Christina can be pretty tough
if she doesn't get what she wants.
-Obviously she wanted you. -Now I guess she's after you.
[Jessica] Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.
Silent alarm. Dennis, you're losing your touch.
He threatened to kill me.
Was he serious?
He said I'd never live to enjoy my freedom.
You get yourself sideways of an irate husband,
and I'm supposed to clean up your mess,
is that how it goes?
The man threatened her life and nearly made good on it.
That's your business. [clicking]
-Charlie. -Don't.
Dennis!
[cheerful orchestral music]
Oh. Hello again.
You know, all afternoon
I've been fighting the war of the roses
with some Japanese beetles.
So far, the beetles have been winning,
but all of that is going to come to a screeching halt,
I hope.
I have a new story that I think you'll find interesting.
It involves my dear friend Dennis Stanton.
You remember Dennis, the one-time Jewel thief
who is now working as an investigator
for a major San Francisco casualty company.
[Jessica] His latest adventure began a month ago
at an elegant restaurant in the heart of the city.
A party was being thrown by one of his closest friends,
the ex-professional tennis player, Ryan Donovan.
[samba music playing]
[men laughing]
Well, since I still don't know
what prompted this happy occasion,
I will merely wish you a happy occasion.
To your very good health, Ryan.
May you enjoy it long after your backhand's deserted you.
Thanks, Dennis. My backhand deserted me years ago.
Why do you think I left the tour?
I thought you'd gotten too old to run around,
after tennis balls, that is.
Did you guys know this fella actually beat me once?
Six years ago, back East, when I could still play.
He whipped my butt.
My finest hour. The next day I stopped playing altogether,
and for the past six years I've been able to say,
in all honesty,
the last time I played tennis, I beat Ryan Donovan.
[laughing]
So what's the scoop, Ryan? What are we celebrating?
My freedom.
After three years, Alison and I decided to call it quits.
Looks like you've got some competition, Dennis.
-Pardon? -With the ladies.
You may lose your ranking as the number-one man around town
now that Ryan's on the loose again.
That, I'm afraid, will be no contest.
I concede already.
Excuse me.
[people applauding]
I thought I saw a familiar face.
Hello, Dennis.
Christina, you look marvelous.
Thank you.
Well, a few pounds here, a few pounds there.
I've been working out.
The last time I saw you was,
oh, Lord, the reception for the Canadian prime minister.
Now, when was that?
That was over a year ago.
Where's Ben?
He's not here.
Oh, I love that song.
Care to dance?
I'd be delighted.
So what about you? Here alone?
Not anymore. [chuckling]
It's amazing how you can be so elusive
and still stay so attractive.
Perhaps one depends on the other.
Dear, sweet Dennis.
Would you like to come up?
Oh, no, no, I must get back.
Oh, please, Dennis. I'd like to talk.
All right.
Ben and I have been separated for several weeks now.
We had a terrible fight, aired it all out.
There's no going back.
I'm sorry. I've always liked Ben.
He has a certain charming earthiness.
He's a slob.
It was never any good between us. God knows I tried.
I must have been out of my mind
showing up at Ryan's party tonight alone.
I guess I just wanted to prove to myself that I was
still desirable as a woman.
There's never been any question about that.
Dear, sweet Dennis.
Always the right response at the right moment.
Once in a while I even detect a note of sincerity.
Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that.
It's just that I've spent four years
trying to make a relationship work, and...
well, I guess that's something
you haven't had much experience with.
On the contrary.
I spent 24 years of my life working very hard
to make a wonderful marriage even better.
Oh, Dennis, I didn't know.
Elizabeth and I were young, too young probably.
The early years were difficult for both of us,
but we learned to adapt.
After a while I came to depend on her for everything.
I couldn't imagine life without her.
And then the doctor told us she was going to die.
It was long and it was painful.
And when it was over I thanked God
for releasing her from her agony.
[sighs] I am so sorry.
Oh, don't be.
I have wonderful memories.
In that sense, I'm blessed.
But would I do it again with someone else?
I don't know.
I'm not sure.
I think I'm afraid it would never be the same again.
Oh, I'm sorry, Christina.
You wanted to talk, and I've done all the talking.
No, no, don't be silly.
-[slow orchestral music playing] -I think I'd better go.
Please don't.
Christina.
I need someone with me tonight.
I'm not asking for any more than that.
Well, good morning.
Or should I say good afternoon?
Back from lunch so soon, Rhoda? It's only three o'clock.
I had to go get my dress
for my cousin Bernice's wedding.
I'm a bridesmaid.
That makes 14 straight performances
in a supporting role, but who's counting?
Mr. Butler was looking for you this morning.
What a surprise.
Probably wants my report on the Drabecki case.
Among other things. And his mood was not pleasant.
When is it ever? Here we are.
Now, I have to interview an antique dealer in Carmel,
and it's a lovely day for a drive.
Is that an invitation?
Sorry, I only have room in my car for two.
Ooh, business with pleasure. Who is it this time?
Rhoda, dear,
allow me to maintain a little air of mystery.
Oh, sure, freeze me out.
Just wait till the next time you want me
to tell some babe you've been called away to Kuala Lumpur.
-[phone line ringing] -That's odd.
Be a dear.
If Robert comes looking for me,
tell him I'm hot on the trail of the Hope Diamond.
I didn't know it was missing.
It isn't, but Robert doesn't know that.
I came on at nine.
Mrs. Hellinger was gone when I got here.
Are you sure?
Sure, I'm sure.
Some guy sent her a dozen roses, right?
So I called her up to tell her. No answer.
-[phone ringing] -I still got 'em over there on the desk.
Well, did you check her apartment?
No, what for? Out is out.
She said last night
that she was going to sleep late this morning.
Oh, you must be Dennis.
I looked at the card.
I like to keep up on things.
Why don't we check her apartment just to be sure?
Sure of what?
Sometime during the night
she didn't suffer from a cerebral incident
or a coronary occlusion or worse.
You know, Mac...
Dennis.
Dennis. You've got a morbid imagination.
Christina?
Just don't touch anything, all right?
I shouldn't be doing this.
Hey, what are you doing?
[on voicemail] Pop, are you there? It's Danny.
Look, if you're there, pick up.
I know it's early, but I gotta talk to...
Hey, buddy, that's a private conversation.
Well, look, it's 7:30 on Wednesday morning.
The tax guys were here again yesterday,
said that you had an appointment with them.
I stalled 'em, but they're not real happy.
So get back to me, okay, Pop?
[beeps]
[phone ringing]
Consolidated Casualty. Dennis Stanton's office.
It's me, dear heart.
There you are.
I'm on my way back from Carmel.
Anything happening?
Aside from a half-a-dozen messages, not much.
Robert Butler, Robert Butler, Robert Butler.
The fourth time he called he left a message.
It's unrepeatable. And two calls from a Mrs. Hellinger.
Did she leave a number?
Yeah, right here.
-Hello? -Christine, it's Dennis.
Oh, Dennis, thank God it's you.
What is it? What's happened?
It's Ben, my husband.
Look, I've got to see you right away.
Of course. Where are you?
[Christine] A motel in Timber, just off the interstate.
Belvedere's.
It's the first bungalow. You can't miss it.
[Dennis] Well, I'm about an hour and a half away,
but I'll get there as soon as I can.
[sighs] Oh, Dennis.
Come in, quick.
Let me look at that face.
No, please.
I think you should see a doctor.
No, I'm all right, really.
Who did this?
Ben?
After last night, I went to see him.
He's been staying at our place in San Rafael
the past few weeks.
I wanted to have it out with him.
I had no idea what a sick, possessive man he is.
Look, last night may not have meant much to you.
It meant everything to me.
And to me.
Thanks for saying that.
No, I mean it.
Your husband's not only a bully, he's a fool as well.
I told him I wanted a divorce.
Don't worry, Dennis. I have no designs on you.
But you are the...
the key that has suddenly opened the door
to the rest of my life.
When you told him, is that when he struck you?
He threatened to kill me.
-Was he serious? -Oh, yes.
He said he couldn't stop me from divorcing him,
but he said I'd never live to enjoy my freedom.
[sobbing]
I think we'd better go to the police.
What are they gonna do?
Protect me for the rest of my life?
Christina.
Besides, even if they could,
you know they don't get involved in domestic quarrels.
Christina,
threatening someone with murder is a crime.
The very least the police can do is to put Ben on notice,
keep him at bay.
I doubt very much
if he wants to spend the rest of his life in prison.
Please, you must protect yourself.
All right. But it won't be just for me.
He may know about us, Dennis, about last night.
He had a lot of friends at that party.
Someone may have told him.
He said a couple of things, veiled things,
as if he knew something.
Come on.
-[suspenseful music playing] -Were you followed to that motel?
No, I don't think so. Why?
We've picked up company.
That's Ben's car.
-Are you sure? -Of course, I'm sure.
Speed up. Let's get away from him.
And let him know we're on to him?
No, there's a police station about ten blocks from here.
I may even lure him to the front door.
Operator, this is an emergency.
Connect me right away with the San Rafael Police Headquarters.
Dennis!
[Christina exclaiming]
Are you all right?
Yeah, I think so.
[tires screeching]
You're sure it was your husband's car?
Yes.
You see the license plates?
I did, Lieutenant. Personalized, BJH60.
His initials. He bought that car for himself
for his 60th birthday.
Ishimine!
Yes, sir?
Get an APB on this car.
Late model, dark Mercedes.
Lieutenant, he's been staying the last few weeks
at our place in San Rafael.
Ishimine, why don't you call the San Rafael authorities,
check him out?
Mrs. Hellinger, you want to go with Officer Ishimine,
give him a description of your husband, address, that sort of thing?
-Certainly. -Thank you.
This way, ma'am.
Who the hell do you think I am, a social worker?
Now, now, Perry, your blood pressure.
No, you get yourself sideways of an irate husband
and I'm supposed to clean up your mess.
Is that how it goes?
The man threatened her life and nearly made good on it.
That's your business.
Look, what do you want me to do,
put a round-the-clock guard on her?
Even if I wanted to, which I don't,
I don't have the manpower to deal--
This was an attempt on our lives.
I have the dents in my car to prove it.
Gee, I hope you've got a good insurance company.
Then you're not going to do anything?
Not exactly.
I'm gonna pick this guy up, if I can.
Then I'm gonna get his side of the story.
Then I'm gonna decide what,
if anything, I'm gonna do about it.
As always, Perry,
your understanding leaves me awestruck.
Hey, you're the one
who sneaked into the wrong bedroom, buddy boy, not me.
Have a nice evening.
And how long will you be with us, Mr. Schneider?
A day or so.
I'll just leave the checkout date open.
Will that be a king-size bed or two doubles?
Makes no difference.
May I see a major credit card?
Why don't you just put this on account?
Luggage?
Airline lost it.
It should arrive in the morning.
Of course.
It's room 1233.
The elevators are to your left.
Have a nice evening.
And the same to you.
-[sirens in distance] -Very nice.
I'd still rather have gone to your place.
Now, I am the only one who knows
you're booked here, Mrs. Schneider.
Let's keep it that way until I talk to your husband.
It will be very dreary for you here,
but don't leave this room.
If you need something from one of the shops in the lobby,
have a bellman bring it up,
order your meals from room service,
and under no circumstances let anyone know where you are.
You're not staying?
Oh, tempting, but no.
Dennis, I'm sorry I dragged you into this.
Dragged? Don't be silly.
No one threw a rope around my neck.
Try and sleep.
Well, Beth, when will I ever learn?
Play with fire, you wind up with blisters.
Don't be angry with me.
It's not quite as sordid as it seems.
Oh, you disagree?
Well, forgive me, darling, but weren't you the one
who told me to get on with my life
and not curl up in some corner like a hermit?
You were lying.
Well, of course, you were.
It's all your fault, you know.
If you hadn't gone on ahead so damned soon...
[telephone ringing]
Stanton.
Oh, good morning, Lieutenant.
Just so you know, I was up half the night
trying to find your pal Hellinger.
Concerned for me, were you?
No, not really. I went home, went to bed,
then I woke up in this cold sweat
because I had visions of this headline:
"Stanton dead.
Catalano being investigated for dereliction of duty."
That's more like it.
We came up empty.
The San Rafael Police checked out Hellinger's place
last night around 3:00 a.m.
it was locked up tight. No car anywhere.
What about his office in the city?
I said empty, Stanton. Zip. Zero.
Day watch has been given a description of him and his car.
That's the best I can do for you.
Well, thank you, Perry.
Now, if I run across him,
or if he tries to run across me again,
I'll let you know.
[suspenseful music]
[telephone ringing]
-Hello? -[Dennis] It's me.
Where have you been? I've been worried sick.
I checked out San Rafael.
Ben's car is there. He isn't.
Are you all right?
Bored silly.
Have you ever tried watching television
at 10:00 in the morning?
Not if I can help it.
Look, sit tight for a while longer.
I've got a couple more stops to make,
and then I'm going down to Ben's offices to poke round.
Oh, Dennis, be careful.
The police may have told his sons, Danny and Joey, about us.
I'm not one of their favorite people,
and Danny's got a terrible temper.
I can look after myself, dear heart.
I'll call you later.
Rose, get Joey and tell him to get in here now.
Thanks for holding on there, Mr. Brennan.
You know, I think the problem is
that the man that you spoke to, my brother Joe, he...
well, he used the wrong price schedule
in order to give you that quote.
Oh, no, sir. No, no, it's our fault.
We intend to take responsibility for it.
And if you have any further problems,
please call and ask for me personally.
And thank you. Bye.
What's up, Danny?
What is the matter with you, Joey?
For four years Pop and I have been trying
to cram this business into that rock head of yours
and you still screw up.
-What? -"What"!
The Brennan job. We're gonna eat 900 bucks
because you got chop suey for brains.
Would you get off my back?
It's not my idea I'm working here.
It's the old man's, okay?
Oh, yeah? Well, what are you gonna do instead?
You gonna go to law school? You gonna be a doctor?
You gonna find somebody else who's gonna pay you
what you drag out of this company every week?
In your dreams, pal!
Yeah, right.
So do you know where the old man is?
No.
Rosie said the cops are looking for him.
Yeah, well, the cops are crazy. You know pop.
He probably went off to tahoe for a couple of days.
Probably to get away from her.
[knocking]
Mr. Hellinger? Mr. Hellinger?
I'm Danny Hellinger. Can I help you?
I'm Dennis Stanton. I'm looking for your father.
You're the guy that told the cops
my father tried to kill you.
Leave us alone here, Joey.
Come on, Danny.
Go on and get out.
Mr. Stanton.
Okay, what's going on?
Precisely what I want to know from you, Mr. Hellinger.
Last night, your father, or a reasonable facsimile,
ran me off the road.
You and my stepmother, you mean.
The lady asked me for help
after your father used her as a punching bag.
Is that what you used her for the night before?
You have an ugly sense of humor.
Yes, well, I'm not very polite when it comes to Christina.
[intercom buzzing]
Yes, Rose?
Leon Vandermeer is on the line, sir.
Tell him I'll call him right back.
Leon Vandermeer.
That's pretty high-powered legal advice.
Not that it's any of your business.
Look, Stanton, I don't know where my father is,
and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you.
When was the last time you saw him?
That's none of your business. Now, look, I'm busy...
Two days ago,
he failed to show up for a meeting with the tax people.
Now, how long before that was he missing?
He's not missing, and I saw him Sunday morning.
Now goodbye, Mr. Stanton.
Listen, take some advice.
Stay away from Christina.
My father, he's an old man.
He's in love with her. He doesn't know any better.
But I do.
If you hear from him, call me.
[suspenseful music playing]
Yes, yes,
fine, fine. Yes. Right.
Right.
Well, thanks for the use of your phone.
No problem.
You sure you don't wanna work out?
-I'll get you some sweats. -Oh, no. No. No, thanks.
No, the lady's bored silly and threatening mutiny
if I don't get back to her right away.
Anything serious?
No, not really.
Tell me about Ben and Christina Hellinger.
What about them?
Well, I'm caught up in rather a strange situation, Ryan.
Since you invited them to your party,
I thought you may be able to fill in some blanks.
You know Ben.
Older guy.
Sort of a roughneck.
San Francisco didn't exactly warm to him,
despite his success.
That's the kind of town this is.
It's hard to buy your way in.
And the lady?
Socially ambitious.
She wanted to come in from the cold.
Juice?
No.
Christina and I had a fling last year.
It was falling apart between Alison and me even then.
Christina started getting serious.
I reminded her she had a husband.
We had a blowout. That was that.
Ben's been missing since last Sunday.
Probably needed a change of scenery.
Christina can be pretty tough
if she doesn't get what she wants.
Obviously, she wanted you.
Now I guess she's after you.
[classical music plays]
[siren sounds]
[chatter on police radio]
Good evening, officer.
May I see your license, please, sir?
What's wrong? Did I miss a stop sign?
Would you step out of the car, please, sir?
Well, I'm quite sure I wasn't speeding.
Face the car, hands spread in front of you.
Now, really.
Right hand behind your back, please.
Not even a breathalyzer test?
Now the left.
May I ask what this is all about?
Sure.
At 6:00 p.m., an All Points Bulletin went out
on you and your car, Mr. Stanton.
You're wanted for questioning in the murder
of a man named Benjamin Hellinger.
I'm delighted I've finally found a way
to amuse you, Lieutenant.
I'm a sucker for The Three Stooges, too.
Mind if I sit down?
When I tell you to.
Wait outside.
Well, you finally blew it, Stanton. I knew you would.
You mean, once a thief, always a killer. Doesn't quite follow.
No, what follows is that
you've got a natural born contempt for the law.
Only, this time the stakes are a little bigger. Sit down!
Thank you very much.
We finally got you this time, buddy boy.
You know, I'm only sorry
we gotta turn you over to the San Rafael cops,
who, by the way, are on their way here to pick you up.
Well, before they get here, why not fill me in?
Just what exactly am I being charged with?
Oh, you wanna know what we got?
I'll tell you what we got.
Around 4:00, the San Rafael cops get a tip
that you've been lurking around the Hellinger place.
Now, they find Hellinger's Mercedes in the garage.
It wasn't too tough to figure out that you found him.
I didn't, but go on.
Well, when they went inside,
they found him in the steam shower
with an ice pick through his heart.
Now, they call the forensics guy to dust for prints.
He finds a lot of fresh ones all over the car,
inside the house, and they're not the victim's.
No, they were mine.
I rest my case.
Well, for what it's worth, I didn't kill him,
and there was no body in that shower
when I was there at 10:00 this morning.
For what it's worth, I don't believe you.
Oh, think, Lieutenant,
do you really think that I'm stupid enough
to commit such a clumsy and obvious murder?
Yes.
Or brave enough to kill a man face-to-face with an ice pick?
Well, now, that part doesn't fit,
but I can live with it.
This... tip, where did it come from?
Over the phone. They didn't leave a name.
[phone ringing]
What?
The officers from San Rafael are here
to pick up the prisoner, sir.
We'll be right out.
By the way, the San Rafael Jail,
you're just gonna love the cuisine.
[police chatter over radio]
-Charlie! -Don't!
It's okay, Charlie, he's not going anywhere.
Get in the van, quick.
Shut the door.
Now walk around to the front and get behind that wheel.
Now.
Get some help!
Oh, excuse me. I wonder if you could help me.
My wife seems to have fallen asleep,
and I've forgotten my keycard.
I got nobody in there, sir. That's a checkout.
Mrs. Schneider checked out just after 6:00.
We refunded $102.12
from the cash she'd given us on account.
Strange she didn't mention it to me when she called.
By the way, I can't remember whether she called collect
or charged it to the room.
It was around 4:00, San Rafael.
Oh, yes, yes, here it is.
555-4851.
The call was made at 4:15, and she did charge it to the room.
Mind if I take a look?
Excuse me, Mr. Schneider,
do you have some sort of identification?
Of course.
Well, never mind.
I'll check it with my wife when I get home.
Thank you so much.
San Rafael Police Department. May I help you?
Hello?
Let me get this straight, Mrs. Hellinger.
Last night after you and Stanton left my office,
you went to a hotel.
Yes, The Albion. But he didn't stay.
He was concerned about my safety,
and his own, of course. He was very angry.
He told me to stay in the room
until he'd found my husband and had it out with him.
But I never thought he'd kill him.
You've got to believe me.
You stayed in this hotel, what, all night,
all the next day?
Yes.
I had breakfast sent up around 8:00
and lunch shortly past 1:00.
The maid came in sometime in the morning to make up the room.
I don't remember exactly when.
Oh, and around 3:00,
I had some magazines sent up from the newsstand.
Dennis told me not to leave the room for any reason.
We'll check it out.
Well, why did you leave? Did Stanton call you?
No. I saw the report of my husband's death on the news.
I was frightened.
I just wanted to get home. That's when I called you.
I'm posting a man here in the apartment
just in case Stanton comes here looking for you.
Thank you.
You got nothing to worry about, Mrs. Hellinger.
We're gonna get him.
[suspenseful music playing]
[tires screech]
A silent alarm. Dennis, you're losing your touch.
[glass shatters]
[door clicks open]
All right, where is he?
Sir, I don't know.
Oh, don't be ridiculous. You always know.
Have you read this yet?
Three times they mentioned Consolidated Casualty.
Oh, and this is nice.
"Dennis Stanton, convicted two years ago for grand theft,
received a suspended sentence and five years probation."
That's just going to do wonders for our reputation.
Sir, honestly, I have no idea where he is, but...
Now listen, Miss Markowitz.
The minute he calls,
I want to know about it, you understand?
Yes, sir.
I'm not going to take any heat for this guy.
The next thing you know you'll be seeing my name in the paper.
[phone ringing]
Consolidated Casualty. Mr. Stanton's office.
Like hiring him was my idea, which it wasn't.
Oh, hi, Mom.
Do I take that to mean that you can't talk now?
You got that right. The guy's a real schlemiel.
Oh, I see. Robert's there with you.
Of course, he is.
Wait. Mom, why are you crying?
Who's got shingles?
All right. Miss Markowitz, remember what I said.
The minute he calls.
Yes, sir.
Where are you?
No, don't tell me. I don't want to know.
For the record, dear heart, I did not kill that man.
You think I don't know that?
So who did?
I'm working on it, though I have a pretty fair idea.
The widow Hellinger with a little help from a friend.
A few weeks ago, Ben Hellinger changed his will,
leaving his half of the community property
to his son Danny.
How did you find that out?
You don't need to know that either.
Now listen carefully.
The night before last,
Christina Hellinger stayed at the Albion Hotel
registered under the name of Schneider. Room 1233.
She made one phone call to the San Rafael Police.
That was the anonymous tip that led them to me.
But before that, she had to have made at least one other call.
Now, I need you to find out that number.
How am I supposed to do that?
That friend of yours, the computer hacker.
Sheldon? You want me to call Sheldon?
It took me three months to get that guy off my back.
You know, Rhoda,
if this miscarriage of justice succeeds,
more than likely,
you'll find yourself back in the secretarial pool.
I'll get right on it.
Good girl. I'll be in touch.
[phone ringing]
Catalano.
Where are you?
Immaterial. Now listen to me carefully, Lieutenant.
I'm going to help you win a departmental commendation
for solving the Hellinger murder.
No, we got it solved.
You get your butt in here before you get it shot off.
There are three things you have to do.
First, have forensics check over the entire house
for traces of blood.
He wasn't killed in that steam room.
We know that. It was the living room.
Why you stuck him in the shower I haven't figured out yet.
Two, ask those San Rafael patrolmen
if the freezer chest in the garage was padlocked
when they found the body.
Freezer chest?
And third, find out from the pathologist
if any of Hellinger's internal organs
showed evidence of frozen tissue.
Look, quit trying to cloud the issue
and just get in here and give yourself up.
I'll be in touch.
Wait a minute! Stanton!
Yes, sir?
Give me the medical examiner.
[suspenseful music]
Do you always drive that skillfully?
Only when I'm aiding and abetting a felon.
You okay?
Oh, never better. Did you get it?
I want you to know that this is costing me dinner
with Sheldon and his parents, Saturday night.
Remind me to put you in for a raise.
Put me in for a raise.
555-8290.
Now, unless I'm mistaken, this is either
the Hellinger office or Danny Hellinger's home number.
You're mistaken. I already checked it out.
The number is listed to Joseph Hellinger.
Brother Joey.
But of course it is!
Left at the lights, Rhoda, then three blocks and pull over.
Wait a minute. That's a police station.
Yes. I've decided to give myself up.
Come in.
Here he is, Lieutenant.
So you finally got smart. Good thinking.
Now, before you start on the lecture, Lieutenant,
I think I've figured this out.
That makes two of us.
Would you mind closing the door on your way out?
Yes, sir.
The pathologist's report.
Internal organs do show signs of having been frozen.
In the garage freezer chest, no doubt.
Yeah, the San Rafael cops said there was no padlock
on the chest when they investigated.
It was empty.
Well, it was locked when I was there earlier in the morning.
So someone, not Mrs. Hellinger,
came back after I left,
removed the body from the freezer,
stuck it in the steam shower to thaw out
in an attempt to mask the real time of death.
Which could have been as long ago as Sunday or Monday.
And I was out of town until Tuesday morning.
For the record, Stanton, I no longer consider you a suspect.
Oh.
Just a gullible patsy.
A misdemeanor at worst.
So who did kill the guy?
-Christina Hellinger. -Huh?
But she needed help to create the illusion
that he was still alive while I was being set up.
Help from whom?
From her stepson Joey, a wastrel with a love of money.
Now, his father had cut him out of his will
and left everything to his elder son Danny.
I'm sure that Joey agreed to help the widow out
for a hefty slice of her inheritance.
Yeah, but can we take that to court?
I doubt it. On the other hand,
if you set two untrustworthy people on a collision course,
anything can happen.
Now, may I suggest a plan of action?
-No. -Fine.
All right, let's hear it.
Firstly, alert the media that I've been recaptured.
Secondly, make sure
that Christina Hellinger knows about it.
Ryan? Christina Hellinger.
Well, I'm fine now, but it's been a terrible ordeal.
I guess you heard. They caught Dennis Stanton trying to leave town.
I can't imagine why he did it.
I suppose if you've lived most of your life outside the law,
murder comes easy.
Ryan, I know this probably seems inappropriate this soon,
but I'd like to see you. I mean,
now that you and Alison are no longer together.
Well, I just thought
you might be feeling a little lonely,
and God knows I could use someone to talk to right now.
Of course.
Well, perhaps when you get back.
You will call me?
Yes, I understand. Sorry I bothered you.
Too bad, Christina. More rejection?
Dennis. But they arrested you again.
Oh, arrest is one thing.
Keeping me behind bars is quite another matter.
Since your doorman knows me by sight,
I dropped in through your bedroom window.
Oh, not the police.
When we meant so much to each other.
What do you want?
Why, you, of course.
I realize I'm not quite the social lion
that Ryan Donovan is,
nor nearly as wealthy, but I do have my attributes.
You must be crazy.
I do know that you killed Ben.
In a fit of anger, I'm sure.
No one would commit such a sloppy premeditated murder.
You are crazy.
All right, if I can't have you,
let's settle for cash.
A small share of your inheritance.
I must warn you, Christina. You know, your plan won't work.
The pathologists aren't stupid.
They'll know that Ben was killed several days ago
and his body frozen.
And then, of course, you always run the risk
that Joey will talk.
By the way, did he inflict those bruises on your face
or were they do-it-yourself?
I don't know what you're talking about.
On the other hand, we do have a reasonable alternative.
Suppose, for the sake of argument,
that you and I were together at my place on Sunday
all day and all evening, I could swear to it.
I'm listening.
As for Joey, well, he was furious with his father.
He drove to San Rafael to confront him.
They got into a terrible row over the new will.
And he stabbed him with the ice pick.
In a panic, he stuffed the body into the freezer
while he figured out what to do next.
When he saw you and I together
at Ryan Donovan's party, it came to him.
He drove his father's car
to make it appear that Ben was still alive,
and then framed me for murder.
You, of course,
were completely blameless in the whole affair.
Joey will claim otherwise.
Who'll believe him? He's never liked you anyway.
Striking out at you would be only natural.
Any sort of personal involvement between you and me,
that wouldn't be part of it.
No offense,
but all things considered, I'd rather have the money.
All right, how much?
Say a million.
[Christina over radio] And what's to stop you from coming back a year from now for,
oh, say another million?
[Dennis] The threat of jail.
Having perjured myself, I could hardly go to the police
without implicating myself as an accessory after the fact.
Your move, Joey.
Okay.
What kind of deal can I make?
[Dennis laughing]
Oh, listen to this one. Marvelous.
"The case was broken open
through the efforts of Dennis Stanton,
an investigator for Consolidated Casualty,
at one time considered a prime suspect in the murder."
Crazy lady.
She thought she had a chance with Ryan Donovan.
And everything that went with him.
Now she is what I call a social climber.
[exclaims]
Dennis!
Terrific job.
Really terrific job.
Why, thank you, Robert. How nice of you to say so,
considering I didn't save the company one thin dime.
Money? What's that?
I'm talking about press.
I'm talking about the kind of publicity that money can't buy.
No chance of me converting that enthusiasm
to a few days off?
Days off? Not a chance.
As a matter of fact, I have a couple of new cases for you.
If things keep going the way they're going,
I might get that transfer to the New York office.
Ciao.
New York!
New York.
This one's yours. I'll take this one.
Right.
[cheerful orchestral music]