Quincy M.E. (1976–1983): Season 6, Episode 15 - Of All Sad Words - full transcript
Quincy gets involved with a woman who may have killed her husband, as a tenacious insurance investigator pursues her.
Are you good at everything?
Yes.
My husband's in
there. I've got to get him.
You can't help him
now. It's too late.
You're calling it murder
before we do an autopsy?
You bet, I am.
What would it take to convince you
that you're wrong about Elizabeth?
Three less murders.
- If anybody finds out...
- Nobody's gonna
find out anything
because I'm the only
one who knows anything.
Your Dr. Quincy's
life is on a timer.
She hates men.
Let's just remember
that we love each other
That's like throwing
away his entire career.
- To cover for her?
- Look, I'm not
worried about his career,
I'm worried about his life.
Gentlemen, you
are about to enter
the most fascinating
sphere of police work,
the world of forensic medicine.
- And that fight
the other night...
- I'll tell you...
Anybody that goes in the
tank better know how to swim!
(LAUGHING)
That reminds me of that
championship fight years ago.
The champ throws
out a little punch...
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (PLAYING PIANO)
He spent so much time on his
back I thought he was takin' a nap.
- (CONTINUES PLAYING PIANO)
- (CHATTER CONTINUES)
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you. That was
Beethoven's Fur Elise.
I heard it when I was a little girl,
and since it means "For Elizabeth,"
I thought it had
been written for me.
(LAUGHTER)
Sometimes I still do.
(APPLAUSE)
Hey, Elizabeth, I want
you to meet some people!
So I'm tellin' you,
it was unbelievable!
- What happened?
- You shoulda
seen what happened
with this friend I
got... (LAUGHING)
Hey! What's the big idea?
Do you have to bring
those hoodlums here?
- Those are my friends.
- I know who they are,
and I know you're
making deals with them.
Do you have to do
it while I'm playing?
What do ya mean?
We're just talking.
You ruined the
whole performance.
My one chance to show people I can
do something besides manage a club!
Aw, I'm sorry, baby.
Come here, you pretty thing.
Come on, baby, relax.
You're my wife, for cryin' out
loud. What's the cold shoulder?
I'm going home.
Go home, then.
I'll sleep here.
Maybe I'll get lucky.
Whatever makes you happy.
- Beep, beep, beep, beep...
- Oh!
You gotta have the master's
touch. That's what makes it happen.
Excuse me, master, but
you're messing up my table.
Oh, I'm sorry, Danny.
Thanks. It was
better on the floor?
Boy, oh, boy.
(SIRENS WAILING OUTSIDE)
That club up on the comer,
it's goin' up like a tinder box!
- Chesler's?
- Yeah.
There might be
injuries, Sam. Let's go.
FIRECHIEF: Captain Sidler
wants an ax on that doorway!
I'm a doctor. Is
anybody in there?
No, I don't think so. The
place was all closed up.
Listen, thanks
for stoppin', Doc,
but if anybody has been in there
they'd be long past your help now.
How long's it been goin'?
About fifteen minutes. We
got here as fast as we can.
This building's gone.
- Lady, where are you going?
- Take your hands off me!
- Lt's an inferno in there!
- Stop it. Let go of me!
My husband's in
there. I've got to get him.
You can't help him now.
It's too late. It's too late...
No!
Drink your coffee,
please. It'll warm you up.
It was my fault.
Oh, now, don't blame yourself.
You had nothing to do with that fire.
We had a fight. And I went home.
And if I hadn't...
-If we'd left together
maybe he wouldn't...
-Oh, don't do that to yourself.
Unfortunately, we don't
have the gift of hindsight.
"Of all sad words of tongue and pen, the
saddest are these, 'It might have been'."
John Greenleaf Whittier.
Sometimes I think
it's the story of my life.
You really loved your
husband, didn't you?
- Did you know him?
- Lou Chesler?
- Yes.
- Well, no, not personally.
But you knew of him.
Well, with all the publicity he received,
it was pretty hard not to know him.
Then you must know that
he was far from lovable.
In fact, I hated him.
But I just saw you risking
your life trying to save him.
He was my husband,
and he could be very kind.
That's why I married him.
I played for him
in one of his clubs.
Somehow he heard that my
father was ill and needed surgery.
Lou had him flown east and had the
surgery performed by the top specialist.
My father was a wonderful man.
He taught me to appreciate
the beautiful things in life,
music, art, poetry.
I was so grateful to Lou.
When he wanted to
marry me, take care of us,
I said yes.
You've been through a lot for
somebody so young, haven't you?
I think it's made me strong.
- You know, this is crazy.
- Why?
I didn't even know you
until a half hour ago,
and here I am telling
you the story of my life.
I'm glad.
- You got a minute?
- Sure, Zach. For you, anything.
- It's about
the Chesler report.
- Which?
Chesler, the guy who
bought it in the fire last night?
I found this file on my desk this
morning. You assigned me, didn't you?
Yeah, sure, right, I guess.
Gave you a bunch of stuff.
- What's the problem?
- No problem.
- I think we oughta look
into it a little more.
- How come?
Well, Chesler wasn't exactly an angel,
you know. He had a lot of enemies.
Stop soundin' like a cop. If the
police wanta investigate, let 'em.
Hey, look, we got a
heavy policy on this guy.
There's a couple
questions I'd like to ask.
Like, what was he doin' in there
all by himself last night, huh?
And how come he couldn't
get outta the ground floor
when the fire broke
out? Questions like that.
Zach, I'm startin' to worry
about you. You're too old
to play detective
every time you get a
funny feeling about a case.
Okay, fine. If you wanna
dish out five hundred big ones,
that's okay by me.
I didn't tell ya, we're punching up the
premium rates a few cents this quarter.
We won't even
notice a claim like that!
I still say it feels hinky.
What about the guy up in
Ventura that sunk his own yacht?
I nailed him, didn't I?
That is exactly my point!
It took you nine months.
I mean, your expense account
cost us more than the claim.
Hey, Zach, how long you been
bloodhound for this company?
Eighteen years.
I've gotten attached.
Look, for the sake
of your health, please,
would you start takin'
it just little bit easy?
- Routine investigation,
is that it?
- That's it.
Check it out, get the
autopsy report, the usual stuff.
Okay, Morris. Anything you say.
Quincy, Lou Chesler has had more
shady deals than an awning company.
Vice has been tracking him for
years. Vice, narcotics, even homicide.
Well, it looks like
somebody finally got to him.
You're calling it murder
before we do an autopsy?
You bet, I am. I bet you a steak
dinner you find bullet holes in the body.
Oh, I hope not. That'd
be pretty rough on his wife.
- How would you know?
- I met her last night.
She doesn't seem the type of gal
that would be married to a gangster.
Well, Chesler always
liked young girls.
You got as much money as him,
you can buy anything you want.
She's not that type.
Did ya ever meet her?
No, but...
- Did you ever talk to her?
- No.
Then how do you get off
making a judgment like that?
Oh, come on, Quincy. A girl
like that, easy come, easy go.
- I've met a million of 'em.
- Oh, have you?
Well, I happen to think
you're wrong this time.
She's a lovely, sensitive girl
that's had a pretty rough time of it.
Why don't you find out
what you're talkin' about
before you make sweeping
character assassinations like that?
- Jees, what did I say?
- If you don't mind,
I have work to do.
I'll get back to you
after the autopsy.
Go right ahead!
(PHONE RINGING)
- Quincy.
- This is Elizabeth Chesler.
Oh, hello, Elizabeth.
What is it? What's wrong?
Well, I'm sorry to bother you,
but I didn't know who else to call.
A man was here, an
insurance investigator.
They don't waste
any time, do they?
Zacharian. His
name was Zacharian.
And he told me I'm the beneficiary
on Lou's insurance policy.
Honestly, I didn't even
know Lou had taken one out.
Well, there's nothing
wrong with that.
Not according to Mr. Zacharian.
- He made all
sorts of innuendoes.
- Like what?
Well, he hinted there was foul
play, and that I was responsible for it.
Listen, don't let that upset you. I deal
with insurance companies all the time,
and some of them would accuse their
own mothers rather than pay off a claim.
Yes, but if the fire was started by
someone... I mean, if Lou was murdered...
- Well,
everyone will think that I...
- No, they won't.
Not anyone who
knows you, anyway.
Look, I was about to do the autopsy.
As soon as I get the results I'll call you.
And don't worry.
Bye-bye.
Well, I'd say there's no question
he was dead before the fire started.
Of course you'll have to verify that
when you run the carbon monoxide level.
But look, there's
no soot in the lungs.
He stopped breathing
before there was any smoke.
Yeah. There's no
evidence of injury.
No gunshot, no knife wounds,
not even an injection site.
Right. But there are
signs of arteriosclerosis.
The coronary artery's
about fifty percent occluded.
That's not unusual for a man his
age. It could be a heart attack, though.
Oh, come on, Quince. The
heart muscles are in good shape.
There's no sign of an
infarct or any other damage.
And you can't rule out toxic substances or
an overdose until I've run the toxicology.
Of course not. But if the
tests come back negative,
I'd say we're dealing with a
simple case of cardiac failure.
But put a rush on it, will ya?
I wanna clean this case up
- as quickly as possible.
- Okay.
- Oh! Oh,
my goodness, you startled me!
- I'm sorry.
I was anxious to bring
you the news myself.
Your husband died of natural
causes, a cardiac arrest.
- Are you sure?
- Hey, I enjoy
a pretty good reputation.
He must've had a heart attack
and died before the fire started,
or maybe at the same time.
Or maybe the panic set it off.
You know, he'd been complaining about
pains in his chest the last few months.
- Really? Was he under a doctor's care?
- Yes, but I don't know who.
You see, we didn't share much.
Well, the important thing is
there won't be an investigation.
Well, that is cause
to celebrate, isn't it?
Well... There.
What's this for?
Oh, just a little
something. I couldn't resist.
- Can I open it?
- Oh, sure, sure.
Oh, how beautiful!
- You really like it?
- I love it!
When I heard the sound, it
kind of reminded me of you.
I'm gonna hang it right
outside my bedroom window!
Does it seem
- ghoulish that I
should feel so good?
- Oh, no, no.
Lou lived a dangerous
life. That was his choice.
But I lived in
fear all the time.
And now it's gone, and...
And I feel safe for
the first time in so long.
And that makes me
want to celebrate.
And I'm glad you're
here to do it with me.
It's just a hunch. There
isn't much to go on.
That's why I wanted
to check out these
ashes that I got from
the scene of the fire.
Aaron Zacharian, sometimes your
hunches keep me busier than my real work.
Hey, I'll buy you
dinner someday, okay?
Yeah, yeah. With all the dinners
you owe me I could cater a banquet.
- You hit it right on the nose.
- What d'ya got?
Potassium permanganate.
That's a powerful oxidizing agent.
Mix it with the right fuel and you
could burn down the Coliseum.
Is there any other reason why it
should be found in these ashes?
No reason I can think of.
Then a professional
torch did it.
This fire was no
accident, it was arson.
And there's only one person I
can think of that has a solid motive.
- Night, Sam.
- Oh, good night, Marc.
- Dr. Asten...
- Good night, Marc.
- Where's Quincy?
- He's dressing.
- Dressing?
- Mmm-hmm.
Third time this
week. Same girl, huh?
Well, it doesn't look like he's getting
ready to play poker with Danny.
- Ta-dah!
- Wow!
- Hey, pretty fancy, Quince.
- Yeah.
The latest thing. Elizabeth
helped me to choose it. Like it?
- Well, it's, uh, cheerful.
- That's a good word.
No reason not to put some pizzazz in my...
What are you doin'? What are you doin'?
Look at the lining!
Look at that lining!
- What is it?
- Well,
it just looks like you should be borrowing
your father's car to go to the prom.
- What?
- I mean,
it's a little youthful.
Youthful? What d'ya mean, youthful?
He talks like I got one foot in the grave.
- No, I just...
- I'll have you know
that in most species
it's the male who is the most colorful. He
is the one who wears the bright plumage.
Well, uh, where are you
and your plumage going?
- To the opera.
- To the opera?
Again with the surprises.
Yeah, to the opera.
No, I just meant...
Do you mind? She's reminding
me of some of the finer things in life.
Listen, I think that's terrific.
What are you gonna do for her?
Well, I'm gonna teach her about
some of the rougher things in life.
I'm taking her to Danny's
for dinner. See you guys later.
Have a good time, Quince.
So this is your idea
of buying me dinner?
What are you talkin' about?
Ernie makes the best
submarine sandwiches in the city.
- This is gourmet quality.
- Yeah,
well do me a favor, will ya?
Don't roam around the lab
this time. I cleaned off this spot.
Just stay put. I don't want anymore
lettuce in my standard solution.
Okay.
You know, I can't stop
thinkin' about that Chesler case.
Oh, really?
You know, I didn't think you dropped
by here with beer and sandwiches
just outta the
goodness of your heart.
No, no. Something's hinky
here. It doesn't make sense.
How come?
Well, we both know the
job was torched, right?
Right.
Now, the reason people set
fires is to collect insurance money.
But the payout on this building wouldn't
pay for the chemicals used to burn it.
However, there was a whopping
big life insurance policy involved here.
Now, I ask you,
what's the motive?
- Cover up a murder.
- Right.
But the official verdict was that
the guy died of a heart attack.
Is there something that you can slip
a guy that doesn't have to be injected
or wouldn't show on the tox?
Well, yeah, I guess
some of the cardiac drugs.
Digitalis, digoxin... They could
put somebody into an arrhythmia.
Or they could just
stop the heart cold.
Would it show on the toxicology?
No, not these drugs.
You need a special test,
- radioimmunoassay.
- Radioimmuno-what?
Radioimmunoassay.
You better write it down
so I know what I'm askin'.
- Next time you have
to bring me dessert.
- You got it.
I always said you were
the salt of the earth.
Well, there's no
salt like an old salt.
Be careful they don't get
you for assault and battery.
Aw, now you're
adding insult to injury.
Terrific joke, just don't
mess up the table, huh?
- Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot.
- Hold it.
Okay.
Good luck.
- What are you
all dressed up for?
- We've been to the opera.
- To the opera.
- Yeah.
- Yes, and he loved it.
- I sure did.
And to cap off a perfect evening, we want
two of your famous pastrami sandwiches.
Pastrami sandwich and the
opera. (LAUGHS) Doctor says...
- Hey, did you watch
that game yesterday?
- Yeah, I sure did.
Can you believe with two men
on and the tying run on base,
they pinch hit a rookie when
they got Hogan on the bench?
And Hogan's hitting three hundred.
Although, he does have a bad leg.
He doesn't hit with his
legs. They send in a runner.
Instead, they put a pinch hitter in that's
been at bat five times in the majors.
- They deserve to lose.
- I don't know.
Hogan's not such a
good bet as a pinch hitter.
He's a great two-outs
nobody-on hitter. Hits for average.
But you can never count
on him to drive in the runs.
And that rookie, Kanaris, led
the minors in RBIs last year.
You're right. Hogan's RBIs never
did match his batting average.
He clutches under pressure.
You did all right. I'll take
care of your sandwiches.
For you, a little
Italian mustard.
Thank you very much.
- You're an expert
on baseball too?
- Got it from my father.
He started taking me to ballgames as soon
as I was old enough to hold my own beer.
Is there anything about
yourself you haven't told me?
Well, did I mention that I'm
absolutely unbeatable at gin rummy?
No, you didn't.
- Well, I am.
- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah.
- We'll see about that.
- Gin.
- Gin?
What is it with you? You play the
piano, you paint, you're a gourmet cook,
you know more about baseball
than I do, and now you beat me at gin?
Are you good at everything?
Yes.
I am.
Good morning.
Beautiful day, isn't it?
Who are you?
Zacharian, Aaron Zacharian.
Nice to meet you, Dr. Quincy.
You're the insurance
investigator.
Oh, you heard of me, huh?
Yeah, I also heard you accuse
bereaved widows of murder.
Nah. I don't accuse
anybody unless I'm sure.
What do you want? What
are you doing on my boat?
Well, our company
got your autopsy report.
- We didn't like what we read.
- Well, that's too bad.
You'll either have to learn to live with it
or find yourself a new medical examiner.
I'm afraid we have to
go with what we got.
Then you'll just have to
make the best of it, won't ya?
- I intend to.
- Good.
What do you know about her?
I know that she's a
lovely, warm person,
and she comes
from a good family.
- Uh-huh. She tell you that?
- That's what
she told me, yeah.
Her father was a cheap hood.
He was into vice and gambling.
She tell you how he died?
She said he had a bad heart.
He died of insulin shock
when she was fifteen.
Somebody substituted concentrated
insulin for a normal dosage.
What are you doing now? Accusing
her of murdering her own father?
No, no, no, I told you, I
don't accuse unless I'm sure.
I'm just discussing her. A short
while later she married Willie Sullivan.
Six months later, he dies of
carbon monoxide poisoning
from a faulty space
heater in a mountain cabin.
He was insured for twenty-five thousand.
She collected fifty. Double indemnity.
After she spent that, she married Lou
Chesler, and he gets burned up in a fire.
What kind of points do you
expect to score, showing me this?
Well, first of all, I want you to
check Lou Chesler's body for digoxin.
And two, I wanna warn you,
Dr. Quincy, that you're on the wrong side.
Good morning! I...
Here.
Show her this.
That should make for some
interesting conversation.
What did he want?
He wanted to tell me about your
father, and about Willie Sullivan.
He also wanted me to do another
test on your husband for digoxin.
That's a cardiac drug.
I know what digoxin is.
- Lou was taking it.
- He was?
I told you, he was complaining
about pains around his chest.
- I must've forgotten.
- Did you?
Or is it that you just
don't believe me?
Well, you haven't been exactly
completely honest with me, have you?
I knew it.
I knew he'd ruin
everything between us!
Is it true?
Is what true?
That my father was a sensitive and
educated man? No, that's not true.
That he... That he died of heart
failure? No, no, that's not true.
That I'm a murderer?
No, that is not true!
That I have a police record?
Yes, that's true.
That I was against an immoral
war, and marched with radicals,
and was crucified for it with these
lies and false accusations is also true.
I was young then, and impulsive.
But let me tell ya something,
I'm not ashamed of what I did.
In fact, I'm proud of it!
What else did he tell you?
It doesn't matter.
Yes, it does matter.
It matters very much.
Because I'll tell you
something else that's true.
I've fallen in love with you.
- Elizabeth,
we'll forget about it...
- No.
We've got to clear the air.
What else did he tell you?
He hinted that you were
responsible for your father's death.
Oh... Yes, my
father was murdered.
But I hadn't seen him
in over two months.
He moved in with that woman, and
started welching on his payments.
He'd been drinking and
they must've killed him.
And Willie Sullivan?
Do you wanna know what
kind of man Willie Sullivan was?
Six months after
we were married...
He sold me.
I was only seventeen years old,
and I wish I could've killed him!
- I wish I'd had the nerve!
- No, no, no, no...
- No. Oh...
- (SOBBING)
Let's forget about Sullivan
and your father and Zacharian.
Let's just remember
that we love each other.
But we can't run away.
Don't you see?
Zacharian won't let us.
If he can't get you to do the
test, he'll just get someone else.
And if they find the digoxin...
- They'll think
I've killed him.
- No, no, no, no, no...
- They won't know
I didn't know...
- No, no, no...
It's Saturday. There's
nobody at the lab.
I'll go down and
run the test myself.
I'll take care of everything.
Everything.
I think you're the most
beautiful person I've ever known.
Positive, positive... Digoxin.
Poor baby. Poor, poor baby.
- Morning, Quincy.
- Good morning.
Do you have the, uh, liver and
spleen from the Chesler case?
- Yes, I do. Why?
- Well, People's
Insurance is requesting
a radioimmunoassay for, uh,
digitalis and the like, cardiac drugs.
- Be my guest. You heard the man, Sam.
- Okay.
It's all right if
he works on it?
Well, I wouldn't touch
it with a barge pole.
I wouldn't wanna be
accused of collusion.
Collusion? What
are you talking about?
Mr. Zacharian is just
asking for a simple test.
- Sure...
- It's well within
the company's rights.
Yeah.
Sam, will you get to
it as soon as you can?
You can give Mr. Zacharian
the results when you get them.
- Okay,
but it'll take me a while.
- I'll wait.
Mr. Zacharian, it's almost
noon. How 'bout I buy you lunch?
- You buy me lunch?
- Yeah. I know a terrific place.
You're gonna love
the food. Come on.
- This is it?
- I didn't
promise you the Ritz.
Why do I have the feeling that the
cobra's having lunch with the mongoose?
Oh, I'm sorry I was rude to you.
- Want some coffee?
- Black, please.
- What's good?
- Ham sandwich.
Chili, if you don't
mind the heartburn.
You caught me by surprise.
I'm glad you're thorough,
even though I think you're
wrong, I mean, dead wrong.
- What'd ya get?
- Ham sandwich.
Smart move.
- Do you mind a little advice?
- Not at all.
Get the stardust outta
your eyes, Doctor,
before you find
yourself walkin' off a cliff.
You'll have to forgive me, Mr. Zacharian.
All I can see is a remarkable woman.
No, Doc, I'm dead serious.
As long as she needs you,
she'll be like melted frosting.
And when it's over, watch your
step, because she is remarkable.
She's as good as they come.
You really think
she's guilty, don't you?
Look, I got a
confession to make.
I play the ponies. I'm a handicapper.
And I learned that the one thing
that a human being has in common
with a horse is the consistency of pattern.
Now, you handicap a horse
by his past performances.
That's mathematical.
And you can judge a person's
behavior by his past conduct.
That's mathematical, too.
You're saying that, in this
case, all you're going on
is the assumption
of a person's past?
Oh, no, no. Something
stronger than that.
Call it a sixth sense,
and I'm seldom wrong.
And if I were you, Doc,
I'd be very, very careful.
You're really worried
about me, aren't you?
Well, can't the cobra
admire the mongoose?
That defies all
laws of consistency.
Touche, Doc. Boy,
the food in here stinks.
Lemme ask you something.
What would it take to convince you
that you're wrong about Elizabeth?
- Three less murders.
- Oh, come on.
I'm talkin' about right now, Lou
Chesler, with no assumptions.
I'll tell you what I'll do.
If you don't find digoxin in Lou
Chesler's body, I'll drop the case. Okay?
- You will?
- Absolutely.
But first, you gotta
promise me you'll take
me someplace decent
to eat next time, okay?
How's it goin', Sam?
Just finished. You
can read the results.
- Just like I figured.
- What's that mean?
The test is negative.
There's not a trace of
digoxin in Mr. Chesler's body.
- Is that right?
- Yes, it is.
There's no indication of a cardiac
drug or any other drug. He's clean.
Come on, Mr. Zacharian,
don't take it so hard.
Everybody has hunches that don't
pay off. Sam, I gotta go out for a minute.
- I'll be back soon.
- Okay.
I would've bet my cat on this one,
and I've had him for twelve years.
- It's a good thing you didn't.
- Yeah, I guess so.
- Sam, how you doin'?
- Just finished. Came out negative.
Terrific. Anything more we
can do for you, Mr. Zacharian?
Yeah, as a matter of fact,
you can tell your friend
to watch his step around that
snake. I know she killed those men.
She's guilty.
She's killed at least two men,
and she's gonna do it again
if somebody doesn't stop her.
- She hates men.
- Just a minute.
You're making a very serious accusation.
Or are you just playing psychiatrist?
Comes with the job. You know, I think
Freud started as an insurance investigator.
Hey, I mean what I'm saying.
Right now, your
Dr. Quincy's life is on a timer.
Well, he's certainly a
- melodramatic man, isn't he?
- Yeah.
I just hope he's not right.
(RINGS DOORBELL)
Fella, do you know if
Mrs. Chesler's at home?
She sure is.
What are you doing under there?
I'm changing the oil filter.
Didn't I ever tell you that I'm
a pretty fair auto mechanic?
- No, you didn't.
- Oh.
Well, I can't rebuild an
engine or anything like that,
but I can change the oil,
gap the plugs, set the timing.
I'm lucky if I can
find my spare.
You get any more independent,
you're not gonna need me.
Don't say that. That
could never be true.
I just left Zacharian. He
requested the test today.
Sam ran it, and it was negative.
- But how?
- Never mind.
It was negative. Zacharian promised
to drop the entire investigation.
He'll never bother you again.
You did this for me, didn't you?
Hey, I love you, you remember?
- If anybody finds out...
- Nobody's gonna
find out anything
because I'm the only
one who knows anything.
Me, nobody else but me,
and I'm not doing any talking.
- Okay, you're the doctor.
- Okay.
And the doctor prescribes
dinner at Danny's at seven.
I'll meet ya there, okay?
Do me a favor,
- wash some of
the grease off, will ya?
- (CHUCKLES)
Good evening.
You look very nice.
You wouldn't be slipping off to
meet Dr. Quincy, would you now?
Mr. Zacharian, it's none of your
business what I do or where I go.
And if you don't stop harassing
me, I'll be forced to call the police.
Excuse me, ma'am,
they're not your friends.
And Dr. Quincy isn't one
of your gangster paramours.
He loves me, and I love him.
Oh. Funny thing about romance,
it has a way of going sour.
Sooner or later the good
doctor's gonna drift back to earth,
and he's gonna realize the price he
has to pay for tampering with evidence.
And when that happens, Mrs.
Chesler, you're on borrowed time,
because he's gonna nail
you right smack to the wall.
If you're here when I get
back, I will call the police.
All right, all right. Has
anybody seen Quincy?
Oh, he left twenty minutes ago.
I guess he had a heavy date.
You know, he didn't sign
this report in two places?
He's been forgetting a lot of
things lately. I kind of like it.
Well, there's no harm done. I
suppose he can sign it tomorrow.
Okay, let's get back to work.
- Sam?
- Uh-huh.
I'm gettin' really funny results on the
specimens from the Braverman case.
- Yeah?
- I know he was taking digoxin,
but nothin's showin' up.
Well, that's no sweat.
Why don't you, uh, run an old specimen
that's tested out positive before. Huh?
That's a good idea. I
should've thought of that myself.
Honey. Here.
You don't look like a
grease monkey anymore.
What's the matter?
He was there, at my house.
- Zacharian.
- What?
He promised. He said he
was gonna drop the case.
Oh, he'll never leave me alone.
He'll keep after me and after me,
- until he...
- Shh. Easy, easy,
now take it easy.
Come on, drink this up.
I've just got to get away from
him. Even if it's for a little while.
Well, where will you go?
I've got a cabin up in the mountains.
I'm gonna leave in the morning.
How long will you be gone?
- I don't know.
- What do you mean,
you don't know?
Hey, I'll go with ya.
But you can't do
that, you're working.
Are you kidding? I've got
so much time coming to me
Asten's afraid I'm
gonna charge him for it.
He'll be glad to see me use it.
Yes, but we can't go away
together. That'll only arouse suspicion.
I'll tell him I'm going away
alone. Who'll know this difference?
- Are you sure?
- Sure? I'm positive.
We'll get some exotic food
and wine and we'll have a ball.
I need a vacation. Okay?
Okay?
- Okay.
- Oh, good.
Sam.
Yeah?
Afraid you're gonna have
to put in a little more work.
Quincy just called in,
and now he says he's sick.
Oh... Love sick.
He's leaving town to recuperate,
for a whole week.
No kidding. Where's he going?
I don't know. He doesn't
tell me. I'm just the boss.
No, he says he needs a little
sun and fresh air to knock a cold.
- Way to go, Quince.
- What?
Um, I just said that
I hope he's all right.
Sick people stay in bed.
Well people leave
town for a week.
Oh, Dr. Asten, that's not the
only thing that's weird around here.
- Really?
- Yeah.
We've be re-running some
specimens that we ran before,
but the strange part is, the
results are totally different.
Well, what control did you use?
The controls were okay,
but now this material
shows no digoxin.
When Sam ran it the
first time it was loaded.
Wait a minute.
You know, this is a different batch of
saline than the one I used the first time.
Sam,
when you ran the radioimmunoassay
on the Chesler case,
what did you use to
prepare the sample?
This one. The same
saline Marc's using.
Are you sure?
Positive.
Do we still have Chesler's body?
- SAM: Yeah, but...
- There's something
a little strange going on.
Dr. Asten, you're not
saying Quincy deliberately...
Sam, I'm not saying anything.
Just get me the body.
We're gonna have a long night.
Hi!
- All set?
- Perfect timing,
I just finished packing.
You got the food?
I bought enough
supplies for a month.
We'll gain 10 pounds if
we eat everything I bought.
I thought we were
gonna rough it.
Foraging for food,
living off berries...
My idea of roughing it is champagne
for breakfast and filets at night.
Sounds a lot better
than berries. Let's go.
That's incredible.
Just look at that.
This guy was
loaded with digoxin,
enough to kill an elephant.
I just can't believe that Quince
would deliberately alter a test...
I can't believe it either, Sam.
But if he did, we know
the reason why, don't we?
That's like throwing
away his entire career.
- To cover for her?
- Look, I'm not
worried about his career,
I'm worried about his life.
You heard what Zacharian said?
Now, if Elizabeth is the kind of woman
who could kill her own husband, then...
I think the sooner I call
Monahan, the better.
It's not gonna do any good.
He hasn't told anybody
where he's going.
Wow, you promise somebody
privacy, you don't kid around.
- You wanted
a romantic place, didn't you?
- Yeah.
I can't wait for the wine to be
poured, and the fire in the fireplace.
After we cut the wood.
Cut the wood?
Yes, I keep an ax at the cabin.
Didn't I ever tell you? I'm
an experienced lumberjack.
Of course, you're experienced.
And, no, you didn't tell me.
Well, I'm not.
Keep your eyes on
the road. (LAUGHS)
I got an APB out, but I don't
know how much good it'll do.
They could be half
way to Oregon by now.
He just says, "I'm
going out of town."
Yeah, and she's not
home and the car's gone.
- Quincy's got himself
in real deep this time.
- Listen,
can anybody think
of one thing to do?
Yeah, let me make a
real simple suggestion...
Pray.
Ah. You were absolutely right,
the drive was worth it. It's charming.
Yeah. I haven't been here in
ages. I hope it's all right in there.
Forget the ax, start
pouring the wine.
Where do you want these?
Just set them right
down where you are.
Surprise, surprise.
I guess I am.
I figured if you were guilty you
wouldn't have made a move so quickly.
Well, you can blame
Zacharian for that.
He pushed me into moving
a little faster than I wanted.
So you knew all along, huh?
Not for sure. Not till now.
Well, it doesn't make
any difference, does it?
I'm free and clear.
You might've been anyway.
Not if Zacharian got me
in front of a grand jury.
He didn't know anything.
He was over-anxious.
He didn't have any evidence. He
didn't even know about the digoxin.
Yes, but you did.
Only I didn't know how it
got into your husband's body.
Oh, how I wanted to believe your
story that the doctor had given it to him.
I didn't want you to be punished
for anything you didn't do.
But if you were guilty,
the digoxin wasn't enough evidence
to convict you, and I had to be sure.
That's why I set myself up as the
only person who could put you away.
No, thanks.
ALEX: Okay, Doctor,
I think we'd better
take a little nature hike.
And keep your hands up.
No, no. Around back.
A smart man gave me
some advice about Elizabeth.
- I never should've ignored it.
- Stop right there.
Don't be as fool, Alex. She kills
every man who touches her life.
She uses them and then
she throws them away.
Well, maybe she used you.
But she never used me.
(GUNSHOT)
Freeze!
I got you in the
crosshairs, junior.
You breathe and you're dead.
You look like you're
almost glad to see me.
Alex, darling?
Alex darling's
on his way to jail.
I'm glad.
I'm glad.
He killed Lou.
And he started the fire.
And then he made
me go along with it.
He said if I didn't...
- That he'd kill me, too.
- Elizabeth, cut it out.
- Please, stop.
- No. Please,
please, just hear me out.
You said you loved me.
All I ask is that you listen.
What I have to say isn't pretty.
But it's the absolute truth.
And you're the only man
on this earth I'd ever tell it to.
Yes, I did kill Willie,
and my father.
But no two men ever deserved
to die more than they did.
My father beat my mother,
every day I can remember.
Until one day, she
committed suicide.
And then he tried to
do the same thing to me.
But you were too tough.
Yes, I was too tough.
But I don't want to
be tough anymore.
All I ever wanted was to be
loved by someone like you,
someone gentle
and kind and loving.
I love you.
You're the only
man I've ever loved.
And you said you loved me, too.
I do love you.
Then nothing's changed.
We'll go to Cozumel,
my place in Mexico.
I have all the money
we'll ever need.
So call, darling.
Call and make the reservations.
Let me speak to
Lieutenant Monahan, please.
But how did you know
we were in the mountains?
After I set you up I didn't
leave her alone for a minute.
Oh, that's terrific. You
set me up, I set myself up.
It's a wonder I didn't
end up in the grave.
Thank you for being there.
I can't tell you
how upset I was.
You know, one thing I
never figured out, though,
is what did you do to the saline
solution to get a negative result?
Well, I put in a few
drops of iodine-125.
That dropped the
digoxin level to nothing.
You sure were taking a big risk.
Well, I had to find out if
she was innocent or guilty.
I had to take that risk.
Hey, Quince, show Mr. Zacharian
how you can balance the salt shaker.
- Oh, he doesn't
want to see me do that.
- Oh, come on!
- He doesn't want to see that.
- Sure, I do.
What do you think I followed
you to the mountains for?
The famous balancing
salt shaker act.
I've been hearing
about it for weeks.
- (ALL ENCOURAGING HIM)
- Okay, okay, you wanna see it?
Watch it. Here he goes.
ELIZABETH: I always said
you were the salt of the earth.
Better be careful they don't
get you for assault and battery.
I just wanna be loved
by someone like you,
someone loving and
compassionate and gentle.
"Of all sad words
of tongue and pen,
Yes.
My husband's in
there. I've got to get him.
You can't help him
now. It's too late.
You're calling it murder
before we do an autopsy?
You bet, I am.
What would it take to convince you
that you're wrong about Elizabeth?
Three less murders.
- If anybody finds out...
- Nobody's gonna
find out anything
because I'm the only
one who knows anything.
Your Dr. Quincy's
life is on a timer.
She hates men.
Let's just remember
that we love each other
That's like throwing
away his entire career.
- To cover for her?
- Look, I'm not
worried about his career,
I'm worried about his life.
Gentlemen, you
are about to enter
the most fascinating
sphere of police work,
the world of forensic medicine.
- And that fight
the other night...
- I'll tell you...
Anybody that goes in the
tank better know how to swim!
(LAUGHING)
That reminds me of that
championship fight years ago.
The champ throws
out a little punch...
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (PLAYING PIANO)
He spent so much time on his
back I thought he was takin' a nap.
- (CONTINUES PLAYING PIANO)
- (CHATTER CONTINUES)
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you. That was
Beethoven's Fur Elise.
I heard it when I was a little girl,
and since it means "For Elizabeth,"
I thought it had
been written for me.
(LAUGHTER)
Sometimes I still do.
(APPLAUSE)
Hey, Elizabeth, I want
you to meet some people!
So I'm tellin' you,
it was unbelievable!
- What happened?
- You shoulda
seen what happened
with this friend I
got... (LAUGHING)
Hey! What's the big idea?
Do you have to bring
those hoodlums here?
- Those are my friends.
- I know who they are,
and I know you're
making deals with them.
Do you have to do
it while I'm playing?
What do ya mean?
We're just talking.
You ruined the
whole performance.
My one chance to show people I can
do something besides manage a club!
Aw, I'm sorry, baby.
Come here, you pretty thing.
Come on, baby, relax.
You're my wife, for cryin' out
loud. What's the cold shoulder?
I'm going home.
Go home, then.
I'll sleep here.
Maybe I'll get lucky.
Whatever makes you happy.
- Beep, beep, beep, beep...
- Oh!
You gotta have the master's
touch. That's what makes it happen.
Excuse me, master, but
you're messing up my table.
Oh, I'm sorry, Danny.
Thanks. It was
better on the floor?
Boy, oh, boy.
(SIRENS WAILING OUTSIDE)
That club up on the comer,
it's goin' up like a tinder box!
- Chesler's?
- Yeah.
There might be
injuries, Sam. Let's go.
FIRECHIEF: Captain Sidler
wants an ax on that doorway!
I'm a doctor. Is
anybody in there?
No, I don't think so. The
place was all closed up.
Listen, thanks
for stoppin', Doc,
but if anybody has been in there
they'd be long past your help now.
How long's it been goin'?
About fifteen minutes. We
got here as fast as we can.
This building's gone.
- Lady, where are you going?
- Take your hands off me!
- Lt's an inferno in there!
- Stop it. Let go of me!
My husband's in
there. I've got to get him.
You can't help him now.
It's too late. It's too late...
No!
Drink your coffee,
please. It'll warm you up.
It was my fault.
Oh, now, don't blame yourself.
You had nothing to do with that fire.
We had a fight. And I went home.
And if I hadn't...
-If we'd left together
maybe he wouldn't...
-Oh, don't do that to yourself.
Unfortunately, we don't
have the gift of hindsight.
"Of all sad words of tongue and pen, the
saddest are these, 'It might have been'."
John Greenleaf Whittier.
Sometimes I think
it's the story of my life.
You really loved your
husband, didn't you?
- Did you know him?
- Lou Chesler?
- Yes.
- Well, no, not personally.
But you knew of him.
Well, with all the publicity he received,
it was pretty hard not to know him.
Then you must know that
he was far from lovable.
In fact, I hated him.
But I just saw you risking
your life trying to save him.
He was my husband,
and he could be very kind.
That's why I married him.
I played for him
in one of his clubs.
Somehow he heard that my
father was ill and needed surgery.
Lou had him flown east and had the
surgery performed by the top specialist.
My father was a wonderful man.
He taught me to appreciate
the beautiful things in life,
music, art, poetry.
I was so grateful to Lou.
When he wanted to
marry me, take care of us,
I said yes.
You've been through a lot for
somebody so young, haven't you?
I think it's made me strong.
- You know, this is crazy.
- Why?
I didn't even know you
until a half hour ago,
and here I am telling
you the story of my life.
I'm glad.
- You got a minute?
- Sure, Zach. For you, anything.
- It's about
the Chesler report.
- Which?
Chesler, the guy who
bought it in the fire last night?
I found this file on my desk this
morning. You assigned me, didn't you?
Yeah, sure, right, I guess.
Gave you a bunch of stuff.
- What's the problem?
- No problem.
- I think we oughta look
into it a little more.
- How come?
Well, Chesler wasn't exactly an angel,
you know. He had a lot of enemies.
Stop soundin' like a cop. If the
police wanta investigate, let 'em.
Hey, look, we got a
heavy policy on this guy.
There's a couple
questions I'd like to ask.
Like, what was he doin' in there
all by himself last night, huh?
And how come he couldn't
get outta the ground floor
when the fire broke
out? Questions like that.
Zach, I'm startin' to worry
about you. You're too old
to play detective
every time you get a
funny feeling about a case.
Okay, fine. If you wanna
dish out five hundred big ones,
that's okay by me.
I didn't tell ya, we're punching up the
premium rates a few cents this quarter.
We won't even
notice a claim like that!
I still say it feels hinky.
What about the guy up in
Ventura that sunk his own yacht?
I nailed him, didn't I?
That is exactly my point!
It took you nine months.
I mean, your expense account
cost us more than the claim.
Hey, Zach, how long you been
bloodhound for this company?
Eighteen years.
I've gotten attached.
Look, for the sake
of your health, please,
would you start takin'
it just little bit easy?
- Routine investigation,
is that it?
- That's it.
Check it out, get the
autopsy report, the usual stuff.
Okay, Morris. Anything you say.
Quincy, Lou Chesler has had more
shady deals than an awning company.
Vice has been tracking him for
years. Vice, narcotics, even homicide.
Well, it looks like
somebody finally got to him.
You're calling it murder
before we do an autopsy?
You bet, I am. I bet you a steak
dinner you find bullet holes in the body.
Oh, I hope not. That'd
be pretty rough on his wife.
- How would you know?
- I met her last night.
She doesn't seem the type of gal
that would be married to a gangster.
Well, Chesler always
liked young girls.
You got as much money as him,
you can buy anything you want.
She's not that type.
Did ya ever meet her?
No, but...
- Did you ever talk to her?
- No.
Then how do you get off
making a judgment like that?
Oh, come on, Quincy. A girl
like that, easy come, easy go.
- I've met a million of 'em.
- Oh, have you?
Well, I happen to think
you're wrong this time.
She's a lovely, sensitive girl
that's had a pretty rough time of it.
Why don't you find out
what you're talkin' about
before you make sweeping
character assassinations like that?
- Jees, what did I say?
- If you don't mind,
I have work to do.
I'll get back to you
after the autopsy.
Go right ahead!
(PHONE RINGING)
- Quincy.
- This is Elizabeth Chesler.
Oh, hello, Elizabeth.
What is it? What's wrong?
Well, I'm sorry to bother you,
but I didn't know who else to call.
A man was here, an
insurance investigator.
They don't waste
any time, do they?
Zacharian. His
name was Zacharian.
And he told me I'm the beneficiary
on Lou's insurance policy.
Honestly, I didn't even
know Lou had taken one out.
Well, there's nothing
wrong with that.
Not according to Mr. Zacharian.
- He made all
sorts of innuendoes.
- Like what?
Well, he hinted there was foul
play, and that I was responsible for it.
Listen, don't let that upset you. I deal
with insurance companies all the time,
and some of them would accuse their
own mothers rather than pay off a claim.
Yes, but if the fire was started by
someone... I mean, if Lou was murdered...
- Well,
everyone will think that I...
- No, they won't.
Not anyone who
knows you, anyway.
Look, I was about to do the autopsy.
As soon as I get the results I'll call you.
And don't worry.
Bye-bye.
Well, I'd say there's no question
he was dead before the fire started.
Of course you'll have to verify that
when you run the carbon monoxide level.
But look, there's
no soot in the lungs.
He stopped breathing
before there was any smoke.
Yeah. There's no
evidence of injury.
No gunshot, no knife wounds,
not even an injection site.
Right. But there are
signs of arteriosclerosis.
The coronary artery's
about fifty percent occluded.
That's not unusual for a man his
age. It could be a heart attack, though.
Oh, come on, Quince. The
heart muscles are in good shape.
There's no sign of an
infarct or any other damage.
And you can't rule out toxic substances or
an overdose until I've run the toxicology.
Of course not. But if the
tests come back negative,
I'd say we're dealing with a
simple case of cardiac failure.
But put a rush on it, will ya?
I wanna clean this case up
- as quickly as possible.
- Okay.
- Oh! Oh,
my goodness, you startled me!
- I'm sorry.
I was anxious to bring
you the news myself.
Your husband died of natural
causes, a cardiac arrest.
- Are you sure?
- Hey, I enjoy
a pretty good reputation.
He must've had a heart attack
and died before the fire started,
or maybe at the same time.
Or maybe the panic set it off.
You know, he'd been complaining about
pains in his chest the last few months.
- Really? Was he under a doctor's care?
- Yes, but I don't know who.
You see, we didn't share much.
Well, the important thing is
there won't be an investigation.
Well, that is cause
to celebrate, isn't it?
Well... There.
What's this for?
Oh, just a little
something. I couldn't resist.
- Can I open it?
- Oh, sure, sure.
Oh, how beautiful!
- You really like it?
- I love it!
When I heard the sound, it
kind of reminded me of you.
I'm gonna hang it right
outside my bedroom window!
Does it seem
- ghoulish that I
should feel so good?
- Oh, no, no.
Lou lived a dangerous
life. That was his choice.
But I lived in
fear all the time.
And now it's gone, and...
And I feel safe for
the first time in so long.
And that makes me
want to celebrate.
And I'm glad you're
here to do it with me.
It's just a hunch. There
isn't much to go on.
That's why I wanted
to check out these
ashes that I got from
the scene of the fire.
Aaron Zacharian, sometimes your
hunches keep me busier than my real work.
Hey, I'll buy you
dinner someday, okay?
Yeah, yeah. With all the dinners
you owe me I could cater a banquet.
- You hit it right on the nose.
- What d'ya got?
Potassium permanganate.
That's a powerful oxidizing agent.
Mix it with the right fuel and you
could burn down the Coliseum.
Is there any other reason why it
should be found in these ashes?
No reason I can think of.
Then a professional
torch did it.
This fire was no
accident, it was arson.
And there's only one person I
can think of that has a solid motive.
- Night, Sam.
- Oh, good night, Marc.
- Dr. Asten...
- Good night, Marc.
- Where's Quincy?
- He's dressing.
- Dressing?
- Mmm-hmm.
Third time this
week. Same girl, huh?
Well, it doesn't look like he's getting
ready to play poker with Danny.
- Ta-dah!
- Wow!
- Hey, pretty fancy, Quince.
- Yeah.
The latest thing. Elizabeth
helped me to choose it. Like it?
- Well, it's, uh, cheerful.
- That's a good word.
No reason not to put some pizzazz in my...
What are you doin'? What are you doin'?
Look at the lining!
Look at that lining!
- What is it?
- Well,
it just looks like you should be borrowing
your father's car to go to the prom.
- What?
- I mean,
it's a little youthful.
Youthful? What d'ya mean, youthful?
He talks like I got one foot in the grave.
- No, I just...
- I'll have you know
that in most species
it's the male who is the most colorful. He
is the one who wears the bright plumage.
Well, uh, where are you
and your plumage going?
- To the opera.
- To the opera?
Again with the surprises.
Yeah, to the opera.
No, I just meant...
Do you mind? She's reminding
me of some of the finer things in life.
Listen, I think that's terrific.
What are you gonna do for her?
Well, I'm gonna teach her about
some of the rougher things in life.
I'm taking her to Danny's
for dinner. See you guys later.
Have a good time, Quince.
So this is your idea
of buying me dinner?
What are you talkin' about?
Ernie makes the best
submarine sandwiches in the city.
- This is gourmet quality.
- Yeah,
well do me a favor, will ya?
Don't roam around the lab
this time. I cleaned off this spot.
Just stay put. I don't want anymore
lettuce in my standard solution.
Okay.
You know, I can't stop
thinkin' about that Chesler case.
Oh, really?
You know, I didn't think you dropped
by here with beer and sandwiches
just outta the
goodness of your heart.
No, no. Something's hinky
here. It doesn't make sense.
How come?
Well, we both know the
job was torched, right?
Right.
Now, the reason people set
fires is to collect insurance money.
But the payout on this building wouldn't
pay for the chemicals used to burn it.
However, there was a whopping
big life insurance policy involved here.
Now, I ask you,
what's the motive?
- Cover up a murder.
- Right.
But the official verdict was that
the guy died of a heart attack.
Is there something that you can slip
a guy that doesn't have to be injected
or wouldn't show on the tox?
Well, yeah, I guess
some of the cardiac drugs.
Digitalis, digoxin... They could
put somebody into an arrhythmia.
Or they could just
stop the heart cold.
Would it show on the toxicology?
No, not these drugs.
You need a special test,
- radioimmunoassay.
- Radioimmuno-what?
Radioimmunoassay.
You better write it down
so I know what I'm askin'.
- Next time you have
to bring me dessert.
- You got it.
I always said you were
the salt of the earth.
Well, there's no
salt like an old salt.
Be careful they don't get
you for assault and battery.
Aw, now you're
adding insult to injury.
Terrific joke, just don't
mess up the table, huh?
- Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot.
- Hold it.
Okay.
Good luck.
- What are you
all dressed up for?
- We've been to the opera.
- To the opera.
- Yeah.
- Yes, and he loved it.
- I sure did.
And to cap off a perfect evening, we want
two of your famous pastrami sandwiches.
Pastrami sandwich and the
opera. (LAUGHS) Doctor says...
- Hey, did you watch
that game yesterday?
- Yeah, I sure did.
Can you believe with two men
on and the tying run on base,
they pinch hit a rookie when
they got Hogan on the bench?
And Hogan's hitting three hundred.
Although, he does have a bad leg.
He doesn't hit with his
legs. They send in a runner.
Instead, they put a pinch hitter in that's
been at bat five times in the majors.
- They deserve to lose.
- I don't know.
Hogan's not such a
good bet as a pinch hitter.
He's a great two-outs
nobody-on hitter. Hits for average.
But you can never count
on him to drive in the runs.
And that rookie, Kanaris, led
the minors in RBIs last year.
You're right. Hogan's RBIs never
did match his batting average.
He clutches under pressure.
You did all right. I'll take
care of your sandwiches.
For you, a little
Italian mustard.
Thank you very much.
- You're an expert
on baseball too?
- Got it from my father.
He started taking me to ballgames as soon
as I was old enough to hold my own beer.
Is there anything about
yourself you haven't told me?
Well, did I mention that I'm
absolutely unbeatable at gin rummy?
No, you didn't.
- Well, I am.
- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah.
- We'll see about that.
- Gin.
- Gin?
What is it with you? You play the
piano, you paint, you're a gourmet cook,
you know more about baseball
than I do, and now you beat me at gin?
Are you good at everything?
Yes.
I am.
Good morning.
Beautiful day, isn't it?
Who are you?
Zacharian, Aaron Zacharian.
Nice to meet you, Dr. Quincy.
You're the insurance
investigator.
Oh, you heard of me, huh?
Yeah, I also heard you accuse
bereaved widows of murder.
Nah. I don't accuse
anybody unless I'm sure.
What do you want? What
are you doing on my boat?
Well, our company
got your autopsy report.
- We didn't like what we read.
- Well, that's too bad.
You'll either have to learn to live with it
or find yourself a new medical examiner.
I'm afraid we have to
go with what we got.
Then you'll just have to
make the best of it, won't ya?
- I intend to.
- Good.
What do you know about her?
I know that she's a
lovely, warm person,
and she comes
from a good family.
- Uh-huh. She tell you that?
- That's what
she told me, yeah.
Her father was a cheap hood.
He was into vice and gambling.
She tell you how he died?
She said he had a bad heart.
He died of insulin shock
when she was fifteen.
Somebody substituted concentrated
insulin for a normal dosage.
What are you doing now? Accusing
her of murdering her own father?
No, no, no, I told you, I
don't accuse unless I'm sure.
I'm just discussing her. A short
while later she married Willie Sullivan.
Six months later, he dies of
carbon monoxide poisoning
from a faulty space
heater in a mountain cabin.
He was insured for twenty-five thousand.
She collected fifty. Double indemnity.
After she spent that, she married Lou
Chesler, and he gets burned up in a fire.
What kind of points do you
expect to score, showing me this?
Well, first of all, I want you to
check Lou Chesler's body for digoxin.
And two, I wanna warn you,
Dr. Quincy, that you're on the wrong side.
Good morning! I...
Here.
Show her this.
That should make for some
interesting conversation.
What did he want?
He wanted to tell me about your
father, and about Willie Sullivan.
He also wanted me to do another
test on your husband for digoxin.
That's a cardiac drug.
I know what digoxin is.
- Lou was taking it.
- He was?
I told you, he was complaining
about pains around his chest.
- I must've forgotten.
- Did you?
Or is it that you just
don't believe me?
Well, you haven't been exactly
completely honest with me, have you?
I knew it.
I knew he'd ruin
everything between us!
Is it true?
Is what true?
That my father was a sensitive and
educated man? No, that's not true.
That he... That he died of heart
failure? No, no, that's not true.
That I'm a murderer?
No, that is not true!
That I have a police record?
Yes, that's true.
That I was against an immoral
war, and marched with radicals,
and was crucified for it with these
lies and false accusations is also true.
I was young then, and impulsive.
But let me tell ya something,
I'm not ashamed of what I did.
In fact, I'm proud of it!
What else did he tell you?
It doesn't matter.
Yes, it does matter.
It matters very much.
Because I'll tell you
something else that's true.
I've fallen in love with you.
- Elizabeth,
we'll forget about it...
- No.
We've got to clear the air.
What else did he tell you?
He hinted that you were
responsible for your father's death.
Oh... Yes, my
father was murdered.
But I hadn't seen him
in over two months.
He moved in with that woman, and
started welching on his payments.
He'd been drinking and
they must've killed him.
And Willie Sullivan?
Do you wanna know what
kind of man Willie Sullivan was?
Six months after
we were married...
He sold me.
I was only seventeen years old,
and I wish I could've killed him!
- I wish I'd had the nerve!
- No, no, no, no...
- No. Oh...
- (SOBBING)
Let's forget about Sullivan
and your father and Zacharian.
Let's just remember
that we love each other.
But we can't run away.
Don't you see?
Zacharian won't let us.
If he can't get you to do the
test, he'll just get someone else.
And if they find the digoxin...
- They'll think
I've killed him.
- No, no, no, no, no...
- They won't know
I didn't know...
- No, no, no...
It's Saturday. There's
nobody at the lab.
I'll go down and
run the test myself.
I'll take care of everything.
Everything.
I think you're the most
beautiful person I've ever known.
Positive, positive... Digoxin.
Poor baby. Poor, poor baby.
- Morning, Quincy.
- Good morning.
Do you have the, uh, liver and
spleen from the Chesler case?
- Yes, I do. Why?
- Well, People's
Insurance is requesting
a radioimmunoassay for, uh,
digitalis and the like, cardiac drugs.
- Be my guest. You heard the man, Sam.
- Okay.
It's all right if
he works on it?
Well, I wouldn't touch
it with a barge pole.
I wouldn't wanna be
accused of collusion.
Collusion? What
are you talking about?
Mr. Zacharian is just
asking for a simple test.
- Sure...
- It's well within
the company's rights.
Yeah.
Sam, will you get to
it as soon as you can?
You can give Mr. Zacharian
the results when you get them.
- Okay,
but it'll take me a while.
- I'll wait.
Mr. Zacharian, it's almost
noon. How 'bout I buy you lunch?
- You buy me lunch?
- Yeah. I know a terrific place.
You're gonna love
the food. Come on.
- This is it?
- I didn't
promise you the Ritz.
Why do I have the feeling that the
cobra's having lunch with the mongoose?
Oh, I'm sorry I was rude to you.
- Want some coffee?
- Black, please.
- What's good?
- Ham sandwich.
Chili, if you don't
mind the heartburn.
You caught me by surprise.
I'm glad you're thorough,
even though I think you're
wrong, I mean, dead wrong.
- What'd ya get?
- Ham sandwich.
Smart move.
- Do you mind a little advice?
- Not at all.
Get the stardust outta
your eyes, Doctor,
before you find
yourself walkin' off a cliff.
You'll have to forgive me, Mr. Zacharian.
All I can see is a remarkable woman.
No, Doc, I'm dead serious.
As long as she needs you,
she'll be like melted frosting.
And when it's over, watch your
step, because she is remarkable.
She's as good as they come.
You really think
she's guilty, don't you?
Look, I got a
confession to make.
I play the ponies. I'm a handicapper.
And I learned that the one thing
that a human being has in common
with a horse is the consistency of pattern.
Now, you handicap a horse
by his past performances.
That's mathematical.
And you can judge a person's
behavior by his past conduct.
That's mathematical, too.
You're saying that, in this
case, all you're going on
is the assumption
of a person's past?
Oh, no, no. Something
stronger than that.
Call it a sixth sense,
and I'm seldom wrong.
And if I were you, Doc,
I'd be very, very careful.
You're really worried
about me, aren't you?
Well, can't the cobra
admire the mongoose?
That defies all
laws of consistency.
Touche, Doc. Boy,
the food in here stinks.
Lemme ask you something.
What would it take to convince you
that you're wrong about Elizabeth?
- Three less murders.
- Oh, come on.
I'm talkin' about right now, Lou
Chesler, with no assumptions.
I'll tell you what I'll do.
If you don't find digoxin in Lou
Chesler's body, I'll drop the case. Okay?
- You will?
- Absolutely.
But first, you gotta
promise me you'll take
me someplace decent
to eat next time, okay?
How's it goin', Sam?
Just finished. You
can read the results.
- Just like I figured.
- What's that mean?
The test is negative.
There's not a trace of
digoxin in Mr. Chesler's body.
- Is that right?
- Yes, it is.
There's no indication of a cardiac
drug or any other drug. He's clean.
Come on, Mr. Zacharian,
don't take it so hard.
Everybody has hunches that don't
pay off. Sam, I gotta go out for a minute.
- I'll be back soon.
- Okay.
I would've bet my cat on this one,
and I've had him for twelve years.
- It's a good thing you didn't.
- Yeah, I guess so.
- Sam, how you doin'?
- Just finished. Came out negative.
Terrific. Anything more we
can do for you, Mr. Zacharian?
Yeah, as a matter of fact,
you can tell your friend
to watch his step around that
snake. I know she killed those men.
She's guilty.
She's killed at least two men,
and she's gonna do it again
if somebody doesn't stop her.
- She hates men.
- Just a minute.
You're making a very serious accusation.
Or are you just playing psychiatrist?
Comes with the job. You know, I think
Freud started as an insurance investigator.
Hey, I mean what I'm saying.
Right now, your
Dr. Quincy's life is on a timer.
Well, he's certainly a
- melodramatic man, isn't he?
- Yeah.
I just hope he's not right.
(RINGS DOORBELL)
Fella, do you know if
Mrs. Chesler's at home?
She sure is.
What are you doing under there?
I'm changing the oil filter.
Didn't I ever tell you that I'm
a pretty fair auto mechanic?
- No, you didn't.
- Oh.
Well, I can't rebuild an
engine or anything like that,
but I can change the oil,
gap the plugs, set the timing.
I'm lucky if I can
find my spare.
You get any more independent,
you're not gonna need me.
Don't say that. That
could never be true.
I just left Zacharian. He
requested the test today.
Sam ran it, and it was negative.
- But how?
- Never mind.
It was negative. Zacharian promised
to drop the entire investigation.
He'll never bother you again.
You did this for me, didn't you?
Hey, I love you, you remember?
- If anybody finds out...
- Nobody's gonna
find out anything
because I'm the only
one who knows anything.
Me, nobody else but me,
and I'm not doing any talking.
- Okay, you're the doctor.
- Okay.
And the doctor prescribes
dinner at Danny's at seven.
I'll meet ya there, okay?
Do me a favor,
- wash some of
the grease off, will ya?
- (CHUCKLES)
Good evening.
You look very nice.
You wouldn't be slipping off to
meet Dr. Quincy, would you now?
Mr. Zacharian, it's none of your
business what I do or where I go.
And if you don't stop harassing
me, I'll be forced to call the police.
Excuse me, ma'am,
they're not your friends.
And Dr. Quincy isn't one
of your gangster paramours.
He loves me, and I love him.
Oh. Funny thing about romance,
it has a way of going sour.
Sooner or later the good
doctor's gonna drift back to earth,
and he's gonna realize the price he
has to pay for tampering with evidence.
And when that happens, Mrs.
Chesler, you're on borrowed time,
because he's gonna nail
you right smack to the wall.
If you're here when I get
back, I will call the police.
All right, all right. Has
anybody seen Quincy?
Oh, he left twenty minutes ago.
I guess he had a heavy date.
You know, he didn't sign
this report in two places?
He's been forgetting a lot of
things lately. I kind of like it.
Well, there's no harm done. I
suppose he can sign it tomorrow.
Okay, let's get back to work.
- Sam?
- Uh-huh.
I'm gettin' really funny results on the
specimens from the Braverman case.
- Yeah?
- I know he was taking digoxin,
but nothin's showin' up.
Well, that's no sweat.
Why don't you, uh, run an old specimen
that's tested out positive before. Huh?
That's a good idea. I
should've thought of that myself.
Honey. Here.
You don't look like a
grease monkey anymore.
What's the matter?
He was there, at my house.
- Zacharian.
- What?
He promised. He said he
was gonna drop the case.
Oh, he'll never leave me alone.
He'll keep after me and after me,
- until he...
- Shh. Easy, easy,
now take it easy.
Come on, drink this up.
I've just got to get away from
him. Even if it's for a little while.
Well, where will you go?
I've got a cabin up in the mountains.
I'm gonna leave in the morning.
How long will you be gone?
- I don't know.
- What do you mean,
you don't know?
Hey, I'll go with ya.
But you can't do
that, you're working.
Are you kidding? I've got
so much time coming to me
Asten's afraid I'm
gonna charge him for it.
He'll be glad to see me use it.
Yes, but we can't go away
together. That'll only arouse suspicion.
I'll tell him I'm going away
alone. Who'll know this difference?
- Are you sure?
- Sure? I'm positive.
We'll get some exotic food
and wine and we'll have a ball.
I need a vacation. Okay?
Okay?
- Okay.
- Oh, good.
Sam.
Yeah?
Afraid you're gonna have
to put in a little more work.
Quincy just called in,
and now he says he's sick.
Oh... Love sick.
He's leaving town to recuperate,
for a whole week.
No kidding. Where's he going?
I don't know. He doesn't
tell me. I'm just the boss.
No, he says he needs a little
sun and fresh air to knock a cold.
- Way to go, Quince.
- What?
Um, I just said that
I hope he's all right.
Sick people stay in bed.
Well people leave
town for a week.
Oh, Dr. Asten, that's not the
only thing that's weird around here.
- Really?
- Yeah.
We've be re-running some
specimens that we ran before,
but the strange part is, the
results are totally different.
Well, what control did you use?
The controls were okay,
but now this material
shows no digoxin.
When Sam ran it the
first time it was loaded.
Wait a minute.
You know, this is a different batch of
saline than the one I used the first time.
Sam,
when you ran the radioimmunoassay
on the Chesler case,
what did you use to
prepare the sample?
This one. The same
saline Marc's using.
Are you sure?
Positive.
Do we still have Chesler's body?
- SAM: Yeah, but...
- There's something
a little strange going on.
Dr. Asten, you're not
saying Quincy deliberately...
Sam, I'm not saying anything.
Just get me the body.
We're gonna have a long night.
Hi!
- All set?
- Perfect timing,
I just finished packing.
You got the food?
I bought enough
supplies for a month.
We'll gain 10 pounds if
we eat everything I bought.
I thought we were
gonna rough it.
Foraging for food,
living off berries...
My idea of roughing it is champagne
for breakfast and filets at night.
Sounds a lot better
than berries. Let's go.
That's incredible.
Just look at that.
This guy was
loaded with digoxin,
enough to kill an elephant.
I just can't believe that Quince
would deliberately alter a test...
I can't believe it either, Sam.
But if he did, we know
the reason why, don't we?
That's like throwing
away his entire career.
- To cover for her?
- Look, I'm not
worried about his career,
I'm worried about his life.
You heard what Zacharian said?
Now, if Elizabeth is the kind of woman
who could kill her own husband, then...
I think the sooner I call
Monahan, the better.
It's not gonna do any good.
He hasn't told anybody
where he's going.
Wow, you promise somebody
privacy, you don't kid around.
- You wanted
a romantic place, didn't you?
- Yeah.
I can't wait for the wine to be
poured, and the fire in the fireplace.
After we cut the wood.
Cut the wood?
Yes, I keep an ax at the cabin.
Didn't I ever tell you? I'm
an experienced lumberjack.
Of course, you're experienced.
And, no, you didn't tell me.
Well, I'm not.
Keep your eyes on
the road. (LAUGHS)
I got an APB out, but I don't
know how much good it'll do.
They could be half
way to Oregon by now.
He just says, "I'm
going out of town."
Yeah, and she's not
home and the car's gone.
- Quincy's got himself
in real deep this time.
- Listen,
can anybody think
of one thing to do?
Yeah, let me make a
real simple suggestion...
Pray.
Ah. You were absolutely right,
the drive was worth it. It's charming.
Yeah. I haven't been here in
ages. I hope it's all right in there.
Forget the ax, start
pouring the wine.
Where do you want these?
Just set them right
down where you are.
Surprise, surprise.
I guess I am.
I figured if you were guilty you
wouldn't have made a move so quickly.
Well, you can blame
Zacharian for that.
He pushed me into moving
a little faster than I wanted.
So you knew all along, huh?
Not for sure. Not till now.
Well, it doesn't make
any difference, does it?
I'm free and clear.
You might've been anyway.
Not if Zacharian got me
in front of a grand jury.
He didn't know anything.
He was over-anxious.
He didn't have any evidence. He
didn't even know about the digoxin.
Yes, but you did.
Only I didn't know how it
got into your husband's body.
Oh, how I wanted to believe your
story that the doctor had given it to him.
I didn't want you to be punished
for anything you didn't do.
But if you were guilty,
the digoxin wasn't enough evidence
to convict you, and I had to be sure.
That's why I set myself up as the
only person who could put you away.
No, thanks.
ALEX: Okay, Doctor,
I think we'd better
take a little nature hike.
And keep your hands up.
No, no. Around back.
A smart man gave me
some advice about Elizabeth.
- I never should've ignored it.
- Stop right there.
Don't be as fool, Alex. She kills
every man who touches her life.
She uses them and then
she throws them away.
Well, maybe she used you.
But she never used me.
(GUNSHOT)
Freeze!
I got you in the
crosshairs, junior.
You breathe and you're dead.
You look like you're
almost glad to see me.
Alex, darling?
Alex darling's
on his way to jail.
I'm glad.
I'm glad.
He killed Lou.
And he started the fire.
And then he made
me go along with it.
He said if I didn't...
- That he'd kill me, too.
- Elizabeth, cut it out.
- Please, stop.
- No. Please,
please, just hear me out.
You said you loved me.
All I ask is that you listen.
What I have to say isn't pretty.
But it's the absolute truth.
And you're the only man
on this earth I'd ever tell it to.
Yes, I did kill Willie,
and my father.
But no two men ever deserved
to die more than they did.
My father beat my mother,
every day I can remember.
Until one day, she
committed suicide.
And then he tried to
do the same thing to me.
But you were too tough.
Yes, I was too tough.
But I don't want to
be tough anymore.
All I ever wanted was to be
loved by someone like you,
someone gentle
and kind and loving.
I love you.
You're the only
man I've ever loved.
And you said you loved me, too.
I do love you.
Then nothing's changed.
We'll go to Cozumel,
my place in Mexico.
I have all the money
we'll ever need.
So call, darling.
Call and make the reservations.
Let me speak to
Lieutenant Monahan, please.
But how did you know
we were in the mountains?
After I set you up I didn't
leave her alone for a minute.
Oh, that's terrific. You
set me up, I set myself up.
It's a wonder I didn't
end up in the grave.
Thank you for being there.
I can't tell you
how upset I was.
You know, one thing I
never figured out, though,
is what did you do to the saline
solution to get a negative result?
Well, I put in a few
drops of iodine-125.
That dropped the
digoxin level to nothing.
You sure were taking a big risk.
Well, I had to find out if
she was innocent or guilty.
I had to take that risk.
Hey, Quince, show Mr. Zacharian
how you can balance the salt shaker.
- Oh, he doesn't
want to see me do that.
- Oh, come on!
- He doesn't want to see that.
- Sure, I do.
What do you think I followed
you to the mountains for?
The famous balancing
salt shaker act.
I've been hearing
about it for weeks.
- (ALL ENCOURAGING HIM)
- Okay, okay, you wanna see it?
Watch it. Here he goes.
ELIZABETH: I always said
you were the salt of the earth.
Better be careful they don't
get you for assault and battery.
I just wanna be loved
by someone like you,
someone loving and
compassionate and gentle.
"Of all sad words
of tongue and pen,