Quincy M.E. (1976–1983): Season 5, Episode 18 - New Blood - full transcript

I am not some dumb little
thing you can walk over.

I know a lot of
things about you.

You have a few
little problem areas

in your private life.

Your husband's death was
not due to natural causes.

Then it was murder!

Somebody knew about his allergy
and gave him a dose of penicillin.

He was dead before he
ever went down those stairs.

You're letting a
fill-in do an autopsy

on a case where the
findings are so crucial?

Dr. McCracken is a very
competent pathologist...



Why am I talking to you?

Dr. Quincy, this
is not your case.

And I'd prefer that
you keep out of it!

Gentlemen, you
are about to enter

the most fascinating
sphere of police work,

the world of forensic medicine.

Councilman Bridges'
office. Nineteenth District,

I'm sorry, sir,
he's in a meeting.

Yes sir, I'll tell him.

So, as you can well
imagine, Councilman,

Mr. Hundseth was not at
all happy with that headline.

Or with your press
conference yesterday.

You really put your finger
in his eye with that one.

Hey, now let's
just wait a moment.



These situations
are spontaneous,

I have no idea what questions
are going to be asked.

But you can control
your answers.

If you want
Mr. Hundseth's support,

you have to play
like part of his team.

Mr. Hundseth has spent a
lifetime building up a certain image.

His name has become synonymous
with values that are clean,

decent, all-American.

Yes, yes, I know all of that.

It upsets Mr. Hundseth
to be linked

with anyone in the public
eye who, shall we say...

Tarnish that image.

- Now look.
- No, you look, Mr. Bridges.

You have no choice.

You don't go around saying
you're going to support

controversial programs.

It could sound
like shady politics.

You follow?

Now all you have to
do is play a smart game

and keep your nose clean.

We'll take care of the rest.

But don't be
stupid, Mr. Bridges.

Watch what you say.

It isn't good to
anger Mr. Hundseth.

I promise you.

Also. A little tip...

You have a few
little problem areas

in your private life.

Mr. Hundseth doesn't
want something...

Ugly to come out
in this campaign.

You follow?

So let's take care
of those problems.

You understand what we mean?

- Yes, I understand.
- Good.

We'll keep in touch.

Yes, sir?

Bring in my messages.

Councilman Guerrera wants
to see you tomorrow at nine...

That man, Mr. Sennett,
from the Blair Corporation.

Your wife has her
book club this evening...

The mayor's office called.

There's something
wrong, isn't there?

What do you mean I have to go?

What kind of a rule makes
a man take a vacation

when he doesn't want to?

Quincy, I don't make the rules.

I mean, this is an organization

and if everybody did
what they wanted to do,

you know there would be chaos.

So there are rules.

But it's a silly rule. I'll
take my vacation later.

Right now I'm in the
middle of a lot of projects.

I checked your backlog,
you've nothing crucial

or that important for you to do.

Well how about letting
me take it for you?

I'm tired and I need a vacation.

We don't need humor here.

When it's your turn to
get time off, you'll get it.

When it isn't, you won't.

Now that is arbitrary
bureaucratic nonsense.

Oh is it? Be that as it may,
it's what's going to happen.

And I have nothing
to say about it, huh?

That's right.

Well, think about us, Quince...

While you're lolling
around the boat

we'll be working
twenty hard hours a day

trying to keep up
with the case load.

It won't be like that...

There's a fill-in coming.

A highly competent,
Jerri McCracken,

from County General.
Comes highly recommended.

Oh, I heard that! Terrific!

Another pathologist who
doesn't know anything

about forensic medicine.

That's not fair!

We're trying to
build a back-up team

of experienced pathologists...

So we can use them
if things get busy.

Well maybe you
wouldn't get busy,

if you stop sending
people away on vacations

- in the middle of work!
- Quincy, go!

Take your vacation...

Paint your barnacles, scrape
your bottom... Just go relax!

- Yeah.
- Okay.

- I'll go relax.
- See you, Quince.

Good. Good.

I knew you'd agree with me.

Sam, Sam, Sam...

All year he makes
my life miserable

because I don't give
him the time off...

I give him the time off he
doesn't want to take the time off.

He just doesn't like rules.

I'll lay you odds he
doesn't stay away.

Well he better not. He better
not be here tomorrow morning.

Because he'll
have nothing to do.

Jerri McCracken comes
in at 7:00 a.m. sharp.

I don't want Quincy
looking over his shoulder

or making his life miserable.

You've said this before...

I don't believe you
mean it this time either!

I wish I didn't.

I just feel I don't have
any other choice, okay?

That's ridiculous!

You can't let them
dictate to you like that!

And would you please
come out of that bathroom

and stop avoiding me!

I'm not avoiding you.

I smell like a garlic factory

after eating all that
spaghetti, that's all.

That used to be
your favorite meal.

It still is my favorite.

And it always will be.

It's going to be very hard
for me too, you know?

Hard for you!

Hard for you?

What about me?

You have a career,
a family, a wife.

All I've had is you.

I've given up every
other part of my life.

Well, you're still young,
you'll find someone.

Don't say that!

I don't want
anybody else but you!

We're going to the State
Capitol together, you said that.

That's what you said!

You're very special to
me. You always have been.

What about my job?

Am I going on the
campaign with you?

Under the circumstances I...

It just doesn't seem wise.

Oh, great!

I lose you, I lose my job.

Just because J. J. Hundseth

is worried about his image.

And he is nothing
but a despicable man!

- Darling...
- Don't call me that!

I'm not your darling any more!

Just your has-been mistress!

Caroline, it doesn't
have to be like this.

No.

- It certainly doesn't.
- Good.

What do you mean?

You're not gonna dump me like
some used sandwich wrapper.

- I won't take that!
- Now don't put it that way.

I am not some dumb little
thing you can walk over.

I've been with
you for five years.

I know a lot of
things about you.

What are you getting at?

Things Hundseth
might love to know.

Baby... Sit down... Sit down.

I won't lose you.
I won't lose you.

You are not going to lose me.

We're just going to have
to be discreet for a while.

Discreet.

You understand?

Don't be upset...

It'll just be for
a little while.

You're my special
girl, you hear me?

Hey, fella...

C'mon, man, get up.

Go sleep it off someplace else.

You hear me? This
ain't no flop house.

Get it up and start movin'.

Hey, hold on... Your
sounding just like Quincy.

I know you haven't
got the results,

I just wanna know when?

McCracken is staring
the autopsy now...

Sam is staring the tox
and the blood samples.

When we find
something, we'll tell you.

Listen, you have no
idea what it's like here.

The press is here, the TV,
the phone never stops ringing.

I just have to have
some answers.

When we have
them, we'll call you.

Yeah, uh... Okay,
okay. Get back to me.

In the meantime, I'm
gonna send the press and TV

over to you. Good-Bye.

No! No! No!

Terrific.

- Anything?
- Not yet.

- Not yet?
- No.

- Monahan's driving me crazy.
- I'll bet.

A city councilman as
controversial as Lawrence Bridges

falls down a flight of stairs

and dies from the
injuries... Looks fishy.

And now he's sending
the press and TV over here.

Real cute.

Cute... Isn't that
cute? Real cute.

Of course, I think McCracken
can handle the press all right.

Ought to be winding up the
autopsy pretty soon. Should have...

At least the
preliminary findings.

How you doing, fellas?

- See, I told you.
- Hey, where's Bridges?

Quincy, you are on vacation.

How could I do that to Monahan?

This is gonna be a tough
one. He must be crying already.

It's none of your business that

Monahan's calling
every fifteen minutes.

Well sure I Bridge's
had millions of enemies.

They'd all have loved to
push him down the stairs.

That's why he
wants the results fast.

Let's go to work, buddy.

I'm staring the tox on
the blood samples now.

Your doing what?

Dr. McCracken
is just finishing up.

We're gonna have the
preliminaries and second...

Wait a minute!

You're letting somebody
else do the autopsy?

Well, Dr. McCracken...
You know, your replacement?

You're letting a
fill-in do an autopsy

on a case where the
findings are so crucial?

Dr. McCracken is a very
competent pathologist...

Why am I talking to
you? You're not here...

- You're on vacation!
- Where is he?

- Where's who?
- Dr. McCracken

- I don't know.
- Where is he Sam?

Well, Dr. McCracken should be

in the general autopsy room.

If it's not too late.

- Oh!
- Oh, I'm sorry!

- Excuse me!
- No, it was my fault.

No, it's all right...
There was no damage.

It's okay.

- Are you new around here?
- Yeah.

Well I'm in a hurry now,

but I hope we'll bump
into each other again.

I'm sure we will.

Yeah.

Marc, where's Dr. McCracken?

- We just finished up.
- Well, where is he?

- Who?
- Dr. McCracken.

- Just left.
- Oh.

- Dr. McCracken?
- Yes?

I'm sorry.

I think I made the
sexist assumption.

I'm Dr. Quincy.

It's perfectly all right,
Doctor. It happens all the time.

It doesn't bother me.

You're not an avowed feminist?

No. Just an avowed pathologist.

I'll bet you are.

Dr. Quincy, you're
holding up the elevator.

Oh, yeah! Can I speak to
you for a moment, please?

Sure.

- I thought you
were on vacation.
- Well, I was.

But when I heard
about Bridges' accident,

I came back to do the autopsy.

I find that you've
already done it.

Oh, well Dr. Quincy, excuse me.

You came back from vacation
just to do the Bridges' autopsy?

Yeah. So I'd like to see
your preliminary findings, see?

Then we'll work together,
do the follow-up work

and tie this one down.

- We?
- Yeah. I'm going to let you help me.

Dr. Quincy,

obviously you felt that
only you were qualified

to handle a case
of such importance.

I can assure you that's not so.

- Well I didn't mean...
- I think it's safe to say

that I performed the autopsy to
everyone's complete satisfaction

and that I'm quite capable
of handling this case.

There was no need
for you to come back.

All I said was I wanted to
look your preliminary findings,

for crying out loud!

Fine. My dictation
is being typed now

and as soon as
the notes are ready

I'm sure you'll have
access to them...

Just like anyone else
in the department.

In the meantime there's a Lieutenant
Monahan waiting for my report.

If you'll excuse me?

Yes, so when did
he leave the office?

Yeah, all right. Keep checking.

You got something?

His car's still down in
the parking structure.

Looks like he was
on his way down to it.

And he fell down the stairs?

Or was pushed.

That's sure a stupid
way to kill someone.

Then maybe it was
just an accident.

Well, I hope so. We don't
need this can of worms.

You know, we could spend
a year checkin' out people

who made public
threats against this guy.

Look, I'm gonna take a walk
down to the Coroner's office

and see the results.

Wouldn't you know this would
happen while Quincy was out.

I wonder what turkey
is handling this one?

And this is Lieutenant Monahan.

Good to meet you, Lieutenant.

I have preliminary
results for you.

Oh good, Doctor. I'm really
behind the gun on this one.

- Well, first...
- Hey, what's goin' on in here?

Well, Dr. McCracken is
just giving us her findings...

In my office?

Well, of course your
office, you're on vacation...

Dr. McCracken is
your replacement.

Well, do you mind if I
hang around my office

and hear what she found out?

Dr. Quincy, this
is not your case.

And you're being
rude by insinuating

that I can't handle
it without you.

I can

and I'd prefer that
you keep out of it!

Dr. McCracken...

How can you let
anybody just handle this?

Dr. Quincy, I am
not just anybody.

I am a certified pathologist
with ten years' experience!

Doctors...

How many of those did you
spend as a medical examiner?

What do you know
about forensic pathology?

Quincy...

You can finish the last rounds
after I get my autopsy report.

Gladly.

It must take a rare
kind of genius, Doctor,

to dispute my findings before
you've even heard them.

Good point, Doctor...

Outside!

That's my office you
just kicked me out of!

It's not your office this week.

Dr. McCracken seems to
have taken a firm foothold.

So where does that leave me?

Well, I guess out
here on vacation.

Quincy, you have no diplomacy.

Now here is something
I've always said...

"You can catch more flies
with honey than with vinegar."

When did you ever use honey?

There's cranial damage...

A subdural hematoma...

Shock, resulting from the trauma
to the skull and cardiac arrest.

So he had a heart attack,

fell down the stairs
and cracked his head!

Well, what you say is true.

He did have a heart attack.
He did fall down thestairs.

And he did crack his head.
There's just one problem.

What's that?

He was dead before he
ever went down those stairs.

Several hours.

Well how do you
know that, Doctor?

By the lividity pattern.

Now after death, the blood
pools in the parts of the body

that are the lowest.

Now, wherever he died, he
lay on his back for some time.

And then he was moved.

Well maybe the night watchman,

the man who found him, maybe
he moved the body around.

I guarantee you, lieutenant.

He did not die
in that stairwell.

Wherever it was,

he lay on a floor that
was probably tiled.

Tiled?

There was a definite
pattern of tiles on his back.

Now, when the blood settles,

it forms an outline
around the tile.

Wait a minute... You mean
to tell me if we find that floor

with that tile that?

You might at least
know where he died.

Wait a minute, Doctor!
Let me get this straight.

He died someplace
else, on this tiled floor.

But what did he die of?

That's a little tricky.
But there was...

There was evidence of shock,

probably from the
injury to the skull.

Which may have
caused a heart attack.

I would have to say it
was the cardiac arrest.

But what about the
damage to the skull?

- Was he hit with something?
- No.

The brain shows coup
and contra-coup contusions.

Meaning that his moving head

hit a stationary object,
not the other way around.

Which would have been
consistent with the hit on the stairs,

if he had'nt been dead already.

So probably someone
wanted it to look like

he took a tumble and died.

I'd say so.

Was there anything
else you had for us?

I would say, um, think
about Italian restaurants.

Oh, yeah?

Now there was evidence of
spaghetti in his stomach content.

- What?
- Also

there was not specific
evidence of sexual activity...

- But, um...
- But what, Doctor? Come on.

Well, this falls a little outside
the realm of forensic medicine.

But there was a scent
of perfume on the body

when I first examined it.

- Perfume?
- Mm-hmm.

It was one of those
awful things that was

on everybody's Christmas
list a few years ago.

I can't remember the name.

But it had a very strong odor

and it stayed with you
for hours after contact.

It's to bad you can't
remember the name...

Well, I was thinking... Uh...

He must've had dinner with

and then came very
close to a woman

who was wearing that perfume.

Now if we could just find
out who his visitors were...

Where he went from the office...

Maybe I could sniff
around a little bit.

Now I know it's
difficult not to get bit

by the detective bug. But,

see, we have police personnel
to do that kind of work.

Yes, but I recognize
the perfume.

Oh... All right,
all right, Doctor.

You do your police work,

but don't say anything
to the press about it.

- Okay?
- Okay.

Come in.

Mrs. Bridges...

These men are from the police.

Well thank you,

thank you for
allowing us to come in.

I'm Lieutenant Monahan,
this is Sergeant Brill.

How do you do?

These flowers are
beautiful, Mrs. Bridges.

Oh, thank you, Sergeant.

I raise them myself.

Being a politician's wife...
One spends a lot of time alone.

I... I've had to
develop hobbies.

Well surely.

I'm sorry to trouble
you with questions now.

This must be a very
difficult time for you.

Well, there are so many
arrangements to be made.

But my husband's staff is
looking after this, as usual.

I'm just trying to stay busy.

Could you tell us what...
What happened last night?

Now I realize you've
already made a statement...

But even the slightest detail

would maybe give us some clue.

A clue... To what?

I understand my husband's
death was an accident.

Yeah, but we want to fully
understand the circumstances

surrounding that accident.

Well, there isn't much to tell.

Excuse me.

Uh... I dined by myself
at seven last night.

- Is that usual?
- I never know...

Knew...

When to expect my husband home.

A councilman keeps long hours.

So, uh, yes, usually
I ate by myself.

- And then?
- And then

I left for my book club
shortly before eight.

I... I presented a
paper last night...

There was some
discussion afterwards...

I had coffee and dessert.

And then I came home
at around midnight

and went straight to bed.

Early this morning the...

The police phoned.

Mrs. Bridges...

This might be a very difficult
question for you to answer.

Yes?

We have reason to think that
your husband was having dinner

last night with a woman.

Now possible you know someone...

A colleague, perhaps?

Lieutenant... I am well aware

of my husband's
reputation for philandering.

I'd like you to know that I
do not believe one word of it.

People will say
anything about politicians.

Muck-racking.

No.

I do not know of any woman

that he might have been with.

- Thanks. Our condolences.
- Thank you.

Cardiac arrest triggered
by traumatic shock.

There was a cranial injury

resulting in an acute
subdermal hematoma.

This results in the shock.

Do you think
somebody pushed him?

We don't have any evidence
one way or the other.

All I can give you is the
probable cause of death.

But doesn't it seem strange
that a highly controversial

public figure would
have an accident?

That's not really a question

that could be
answered by an autopsy.

I'm a pathologist and all I
can give you are the findings

in my examination.

The police will have to
track down the circumstances.

Thank you very
much for your time.

You handled that
very well, Doctor.

For an ordinary pathologist?

No, I mean it. They
can be barracudas.

You had them eating
out of your hand.

Well... Thank you.

I was wondering... Maybe you'd
have dinner with me tonight?

- Dinner?
- Oh.

Just so we can get to
know each other better.

Dr. Quincy, I have
found that socializing

tends to muddle
professional relationships.

I don't know. My colleagues
and I do a lot of socializing.

We don't have any problems.

Your male colleagues?

Not exclusively, no!

I'll tell you what.

I only have a week
left of this tour.

And after that, if you'd
like to have dinner...

- I'd be delighted.
- Okay.

Can you open this drawer for me?

Oh. I'll get it, I'll get it.

- There it is.
- Thank you.

How 'bout coffee? Now?

No, I can't. I've got
a lot of work to do.

Really. On the Bridges' case?

- Does it matter?
- Oh, no, no, no.

I... Doctor,

would you mind if I
reviewed your slides

and your autopsy report?

I can't understand
what possible reason

you would have for doing that.

Because I heard you evading
the reporters questions.

I know there's more
going on than you're telling.

- I thought maybe I
could find something.
- Something that I missed?

Because I'm a woman?

No! I didn't mean
anything like that!

It's not unreasonable to get
a second opinion on a case.

Well, if there's any need
for a second opinion,

I will call for it!

Not just because of
some whim of yours!

Whim! It's not a whim!
It's professional dedication!

Professional! Dr. Quincy!

Apparently you and I have
a different interpretation

of the word 'professional'.

You seem to think that it's
professional to ask me for a date

just so you can worm
your way into this case.

Well, I don't need your help,

and I'll thank you to
take your professionalism

and apply it where it
belongs... To your own work.

And in the meantime, I
have a bit of sleuthing to do

- for Lieutenant Monahan.
- Sleuthing?

Yes. And, ironically enough,

it's something only
a woman could do.

In the meantime,
get off my case!

Yes sir, it went quite smoothly.

Yes, of course, we're covered.

There's absolutely
no way to trace it.

Thank you, sir.

We appreciate your confidence.

Hey, Quince. What
brings you here?

Oh! Hi, Freddy, I was wondering,

in the Bridges' case,
did you save the brain?

They sure did. There it is.

I've been sectioning it.

Hey... Were you on this case?

I thought I saw
someone else's name.

You know something...
You're terrific.

I mean you're terrific
to remember that.

You're absolutely
right. Dr. McCracken,

I'm just giving a
collaborative opinion, that's all.

- Help yourself.
- Thank you.

Fred, come here will you?

That's a very small hematoma.

That's not severe enough
to have caused death.

Well wasn't there more going on?

Cardiac arrest?

Yeah...

But it doesn't seem acute enough
to have caused a heart attack.

- Ms. Hughes?
- Yes?

I'm Lieutenant Monahan
an d this is Dr. McCracken.

I was wondering, could you
give us some information?

Of course.

On the day the councilman died,

do you have a
list of his visitors?

Yes... Yes.

There weren't many.

The Council was in
session most of the day.

There was Mr. Fenner
and Mr. Davila.

Who?

They were Mr. Bridges' advisors

on his campaign for governor.

Well, do you have
their phone numbers?

And there was Toby Brenner,
the reporter from the Post.

Tell me, is that a
man or a woman?

- Toby Brenner?
- Mm-hmm.

She's a political writer.

Oh.

- Anyone else?
- No.

Do you happen to have the list
of phone messages for the day?

- Yes.
- Good.

- Lieutenant.
- Yes?

Do you know just what happened?

Hummm? Oh, no,
no, no. Not exactly.

That's why we're investigating.

Listen, I appreciate your help.

Doctor...

Goodbye.

Thanks again.

Hello...

This is Caroline at
the Councilman's office.

I wanted to let you
know that the police

were here asking questions.

Of course I didn't.

But they wanted to
know about visitors.

But what do I say if they
come back and start asking...

No, I'm not going to panic!

Yes. All right.
I'll let you know.

Well, it looks like someone's
sorry Bridges is dead.

Lieutenant... That's the woman.

Who? The secretary? Come
on, now. This isn't a movie script.

She's wearing the perfume.

Well, how 'bout the other one?

Nope, I checked.

You mean the secretary?

There could be a lot of women
who could be wearing that perfume.

Sure. But if I were the police,

I'd certainly check her out.
Her name's Caroline Hughes

and she lives at
1308 Harper Avenue.

I don't... I don't believe you.

How'd you know that?

I, uh... I noticed a box of
her personal stationery.

Doctor, if you were a
lot older and a lot uglier,

I'd swear I'd be talking
to a female Quincy.

Lieutenant.

Even I recognize
that as a compliment.

Get in.

I'm telling you, something's
funny. It just doesn't add up.

Give me permission to
review the slides, will ya!

I'm trying to run a
department here.

I don't have time to
worry about your ego.

Because that's what it is.

McCracken is doing
an exemplary job.

I don't wish to insult her
by insinuating she isn't.

Why are you making a
federal case out of this.

All I want to do is
look at the slides!

The only slides your
gonna see are the ones

you take on your vacation.

Now go! Relax!

You'll live longer,
I'll live longer.

We don't need you
to handle this case!

- How do you know?
- Bon voyage!

- Who is it?
- Hello, Ms. Hughes,

this is Lieutenant Monahan.
I'd like to talk to you for a minute.

Of course.

We won't take very much
of your time, Ms. Hughes.

Can you, uh, give an account

for your whereabouts the
night Councilman Bridges died?

- I was here.
- Alone?

Yes.

Do you mind if I look
in your refrigerator?

Refrigerator?

It would be very helpful to us.

Sure.

Excuse me, could I
use your bathroom?

Well, um... It's down the hall.

Thanks.

Leftover spaghetti?

I usually make a lot and
eat on it for a few days.

Well, when did you make this?

A couple of days ago.

- And you had it for dinner?
- Yes.

Lieutenant... Would you
come in here a minute, please?

Yes, what is it?

The tiles... These tile marks

match the pattern
that I found on his back.

Ms. Hughes, we have some
pretty convincing evidence

that Councilman
Bridges was here with you

the night he died. And
he died in this apartment.

Now be smart, help
yourself. Now was he here?

Yes, yes he was.

So?

We had dinner.

We talked for a while.

And then...

- And?
- And then we
were going to bed.

And he started saying
that he couldn't breathe.

He was holding his chest. And
he... He was trying to stand up.

I knew he was
having a heart attack,

but I didn't know what to do.

And when he
stood up, he fell over

and hit his head
on the night stand.

And then he started bleeding...

So I pulled him into the bathroom,
to try to wipe off the blood...

And he was trying to breathe

and then he just stopped.

Just stopped.

And then what did you do?

For a long time I
didn't do anything.

I just... I sat there
and tried to think.

And then I called Mr. Fenner.

Fenner, the political advisor?

Actually, he and Mr. Davila
work for J.J. Hundseth.

I was afraid for Mr. Bridges
to be found here...

All that publicity...

I knew Hundseth
wouldn't want it, either.

So I thought they
would handle it.

And they did.

Fenner and Davila?

Yes.

Ms. Hughes, maybe
I should tell you

that we already checked
Fenner and Davila.

They were home
with their families

the night that he died.

Oh, they didn't come.

They wouldn't do that.

They sent two men.

Who?

I don't know.

They covered their faces

and told me to stay in the
kitchen until after they were done.

I didn't come out until
after I heard them leave.

Then I cleaned everything up.

I didn't know exactly
what they'd done

until this morning.

Ms. Hughes

you know you did
a very foolish thing.

I know... I was just so scared.

- Did Bridges come here often?
- Yes.

We had been seeing
each other for...

For a long time.

Well, was your
relationship well known?

No.

That wouldn't have
been advantageous.

Politically.

Could I use your telephone?

I'm gonna call the lab
and have them come over

and take some pictures.

Ms. Hughes... Is this yours?

That's his.

I always had to ask
him to take it off in bed...

Because it scratched me.

Come on down.

Hi.

Hi.

Dr. Quincy, I come in peace.

Can we talk about a truce?

Sit down, sit down, sit
down. What can I do for you?

Dr. Quincy, you and I
have had our differences.

But I I find myself in need...

Well I... I find myself in
need of a second opinion.

And... And since
I find it childish

to let personality conflicts
interfere with professional matters...

Look, are you trying to say
we'd work better as a team

than as opponents?

Exactly.

That's what I've
been saying all along.

- Here want some wine?
- I'd love it.

What's up?

Well, we found the woman that
Bridges was with before he died.

What's her story?

He was... He was
at her apartment...

They were in bed...

He had a heart
attack and hit his head

and he died in her bathroom.

So that's it?

They were protecting
his reputation. And hers.

And J.J. Hundseth's.

And he had two
men pick up the body

and put it in the stairwell.

Yeah, but that didn't fool you.

You knew he was
dead before that.

Of course. But Lieutenant
Monahan didn't want

any of that information released

until he knew exactly
what was going on.

Yeah, but I still don't
know why your here.

Well, I found something.

What?

I found a medical alert tag

with a warning of an
acute allergy to penicillin.

Where did you find it?

I found it at the
woman's apartment.

On the floor alongside the bed.

She said it was Bridges'.

Are you saying

the shock was caused by an
allergic reaction to penicillin?

Yes. Now I reviewed the slides

but I would really appreciate it

if you'd go over
them again with me.

That makes a lot of sense 'cause

I have a confession to make,

I sneaked a look at the brain.

- And?
- That was a small hematoma.

It never would've
caused the shock.

He'd have recovered
from that cranial damage.

You know what I'm
gonna do, Dr. McCracken?

I'm gonna call Monahan and
tell him to meet us at the lab.

On one condition...

- What?
- Now that we're partners,

call me Jerri.

Deal.

- What do you think?
- I think we're right.

The edema... The mucous plugs...

The constricted bronchi...

Show he was in a state
of acute anaphylaxis.

But how could he possibly...

All right... All right!
What's goin' on?

Are you two fighting again?

No we're not fighting,
you want some coffee?

No.

Lieutenant, we've found
something new in the Bridges' case.

Doctor, if you'll excuse me...

I think you're carrying this
detective thing a little too far.

I mean, isn't it clear
enough about this guy?

He died in the sack and
there trying to cover it up.

- Except for one thing.
- What's that?

We just found out Bridges was

in a state of acute
anaphylactic shock

before his head hit and
before his heart attack.

- Acute what?
- Anaphylactic shock.

A severe reaction to a substance

to which the body
is highly allergic.

- Like penicillin.
- Penicillin?

How did you know he
was allergic to penicillin?

Ah... I found a medical alert
tag in Ms. Hughes' apartment.

It was his and he was
allergic to penicillin.

You should've turned
that in right away.

I know.

But... After missing
the anaphylactic shock

that first time, I
wanted to be sure.

That's why I asked
for Dr. Quincy's help.

So what does this mean?

It means if he was so
highly allergic to penicillin,

there's only a slim chance
he could'a gotten it by accident.

And if it was no accident,

then somebody who
knew about his allergy

and gave him a
dose of penicillin.

And that could kill him?

Of course. It's the
allergic reaction

that causes the heart failure.

Oh yeah?

The question is who,

how and why?

Well, the 'Who'
could be half the town.

And the 'Why' is because
they all hate his guts.

The 'How' could
be the easiest part.

I wouldn't be too sure.

There were no needle marks,
and no pill residue in the stomach?

No. No... Nothing.

Well, we know he had
the reaction twenty minutes

- after making contact.
- We know, too

he had dinner at her apartment.

That's when he got the
penicillin... I'm sure of it.

Well, maybe I should go out
and question the young lady again.

Well, I wanna take
another look at the body.

Lieutenant, let's
go to the apartment

and get some samples of
food and beverages for testing.

- But now?
- Sure.

Do you realize what time it is?

Oh! I had no idea
how late it was.

Well, detectives have to get
some rest, too, Dr. McCracken.

But we'll start fresh
thing in the morning.

What's the matter?

I didn't even get to
finish my glass of wine.

There's plenty more
where that came from.

Yeah, come on
right in here, fellas.

In the kitchen.

Okay, Doctor, you
tell us what to take

and we'll dust for
fingerprints first.

Okay, start with
the refrigerator.

Uh, everything in it.

This is going to be a real
chore... It could be anywhere.

The salt, the sugar...
Uh, check all the wine and

liquors too. He had
alcohol in his blood.

Okay, fellows, get to work!

You know I was... I was hoping
it would be in the spaghetti.

Or even the wine.

Dinner would have been
the logical way to conceal it.

Well, this one's negative too.

Well, we got plenty more to go.

Well, let's keep at
it... Let's keep at it.

Quince. Here's the photos I
shot of the tile in the apartment.

- Thanks, Ed.
- Okay.

How are we doing in here?

Nothing so far. How about you?

It was anaphylactic shock.
There's no doubt about that.

Yes. But so far we can't
find any traces of penicillin.

You know... If I killed
somebody with a dose

of penicillin, I sure wouldn't
leave it lying around.

If she was smart enough to
kill him in such a clever way,

than she's smart enough
to dispose of the evidence.

Unless she figured that
no one would ever come up

with the real cause of death.

- Oh yeah, but Quincy...
- Take a look at this!

Oh, it's loaded with penicillin.

- What's it in?
- The mouthwash.

Ah!

What a good way to go.

The sweet flavor would've
covered the bitter taste

of the penicillin.

Even rinsing his mouth

- could have
triggered the shock.
- Sure.

So now we've got
the murder weapon...

All we need now,
is the murderer.

It looks pretty bad
for the secretary.

Oh, come on fellas.
I just can't believe it!

I mean, she knew
I found the tag,

but why would she leave
the mouthwash sitting there?

It's too easy to pour
it down the drain.

What about the Hundseth boys?

Could they have placed it there?

Well, would they even
know about his allergy?

And if they did put it there,

I mean, how could we trace it?

Penicillin is easy to come by.

That's right, you know.

Penicillin is prescribed for
all kinds of bacterial infections.

It's over-prescribed.

Doctors prescribe
it for just simple...

For just simple things.

I'm gonna call Monahan.

This scheme is beginning
to come together fast.

We're going down to
see the D.A., Ms. Hughes.

- May I help you, ma'am?
- Oh, yes.

Could you direct me to Lieutenant
Monahan's office, please?

Yes, ma'am. It's right here.

Thank you.

Hello, Mrs. Bridges.

- Glad you could come.
- Not at all.

Anything I can do to help.

Oh... This is Dr. McCracken
and Dr. Quincy

from the Medical
Examiner's Office.

They're trying to tie
some loose ends together.

Tell me, Lieutenant...

That woman who just
left here... Ms. Hughes...

Was she responsible
for my husband's death?

What makes you think
anybody was responsible?

I'm not a fool, Doctor.

If Larry's death
were entirely natural,

you people wouldn't
still be wasting your time

on Ms. Hughes... Or me.

You're absolutely right.

Your husband's death was
not due to natural causes.

Then it was murder?

Do you know who did it?

Uh, Mrs. Bridges,

before we go on

I'm required to warn you

that you have the
right to remain silent.

That if you choose
not to remain silent

you have the right to
have an attorney present.

And if you were unable
to procure an attorney,

we will provide one for you.

Do you understand your rights?

Well, perfectly, Lieutenant.

Then I am to consider
myself a suspect?

Mrs. Bridges,

your husband died
from anaphylactic shock,

as a direct result of
his allergy to penicillin.

I see.

Anyone who knew about
his allergy would be a suspect

and there aren't that many
people who would have known.

Well, of course I knew
about his sensitivity.

As did, I'm sure, Ms. Hughes.

That's true.

But we checked with
your family doctor,

you filled a
prescription for penicillin

about a week ago. For
your bronchial condition.

- Well, that's true.
- Mrs. Bridges,

we have a very
strong fingerprint

on the mouthwash bottle.

It neither belongs to Ms.
Hughes, or your late husband.

So we'll have to
check your fingerprints.

You were aware of his
high sensitivity to penicillin...

You were also aware
that in a man of his age,

it would look exactly
like a heart attack.

You see, we know
just how it works.

Why don't you tell us about it?

Lieutenant,

you did say I could stay silent
until I spoke with my attorney.

Well, I would like to
avail myself of that option.

But I would like to
say something first.

I have no fears
about what is to come.

Nothing that happens to me now

could be worse than
the twenty-five years

I lived with that man.

How come Mrs. Bridges confessed?

Oh, Quincy, you
remember how calm

and collected she
was in my office?

Two hours later she
fell completely apart.

You know, I don't like
to speak ill of the dead,

but her husband... He was...

He was really
rotten... He was really...

What about Caroline Hughes?

We got her on a misdemeanor.

But she's gonna get all that
publicity she tried to avoid.

And you blew your vacation.

Almost. I must've been bananas.

So you know what
Astin's gonna do?

He's gonna give me this week off

because of what I did last week.
And I'm gonna get in my boat...

I'm gonna go to Catalina.

- Yeah... Isn't that terrific?
- Quincy

I knew you didn't leave.

Yeah but in an hour from now,
you'd have to reach me by cable.

I'm goin' to
Catalina on my boat.

No, no, no! Good news...

You don't have to
take your vacation.

- But I wanna take it...
- So you work. Stay, stay!

- No, I wanna go...
- No, no,
New York has contracted us

to do fifteen of it's new
cases. That means extra funds!

Well that's good for
you but I got plans...

See I really want to
go on my vacation...

You know I ask you to
go and you want to stay...

I ask you to stay,
now you wanna go.

You're driving me crazy!

Well I got my sanity
back thanks to you.

- Thanks to me?
- Yeah.

Oh fine. I'll call
Jerri McCracken,

she can stay another week.
She can use your office...

- Terrific!
- If you want her help,

your going to have to
contact her by cable, too.

Hi, Dr. Astin. You
ready, Quincy.

See, she's goin'
to Catalina with me.

I got the weather report, it's down wind
all the way to Catalina we're going to go

wing to wing!