Police Woman (1974–1978): Season 4, Episode 17 - Murder with Pretty People - full transcript

(camera clicking)

- Now that's fabulous.

Hey baby.

You've really got great legs.

- Okay, okay.

But I don't think
she's a model, either.

- A cop?

- Hey, is model
Cheryl in a snit?

It couldn't be that new
girl in town, could it?

- I think we can work out an
arrangement for commissions.

- What about the Liz Agency?

- Dead.

- Darling, you're early.

(dramatic music)

("Police Woman Theme"
by Morton Stevens)

- What'll I tell 'em, Cynthia?

The soap sponsors want
someone with long, red hair.

- Tell 'em to call
Rita Hayworth.

Mine's too brittle from that
last shampoo commercial.

Great stuff but for
eight hours I was

lathered up to my ears.

- Sorry.

Cynthia's gone to
Paris for a few days.

But how about Sheila Jones?

Okay.

- Sheila's blond.

- [Woman] She was.

- Yes?

Do I know you?

- Well no, I'm new in town.

- You sure are.

Honey, welcome to our fair city,

and no offense, but
take a look around.

Start looking like them.

Then come back.

Sherry?

Helen?

- [Woman] Oh, excuse me.

- Mmm-hmm.

- [Woman] Could you tell
me, is that the Liz Adams?

- That was the Liz Adams.

90 years ago, give or take.

- [Liz] Well, Bernie,
what's your candid opinion?

- What's yours, Liz?

- Too fat, too much eye rouse.

Too blah.

And I hope her face
breaks out in terminal acne,

the little ungrateful snitch.

She thinks the Jon
Paul Agency can do

more for her than I can.

- The agency can't,
but Jon Paul can.

- That's the only reason
Cheryl Bell would sign with him.

How else could he
get any of my girls?

On second thought.

Make that not too
bad a case of acne.

She'll be back, begging
me to sign her again,

once Jon Paul
finds a newer model

and starts asking Cheryl to
pay her commissions in cash.

When Cheryl does come
back, I think I'll ignore her

for a few days.

And then very reluctantly,

I'll agree to handle her again.

But only, only if
she loses 10 pounds.

Let her suffer.

Let her not eat cake.

- Cute.

(buzzer ringing)

- What?

- [Secretary] Greg
Peter's on line two.

He wants to talk to you
to find out what's wrong.

- Greg, darling.

My girl tells me
you're all in a dither,

as well you should be.

I see you're hiring
models from Jon Paul.

My cast offs.

- Liz, get serious.

The magazine absolutely
insisted that I hire Cheryl.

I had no choice!

I had to deal with that guy.

Now your bookers
tell me I can't have

any more of your girls?

I'm off limits?

- Greg.

Dearest.

Let's just put it this way.

Until you decide to
deal with me exclusively,

suck eggs. (phone slamming)

- Drop dead. (phone slamming)

- The new Midge look.

Well, what do you think?

- Oh, I don't know.

- Oh come on, it's gorgeous.

It's just perfect for you.

- I don't know, I think I
prefer the Pepper look.

- What are you doing here?

- Well, I just
came in for a perm.

(laughing)

- How do you like
my new hairstyle?

- Eh.

It's gonna be terrific with
a lei around your neck.

- What?

You mean Barnes finally
approved my vacation?

- Starting Saturday morning,

you are gonna go
braless and badge-less for

two glorious weeks.

- Badge-less?

- Uh-oh.

Andy, steel yourself.

- I'm steeled.

Come on.

- Uh, say hello to my partner,
Sergeant William Crowley.

- William.

- Andrew.

- For the past two
years you have been

combing out a policewoman.

(chuckles)

- Police?

- Don't worry, I can't
bust you for gossip.

- Now tell me,
what do you think?

Both of you.

For Hawaii.

I want the truth now.

- For Hawaii,
let it all hang out.

You're not gonna
need me over there.

- You don't like it, do you?

- Uh, I think it might
be nice on Pete.

(buzzer ringing)

- Buzz.

Don't run away.

- [Secretary] Mr. Thompson
from DeBlasio Advertising

is here, sir.

- Yeah, well, give me a
chance to catch my breath, huh?

Then send him in.

Why don't you leave
your vital statistics

with my secretary
and I'll call you later.

That's, uh, Laurie?

- Laurie.

- Laurie.

Ciao.

- New?

- [Jon] From Seattle.

Nice, huh?

- Mmm-hmm.

- [Jon] How would you like
an exclusive on that, Jack?

- You know we can't.

What would we do with Midge?

- Dump her.

Midge is old hat.

By the way, how are the
Muller Shampoo sales going?

- Oh, that's just it, you know?

Sales are skyrocketing.

And Old Man Muller
is convinced it's

the Midge Cleary
image that's doing it.

He wants an exclusive with her.

- So why come to me, sweetheart?

She's Liz's client.

- That's the problem.

The dragon lady wants an
eye and a leg to close the deal.

- Okay, Jack, let's have it.

- To sign an
exclusive with Midge,

Liz also wants to sign
an exclusive with her.

That means using
only Liz models.

None from you.

None from any other agency.

- And you're gonna
knuckle under to that?

Great.

- What can we do?

Muller Shampoo is
our biggest account.

And the old man will
pull it if we don't sign

Midge to an exclusive.

- You keep repeating that word.

- It's the word.

What can we do?

- [Secretary] Yes, Mr. Paul?

- Get me Liz Adams.

And I want Liz Adams personally,

not one of her flunkies.

- Tony, you do not
seem to understand this

is a business I
am trying to run!

- I seem to recall
that I am a part of

that business, Elizabeth.

- Yes, a very active
part, after hours.

- Look, love.

I enjoy the company
of beautiful women.

That has never been a secret.

- Well, just leave
my girls alone.

Especially the night
before a job call.

Adrianna came in
this morning a wreck.

I had to replace her
at the last minute.

(buzzer ringing)

- Look, can't we continue this
discussion some other time?

You're busy and I do
have to be running along.

- Tony, I'm warning you.

Leave them alone.

(buzzer ringing)

Yes.

- [Secretary] Jon
Paul on the phone.

- Put him on.

Jon.

What's on your mind?

- You, beautiful.

And a friendly chat
over lunch or dinner?

- Well, I'd love to except
my calendar is all filled up.

- So is mine, sweetie.

(paper crinkling)

That noise you just heard?

That's my calendar
being cleared.

- Tomorrow night.

- Tonight.

- Tonight.

My place.

8:00ish.

We'll have cocktails.

- I'll bring along a bottle.

Something light and charming.

- That'll be nice.

Jon, for our little chat,

I think you out to
seriously consider

the possibility of a merger
between our two agencies.

The money will be
obscenely good and you'll still

have your crumbs
to play around with.

See ya tonight, darling.

- 8:00 sharp.

Ciao.

- Ciao.

(laughing)

Oh, I've gotcha
hangin' on the ropes

and there's nothin' you
can do about it, darling.

(doorbell ringing)

Darling, you're early.

(dramatic music)

(gun barrel clicking)

(dramatic music)

- [Woman] Hey, Phil.

I always wanted to kiss a guy
with a pineapple in each hand.

- [Man] Hey, Shelby.

Goodnight.

(laughing)

- I've landed early.

- Stay off the grass.

(laughing)

- [Pepper] It's too much grass.

(laughing)

- So what is the
very first thing

you're gonna do once you land?

- Wring the tears out
of my handkerchief.

Then I'm going to strip
down to the briefest

bikini allowed and I'm
gonna bake and broil.

And where is my drink?

- Mmm, this is a red one.

- Ah, bless you.

- You know, the sane
thing I want you to do

is have a Mai Tai on me.

- Yes, sir.
- A double Mai Tai.

- You got it.

(phone ringing)

- [Joe] I'll get that.

- [Pepper] If it's
for me, tell I'm in

the shower with friends.

- Yeah, hello?

He's here.

Just a minute.

- William.

It's for you, buddy.

- Oh.
- Oh.

- [William] I wonder
what she wants.

- [Joe] Come on now.

- Thank you.

- I'm not so sure about that.

It's not Raquel Welch calling.

- Hello. (clearing throat)

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, put him on, will ya, pal?

- Will you be going to
the big island, Pepper?

- Yeah, I'm going to Maui
and Kaua and Moloka.

I've saved for this
for three years.

I'm gonna shoot the works.

And I'm gonna sun

and read

and relax.

- Just got a call from Parks.

- Have you been to the
island of Kimono-one-day?

(laughing)

- Of course.

And I would suggest
that you slip into

something a little
less comfortable,

because he wants
to see us right away.

- Why didn't you tell
him I broke my leg?

- Well, then I'd
have to tell him that

we're gonna shoot ya.

- I know it's late, but homicide
has asked for our help.

- Captain, I leave for
Hawaii in the morning.

- I've got a gut
feeling about this case

and I wanna start moving
on it as soon as possible.

We'll get a lot of
flack from the chief

and the newspapers if
we don't come up with

a quick answer.

- You mean it wasn't robbery?

- No, nothing was taken.

And you can forget about prints.

They used gloves.

- [William] Ah,
Captain, what's this

gut reaction you mentioned?

- Well, I think whoever
killed Elizabeth Adams

had to be somebody she knew.

Certainly she's gonna
look through the viewer

in the door before she opens it,

to make sure it's
someone she recognized.

And there's our problem.

The people that Elizabeth
Adams would know

are influential,
well-known in many cases,

even famous.

So we're gonna have to
handle this one with kid gloves.

Not push, but still
get the information.

Crowley, you'd be in charge
of an open investigation,

but I think it would
be extremely helpful

if we could get an inside
track to the model world scene

or whatever you want to call it.

Pepper?

- Yes?

- Have you bought clothes
for your vacation yet?

- Practically a
whole new wardrobe.

I even bought a new straw hat.

- Good, that'll save the
department a little money.

You can use them
when you apply for

the modeling job tomorrow.

Pepper, you're the
best man for the job.

Will you do it for me?

- Yes, sir.

(people conversing
in background)

- I'd have to guess
New York, right?

- No, most of my work was
in the San Francisco area.

- Well, this is the best
portfolio I've seen in months.

Great look, great legs.

But ah, hmm. (phone ringing)

Excuse me.

Jon Paul Agency.

Yes.

Wait, let me put Kay on.

Kay, can you grab line three?

It's Binco Deodorant.

The gal you sent
over has flabby elbows.

Actually, we're not taking on
any new girls at the moment.

You know, I'm sorry
to have to say that, but,

on the other hand, Ledo
Pantyhose, strictly COD.

I mean, if you're right, good.

If you're not, no reimbursement
for the inconvenience.

We have to do that
with new girls, okay?

- All right.

- Name?

- Pepper Piper.

- Pepper Piper picked a
peck of pickled peppers?

- Ah, (chuckles) stuck in his
thumb and pulled out a plum.

(laughing)

- Very hip.

Good identification.

Here, fill in the rest.

Here's the photographer's name.

He wants you
there at 11:00 sharp.

- [Pepper] Today?

- Yes.

- Oh, thank you very,
I really appreciate it.

- My pleasure, Pepper Piper.

(chuckles)

Pepper Piper, San Francisco.

Great folio.

- Among other things.

- Hmm.

- [Greg] Ready?

- Blast away.

(machine whirring)

- Fabulous.

You look gorgeous.

Now lick your lips.

The dress is divine.

You are a major beauty.

Woo!

(camera clicking)

Hold it.

Great.

(camera clicking)

Great, sweetheart.

Hold it, perfect.

Let me focus, got it.

Got it, baby.

Nostalgia's in.

Give 'em a little bit of the
'50s and you got it made.

- Did Liz Adams start this way?

(camera clicking)

- No way, baby.

In her day a bit of stocking
was thought of as shocking.

Now that's fabulous.

- She's not that old.

- Liz?

Like Methuselah.

She lived 900 years too long.

- I get the feeling you
didn't particularly like her.

- Who did?

- Why's that?

- Because she was
trying to be a monopoly

and nobody likes that.

Now sit down for a
minute and take it easy.

- Ah.

- Good old Liz is gonna
have the biggest funeral

this town has seen in years.

- Well how?

Nobody liked her.

- That's just the point.

We're all gonna show up
to see if she's really dead.

Then we can all rest in peace.

Amen.

Hey, baby.

You really got great legs.

(soft dramatic music)

(cameras clicking)

(people speaking
quietly in background)

- Karen.

- Oh, Ellen.

What a day to see you.

- Oh, dear.

- Can't tell the players
without a scorecard.

- The one in black
with the white blouse

is Eleanor Pom Pom Simpson.

The one in the black cape
is Karen Chi Chi Hagensen.

- Sound like a
couple of strippers.

- Yeah, they were
models when names like

Candy and Choo Choo were in.

They worked at the
same time Liz Adams did.

- Ladies, pardon me.

May I speak to
you just a second?

Would you tell me exactly
when was the last time was

that you three saw each other?

- Five years ago,
wasn't it, Karen?

- Oh, at least.

Closer to six.

It was at our reunion in
New York, remember?

- Yes.

I haven't been down
to see Liz since.

She was, she was always so busy.

- Now neither of
you ladies continued

your modeling career
after your marriages.

Why was that exactly?

- Well, we were in the
business nearly 10 years.

The average model
only lasts about five.

I think we did our
fair share of modeling,

wouldn't you say, Ellen?

- Yes, although I'm
considering some offers to,

well, this is no time
to discuss trivia.

Karen?

- Lizzy is waiting.

And she never liked
to be kept waiting.

- [Reverend] Today we
are gathered together here

to pay our final respects

to a truly great individual,
Elizabeth Adams,

your friend and mine.

- Speak for yourself, Reverend.

- What can I say about
such a well known personality

when everything has been said?

- Not everything,
but I can't say it here.

Would be sacrilegious.

- Many of you here
today were recipients

of her vast generosity.

To be one of her girls.

- Actually, she was
good to me, Jon.

Really, she was a
real good lady. (crying)

- Are you stoned?

- As quite a few
of you here know.

To be an old friend as
I was fortunate to be,

means my life is richer

and happier for having
known such a great lady,

who with her heavy schedule

always found time
to help us here

with our charities
and benefit programs.

- [Crowd] Oh.

- There is only one life
and that life is God's life

and it is perfect.

And that life right now is...

- Go?
- Go.

- [Reverend]
Elizabeth Adams' life.

She is in complete harmony
with the divine spirit of God.

- [Eleanor] I felt like
I couldn't breathe!

- [Tony] Hang on,
little bit, little bit further.

- [Eleanor] I just...

- [Tony] Here you
are, here you are.

- I just can't believe this.

She didn't deserve to die.

And to go like that, shot.

Oh my God.

- Close your eyes and rest.

Rest.

That's it.

- Excuse me.

Can I help?

- Yes, you certainly can.

What's your name?

- Pepper.

- Pepper, I'm Tony.

And yes, you can help me.

I warn you, I just
may go into shock

if you don't join me
for dinner tonight.

(chuckles nervously)

- Seriously, Mr. Mann.

- Eleanor?

Oh, don't take this seriously.

She's still calls it swooning.

It's quite calculated,
I assure you.

- Couldn't I get her
a glass of water?

- Sherry, if that's
still her favorite,

would bring her around quicker.

But I suppose you
can't get any wine in here

unless you go through
the proper channels.

Hey, she's coming around.

Hope you do the same.

Come around, that is.

You know, I've got
a really fun yacht.

- I heard.

- So you said no to a yacht?

- It was easy.

- Well, maybe you
should've said yes.

- Why?

- Because to check the guy out.

Listen to this.

Anthony Mann, 55 years of age.

Loaded down with
real estate money

and oil money and money money.

Married five times to date.

First wife, Elizabeth Adams.

- Say that again.

- I didn't stutter, sweetheart.

Was married to our victim.

- Well, he certainly
didn't act like a husband

at a wife's funeral.

- So he probably forgot
he was ever married to her.

You know, a guy with all
those lovely little ladies.

It's hard to remember anything.

- He bankrolled
Liz Incorporated,

which probably means he
still has a chunk of the action.

- I'll check him out.

- Yeah.

Now what about Greg Peters?

Your friendly
neighborhood photographer?

You know, I hear
he hated the lady.

- Yeah, well, I'm
running a check on him.

His alibi is that he
was at his mother's

for a weekly
dinner, but we'll see.

- Okay.

Think I'll work on
some of the models.

- Yes, I'm sure you will.

- As far as I'm
concerned right now,

our number one suspect
motive-wise is Jon Paul.

- Okay, why?

- According to the
scuttlebutt in the industry,

he and Liz Adams
hated each other worse

than kids hate castor oil.

I think I'll try to get a line
on him from his girlfriend.

Did you ever get her name?

- Cheryl Bell.

- Sorry to keep you
waiting, Sergeant Crowley.

You really should've called.

You can't expect a girl
to always be presentable.

- I'm sure you
always are, Miss Bell.

- Well, almost always.

Um, you want some
wine or something?

- Oh, no, it's a little
early for me, thanks.

- What was it that you
wanted to talk to me about?

- Want to talk to
you about Liz Adams.

You worked for her, didn't you?

- Yes.

I guess you heard we
had a fight when I left.

- I heard something
about that, yeah.

- Well, that wasn't as
bad as it sounds, Sergeant.

Lots of models change
agencies every day.

- You're Jon Paul's
girlfriend, isn't that right?

- Yes.

- I'm gonna ask you
something straight on, Miss Bell.

Do you think,

do you know if Jon
Paul had anything

at all to do with the murder?

- Sergeant, if you're
trying to find out

where Jon was the
night Liz was killed,

he was with me.

All night.

- And Greg Peters called.

Said you were
sensational posing for

the Ledo Pantyhose account.

- Oh, thank you.

- Actually, I can't
see it myself.

- Use your
imagination, Mr. Paul.

It's sometimes better.

- (chuckles) Touche, sweetheart.

What would you say to an
exclusive contract with me?

The Jon Paul Agency?

- I've only been
in town a few days.

- And you want to shop around?

- That's right.

I'm in no terrific rush.

- You won't find a better offer.

And I, ah, I think
we can work out

an arrangement for commissions.

- What about the Liz Agency?

- Dead.

At least Liz is.

And without Liz,
there is no agency.

Jon Paul Agency
is now number one.

How about it?

- I'll, I'll let you
know tomorrow.

Okay?

- Dinner tomorrow night?

- Dinner?

- I'll cook it myself.

Actually, I'm an excellent cook.

Have you ever had Long
Island duckling with tangerines?

- No, but I think I'm going to.

- And why don't you,
ah, come informal?

Very.

- Jon.

(phone ringing)

- Don't you ever knock?

- I'd like to talk to you.

Alone.

- Ah, I'm leaving.

What time tomorrow night, Jon?

- 10:00.

My orca has spoiled
me for early dining.

- Isn't that the way?

(phone ringing)

Goodbye.

(door slamming)

- Tomorrow night?

You're having dinner
with her tomorrow night?

- Strictly business, baby.

Can you believe anyone
that looks like that,

an advertising executive?

Could mean a big account for us.

- What's her name?

- Mrs. Piper.

- [Cheryl] Mrs.?

- Mrs.

- A very happily married Mrs.

You know, the first
thing she walked in

and showed me a
picture of her husband?

- Hmm.

- Better looking than
me if you can believe.

- What agency is she with?

- Oh, I don't know, a new one.

Some kind of a French name.

And you know me and French.

I'll find out for you
and you can check it

out if you want, all right?

Hey, come on, baby.

It's strictly business.

Strictly business.

(dramatic music)

(knocking)

- Ah, when will the
agency be opening again?

- Tomorrow, hopefully.

- What time?

- You're not one of our girls.

- No, but I...

- No, but she should be, Bernie.

Most definitely.

- [Bernie] Good
morning, Mr. Mann.

Good to see you.

- Miss Pepper Piper, right?

- Right.

- Well, it's an
unforgettable name.

Also an unforgettable face.

How about lunch on dry land?

Now you can't refuse me twice.

- Well, ah.

- Good, that smile says yes.

I couldn't take a
frown for an answer.

Not this time, anyway.

- Come in, Miss Piper, please.

- Thank you.

- Would you mind
waiting in the reception

room for just a
minute while I talk over

a little business with Bernie?

- Of course not.

- We'll use Liz's office.

- Sure.

- Don't go away.

This won't take long.

(sighing)

(door clicking)

- [Bernie] You can't!

- Oh, but I can.

I am.

See, my agreement
with Liz was quite simple.

Whoever survived
got the business.

(muffled speaking in background)

- [Bernie] Over the years
only because she promised...

- You're forgetting, Bernie,
that she did not retire.

She died.

It was murder.

Do I have to
spell it out for you?

All right.

I will.

The business belongs to me.

- Sure, but you'll need help.

- No, Bernie.

This I want to run my way.

Why, it's the dream of every
red-blooded American boy,

to own his very own
modeling agency,

filled with the world's
most gorgeous women.

That's a job that I
want to handle alone.

Take your time packing.

We won't be reopening
for several days.

(paper flicking)

(door clicking)

- She was really beautiful.

- A magnificent first wife.

Ready for lunch?

I know this terrific
new, little crepe place,

just down the street.

- [Pepper] Sounds delicious.

- [Tony] I think you'll like it.

(pens clattering)

- It's a great
motive for murder.

I might even be tempted myself.

- Well, it would be
kind of tough for me

with all those lovely
ladies, being a celibate.

- What did you have?

A hamburger, Pepper?

- Oh, after all those crepes?

Tony made me try
about 20 different kinds.

- Tony?

- Gettin' kind of chummy with
our suspects, huh, Pepper?

- Ugh, Pete, he
is not a suspect.

His yacht with him
aboard was on its way

up from Baha at the
time of the murder.

The Coast Guard
has it on record.

- I'll pick up your coffee.

- No, I'll get it.

- I'll get it.

- Thank you.

- Nine.

You don't have any change, huh?

You got nine cents?

(sighing)

- Uh.
- Pay the lady.

- Know a guy that bought
a house that way, bro.

(laughing)

Is mine taken care of?

- [Joe] Aw, thanks, William.

- Pepper, you saw
Eleanor Simpson's

and Jon Paul's names
on Liz Adams' incoming

telephone calls, right?

- Yes, mmm-hmm.

- Well, that means both
of them must've talked

to her the day she was murdered.

Wonder why.

- I don't know.

Eleanor Simpson's call
came from San Francisco.

It seems they talked
from time to time.

I checked it out.

Girl talk probably.

- How'd you check it out?

- I called San Francisco,
talked to the maid.

- Why'd you talk to the maid?

Why didn't you talk to her?

- She said the lady
of the house has left

for her cabin near
Vancouver and she left

right after the funeral.

Maybe I can find out why
Jon Paul called her that day.

I'm seeing him for
dinner tonight at 10:00.

- Maybe you won't
have to keep that date.

I just may run
interference for ya.

- Are you sure?

I know what they say
about being on duty, but...

- No thanks, I'm fine.

- Sure.

Frankly, I was surprised
and a bit nervous

when you called
and asked to see me.

Am I under any
kind of suspicion?

- Mr. Paul, a lot of
people are under suspicion

until proven innocent.

I'd just like to clear up a
confusing point right now.

When was the last time
you talked to Liz Adams?

(chuckles)

- Obviously, Sergeant,
you're not familiar

with the modeling business.

You see, Liz Adams
and I were not exactly

what you'd call
on speaking terms.

It's been maybe two or
three years since we've talked.

- I've got to assume
that when you called her

on the day of the murder,
you didn't talk to her.

Your incoming call was logged.

- It was a major goof
in my devious scheme

to cover my tracks.

That was and is the
only time I talked to her,

and it was only for a moment.

- What did you talk about?

- It was about a mutual client.

The call was on impulse.

Stupid impulse.

- This mutual client
would've been Cheryl Bell,

by any chance?

We understand that
she left Liz Agency

to sign up with you.

- Yes, as a matter of
fact it was about Cheryl.

- And?

- Sergeant, that's
a little personal.

Must I go into details?

- Miss Bell's already
told me that she was

with you on the
night of the murder.

- And you don't believe her?

- Mr. Paul, in a
murder investigation,

look, I mean, you take
everything with a grain of salt.

Not right now, I
have no reason for not

believing her or you.

Thank you very
much for your time.

(women chatting in background)

- [Secretary] Liz Incorporated.

- Who in the hell saw
that incoming calls log?

- I don't know, Mr. Paul.

I tore out the page the
minute I came in this morning.

- Someone saw it before that.

Now who was in the office?

- Only Bernie and
Mr. Mann that I know of.

And some model, new one.

Ah, Pepper Piper.

Yeah, she was here, too.

- Okay, I've reloaded.

I've got one more roll.

The wind machine's on.

The bikini look's sensational.

Honey, you look so gorgeous.

- Greg, hurry, I'm freezing.

- Oh come on, you
look so beautiful.

Now just hold it.

Gorgeous.

That's right, made
your career for you.

Sweetheart, one more angle.

You are gonna love this.

I promise you a cover.

It is so fab.

Just wait a minute,
let me just get this.

That's it, one more.

One, two, three.

Okay, got it.

Why don't you get
out of those things.

I know you must be freezing.

- Ah, you must've
shot 200 today.

Why don't you just
use a movie camera?

- Oh, hey, hey, hey.

Is my little Cheryl in a snit?

What's your beef?

Now don't tell me.

It couldn't be that new
girl in town, could it?

The Ledo Pantyhose
model, perhaps?

- All right, what's
our little secret?

Just between us.

Oh come on, Greg.

You're dying to
tell me, so tell me.

- Okay.

Did Jon sign Pepper Piper?

I know he was
interested in her a lot.

- Oh, really?

Well, for your information,

Mrs. Piper just happens to
be an advertising executive.

- Those legs I photographed?

An advertising lady executive?

Oh, baby, come on.

- You lied to me!

- A pale beige fib,
there's a difference.

- Is there?

And what about Liz?

Where you lying about that, too?

Jon, where were you
the night the police

think you were with me?

- I was with you, you know that.

What's the matter with you?

- Not when she was killed!

Not then, and there's
nothing the matter with me!

- Okay, okay.

Piper gal is not an
advertising executive.

But I don't think
she's a model, either.

She's been snooping
around Liz's place.

Could be a undercover type.

- A cop?

- That's what I'm
gonna find out tonight.

- You mean you're
keeping your dinner date.

Is that what you're
trying to tell me?

Oh, that's just great!

What's on for the evening?

Duckling with passion fruit?

- Cheryl, I could
be saving your hide.

She could be trying to
get to you through me.

It could have
nothing to do with Liz.

Now look, come on, baby.

You gotta trust me.

Don't do anything foolish, hon.

Okay?

It's okay, baby.

(kisses smacking)

(phone ringing)

- Crowley, yeah.

- All I'm saying
is that Jon Paul

knows that a
certain blond is not

an advertising
executive or a model.

If she's real smart
she won't go over there

to see him tonight.

Am I coming through
clear, Crowley?

- Hello?

Hello?

Hey, Pete, where's Pepper?

Pepper.

- Something's up.

- Something's off.

Your candlelit dinner.

- What's goin' on?

- I just got a call
from his girlfriend.

At least it sounded like her.

She says that they both
know that you're not a model.

- I didn't blow my cover.

- You either blew it or
it's a very good guess.

- Well, I couldn't have.

- Yeah, well, whatever.

You just call him and tell
him you got this headache.

- Bill?

- Yeah?

- Let me run with what we got.

Let me do my thing.

(dramatic music)

(soft instrumental music)

(suspenseful music)

(doorbell ringing)

- [Jon] What are you doing here?

- I'm sorry, Jon.

I really am.

I'm really sorry.

(door slamming)

- About what?

- I'm sorry, I didn't mean...

- You're stoned again.

- [Cheryl] No,
I'm not, really...

- You promised me
you're off of that stuff!

What stupid thing did
you do this time, Cheryl?

- Nothing, I didn't...

- Tell me!

- I told that Sergeant
Crowley not to let

that blond come here tonight.

- What else did you tell 'em?

That I was dangerous?

That I was a killer?

That I was a doper like you?

- No, I didn't, I didn't.

(slap smacking) Ah!

(doorbell ringing)

I'm sorry, Jon!

I didn't mean to!

- Mr. Paul.

I hope this isn't a
bad time for you.

- No, come on in, Sergeant.

(door slamming)

- Oh.

Guess it is a bad time for ya.

- Look, Crowley, you don't
have to play cozy with me.

You know that Pepper,
whatever her real name is,

is coming here
for dinner tonight.

- I do?

You tell me.

- You want me to tell you
that I killed Liz Adams?

Is that what you want me to say?

- Did you?

- Come on.

- Tell me something, Mr. Paul.

You get your kicks slapping
women around, things like that?

- Cheryl?

- Sergeant Crowley.

- Miss Bell.

- Did I hurt ya, baby?

Our cop friend apparently
was listening outside the door.

- Why'd you phone me, Miss Bell?

You seem pretty concerned
about my partner at the time.

That's right, my partner.

Her name is Sergeant Anderson.

She's tryin' to find out
who murdered Liz Adams.

- Well, it wasn't Jon!

He was with me all night!

Now I'll swear to that
on a stack of bibles.

He was here with me.

- You want her to swear to
that on just one Bible, in court?

- I was at Liz's
home that night.

- Jon!

- But I didn't see her.

- Why'd you go there?

- That call from Liz that day?

We made arrangements
to meet for drinks

at her place at 8:00.

Just the two of us.

Got there, the house was dark.

I rang the doorbell anyway,
but nobody answered.

Then I came home.

- And I was here.

And we were together all night.

I mean.

The rest of the night.

- I'm gonna have to
ask you to come down

to headquarters with me

and repeat those statements.

- Why?

- It's all right, baby.

It's gonna be all right.

- Might as well wait
for Sergeant Anderson.

What time is she due?

- She said she'd be delayed,

but she should've
been here by now.

- What does that mean?

- She phoned earlier
and said she'd be

half an hour or so late.

- Did she tell you why?

- It was about the
newspaper item.

You know, the gossip
column in the Daily Herald.

- No, I don't know.

Why don't you tell me.

- It was about spotting Pom Pom.

That's Eleanor Simpson.

Walking down
Wildwood Avenue alone.

Dark glasses, her collar up.

Like Garbo taking
one of her strolls.

- Is Eleanor
Simpson still in town?

- One of my friends saw
her at her hotel yesterday.

- What hotel?

- Chateau d'Noir.

(knocking)

- Who is it?

- [Pepper] Pepper Anderson.

- Who?

- I'm a friend of Tony Mann's.

I'd like to talk to you.

May I come in?

- Yes.

- Thank you.

- You were in the chapel.

- Yes.

- One of Liz's girls.

- I was in the chapel,
but I'm a policewoman.

- What is it that
I can do for you?

- I'd like to ask
you a few questions

that might help us
with our investigation.

- Of course.

Would you like a drink?

- Oh no, no.
- Hmm?

- Why are you
here, Miss Simpson?

- I don't understand
the question.

- Well, I called you
and your housekeeper

said that you'd left for Canada.

- Oh, yes.

That's exactly what
I told her to say.

- Why is that?

- Because I don't want
to be bothered by anyone.

You see, I've been
feeling rather ill since

the services for Liz

and I just want to be by myself.

No traveling, nothing.

- Mmm.

- But I, well, I'm feeling
a little better now.

- So now you'll be leaving.

- Yes.

There's a midnight
flight to San Francisco.

I'll be on it.

- There was a notation
in Liz Adam's office

for her to call you on the
day she was murdered.

Did she?

- Yes.

- Did she give any
indication that she felt

threatened by
anyone, by anything?

- No, no, no.

No, she was, she
sounded like Liz.

She was perfectly
happy, content, confident.

(chuckles)

Liz.

I'm ah, really sorry.

I mean, I just don't think
I can be very much help.

- Are you all right?

- No, no, no, that's all right.

I'm still really not
feeling all that well.

I have a terrible headache.

One of those awful migraines.

Pills, my pills.

I know I packed them,
but where, where, where?

Ah, yes.

(dramatic music)

What did you say your name was?

- Sergeant Anderson.

- Well, Sergeant, I,

I assume that you carry
one of these in your purse.

So I would suggest
that you put it down.

Put it down!

(dramatic music)

- Why did you fly down
here and kill her with that?

After you talked on the phone?

What did she say?

- She asked me how
her favorite closet drunk

was doing with the booze.

She was always
very direct, Liz was.

And I said I'd
been cutting down.

And she said, "Well,
that's wonderful, darling.

"But I hear you want
to go back to work again

"and I have just
the thing for you.

"It shoots here
tomorrow," she said,

"So why don't you
come on down tonight?"

And I said anything
for you, Liz.

Then I asked her about the job.

It was...

A wrinkle cream ad.

Before and after.

"All you have to do
is show yourself twice.

"Once like it is, darling.

"And then we'll airbrush
the hell out of you."

(chuckles)

She was telling
me that I was old.

She wanted to
humiliate me in front of

the whole world by
showing that I was old.

And old means ugly!

And I am not!

- You are still very beautiful,

but you're not well.

You've been drinking.

- You just sit right back down.

Don't you move.

- If you don't give me your gun,

I can't get you any help.

- Where?

In prison?

A sanitarium?

Oh no, I can just hear
them all in places like that.

Screaming and looking at her.

Look at her, she's old.

Ugly and old!

- You're not.

No, you're not.

Look.

Look in that mirror.

Look at yourself.

Look inside.

You are beautiful.

Look.

Look at yourself.

Look inside yourself.

You're a beautiful woman.

(soft solemn music)

She was wrong.

You see?

You are beautiful.

You are.

(soft solemn music)

We have to go now.

(soft solemn music)

Hi.

- [William] Pepper?

We're gonna be
in serious trouble

if you don't step on it.

- [Pepper] Oh, we'll
make it, we'll make it.

- [William] You ready?

- Just about.
- Huh?

What's the matter?

- I'm tired.

It took me four hours to
make out that report last night.

I'm gonna need Hawaii after her.

Hey.

Why don't you spring
me for an extra week.

You can do it.

- Only if I can join
you for the last two.

- I am booked for a single room

and I'll be flitting
from island to island.

- Well, maybe I'll come
over and flit with ya.

Who'd water my plants?

- I'll get a long hose.

- Heh.

- What?

We'll talk about it on
the way to the airport.

- Oh yeah, okay now.

Oh.

(phone ringing)

- You want me to get that?

- Uh, no, no.

- You sure?

- Yeah, I'll get it.

Ya, hello?

Oh no, she left for the
airport about two hours ago.

This is the housekeeper.

She said something
about never coming back,

but I think she was joking.

Who?

Yah.

Captain Parks, yah.

Oh yah, the same to you.

(laughing)

("Police Woman Theme"
by Morton Stevens)

(bright orchestral music)