Perry Mason (1957) s01e29 Episode Script
The Case of the Hesitant Hostess
[DANCE MUSIC PLAYING INSIDE.]
I'm warning you, Sanders, I catch you hanging around here again, I'll call the cops.
Good evening, Mr.
Archer.
Kind of slow tonight.
Yeah.
How about a light, baby? What's the matter? You look worried.
You should know about that, Kim.
Did you arrange for the money? Pick it up at 5, tomorrow afternoon, at the apartment.
Then you have nothing to worry about.
I can keep a secret.
I want you to know one thing, Kim.
- I'm not going to go on being-- - You'll go on being anything I want you to be, Mr.
Frederick Archer III.
Let's get that straight.
There's nothing more between us.
Nothing but money.
[SLOW MUSIC PLAYS OVER RADIO.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
Don't turn on the light.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Know where I am? I'm at the Regis Towers.
It's a penthouse on the very top floor.
And there's a man waiting in the drawing room to take me out.
A strictly uptown man.
That's the way it's going to be with me, strictly uptown.
Even champagne can't hold back tomorrow, Kim.
Tomorrow I won't care.
Sure.
That's the way it's going to be, Inez.
I've got the world by a string.
Only for some of us, the string's got knots in it.
Not so bad for you.
I got you a good job, didn't I? INEZ: Dance hostess? Best way I know to get a massage to music.
KIM: Know any other business that you could travel as much? Well, of course, we do get overseas modelling assignments now and then.
But there's always a catch.
You've always gotta come back to Danceland's ballroom.
You know, if it wasn't for those tips, I'd quit tomorrow.
Too late to quit, baby.
You're as much a part of the operation as the bricks in this building.
What do you mean, operation? When you find that out, you'll have just invented security.
Security? I don't understand.
When you do, baby, you can quit your job like I did.
Tomorrow night's my last night at that joint.
From then on, Kim Lane's walking [SLOW MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS.]
Come in.
Miss Rayburn, Larry Coles said you wanted to see me.
Yes, I did.
I understand you left word that you wanted to talk to Mr.
Archer if he should come in.
That's right.
Well, Inez, Mr.
Archer is only our landlord.
I run Danceland Ballroom.
Is there something you want to discuss about your work? Oh, no.
It's nothing about my work.
It's Kim Lane.
Well, what about Kim? Well, she left the apartment this morning.
She had a date and didn't come back.
What does this have to do with Mr.
Archer? Oh, well, Kim and Mr.
Archer were going together.
Inez, Mr.
Archer is a very happily married man.
Now, he's not gonna have any back-alley association with Kim.
Miss Rayburn, as long as we are on the subject of Kim, she said that she'd quit.
This was her last night.
Well? Well, she'd been drinking last night, so I didn't pay too much attention at first.
Although she did say, once you get to know this operation, you've invented security.
Oh.
Well, what else did Kim have to say? Oh, you know, just rambles.
Somehow, I got the impression she was talking about those overseas modelling jobs we take.
Look, if you aren't happy with your modelling assignments, I can see that you don't get any more.
Oh, no.
I wanna go.
Well, then let's forget all this talk about what Kim said and get back on the floor.
Yes, ma'am.
Martha, I need help.
I was driving down Front Street.
I stopped for a red light, when this fellow pulled a gun and held me up.
- Before I-- RAYBURN: Just a moment, Fred.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
MAN: All right, Sanders, get up.
- Huh? MAN: Come on, Sanders, we haven't got all day.
What do you fellows want? I didn't do nothing, officer.
Honest.
You ain't done nothing.
These guys are all alike.
How did this get into your trashcan outside? - That is your trashcan, isn't it? - Yeah.
All right, where'd you hide the gun? I ain't got no gun.
I don't suppose you were anywhere Front Street about midnight last night? No.
You gotta believe me, officer.
- Come on.
We're going downtown.
- Please.
No.
No, wait.
Wait, wait.
Good morning, Mr.
Sanders.
My name is Perry Mason.
I'm going to represent you.
I didn't ask for a lawyer.
I know, I was in court this morning when you were arraigned.
And who's gonna pay? All I've got in the world is $23 and a beat-up old trailer.
I volunteered to defend you.
The court appointed me.
Why should a big-shot lawyer like you waste his time on a charity? Do you think it's a waste of time? What I think or feel doesn't make any difference.
Anyway, who cares? You've been a good many things, Sanders, but never a quitter.
How would you know? Oh, I made a few enquiries.
I know a good deal about you.
I know that eight years ago, your wife and two children were killed in an automobile accident.
It was all my fault.
If I hadn't fell asleep at the wheel-- Because you'd been driving 36 hours straight to get here in time for a job.
You can't keep on blaming yourself for an accident.
Now, shall we get down to business? Yeah.
All right.
Tell me exactly what happened this morning.
About 9:00 the cops started banging on my door.
Wanted to know what Frederick Archer lll's wallet was doing in my trashcan.
Had you ever seen this Mr.
Archer before? Never.
MASON: According to the police report, Mr.
Archer, you were on Front Street, stopped for a red light at about 12 midnight on Monday of last week when this man ran out from the kerb and held a gun on you and your lady companion.
I was the lady companion.
But you didn't bother to report the robbery.
If it hadn't been for a druggist who witnessed the thing from his shop, you and-- I'm sorry.
It's probably my fault, Mr.
Mason.
You see, I rent this ballroom from Mr.
Archer.
And we had some business to discuss in his office.
However, I didn't feel very well, and I decided to go home.
That was when it happened.
I just didn't feel up to talking to the police, so Mr.
Archer drove me straight to my apartment.
Really, Mr.
Mason, I hate to see so much made of this.
After all, no one was hurt.
No one but my client, Albert Sanders.
- You talked to them all? - Mm-hm.
Rene, Dawn, Jovine.
Boy, what names and what actresses.
They have their parts down so pat, they could've been reading them from the same script.
They try to tell you anything in particular? Yes.
That they hadn't seen their boss, Martha Rayburn, at all the night of the robbery.
So it would seem she was in that car with Archer.
So it would seem.
Thank you, Della.
Oh.
Good morning, Paul.
How were the girls at the Danceland Ballroom last night? Well rehearsed.
Well, the Drake Detective Agency hasn't been letting any grass grow under its feet.
I paid a visit to the State College campus this morning.
Made a friend of a third-string halfback.
Kid who doubles as bouncer down at the ballroom.
Well, what's his name? Larry Coles.
I showed Larry a list of the employees at the ballroom.
Apparently we overlooked someone.
- Who? - A hostess named Inez Kaylor.
She was fired last week.
So? So according to her landlady, Inez said she was fired the night of April 16th, which was the night of the robbery.
And that she was fired by Martha Rayburn in person.
- At the ballroom? - Right after closing.
A little more than two hours after the robbery.
This Miss Kaylor might make a very interesting witness.
Think you can you get her on this trial? Well, she's moved to Las Vegas.
But we'll try.
I'll send Ralph Faulkner to talk to her.
He could be very convincing.
PAUL: Hiya, Faulkner.
Mr.
Drake, this is Inez Kaylor.
- How do you do, Miss Kaylor? - Fine.
I'm glad Ralph could talk you into cooperating.
I could never refuse a gentlemen.
Nice going, Ralph.
Sit down, Miss Kaylor.
Please.
And how long is this gonna take? We should have you on a flight back to Las Vegas tomorrow afternoon.
Miss Kaylor, are you familiar with this case? Yes.
But just what am I supposed to tell them? Just the truth.
And as I understand it, Martha Rayburn fired you the night of April 16th.
Indeed, she did.
Then she was at the ballroom.
Well, she didn't relieve me of my duties by mental telepathy.
Miss Rayburn swears she wasn't at the ballroom that night.
Oh, my, how that woman can lie.
Does Martha know I'm here? No.
We thought it'd be nicer to surprise her.
I'll tell Mr.
Mason you're here.
[LAUGHS.]
MAN: Now, Miss Rayburn-- You got a good look at the man who held up you and Mr.
Archer at the point of a gun? I most certainly did.
There was a streetlight shining directly on his face.
Mm-hm.
And do you see the man in the court here? Yes, I do.
He's sitting over there next to Mr.
Mason.
You're referring to - the defendant, Albert Sanders? - I am.
Thank you.
- Your witness.
- Thank you.
Miss Rayburn, exactly what did you do after the robbery? I'll ask you once again, Miss Rayburn, are you absolutely positive you did not go to the Danceland Ballroom on the night in question? Yes, I'm absolutely positive.
Mr.
Drake, will you please bring in Miss Inez Kaylor? Inez? - You know Miss Kaylor? - Well, yes.
She used to work for me.
When was her employment terminated? I don't exactly know.
Perhaps Miss Kaylor will be more specific.
[INAUDIBLE.]
If it please the court, I want the witness to look at Miss Inez Kaylor for purposes of identification.
However, it seems it will take some time to bring Miss Kaylor into court.
I should like to continue my cross-examination of Miss Rayburn on Monday morning.
JUDGE: Very well, as the hour of adjournment is near, this court will recess until 10:00 on Monday morning.
Witness may stand down.
[GAVEL BANGS.]
Paul, why didn't you post a man with Inez? Perry, she wanted to put Martha Rayburn on the griddle.
I had no idea she'd fade like that.
- Find her, Paul, by Monday morning.
- I'll find her.
Della, I'll meet you at the office.
- Come on, hit the ball.
- Come on, man.
[BAT HITS BALL.]
Get it, Lenny.
Hurry up.
He's going home.
Come on, Bobby.
Come on.
BO Y 1: Hurry up.
BO Y 2: Run.
Lenny, what's wrong? Come on.
MASON: I don't know.
It just doesn't make sense.
Inez Kaylor just couldn't up and vanish.
Someone had to pull the string.
And you think that someone was Martha Rayburn? Well-- [INTERCOM BUZZES.]
Yes, Gertie.
Lieutenant Tragg's here.
Who else would it be but Tragg? Send him in.
Send him in, Gertie.
Listen, will you check on Paul and see what luck he's having? Oh, thank you, Della.
- My pleasure, lieutenant.
- Hmm.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Well, how are you, Tragg? Well, I'm glad to see you in a good humour.
Now, sit down, let me make you unhappy.
This afternoon some boys playing ball came upon what was once a very pretty girl.
- Inez Kaylor? - No, it so happens her name was Kim Lane.
Kim Lane.
She used to be a hostess at the Danceland Ballroom.
Your client used to hang around there.
Are you trying to say Albert Sanders murdered this girl? That's what the evidence says.
Miss Lane's purse was missing, so was her jewellery.
We went back to his trailer, and guess what.
We found Miss Lane's purse and jewellery under the chassis.
But there's always a bright side.
At least it's nothing for you to be concerned with.
You're only losing a robbery case.
But some legal eagle's going to lose Sanders on a charge of murder.
You mean the district attorney's office is going to drop - the armed-robbery case? - Why, you know better than that.
Mr.
Burger just likes to keep everything buttoned up tight.
Wait a minute.
You said Burger.
I thought Walsh was on this.
Oh, no, no.
Mr.
Burger's gonna try the rest of the case personally.
Mr.
Burger.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
MASON: Well, that's the situation, Sanders.
This afternoon, the grand jury will be asked to indict you for murder.
[SIGHS.]
Well, what about this robbery rap? The district attorney is going ahead with that too.
He wants to make sure he isn't gonna lose me, don't he? Did you ever talk with this Kim Lane? I wouldn't know her if she slapped me in the face.
No more than I knew this Archer fellow or Martha Rayburn.
But you were seen hanging around that ballroom almost every night.
There was music to listen to, happy people to see.
Was that so bad? No, not if you'd told me the rest of it.
Rest of what? About that girl's purse and her ring.
I get up that morning, go outside, spot this purse and wallet in the trash.
The wallet's empty.
Why didn't you tell me you took that purse? Wasn't I in enough trouble without that? Wasn't very smart.
If I was smart, I wouldn't be sitting in that courtroom having them all look at me like I was dirt.
Get ahold of yourself.
But smart or no smart, I'm full and running over with justice.
And I'm getting rid of you, this trial and this jail.
And if anybody tries to stop me, they're gonna get a broken neck.
It's all right.
He'll be all right.
[CRYING.]
Always in the gutter.
Why? Paul Drake, Inez.
I'd like to talk to you.
[DOOR HITS FOOT.]
Honey, Mr.
Mason pays me to be awfully persistent, so why don't we get this over with? - Hello, Mr.
Drake.
- Hi, Larry.
- How are things at the ballroom? - Still bouncing every night.
But I don't mind, keeps me in shape for football season.
By the way, thanks for bringing Inez back from Vegas.
Of all the girls, she's my favourite.
What about Kim Lane? See you around, honey.
Goodbye, Larry.
You and Larry getting pretty chummy, huh? Uh-oh.
There must be a law.
No.
He's only a college kid.
I guess you had some reason for coming up here besides wanting to change the world.
Yeah, what happened at the courthouse? I wouldn't know.
I wasn't there very long.
Well, I'm painfully aware of that.
The point is, why did you leave? Let's call it a change of heart.
You have a change of heart, and an innocent man pays for it, huh? Oh, honey, send him my regrets.
He'll appreciate that.
Right up to the time they drop the cyanide pellets.
You don't seem very shook up about it.
Why don't you just quietly drop dead? Inez, anybody check your whereabouts the night Kim Lane was murdered? What kind of a crack is that? All I knew is you're doing the greatest silent act since they invented talkies, why? You told me that Martha Rayburn lied when she said she wasn't at her ballroom that night.
- Why won't you tell the court? - Oh, get out of here.
Did Fred Archer and Martha suggest you might bleed a little - if you cooperated with me? - Didn't I say get out of here? All right, honey, if that's the way you wanna play it.
- And this is? - A subpoena.
If you won't appear voluntarily, we'll do it the hard way.
Look, Paul, I won't do Mason any good.
If I show, I'll blast his client.
Mr.
Mason just wants to give you the opportunity to commit perjury on the stand because Faulkner and I will testify you told us an entirely different story.
You know, you should do something about your personality.
You'd give a girl a headache.
Must be some headache.
Well, I won't have it long.
You know, we have something in common.
You say I'll be responsible for Sanders' death, I say you've just become responsible for mine.
[GLASS CLATTERS.]
[DOOR SLAMS.]
Honey, you should've used a gun.
They just haven't figured out a way to remove a bullet with a stomach pump.
Come on, Inez.
Open up.
Inez! [ENGINE STARTS.]
Well, hello, lieutenant.
You find any trace of the girl? - We haven't looked.
- You haven't looked? You told me she was loaded with sleeping pills.
Here, taste.
Sweet.
Yeah, my guess is she took an old prescription bottle, put some sugar pills inside, and played a big death scene.
Oh, and, Mason, don't try to use this as an excuse to delay the trial on Monday.
I'm not speaking for myself, you understand, but the prosecution might think that you staged the whole thing.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Perry, I checked her belongings, and all I could find were some drugstore cosmetics and these two evening dresses.
Paul, I want Archer and Martha Rayburn watched every second till we find Inez.
All right.
Hello, Gertie, let me speak to Della.
Della, I want you to get us two tickets on the 4:30 flight to Las Vegas.
I'll meet you at the airport.
No, no time now.
I'll explain later.
Paul, somehow, I've got to get inside Inez Kaylor's Las Vegas apartment.
Listen, Kim Lane was buying a mink coat on time, wasn't she? Yeah.
Inez was wearing it after Kim disappeared.
So? Well, these conditional sales contracts provide that if the property's moved to another state, the seller has the right to repossess.
And you wanna by out the contract on Kim Lane's mink coat.
With the right to repossess is the right to enter the premises and reclaim the property.
Mr.
Mason, you've just gotten yourself into the finance business.
No trace of it.
That coat must be worth quite a lot of money.
Mink coats don't come cheap, Mr.
Wickett.
Do you suppose Inez could be wearing it, Mr.
Mason? That's quite possible, Miss Street.
Now, what time does Miss Kaylor usually come in? In this town, that's anyone's guess.
Then I'll wait.
No need for you to be inconvenienced, Mr.
Wickett.
You've been quite helpful.
- Uh - Very helpful.
- You check the bedroom.
- Mm-hm.
Did you find anything? Miss Kaylor's a clotheshorse, all right.
Only the funniest thing, most of the labels are from foreign countries.
I didn't know dance hostesses travelled so much.
- Nor I.
- Did you find anything? - Just the usual things.
- Check the mail? No, I just came to it.
Here.
Oh.
Most of it's been forwarded from Inez Kaylor's Los Angeles address.
Some of it's addressed to Kim Lane.
They lived together.
I guess the landlady forwarded it all to Inez.
Mm-hm.
Bills, circulars.
A few letters.
Hmm.
Look at this, Perry.
"Universal Model Agency.
" [MASON READING TEXT.]
Report 20th of this month.
" Report where? There's no address but Los Angeles.
Well, I guess Kim knew what the address was.
[DOOR UNLOCKING.]
Well, you might as well come in.
Thanks.
Well, I suppose we owe each other an explanation.
Now, what would make you suppose that? - For one thing, you don't belong here.
- And you? At least I have a key.
Well, let's call the police, shall we? You're probably bluffing, but I can't take the chance.
Face the door over there.
Hurry up.
I haven't much time.
- He took some of the mail, didn't he? - Mm-hm.
Just one piece.
I wonder.
The card to Kim Lane.
Universal Model Agency.
In Los Angeles.
Why all this trouble over a postcard? When we know the answer to that, we may find ourselves a murderer.
[PHONE RINGING.]
WOMAN: Hello? Yeah.
Oh, well, Jean may still be out of the country on that Central American job.
Just a minute.
Let me check the file.
- You the girl that called yesterday? - Yes.
The boss is busy.
Just sit down.
Yeah, she's still out of the country.
We got another one free, though.
Okay.
She'll meet you in Mexico City.
Hello, Marge.
Oh.
And how were things in Rio this time of the year? Didn't you notice my tan? You look absolutely stunning.
Anything else coming up for me? I'll let you know.
Okay.
The boss will call you when he wants you.
- I'm going down the hall for a minute.
- Thank you.
[FOOTSTEPS.]
You're the girl sent for me? Yes.
Drop the coat.
Yeah, you look all right.
- Are you alone in town? - Yes.
Except for my husband, that is.
Your husband? Lady, did you read the ad? It said "unattached models.
" Well, I'm terribly sorry to have bothered you, Mr.
-- And you and Mr.
Archer were on Front Street and stopped for a signal when this man came towards you with a gun? That's correct.
And the thief took nothing but Mr.
Archer's wallet? That's right.
And at no time did you go - to Danceland Ballroom that evening? - No, I had not.
Your Honour, I object.
These questions have already been asked and already answered.
Mr.
Mason is just going over and over the same points in this case.
JUDGE: Mr.
Mason, the questions have been repetitious, and they've contributed no new evidence.
Objection sustained.
Very well, Your Honour.
Your Honour, may I have a moment, please? [INAUDIBLE.]
- Any lead to Inez Kaylor? - No, the phone number the model agency had for her was the Danceland Ballroom.
In fact, that was the number listed for most of the models.
And the man who runs the agency was the same character we met in Las Vegas.
- The one who pulled the gun on me? - Mm-hm.
Did you get his name? No, Paul's checking on it.
- Perry.
- Mm-hm.
That purse Martha Rayburn has, one of the models at the agency has one just like it.
As a matter of fact, I have seen one just like it myself.
Here.
Miss Rayburn, what sort of a relationship do you enjoy with your hostesses? It's strictly business.
I don't believe in getting friendly with my girls.
It destroys efficiency.
And what are your policies as far as gifts and bonuses are concerned? I'm against them.
Any girl who works for me can make a very good living if she's willing to work hard.
I don't expect any gifts from them, so I don't see why - they should expect any from me.
- I see.
Then now, I should like to ask you something about the purse you're carrying.
BURGER: Your Honour, really, Mr.
Mason is insulting the intelligence of this court in his efforts to prolong this trial.
If it please the court, I believe I can prove the pertinence of such an inquiry.
Very well.
Ahem.
MASON: That is a rather unusual purse, Miss Rayburn.
I had it made for me.
Would you say such a purse could be purchased in one of the department stores in this city? No.
Perhaps one of the of the smaller specialty shops? It was designed specifically for me.
It could only be made upon my placing in the order.
Miss Rayburn, did you read the newspaper accounts of the murder of one of your hostesses, Kim Lane? Yes, I did.
Did you also see the accompanying newspaper photos, which included the personal effects believed to have belonged to Miss Lane? Yes, I did.
Did you see her purse, perhaps? - Well, did you? - Yes.
Wasn't that purse identical with the one you now hold? Well, Miss Rayburn? Yes, it was.
I gave it to her.
Most of my hostesses carry similar handbags.
But just a few seconds ago, you said you felt that your help would be spoiled by such gifts.
That it was against your policy to give them.
Well, really, I don't consider a handbag a gift.
I'm afraid the distinction escapes me.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Well, who does this one belong to? Kim Lane.
How on Earth did you get it? Don't ask questions.
And I've got to get it back to my contact at headquarters in an hour.
All right, she'll get it back.
Well, what would you say, Della? It's a little bulky.
Outside of that, I couldn't say a thing.
A little too bulky, isn't it? Oh, I don't know.
You know the amount of junk some women carry.
Let me see that.
MASON: Hand me that nail file, will you? Mm-hm.
Paul, did you get the name of the man who was running that model agency? Yeah.
Joseph Gibbs.
I'd like him called as a witness for tomorrow's session.
All right.
What about Martha Rayburn? I wanna recall her too.
- Della.
- Mm-hm.
[SIGHS.]
Yeah, there's the manufacturer's tag.
I would like you to do some shopping for me before court tomorrow.
Here you are, Paul.
Now, Miss Rayburn, I ask that you to examine this purse.
Now, what if I told you that that purse belonged to Kim Lane? Your Honour, I wanna know where Mr.
Mason got that purse.
Your Honour, I will explain everything to the district attorney's satisfaction, after my examination of Martha Rayburn.
I object.
Your Honour, not only has Mr.
Mason no right to that purse, but it's completely irrelevant to this case.
I'm inclined to sustain the objection, Mr.
Mason, unless you are in a position to assure this court that there is some factor in this situation which you intend to develop and which will establish a definite connection between the purse and the issues in this case.
I can assure the court, I will show a connection with the purse.
Very well.
I'll overrule the objection and admit the evidence, subject of cause to the right of the prosecution to bring a motion to strike, in the event that the evidence has no such connection.
Thank you, Your Honour.
Lieutenant, find out where Mason got that purse.
MASON: Now, Miss Rayburn, will you describe the inside of that handbag for the court, please? Well, it's roomy, well-made, and there's a separate compartment for everything.
What about the mirror? Oh, yes, there's a mirror attached to the outside flap.
MASON: And behind the mirror? Well, I don't know what you mean.
There's a small setscrew.
I took the liberty of loosening it.
Would you remove the mirror, please? Thank you.
There seems to be traces of some kind of powder here.
Would you know what that is? I have no idea.
It doesn't smell, so I don't suppose it would be face powder.
But it does have a taste, Miss Rayburn.
The taste of heroin.
[CROWD MURMURING.]
Your Honour, I would suggest that the police confirm this analysis and that the district attorney's office investigate both Martha Rayburn and Fred Archer on charges of smuggling narcotics.
That's not true.
Order.
Order in this court.
You've made some very grave charges, Mr.
Mason.
Charges, Your Honour, which Miss Rayburn will corroborate for this court.
I will? Miss Rayburn, sitting in the next room is a Mr.
Joseph Gibbs waiting to testify.
Among the questions I shall ask him is his connection with you.
If he refuses to cooperate, I shall ask his records be subpoenaed and brought into this court.
I shall also ask that everyone of your hostesses be subpoenaed along with their handbags.
The traffic in narcotics has enraged every decent-thinking man and woman in this country.
Now, Miss Rayburn, a jury of your peers might give you up to life in a federal penitentiary.
Would you prefer that or the gas chamber? What do you mean? I mean, you're headed for the gas chamber by placing yourself in that car with Fred Archer as an accomplice to murder.
The murder of Kim Lane and perhaps the murder of Inez Kaylor as well.
Inez isn't dead.
She's staying at a downtown hotel room.
But Kim Lane is dead.
Now, why did you and Archer kill her? I didn't have anything to do with it.
Were you in that car with Fred Archer the night of the robbery? No, I wasn't.
I only said that to help him.
Why did Archer need help? Because the druggist reported that he saw a woman in the car during the robbery.
And that woman was Kim Lane? - Yes.
- Was she alive at the time? Was Kim Lane alive at the time of the robbery? No, she was dead.
She was Archer's girlfriend.
She threatened to go to his family unless he paid her.
And he refused to pay? Well, no.
No, he paid off, all right.
In fact, I cashed one of the cheques for him myself.
He took the money to Miss Lane to an apartment he rented under an assumed name.
After he'd given her the money, he told her she had to clear out.
While she was getting her things, he went out to get some cigarettes.
When he came back about 20 minutes later, she was dead.
And the robbery occurred while he was on his way to dispose of her body? Yes.
No further questions.
Mr.
Burger? Your Honour, in view of these developments, I should like to ask for a continuance.
Your Honour, in the interest of overall justice in this case, I should like to call one more witness.
Proceed.
Then, bailiff, will you ask Mr.
Drake to bring in Joseph Gibbs? That's all I know about it.
I had a business connection with Miss Rayburn, but that's as far as it went.
Tell us about this business connection.
Well, she had these hostesses, I'd send them to different countries on modelling assignments.
They'd get a load of snow and then bring it back in.
- Snow? - Heroin.
Were the hostesses aware of their real function when they went were sent - on these foreign assignments? - No.
What was their regular procedure when they returned to this country? Well, they'd report to the Universal Model Agency.
Go on.
If there wasn't anybody around, we'd take pictures of them.
While they were in front of the camera, I'd switch the little compartment under the mirror in their bag.
What would you do if a stranger happened to be in the office? Well, we worked the switch another time.
So should they have discovered what they were being used for, they were in an excellent position to try blackmail? But they never found out.
What about Kim Lane? What about her? - Wasn't she blackmailing you? - No.
Then where did that money come from? Well, you heard what Miss Rayburn said.
She got 5,000 from Archer.
With the court's permission, I should like the stenographer to read Miss Rayburn's testimony about the blackmail.
Permission is granted.
Thank you, Your Honour.
Where would you like for me to begin? Toward the end of the examination.
STENOGRAPHER: "Was she Archer's girlfriend?" That's about it.
"Yes, she threatened to tell his family if he didn't pay off.
Question: And he refused to pay? Answer: No, he paid, all right.
I cashed one of his cheques myself.
He took the money to Miss Lane to an apartment he had rented under an assumed name.
" That's enough, thank you.
Now, Mr.
Gibbs, did it say anywhere there that Miss Lane received $5,000 from Mr.
Archer? All right, I guess it didn't.
But you knew the exact amount.
Well, Kim must've told me.
Kim Lane could only have told you that in one place.
In Fred Archer's apartment.
In Fred Archer's apartment where you killed her.
Killed her for $5,000.
I-- I demand to see a lawyer.
[CROWD MURMURING.]
That's all, Your Honour.
The district attorney is ordered to take the necessary steps against the parties involved, and the defendant is ordered released from custody.
This court is adjourned.
[GAVEL BANGS.]
[CROWD CHATTERING.]
Thank you, Mr.
Mason.
See you shortly.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Excuse me, lieutenant.
I never actually said it was Kim Lane's handbag.
What did you say? If you look at the record, you'll see I said, "Suppose I told you it was her handbag.
" Can I help it if Miss Rayburn jumped to an unwarranted assumption.
Yeah, but what about the heroin? You know what that was, flour.
There's something that bothers me.
Who did hold up Fred Archer that night? Well, now, he'll probably turn up.
They usually do.
It was a sheer coincidence that whoever did hold him up just happened to drop Archer's wallet and Kim Lane's purse in Sanders' trashcan.
Sounds logical.
You know what I like about this case? You managed to kill two birds with one stone.
You solved a murder and a robbery.
Not a bad day's work.
Well, thank you.
[CHUCKLES, KNOCK ON DOOR.]
We got a wandering boy.
- Hi, beautiful.
Am I intruding? - No more than usual.
You know, one of these days you're gonna give me a complex.
Oh, Perry, it's all arranged.
Sanders starts work Monday at the Concord Record Shop.
- Good.
- Record shop? Yeah, he likes music.
This way he can listen to it all day and still get paid.
Oh, incidentally, the police found Inez Kaylor.
- Is she all right? - Mm-hm.
And a lot wiser.
She's going to business college.
- Business college? - Mm-hm.
- Want some coffee? - No, I gotta run.
I'm supposed to pick up Inez at 9.
Well, she wants me to recommend a good business college.
Just what do you know about business colleges? Are you kidding? I used to teach at one of the finest.
MASON: Mm-hm.
Paul was the track coach.
They figured any girl he couldn't catch in three laps around the desk was ready for the business world.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
I'm warning you, Sanders, I catch you hanging around here again, I'll call the cops.
Good evening, Mr.
Archer.
Kind of slow tonight.
Yeah.
How about a light, baby? What's the matter? You look worried.
You should know about that, Kim.
Did you arrange for the money? Pick it up at 5, tomorrow afternoon, at the apartment.
Then you have nothing to worry about.
I can keep a secret.
I want you to know one thing, Kim.
- I'm not going to go on being-- - You'll go on being anything I want you to be, Mr.
Frederick Archer III.
Let's get that straight.
There's nothing more between us.
Nothing but money.
[SLOW MUSIC PLAYS OVER RADIO.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
Don't turn on the light.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Know where I am? I'm at the Regis Towers.
It's a penthouse on the very top floor.
And there's a man waiting in the drawing room to take me out.
A strictly uptown man.
That's the way it's going to be with me, strictly uptown.
Even champagne can't hold back tomorrow, Kim.
Tomorrow I won't care.
Sure.
That's the way it's going to be, Inez.
I've got the world by a string.
Only for some of us, the string's got knots in it.
Not so bad for you.
I got you a good job, didn't I? INEZ: Dance hostess? Best way I know to get a massage to music.
KIM: Know any other business that you could travel as much? Well, of course, we do get overseas modelling assignments now and then.
But there's always a catch.
You've always gotta come back to Danceland's ballroom.
You know, if it wasn't for those tips, I'd quit tomorrow.
Too late to quit, baby.
You're as much a part of the operation as the bricks in this building.
What do you mean, operation? When you find that out, you'll have just invented security.
Security? I don't understand.
When you do, baby, you can quit your job like I did.
Tomorrow night's my last night at that joint.
From then on, Kim Lane's walking [SLOW MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS.]
Come in.
Miss Rayburn, Larry Coles said you wanted to see me.
Yes, I did.
I understand you left word that you wanted to talk to Mr.
Archer if he should come in.
That's right.
Well, Inez, Mr.
Archer is only our landlord.
I run Danceland Ballroom.
Is there something you want to discuss about your work? Oh, no.
It's nothing about my work.
It's Kim Lane.
Well, what about Kim? Well, she left the apartment this morning.
She had a date and didn't come back.
What does this have to do with Mr.
Archer? Oh, well, Kim and Mr.
Archer were going together.
Inez, Mr.
Archer is a very happily married man.
Now, he's not gonna have any back-alley association with Kim.
Miss Rayburn, as long as we are on the subject of Kim, she said that she'd quit.
This was her last night.
Well? Well, she'd been drinking last night, so I didn't pay too much attention at first.
Although she did say, once you get to know this operation, you've invented security.
Oh.
Well, what else did Kim have to say? Oh, you know, just rambles.
Somehow, I got the impression she was talking about those overseas modelling jobs we take.
Look, if you aren't happy with your modelling assignments, I can see that you don't get any more.
Oh, no.
I wanna go.
Well, then let's forget all this talk about what Kim said and get back on the floor.
Yes, ma'am.
Martha, I need help.
I was driving down Front Street.
I stopped for a red light, when this fellow pulled a gun and held me up.
- Before I-- RAYBURN: Just a moment, Fred.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
MAN: All right, Sanders, get up.
- Huh? MAN: Come on, Sanders, we haven't got all day.
What do you fellows want? I didn't do nothing, officer.
Honest.
You ain't done nothing.
These guys are all alike.
How did this get into your trashcan outside? - That is your trashcan, isn't it? - Yeah.
All right, where'd you hide the gun? I ain't got no gun.
I don't suppose you were anywhere Front Street about midnight last night? No.
You gotta believe me, officer.
- Come on.
We're going downtown.
- Please.
No.
No, wait.
Wait, wait.
Good morning, Mr.
Sanders.
My name is Perry Mason.
I'm going to represent you.
I didn't ask for a lawyer.
I know, I was in court this morning when you were arraigned.
And who's gonna pay? All I've got in the world is $23 and a beat-up old trailer.
I volunteered to defend you.
The court appointed me.
Why should a big-shot lawyer like you waste his time on a charity? Do you think it's a waste of time? What I think or feel doesn't make any difference.
Anyway, who cares? You've been a good many things, Sanders, but never a quitter.
How would you know? Oh, I made a few enquiries.
I know a good deal about you.
I know that eight years ago, your wife and two children were killed in an automobile accident.
It was all my fault.
If I hadn't fell asleep at the wheel-- Because you'd been driving 36 hours straight to get here in time for a job.
You can't keep on blaming yourself for an accident.
Now, shall we get down to business? Yeah.
All right.
Tell me exactly what happened this morning.
About 9:00 the cops started banging on my door.
Wanted to know what Frederick Archer lll's wallet was doing in my trashcan.
Had you ever seen this Mr.
Archer before? Never.
MASON: According to the police report, Mr.
Archer, you were on Front Street, stopped for a red light at about 12 midnight on Monday of last week when this man ran out from the kerb and held a gun on you and your lady companion.
I was the lady companion.
But you didn't bother to report the robbery.
If it hadn't been for a druggist who witnessed the thing from his shop, you and-- I'm sorry.
It's probably my fault, Mr.
Mason.
You see, I rent this ballroom from Mr.
Archer.
And we had some business to discuss in his office.
However, I didn't feel very well, and I decided to go home.
That was when it happened.
I just didn't feel up to talking to the police, so Mr.
Archer drove me straight to my apartment.
Really, Mr.
Mason, I hate to see so much made of this.
After all, no one was hurt.
No one but my client, Albert Sanders.
- You talked to them all? - Mm-hm.
Rene, Dawn, Jovine.
Boy, what names and what actresses.
They have their parts down so pat, they could've been reading them from the same script.
They try to tell you anything in particular? Yes.
That they hadn't seen their boss, Martha Rayburn, at all the night of the robbery.
So it would seem she was in that car with Archer.
So it would seem.
Thank you, Della.
Oh.
Good morning, Paul.
How were the girls at the Danceland Ballroom last night? Well rehearsed.
Well, the Drake Detective Agency hasn't been letting any grass grow under its feet.
I paid a visit to the State College campus this morning.
Made a friend of a third-string halfback.
Kid who doubles as bouncer down at the ballroom.
Well, what's his name? Larry Coles.
I showed Larry a list of the employees at the ballroom.
Apparently we overlooked someone.
- Who? - A hostess named Inez Kaylor.
She was fired last week.
So? So according to her landlady, Inez said she was fired the night of April 16th, which was the night of the robbery.
And that she was fired by Martha Rayburn in person.
- At the ballroom? - Right after closing.
A little more than two hours after the robbery.
This Miss Kaylor might make a very interesting witness.
Think you can you get her on this trial? Well, she's moved to Las Vegas.
But we'll try.
I'll send Ralph Faulkner to talk to her.
He could be very convincing.
PAUL: Hiya, Faulkner.
Mr.
Drake, this is Inez Kaylor.
- How do you do, Miss Kaylor? - Fine.
I'm glad Ralph could talk you into cooperating.
I could never refuse a gentlemen.
Nice going, Ralph.
Sit down, Miss Kaylor.
Please.
And how long is this gonna take? We should have you on a flight back to Las Vegas tomorrow afternoon.
Miss Kaylor, are you familiar with this case? Yes.
But just what am I supposed to tell them? Just the truth.
And as I understand it, Martha Rayburn fired you the night of April 16th.
Indeed, she did.
Then she was at the ballroom.
Well, she didn't relieve me of my duties by mental telepathy.
Miss Rayburn swears she wasn't at the ballroom that night.
Oh, my, how that woman can lie.
Does Martha know I'm here? No.
We thought it'd be nicer to surprise her.
I'll tell Mr.
Mason you're here.
[LAUGHS.]
MAN: Now, Miss Rayburn-- You got a good look at the man who held up you and Mr.
Archer at the point of a gun? I most certainly did.
There was a streetlight shining directly on his face.
Mm-hm.
And do you see the man in the court here? Yes, I do.
He's sitting over there next to Mr.
Mason.
You're referring to - the defendant, Albert Sanders? - I am.
Thank you.
- Your witness.
- Thank you.
Miss Rayburn, exactly what did you do after the robbery? I'll ask you once again, Miss Rayburn, are you absolutely positive you did not go to the Danceland Ballroom on the night in question? Yes, I'm absolutely positive.
Mr.
Drake, will you please bring in Miss Inez Kaylor? Inez? - You know Miss Kaylor? - Well, yes.
She used to work for me.
When was her employment terminated? I don't exactly know.
Perhaps Miss Kaylor will be more specific.
[INAUDIBLE.]
If it please the court, I want the witness to look at Miss Inez Kaylor for purposes of identification.
However, it seems it will take some time to bring Miss Kaylor into court.
I should like to continue my cross-examination of Miss Rayburn on Monday morning.
JUDGE: Very well, as the hour of adjournment is near, this court will recess until 10:00 on Monday morning.
Witness may stand down.
[GAVEL BANGS.]
Paul, why didn't you post a man with Inez? Perry, she wanted to put Martha Rayburn on the griddle.
I had no idea she'd fade like that.
- Find her, Paul, by Monday morning.
- I'll find her.
Della, I'll meet you at the office.
- Come on, hit the ball.
- Come on, man.
[BAT HITS BALL.]
Get it, Lenny.
Hurry up.
He's going home.
Come on, Bobby.
Come on.
BO Y 1: Hurry up.
BO Y 2: Run.
Lenny, what's wrong? Come on.
MASON: I don't know.
It just doesn't make sense.
Inez Kaylor just couldn't up and vanish.
Someone had to pull the string.
And you think that someone was Martha Rayburn? Well-- [INTERCOM BUZZES.]
Yes, Gertie.
Lieutenant Tragg's here.
Who else would it be but Tragg? Send him in.
Send him in, Gertie.
Listen, will you check on Paul and see what luck he's having? Oh, thank you, Della.
- My pleasure, lieutenant.
- Hmm.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Well, how are you, Tragg? Well, I'm glad to see you in a good humour.
Now, sit down, let me make you unhappy.
This afternoon some boys playing ball came upon what was once a very pretty girl.
- Inez Kaylor? - No, it so happens her name was Kim Lane.
Kim Lane.
She used to be a hostess at the Danceland Ballroom.
Your client used to hang around there.
Are you trying to say Albert Sanders murdered this girl? That's what the evidence says.
Miss Lane's purse was missing, so was her jewellery.
We went back to his trailer, and guess what.
We found Miss Lane's purse and jewellery under the chassis.
But there's always a bright side.
At least it's nothing for you to be concerned with.
You're only losing a robbery case.
But some legal eagle's going to lose Sanders on a charge of murder.
You mean the district attorney's office is going to drop - the armed-robbery case? - Why, you know better than that.
Mr.
Burger just likes to keep everything buttoned up tight.
Wait a minute.
You said Burger.
I thought Walsh was on this.
Oh, no, no.
Mr.
Burger's gonna try the rest of the case personally.
Mr.
Burger.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
MASON: Well, that's the situation, Sanders.
This afternoon, the grand jury will be asked to indict you for murder.
[SIGHS.]
Well, what about this robbery rap? The district attorney is going ahead with that too.
He wants to make sure he isn't gonna lose me, don't he? Did you ever talk with this Kim Lane? I wouldn't know her if she slapped me in the face.
No more than I knew this Archer fellow or Martha Rayburn.
But you were seen hanging around that ballroom almost every night.
There was music to listen to, happy people to see.
Was that so bad? No, not if you'd told me the rest of it.
Rest of what? About that girl's purse and her ring.
I get up that morning, go outside, spot this purse and wallet in the trash.
The wallet's empty.
Why didn't you tell me you took that purse? Wasn't I in enough trouble without that? Wasn't very smart.
If I was smart, I wouldn't be sitting in that courtroom having them all look at me like I was dirt.
Get ahold of yourself.
But smart or no smart, I'm full and running over with justice.
And I'm getting rid of you, this trial and this jail.
And if anybody tries to stop me, they're gonna get a broken neck.
It's all right.
He'll be all right.
[CRYING.]
Always in the gutter.
Why? Paul Drake, Inez.
I'd like to talk to you.
[DOOR HITS FOOT.]
Honey, Mr.
Mason pays me to be awfully persistent, so why don't we get this over with? - Hello, Mr.
Drake.
- Hi, Larry.
- How are things at the ballroom? - Still bouncing every night.
But I don't mind, keeps me in shape for football season.
By the way, thanks for bringing Inez back from Vegas.
Of all the girls, she's my favourite.
What about Kim Lane? See you around, honey.
Goodbye, Larry.
You and Larry getting pretty chummy, huh? Uh-oh.
There must be a law.
No.
He's only a college kid.
I guess you had some reason for coming up here besides wanting to change the world.
Yeah, what happened at the courthouse? I wouldn't know.
I wasn't there very long.
Well, I'm painfully aware of that.
The point is, why did you leave? Let's call it a change of heart.
You have a change of heart, and an innocent man pays for it, huh? Oh, honey, send him my regrets.
He'll appreciate that.
Right up to the time they drop the cyanide pellets.
You don't seem very shook up about it.
Why don't you just quietly drop dead? Inez, anybody check your whereabouts the night Kim Lane was murdered? What kind of a crack is that? All I knew is you're doing the greatest silent act since they invented talkies, why? You told me that Martha Rayburn lied when she said she wasn't at her ballroom that night.
- Why won't you tell the court? - Oh, get out of here.
Did Fred Archer and Martha suggest you might bleed a little - if you cooperated with me? - Didn't I say get out of here? All right, honey, if that's the way you wanna play it.
- And this is? - A subpoena.
If you won't appear voluntarily, we'll do it the hard way.
Look, Paul, I won't do Mason any good.
If I show, I'll blast his client.
Mr.
Mason just wants to give you the opportunity to commit perjury on the stand because Faulkner and I will testify you told us an entirely different story.
You know, you should do something about your personality.
You'd give a girl a headache.
Must be some headache.
Well, I won't have it long.
You know, we have something in common.
You say I'll be responsible for Sanders' death, I say you've just become responsible for mine.
[GLASS CLATTERS.]
[DOOR SLAMS.]
Honey, you should've used a gun.
They just haven't figured out a way to remove a bullet with a stomach pump.
Come on, Inez.
Open up.
Inez! [ENGINE STARTS.]
Well, hello, lieutenant.
You find any trace of the girl? - We haven't looked.
- You haven't looked? You told me she was loaded with sleeping pills.
Here, taste.
Sweet.
Yeah, my guess is she took an old prescription bottle, put some sugar pills inside, and played a big death scene.
Oh, and, Mason, don't try to use this as an excuse to delay the trial on Monday.
I'm not speaking for myself, you understand, but the prosecution might think that you staged the whole thing.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Perry, I checked her belongings, and all I could find were some drugstore cosmetics and these two evening dresses.
Paul, I want Archer and Martha Rayburn watched every second till we find Inez.
All right.
Hello, Gertie, let me speak to Della.
Della, I want you to get us two tickets on the 4:30 flight to Las Vegas.
I'll meet you at the airport.
No, no time now.
I'll explain later.
Paul, somehow, I've got to get inside Inez Kaylor's Las Vegas apartment.
Listen, Kim Lane was buying a mink coat on time, wasn't she? Yeah.
Inez was wearing it after Kim disappeared.
So? Well, these conditional sales contracts provide that if the property's moved to another state, the seller has the right to repossess.
And you wanna by out the contract on Kim Lane's mink coat.
With the right to repossess is the right to enter the premises and reclaim the property.
Mr.
Mason, you've just gotten yourself into the finance business.
No trace of it.
That coat must be worth quite a lot of money.
Mink coats don't come cheap, Mr.
Wickett.
Do you suppose Inez could be wearing it, Mr.
Mason? That's quite possible, Miss Street.
Now, what time does Miss Kaylor usually come in? In this town, that's anyone's guess.
Then I'll wait.
No need for you to be inconvenienced, Mr.
Wickett.
You've been quite helpful.
- Uh - Very helpful.
- You check the bedroom.
- Mm-hm.
Did you find anything? Miss Kaylor's a clotheshorse, all right.
Only the funniest thing, most of the labels are from foreign countries.
I didn't know dance hostesses travelled so much.
- Nor I.
- Did you find anything? - Just the usual things.
- Check the mail? No, I just came to it.
Here.
Oh.
Most of it's been forwarded from Inez Kaylor's Los Angeles address.
Some of it's addressed to Kim Lane.
They lived together.
I guess the landlady forwarded it all to Inez.
Mm-hm.
Bills, circulars.
A few letters.
Hmm.
Look at this, Perry.
"Universal Model Agency.
" [MASON READING TEXT.]
Report 20th of this month.
" Report where? There's no address but Los Angeles.
Well, I guess Kim knew what the address was.
[DOOR UNLOCKING.]
Well, you might as well come in.
Thanks.
Well, I suppose we owe each other an explanation.
Now, what would make you suppose that? - For one thing, you don't belong here.
- And you? At least I have a key.
Well, let's call the police, shall we? You're probably bluffing, but I can't take the chance.
Face the door over there.
Hurry up.
I haven't much time.
- He took some of the mail, didn't he? - Mm-hm.
Just one piece.
I wonder.
The card to Kim Lane.
Universal Model Agency.
In Los Angeles.
Why all this trouble over a postcard? When we know the answer to that, we may find ourselves a murderer.
[PHONE RINGING.]
WOMAN: Hello? Yeah.
Oh, well, Jean may still be out of the country on that Central American job.
Just a minute.
Let me check the file.
- You the girl that called yesterday? - Yes.
The boss is busy.
Just sit down.
Yeah, she's still out of the country.
We got another one free, though.
Okay.
She'll meet you in Mexico City.
Hello, Marge.
Oh.
And how were things in Rio this time of the year? Didn't you notice my tan? You look absolutely stunning.
Anything else coming up for me? I'll let you know.
Okay.
The boss will call you when he wants you.
- I'm going down the hall for a minute.
- Thank you.
[FOOTSTEPS.]
You're the girl sent for me? Yes.
Drop the coat.
Yeah, you look all right.
- Are you alone in town? - Yes.
Except for my husband, that is.
Your husband? Lady, did you read the ad? It said "unattached models.
" Well, I'm terribly sorry to have bothered you, Mr.
-- And you and Mr.
Archer were on Front Street and stopped for a signal when this man came towards you with a gun? That's correct.
And the thief took nothing but Mr.
Archer's wallet? That's right.
And at no time did you go - to Danceland Ballroom that evening? - No, I had not.
Your Honour, I object.
These questions have already been asked and already answered.
Mr.
Mason is just going over and over the same points in this case.
JUDGE: Mr.
Mason, the questions have been repetitious, and they've contributed no new evidence.
Objection sustained.
Very well, Your Honour.
Your Honour, may I have a moment, please? [INAUDIBLE.]
- Any lead to Inez Kaylor? - No, the phone number the model agency had for her was the Danceland Ballroom.
In fact, that was the number listed for most of the models.
And the man who runs the agency was the same character we met in Las Vegas.
- The one who pulled the gun on me? - Mm-hm.
Did you get his name? No, Paul's checking on it.
- Perry.
- Mm-hm.
That purse Martha Rayburn has, one of the models at the agency has one just like it.
As a matter of fact, I have seen one just like it myself.
Here.
Miss Rayburn, what sort of a relationship do you enjoy with your hostesses? It's strictly business.
I don't believe in getting friendly with my girls.
It destroys efficiency.
And what are your policies as far as gifts and bonuses are concerned? I'm against them.
Any girl who works for me can make a very good living if she's willing to work hard.
I don't expect any gifts from them, so I don't see why - they should expect any from me.
- I see.
Then now, I should like to ask you something about the purse you're carrying.
BURGER: Your Honour, really, Mr.
Mason is insulting the intelligence of this court in his efforts to prolong this trial.
If it please the court, I believe I can prove the pertinence of such an inquiry.
Very well.
Ahem.
MASON: That is a rather unusual purse, Miss Rayburn.
I had it made for me.
Would you say such a purse could be purchased in one of the department stores in this city? No.
Perhaps one of the of the smaller specialty shops? It was designed specifically for me.
It could only be made upon my placing in the order.
Miss Rayburn, did you read the newspaper accounts of the murder of one of your hostesses, Kim Lane? Yes, I did.
Did you also see the accompanying newspaper photos, which included the personal effects believed to have belonged to Miss Lane? Yes, I did.
Did you see her purse, perhaps? - Well, did you? - Yes.
Wasn't that purse identical with the one you now hold? Well, Miss Rayburn? Yes, it was.
I gave it to her.
Most of my hostesses carry similar handbags.
But just a few seconds ago, you said you felt that your help would be spoiled by such gifts.
That it was against your policy to give them.
Well, really, I don't consider a handbag a gift.
I'm afraid the distinction escapes me.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Well, who does this one belong to? Kim Lane.
How on Earth did you get it? Don't ask questions.
And I've got to get it back to my contact at headquarters in an hour.
All right, she'll get it back.
Well, what would you say, Della? It's a little bulky.
Outside of that, I couldn't say a thing.
A little too bulky, isn't it? Oh, I don't know.
You know the amount of junk some women carry.
Let me see that.
MASON: Hand me that nail file, will you? Mm-hm.
Paul, did you get the name of the man who was running that model agency? Yeah.
Joseph Gibbs.
I'd like him called as a witness for tomorrow's session.
All right.
What about Martha Rayburn? I wanna recall her too.
- Della.
- Mm-hm.
[SIGHS.]
Yeah, there's the manufacturer's tag.
I would like you to do some shopping for me before court tomorrow.
Here you are, Paul.
Now, Miss Rayburn, I ask that you to examine this purse.
Now, what if I told you that that purse belonged to Kim Lane? Your Honour, I wanna know where Mr.
Mason got that purse.
Your Honour, I will explain everything to the district attorney's satisfaction, after my examination of Martha Rayburn.
I object.
Your Honour, not only has Mr.
Mason no right to that purse, but it's completely irrelevant to this case.
I'm inclined to sustain the objection, Mr.
Mason, unless you are in a position to assure this court that there is some factor in this situation which you intend to develop and which will establish a definite connection between the purse and the issues in this case.
I can assure the court, I will show a connection with the purse.
Very well.
I'll overrule the objection and admit the evidence, subject of cause to the right of the prosecution to bring a motion to strike, in the event that the evidence has no such connection.
Thank you, Your Honour.
Lieutenant, find out where Mason got that purse.
MASON: Now, Miss Rayburn, will you describe the inside of that handbag for the court, please? Well, it's roomy, well-made, and there's a separate compartment for everything.
What about the mirror? Oh, yes, there's a mirror attached to the outside flap.
MASON: And behind the mirror? Well, I don't know what you mean.
There's a small setscrew.
I took the liberty of loosening it.
Would you remove the mirror, please? Thank you.
There seems to be traces of some kind of powder here.
Would you know what that is? I have no idea.
It doesn't smell, so I don't suppose it would be face powder.
But it does have a taste, Miss Rayburn.
The taste of heroin.
[CROWD MURMURING.]
Your Honour, I would suggest that the police confirm this analysis and that the district attorney's office investigate both Martha Rayburn and Fred Archer on charges of smuggling narcotics.
That's not true.
Order.
Order in this court.
You've made some very grave charges, Mr.
Mason.
Charges, Your Honour, which Miss Rayburn will corroborate for this court.
I will? Miss Rayburn, sitting in the next room is a Mr.
Joseph Gibbs waiting to testify.
Among the questions I shall ask him is his connection with you.
If he refuses to cooperate, I shall ask his records be subpoenaed and brought into this court.
I shall also ask that everyone of your hostesses be subpoenaed along with their handbags.
The traffic in narcotics has enraged every decent-thinking man and woman in this country.
Now, Miss Rayburn, a jury of your peers might give you up to life in a federal penitentiary.
Would you prefer that or the gas chamber? What do you mean? I mean, you're headed for the gas chamber by placing yourself in that car with Fred Archer as an accomplice to murder.
The murder of Kim Lane and perhaps the murder of Inez Kaylor as well.
Inez isn't dead.
She's staying at a downtown hotel room.
But Kim Lane is dead.
Now, why did you and Archer kill her? I didn't have anything to do with it.
Were you in that car with Fred Archer the night of the robbery? No, I wasn't.
I only said that to help him.
Why did Archer need help? Because the druggist reported that he saw a woman in the car during the robbery.
And that woman was Kim Lane? - Yes.
- Was she alive at the time? Was Kim Lane alive at the time of the robbery? No, she was dead.
She was Archer's girlfriend.
She threatened to go to his family unless he paid her.
And he refused to pay? Well, no.
No, he paid off, all right.
In fact, I cashed one of the cheques for him myself.
He took the money to Miss Lane to an apartment he rented under an assumed name.
After he'd given her the money, he told her she had to clear out.
While she was getting her things, he went out to get some cigarettes.
When he came back about 20 minutes later, she was dead.
And the robbery occurred while he was on his way to dispose of her body? Yes.
No further questions.
Mr.
Burger? Your Honour, in view of these developments, I should like to ask for a continuance.
Your Honour, in the interest of overall justice in this case, I should like to call one more witness.
Proceed.
Then, bailiff, will you ask Mr.
Drake to bring in Joseph Gibbs? That's all I know about it.
I had a business connection with Miss Rayburn, but that's as far as it went.
Tell us about this business connection.
Well, she had these hostesses, I'd send them to different countries on modelling assignments.
They'd get a load of snow and then bring it back in.
- Snow? - Heroin.
Were the hostesses aware of their real function when they went were sent - on these foreign assignments? - No.
What was their regular procedure when they returned to this country? Well, they'd report to the Universal Model Agency.
Go on.
If there wasn't anybody around, we'd take pictures of them.
While they were in front of the camera, I'd switch the little compartment under the mirror in their bag.
What would you do if a stranger happened to be in the office? Well, we worked the switch another time.
So should they have discovered what they were being used for, they were in an excellent position to try blackmail? But they never found out.
What about Kim Lane? What about her? - Wasn't she blackmailing you? - No.
Then where did that money come from? Well, you heard what Miss Rayburn said.
She got 5,000 from Archer.
With the court's permission, I should like the stenographer to read Miss Rayburn's testimony about the blackmail.
Permission is granted.
Thank you, Your Honour.
Where would you like for me to begin? Toward the end of the examination.
STENOGRAPHER: "Was she Archer's girlfriend?" That's about it.
"Yes, she threatened to tell his family if he didn't pay off.
Question: And he refused to pay? Answer: No, he paid, all right.
I cashed one of his cheques myself.
He took the money to Miss Lane to an apartment he had rented under an assumed name.
" That's enough, thank you.
Now, Mr.
Gibbs, did it say anywhere there that Miss Lane received $5,000 from Mr.
Archer? All right, I guess it didn't.
But you knew the exact amount.
Well, Kim must've told me.
Kim Lane could only have told you that in one place.
In Fred Archer's apartment.
In Fred Archer's apartment where you killed her.
Killed her for $5,000.
I-- I demand to see a lawyer.
[CROWD MURMURING.]
That's all, Your Honour.
The district attorney is ordered to take the necessary steps against the parties involved, and the defendant is ordered released from custody.
This court is adjourned.
[GAVEL BANGS.]
[CROWD CHATTERING.]
Thank you, Mr.
Mason.
See you shortly.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Excuse me, lieutenant.
I never actually said it was Kim Lane's handbag.
What did you say? If you look at the record, you'll see I said, "Suppose I told you it was her handbag.
" Can I help it if Miss Rayburn jumped to an unwarranted assumption.
Yeah, but what about the heroin? You know what that was, flour.
There's something that bothers me.
Who did hold up Fred Archer that night? Well, now, he'll probably turn up.
They usually do.
It was a sheer coincidence that whoever did hold him up just happened to drop Archer's wallet and Kim Lane's purse in Sanders' trashcan.
Sounds logical.
You know what I like about this case? You managed to kill two birds with one stone.
You solved a murder and a robbery.
Not a bad day's work.
Well, thank you.
[CHUCKLES, KNOCK ON DOOR.]
We got a wandering boy.
- Hi, beautiful.
Am I intruding? - No more than usual.
You know, one of these days you're gonna give me a complex.
Oh, Perry, it's all arranged.
Sanders starts work Monday at the Concord Record Shop.
- Good.
- Record shop? Yeah, he likes music.
This way he can listen to it all day and still get paid.
Oh, incidentally, the police found Inez Kaylor.
- Is she all right? - Mm-hm.
And a lot wiser.
She's going to business college.
- Business college? - Mm-hm.
- Want some coffee? - No, I gotta run.
I'm supposed to pick up Inez at 9.
Well, she wants me to recommend a good business college.
Just what do you know about business colleges? Are you kidding? I used to teach at one of the finest.
MASON: Mm-hm.
Paul was the track coach.
They figured any girl he couldn't catch in three laps around the desk was ready for the business world.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]