interested

in doing some carpentry for me?

Sure. When do
you want to see me?

Well, my husband's
only home evenings.

Could you drop by
tonight, say, at 9?

Okay. What's the address?

"1435 Essex Place,

Gardena."

And the name?

Mrs. Walter Harris.

Now, don't disappoint me.

Well, we'll expect you at 9:00.

It was in this flour canister.

How do you explain
this, Mr. West?

S... Someone's
trying to frame me.

I told you about
that telephone call

I got last night.

Oh, when I got to Gardena,

there was nothing
there but a vacant lot.

Honest. That's the truth.

Is there anyone who can
substantiate that story?

No. You'd better
come along with us.

We've got to
straighten this out.

All right.

Then I tailed West
clear to Gardena.

He got there about
5 minutes of 9.

He parked in front
of a vacant lot.

And he kept looking at
a piece of paper he had.

Obviously an
address of some sort.

Go on, Faulkner.

Well, that's about
it, Mr. Mason.

After he drove
back to his house,

the police were already there.

They took him
to the DA's office.

Now, do you want Walsh's report?

He's the man I had covering,

uh, Florence Harvey.

Just the highlights.

Well...

she left her house at 8:50.

Drove directly out
to West's place.

She must have been pretty
sure there was no one there.

She walked right in.

Wasn't the door locked?

Apparently, Mr. West feels

he's got nothing worth stealing.

Well...

it's pretty obvious
what happened.

She decoyed West
out of the house,

and went in and planted
that watch and chain.

Do you think that Mrs. Harvey

was trying to help your client?

That's the kind of
help that will put Helen

right in the gas chamber.

All right, Faulkner...

better tell Tragg the story.

He'll be delighted.

Death occurred sometime

between 9 pm and 11:30.

The deceased had
been struck a blow

at the base of the skull,

and then garroted
or throttled to death

with a chain.

Is this the chain, doctor?

Yes, sir, it is.

Lieutenant Tragg.

Thank you.

May I, your Honor?

Uh, certainly.

Uh, doctor.

Using this plastic figure,

I wish you'd
demonstrate to the court

how the garroting was done.

The chain was on
the victim's neck

in the... usual fashion.

The killer seized
the chain like this.

Then with a twist of the hand,

the slack was taken up.

And with continued pressure...

the victim died in a
comparatively short time.

Would any unusual
strength be required?

Not at all.

Particularly if the
victim was stunned.

I mentioned she had
been struck on the head.

Now, doctor...

I show you this doorknob.

And I ask you if this could
have been the weapon used

to inflict such a blow?

Yes, sir.

It, uh, could.

Thank you, doctor.

Your witness.

No questions.

Uh, you may step down.

I call Lieutenant Arthur Tragg.

Raise you right hand.

Do you solemnly
swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth?

I do. CLERK: State your name.

Arthur Tragg.

Be seated, please.

Lieutenant, I show
you this doorknob.

I ask you if you've
ever seen it before.

Yes, sir, I have.

Whereabouts?

I found this at the
scene of the crime.

Did you have it
subjected to analysis?

Yes, we did.

And what were your findings?

The examination disclosed
particles of skin and hair

adhering to this.

It matched those
of the deceased.

Did you have the doorknob
examined for fingerprints?

Yes, sir.

Over here, we found a right
index and middle finger...

belonging to the
defendant, Helen Harvey.

And did you find
other fingerprints

of the defendant
elsewhere in the bungalow?

Yes, sir. On the
table near the couch.

And on a portable radio.

And on the wall
near the light switch.

I see.

Now, lieutenant, I
show you this cameo.

And I ask if you've
ever seen it before.

Yes, sir. We discovered
this under the sofa

in bungalow 9 of
the Esquire Motel.

About how far from the
body of Irene Wallace?

Oh, between, uh...

five, six feet.

I see. Thank you, lieutenant.

That'll be all.

Cross-examine, counselor.

Lieutenant, you
testified that you found

the defendant's
fingerprints on here.

That's correct.

I believe you said
you also found them

on the table and on the wall

near the light switch?

And the radio.

I stand corrected.

Were those the only places?

Yes, sir.

I notice a curious omission.

What about the doorknob?

No, no. This one
led to the bedroom.

I mean, the...

one on the front door.

Did you find the defendant's
fingerprints there?

No. It had been wiped clean.

Then you would have us believe

that the defendant left
her fingerprints on here,

three or four other
places in that room,

but stopped to wipe them
off the front doorknob?

Thank you,
lieutenant. That's all.

When was the last time

you saw that necklace, Mr. West?

About eight years ago.

Just before your wife
ran off with Frank Harvey?

I object, your Honor.

Question assumes facts

not already in evidence.

Objection sustained.

Let me put it to you this way.

When was the last
time you saw your wife?

Well, it was on the
morning of January 29th,

eight years ago, when she went

to work for Frank Harvey.

She was his secretary.

And when Mrs. West
failed to return home,

what did you do?

Well, first I called
Mrs. Harvey.

And when I learned
that her husband

hadn't come home either,

I called the police.

I see. Thank you, Mr. West.

Cross-examine.

Mr. West...

you testified that
you're a carpenter.

You self-employed?

That's right.

Now, would you say your business

is a successful one?

Well, not exactly.

I just had to borrow 400 bucks

from the bank.

And I would assume

that you are trying hard

to... pay that back.

Well, naturally.

So that if you received an offer

of a job late at night...

Oh, let us say, all
the way in Gardena

you wouldn't turn it down?

Well, of course not.

I'd drop everything

and go right out there.

Isn't that exactly what happened

on the evening of February 8th?

Yes, sir. But the
police wouldn't believe it

until someone that was
following me c... Corro... Cor...

Corroborated?

Yeah. Corroborated my story.

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

When I walked in, I found her...

right there.

And then I called the police.

Now, Mr. Daniels...

on the previous night,

you observed an altercation

between the deceased
and another woman,

is that correct? Yes, sir.

Is that other woman
in court today?

Well, there she is.

Let the record show

that the witness
pointed to the defendant,

Helen Harvey.

And now, Mr. Daniels,

would you describe for us please

the defendant's behavior

at the time of the altercation?

Oh, well, she was pounding
on Miss Wallace's door

and screaming, "Let
me in! Let me in!"

I told her to cut it out.

What was her response to that?

Well, she pointed to
Miss Wallace and said,

"She's got my uncle
hidden in there."

Huh. I thought she was crazy.

I see.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Daniels.

Your witness.

Mr. Daniels, what time
did this alleged quarrel

between Miss Wallace
and the other girl take place?

About 9:00.

Then you're positive

that Miss Harvey
was the other girl?

Oh, absolutely. I'd
recognize her anyplace.

Now, Mr. Daniels, I
believe you were served

with a subpoena duces tecum?

Uh, you mean that piece of paper

that asked me to bring
those registration cards

for January and February?

That's right.

Thank you.

Do you recognize this?

Yes. It's, uh, one of
the registration cards

from the Esquire Motel.

Mr. Burger.

If the court please,

I should like this marked

for identification.

Defense exhibit 1.

Mr. Burger?

No objection, Your Honor.

Thank you.

Now, Mr. Daniels...

will you please read the
name registered here?

"Mr. and Mrs. Stacey Chandler."

Was Mrs. Chandler in the office

when her husband
registered? Yeah.

Did you recognize her
then as Helen Harvey?

Don't know what you mean.

You testified you'd recognize
Helen Harvey anywhere.

I ask you now if
you recognized her

when she checked into your motel

as Mrs. Stacey Chandler.

No.

If it please the court...

Mr. Mason, may I see that card

again for a moment, please?

Your Honor, it's
perfectly obvious

that Mr. Mason has been
up to one of his usual tricks.

He knew we were
looking for the defendant...

If it please the court...

I should like to
remind Mr. Burger

that no felony
warrant was issued

for the arrest of Helen Harvey

until almost 12 hours
after she and Mr. Chandler

registered at the Esquire Motel.

As soon as the
warrant was issued...

I advised her to
surrender to the police.

It would seem to me, Mr. Burger,

that counsel was
within his rights.

Yes, Your Honor,
I'm sure he was.

And I'm aware, under
the circumstances,

that the identification
of this witness

is practically valueless.

But if Mr. Mason has
concluded his examination...

I have, Your Honor.

Uh, you may step down.

I call Robert Riley.

And I've been a
traveling salesman

for the Watkins Dress Company

for the past five years.

Would you describe
for us, please,

your actions on the
evening of February 8th?

That's the night of the murder.

Well, I drove down from
San Francisco to Los Angeles.

I wanted to go straight
through to San Diego, but...

I got a little tired.

So I decided to
spend the night here.

And where did you stay?

At the Esquire Motel.

Do you remember what
time you registered, Mr. Riley?

Oh. It must have
been around 10:30.

You're quite sure of that?
- 30? Yes, sir.

And to what bungalow
were you assigned?

Bungalow 10.

All right, sir. And
what happened next?

Well, I drove over
to the bungalow.

And as I was taking my
sample cases out of the car,

I saw this gal come
out of the next cabin.

That would be
bungalow 9. The one

where the murder
occurred? Yes, sir.

Did you get a good
look at this girl?

Could you describe her to us?

Why, I'm sure I could. I...

She ran right
through my headlights.

I got a good look at her.

I'll say she was size 12.

What do you mean
when you say "size 12"?

Well, she was about 5'6"

and weighed around 120 pounds.

Did you happen to notice
what she was wearing?

Why, certainly.
That's my business.

She was wearing a sheath dress.

It was a dark-gray tweed
material with a high neck.

And is that girl in
this room today?

Well, yes, sir. She's the
defendant in this case.

She's even wearing
the same outfit now.

Thank you, Mr. Riley.

Your witness, counselor.

Mr. Riley...

when did you first
see the defendant?

She was on the
porch of bungalow 9.

She had just come out.

Did you actually
see her come out?

Well. Uh...

no.

Then, for all you know,

she might never have gone in.

She might have just
been standing there

hoping to hear
her uncle's voice?

Your Honor, I object.

That question is argumentative

and calls for a conclusion.

Sustained.

And I move to strike out
the part that the defendant

was coming out of the bungalow

as a conclusion of the witness.

The motion is granted.

And that part of the
witness' testimony

is stricken out.

Why did you go back to
Irene Wallace's bungalow?

Well, I discovered
I lost the cameo...

Stacey gave me.

So you went to look for it?

Was she alive?

I didn't see her.

The coroner said Irene Wallace
died between 9 and 11:30.

If you were there at 10:30,
you must have seen her.

Now, was she alive or dead?

Dead.

That's why you came to my office

that following morning.

Well, I did want
to find my uncle.

But your real purpose
was to use me,

because you were afraid
you'd be involved in a murder.

Yes.

Now, leave me alone.

Please, leave me alone.

And then Miss
Wallace told Stacey

that Frank Harvey
was still alive,

and that she was
keeping him out of sight.

I see.

Then what happened?

She gave Stacey
the cigarette lighter.

Then she left.

And what did Mr. Chandler
do immediately thereafter?

He called the defendant

and told her he was
coming over to see her.

He said that there was something

that he had to show her.

Thank you, Miss
Lawrence. That'll be all.

Your witness.

Miss Lawrence...

how long have you
known Stacey Chandler?

Too long.

Mm, that doesn't
answer my question.

I met him about seven years ago.

As a matter of fact,
you and Mr. Chandler

were partners in
a confidence game

to bilk Miss
Harvey, isn't that so?

I told the district
attorney all about that.

Did you also tell 'em

that when Irene Wallace
left Chandler's apartment,

you said, "The only way
she'll cut herself into this deal

is over my dead body"?

I don't remember saying that.

But you do remember
that Irene Wallace

wanted $10,000?

Yes.

Thank you.

Would you mind
telling us what you did

on the night of the murder?

I mind very much.

I'm not on trial here.

Just answer the
question, please.

I spent the evening at home.

Were you alone?

Yes.

If I'd known I was
going to need an alibi,

I would have arranged
to have company.

Now... I believe
you testified that...

you went to the district
attorney's office...

immediately after seeing
the picture of the cameo

and Miss Harvey's description

in the newspapers?
Mm-hm. That's right.

Did you go to the district
attorney's office voluntarily?

I did.

Isn't it true that
such cooperation

with the authorities is a...

departure for you?

I don't know what you mean.

Well, did you offer to
cooperate with the authorities...

the last three times
you went to jail?

Your Honor!

I'll withdraw the question..
Thank you, Miss Lawrence.

That's all.

I know I shouldn't have done it.

But I was only
trying to help Helen.

So you actually planted
your husband's watch

in Mr. West's house?

I'm sorry. It was wrong.

But you shouldn't
make Helen pay for it.

You're very fond
of the defendant,

aren't you, Mrs. Harvey?

Yes, I am.

When her parents died, my
husband and I adopted her.

And then when he disappeared...

she continued to live with me.

I understand.

Now, Mrs. Harvey...

have you ever seen
this cameo before?

Yes.

My niece was wearing it
on the day of the murder.

She told me Stacey Chandler

had given it to her.

Thank you, Mrs.
Harvey. That will be all.

Your witness, counselor.

Uh... may I, Mr. Burger?

Of course.

Thank you, Mr. Mason.

Uh, you don't approve
of Stacey Chandler?

No, I don't.

I feel he only wanted
to marry Helen

because of her money.

You mean you were
afraid Mr. Chandler

would have the
defendant insist on having

your husband's will probated?

That's not true.

Under the terms of the will...

how much would you estimate

the defendant's share to be?

I don't know exactly.

Would you say a
half-a-million dollars

is a fair estimate?

I guess so.

I believe you testified
that you planted this

in Mr. West's
home out of a desire

to help your niece?

Yes.

Where did you get it?

My husband left it behind
when he disappeared.

There were a lot of things
he didn't take with him.

Was there anything else

besides the lighter
and the watch?

There were some studs
and a gold money clip.

Then you, uh...

gave this lighter
to Irene Wallace?

No.

But you admitted you
had the lighter originally.

How did Miss Harvey get it?

You did hire Irene
Wallace, didn't you?

Yes.

Did you give Irene
Wallace Mrs. West's locket?

Yes.

We hoped that would
convince Mr. Chandler

that my husband and Mrs. West

were still somewhere
in the neighborhood.

Where did you get the locket?

I found it in one of
my husband's coats

after he disappeared.

It was in a jeweler's envelope.

Oh.

Was there anything
else in the envelope?

Just the bill for
having it repaired.

You saw Miss Wallace on
the night she was murdered?

Yes.

What time did you
leave her bungalow?

About 9:30.

I didn't want to run into
Mr. Stacey Chandler.

And Miss Wallace felt that
he would still show up at 10.

When you left the bungalow,

Miss Wallace was still alive?

Absolutely.

Then why did you
wipe your fingerprints

off the front
doorknob? I didn't!

E-excuse me, counselor.

Uh, do you anticipate
your examination

will continue much longer?

Why, yes, I do, Your Honor.

Well, an important pre-trial
conference had been scheduled

for this time in chambers.

Therefore, it will be
necessary to adjourn

until tomorrow morning at 10:00.

If anyone should ask,

I don't trust Florence Harvey.

I don't think she was
trying to help Helen at all.

Do you believe that story

about her finding
Mrs. West's locket

in one of Mr. Harvey's
old coats?

I don't know what to
believe anymore, Della.

Somewhere, we missed a turn.

Oh, I wish we could
find Frank Harvey.

He certainly must have
heard about the trial.

It's been in all the papers.

No matter where he is.

I don't see why he
doesn't come forward.

Maybe he can't read.

I don't know why everyone is
so concerned over Frank Harvey.

What about Vivian West?

What about her?

She's the forgotten
woman in this case.

You know, I think
I have an angle.

Get me the telephone number
to the Valley Land Company.

Hm?

According to the
title search, this is it.

All right. Let's
get them started.

All right, fellas,
get the tools out.

What's the trouble, Paul?

It's getting late.

Well, let's keep the work going.

All right.

What do you think you're doing?

I asked you something.

What do you think you're doing?

Why, we're looking
for uranium, Mr. West.

Are you crazy?

You bought this
land nine years ago

from the Valley Land Company.

But they reserved
oil and mineral rights.

I took an option on them.

So they told me.

I asked them to.

All right, Paul,
let's try over there.

That looks like a good spot.

Boys... over behind that bush.

Hold it.

Get off my property.

What's the matter, Mr. West?

Afraid we'll find
more than uranium?

All right. I warned you.

You can go back to work now.

Okay, Paul.

Would you like a cigarette?

We might be here a long time.

Apparently, we're late.

Apparently.

Radio headquarters.

Have them send out
a crew and some tools.

Don't bother.

Why did you kill Irene Wallace?

Well...

she phoned me that night

and... said she had
some information

for sale about my wife.

I got there about 10:00.

Minute I walked in,

she said she knew where my...

wife and Frank Harvey were.

I told her she was lying.

Then she showed me...

Harvey's lighter.

I don't have to tell you

that gave me quite a turn.

Then she opened that
robe she was wearing, and...

And I saw Vivian's locket.

And you thought she'd
actually found your wife?

What else was I to think?

She had the locket, didn't she?

The last time I saw
Vivian, she was wearing it.

That's the trouble with
a guilty conscience.

Never get used
to living with it.

That's when I picked
up the doorknob.

Actually, all she wanted was
to milk me for a few bucks.

You mean, she
knew nothing at all

about where your wife
and Frank Harvey were?

Mr. West...

where are they?

O-o-over by those trees.

That's where we were
gonna build our house.

Don't you remember,
I told you about it?

I remember.

Lieutenant.

Talk about irony.

There was a nice
hunk of it in this case.

This is the first one I recall

where someone tried to...

frame the man who was guilty.

Personally, I don't see why
you latched onto Mr. West

in the first place.

Well...

there was a couple
of things, Della.

Mm-hm.

Remember when you wondered

why Frank Harvey
didn't come forward?

Mm-hm.

And you wondered why everyone

overlooked Mrs. West.

You said that she was the
forgotten woman in the case.

Well, she was.

I maintained all along
that Irene Wallace's murder

was tied up with Frank
Harvey's disappearance.

What I forget was
that the same held true

for Vivian West.

Suppose she hadn't left
voluntarily eight years ago.

Suppose she had been murdered.

Oh. And Mr. West was
the obvious suspect.

Poor Mr. West.

Why poor Mr. West?

Because he said he
owed money all over.

He also owned
two acres in Encino.

You know what they're worth.

Well, he didn't dare sell that.

Mm, hardly.

Well... I still say
you were lucky

that that option bit paid off.

How can you say that, Paul?

That was skill.

Now, if Perry had been lucky...

he would have found uranium.