Perry Mason (1957) s02e01 Episode Script
The Case of the Corresponding Corpse
( noirish jazz theme playing ) ( upbeat theme playing ) MAN ( Southern accent ): Well, now, this is all very interesting.
It shows a lot of work and a lot of imagination.
I never realized you folks were so efficient.
All right, Folsom, who put you onto me? I'm so happy you're taking this attitude.
I was afraid there'd be nothing but denials.
Now, where would that get me? Exactly.
We could establish your true identity in no time at all.
Yeah, well, Mr.
Folsom, you just don't have to go to any more trouble.
I'm George Beaumont.
I needn't tell you, Mr.
Beaumont, you have my complete sympathy.
Yeah, I'll bet.
I mean it.
There's no reason my company has to know about this.
I realize that if I file this report, it can destroy your life, not to mention your happiness.
All right, Folsom, how much? Pardon? What's the going price on happiness these days? Well, I'm sure we can come to terms.
When a man's in trouble, I'm perfectly willing to give him every opportunity- Get out.
Out.
Now, hold on, Beaumont.
( chuckles ) You're in no position to- ( knocking on door ) George, dear, I brought you some coffee and- I'm sorry.
Oh, no, Ruth.
Uh, Miss Whittaker, this is Mr.
Folsom.
He calls himself an insurance investigator.
Well, I'll come back later.
Oh, no, you stay.
Mr.
Folsom was just leavin'.
He just stopped in to pick up someblackmail.
Blackmail? Look, Beaumont, you're facing a prison term, scandal, humiliation.
For a few thousand dollars, you can save this new career of yours.
Well, now, it's not worth it.
Oh, wait.
I'm sure that I could raise some money.
Six or 7,000, maybe.
Ruth, are you crazy? My card, Miss Whittaker.
I'll expect to hear from you.
Good day.
That dirty I'll see him dead first before I give him a nickel.
( ominous theme playing ) You must have had money once.
We did once, Mr.
Folsom, not now.
Here's $7,000.
That's all I could raise.
Well, I'm a reasonable man, Miss Whittaker.
May I have the report now, please? Oh, y-yes.
Yes, of course.
All three copies, complete.
Tell me, Mr.
Folsom, where did you get your information? It's part of my job.
A good insurance investigator- Someone told you about George.
Who was it? Don't worry.
My company will never know.
But you'll know.
( chuckles ) I've already forgotten.
You have my word.
The word of a blackmailer.
My dear Miss Whittaker MAN: Ruth? You better go.
MAN: Ruth! Where the devil are you? Seven thousand dollars.
You must love that man very much.
Get out, Mr.
Folsom.
MAN: Ruth! ( footsteps approaching ) Confound it.
Where you been? It's past time for my pills.
Your pills are on the dresser.
Get them yourself.
Why, that- That's no way to talk to your father, Ruthie.
Wait a minute! Where are you goin'? As far away from you as possible.
Now, look, Ruth.
I got a right to know.
You goin' away with George? Ruth, come back here! ( mellow theme playing ) Uh-huh.
How do you spell that? All right.
Yes.
Thank you, Mr.
Beaumont.
I'll tell Mr.
Mason you called.
Morning, Miss Street.
Morning, Mr.
Mason.
You finish your homework? You can take it all right to the typist.
Oh, Paul Drake wants you to give him a buzz as soon as you can.
And you just missed a call from a George Hartley Beaumont.
George Hartley Beaumont? Mm-hm.
What's his number? He called from a booth.
He said he'd call back later on tonight.
What time tonight? About 6:00.
What's wrong? Either someone has an overdeveloped sense of humor, or we're witnessing a modern miracle.
George Hartley Beaumont is dead.
Dead? He died almost three years ago.
That's strange.
I don't remember that.
That was the year you took the six-week vacation.
It all happened while you were gone.
Beaumont was on a business trip to Europe.
His plane went down in the Atlantic.
They recovered less than half the bodies.
Did, uh-? Did Beaumont have a slight Southern accent? Yes, he did.
( mysterious theme playing ) ( knocking on door ) Yeah? Where's Mr.
Hollister? He's gone.
What do you mean, "He's gone"? Well, he's gone.
He paid up and moved out around suppertime.
Where? Did he say where? Well, he did, and he didn't.
What's your name? Ruth Whittaker.
Mm.
Well, I guess that's for you.
( somber theme playing ) GEORGE: My dear Ruth, forgive me.
I can't spend my life hiding from the truth.
Thanks for everything.
Love, George.
Bad news, dearie? ( suspenseful theme playing ) Good morning, Roberta.
Good morning, Mr.
McKay.
The boss lady in? Uh-huh.
Mr.
Walker wants to know if you can make it for lunch today.
Mm, can't.
Got a heavy day today.
See how he's fixed for Friday.
Right.
( door closes ) Good morning.
Don't you know a growing girl should have a decent breakfast? I can't afford it.
Well, you can now.
I've got orders for 68 of these babies.
Oh, you haven't.
I most certainly have.
Are you serious? Well, have a look.
Oh, Glenn, this is- This is wonderful.
Oh, I don't know what I'd do without you.
Well, let's put it this way: Together we make a great team.
Maybe we can make it work outside the office.
( sighs ) Well, you know how I feel about marriage.
Just because you didn't make a big smash of it before- ( intercom buzzes ) Yes, Roberta? I'm sorry to disturb you, Mrs.
Beaumont, but there's a Mr.
Mason here to see you.
LAURA: Mason? Perry Mason.
Oh.
Come in.
He was George's lawyer.
I wonder what he wants.
How are you, Mrs.
Beaumont? Just fine, thank you.
Oh, this is Mr.
McKay, our sales manager.
Glenn, this is Perry Mason.
I've heard a lot about you.
I've seen evidence of your work.
This is quite a change from the old place.
Well, I think Glenn deserves the lion's share of the credit.
Sit down.
No, I really can't stay long.
Oh, now, you'll never make me believe Perry Mason just happened to be in the neighborhood and decided to drop in.
Maybe he wants one of our check writers.
Now, this is our Model 78.
No self-respecting office would be without one.
That's enough, Glenn.
Obviously, he loves his work.
Actually, we were doing a little housecleaning at the office, and I ran across the file on George's estate.
There are some things in here I thought you might wanna keep.
For business or sentimental reasons? Oh, a combination of both.
No, I I don't see anything in here that interests me.
Well, that's one way to dispose of the past.
Oh, I, uh may call you about one of those check writers.
( door closes ) ( mellow theme playing ) ( knocking on door ) You look startled.
I am.
Ruthie, what on Earth are you doin' here? I came to see you.
May I come in, please? Of course.
Your landlady gave me your forwarding address.
I guess she felt sorry for me.
Look, Ruthie, I'm- I'm afraid you just don't understand.
I want to, George, more than anything else in the world.
Why did you leave Crestview City? I'm gonna give myself up.
Oh, no, you mustn't.
I won't let you.
You'll go to prison.
That's a chance I'm gonna have to take.
I'm gonna call Perry Mason again tonight.
He's my lawyer.
Well, he won't be able to help you.
Maybe not.
It's my own fault.
I shoulda come back to Los Angeles three years ago to face the music.
Besides, I have no choice.
Insurance company knows the truth.
No, they don't.
That weasel Folsom musta told 'em by now.
I don't think so, George.
Ruthie, you just don't understand human nature.
But, you know, it doesn't matter 'cause Well, maybe things will break right and Mason'll get me off with a light sentence.
And then Laura and I will be free to give it another try.
Laura? You see, Ruth, most of the trouble between us was my fault, and I- Well, I wrote to her last night.
I- I was gonna call her, but I was afraid it'd be too much of a shock to her.
That's very considerate of you, but what about me? Ruthie, I'll never forget you as long as I live.
You're the sweetest, kindest friend a man- Friend?! You look at me as though I were your faithful cocker spaniel.
Your friend?! Look, Ruthie, you've had a long trip, and you're tired- Oh, what a fool.
What a stupid, pitiful, blind fool.
No, not you.
Me.
When you told me you cared, I was stupid enough to think you meant it! Ruthie, please, people'll hear you.
I don't care.
I'm not ashamed.
I only made the same mistake thousands of women make.
I believed a man when he told me he loved me.
I did love you.
But when Mr.
Folsom came along with his briefcase, that changed everything, did it? Aw, it happened long before he showed up.
Ruthie, I tried to get her out of my mind, but I just couldn't.
I told you how I came to miss that plane.
We'd had another argument, and I went to the gift shop at the terminal to buy her a present, and I just didn't hear 'em announce last call.
When I heard that that plane crashed, I- Well, I figured the best present I could give her was to just get out of her life.
Next you'll be telling me she saved your life.
No.
Ruthie, for three years I let her think I was dead, but more and more, she was on my mind.
I- I guess I shoulda told you before.
Yes, George, long before.
You should have told me before I cashed in my bonds and borrowed money on my furniture and withdrew every penny I had out of the bank.
Ruthie, you didn't pay that blackmailer! Didn't I? I gave him $7,000, nearly everything I had.
Seven thousand dollars? Yes, and for what?! So you could throw me a bone? ( knocking on door ) Go ahead, George, throw it and see how I fetch it for you.
Your cabin's ready, Miss Whittaker.
Unit Number 9, two doors down.
If you don't mind, Mr.
Beaumont, I run a quiet place here.
No, there's no need of your waiting any longer, Gertie.
Just set up the board and you can go on home.
Night.
( sighs ) Like me to make some coffee? Might be a good idea.
( knocking on door ) There's our favorite detective, Paul Drake.
Shall I let him in? Do we have a choice? Mm-mm.
( both chuckle ) Hi, beautiful.
I, uh, figured you two would still be here.
How did you figure that? Well, I'm a detective, remember? Good boy.
Obviously, Mr.
Beaumont hasn't called yet.
Obviously.
Well, uh, how much longer are you going to wait? It's almost 10:00.
Oh, I'll give him another half-hour.
Listen, Della, why don't you and Paul grab a bite together? I'll meet you both just as soon- Uh-uh.
I can be stubborn too.
Well, in that case, I will bid both you charming people good night.
Night.
( rings ) Hello? TRAGG: You don't care what kind of hours you keep.
Who is this? Your friend and admirer.
Lieutenant Tragg? Yes, it is.
Do you know the Villa Motel on Milkirk? No.
Well, do you know a fellow named George Beaumont? All right, Tragg, what's it all about? He's been murdered.
Hello, Perry, you there? I'm here.
We found your name and phone number on a piece of paper in his pocket.
Can we ask you to come out here and identify him? I'll get there as soon as I can.
( suspenseful theme playing ) No, Della.
I, uh- I think you'd better stay here.
You mixed up in this, Mr.
Mason? You know the dead man? Sorry, fellas, I can't talk to you right now.
( all chattering indistinctly ) Well? Well, it's George Beaumont, all right.
Aclient of yours, wasn't he? At one time.
Pretty unusual man.
Well, he died twice.
That doesn't happen very often.
Then you know he was supposed to have been on that airliner that went down in the Atlantic three years ago? Yeah, we know that and a lot more.
Uh, get that down to the lab.
That's the murder weapon, if you haven't guessed.
I guessed.
Who killed him, lieutenant? What makes you think we've picked on anyone? Oh, you've got that look.
Besides, someone had to tell you about Beaumont dying once before.
You couldn't have checked it out this fast.
You're right.
Let's get some air.
what about a statement? Now, now, boys, you're gonna get everything you want, but how about giving me a little privacy first, huh? Okay, lieutenant.
( reporters murmuring ) Thanks.
Hmm.
Uh, Beaumont ever mention a girl named, uh, Ruth Whittaker to you? I haven't spoken to Beaumont in almost three years.
Well, he, uh, told Miss Whittaker that he phoned you earlier today.
He phoned my office.
I didn't speak to him.
My, we're a little touchy tonight, aren't we? I just wanna keep the record straight.
Oh, I can understand that.
Burger had an idea that you might have been, uh, counseling Beaumont.
Well, if Beaumont had lived, he'd have been in quite a jam.
I understand our courts take a very dim view of defrauding an insurance company.
Mr.
Burger thinks I advised Beaumont to stay out of sight? Oh, well, he didn't exactly come, uh, right out and say that.
No, but that was the implication.
Mm-hm.
How does Ruth Whittaker fit into this? She fits in real good.
We think she killed him.
For the last two and a half years, Beaumont has been living in Crestview City under the name of Hollister.
Miss Whittaker was, uh- Well, what is termed in polite circles, his girlfriend.
Apparently, he had some ideas of going back to his wife, and Miss Whittaker didn't approve.
How do you know? They had words, and fortunately for us, they were overheard.
We found her packing a suitcase in Unit 9.
Well, I've got to get back to work.
Thanks for dropping by.
And I'll tell Mr.
Burger you've been most cooperative.
( ominous theme playing ) I wanna thank you for coming down here, Mr.
Mason.
I know how busy you are.
But George said you were his friend as well as his lawyer.
I was.
( sighs ) Did you know that all his life, George wanted to be a painter? That's where we met, in art class.
I wasn't very good.
I just kept on so that I could see George.
Of course, at that time, I thought his name was Hollister.
He didn't tell me the true story until some time later.
Why did George pick this particular time to come back to Los Angeles? He had to.
Some insurance investigator found out about him, and George wouldn't pay him to keep quiet.
What was this investigator's name? Harry Folsom.
I gave him $7,000.
Well, I had to.
I couldn't let anything happen to George.
How did, uh? How did Folsom find out about George? I don't know.
Do you have any relatives in Crestview City? Just my father.
Have you been in touch with him? No.
Would you like me to call him for you? No, please don't bother.
I don't want you to go to any more trouble.
I- It was nice enough of you to come down here at all.
Tell me, Miss Whittaker did you kill George Beaumont? Would you believe me if I said I didn't? Yes.
Well, I didn't do it, Mr.
Mason.
I know how it looks, and I was angry.
But I realized it wasn't George's fault, and I couldn't help the way he felt about his wife.
All right.
I'll, um I'll be in to see you tomorrow.
You mean, you're willing to act as my lawyer? Unless you have someone else in mind.
( sobbing ) I must admit, Mr.
Mason, I'm really surprised.
I don't see why, Mrs.
Beaumont.
Well, for one thing, I know my husband considered you his friend.
Now you're defending his murderer.
I find that peculiar.
Well, what makes you think Miss Whittaker killed him? All you have to do is read the newspapers.
Fortunately, juries demand a little more proof than reporters.
Naturally, you'd say that.
( door opens ) Oh.
I'm sorry, Laura.
I didn't know you were busy.
No, Glenn, it's all right.
Come on in.
Hello, Mason.
McKay.
Mr.
Mason's defending that girl.
Yes, I know.
I read it in the paper.
I take it you don't approve either.
Does it matter whether I approve? Frankly, no.
How well did you know George Beaumont? I heard that you worked that way.
You're not just satisfied with getting an acquittal for a client.
But I understand that you have a compulsion to turn up the guilty party.
That doesn't answer my question.
It doesn't, does it? Now, I believe the question was, did I know George Beaumont? Well, yes, I did.
I came here to work for him about six months before he disappeared.
Now, would you like to know what I thought of him? No, don't.
It's all right.
I want Mr.
Mason to know.
You see, Beaumont was one of those men who meant well, but he couldn't help ruining everything he touched.
He ran this office into the ground and gave Laura a phobia against marriage.
In short, I thought very little of the gentleman.
Well, I can't say you've avoided the question.
( chuckles ) Are there any others? Yes.
Do you know a man named Harry Folsom? Folsom? No.
He's an insurance investigator for Mercury Mutual.
He's the one who discovered George didn't die in that plane crash.
By any chance, did Folsom get in touch with you? Why should he? He tried to blackmail your husband.
He offered to keep his report from the insurance company.
I wondered if he'd come to you with a similar proposal.
Well, you stood to lose a great deal.
The insurance company paid you $90,000 when that plane went down.
Now I ask you, Mr.
Mason: Would you believe me if I told you I had no idea my husband was alive? I might.
I doubt it.
I suggest you, um You see this Mr.
Folsom.
I'm rather surprised you never thought of it yourself.
As a matter of fact, I did.
There's an investigator named Paul Drake flying down to Crestview City to see him.
With any luck, he should be there in about 20 minutes.
It's nice to see you again, Mr.
McKay, and I haven't forgotten about that check writer.
I'll try and have my office get in touch with you shortly.
Mrs.
Beaumont.
( suspenseful theme playing ) Tell Mr.
Mason I'll do anything at all to cooperate.
Unfortunately, there's very little I can add to the story.
How did you find out George Beaumont was still alive? That's a strange thing, Mr.
Drake.
An anonymous phone call.
Oh? Man or woman? Man, I believe.
Naturally, at first, I didn't think there was anything to it, but, of course, I checked.
After all, that's what my company pays me for.
What about your other sources of income? I beg your pardon? Didn't Miss Whittaker pay you $7,000 to destroy your report? That's what she told Perry Mason.
She's a dirty little liar! Then, you made a report to your company? Naturally.
Funny, they haven't received it yet.
I checked just before I flew down here.
Are you suggesting, by any chance-? I'm suggesting that you mailed your report to your company after you found out George Beaumont was murdered.
All right, Drake, if you want to play rough, I'm just the boy to accommodate you.
Your friend Perry Mason had better watch his step.
You know what Beaumont told me before he died? I have no idea.
He said he got in touch with Mason just after the plane crashed, and Mason advised him to stay out of sight and let my company pay off on the policy.
Mason got $25,000 for masterminding the deal.
George Beaumont told you this? Let's see you prove he didn't.
Now, if Mason wants to throw mud, tell him I can throw with the best of them.
I'll just bet you're in a league by yourself.
Who tipped you off that George Beaumont was alive? ( scoffs ) Let go of me.
Well? Whittaker.
Who? Jonah Whittaker.
Ruth Whittaker's father.
Thanks, uh, Mr.
Folsom.
( dramatic theme playing ) I tell you, Perry.
This Folsom character is as slimy as they come.
Do you think he could have killed Beaumont? Mm-mm.
He certainly had a motive.
After all, if Beaumont were going to give himself up, naturally, he'd tell the police that Folsom had been trying to blackmail him.
What's the penalty for blackmail, counselor? Oh, all depends.
Could be several years.
How much extra can be added for conspiring to defraud your own insurance company? Well, you got me convinced, Della.
What about Miss Whittaker's father, Paul? Well, I tried to get in touch with him, but he was gone.
According to the neighbors, he left yesterday morning with a suitcase.
I traced him down to the bus terminal, and they told me he bought a ticket for L.
A.
He'll probably try to contact Ruth.
Check it out, will you? I already have.
As of 11:00 this morning, he had not put in an appearance.
Ruth must have known all along that it was her father who called Folsom, yet she said nothing.
She was protecting him.
Proving some parents get better children than they deserve.
You'll have to find him, Paul, and fast.
Preliminary hearing starts Wednesday.
I know.
I've got Faulkner and Davis on it now.
I'll put on some more men if you think it's necessary.
Maybe you'd better.
( phone rings ) Yes, Gertie? All right, put him on.
It's for you, Paul.
Hello? Yeah? ( sighs ) Yeah, I see.
No.
No, that's okay.
Call me later.
That was Faulkner.
He found old man Whittaker.
Where? In the DA's office.
( ominous theme playing ) TRAGG: We, uh, found this in the corner of the motel room occupied by the deceased.
The, uh, exact point is indicated by the letter B on that, uh, diagram.
I see.
Now, lieutenant, what did you find when you examined this letter opener? Well, there were several bloodstains.
On analysis, they proved to be the same type as the blood of the- Of the victim, George Beaumont.
BURGER: Did you find any fingerprints on here? Yes, sir.
They were smudged, but there was an identifiable thumb and forefinger on the handle.
Did you identify those prints? We have.
They belong to the defendant, Ruth Whittaker.
Thank you, lieutenant.
You may cross-examine.
Um, may I? Of course.
Thank you.
Uh, lieutenant, we've heard testimony that the- The victim was stabbed in the back.
TRAGG: That's correct.
Thank you.
And this is where Mr.
Beaumont was standing when the fatal blow was delivered? No.
No, that's where we found the body.
But if death was instantaneous, as we've heard, then the victim must have been standing in this general area.
Isn't that true? Well, as a matter of fact, he wasn't standing.
He was kneeling.
As though he were, um, looking for something? I object, Your Honor.
That calls for a conclusion of the witness.
Objection sustained.
Uh, thank you, lieutenant.
That'll be all.
You may step down.
I call Leon Corby to the stand, please.
Mr.
Leon Corby.
A- and then Miss Whittaker said she would run over and say hello to Mr.
Beaumont while I was, uh, fixing up Unit Number 9.
But while I was in there cleaning up, I heard this arguing.
Could you hear what they were saying? Well, I heard the lady say, uh, "I cashed all my bonds, took a loan on my furniture, and all for you.
" Something like that.
BURGER: Could you hear Mr.
Beaumont's answer? CORBY: N- no.
Thank you, Mr.
Corby.
Mm.
Cross-examine.
Now, Mr.
Corby, when you interrupted this alleged quarrel between the victim and the defendant, what exactly did you see? Well, the lady was holding that there letter opener like it was a dagger.
MASON: Was she wearing gloves at the time? N- no.
No, she wasn't.
Then, naturally you'd expect to find her fingerprints on the letter opener.
Well, sure, yeah.
Now, what time was this, Mr.
Corby? Oh, it was pretty close to 3:00.
And you discovered the body when? About 8 that night.
So isn't it then possible that another person, wearing gloves, could have entered that room during that interval? I object, Your Honor.
Counsel is being argumentative.
JUDGE: Objection sustained.
Thank you, Mr.
Corby.
That's all.
BURGER: Uh, just a moment, Mr.
Corby.
One or two questions on redirect.
You testified that the quarrel between the victim and the defendant took place at 3:00.
Yes, sir.
That's right.
When did you next see the defendant? About half past 5, quarter to 6.
BURGER: And where was she at this time? CORBY: She was coming out of Mr.
Beaumont's room.
But did you see Mr.
Beaumont? No, uh, the next time I saw him was when I found him stretched out on the floor of that room, dead.
Thank you, Mr.
Corby.
FOLSOM: Well, naturally, the first thing I did was go up to see Mr.
Beaumont.
My informant told me he was using the name of George Hollister.
The minute I talked to him, I was sure I had the right party.
Mr.
Folsom, was the defendant, Miss Whittaker, present at that meeting? Yes, sir, she was.
Did you see the defendant again? Yes, sir, that same night.
I went to her home, and- She gave me $7,000 in cash.
Why did she give you this money, Mr.
Folsom? So I wouldn't send my report on Beaumont to the home office.
In other words, Miss Whittaker hoped that this payment would keep her relationship with Mr.
Beaumont intact? That was the whole idea.
You may cross-examine.
Mr.
Folsom, I'm very interested in this so-called payment.
Isn't that rather a polite term for blackmail? Well, if you want to call it that.
I do want to call it that.
Now, uh Didn't you first telephone and then go to see the district attorney at your own expense in order to tell him about this? Yes, sir, I did.
And didn't you do this in an attempt to secure immunity for yourself from a blackmail charge? I just thought the whole thing over and realized it was the best thing to do.
Now, isn't it a fact that the- The story you first told the district attorney differs materially from the one you're telling now? I object, Your Honor.
This is improper cross-examination.
It's incompetent, irrelevant and immaterial, in that it assumes a fact not in evidence.
I think we will commit the question, Mr.
Burger.
You may continue, Mr.
Mason.
Why, thank you, Your Honor.
Now, Mr.
Folsom you admit blackmailing my client.
Yes, sir.
Did you at any time try to get money from any other person in this case? I don't know what you mean.
Did you get in touch with Mrs.
Beaumont and tell her that her husband was still alive? FOLSOM: No.
How is it you missed that golden opportunity? Uh, I never even thought of it.
( crowd laughing ) ( gavel pounding ) We have heard evidence that Mr.
Beaumont intended to give himself up.
Now, he told you that, didn't he? Yes.
Well, weren't you afraid of the consequences when your company discovered the true facts? And didn't it occur to you that there might be a way you could stop him? ( dramatic theme playing ) I- I didn't kill him, if that's what you're suggesting.
( tense theme playing ) Now, Mrs.
Beaumont, when was the last time that you saw or heard from your late husband? On November 19th, three years ago.
That- That was the day he was supposed to fly to Europe on business? Yes, he was booked on the American Eagle.
Would you explain to this court, please, what happened to that aircraft? It crashed about an hour after takeoff.
And you had no way of knowing that your husband was not onboard that plane? No, sir.
He made no attempt to get in touch with you thereafter? Absolutely none at all.
So you didn't know and had no way of knowing that your husband was in Los Angeles and alive on November 14th, the day of the murder? No, sir.
Would you be good enough to relate to us your own actions on November 14th? You may refer to the office diary if you'd like to.
I would like to, please.
Well, I, uh- I came in the office at 9:15 and started over some correspondence with my secretary, Roberta Walker.
And at 10:00, I went over the books.
And at 10:30, Mr.
Mason dropped in.
Excuse me.
When was the last time you saw Mr.
Mason before that? Well, when he, uh, brought over the check from the insurance company.
So on the day of the murder, you had not seen Mr.
Mason for almost three years? That's right.
Go ahead, please.
Well, at 11:00, I had a business meeting with, uh, my associate, Glenn McKay, and two salesmen.
Then at 1:00, we went out to lunch.
A- and after lunch? Well, I became ill suddenly, and I- I didn't want to go back to the office, so I went home.
And did you consult your doctor? Uh, yes, sir.
I called our family physician, Dr.
William Burns, and he ordered me to stay in bed for the day.
And when was the first time that you learned of your husband's death? Well, at 11:30 that night w- when Lieutenant Tragg? Tragg.
Tragg called me at my apartment.
I see.
Thank you, Mrs.
Beaumont.
You may cross-examine, counselor.
( man clears throat ) I'm, uh- I'm sorry to hear you became ill on the day of my visit, Mrs.
Beaumont.
I hope there was no connection.
The doctor said it was food poisoning.
But you were the only one who became ill.
LAURA: Yes, sir.
MASON: I see.
Your husband stayed at the Villa Motel in Los Angeles And during that time, he made no effort whatsoever to phone you? No, sir, he didn't.
Uh, by any chance, did he, uh- Did he write to you? No.
And if I may anticipate your next question, he didn't telegraph either.
Thank you, Mrs.
Beaumont.
That will be all.
You may stand down.
BURGER: I call Jonah Whittaker to the stand, please.
Jonah Whittaker.
If it please the court, I should like to request a 20-minute recess while I confer with my client.
Well, since it's almost 12:00, perhaps this would be as good a time as any for the noon recess.
The court stands adjourned till 2:00 this afternoon.
All I told my father was that George's real name was Beaumont and he had a wife in Los Angeles.
You sure you didn't tell him her first name was Laura? No, I'm not sure, but what difference does it make? It makes this difference: if Mrs.
Beaumont knew her husband was alive on November 14th, she's a definite suspect.
She did know.
She knew.
Well, your father did write to her, then? No, George did himself.
Are you positive? Yes, uh I'm trying to remember when it first came out.
It was when I went to his room in that motel, and he said something about writing to her because if she heard his voice on the phone, it would be too great a shock.
And why didn't you tell me that before? I don't know.
In all the excitement, it slipped my mind, I guess.
Then Mrs.
Beaumont was perjuring herself on the stand.
A little thing like perjury wouldn't stop her if she was guilty of murder.
Listen, Ruth, I- ( suspenseful theme playing ) What's wrong? There's a lot that's wrong.
I'd better get in touch with Paul.
( door opens ) ( door closes ) Try not to worry.
And do you remember the morning of November 15th? That is the day following the murder.
Excuse me, Mr.
McKay, I asked if you remembered the morning of November 15th.
Why, yes, sir.
I, uh, discovered, uh, Lieutenant Tragg and two of his officers examining Mrs.
, uh, Beaumont's office.
And what happened then? Well, lieutenant, uh, showed me, uh, an envelope addressed to Mrs.
Beaumont.
Is this the envelope? Yes, sir.
If it please the court, I would like this marked for identification.
GEORGE: My darlin' Laura, I know what a shock this must be.
It must seem like a voice from the grave.
All I can tell you now is that I'm very much alive.
I realize the problems this will make for you, and I wish there was some way I could alleviate them.
I'll call you in a day or two after I see Perry Mason.
With all my love, George.
Now, Mr.
McKay, this is the letter Lieutenant Tragg showed you on the morning of November 15th? Yes, sir.
Did you examine it carefully at that time? I did.
And would you say that the seal had been tampered with? I object, Your Honor.
This witness is not an expert.
If it please the court, Sergeant Walker, from the crime lab, is here in court and could testify on this subject.
I only tried to expedite matters.
I appreciate your concern for the court, Mr.
Burger, but the rules of evidence must maintain.
The objection is sustained.
Very well, Your Honor.
I have no further questions to ask this witness.
You may cross-examine.
Oh, Mr.
Mason.
Mr.
Burger.
Mr.
McKay, what is your personal relationship with Mrs.
Beaumont? Your Honor, I object! This is certainly incompetent, immaterial and irrelevant.
If Your Honor please, I should like to prove the relevancy.
The witness will answer the question.
McKAY: I am very fond of Mrs.
Beaumont.
In fact, you have, uh, hopes of marrying her? Well, high hopes.
And you'd do anything in your power to protect her from a possible charge of murder? Oh, I don't need to protect her, Mr.
Mason.
I think it's been proven that she had no way of knowing that her husband was alive.
She never saw the letter.
How can you testify to that, Mr.
McKay? Well, the- The letter arrived in the afternoon mail at 3:00, and Laura was in bed at home with food poisoning.
And you returned to the office after lunch that day? I did.
Then you, uh- Then you saw the envelope? ( chuckles ) Well, assuming that I did, Mr.
Mason, I'd have to be clairvoyant to know what was on the inside of the letter.
The seal wasn't broken.
Now, Mr.
McKay, would you, uh-? Would you please examine these and describe them for the court? They seem to be two steel knitting needles, soldered together at one end.
You have no idea of their function? I'm afraid I don't follow you.
MASON: Well, I understood they were tools of your trade.
As a matter of fact, Mr.
Drake just got these from one of your own salesmen.
Would you care for me to demonstrate their use? I don't know about the witness, Mr.
Mason, but the court would, if it has any bearing on the case.
It has, Your Honor.
Allow me.
Your Honor, this is a device used by salesmen of check-writing machines, to show how easy it is, to remove a check from an envelope and alter it.
The same principle, of course, applies to a letter.
You, uh, insert this in the bottom of the envelope, and when the letter is caught between the two needles, you simply wind it up, like this, and then withdraw it, like this.
By reversing the process, you can reintroduce the letter and the seal will show no sign that it has been tampered with.
Isn't that correct? Haven't you used such a device yourself? Well, yes.
A lot of salesmen in our business do.
Then why did you give the court the impression you had no idea what these were for? Because I had no desire to involve Mrs.
Beaumont.
MASON: That's very noble of you, Mr.
McKay.
But why should Mrs.
Beaumont become involved? You just testified that she never saw that letter, that she was home ill.
Well, I- I submit that when you saw the initials on that envelope, you became suspicious.
You removed the letter, discovered that George Beaumont was alive.
No, no.
I didn't have to leave the letter there! I could have destroyed it! You didn't dare destroy it.
Your receptionist might have remembered that envelope and told Mrs.
Beaumont.
So you returned the letter to the envelope, and then you went to the Villa Motel, where you killed George Beaumont! Isn't that the way it happened, Mr.
McKay? Answer me! ( dramatic theme playing ) Laura, you've got to believe me.
I did this for us.
He would have ruined everything that we built.
We were a great team.
You know that you didn't want him to come back.
Laura, don't leave me! ( upbeat theme playing ) You know what I still don't understand? Hmm.
Why McKay would take a chance of going to that motel, bent on murder and not bring a gun.
Yeah.
Well, my guess is that he did.
You're right.
I just spoke to Tragg.
McKay admits he had a gun.
Beaumont jumped him and knocked it out of his hand.
How does he do it? Black magic.
Remember that Tragg testified that Beaumont was on his hands and knees when he was stabbed with that letter opener? Yeah.
Of course, he was trying to get the gun when it fell on the floor.
See how simple it is? Oh, uh, here's my expense account.
I thought you'd like to check it.
That covers just about everything I spent on this case.
Miscellaneous: $125.
98.
Paul Drake.
Well, Perry wanted me to talk to that salesman and find out about the knitting needles.
It's my fault, Della.
I should have known he didn't have any sales resistance.
Well, here.
Write him a check.
Sure.
( all laughing ) ( noirish jazz theme playing )
It shows a lot of work and a lot of imagination.
I never realized you folks were so efficient.
All right, Folsom, who put you onto me? I'm so happy you're taking this attitude.
I was afraid there'd be nothing but denials.
Now, where would that get me? Exactly.
We could establish your true identity in no time at all.
Yeah, well, Mr.
Folsom, you just don't have to go to any more trouble.
I'm George Beaumont.
I needn't tell you, Mr.
Beaumont, you have my complete sympathy.
Yeah, I'll bet.
I mean it.
There's no reason my company has to know about this.
I realize that if I file this report, it can destroy your life, not to mention your happiness.
All right, Folsom, how much? Pardon? What's the going price on happiness these days? Well, I'm sure we can come to terms.
When a man's in trouble, I'm perfectly willing to give him every opportunity- Get out.
Out.
Now, hold on, Beaumont.
( chuckles ) You're in no position to- ( knocking on door ) George, dear, I brought you some coffee and- I'm sorry.
Oh, no, Ruth.
Uh, Miss Whittaker, this is Mr.
Folsom.
He calls himself an insurance investigator.
Well, I'll come back later.
Oh, no, you stay.
Mr.
Folsom was just leavin'.
He just stopped in to pick up someblackmail.
Blackmail? Look, Beaumont, you're facing a prison term, scandal, humiliation.
For a few thousand dollars, you can save this new career of yours.
Well, now, it's not worth it.
Oh, wait.
I'm sure that I could raise some money.
Six or 7,000, maybe.
Ruth, are you crazy? My card, Miss Whittaker.
I'll expect to hear from you.
Good day.
That dirty I'll see him dead first before I give him a nickel.
( ominous theme playing ) You must have had money once.
We did once, Mr.
Folsom, not now.
Here's $7,000.
That's all I could raise.
Well, I'm a reasonable man, Miss Whittaker.
May I have the report now, please? Oh, y-yes.
Yes, of course.
All three copies, complete.
Tell me, Mr.
Folsom, where did you get your information? It's part of my job.
A good insurance investigator- Someone told you about George.
Who was it? Don't worry.
My company will never know.
But you'll know.
( chuckles ) I've already forgotten.
You have my word.
The word of a blackmailer.
My dear Miss Whittaker MAN: Ruth? You better go.
MAN: Ruth! Where the devil are you? Seven thousand dollars.
You must love that man very much.
Get out, Mr.
Folsom.
MAN: Ruth! ( footsteps approaching ) Confound it.
Where you been? It's past time for my pills.
Your pills are on the dresser.
Get them yourself.
Why, that- That's no way to talk to your father, Ruthie.
Wait a minute! Where are you goin'? As far away from you as possible.
Now, look, Ruth.
I got a right to know.
You goin' away with George? Ruth, come back here! ( mellow theme playing ) Uh-huh.
How do you spell that? All right.
Yes.
Thank you, Mr.
Beaumont.
I'll tell Mr.
Mason you called.
Morning, Miss Street.
Morning, Mr.
Mason.
You finish your homework? You can take it all right to the typist.
Oh, Paul Drake wants you to give him a buzz as soon as you can.
And you just missed a call from a George Hartley Beaumont.
George Hartley Beaumont? Mm-hm.
What's his number? He called from a booth.
He said he'd call back later on tonight.
What time tonight? About 6:00.
What's wrong? Either someone has an overdeveloped sense of humor, or we're witnessing a modern miracle.
George Hartley Beaumont is dead.
Dead? He died almost three years ago.
That's strange.
I don't remember that.
That was the year you took the six-week vacation.
It all happened while you were gone.
Beaumont was on a business trip to Europe.
His plane went down in the Atlantic.
They recovered less than half the bodies.
Did, uh-? Did Beaumont have a slight Southern accent? Yes, he did.
( mysterious theme playing ) ( knocking on door ) Yeah? Where's Mr.
Hollister? He's gone.
What do you mean, "He's gone"? Well, he's gone.
He paid up and moved out around suppertime.
Where? Did he say where? Well, he did, and he didn't.
What's your name? Ruth Whittaker.
Mm.
Well, I guess that's for you.
( somber theme playing ) GEORGE: My dear Ruth, forgive me.
I can't spend my life hiding from the truth.
Thanks for everything.
Love, George.
Bad news, dearie? ( suspenseful theme playing ) Good morning, Roberta.
Good morning, Mr.
McKay.
The boss lady in? Uh-huh.
Mr.
Walker wants to know if you can make it for lunch today.
Mm, can't.
Got a heavy day today.
See how he's fixed for Friday.
Right.
( door closes ) Good morning.
Don't you know a growing girl should have a decent breakfast? I can't afford it.
Well, you can now.
I've got orders for 68 of these babies.
Oh, you haven't.
I most certainly have.
Are you serious? Well, have a look.
Oh, Glenn, this is- This is wonderful.
Oh, I don't know what I'd do without you.
Well, let's put it this way: Together we make a great team.
Maybe we can make it work outside the office.
( sighs ) Well, you know how I feel about marriage.
Just because you didn't make a big smash of it before- ( intercom buzzes ) Yes, Roberta? I'm sorry to disturb you, Mrs.
Beaumont, but there's a Mr.
Mason here to see you.
LAURA: Mason? Perry Mason.
Oh.
Come in.
He was George's lawyer.
I wonder what he wants.
How are you, Mrs.
Beaumont? Just fine, thank you.
Oh, this is Mr.
McKay, our sales manager.
Glenn, this is Perry Mason.
I've heard a lot about you.
I've seen evidence of your work.
This is quite a change from the old place.
Well, I think Glenn deserves the lion's share of the credit.
Sit down.
No, I really can't stay long.
Oh, now, you'll never make me believe Perry Mason just happened to be in the neighborhood and decided to drop in.
Maybe he wants one of our check writers.
Now, this is our Model 78.
No self-respecting office would be without one.
That's enough, Glenn.
Obviously, he loves his work.
Actually, we were doing a little housecleaning at the office, and I ran across the file on George's estate.
There are some things in here I thought you might wanna keep.
For business or sentimental reasons? Oh, a combination of both.
No, I I don't see anything in here that interests me.
Well, that's one way to dispose of the past.
Oh, I, uh may call you about one of those check writers.
( door closes ) ( mellow theme playing ) ( knocking on door ) You look startled.
I am.
Ruthie, what on Earth are you doin' here? I came to see you.
May I come in, please? Of course.
Your landlady gave me your forwarding address.
I guess she felt sorry for me.
Look, Ruthie, I'm- I'm afraid you just don't understand.
I want to, George, more than anything else in the world.
Why did you leave Crestview City? I'm gonna give myself up.
Oh, no, you mustn't.
I won't let you.
You'll go to prison.
That's a chance I'm gonna have to take.
I'm gonna call Perry Mason again tonight.
He's my lawyer.
Well, he won't be able to help you.
Maybe not.
It's my own fault.
I shoulda come back to Los Angeles three years ago to face the music.
Besides, I have no choice.
Insurance company knows the truth.
No, they don't.
That weasel Folsom musta told 'em by now.
I don't think so, George.
Ruthie, you just don't understand human nature.
But, you know, it doesn't matter 'cause Well, maybe things will break right and Mason'll get me off with a light sentence.
And then Laura and I will be free to give it another try.
Laura? You see, Ruth, most of the trouble between us was my fault, and I- Well, I wrote to her last night.
I- I was gonna call her, but I was afraid it'd be too much of a shock to her.
That's very considerate of you, but what about me? Ruthie, I'll never forget you as long as I live.
You're the sweetest, kindest friend a man- Friend?! You look at me as though I were your faithful cocker spaniel.
Your friend?! Look, Ruthie, you've had a long trip, and you're tired- Oh, what a fool.
What a stupid, pitiful, blind fool.
No, not you.
Me.
When you told me you cared, I was stupid enough to think you meant it! Ruthie, please, people'll hear you.
I don't care.
I'm not ashamed.
I only made the same mistake thousands of women make.
I believed a man when he told me he loved me.
I did love you.
But when Mr.
Folsom came along with his briefcase, that changed everything, did it? Aw, it happened long before he showed up.
Ruthie, I tried to get her out of my mind, but I just couldn't.
I told you how I came to miss that plane.
We'd had another argument, and I went to the gift shop at the terminal to buy her a present, and I just didn't hear 'em announce last call.
When I heard that that plane crashed, I- Well, I figured the best present I could give her was to just get out of her life.
Next you'll be telling me she saved your life.
No.
Ruthie, for three years I let her think I was dead, but more and more, she was on my mind.
I- I guess I shoulda told you before.
Yes, George, long before.
You should have told me before I cashed in my bonds and borrowed money on my furniture and withdrew every penny I had out of the bank.
Ruthie, you didn't pay that blackmailer! Didn't I? I gave him $7,000, nearly everything I had.
Seven thousand dollars? Yes, and for what?! So you could throw me a bone? ( knocking on door ) Go ahead, George, throw it and see how I fetch it for you.
Your cabin's ready, Miss Whittaker.
Unit Number 9, two doors down.
If you don't mind, Mr.
Beaumont, I run a quiet place here.
No, there's no need of your waiting any longer, Gertie.
Just set up the board and you can go on home.
Night.
( sighs ) Like me to make some coffee? Might be a good idea.
( knocking on door ) There's our favorite detective, Paul Drake.
Shall I let him in? Do we have a choice? Mm-mm.
( both chuckle ) Hi, beautiful.
I, uh, figured you two would still be here.
How did you figure that? Well, I'm a detective, remember? Good boy.
Obviously, Mr.
Beaumont hasn't called yet.
Obviously.
Well, uh, how much longer are you going to wait? It's almost 10:00.
Oh, I'll give him another half-hour.
Listen, Della, why don't you and Paul grab a bite together? I'll meet you both just as soon- Uh-uh.
I can be stubborn too.
Well, in that case, I will bid both you charming people good night.
Night.
( rings ) Hello? TRAGG: You don't care what kind of hours you keep.
Who is this? Your friend and admirer.
Lieutenant Tragg? Yes, it is.
Do you know the Villa Motel on Milkirk? No.
Well, do you know a fellow named George Beaumont? All right, Tragg, what's it all about? He's been murdered.
Hello, Perry, you there? I'm here.
We found your name and phone number on a piece of paper in his pocket.
Can we ask you to come out here and identify him? I'll get there as soon as I can.
( suspenseful theme playing ) No, Della.
I, uh- I think you'd better stay here.
You mixed up in this, Mr.
Mason? You know the dead man? Sorry, fellas, I can't talk to you right now.
( all chattering indistinctly ) Well? Well, it's George Beaumont, all right.
Aclient of yours, wasn't he? At one time.
Pretty unusual man.
Well, he died twice.
That doesn't happen very often.
Then you know he was supposed to have been on that airliner that went down in the Atlantic three years ago? Yeah, we know that and a lot more.
Uh, get that down to the lab.
That's the murder weapon, if you haven't guessed.
I guessed.
Who killed him, lieutenant? What makes you think we've picked on anyone? Oh, you've got that look.
Besides, someone had to tell you about Beaumont dying once before.
You couldn't have checked it out this fast.
You're right.
Let's get some air.
what about a statement? Now, now, boys, you're gonna get everything you want, but how about giving me a little privacy first, huh? Okay, lieutenant.
( reporters murmuring ) Thanks.
Hmm.
Uh, Beaumont ever mention a girl named, uh, Ruth Whittaker to you? I haven't spoken to Beaumont in almost three years.
Well, he, uh, told Miss Whittaker that he phoned you earlier today.
He phoned my office.
I didn't speak to him.
My, we're a little touchy tonight, aren't we? I just wanna keep the record straight.
Oh, I can understand that.
Burger had an idea that you might have been, uh, counseling Beaumont.
Well, if Beaumont had lived, he'd have been in quite a jam.
I understand our courts take a very dim view of defrauding an insurance company.
Mr.
Burger thinks I advised Beaumont to stay out of sight? Oh, well, he didn't exactly come, uh, right out and say that.
No, but that was the implication.
Mm-hm.
How does Ruth Whittaker fit into this? She fits in real good.
We think she killed him.
For the last two and a half years, Beaumont has been living in Crestview City under the name of Hollister.
Miss Whittaker was, uh- Well, what is termed in polite circles, his girlfriend.
Apparently, he had some ideas of going back to his wife, and Miss Whittaker didn't approve.
How do you know? They had words, and fortunately for us, they were overheard.
We found her packing a suitcase in Unit 9.
Well, I've got to get back to work.
Thanks for dropping by.
And I'll tell Mr.
Burger you've been most cooperative.
( ominous theme playing ) I wanna thank you for coming down here, Mr.
Mason.
I know how busy you are.
But George said you were his friend as well as his lawyer.
I was.
( sighs ) Did you know that all his life, George wanted to be a painter? That's where we met, in art class.
I wasn't very good.
I just kept on so that I could see George.
Of course, at that time, I thought his name was Hollister.
He didn't tell me the true story until some time later.
Why did George pick this particular time to come back to Los Angeles? He had to.
Some insurance investigator found out about him, and George wouldn't pay him to keep quiet.
What was this investigator's name? Harry Folsom.
I gave him $7,000.
Well, I had to.
I couldn't let anything happen to George.
How did, uh? How did Folsom find out about George? I don't know.
Do you have any relatives in Crestview City? Just my father.
Have you been in touch with him? No.
Would you like me to call him for you? No, please don't bother.
I don't want you to go to any more trouble.
I- It was nice enough of you to come down here at all.
Tell me, Miss Whittaker did you kill George Beaumont? Would you believe me if I said I didn't? Yes.
Well, I didn't do it, Mr.
Mason.
I know how it looks, and I was angry.
But I realized it wasn't George's fault, and I couldn't help the way he felt about his wife.
All right.
I'll, um I'll be in to see you tomorrow.
You mean, you're willing to act as my lawyer? Unless you have someone else in mind.
( sobbing ) I must admit, Mr.
Mason, I'm really surprised.
I don't see why, Mrs.
Beaumont.
Well, for one thing, I know my husband considered you his friend.
Now you're defending his murderer.
I find that peculiar.
Well, what makes you think Miss Whittaker killed him? All you have to do is read the newspapers.
Fortunately, juries demand a little more proof than reporters.
Naturally, you'd say that.
( door opens ) Oh.
I'm sorry, Laura.
I didn't know you were busy.
No, Glenn, it's all right.
Come on in.
Hello, Mason.
McKay.
Mr.
Mason's defending that girl.
Yes, I know.
I read it in the paper.
I take it you don't approve either.
Does it matter whether I approve? Frankly, no.
How well did you know George Beaumont? I heard that you worked that way.
You're not just satisfied with getting an acquittal for a client.
But I understand that you have a compulsion to turn up the guilty party.
That doesn't answer my question.
It doesn't, does it? Now, I believe the question was, did I know George Beaumont? Well, yes, I did.
I came here to work for him about six months before he disappeared.
Now, would you like to know what I thought of him? No, don't.
It's all right.
I want Mr.
Mason to know.
You see, Beaumont was one of those men who meant well, but he couldn't help ruining everything he touched.
He ran this office into the ground and gave Laura a phobia against marriage.
In short, I thought very little of the gentleman.
Well, I can't say you've avoided the question.
( chuckles ) Are there any others? Yes.
Do you know a man named Harry Folsom? Folsom? No.
He's an insurance investigator for Mercury Mutual.
He's the one who discovered George didn't die in that plane crash.
By any chance, did Folsom get in touch with you? Why should he? He tried to blackmail your husband.
He offered to keep his report from the insurance company.
I wondered if he'd come to you with a similar proposal.
Well, you stood to lose a great deal.
The insurance company paid you $90,000 when that plane went down.
Now I ask you, Mr.
Mason: Would you believe me if I told you I had no idea my husband was alive? I might.
I doubt it.
I suggest you, um You see this Mr.
Folsom.
I'm rather surprised you never thought of it yourself.
As a matter of fact, I did.
There's an investigator named Paul Drake flying down to Crestview City to see him.
With any luck, he should be there in about 20 minutes.
It's nice to see you again, Mr.
McKay, and I haven't forgotten about that check writer.
I'll try and have my office get in touch with you shortly.
Mrs.
Beaumont.
( suspenseful theme playing ) Tell Mr.
Mason I'll do anything at all to cooperate.
Unfortunately, there's very little I can add to the story.
How did you find out George Beaumont was still alive? That's a strange thing, Mr.
Drake.
An anonymous phone call.
Oh? Man or woman? Man, I believe.
Naturally, at first, I didn't think there was anything to it, but, of course, I checked.
After all, that's what my company pays me for.
What about your other sources of income? I beg your pardon? Didn't Miss Whittaker pay you $7,000 to destroy your report? That's what she told Perry Mason.
She's a dirty little liar! Then, you made a report to your company? Naturally.
Funny, they haven't received it yet.
I checked just before I flew down here.
Are you suggesting, by any chance-? I'm suggesting that you mailed your report to your company after you found out George Beaumont was murdered.
All right, Drake, if you want to play rough, I'm just the boy to accommodate you.
Your friend Perry Mason had better watch his step.
You know what Beaumont told me before he died? I have no idea.
He said he got in touch with Mason just after the plane crashed, and Mason advised him to stay out of sight and let my company pay off on the policy.
Mason got $25,000 for masterminding the deal.
George Beaumont told you this? Let's see you prove he didn't.
Now, if Mason wants to throw mud, tell him I can throw with the best of them.
I'll just bet you're in a league by yourself.
Who tipped you off that George Beaumont was alive? ( scoffs ) Let go of me.
Well? Whittaker.
Who? Jonah Whittaker.
Ruth Whittaker's father.
Thanks, uh, Mr.
Folsom.
( dramatic theme playing ) I tell you, Perry.
This Folsom character is as slimy as they come.
Do you think he could have killed Beaumont? Mm-mm.
He certainly had a motive.
After all, if Beaumont were going to give himself up, naturally, he'd tell the police that Folsom had been trying to blackmail him.
What's the penalty for blackmail, counselor? Oh, all depends.
Could be several years.
How much extra can be added for conspiring to defraud your own insurance company? Well, you got me convinced, Della.
What about Miss Whittaker's father, Paul? Well, I tried to get in touch with him, but he was gone.
According to the neighbors, he left yesterday morning with a suitcase.
I traced him down to the bus terminal, and they told me he bought a ticket for L.
A.
He'll probably try to contact Ruth.
Check it out, will you? I already have.
As of 11:00 this morning, he had not put in an appearance.
Ruth must have known all along that it was her father who called Folsom, yet she said nothing.
She was protecting him.
Proving some parents get better children than they deserve.
You'll have to find him, Paul, and fast.
Preliminary hearing starts Wednesday.
I know.
I've got Faulkner and Davis on it now.
I'll put on some more men if you think it's necessary.
Maybe you'd better.
( phone rings ) Yes, Gertie? All right, put him on.
It's for you, Paul.
Hello? Yeah? ( sighs ) Yeah, I see.
No.
No, that's okay.
Call me later.
That was Faulkner.
He found old man Whittaker.
Where? In the DA's office.
( ominous theme playing ) TRAGG: We, uh, found this in the corner of the motel room occupied by the deceased.
The, uh, exact point is indicated by the letter B on that, uh, diagram.
I see.
Now, lieutenant, what did you find when you examined this letter opener? Well, there were several bloodstains.
On analysis, they proved to be the same type as the blood of the- Of the victim, George Beaumont.
BURGER: Did you find any fingerprints on here? Yes, sir.
They were smudged, but there was an identifiable thumb and forefinger on the handle.
Did you identify those prints? We have.
They belong to the defendant, Ruth Whittaker.
Thank you, lieutenant.
You may cross-examine.
Um, may I? Of course.
Thank you.
Uh, lieutenant, we've heard testimony that the- The victim was stabbed in the back.
TRAGG: That's correct.
Thank you.
And this is where Mr.
Beaumont was standing when the fatal blow was delivered? No.
No, that's where we found the body.
But if death was instantaneous, as we've heard, then the victim must have been standing in this general area.
Isn't that true? Well, as a matter of fact, he wasn't standing.
He was kneeling.
As though he were, um, looking for something? I object, Your Honor.
That calls for a conclusion of the witness.
Objection sustained.
Uh, thank you, lieutenant.
That'll be all.
You may step down.
I call Leon Corby to the stand, please.
Mr.
Leon Corby.
A- and then Miss Whittaker said she would run over and say hello to Mr.
Beaumont while I was, uh, fixing up Unit Number 9.
But while I was in there cleaning up, I heard this arguing.
Could you hear what they were saying? Well, I heard the lady say, uh, "I cashed all my bonds, took a loan on my furniture, and all for you.
" Something like that.
BURGER: Could you hear Mr.
Beaumont's answer? CORBY: N- no.
Thank you, Mr.
Corby.
Mm.
Cross-examine.
Now, Mr.
Corby, when you interrupted this alleged quarrel between the victim and the defendant, what exactly did you see? Well, the lady was holding that there letter opener like it was a dagger.
MASON: Was she wearing gloves at the time? N- no.
No, she wasn't.
Then, naturally you'd expect to find her fingerprints on the letter opener.
Well, sure, yeah.
Now, what time was this, Mr.
Corby? Oh, it was pretty close to 3:00.
And you discovered the body when? About 8 that night.
So isn't it then possible that another person, wearing gloves, could have entered that room during that interval? I object, Your Honor.
Counsel is being argumentative.
JUDGE: Objection sustained.
Thank you, Mr.
Corby.
That's all.
BURGER: Uh, just a moment, Mr.
Corby.
One or two questions on redirect.
You testified that the quarrel between the victim and the defendant took place at 3:00.
Yes, sir.
That's right.
When did you next see the defendant? About half past 5, quarter to 6.
BURGER: And where was she at this time? CORBY: She was coming out of Mr.
Beaumont's room.
But did you see Mr.
Beaumont? No, uh, the next time I saw him was when I found him stretched out on the floor of that room, dead.
Thank you, Mr.
Corby.
FOLSOM: Well, naturally, the first thing I did was go up to see Mr.
Beaumont.
My informant told me he was using the name of George Hollister.
The minute I talked to him, I was sure I had the right party.
Mr.
Folsom, was the defendant, Miss Whittaker, present at that meeting? Yes, sir, she was.
Did you see the defendant again? Yes, sir, that same night.
I went to her home, and- She gave me $7,000 in cash.
Why did she give you this money, Mr.
Folsom? So I wouldn't send my report on Beaumont to the home office.
In other words, Miss Whittaker hoped that this payment would keep her relationship with Mr.
Beaumont intact? That was the whole idea.
You may cross-examine.
Mr.
Folsom, I'm very interested in this so-called payment.
Isn't that rather a polite term for blackmail? Well, if you want to call it that.
I do want to call it that.
Now, uh Didn't you first telephone and then go to see the district attorney at your own expense in order to tell him about this? Yes, sir, I did.
And didn't you do this in an attempt to secure immunity for yourself from a blackmail charge? I just thought the whole thing over and realized it was the best thing to do.
Now, isn't it a fact that the- The story you first told the district attorney differs materially from the one you're telling now? I object, Your Honor.
This is improper cross-examination.
It's incompetent, irrelevant and immaterial, in that it assumes a fact not in evidence.
I think we will commit the question, Mr.
Burger.
You may continue, Mr.
Mason.
Why, thank you, Your Honor.
Now, Mr.
Folsom you admit blackmailing my client.
Yes, sir.
Did you at any time try to get money from any other person in this case? I don't know what you mean.
Did you get in touch with Mrs.
Beaumont and tell her that her husband was still alive? FOLSOM: No.
How is it you missed that golden opportunity? Uh, I never even thought of it.
( crowd laughing ) ( gavel pounding ) We have heard evidence that Mr.
Beaumont intended to give himself up.
Now, he told you that, didn't he? Yes.
Well, weren't you afraid of the consequences when your company discovered the true facts? And didn't it occur to you that there might be a way you could stop him? ( dramatic theme playing ) I- I didn't kill him, if that's what you're suggesting.
( tense theme playing ) Now, Mrs.
Beaumont, when was the last time that you saw or heard from your late husband? On November 19th, three years ago.
That- That was the day he was supposed to fly to Europe on business? Yes, he was booked on the American Eagle.
Would you explain to this court, please, what happened to that aircraft? It crashed about an hour after takeoff.
And you had no way of knowing that your husband was not onboard that plane? No, sir.
He made no attempt to get in touch with you thereafter? Absolutely none at all.
So you didn't know and had no way of knowing that your husband was in Los Angeles and alive on November 14th, the day of the murder? No, sir.
Would you be good enough to relate to us your own actions on November 14th? You may refer to the office diary if you'd like to.
I would like to, please.
Well, I, uh- I came in the office at 9:15 and started over some correspondence with my secretary, Roberta Walker.
And at 10:00, I went over the books.
And at 10:30, Mr.
Mason dropped in.
Excuse me.
When was the last time you saw Mr.
Mason before that? Well, when he, uh, brought over the check from the insurance company.
So on the day of the murder, you had not seen Mr.
Mason for almost three years? That's right.
Go ahead, please.
Well, at 11:00, I had a business meeting with, uh, my associate, Glenn McKay, and two salesmen.
Then at 1:00, we went out to lunch.
A- and after lunch? Well, I became ill suddenly, and I- I didn't want to go back to the office, so I went home.
And did you consult your doctor? Uh, yes, sir.
I called our family physician, Dr.
William Burns, and he ordered me to stay in bed for the day.
And when was the first time that you learned of your husband's death? Well, at 11:30 that night w- when Lieutenant Tragg? Tragg.
Tragg called me at my apartment.
I see.
Thank you, Mrs.
Beaumont.
You may cross-examine, counselor.
( man clears throat ) I'm, uh- I'm sorry to hear you became ill on the day of my visit, Mrs.
Beaumont.
I hope there was no connection.
The doctor said it was food poisoning.
But you were the only one who became ill.
LAURA: Yes, sir.
MASON: I see.
Your husband stayed at the Villa Motel in Los Angeles And during that time, he made no effort whatsoever to phone you? No, sir, he didn't.
Uh, by any chance, did he, uh- Did he write to you? No.
And if I may anticipate your next question, he didn't telegraph either.
Thank you, Mrs.
Beaumont.
That will be all.
You may stand down.
BURGER: I call Jonah Whittaker to the stand, please.
Jonah Whittaker.
If it please the court, I should like to request a 20-minute recess while I confer with my client.
Well, since it's almost 12:00, perhaps this would be as good a time as any for the noon recess.
The court stands adjourned till 2:00 this afternoon.
All I told my father was that George's real name was Beaumont and he had a wife in Los Angeles.
You sure you didn't tell him her first name was Laura? No, I'm not sure, but what difference does it make? It makes this difference: if Mrs.
Beaumont knew her husband was alive on November 14th, she's a definite suspect.
She did know.
She knew.
Well, your father did write to her, then? No, George did himself.
Are you positive? Yes, uh I'm trying to remember when it first came out.
It was when I went to his room in that motel, and he said something about writing to her because if she heard his voice on the phone, it would be too great a shock.
And why didn't you tell me that before? I don't know.
In all the excitement, it slipped my mind, I guess.
Then Mrs.
Beaumont was perjuring herself on the stand.
A little thing like perjury wouldn't stop her if she was guilty of murder.
Listen, Ruth, I- ( suspenseful theme playing ) What's wrong? There's a lot that's wrong.
I'd better get in touch with Paul.
( door opens ) ( door closes ) Try not to worry.
And do you remember the morning of November 15th? That is the day following the murder.
Excuse me, Mr.
McKay, I asked if you remembered the morning of November 15th.
Why, yes, sir.
I, uh, discovered, uh, Lieutenant Tragg and two of his officers examining Mrs.
, uh, Beaumont's office.
And what happened then? Well, lieutenant, uh, showed me, uh, an envelope addressed to Mrs.
Beaumont.
Is this the envelope? Yes, sir.
If it please the court, I would like this marked for identification.
GEORGE: My darlin' Laura, I know what a shock this must be.
It must seem like a voice from the grave.
All I can tell you now is that I'm very much alive.
I realize the problems this will make for you, and I wish there was some way I could alleviate them.
I'll call you in a day or two after I see Perry Mason.
With all my love, George.
Now, Mr.
McKay, this is the letter Lieutenant Tragg showed you on the morning of November 15th? Yes, sir.
Did you examine it carefully at that time? I did.
And would you say that the seal had been tampered with? I object, Your Honor.
This witness is not an expert.
If it please the court, Sergeant Walker, from the crime lab, is here in court and could testify on this subject.
I only tried to expedite matters.
I appreciate your concern for the court, Mr.
Burger, but the rules of evidence must maintain.
The objection is sustained.
Very well, Your Honor.
I have no further questions to ask this witness.
You may cross-examine.
Oh, Mr.
Mason.
Mr.
Burger.
Mr.
McKay, what is your personal relationship with Mrs.
Beaumont? Your Honor, I object! This is certainly incompetent, immaterial and irrelevant.
If Your Honor please, I should like to prove the relevancy.
The witness will answer the question.
McKAY: I am very fond of Mrs.
Beaumont.
In fact, you have, uh, hopes of marrying her? Well, high hopes.
And you'd do anything in your power to protect her from a possible charge of murder? Oh, I don't need to protect her, Mr.
Mason.
I think it's been proven that she had no way of knowing that her husband was alive.
She never saw the letter.
How can you testify to that, Mr.
McKay? Well, the- The letter arrived in the afternoon mail at 3:00, and Laura was in bed at home with food poisoning.
And you returned to the office after lunch that day? I did.
Then you, uh- Then you saw the envelope? ( chuckles ) Well, assuming that I did, Mr.
Mason, I'd have to be clairvoyant to know what was on the inside of the letter.
The seal wasn't broken.
Now, Mr.
McKay, would you, uh-? Would you please examine these and describe them for the court? They seem to be two steel knitting needles, soldered together at one end.
You have no idea of their function? I'm afraid I don't follow you.
MASON: Well, I understood they were tools of your trade.
As a matter of fact, Mr.
Drake just got these from one of your own salesmen.
Would you care for me to demonstrate their use? I don't know about the witness, Mr.
Mason, but the court would, if it has any bearing on the case.
It has, Your Honor.
Allow me.
Your Honor, this is a device used by salesmen of check-writing machines, to show how easy it is, to remove a check from an envelope and alter it.
The same principle, of course, applies to a letter.
You, uh, insert this in the bottom of the envelope, and when the letter is caught between the two needles, you simply wind it up, like this, and then withdraw it, like this.
By reversing the process, you can reintroduce the letter and the seal will show no sign that it has been tampered with.
Isn't that correct? Haven't you used such a device yourself? Well, yes.
A lot of salesmen in our business do.
Then why did you give the court the impression you had no idea what these were for? Because I had no desire to involve Mrs.
Beaumont.
MASON: That's very noble of you, Mr.
McKay.
But why should Mrs.
Beaumont become involved? You just testified that she never saw that letter, that she was home ill.
Well, I- I submit that when you saw the initials on that envelope, you became suspicious.
You removed the letter, discovered that George Beaumont was alive.
No, no.
I didn't have to leave the letter there! I could have destroyed it! You didn't dare destroy it.
Your receptionist might have remembered that envelope and told Mrs.
Beaumont.
So you returned the letter to the envelope, and then you went to the Villa Motel, where you killed George Beaumont! Isn't that the way it happened, Mr.
McKay? Answer me! ( dramatic theme playing ) Laura, you've got to believe me.
I did this for us.
He would have ruined everything that we built.
We were a great team.
You know that you didn't want him to come back.
Laura, don't leave me! ( upbeat theme playing ) You know what I still don't understand? Hmm.
Why McKay would take a chance of going to that motel, bent on murder and not bring a gun.
Yeah.
Well, my guess is that he did.
You're right.
I just spoke to Tragg.
McKay admits he had a gun.
Beaumont jumped him and knocked it out of his hand.
How does he do it? Black magic.
Remember that Tragg testified that Beaumont was on his hands and knees when he was stabbed with that letter opener? Yeah.
Of course, he was trying to get the gun when it fell on the floor.
See how simple it is? Oh, uh, here's my expense account.
I thought you'd like to check it.
That covers just about everything I spent on this case.
Miscellaneous: $125.
98.
Paul Drake.
Well, Perry wanted me to talk to that salesman and find out about the knitting needles.
It's my fault, Della.
I should have known he didn't have any sales resistance.
Well, here.
Write him a check.
Sure.
( all laughing ) ( noirish jazz theme playing )