1 00:00:00,334 --> 00:00:03,087 Did the victim die from the fire, 2 00:00:03,170 --> 00:00:04,755 or from the blow to the head? 3 00:00:04,839 --> 00:00:06,966 [Jessica] Tonight on Murder, She Wrote. 4 00:00:07,049 --> 00:00:09,051 Only a fool would think that was an accident. 5 00:00:09,135 --> 00:00:10,386 They seemed so happy. 6 00:00:10,469 --> 00:00:12,555 We knew so little about her. 7 00:00:12,638 --> 00:00:15,141 Oh, yes. She completely captivated Jim. 8 00:00:15,224 --> 00:00:16,934 Oliver Quayle is a genius. 9 00:00:17,017 --> 00:00:18,519 You know, he's never lost a murder trial. 10 00:00:18,602 --> 00:00:20,146 I hadn't planned to leave. 11 00:00:20,229 --> 00:00:22,648 I think it would be best for Jim if you did. 12 00:00:22,732 --> 00:00:24,567 Madam, it seems that one of New England's 13 00:00:24,650 --> 00:00:26,444 most respected families 14 00:00:26,527 --> 00:00:28,904 is a breeding ground for homicidal maniacs. 15 00:00:32,116 --> 00:00:35,453 [cheerful orchestral music] 16 00:01:34,595 --> 00:01:36,347 -Good morning. -I'm Jessica Fletcher. 17 00:01:36,430 --> 00:01:37,932 I believe Mr. Quayle is expecting me. 18 00:01:38,265 --> 00:01:40,226 Oh, yes, Mrs. Fletcher. 19 00:01:40,309 --> 00:01:42,436 Indeed, yes. Please follow me. 20 00:01:44,063 --> 00:01:45,481 Sir? 21 00:01:45,564 --> 00:01:47,233 Oh! 22 00:01:47,316 --> 00:01:49,109 Welcome to Quebec, Mrs. Fletcher. 23 00:01:49,193 --> 00:01:50,945 Well, I've been traveling, and I only just received 24 00:01:51,028 --> 00:01:52,571 your letter yesterday, Mr. Quayle. 25 00:01:52,655 --> 00:01:54,907 Oh, dear me, no. I'm not Oliver Quayle. 26 00:01:54,990 --> 00:01:57,159 No, I'm merely his assistant, Barnaby Friar. 27 00:01:57,910 --> 00:02:00,371 Well, not merely, exactly. 28 00:02:00,454 --> 00:02:01,956 [chuckles] 29 00:02:02,039 --> 00:02:03,082 Can I get you something? 30 00:02:03,374 --> 00:02:05,167 Well, thank you, Mr. Friar, I'm just fine, 31 00:02:05,251 --> 00:02:07,336 but you could tell me what this is all about. 32 00:02:07,419 --> 00:02:09,380 The letter mentioned a trial... 33 00:02:09,463 --> 00:02:12,216 The Crown versus James Harlan. 34 00:02:12,299 --> 00:02:14,301 Why don't I let Mr. Quayle fill you in himself? 35 00:02:14,385 --> 00:02:16,971 Oh, no trouble at all, Sir Randolph. 36 00:02:17,054 --> 00:02:19,265 I won't be needing it again until next month. 37 00:02:19,348 --> 00:02:22,643 You're most welcome. Don't mention it. 38 00:02:22,726 --> 00:02:25,062 Have an absolutely splendid time. 39 00:02:25,145 --> 00:02:26,856 Yes. Bye-bye. 40 00:02:26,939 --> 00:02:29,316 I'm so sorry, Mrs. Fletcher. 41 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:31,944 Dear friend of mine wanting to borrow my jet 42 00:02:32,027 --> 00:02:33,279 for a couple of weeks. 43 00:02:33,362 --> 00:02:34,864 It's so kind of you to come. 44 00:02:34,947 --> 00:02:36,782 Please... Please sit down. 45 00:02:36,866 --> 00:02:40,035 I don't imagine we'll have to impose on your valuable time 46 00:02:40,119 --> 00:02:42,204 for more than a few days. 47 00:02:42,288 --> 00:02:44,331 Jim has told me wonderful things about you. 48 00:02:44,415 --> 00:02:45,875 Where is Jim? 49 00:02:45,958 --> 00:02:47,793 I more or less expected him to be here. 50 00:02:47,877 --> 00:02:52,339 Uh, Mrs. Fletcher, I preferred to have our little chat alone. 51 00:02:52,423 --> 00:02:53,841 Alone? 52 00:02:53,924 --> 00:02:55,551 Oh, my tailor? 53 00:02:55,634 --> 00:02:58,053 Oh, yes, I find, with a schedule as busy as mine, 54 00:02:58,137 --> 00:03:01,181 I sometimes have to accomplish two things at the same time. 55 00:03:01,599 --> 00:03:04,685 Yes, I would now like to hear from your own lips 56 00:03:04,768 --> 00:03:07,730 your best recollection of the events 57 00:03:07,813 --> 00:03:11,317 that led up to that fateful day his wife died. 58 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:12,902 You have my full attention. 59 00:03:15,154 --> 00:03:17,823 Just a little more cuff showing, don't you think? 60 00:03:17,907 --> 00:03:20,159 Well, it was six months ago. 61 00:03:20,451 --> 00:03:22,661 Jim was about to publish his second novel, 62 00:03:22,745 --> 00:03:26,874 and he had invited me up to Quebec for the weekend to, uh... 63 00:03:26,957 --> 00:03:29,043 well, to have a look at the galleys. 64 00:03:29,126 --> 00:03:32,338 I had shown encouragement to him on his first book, 65 00:03:32,421 --> 00:03:34,798 and, uh, well, we became friends. 66 00:03:35,674 --> 00:03:37,134 Well? 67 00:03:37,217 --> 00:03:38,928 Jim, I think you've got a real page-turner here. 68 00:03:39,011 --> 00:03:40,262 You're not just saying that? 69 00:03:40,346 --> 00:03:42,181 Oh, no, no. 70 00:03:42,264 --> 00:03:43,933 Your characters are richer, 71 00:03:44,016 --> 00:03:46,268 you handle your narrative with more authority, 72 00:03:46,352 --> 00:03:49,063 and it has a real ring of truth about it. 73 00:03:49,146 --> 00:03:50,731 Oh, thank you. 74 00:03:52,066 --> 00:03:53,943 Would you be willing to write the review for The Times? 75 00:03:54,026 --> 00:03:55,235 I will if they ask me. 76 00:03:55,319 --> 00:03:56,320 [horn honks] 77 00:04:04,536 --> 00:04:06,246 -Patricia's back. -Oh. 78 00:04:07,706 --> 00:04:09,124 [shears snipping] 79 00:04:18,300 --> 00:04:20,260 Shopping all day. 80 00:04:20,344 --> 00:04:22,304 Did you get something nice? Let me see it. 81 00:04:22,388 --> 00:04:25,307 Ooh, nothing that you'd be interested in. 82 00:04:25,391 --> 00:04:27,810 It's for Monica. A little going-away present. 83 00:04:28,352 --> 00:04:30,312 I'm afraid I have to be getting back. 84 00:04:30,396 --> 00:04:33,816 My wife's lovely ex-roommate suddenly appears out of the blue 85 00:04:33,899 --> 00:04:36,068 and then steals away before I've had a chance 86 00:04:36,151 --> 00:04:37,945 to pump her about old college romances. 87 00:04:39,405 --> 00:04:41,740 He'd probably change the names and put 'em in his book. 88 00:04:41,824 --> 00:04:44,159 Well, I'm afraid writers are accused of that, you know. 89 00:04:44,243 --> 00:04:46,704 [clears throat] Yes, speaking of writers, 90 00:04:46,787 --> 00:04:49,373 Jessica has pronounced my opus readable. 91 00:04:49,790 --> 00:04:51,417 [chuckles] I'd tell you what I really thought, 92 00:04:51,500 --> 00:04:53,085 but he'd need a larger hat size. 93 00:04:53,168 --> 00:04:54,169 Ooh. 94 00:04:55,546 --> 00:04:57,381 Oh, my, Patricia. 95 00:04:57,464 --> 00:04:59,717 What a lovely brooch. 96 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:02,052 A present from my thoughtful husband 97 00:05:02,136 --> 00:05:03,887 on our first wedding anniversary. 98 00:05:03,971 --> 00:05:06,181 It's a family heirloom. It belonged to my grandmother. 99 00:05:08,392 --> 00:05:10,978 Monica, I insist you stay for dinner. 100 00:05:11,061 --> 00:05:13,105 Actually, I have a 7:40 flight. 101 00:05:13,188 --> 00:05:15,899 I booked Maurice to do my hair at 6:00. 102 00:05:15,983 --> 00:05:18,527 Jim, would you be a dear and run Monica to the airport 103 00:05:18,610 --> 00:05:20,195 on your way into the city? 104 00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:21,864 Well, sure, we'll stop and have a couple of drinks 105 00:05:21,947 --> 00:05:24,241 and get better acquainted before you slip away. 106 00:05:24,324 --> 00:05:26,452 [chuckles] 107 00:05:28,912 --> 00:05:30,622 That evening, we gathered for dinner 108 00:05:30,706 --> 00:05:34,001 at the Harlan Townhouse in the city at 8:30 precisely. 109 00:05:34,084 --> 00:05:35,544 We sat down to eat, 110 00:05:35,627 --> 00:05:38,338 even though Patricia hadn't yet returned home. 111 00:05:38,422 --> 00:05:40,507 As you must know, Jim's mother, Judith, is a woman 112 00:05:40,591 --> 00:05:43,802 who lets nothing disrupt her daily routine. 113 00:05:44,219 --> 00:05:46,555 Jim tells me that you've been very flattering 114 00:05:46,638 --> 00:05:48,390 about his book, Jessica. 115 00:05:48,474 --> 00:05:51,810 I thought only mothers had that kind of blind admiration. 116 00:05:51,894 --> 00:05:54,855 It wasn't flattery. And certainly not blind. 117 00:05:54,938 --> 00:05:57,691 Well, I'm delighted, of course. 118 00:05:57,775 --> 00:06:00,861 Not that I'm an expert, or even much of a reader. 119 00:06:00,944 --> 00:06:02,863 Jim, will you please stop fiddling with that watch? 120 00:06:06,033 --> 00:06:09,870 Patricia knows very well we always dine at 8:30. 121 00:06:09,953 --> 00:06:12,039 Well, no doubt she's been delayed 122 00:06:12,122 --> 00:06:14,541 taking that friend of hers to the airport. 123 00:06:14,625 --> 00:06:16,960 Actually, we took Monica to the airport. 124 00:06:17,044 --> 00:06:18,796 At least, Jim did. 125 00:06:18,879 --> 00:06:20,130 That was after he dropped me off here. 126 00:06:23,092 --> 00:06:24,093 Mother, what's the matter? 127 00:06:26,011 --> 00:06:28,847 There's been a fire at the country house. 128 00:06:31,475 --> 00:06:33,393 Jim was devastated when he learned 129 00:06:33,477 --> 00:06:35,104 that Patricia had died in that fire. 130 00:06:35,187 --> 00:06:37,314 A tragic accident. 131 00:06:37,397 --> 00:06:38,732 If it was an accident, 132 00:06:38,816 --> 00:06:40,859 why is Jim on trial for her murder? 133 00:06:40,943 --> 00:06:42,694 Have no fear, dear lady. 134 00:06:42,778 --> 00:06:45,697 I, Oliver Quayle, will prove 135 00:06:45,781 --> 00:06:48,659 that there is not a shred of evidence against him. 136 00:06:48,742 --> 00:06:50,452 Yes, but-- 137 00:06:50,536 --> 00:06:52,287 And you, madam, have a part to play in this drama, 138 00:06:52,371 --> 00:06:53,789 small but vital, 139 00:06:53,872 --> 00:06:56,125 when I call you as a witness to tell the jury 140 00:06:56,208 --> 00:06:59,253 about the deep and abiding affection that existed 141 00:06:59,336 --> 00:07:01,880 between James Harlan and his devoted young wife. 142 00:07:01,964 --> 00:07:03,590 Yes, of course, but-- 143 00:07:03,674 --> 00:07:05,342 And you will testify with clarity and conviction 144 00:07:05,425 --> 00:07:08,470 to the fact that he was with you and his devoted mother 145 00:07:08,554 --> 00:07:10,889 at the time of the unfortunate accident. 146 00:07:10,973 --> 00:07:12,766 Mr. Quayle, you keep calling it an accident, 147 00:07:12,850 --> 00:07:14,434 but surely the state, 148 00:07:14,518 --> 00:07:17,771 uh, the Crown, must have some evidence against him. 149 00:07:17,855 --> 00:07:20,816 What an excellent witness you're going to make. 150 00:07:20,899 --> 00:07:24,361 Mrs. Fletcher, national reputation, 151 00:07:24,444 --> 00:07:28,240 no notoriety, Cabot Cove, Maine. 152 00:07:28,323 --> 00:07:30,659 The jury is going to love that rustic... 153 00:07:30,742 --> 00:07:32,578 uh, do you have a hat? 154 00:07:32,661 --> 00:07:34,788 An old straw with some violets? 155 00:07:34,872 --> 00:07:37,166 I've never owned a hat like that in my life. 156 00:07:37,249 --> 00:07:38,917 Well, no, never mind. Barnaby will get you one. 157 00:07:39,001 --> 00:07:40,294 And an umbrella, yes, 158 00:07:40,377 --> 00:07:41,545 an umbrella will be a nice touch. 159 00:07:41,628 --> 00:07:43,463 Mr. Quayle, I'm sorry, 160 00:07:43,547 --> 00:07:46,216 but I am not going to play a countrified character 161 00:07:46,300 --> 00:07:47,968 for you or for anyone else. 162 00:07:48,051 --> 00:07:49,970 [knocks] 163 00:07:50,053 --> 00:07:52,431 Your ex on line two, Mr. Q. 164 00:07:52,514 --> 00:07:54,474 Oh, yes. Fine, fine, yes. 165 00:07:54,558 --> 00:07:56,185 Dierdre. 166 00:07:56,268 --> 00:07:58,312 Dierdre, my darling, how lovely to hear your voice. 167 00:07:58,395 --> 00:08:00,689 Uh, where are you? 168 00:08:00,772 --> 00:08:02,107 Corfu? 169 00:08:02,191 --> 00:08:03,650 Oh, that sounds absolutely splendid. 170 00:08:03,734 --> 00:08:05,777 Yes. How much? 171 00:08:05,861 --> 00:08:07,070 Not to worry, my dear. 172 00:08:07,154 --> 00:08:08,780 I'll have Barnaby wire it to you. 173 00:08:08,864 --> 00:08:10,532 Love you too, darling. 174 00:08:10,616 --> 00:08:11,742 Love you. Bye-bye. 175 00:08:14,786 --> 00:08:18,290 Oh, alas, Mrs. Fletcher, we seem to have run out of time. 176 00:08:18,373 --> 00:08:19,875 I'll rehearse your testimony later. 177 00:08:19,958 --> 00:08:22,252 Barnaby will make an appointment for you. 178 00:08:25,422 --> 00:08:27,966 But why were you charged with murdering Patricia? 179 00:08:28,050 --> 00:08:30,302 I couldn't get anything but pompous platitudes 180 00:08:30,385 --> 00:08:32,221 out of your attorney. 181 00:08:32,304 --> 00:08:34,932 The authorities believe that the fire was deliberately set. 182 00:08:35,015 --> 00:08:38,477 Arson? Oh, my Lord. 183 00:08:38,560 --> 00:08:42,773 Jessica, my dear. How sweet of you to come. 184 00:08:43,732 --> 00:08:45,567 Of course we knew we could rely on you. 185 00:08:45,651 --> 00:08:48,111 Judith, I'm so terribly sorry it had to be 186 00:08:48,195 --> 00:08:49,655 under these circumstances. 187 00:08:49,738 --> 00:08:52,157 I would have come sooner, but I had no idea. 188 00:08:52,241 --> 00:08:54,826 What a travesty of justice. 189 00:08:55,535 --> 00:08:57,412 [sighs] Poor boy. 190 00:08:58,664 --> 00:09:01,792 Jim, you really should get some rest. 191 00:09:02,292 --> 00:09:04,378 You can't look worried when you go 192 00:09:04,461 --> 00:09:05,587 in front of that jury tomorrow. 193 00:09:05,671 --> 00:09:06,964 You're right. 194 00:09:07,047 --> 00:09:08,548 I'm, I am feeling a bit wrung out. 195 00:09:11,051 --> 00:09:12,844 If you don't mind, Jessica, I'm going to turn in. 196 00:09:12,928 --> 00:09:14,263 Sure. 197 00:09:14,346 --> 00:09:17,015 -Good night, mother. -Good night. 198 00:09:17,099 --> 00:09:18,267 Good night, Jessica. 199 00:09:18,350 --> 00:09:20,185 Thank you. Thank you. 200 00:09:24,815 --> 00:09:26,358 And now, Jessica 201 00:09:26,441 --> 00:09:29,069 what did you think of Oliver Quayle? 202 00:09:29,861 --> 00:09:32,823 Well, one word comes to mind: overpowering. 203 00:09:33,198 --> 00:09:36,743 Yes. He's the very best man in Canada. 204 00:09:36,827 --> 00:09:38,954 Oh, Judith. This is such a shock. 205 00:09:39,037 --> 00:09:42,291 I mean, it's hard to accept that Patricia was murdered. 206 00:09:42,374 --> 00:09:44,584 We knew so little about her. 207 00:09:44,668 --> 00:09:46,920 -They seemed so happy. -Oh, yes. 208 00:09:47,004 --> 00:09:49,172 She completely captivated Jim. 209 00:09:50,090 --> 00:09:52,759 He was such a serious, studious boy 210 00:09:52,843 --> 00:09:55,679 that he really had had no experience 211 00:09:55,762 --> 00:09:57,097 with that sort of person. 212 00:10:00,350 --> 00:10:03,937 And after the completion of your laboratory investigations, 213 00:10:04,021 --> 00:10:06,565 what did you determine was the cause of the fire? 214 00:10:06,898 --> 00:10:08,817 The gas line to the hot water heater in the basement 215 00:10:08,900 --> 00:10:11,945 had been disconnected, allowing gas to escape. 216 00:10:12,029 --> 00:10:14,114 -Deliberately disconnected? -Yes. 217 00:10:14,823 --> 00:10:16,074 And what did you determine 218 00:10:16,158 --> 00:10:17,743 was the actual cause of the fire? 219 00:10:18,285 --> 00:10:21,371 Gas jet had been left burning upstairs in the kitchen, 220 00:10:21,455 --> 00:10:23,373 inevitably causing a gas explosion 221 00:10:23,457 --> 00:10:25,167 that engulfed the whole house. 222 00:10:25,250 --> 00:10:27,669 Then it would be your expert opinion 223 00:10:27,753 --> 00:10:30,130 that the fire was deliberately set? 224 00:10:30,213 --> 00:10:31,256 Yes. 225 00:10:33,216 --> 00:10:34,676 The learned counsel for defense care 226 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:35,677 to cross-examine? 227 00:10:35,761 --> 00:10:37,554 Indeed, I would. 228 00:10:37,637 --> 00:10:40,307 A few simple questions 229 00:10:40,390 --> 00:10:42,934 to clarify the excellent presentation 230 00:10:43,018 --> 00:10:46,146 so competently elicited by Mrs. Pirage. 231 00:10:46,229 --> 00:10:48,857 -Oh, or is it "miss?" -Miss. 232 00:10:48,940 --> 00:10:51,568 Thank you, Miss Pirage. 233 00:10:51,651 --> 00:10:54,905 I'm a man who likes to be precise about small things, 234 00:10:54,988 --> 00:10:57,115 and I would hate to get off to a bad start 235 00:10:57,199 --> 00:10:59,117 by giving you a husband if you don't have one. 236 00:10:59,201 --> 00:11:00,869 When I decide I want one, 237 00:11:00,952 --> 00:11:03,038 I'll remember your generous offer, Mr. Quayle. 238 00:11:03,121 --> 00:11:05,248 [laughter] 239 00:11:05,332 --> 00:11:06,833 Well, thank you, Miss Pirage. 240 00:11:06,917 --> 00:11:09,378 Uh, Mr. Fouchet, 241 00:11:09,461 --> 00:11:12,464 if you arrived home from the police lab one evening 242 00:11:12,547 --> 00:11:14,716 and you found that a water pipe had burst 243 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:17,511 and your whole house was inundated by water, 244 00:11:17,594 --> 00:11:18,887 what would you do? 245 00:11:18,970 --> 00:11:20,097 Call a plumber. 246 00:11:20,180 --> 00:11:21,598 And so would we all, 247 00:11:21,681 --> 00:11:23,850 even queen's counsel, Miss Pirage. 248 00:11:23,934 --> 00:11:25,644 [laughter] 249 00:11:25,727 --> 00:11:28,688 You would not undertake the repairs yourself? 250 00:11:28,772 --> 00:11:30,565 No. 251 00:11:30,649 --> 00:11:33,193 Then you do not feel yourself to be a qualified plumber? 252 00:11:33,276 --> 00:11:34,861 Well, no. 253 00:11:34,945 --> 00:11:37,155 But you do feel qualified to testify about matters 254 00:11:37,239 --> 00:11:39,241 that in the normal course of events 255 00:11:39,324 --> 00:11:42,119 would be dealt with by a qualified plumber? 256 00:11:42,202 --> 00:11:43,829 Well, I-- 257 00:11:43,912 --> 00:11:45,831 No, no, there's no need to answer that, Mr. Fouchet. 258 00:11:45,914 --> 00:11:49,000 There is one other simple point that I would like to clarify. 259 00:11:49,084 --> 00:11:50,877 You testified that a gas jet 260 00:11:50,961 --> 00:11:52,587 had been left burning in the kitchen. 261 00:11:52,671 --> 00:11:54,089 That's right. 262 00:11:54,172 --> 00:11:56,216 But wasn't the central gas main turned off 263 00:11:56,299 --> 00:11:58,009 by the fire brigade in the normal, 264 00:11:58,093 --> 00:11:59,678 routine performance of their duties? 265 00:11:59,761 --> 00:12:01,680 Yes, I suppose it was. 266 00:12:01,763 --> 00:12:04,433 You suppose it was? 267 00:12:04,516 --> 00:12:07,686 But you testified that a jet had been left burning. 268 00:12:07,769 --> 00:12:10,689 Did you see the jet burning in the kitchen? 269 00:12:10,772 --> 00:12:12,649 Well, no, of course not. 270 00:12:12,732 --> 00:12:15,068 We found the valve on the range open afterwards. 271 00:12:15,152 --> 00:12:19,489 So your opinion as to the actual cause of the fire 272 00:12:19,573 --> 00:12:21,450 is merely conjecture, is it not? 273 00:12:21,533 --> 00:12:22,451 Well, yeah, there's-- 274 00:12:22,534 --> 00:12:23,994 Quite right. You see? 275 00:12:24,077 --> 00:12:26,788 It does pay to call in a qualified plumber. 276 00:12:26,872 --> 00:12:28,248 [laughter] 277 00:12:29,499 --> 00:12:31,001 You are dismissed. 278 00:12:35,297 --> 00:12:37,507 If the Crown would care to call her next witness. 279 00:12:39,718 --> 00:12:41,845 The Crown calls Clay McLeod. 280 00:12:46,266 --> 00:12:47,726 Now, Mr. McLeod, 281 00:12:48,268 --> 00:12:49,686 let me direct your attention 282 00:12:49,769 --> 00:12:52,522 to the weekend of May 7th of last year. 283 00:12:53,356 --> 00:12:58,278 That was the weekend before the death of Patricia Harlan. 284 00:12:58,361 --> 00:13:02,073 In the course of your duties, did you observe any, uh, 285 00:13:02,157 --> 00:13:04,993 exchange between the defendant and his wife? 286 00:13:05,076 --> 00:13:06,786 Yeah. I heard 'em fighting. 287 00:13:07,370 --> 00:13:10,415 Fighting? Could you be more specific? 288 00:13:11,249 --> 00:13:12,584 Yeah. 289 00:13:12,667 --> 00:13:13,960 I mean, they were yelling at each other. 290 00:13:14,044 --> 00:13:16,087 I see. 291 00:13:16,171 --> 00:13:18,006 And what was the nature of their dispute? 292 00:13:18,548 --> 00:13:20,425 She wanted a divorce. 293 00:13:20,509 --> 00:13:22,511 And what was the defendant's response? 294 00:13:22,594 --> 00:13:24,054 Oh, he got real hot... 295 00:13:25,805 --> 00:13:27,307 You know, uh, mad. 296 00:13:27,807 --> 00:13:29,976 Can you recall his specific words? 297 00:13:30,685 --> 00:13:33,271 Oh, yeah. I remember 'em real clear. 298 00:13:34,022 --> 00:13:35,398 He said, 299 00:13:36,399 --> 00:13:41,238 "before I give you a divorce, I'll see you dead." 300 00:13:41,321 --> 00:13:43,532 [crowd murmuring] 301 00:13:52,207 --> 00:13:54,251 Is it not true, Mr. McLeod, 302 00:13:54,334 --> 00:13:56,795 that among your many occupations 303 00:13:56,878 --> 00:13:58,755 you are also employed as an auto mechanic? 304 00:14:00,215 --> 00:14:01,925 Yeah. I guess. 305 00:14:02,008 --> 00:14:05,428 Oh, come now, Mr. McLeod. Don't be so modest. 306 00:14:05,512 --> 00:14:08,265 Did you not receive a certificate of completion 307 00:14:08,348 --> 00:14:09,975 for a course in auto mechanics 308 00:14:10,058 --> 00:14:12,727 from the Commonwealth Penitentiary in Calgary? 309 00:14:12,811 --> 00:14:14,688 -Objection. -Sustained. 310 00:14:14,771 --> 00:14:17,357 Please, Mr. Quayle. You know better than that. 311 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:20,443 My apologies, your Lordship. An inadvertent slip. 312 00:14:20,527 --> 00:14:22,779 The jury will disregard any reference 313 00:14:22,862 --> 00:14:24,239 to the commonwealth penitentiary. 314 00:14:24,322 --> 00:14:26,199 Would you say, Mr. McLeod, 315 00:14:26,283 --> 00:14:28,451 that someone trained in auto mechanics 316 00:14:28,535 --> 00:14:30,370 would know how to disconnect the gas line 317 00:14:30,453 --> 00:14:31,997 to a hot water heater? 318 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:34,249 Anybody could do that with a pair of pliers. 319 00:14:34,332 --> 00:14:37,168 And is it not true that the day after Mrs. Harlan's 320 00:14:37,252 --> 00:14:40,046 unfortunate death, you were discharged? 321 00:14:40,130 --> 00:14:42,882 Yeah, there wasn't a lot left for me to look after, was there? 322 00:14:42,966 --> 00:14:45,885 What was the reason given for your dismissal? 323 00:14:48,471 --> 00:14:51,725 They said that, uh, some stuff was missing. 324 00:14:51,808 --> 00:14:54,227 -It wasn't. -You were discharged for theft? 325 00:14:54,311 --> 00:14:55,854 That's a lie! 326 00:14:55,937 --> 00:14:57,397 They were just trying to make trouble for me. 327 00:14:57,480 --> 00:14:59,399 I... I was about to ask 328 00:14:59,482 --> 00:15:02,569 if you had any feelings of bitterness or hostility 329 00:15:02,652 --> 00:15:03,945 toward the Harlan family, 330 00:15:04,446 --> 00:15:06,656 but it would appear that you have 331 00:15:06,740 --> 00:15:09,451 told us about that already. 332 00:15:11,661 --> 00:15:12,954 Uh, no further questions. 333 00:15:20,295 --> 00:15:24,507 The almost total destruction of the cadaver by fire 334 00:15:24,591 --> 00:15:26,885 made the postmortem very difficult. 335 00:15:27,469 --> 00:15:30,013 In fact, there wasn't enough left of the body 336 00:15:30,096 --> 00:15:32,432 to fill a large plastic bag. 337 00:15:32,766 --> 00:15:35,435 Uh, as you know, identification was only made 338 00:15:35,518 --> 00:15:36,936 by the jewelry recovered. 339 00:15:37,020 --> 00:15:38,563 Yes, Dr. Cornwall, 340 00:15:38,647 --> 00:15:40,398 the engraved wedding band and the engagement ring 341 00:15:40,482 --> 00:15:42,025 have already been introduced into evidence. 342 00:15:42,108 --> 00:15:44,194 But to return to the postmortem. 343 00:15:44,653 --> 00:15:46,780 Were you able to determine cause of death? 344 00:15:46,863 --> 00:15:48,490 Clinically, there was very little 345 00:15:48,573 --> 00:15:49,824 left to go on, other than-- 346 00:15:49,908 --> 00:15:52,827 But wasn't there something unusual 347 00:15:52,911 --> 00:15:54,913 about the victim's skull? 348 00:15:55,288 --> 00:15:56,748 Yes. Quite right. 349 00:15:56,831 --> 00:15:59,250 The skull, or what remained of it, 350 00:15:59,501 --> 00:16:03,046 Showed a massive fracture of the frontal lobe. 351 00:16:03,546 --> 00:16:05,965 Consistent with a blow from a heavy instrument? 352 00:16:06,049 --> 00:16:07,092 Yes. 353 00:16:08,510 --> 00:16:11,680 Is it your opinion that such a blow would be fatal? 354 00:16:11,763 --> 00:16:13,264 Yes. Quite fatal. 355 00:16:13,348 --> 00:16:15,517 Then what is your expert opinion? 356 00:16:16,226 --> 00:16:19,354 Did the victim die from the fire... 357 00:16:21,481 --> 00:16:22,941 or from the blow to the head? 358 00:16:24,150 --> 00:16:25,276 No question about it. 359 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:26,695 She died from a blow to the head. 360 00:16:26,778 --> 00:16:28,488 [crowd murmuring] 361 00:16:33,326 --> 00:16:34,911 -Barnaby! -Yes, Sir? 362 00:16:34,994 --> 00:16:37,372 Get me that list of doctors! 363 00:16:37,580 --> 00:16:40,125 Who was that fellow we used in the rucklehouse murder? 364 00:16:40,208 --> 00:16:41,501 Dr. Ashcroft. 365 00:16:41,584 --> 00:16:42,961 But he's testifying in Vancouver. 366 00:16:43,044 --> 00:16:44,629 What about Snidden? 367 00:16:44,713 --> 00:16:46,798 His medical license was revoked last month. 368 00:16:46,881 --> 00:16:49,384 Well, don't just stand there. 369 00:16:49,467 --> 00:16:50,927 Bring me the list! 370 00:16:51,386 --> 00:16:52,429 Excuse me. 371 00:16:59,728 --> 00:17:01,396 I do realize that 372 00:17:01,479 --> 00:17:04,399 you probably have a great deal on your mind, Mr. Quayle, 373 00:17:04,482 --> 00:17:06,276 but it does seem to me 374 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:09,112 that Patricia was dead before the fire started. 375 00:17:09,195 --> 00:17:11,614 Do you have some medical qualifications 376 00:17:11,698 --> 00:17:13,867 of which we are not aware, Mrs. Fletcher? 377 00:17:13,950 --> 00:17:17,036 Oh, no, no, it's just a matter of common sense. 378 00:17:17,412 --> 00:17:19,122 I mean, it must have taken quite some time 379 00:17:19,205 --> 00:17:20,915 for the escaping gas from the basement 380 00:17:20,999 --> 00:17:22,542 to have reached the open flame in the kitchen. 381 00:17:23,084 --> 00:17:26,379 If Patricia were alive or conscious, 382 00:17:26,463 --> 00:17:29,466 she would have smelled the gas, don't you think? 383 00:17:29,549 --> 00:17:32,218 The Crown must prove that she didn't die in that fire. 384 00:17:32,302 --> 00:17:34,596 It's not a matter of proof. It's a matter of logic. 385 00:17:34,679 --> 00:17:37,849 Madam, there are many ways to defend a murder charge. 386 00:17:37,932 --> 00:17:39,642 I happen to have chosen the one 387 00:17:39,726 --> 00:17:41,728 that I deem most likely to succeed. 388 00:17:42,604 --> 00:17:45,190 Your ex on line one, Mr. Quayle. 389 00:17:45,273 --> 00:17:47,150 Oh, Dierdre. 390 00:17:48,234 --> 00:17:50,528 Ruth! Ruth, my dear. 391 00:17:50,612 --> 00:17:53,448 Yes, how lovely to hear your voice. 392 00:17:53,531 --> 00:17:56,242 Where are you? Maui? 393 00:17:57,702 --> 00:17:59,287 Quayle's pretty sharp, isn't he? 394 00:17:59,370 --> 00:18:00,997 Oh, he is clever, 395 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:03,249 but I am not at all sure that he is on the right track. 396 00:18:03,333 --> 00:18:07,295 I mean, if Patricia did die before the fire started... 397 00:18:07,378 --> 00:18:11,174 well, you may need to establish your whereabouts 398 00:18:11,257 --> 00:18:12,926 between the time that you dropped me 399 00:18:13,009 --> 00:18:14,719 and the time that you returned for dinner. 400 00:18:14,803 --> 00:18:17,889 Well, you remember, Jessica. I took Monica to the airport. 401 00:18:17,972 --> 00:18:19,599 Exactly. 402 00:18:20,141 --> 00:18:22,602 Monica Blane may be able to help establish 403 00:18:22,685 --> 00:18:24,604 where you were before... 404 00:18:24,687 --> 00:18:26,105 well, before the fire started. 405 00:18:26,189 --> 00:18:28,441 Yes, but Monica seems to have disappeared. 406 00:18:28,525 --> 00:18:30,151 Nobody has been able to make contact with her 407 00:18:30,235 --> 00:18:31,486 since I left her at the airport. 408 00:18:33,154 --> 00:18:35,573 Mr. Quayle, the last thing in the world 409 00:18:35,657 --> 00:18:37,325 that I would want to do is to run your defense, 410 00:18:37,408 --> 00:18:41,496 but have you made any attempt to contact Monica Blane? 411 00:18:41,579 --> 00:18:44,290 I shall not require your assistance, madam. 412 00:18:44,374 --> 00:18:45,792 In fact, I have decided 413 00:18:45,875 --> 00:18:47,669 that your testimony will not be needed. 414 00:18:47,752 --> 00:18:50,338 Barnaby here will reimburse you for any expenses incurred. 415 00:18:50,839 --> 00:18:54,801 Have a pleasant journey back to Maine, Mrs. Fletcher. 416 00:19:03,852 --> 00:19:07,063 Jessica, I have no idea why he changed his mind. 417 00:19:07,146 --> 00:19:08,773 Well, I'm very confused myself. 418 00:19:08,857 --> 00:19:12,235 I mean, I was hustled up here to appear on your behalf 419 00:19:12,318 --> 00:19:14,153 and then summarily given my walking papers. 420 00:19:14,237 --> 00:19:15,780 I don't know. 421 00:19:15,864 --> 00:19:17,365 Mother says that Quayle knows what he's doing. 422 00:19:17,448 --> 00:19:20,285 Well, I hope so. For your sake. 423 00:19:20,368 --> 00:19:22,787 But he seems to be hanging his entire defense 424 00:19:22,871 --> 00:19:25,456 on the theory that Patricia's death was accidental. 425 00:19:25,999 --> 00:19:27,917 Don't you think that the jury will buy that? 426 00:19:28,001 --> 00:19:30,420 But the jury heard what I heard 427 00:19:30,503 --> 00:19:31,838 the testimony of the gardener. 428 00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:38,720 She had been going through a lot of money. 429 00:19:39,429 --> 00:19:41,890 Mother tried to warn me about it, of course. 430 00:19:41,973 --> 00:19:43,892 Not that I really cared about the money, 431 00:19:43,975 --> 00:19:46,394 but Patricia refused to account for it. 432 00:19:47,562 --> 00:19:50,273 We both said some things that we didn't mean. 433 00:19:51,149 --> 00:19:52,609 I didn't threaten her. 434 00:19:53,109 --> 00:19:54,694 I would never have hurt her. I loved her. 435 00:19:54,777 --> 00:19:57,280 Well, in that case, the gardener is lying. 436 00:19:57,363 --> 00:19:58,990 The question is, why? 437 00:20:08,458 --> 00:20:09,500 Thank you. 438 00:20:11,127 --> 00:20:13,254 [in a singsong voice] Hello, Mr. McLeod? 439 00:20:14,005 --> 00:20:15,590 Hello there. 440 00:20:15,673 --> 00:20:17,425 My name is Jessica Fletcher, and I'm from Cabot Cove. 441 00:20:17,508 --> 00:20:18,968 That's in Maine. 442 00:20:19,052 --> 00:20:20,511 Oh, yeah. I remember you. 443 00:20:20,595 --> 00:20:22,305 You were staying at the Harlans' place 444 00:20:22,388 --> 00:20:23,806 a couple months back. 445 00:20:23,890 --> 00:20:25,266 You're some sort of writer or something? 446 00:20:25,350 --> 00:20:27,143 Oh, well, nothing important, really. 447 00:20:27,226 --> 00:20:29,187 I mean, mostly things that I type up at the kitchen table. 448 00:20:29,270 --> 00:20:31,189 But the editor of The Cabot Cove Gazette 449 00:20:31,272 --> 00:20:33,608 has promised to print something of mine 450 00:20:33,691 --> 00:20:35,401 if it is interesting. 451 00:20:35,485 --> 00:20:36,945 Uh-huh. 452 00:20:37,028 --> 00:20:38,154 You mean, sort of like a reporter. 453 00:20:38,237 --> 00:20:39,864 Well, not official, really. 454 00:20:39,948 --> 00:20:42,575 I mean, I do know the family... casually, of course. 455 00:20:42,659 --> 00:20:45,620 Um, reporters call that "background." 456 00:20:45,703 --> 00:20:47,789 But I thought I could start off by taking a few notes. 457 00:20:47,872 --> 00:20:48,831 You know, about the accident. 458 00:20:48,915 --> 00:20:51,084 [chuckles] 459 00:20:51,167 --> 00:20:53,252 Only a fool would think that was an accident. 460 00:20:53,336 --> 00:20:56,089 Oh? But the family says-- 461 00:20:56,172 --> 00:20:57,715 Yeah, well... 462 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:00,885 Look, I need a beer. You want to come inside? 463 00:21:05,431 --> 00:21:06,432 [sighs] 464 00:21:07,976 --> 00:21:09,727 You want a beer? 465 00:21:09,811 --> 00:21:12,480 Oh, thank you very much, but I don't think I'd better. 466 00:21:14,607 --> 00:21:16,609 I went out to the house. 467 00:21:16,693 --> 00:21:18,236 I think it's so important when you're writing 468 00:21:18,319 --> 00:21:20,613 to establish the feel of a place... 469 00:21:20,697 --> 00:21:23,199 Colors, textures, you know, set the scene. 470 00:21:23,783 --> 00:21:26,119 There was nothing much left but ashes. 471 00:21:27,078 --> 00:21:29,998 Lady, I'm sorry. There's nothing I can tell you. 472 00:21:30,081 --> 00:21:31,290 You know, I thought your testimony 473 00:21:31,374 --> 00:21:33,251 was so interesting. 474 00:21:33,334 --> 00:21:35,878 I got the impression that more was going on 475 00:21:35,962 --> 00:21:37,255 than what the family had told me. 476 00:21:37,338 --> 00:21:38,923 [chuckles] 477 00:21:39,007 --> 00:21:42,218 I mean, Jim Harlan is such a refined young man. 478 00:21:42,301 --> 00:21:45,096 But you know what they say about still waters running deep. 479 00:21:45,179 --> 00:21:47,306 He's one of those rich wimps. 480 00:21:47,390 --> 00:21:49,434 Wimps? 481 00:21:49,517 --> 00:21:52,061 Yeah, his wife was more woman than he could handle. 482 00:21:52,145 --> 00:21:53,938 Oh, well, I don't suppose 483 00:21:54,022 --> 00:21:55,690 The Cabot Cove Gazette would want to print that. 484 00:21:57,608 --> 00:22:00,153 Do you think that he actually murdered her 485 00:22:00,236 --> 00:22:02,780 and then set the fire to cover it up? 486 00:22:02,864 --> 00:22:04,615 All I know is, 487 00:22:05,366 --> 00:22:06,993 she was dead before the fire started. 488 00:22:07,076 --> 00:22:09,162 Oh, but how do you know that? 489 00:22:10,163 --> 00:22:14,000 Unless you actually saw him murder her. 490 00:22:14,083 --> 00:22:17,754 I didn't see him do it, but I'll tell you something. 491 00:22:19,213 --> 00:22:22,216 I went back there to get some wages that they owed me. 492 00:22:24,302 --> 00:22:26,220 I looked in the window, 493 00:22:27,513 --> 00:22:29,974 and I saw her laying on the floor. 494 00:22:30,641 --> 00:22:32,101 Oh, my goodness. 495 00:22:32,185 --> 00:22:33,561 You mean, you saw her dead on the floor? 496 00:22:33,644 --> 00:22:35,521 Oh, I think I would have fainted. 497 00:22:36,230 --> 00:22:38,149 But didn't you call the police? 498 00:22:38,232 --> 00:22:40,443 Lady, I stay pretty clear of the police. 499 00:22:40,526 --> 00:22:42,278 Matter of fact, if anybody asked me, 500 00:22:42,361 --> 00:22:44,072 I'd deny what I just told you. 501 00:22:44,155 --> 00:22:46,991 Oh, the girls in Cabot Cove are never gonna believe 502 00:22:47,075 --> 00:22:49,118 that I actually talked to the man 503 00:22:49,202 --> 00:22:51,788 who actually saw a dead body. 504 00:22:53,873 --> 00:22:56,292 Yes, doctor, I believe you testified 505 00:22:56,375 --> 00:22:59,545 there is no clinical evidence to determine the time of death. 506 00:22:59,629 --> 00:23:01,422 Is that right? 507 00:23:01,506 --> 00:23:03,216 Well, the fire had almost totally consumed the remains-- 508 00:23:03,299 --> 00:23:04,967 Yes, so you said. 509 00:23:05,051 --> 00:23:06,719 You also testified that her skull was damaged. 510 00:23:06,803 --> 00:23:07,762 That's correct. 511 00:23:07,845 --> 00:23:09,222 Isn't it possible 512 00:23:09,305 --> 00:23:10,515 that the skull could have been crushed 513 00:23:10,598 --> 00:23:12,850 by a falling beam during the fire? 514 00:23:13,226 --> 00:23:14,769 Oh, come now, doctor. 515 00:23:14,852 --> 00:23:17,021 Isn't it most likely that the skull was crushed 516 00:23:17,105 --> 00:23:20,399 by the heavy beams in the roof when they collapsed 517 00:23:20,483 --> 00:23:21,692 during the conflagration? 518 00:23:21,776 --> 00:23:23,486 Yes, I suppose it's possible. 519 00:23:23,569 --> 00:23:27,323 Thank you, Dr. Cornwall. You are excused. 520 00:23:28,783 --> 00:23:30,910 The Crown calls Nathan Klebber. 521 00:23:31,744 --> 00:23:34,914 Now, Mr. Klebber, you are the owner and operator 522 00:23:34,997 --> 00:23:37,083 of the Blue Sky Motel 523 00:23:37,166 --> 00:23:38,918 on Aviation Boulevard, near the airport? 524 00:23:39,001 --> 00:23:40,461 I am. 525 00:23:40,545 --> 00:23:43,506 On May 14 of last year, did you rent a room 526 00:23:43,589 --> 00:23:46,008 to an attractive blonde woman in her early 30s? 527 00:23:46,092 --> 00:23:47,301 I did. 528 00:23:47,385 --> 00:23:49,762 I punched the card at 6:53 p.m. 529 00:23:49,846 --> 00:23:52,640 with everybody traveling, sometimes we, uh, 530 00:23:52,723 --> 00:23:54,100 rent by the hour. 531 00:23:54,183 --> 00:23:55,935 Mm-hmm. Yes. 532 00:23:56,018 --> 00:23:59,897 And what name did she give on the registration card? 533 00:23:59,981 --> 00:24:02,525 Monica Blane from Phoenix, Arizona. 534 00:24:02,608 --> 00:24:04,360 At least, that's the name she put down. 535 00:24:05,236 --> 00:24:06,529 Was she alone? 536 00:24:06,612 --> 00:24:08,364 She came into the office alone, 537 00:24:08,447 --> 00:24:09,532 but there was a man with her. 538 00:24:09,615 --> 00:24:11,367 I seen him. 539 00:24:11,450 --> 00:24:14,704 And how long did Monica Blane and her companion stay? 540 00:24:14,787 --> 00:24:16,622 Don't rightly know. 541 00:24:16,706 --> 00:24:18,583 She paid in advance. Cash. 542 00:24:20,042 --> 00:24:24,630 This, uh, gentleman companion of Monica Blane's... 543 00:24:24,714 --> 00:24:25,798 did you get a good look at him? 544 00:24:25,882 --> 00:24:27,133 Sure did. 545 00:24:27,633 --> 00:24:30,386 Do you see him anywhere here in the courtroom? 546 00:24:30,469 --> 00:24:32,305 That's him sitting right there. 547 00:24:32,388 --> 00:24:34,223 [crowd murmuring] 548 00:24:36,017 --> 00:24:38,144 Let the record show the witness identified 549 00:24:38,227 --> 00:24:39,604 the defendant, James Harlan. 550 00:24:41,063 --> 00:24:42,148 Cross-examine, Mr. Quayle? 551 00:24:43,482 --> 00:24:45,151 If your Lordship would permit me 552 00:24:45,234 --> 00:24:47,445 to cross-examine at a later time. 553 00:24:47,862 --> 00:24:50,865 I see no problem with that, Mr. Quayle. 554 00:24:50,948 --> 00:24:53,576 Does the Crown wish to call any further witnesses? 555 00:24:53,993 --> 00:24:55,995 The Crown calls Jessica Fletcher. 556 00:25:06,047 --> 00:25:09,717 Mrs. Fletcher, at what time did you, 557 00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:12,386 the defendant, and Monica Blane leave the country house? 558 00:25:12,470 --> 00:25:14,513 It was just before 6:00 in the evening. 559 00:25:14,597 --> 00:25:17,058 And the decedent, Patricia Harlan, 560 00:25:17,141 --> 00:25:19,018 remained at the country house when you left? 561 00:25:19,101 --> 00:25:21,646 -She had a hair appointment. -I see. 562 00:25:21,729 --> 00:25:24,899 So you, the defendant, and Monica Blane 563 00:25:24,982 --> 00:25:27,318 left her there and proceeded by car 564 00:25:27,401 --> 00:25:28,569 to the Harlan Townhouse? 565 00:25:28,653 --> 00:25:30,112 Yes, they dropped me there. 566 00:25:30,196 --> 00:25:32,073 We were all having dinner together later. 567 00:25:32,156 --> 00:25:34,867 Not Miss Blane, but Patricia was planning to join us 568 00:25:34,951 --> 00:25:36,035 after her hair appointment. 569 00:25:36,118 --> 00:25:37,495 I see. 570 00:25:37,578 --> 00:25:41,249 And what time did they drop you off? 571 00:25:42,041 --> 00:25:43,918 Just after 6:30. 572 00:25:44,377 --> 00:25:48,130 And the defendant and Monica Blane proceeded on? 573 00:25:48,214 --> 00:25:50,258 Yes, Jim took her to the airport. 574 00:25:50,341 --> 00:25:54,220 So there was a period of approximately two hours, 575 00:25:54,303 --> 00:25:57,348 between 6:30 and 8:30, 576 00:25:57,765 --> 00:26:01,227 when you have no knowledge of James Harlan's movements? 577 00:26:02,478 --> 00:26:04,605 Well, yes. Yes, that is true. 578 00:26:05,982 --> 00:26:07,650 Two hours. 579 00:26:08,526 --> 00:26:12,154 Plenty of time for the defendant to return to the country house, 580 00:26:12,238 --> 00:26:15,032 murder his wife, and get back to the city for dinner. 581 00:26:15,116 --> 00:26:16,409 Objection! 582 00:26:16,492 --> 00:26:18,327 The question calls for a conclusion 583 00:26:18,411 --> 00:26:20,579 and supposes facts that are not in evidence. 584 00:26:20,663 --> 00:26:22,164 Sustained. 585 00:26:22,248 --> 00:26:23,916 No further questions. 586 00:26:25,209 --> 00:26:26,794 Mrs. Fletcher, 587 00:26:27,211 --> 00:26:31,340 have you ever used the alias "J.B. Fletcher?" 588 00:26:31,424 --> 00:26:33,926 Yes, on my books. They're my initials. 589 00:26:34,010 --> 00:26:35,845 So you admit that you are a writer? 590 00:26:36,595 --> 00:26:38,514 Well, I've never felt any need to deny it, 591 00:26:38,597 --> 00:26:41,225 at least, uh, not so far. 592 00:26:41,851 --> 00:26:43,519 And it was in the guise of a writer 593 00:26:43,602 --> 00:26:45,062 that you wheedled your way 594 00:26:45,146 --> 00:26:46,814 into the confidence of the Harlan family? 595 00:26:46,897 --> 00:26:48,691 Wheedled? 596 00:26:48,774 --> 00:26:50,609 Do you deny that the plot for your next book was stolen 597 00:26:50,693 --> 00:26:53,195 from an unpublished manuscript by James Harlan? 598 00:26:53,279 --> 00:26:55,156 I certainly do. 599 00:26:55,239 --> 00:26:58,451 That is a matter we will leave for the civil courts to decide. 600 00:26:58,743 --> 00:27:01,620 Mrs. J.B. Fletcher, 601 00:27:01,704 --> 00:27:05,416 have you any recollection of being committed 602 00:27:05,499 --> 00:27:09,837 to the State of Maine Institute for the Criminally Insane 603 00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:14,300 between the months of May and July in the year 1985? 604 00:27:14,383 --> 00:27:17,094 -Objection! -Sustained. 605 00:27:17,178 --> 00:27:19,013 I was never committed anywhere. 606 00:27:19,096 --> 00:27:21,140 I entered the institution voluntarily. 607 00:27:21,223 --> 00:27:23,893 Under the care of Dr. Sidney Bachmann, 608 00:27:23,976 --> 00:27:27,104 who is a specialist in the field of Criminal Psychosis? 609 00:27:27,188 --> 00:27:29,023 Yes. I was researching a book. 610 00:27:29,106 --> 00:27:31,901 Indeed? What a perfect subterfuge. 611 00:27:31,984 --> 00:27:34,111 The book was called Sanitarium of Death. 612 00:27:34,195 --> 00:27:36,364 It was dedicated to Dr. Bachmann. 613 00:27:36,447 --> 00:27:38,157 Out of gratitude, no doubt, 614 00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:39,742 for the excellent care you received. 615 00:27:39,825 --> 00:27:41,285 Your Lordship, I must protest. 616 00:27:41,994 --> 00:27:45,247 Mr. Quayle is attempting to smear with innuendo 617 00:27:45,331 --> 00:27:48,209 a woman of impeccable reputation and character 618 00:27:48,292 --> 00:27:50,878 who comes from a respected family in New England. 619 00:27:50,961 --> 00:27:53,839 Mr. Quayle, I must admonish you 620 00:27:53,923 --> 00:27:57,718 to refrain from vague suggestions and innuendo. 621 00:27:57,802 --> 00:27:59,553 My apologies, your Lordship, 622 00:27:59,637 --> 00:28:02,390 if my line of questioning was not quite clear. 623 00:28:02,473 --> 00:28:05,226 I will now concentrate on the facts. 624 00:28:05,309 --> 00:28:08,312 Is it not a fact, Mrs. Fletcher, 625 00:28:08,396 --> 00:28:10,564 that a niece of yours, Victoria Griffin, 626 00:28:10,648 --> 00:28:12,441 was arrested for murder last year? 627 00:28:12,525 --> 00:28:13,901 Yes, but-- 628 00:28:13,984 --> 00:28:15,611 Is it not a fact that another niece, 629 00:28:15,694 --> 00:28:18,114 Tracy McGill, was also arrested for murder? 630 00:28:18,197 --> 00:28:19,615 Yes, but I can explain. 631 00:28:19,698 --> 00:28:21,534 And that your nephew, Grady Fletcher, 632 00:28:21,617 --> 00:28:23,577 was arrested not once but twice. 633 00:28:23,661 --> 00:28:24,995 Yes, I know how that must seem-- 634 00:28:25,079 --> 00:28:26,122 Also on a charge of homicide? "Seems?" 635 00:28:26,205 --> 00:28:27,748 Madam, it seems 636 00:28:27,832 --> 00:28:30,084 that one of New England's most respected families 637 00:28:30,167 --> 00:28:32,378 is a breeding ground for homicidal maniacs! 638 00:28:32,461 --> 00:28:34,588 The charges were dropped 639 00:28:34,672 --> 00:28:36,298 in every single one of those cases. 640 00:28:36,382 --> 00:28:37,675 "Dropped?" 641 00:28:37,758 --> 00:28:39,260 Oh, yes, then indeed, you must also be 642 00:28:39,343 --> 00:28:42,555 one of the most powerful families in your country. 643 00:28:42,638 --> 00:28:44,014 I have no further questions. 644 00:28:44,098 --> 00:28:45,808 They were innocent. 645 00:28:45,891 --> 00:28:48,519 Oh, I'm quite sure they were. You are dismissed, madam. 646 00:28:50,187 --> 00:28:51,480 Your Lordship-- 647 00:28:51,564 --> 00:28:53,941 You may step down, Mrs. Fletcher. 648 00:28:58,112 --> 00:29:00,656 Judge Valentine, please come to your chambers. 649 00:29:00,739 --> 00:29:02,533 [speaking French] 650 00:29:04,410 --> 00:29:06,120 Miss Doris Perry, please report 651 00:29:06,203 --> 00:29:07,955 to the superior court number two. 652 00:29:08,038 --> 00:29:09,331 [french] 653 00:29:09,415 --> 00:29:10,499 Whew. 654 00:29:10,583 --> 00:29:11,625 [chuckles] 655 00:29:11,709 --> 00:29:12,877 I know. 656 00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:14,879 It's like being mugged. 657 00:29:14,962 --> 00:29:17,923 Is that kind of character assassination legal? 658 00:29:18,007 --> 00:29:21,343 Not very, but it's what Oliver Quayle does best. 659 00:29:21,427 --> 00:29:24,472 I'm no expert, but I thought I noticed you landing 660 00:29:24,555 --> 00:29:26,265 one or two low blows yourself. 661 00:29:26,891 --> 00:29:29,435 When a girl steps into the alley to Duke it out 662 00:29:29,518 --> 00:29:31,312 with the great Oliver Quayle, 663 00:29:31,395 --> 00:29:33,772 she better have a set of brass knuckles in her glove. 664 00:29:35,065 --> 00:29:37,109 Miss Pirage, maybe I shouldn't even ask you this, 665 00:29:37,193 --> 00:29:41,113 but do you really believe that Jim Harlan murdered his wife? 666 00:29:43,741 --> 00:29:45,868 I'll tell you what I intend to prove 667 00:29:46,118 --> 00:29:49,246 that James Harlan conspired with Monica Blane 668 00:29:49,330 --> 00:29:51,290 to murder Patricia Harlan. 669 00:29:52,500 --> 00:29:55,794 Then you think that Jim went back, killed Patricia, 670 00:29:55,878 --> 00:29:58,631 and Monica Blane set the fire later 671 00:29:58,714 --> 00:29:59,673 so that he'd have an alibi? 672 00:29:59,757 --> 00:30:01,217 [chuckles] 673 00:30:01,300 --> 00:30:03,052 You'd make a good lawyer. 674 00:30:04,803 --> 00:30:07,556 Well, out of curiosity, where is Monica Blane? 675 00:30:07,640 --> 00:30:09,183 Good question. 676 00:30:09,266 --> 00:30:10,851 We've been trying to find her for months. 677 00:30:14,230 --> 00:30:15,814 Jim, you asked for my help. 678 00:30:15,898 --> 00:30:17,816 I want to help, but at every turn 679 00:30:17,900 --> 00:30:20,986 something pops up that you haven't told me. 680 00:30:22,071 --> 00:30:23,405 What would you like to know? 681 00:30:23,489 --> 00:30:25,908 The truth about you and Patricia. 682 00:30:25,991 --> 00:30:27,493 All right. 683 00:30:28,577 --> 00:30:30,037 We tried to keep up appearances, 684 00:30:30,120 --> 00:30:33,123 but our marriage was sinking fast. 685 00:30:33,666 --> 00:30:35,376 She went through money like you wouldn't believe. 686 00:30:35,459 --> 00:30:38,295 Even on the day she died, she took out 20,000 cash. 687 00:30:38,379 --> 00:30:40,839 Cash? Was it ever found? 688 00:30:40,923 --> 00:30:42,424 No. 689 00:30:42,508 --> 00:30:44,093 It must have gone up in smoke in the fire. 690 00:30:44,885 --> 00:30:46,220 Tell me about this business 691 00:30:46,303 --> 00:30:48,556 with you and Monica Blane at the motel. 692 00:30:48,639 --> 00:30:50,140 Is that true? 693 00:30:50,224 --> 00:30:51,517 It's not something that I'm very proud of, 694 00:30:51,600 --> 00:30:54,812 but yes, it happened, okay? 695 00:30:55,312 --> 00:30:56,897 And what time did you leave the motel? 696 00:30:56,981 --> 00:30:59,483 8:00, just in time to get back to the house for dinner. 697 00:31:00,192 --> 00:31:02,444 Monica took a taxi to catch her flight. 698 00:31:03,821 --> 00:31:05,447 I guess it's not a very pretty picture. 699 00:31:05,531 --> 00:31:07,616 You can see why I didn't want to tell anyone about it. 700 00:31:08,325 --> 00:31:09,535 I agree. 701 00:31:09,618 --> 00:31:12,037 It certainly won't endear you to the jury, 702 00:31:12,121 --> 00:31:15,082 but at least Monica Blane can give you an alibi. 703 00:31:15,624 --> 00:31:17,334 If anybody can find her. 704 00:31:20,504 --> 00:31:21,797 [knocking at door] 705 00:31:29,096 --> 00:31:29,930 Judith. 706 00:31:30,431 --> 00:31:32,182 Please forgive this late hour, 707 00:31:32,266 --> 00:31:34,643 but I wonder if I could speak to you for a few minutes. 708 00:31:34,727 --> 00:31:36,854 -Yes, of course. Come on in. -Thank you. 709 00:31:39,732 --> 00:31:42,776 I always felt the mark of good breeding 710 00:31:42,860 --> 00:31:45,821 was good manners, so I simply must apologize 711 00:31:45,904 --> 00:31:48,699 for the vicious way that Jim's attorney attacked you. 712 00:31:49,241 --> 00:31:50,868 I mean, it was unconscionable. 713 00:31:50,951 --> 00:31:54,079 [chuckles] Well, I suppose that's what he's paid to do, 714 00:31:54,163 --> 00:31:56,665 and very handsomely, from what I can see. 715 00:31:56,749 --> 00:31:58,751 I wouldn't want you to leave Quebec 716 00:31:58,834 --> 00:32:01,045 harboring any ill feelings. 717 00:32:01,128 --> 00:32:03,088 Well, I hadn't planned to leave. 718 00:32:03,797 --> 00:32:06,008 I think it would be best for Jim if you did-- 719 00:32:06,634 --> 00:32:07,635 Immediately. 720 00:32:09,428 --> 00:32:11,013 Jim told you about our conversation today, 721 00:32:11,096 --> 00:32:12,640 didn't he? 722 00:32:12,723 --> 00:32:15,059 Of course he did, otherwise you wouldn't be here. 723 00:32:15,142 --> 00:32:17,353 I wonder why I get the feeling, Judith, that... 724 00:32:17,436 --> 00:32:18,604 That you're Pulling the strings. 725 00:32:19,647 --> 00:32:23,233 Jim is... is all I have left, Jessica. 726 00:32:23,525 --> 00:32:26,445 I would do anything to protect him. 727 00:32:26,528 --> 00:32:29,198 This whole trial must be an agony for you. 728 00:32:30,115 --> 00:32:33,869 I admit I was very upset when Jim and Patricia eloped. 729 00:32:34,203 --> 00:32:36,705 After all, he'd only known her a few weeks. 730 00:32:38,082 --> 00:32:40,793 Perhaps it was mothers' instinct or whatever, 731 00:32:40,876 --> 00:32:43,295 but I hired a private investigator. 732 00:32:44,046 --> 00:32:45,673 I got my money's worth. 733 00:32:46,799 --> 00:32:50,761 He found out that Patricia had spent a year in jail in Arizona 734 00:32:51,345 --> 00:32:54,056 for embezzling funds from the bank where she worked. 735 00:32:55,224 --> 00:32:56,892 I also learned that she was nothing more 736 00:32:56,975 --> 00:33:00,312 than a common Las Vegas showgirl when he met her. 737 00:33:00,396 --> 00:33:01,939 And her friend, Monica Blane? 738 00:33:03,399 --> 00:33:06,694 I can guess. They weren't schoolmates. 739 00:33:06,777 --> 00:33:08,987 They were in jail together, right? 740 00:33:09,613 --> 00:33:11,699 I see you have good instincts too. 741 00:33:12,533 --> 00:33:14,368 So that's where all the money went. 742 00:33:14,451 --> 00:33:17,496 -Monica was blackmailing her. -Evidently. 743 00:33:18,038 --> 00:33:21,125 At any rate, after all this happened, 744 00:33:21,208 --> 00:33:24,211 I paid Monica a great deal of money to disappear. 745 00:33:24,294 --> 00:33:27,381 I didn't want any of this sordid business to come out. 746 00:33:27,464 --> 00:33:29,800 And you gave her the money yourself 747 00:33:29,883 --> 00:33:31,885 after Patricia died? 748 00:33:31,969 --> 00:33:34,304 No, no, it was through an intermediary, 749 00:33:34,388 --> 00:33:36,432 the private investigator. 750 00:33:36,515 --> 00:33:38,475 Judith, 751 00:33:38,559 --> 00:33:42,020 has Jim ever admitted to you that he murdered Patricia? 752 00:33:43,230 --> 00:33:45,482 No. No, he denies it. 753 00:33:46,108 --> 00:33:48,026 I am his mother, 754 00:33:48,110 --> 00:33:50,571 and as long as he continues to deny it, 755 00:33:51,029 --> 00:33:53,198 I'll continue to believe him. 756 00:33:57,661 --> 00:34:00,664 Good morning, Barnaby. I'd like to see Mr. Quayle. 757 00:34:00,748 --> 00:34:02,082 Oh, Mrs. Fletcher, my goodness. 758 00:34:02,166 --> 00:34:03,250 We all thought you'd gone back to Maine. 759 00:34:03,333 --> 00:34:04,793 Well, there's a little matter 760 00:34:04,877 --> 00:34:06,503 I'd like to discuss with the great man first. 761 00:34:06,587 --> 00:34:08,046 I do hope you realize there was nothing personal 762 00:34:08,130 --> 00:34:09,757 in Mr. Quayle's cross-examination. 763 00:34:09,840 --> 00:34:12,301 On the contrary, I thought it was all very personal. 764 00:34:12,384 --> 00:34:13,719 Is he in there? 765 00:34:13,802 --> 00:34:16,305 Uh, no, no. I'm afraid he's not here. 766 00:34:16,388 --> 00:34:17,681 Really, Mrs. Fletcher, you must understand 767 00:34:17,765 --> 00:34:19,391 it's all tactics. 768 00:34:19,475 --> 00:34:20,476 Is there something I could do? 769 00:34:20,559 --> 00:34:24,104 No, no, I don't think so. 770 00:34:24,188 --> 00:34:27,441 I mean, I don't suppose that you would have the authority 771 00:34:27,524 --> 00:34:30,819 to show me the, uh, police report. 772 00:34:31,445 --> 00:34:35,616 I have more authority than most people suppose. 773 00:34:35,699 --> 00:34:38,243 I am, after all, his assistant. 774 00:34:39,745 --> 00:34:41,246 What were you curious about? 775 00:34:41,330 --> 00:34:44,291 Well, I'm not exactly sure. 776 00:34:44,374 --> 00:34:46,418 I guess that I'm not quite clear 777 00:34:46,502 --> 00:34:49,129 as to how you identified the body. 778 00:34:49,213 --> 00:34:53,509 I mean, uh, I wonder if you checked that closely. 779 00:34:53,592 --> 00:34:54,968 Let me assure you, 780 00:34:55,052 --> 00:34:57,346 nothing escapes Mr. Quayle's attention, 781 00:34:57,429 --> 00:34:58,847 or mine. 782 00:35:01,809 --> 00:35:04,853 Her initials, and Mr. Harlan's, 783 00:35:05,145 --> 00:35:07,105 were engraved on the inside of the wedding ring 784 00:35:07,189 --> 00:35:08,690 and the engagement ring. 785 00:35:08,774 --> 00:35:10,150 Five karats. 786 00:35:10,234 --> 00:35:11,902 That's funny. 787 00:35:11,985 --> 00:35:14,029 Where's the diamond brooch that she was wearing? 788 00:35:14,112 --> 00:35:16,490 No mention of any brooch in the police file. 789 00:35:16,573 --> 00:35:17,908 Barnaby? 790 00:35:18,325 --> 00:35:19,660 There's a man here to see Mr. Q. 791 00:35:19,743 --> 00:35:21,662 Name's Rudy Plansky. 792 00:35:21,745 --> 00:35:25,207 A private investigator. Says it's very important. 793 00:35:26,875 --> 00:35:28,377 I'm afraid he's not here at the moment. 794 00:35:28,460 --> 00:35:29,753 Could I possibly help? 795 00:35:29,837 --> 00:35:31,296 Yeah, tell him I'm waitin' for him 796 00:35:31,380 --> 00:35:32,840 down the street at Marcel's. 797 00:35:32,923 --> 00:35:35,717 May I tell him what it's about, Mr. Plansky? 798 00:35:35,801 --> 00:35:38,512 [snickers] Yeah, just mention the name Monica Blane. 799 00:35:38,595 --> 00:35:41,223 And tell him to bring along five large. 800 00:35:42,766 --> 00:35:44,059 Five large what? 801 00:35:44,560 --> 00:35:46,812 Uh, maybe Mr. Quayle will know. 802 00:35:47,187 --> 00:35:49,147 Well, here I am going on and on, 803 00:35:49,231 --> 00:35:52,025 and interfering with your valuable time. 804 00:35:52,943 --> 00:35:54,361 I must get to the post office. 805 00:35:54,444 --> 00:35:55,737 I wonder, could you lend me an envelope? 806 00:35:55,821 --> 00:35:56,864 Oh, certainly. 807 00:35:58,365 --> 00:35:59,575 Thank you. 808 00:35:59,658 --> 00:36:01,076 [background chatter] 809 00:36:09,459 --> 00:36:11,044 Don't you think it was a little careless, 810 00:36:11,128 --> 00:36:12,880 walking into the office like that? 811 00:36:15,340 --> 00:36:16,675 Where's Quayle? 812 00:36:16,758 --> 00:36:18,677 Tied up. I came instead. 813 00:36:20,095 --> 00:36:22,890 Oh, yeah? Who, exactly, are you? 814 00:36:23,765 --> 00:36:27,144 The name I use in Quebec is Fletcher. 815 00:36:31,481 --> 00:36:33,609 We want to be sure that the information you're selling 816 00:36:33,692 --> 00:36:36,194 is worth five large. 817 00:36:38,488 --> 00:36:39,823 Well, I seen you up in his office, 818 00:36:39,907 --> 00:36:43,327 but how do I know you're working with him? 819 00:36:44,494 --> 00:36:47,998 Does the name Judith Harlan ring a bell with you? 820 00:36:48,081 --> 00:36:49,291 Quayle knows about that? 821 00:36:50,500 --> 00:36:52,961 You think Mr. Quayle is stupid? 822 00:36:54,046 --> 00:36:57,799 You think he'd take this case if he didn't know all the facts? 823 00:36:57,883 --> 00:37:02,012 And what, may I ask, are you doing here, Mrs. Fletcher? 824 00:37:11,188 --> 00:37:13,649 I thought I had made it clear, Mrs. Fletcher, 825 00:37:13,732 --> 00:37:16,318 that your interference will no longer be tolerated. 826 00:37:16,401 --> 00:37:19,112 Mr. Plansky has information about Monica Blane. 827 00:37:19,196 --> 00:37:21,782 I know where she is, Quayle, 828 00:37:21,865 --> 00:37:24,534 and it's gonna cost you five grand. 829 00:37:24,618 --> 00:37:26,536 And why would Miss Blane's whereabouts 830 00:37:26,620 --> 00:37:28,413 be worth $5,000 to me? 831 00:37:28,497 --> 00:37:30,082 Because Jim was with her 832 00:37:30,165 --> 00:37:32,584 at the motel when Patricia was murdered. 833 00:37:32,668 --> 00:37:34,836 If we can find Monica Blane, and she'll testify, 834 00:37:34,920 --> 00:37:36,046 Jim will have an alibi. 835 00:37:36,129 --> 00:37:37,673 From a convicted felon? 836 00:37:37,756 --> 00:37:40,258 That is not the thrust of my defense, madam. 837 00:37:41,093 --> 00:37:42,219 Well, maybe it should be. 838 00:37:51,103 --> 00:37:53,981 She's staying at that address. New York City. 839 00:37:55,107 --> 00:37:56,400 Well, I must be running along. 840 00:37:56,483 --> 00:37:57,818 Uh, just a minute. What's this? 841 00:37:57,901 --> 00:38:01,029 -Oh, uh, that's mine. -From my office? 842 00:38:01,113 --> 00:38:02,489 Uh, it's just some recipes 843 00:38:02,572 --> 00:38:04,032 I was clipping out of the local paper, 844 00:38:04,116 --> 00:38:05,659 and Barnaby gave me one of your envelopes. 845 00:38:08,829 --> 00:38:12,416 These, I'm afraid, would give me indigestion. 846 00:38:13,458 --> 00:38:15,669 I'm sure you're well intentioned, Mrs. Fletcher, 847 00:38:15,752 --> 00:38:18,588 but you're also a meddlesome busybody, 848 00:38:18,672 --> 00:38:20,298 and you're sorely trying my patience. 849 00:38:20,382 --> 00:38:22,092 And you, Mr. Quayle, are trying mine 850 00:38:22,175 --> 00:38:24,219 by mangling Jim Harlan's defense 851 00:38:24,302 --> 00:38:26,638 by not conceding that his wife was murdered. 852 00:38:26,722 --> 00:38:29,599 If we concede murder, then we concede the case. 853 00:38:29,683 --> 00:38:32,644 My client had both motive and opportunity. 854 00:38:32,728 --> 00:38:35,188 And by ignoring the fact that Patricia Harlan 855 00:38:35,272 --> 00:38:37,774 withdrew $20,000 cash the day that she was murdered. 856 00:38:37,858 --> 00:38:41,403 Now, Monica Blane may have been blackmailing her. 857 00:38:42,571 --> 00:38:44,239 Blackmail? 858 00:38:44,322 --> 00:38:47,034 And that Judith Harlan paid Monica Blane to disappear. 859 00:38:47,117 --> 00:38:48,618 And if I'm not mistaken, 860 00:38:48,702 --> 00:38:51,747 that little man to whom you just gave $5,000 861 00:38:51,830 --> 00:38:53,790 delivered the payment. 862 00:39:00,297 --> 00:39:01,882 Mrs. Fletcher! 863 00:39:01,965 --> 00:39:03,467 We've had an enormous break in the case. 864 00:39:03,550 --> 00:39:04,926 That's wonderful news, Barnaby. 865 00:39:05,010 --> 00:39:06,261 Mr. Quayle got a tip, 866 00:39:06,344 --> 00:39:07,679 and I flew to New York last night 867 00:39:07,763 --> 00:39:09,806 and located Monica Blane. 868 00:39:10,682 --> 00:39:13,226 She's here? And willing to testify? 869 00:39:13,727 --> 00:39:15,020 I think you'll find that our client 870 00:39:15,103 --> 00:39:17,230 has a very solid alibi, counselor. 871 00:39:21,735 --> 00:39:24,404 Is the defense prepared to proceed, Mr. Quayle? 872 00:39:24,488 --> 00:39:26,656 We are, your Lordship. 873 00:39:26,740 --> 00:39:28,033 If it pleases the court, 874 00:39:28,116 --> 00:39:30,744 the Crown has one further witness to call. 875 00:39:30,827 --> 00:39:32,871 Well, I was under the impression 876 00:39:32,954 --> 00:39:34,790 that the prosecution had rested its case, 877 00:39:34,873 --> 00:39:37,542 but very well. 878 00:39:38,794 --> 00:39:41,463 The Crown calls Monica Blane. 879 00:39:45,759 --> 00:39:48,178 No. I told you. 880 00:39:48,261 --> 00:39:51,473 I never saw Jim Harlan in my life before that weekend. 881 00:39:51,556 --> 00:39:54,601 But you did go to the motel with him, didn't you? 882 00:39:54,684 --> 00:39:56,937 What's the big deal? We're both over 21. 883 00:39:57,020 --> 00:39:58,188 At what time did you 884 00:39:58,271 --> 00:40:00,107 and the defendant leave the motel? 885 00:40:00,190 --> 00:40:02,234 I took a taxi. 886 00:40:02,317 --> 00:40:04,361 I had a 7:40 flight. 887 00:40:04,444 --> 00:40:07,781 So the defendant didn't drive you to the airport? 888 00:40:09,449 --> 00:40:13,245 No. He didn't have time. 889 00:40:13,328 --> 00:40:15,455 He said he had to go back to the country house 890 00:40:15,539 --> 00:40:17,958 and, uh, straighten something out with his wife. 891 00:40:18,041 --> 00:40:20,335 No! That's not true. 892 00:40:20,418 --> 00:40:23,255 -She's lying. -Sit down, Mr. Harlan. 893 00:40:29,427 --> 00:40:30,595 It's a lie. 894 00:40:31,638 --> 00:40:33,473 Why would Monica say such a thing? 895 00:40:33,557 --> 00:40:35,642 Well, if she was blackmailing Patricia, 896 00:40:35,725 --> 00:40:37,352 maybe she was trying to cover her own tracks 897 00:40:37,435 --> 00:40:38,603 by incriminating you. 898 00:40:39,187 --> 00:40:41,106 Maybe she never took that flight. 899 00:40:41,189 --> 00:40:43,525 Maybe she went back to the country house. 900 00:40:44,234 --> 00:40:46,611 Mrs. Fletcher. 901 00:40:46,695 --> 00:40:48,446 It is you, Mrs. Fletcher, 902 00:40:48,530 --> 00:40:51,032 who are responsible for this fiasco. 903 00:40:51,116 --> 00:40:54,870 I will brook no further interference from you, madam! 904 00:40:57,664 --> 00:41:00,208 Mrs. Harlan, James, in here. 905 00:41:02,502 --> 00:41:03,670 Jim. 906 00:41:05,797 --> 00:41:07,799 Sometimes, when things aren't going well, 907 00:41:07,883 --> 00:41:09,342 he forgets his manners. 908 00:41:09,426 --> 00:41:10,760 Well, when the jury brings in a verdict, 909 00:41:10,844 --> 00:41:12,888 you'd better have a muzzle handy. 910 00:41:12,971 --> 00:41:15,307 There's a call from his ex-wife on line two. 911 00:41:15,390 --> 00:41:16,766 You think I should interrupt? 912 00:41:16,850 --> 00:41:20,604 Uh, maybe I'd better talk to her. 913 00:41:24,107 --> 00:41:26,484 Hello. Wilhelmina. 914 00:41:26,568 --> 00:41:28,320 No, he's not in. Can I help? 915 00:41:28,403 --> 00:41:31,031 -Wilhelmina? -His second wife. 916 00:41:31,114 --> 00:41:33,366 How many ex-wives does Mr. Quayle have? 917 00:41:33,450 --> 00:41:34,868 Three. 918 00:41:34,951 --> 00:41:36,578 All originally his secretaries. 919 00:41:38,121 --> 00:41:40,540 Yes, Wilhelmina, I can see the problem. 920 00:41:40,624 --> 00:41:42,542 How much do you think you'll need? 921 00:41:42,626 --> 00:41:45,295 -Did you lose something? -An earring. 922 00:41:45,378 --> 00:41:47,214 Yes, I'll take care of that myself. 923 00:41:49,799 --> 00:41:51,968 Oh, gee, thanks. 924 00:41:52,052 --> 00:41:53,970 Well, I mean, it's not really worth very much, 925 00:41:54,054 --> 00:41:56,264 but for me it has a lot of sentimental value. 926 00:41:57,933 --> 00:42:00,352 Yes, Wilhelmina. I'll give him your love. 927 00:42:00,977 --> 00:42:02,562 Bye. 928 00:42:02,646 --> 00:42:04,356 Barnaby! 929 00:42:05,023 --> 00:42:06,566 The diamond brooch. 930 00:42:06,650 --> 00:42:07,984 What brooch? 931 00:42:08,068 --> 00:42:09,277 The Diamond brooch that I told you 932 00:42:09,361 --> 00:42:10,528 that Patricia was wearing. 933 00:42:10,612 --> 00:42:12,197 It must have been very valuable, 934 00:42:12,280 --> 00:42:14,449 and it was missing after the fire. 935 00:42:14,532 --> 00:42:16,409 And you think the killer stole it? 936 00:42:16,493 --> 00:42:18,662 That's very astute of you, Barnaby. 937 00:42:18,745 --> 00:42:21,748 Sometimes I think that you ought to be running the defense. 938 00:42:21,831 --> 00:42:23,792 Actually, I make a bigger contribution around here 939 00:42:23,875 --> 00:42:25,043 than most people realize. 940 00:42:26,294 --> 00:42:27,629 But I don't quite follow. 941 00:42:27,712 --> 00:42:29,214 You know, Barnaby, I have an idea, 942 00:42:29,297 --> 00:42:32,717 but if I try to explain it to Mr. Quayle, 943 00:42:32,801 --> 00:42:35,428 I don't think he's gonna listen to me. 944 00:42:35,512 --> 00:42:38,640 Suppose you bounce it off me. 945 00:42:39,724 --> 00:42:41,017 Then, if it has merit... 946 00:42:41,101 --> 00:42:45,397 Well, the handyman, Clay McLeod. 947 00:42:45,480 --> 00:42:47,190 He more or less intimated to me 948 00:42:47,274 --> 00:42:49,526 that he had gone back to the house 949 00:42:49,609 --> 00:42:51,736 long after we had all left. 950 00:42:52,112 --> 00:42:53,738 And if he went back, 951 00:42:53,822 --> 00:42:55,198 he may have killed Patricia and taken the brooch. 952 00:42:55,282 --> 00:42:57,117 What are you talking about, Barnaby? 953 00:42:57,200 --> 00:42:59,244 Oh, Mrs. Fletcher told me that Patricia 954 00:42:59,327 --> 00:43:01,746 had been wearing a distinctive antique brooch. 955 00:43:01,830 --> 00:43:03,915 That's right. The one I gave to her. 956 00:43:03,999 --> 00:43:05,375 I checked the police file. 957 00:43:05,458 --> 00:43:07,419 It was never recovered after the fire. 958 00:43:07,669 --> 00:43:10,422 We may be onto something here. 959 00:43:10,505 --> 00:43:12,924 Patricia and the gardener? 960 00:43:13,008 --> 00:43:17,429 Infidelity, theft, and murder. 961 00:43:17,512 --> 00:43:19,264 McLeod will deny it, of course. 962 00:43:19,347 --> 00:43:22,017 It would be stupid to sell or pawn something like that, 963 00:43:22,100 --> 00:43:23,810 at least for a while. 964 00:43:23,893 --> 00:43:25,812 McLeod may be vicious, but he's not stupid. 965 00:43:27,022 --> 00:43:29,983 He probably still has the brooch hidden somewhere. 966 00:43:31,943 --> 00:43:35,655 Barnaby, find Judge Mansard. Get a search warrant. 967 00:43:55,633 --> 00:43:57,218 Mr. McLeod? 968 00:44:00,889 --> 00:44:02,640 Mr. McLeod? 969 00:44:22,035 --> 00:44:23,703 I would imagine that Mr. Quayle 970 00:44:23,787 --> 00:44:27,290 is busily arranging for a search warrant? 971 00:44:32,545 --> 00:44:36,007 Yes, that's the brooch that Patricia was wearing. 972 00:44:37,050 --> 00:44:38,134 How did you know? 973 00:44:39,552 --> 00:44:42,347 When I admired it, Jim told me that it was an heirloom, 974 00:44:42,806 --> 00:44:45,016 that it had belonged to his grandmother. 975 00:44:47,143 --> 00:44:49,270 My mother was very fond of it. 976 00:44:49,854 --> 00:44:51,439 A present from my father. 977 00:44:53,108 --> 00:44:54,943 I had to ask myself, 978 00:44:55,276 --> 00:44:56,820 "who would take an antique brooch 979 00:44:56,903 --> 00:44:58,822 and leave a five-karat diamond?" 980 00:45:03,493 --> 00:45:07,747 Patricia's appointment was not with her hairdresser. 981 00:45:07,831 --> 00:45:09,707 It was with me. 982 00:45:10,959 --> 00:45:13,586 I went out there to confront her privately 983 00:45:14,546 --> 00:45:16,881 with what my investigator had turned up. 984 00:45:18,967 --> 00:45:21,136 I offered her a handsome settlement 985 00:45:21,219 --> 00:45:25,014 to divorce Jim quietly, without scandal. 986 00:45:26,975 --> 00:45:29,144 But Patricia was not only greedy, 987 00:45:29,227 --> 00:45:32,188 she was arrogant, and she became very abusive. 988 00:45:32,272 --> 00:45:35,400 She... she had the audacity to... 989 00:45:35,483 --> 00:45:37,026 to hit me. 990 00:45:38,486 --> 00:45:41,406 I grasped for whatever was near me, 991 00:45:41,489 --> 00:45:42,782 and it was the poker in the fireplace. 992 00:45:42,866 --> 00:45:44,159 And I, 993 00:45:46,119 --> 00:45:47,579 I struck her down. 994 00:45:50,290 --> 00:45:52,500 So you were the one who disconnected the gas line 995 00:45:52,584 --> 00:45:54,085 in the basement? 996 00:45:54,169 --> 00:45:56,254 It wasn't difficult. 997 00:45:57,297 --> 00:46:00,842 I calculated I had enough time to get back to the city 998 00:46:01,593 --> 00:46:03,386 before the fire consumed her. 999 00:46:04,512 --> 00:46:06,973 And you couldn't bear to see your mother's brooch destroyed, 1000 00:46:07,056 --> 00:46:10,018 so you removed it from the body. 1001 00:46:25,283 --> 00:46:26,910 I hope you realize 1002 00:46:27,410 --> 00:46:30,288 that I never would have let Jim be convicted 1003 00:46:30,997 --> 00:46:32,207 for something I had done. 1004 00:46:35,627 --> 00:46:38,213 Yes, Jessica, our little ploy worked brilliantly. 1005 00:46:38,296 --> 00:46:40,882 A clever piece of work, if I say so myself. 1006 00:46:40,965 --> 00:46:42,634 Well, I do hope that Mr. Quayle appreciates 1007 00:46:42,717 --> 00:46:44,177 what you did for him. 1008 00:46:44,260 --> 00:46:46,513 As of today, I have a new title. 1009 00:46:46,596 --> 00:46:48,473 "First assistant." 1010 00:46:48,556 --> 00:46:51,267 Oh, that has a good, solid sound. 1011 00:46:51,351 --> 00:46:53,102 That's very impressive. 1012 00:46:53,186 --> 00:46:54,604 Barnaby! 1013 00:46:54,687 --> 00:46:56,147 What did you put in the coffee this morning? 1014 00:46:56,231 --> 00:46:59,484 It tastes like-- Mrs. Fletcher! 1015 00:46:59,567 --> 00:47:01,486 Oh, why didn't somebody tell me you were here? 1016 00:47:01,569 --> 00:47:02,946 Well, I just popped in to say good-bye. 1017 00:47:03,029 --> 00:47:04,572 Oh, not good-bye, dear lady. 1018 00:47:04,656 --> 00:47:05,907 Au revoir? 1019 00:47:05,990 --> 00:47:08,201 Well, perhaps sometime. 1020 00:47:08,284 --> 00:47:10,745 Oh, you'll be back here in a few months for the trial. 1021 00:47:10,828 --> 00:47:12,038 The trial? 1022 00:47:12,121 --> 00:47:13,206 Oh, yes. Didn't Barnaby tell you? 1023 00:47:13,289 --> 00:47:15,124 I'm defending Judith Harlan. 1024 00:47:15,208 --> 00:47:17,752 Even the guilty are entitled to their day in court. 1025 00:47:17,835 --> 00:47:20,380 And what a glorious day it's going to be. 1026 00:47:20,463 --> 00:47:22,465 I'll get her off, you know. I always get them off. 1027 00:47:23,883 --> 00:47:25,301 Well, if you don't mind, 1028 00:47:25,385 --> 00:47:28,221 this is one trial I would just as soon skip. 1029 00:47:28,304 --> 00:47:30,765 Skip? Oh, no. No, no. You must appear. 1030 00:47:30,848 --> 00:47:31,975 I'm going to call you as a witness. 1031 00:47:47,615 --> 00:47:51,953 [cheerful orchestral music]