Murder, She Wrote s03e06 Episode Script
62102 - Dead Man's Gold
[Woman.]
Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.
Call the medics! Tell 'em to meet us at the dock! Somebody get some oxygen! - Let go of the wheel! - [Tires Screeching.]
Alex, let go! - People are getting killed.
I don't need that.
- But we're that close to the treasure.
Somebody belongs in that cell.
- Tell her what happens if something happens to all the partners.
- Survivor takes all.
This old friend of yours could turn out to be a cold-blooded killer.
Haven't you got me figured out yet? [Footsteps.]
Hello, mate.
Well, well, well.
Gregory Small.
- Oh, you have given us a merry chase, Davey.
- Really? - Well, I wasn't aware of that.
- House in Key West sold.
Nine different motels in two weeks.
And a ticket on the morning flight to Portland, Maine.
Now, what would you call it? Gregory, you are mussing Mr.
Everett's blazer.
Now do be careful.
Nice piece of cloth.
A man wouldn't mind being buried in that.
As always, Small, a master of subtlety.
Hmm, you have impeccable taste, David.
This-This is the sort of yacht I would buy if I had the money.
Ross, I'm sorry.
I've neglected to tell you.
I'm about to come into a fortune.
Indeed? Well, then, I shan't have to worry about your repaying the $50,000 you borrowed from me, will I? - How reassuring.
- Mr.
Barber's been a bit worried about that, mate.
Keeps havin'these recurring visions of you lying in some dark alley, a bit o' blood here and there- Oh, now, now Gregory, enough of that kind of talk.
Well, now, then, David, tell me-There's something in the wind, is there? Something big? Treasure.
No, no, no.
This is not idle speculation.
This is a sure thing.
It needs only to be hauled up.
You feel great, like a slippery sea lion.
Oh, you could've said mermaid.
I always think of mermaids as scaly.
- Did you see anything down there? - Nope.
It's the same feeling I had in Jamaica though.
[Alex.]
All right.
Hey, hey, treasure hunters! Guys, you interested in this? Is it gold? What is it? I don't know, but it's old and it's heavy.
Susan, look what your husband found while you were redoing your nails.
- Hey, Bill, what have you got? - Looks like junk to me.
What do you think, Coby? Is it gold? Brass.
A ship's fitting, probably held a lantern.
Junk.
Uncle David isn't going to be happy.
Oh, but I think he will be.
This is 18th-century, guys.
Which means there's a ship down here somewhere.
Our ship.
We're close, babe.
Really close.
Well, maybe this whole treasure thing wasn't so dumb.
[Chuckles.]
Dumb? Well, I imagine they're keeping you pretty busy up at the hospital, Dr.
Graham.
Only as busy as I want to be.
And, please, call me Wylie.
For the past 30 years, it's either been Doc or Commander, or a whole lot worse.
Wylie then.
Believe me, Jess.
The navy's loss is Cabot Cove's gain.
I've known this old pirate for years, and medically speaking, there's no one better.
You don't need to butter me up, Seth.
I'm not coming after your patients.
When I'm not at the hospital, you'll find me out on the blue, three sheets to the wind.
At least.
As a matter of fact, there's a breeze coming up.
Might as well make use of it.
Jessica, bye.
I expect we'll be seeing a lot of each other.
I'm sure we will.
Wylie.
Seth.
Amos, that piece of paper you're puttin' under my windshield wiper better be an invitation to a clambake.
No, it's a parking ticket.
And that is an M.
D.
License plate.
And that is a fire hydrant.
The law is the law.
Wait until your sciatica starts acting up again.
Jessie? Yes.
- Jessie MacGill? - Yes.
David? David Everett? Yes.
I can't believe it.
[Chuckling.]
[Jessica.]
David, what in the world are you doing back in Cabot Cove? Why, I came to see you, of course.
I don't believe that for a minute.
You know, the last time I saw you was about, about 35 years ago, and you were about to set sail to seek your fortune.
Mmm.
I thought maybe I'd get a letter or a postcard.
Oh, I couldn't, you know.
Shipwrecked on a desert island, surrounded by great white sharks.
- Yeah, well, I gather you were rescued.
- Yes, yes.
By a fascinating old Malayan pearl trader.
His cook had just died, some social disease, you understand.
So during the next six months, I learned to make the best boiled rice this side of Kuala Lumpur.
And you, who couldn't even boil water.
Ah, Jessica, you'd be surprised at the skills I have mastered.
Chief among which is the art of survival.
Yes, you certainly seem to be in one piece.
Mm-hmm.
In spite of hurricanes, and headhunters, wild animals, and- And four wives.
You have been reading the scandal sheets.
Well, I do sneak a peek when I see your name mentioned.
Quite a quartet, those ladies.
Well, this is- This is a solid home.
I'd say you had a good life with Frank.
Wonderful.
Good man.
I've been thinking about settling down lately.
You know, stop chasing rainbows.
Planting my feet solidly on the ground.
David, what are you really doing here in Cabot Cove? I have four young people out in the harbor diving off a ship, looking for a sunken treasure.
Treasure? Here? A fortune in gold.
It went down on a British ship, merchant ship, in 1777.
That's odd.
I don't remember anything about that.
Well, it's a little-known episode.
But two months ago, just off the Keys, my young partners found this chart.
It showed the exact location.
Of course, they needed a partner to finance the expedition.
So I became the partner.
- I see.
But, David- - Ow, partner.
Jessica, why don't you come and meet the kids? I'm sure you'd love them.
Oh, David, I can't.
I have got to stay chained to my typewriter today.
But what about dinner tonight? Here.
And, uh, you and your kids.
Well, good.
Thank you.
That would be fun.
This way here? Sure, right out here.
Jessica, I can't tell you how marvelous it is to see you.
You know, I hadn't realized how much I'd missed you.
Well.
David! - What is it, Alex? - Here.
- Did you find anything valuable? - Relax, Susan, it's nothing you can wear.
- It looks like another ship's fitting.
- More junk.
- Where's Bill? Larry, he was diving with you.
- I swam behind some rocks.
I lost sight of him.
Then I saw Alex, and she signaled to come up.
- You mean, you left him down there alone? - I'm sure he's all right.
We all had plenty of air.
He could be caught on some rocks, anything.
David! We'd better play it safe.
Coby, go back down and look for him.
[Gregory.]
One of the divers is submerging back into the water.
Yes, yes.
Our Davey looks a bit anxious.
Something has gone wrong.
I knew it.
I knew it.
Oh, Gregory, when will I ever learn? Never put your trust in a sure thing.
- Bill! - Call the medics! Tell 'em to meet us at the dock! Somebody get some oxygen! Alex, it was an accident.
Sure, blame it on the equipment.
Not that equipment.
It was primo.
Absolutely perfecto.
Unless somebody did something to it.
You're crazy, Alex.
I checked it all out this morning.
The tank must have been dropped.
Maybe the regulator jammed.
Did you think about that? Sure.
I just spoke to Dr.
Graham back at the hospital.
He said your friend's vital signs are good, and he's going to be fine.
- Oh, good.
- Great.
Is Susan still at the hospital? No.
Wylie sent her back to her room at the Hill House to get some rest.
Good.
There's nothing that airhead could do anyway.
Champagne for everyone.
To celebrate Bill's recovery and the finding of the treasure.
Champagne! Yes, l-I found it in one of your cupboards.
I hope you don't mind.
[Phone Ringing.]
Of course not.
Just seemed a little early to celebrate.
Hello? Yes, it is.
No, he's right here.
David, it's a Mr.
Barber.
Oh, yes.
Business.
- I'll take it in the kitchen.
Larry, will you open that, please? - Affirmative, Uncle David.
So my uncle says you're some kind of writer.
I've seen your typewriter.
It's prehistoric.
We work at the same speed.
I can get you a state-of-the-art computer, complete with word processing at the factory price.
And with a new piece of software called Novelrite.
Novelrite? Yeah.
Five hundred and five best-selling plots, from Shakespeare to Sidney Sheldon.
Takes the work out of being creative.
[Laughs.]
Okay, who wants bubbly? I do.
Why stop now? Of course I'm glad to hear from you, Ross.
A meeting? Is that necessary? Well, yes, of course.
I understand your concern.
Well, I'll- I have to go now.
Uh, give my regards to Gregory.
- No bad news, I hope.
- No, no, no.
An annoying inconvenience.
My attorney from New York.
There's been a communications foul-up.
My bank in Hong Kong neglected to transfer some funds.
And now I'm short of cash, so- Well, surely you have credit cards.
I've cut them all off.
My ex-wives, you remember, Jessica.
Now, perhaps you could put in a good word for me at the hotel.
I can do better than that.
I've got a perfectly good guest room that hasn't been slept in for months.
Oh, no.
I would not think of imposing.
- Don't be silly.
- The neighbors are liable to start talking.
Do you really think so? Good.
They think I lead a very dull life, chained to my typewriter.
Well, maybe just for one night.
I'm sure my funds will arrive by tomorrow.
I was a damn fool to sign that partnership agreement.
We all were.
David, Billy, Coby and me.
Now that we are on the brink.
I mean, we're really close to finding something.
Greed is rearing its ugly head.
What do you think, Mrs.
Fletcher? I'm sorry.
I don't know what you're talking about.
It's real simple.
If something happens to one of the partners, then the other three split the shares.
I see.
Tell her, David.
Tell her what happens if something happens to all the partners except one.
Survivor takes all.
Here's looking at you, kid.
You're drunk.
So what? I'm taking you to the hotel before you get sick.
No! Don't touch me! You checked the diving equipment.
You said it was all right.
How do we know that? Don't touch me.
Right now.
Come on.
Sorry to spoil the party, folks.
Mrs.
Fletcher, thank you very much.
I don't wanna go to the hotel with you.
Let me out.
Here? Come on, Alex.
Stop the car and let me out! Get serious! - Stop the car! - Alex, Alex, let go! Are you nuts? Let go of the wheel! Alex, let go! Alex! Okay, you want out? Get out! Go on, get out! You don't like the way I drive, you call a taxi.
I'll walk.
I don't care how far it is.
Oh, yeah, I forgot.
No money, as usual.
Here's 20 cents for the phone call.
Get over here! Five bucks for the taxi.
Thanks for the good time, honey.
You're on your own.
I'll talk to you after you sober up.
I hate you, Coby! I hate you! [Floor Creaking.]
[Phone Rings.]
- Doc Hazlett.
- Seth, Wylie.
I didn't wake you, did I? No, of course not.
I'm always up at 6:00, well, 6:15.
I'm sorry.
I wanted to catch you before I got hung up with the rounds.
Seth, the man who's staying with Jessica Fletcher- David? What about him? He stopped by last night to ask about the boy.
He looked familiar.
I ran into him five, maybe six years ago in Florida.
He was involved in, uh, some kind of real estate scheme.
Scheme? You mean like a swindle? Hmm, I wouldn't say that exactly.
I just remember that he was pretty sharp.
I thought that Jessica ought to know.
Well, maybe so, maybe so.
But in this particular case, I get the feelin' I'd better mind my own business.
Thank you, Wylie.
[Jessica.]
Hmm, do I smell coffee? Good morning.
Good morning.
Yes, this is the best coffee this side of Marrakech.
I also have another treat for you.
Eggs à la Everett.
You had everything I needed except the yak's milk.
Well, it looks divine.
You're unbearably cheery this morning.
Yes, that's because I slept like a baby.
The instant my head hit the pillow.
There.
Your label was sticking out.
So now you're properly dressed and charmingly so, if I may say.
Thank you.
[Clears Throat.]
Oh, Amos.
You're up and about early.
Come on in.
Thank you, ma'am.
- Sheriff, could I get you some eggs? - Oh, well-well, no, sir.
Thank you, but not right now.
As a matter of fact, it's you I've come to see.
Understand you're involved with those young folks divin' off the coast.
That's right.
What's wrong, Amos? I'm afraid I have some bad news for you, sir.
Miss Bell? She was found dead on Cabot Cove Road just after sunrise.
I'll need you to identify the body.
Oh, my God.
Well, Doc says your friend identified the body.
He's on his way to break the news to the others.
Did Seth say how long she'd been dead? Yeah, since before midnight.
Body was found by an early morning jogger.
Clear case of hit-and-run.
Amos, this doesn't make any sense.
Alexandra and her friend Coby left my house last night to drive to the Hill House.
Now why was she walking all by herself down a dark road in the middle of the night? Now, Mrs.
Fletcher, I hope you're not trying to make something out of this that isn't.
It's very odd.
She was on the very edge of the road.
Now I mean anyone could have swerved well around and missed her.
Well, maybe so.
Unless, of course, she was struck closer to the center of the road and then thrown to the edge with the force of the impact.
Oh, no, ma'am, no.
The car ran right over her.
[Sighs.]
You see something? It's what I don't see.
Skid marks.
I mean, if the driver had seen her at the last minute, he didn't slam on his brakes.
Skid marks? Broken glass.
Oh, well.
No matter how many signs we put up, folks won't stop throwing empty bottles out of their cars.
That's not bottle glass.
It appears to be a piece of a broken headlight.
[Coby.]
It's my fault.
I left her there alone, on that road.
It was dark.
She was all alone.
And l-I just drove off.
Take it easy.
I won't take it easy.
I came back to the hotel.
I left a message at the desk that I didn't want to be disturbed, no phone calls.
Then I piled back into bed, and I went to sleep.
Coby, now whoever did it, they'll get them, believe me.
[Coby's Voice.]
Yes, that's my car outside.
I rented it in Portland.
And you drove the car back from Mrs.
Fletcher's house last night? Yes.
Ease off, Sheriff.
He's already admitted to us that he left Alex off on the road.
Good, now he can admit it to me after I read him his rights.
[Jessica.]
Thank you.
Oh, that is very welcome.
I remember that expression.
Jessie MacGill in her reverie.
What is it, Jessie? A problem? I was just recalling how envious you were of me and my brothers and sisters because you were an only child.
Last night, Larry Gaynes called you "Uncle.
" It is a harmless deception.
Believe me.
Larry's a rich kid.
And he's into scuba diving and excitement.
And his father offered me a couple of thousand dollars if I'd bring him on the expedition.
Now of course, I make it a policy never to turn down money.
But I wondered how the others, uh, what they would feel with a neophyte aboard.
I thought that a nephew would be more acceptable.
A rich kid who knows a lot about computers.
His father, uh, owns a company that manufactures them.
But you see, the mystery disappears when you know the facts.
- You don't believe Coby killed Alex.
- Do you? No, no.
But I have no other suspects in mind.
Maybe you do.
What I have is an appointment with a doctor.
Thanks for the coffee.
Let me drive you.
Oh, thanks, but it's not far, and I'd rather walk.
It, uh, helps me to think.
Oh, Jessie.
Be careful.
The dock is a little slippery.
One thing's sure- Being hit by that car is not what killed her.
Now hold on, Doc.
You told me she was run over.
She was, after she was killed.
By a blow to the left temple, I'd say about here.
Sure.
The impact broke the headlight and smashed the grill.
No.
In order for a car to have made that sort of contact, she'd have had to have been crouched on all fours, and then she would have been hit by the bumper, not the grill or the headlight.
And finally, I did not find any glass in the wound.
- Then what did strike her, Seth? - Some sort of blunt instrument, I expect.
Yeah, but that Coby fella, he still could've struck her down and then tried to make it look like it was a hit-and-run.
By smashing his own headlight and pointing suspicion at himself? Jessica, don't confuse Amos by bringing logic to bear.
Coby is my only suspect, and I'm holding on to him at least till I get to see that autopsy report.
Well, it's about time you showed up.
You're in the wrong duds, kiddo.
Get changed and grab a mop.
I'm splitting from the project.
- What, you can't do that.
- Sorry, old-timer.
This gig is history.
- We've got a contract, Larry.
- Void because of the safety factor.
- People are getting killed.
I don't need that.
- But we're that close to the treasure.
What treasure? You ask me, you're chasin' smoke, just like you always have.
Damn it! You can't do that.
You begged to come on this expedition.
And I paid for the privilege.
Well, I'm through paying.
This bank is closed.
How am I supposed to get this boat out of here? That's your problem.
Ciao, baby.
A real shame, mate.
Your money man took to his heels and left you with your tail in the wringer.
Mr.
Barber is going to be very unhappy.
Wait.
Wait.
You know if, uh, if Barber could come up with some of the operating expenses.
- Not a chance, mate.
- It'll just take 10,000 to get started again.
Then I'd say you better come up with 10,000, right, Davey? [Jessica.]
So Larry is gone.
Yes, he was scared off.
I suppose that means now I'm gonna have to give his father back a refund.
Oh, I doubt that.
Our Cabot Cove library isn't very big, but they do have a copy of Allenby's, uh, Leaders of Industry.
Larry Gaynes owns the computer company, not his father.
But, Jessica, I'm flabbergasted.
Why? Because I checked up on your story? Larry didn't strike me as the kind of young man who would've had to depend on his father's checkbook for excitement.
Jessie, I would have told you if I could.
It's just that I assured Larry I'd keep his participation confidential.
What are you going to do now? I don't know.
I don't want to give up.
It wouldn't be fair to Bill or Coby.
I'll just have to find someway to keep on going.
Someway.
How much do you need? Well, l- Oh, no, no, no, Jessica.
No, don't even think about it.
How much, David? All right.
I'll need some experienced divers, additional equipment.
Possibly $10,000.
Yes, I'd say that.
That'd be about it.
$ 10,000.
Good morning, Doctor.
Morning.
Would you like some orange juice? No, thank you.
Jess up? I believe she's taking a shower.
- Would you like me to get her? - No, no, no.
There's no, no special rush.
Well- [Clears Throat.]
How do you like your, uh, your accommodations? Just great.
[Sighs.]
Sleeping well? Well, as best I can.
Those, uh, featherbeds require some getting used to.
[Chuckles.]
Nice jammies.
- Seth.
- Morning, Jessica.
Isn't it a little early for you to be up and about? Brisk morning air starts a man's brain cells, gets them thinking, specially if he has something to think about.
Uh, I assume you had a reason for coming over.
Yes, woman, I certainly do.
Bill Ainsley.
You did ask me to tell you when he could have visitors.
Wylie says it's perfectly all right, starting today.
[Wylie.]
All things considered, you're comin'along pretty nicely.
I'll check on you later.
Thanks a lot, Doc.
So how's David? We haven't seen much of him in the past day or two.
- Busy, keeping the ship afloat.
- He's a great guy.
- Did he tell you that he signed for all my hospital bills? - That's David.
It's crazy about Alex.
I mean, with Coby in jail.
- I've got to get back to the job.
- You will be back on the job, really.
Just take it easy, okay? [Coughing.]
Look, Susan, my-my throat's kind of dry.
- Would you mind maybe scrounging some juice up or something? - Oh sure.
Listen, Mrs.
Fletcher.
What happened to me, it was no accident.
If Coby hadn't have pulled me out, I'd be as dead as Alex.
- What do you think happened? - I just keep wondering where the hell Larry was when I blacked out.
- Larry? But why would he- - You've seen my wife.
But you haven't seen her in her bikini.
Larry looked at her like she was some kind of an Italian sports car, - and he was ready to take her for a test drive.
- And his reason to kill Alex? That I can't answer.
[Coby.]
Mrs.
Fletcher, I told you everything I remember.
I gave Alex 20 cents for a phone call.
Five dollars for a taxi.
She never carried any money.
Not even any change.
- So you were sure she would call a cab and come back to the hotel.
- Yes.
Coby, where was the telephone? Uh, at a gas station back a little ways.
It was closed, but there was an outside phone booth.
Ed Potts never went fishing a day in his life.
More likely he went to visit his lady friend in Augusta.
But he couldn't put that in the window.
Amos.
Yes, ma'am? Amos, when you looked in Alexandra's purse for her identification, did you notice any money? Yep.
Five dollar bill.
How much change? Not a penny.
Coby said that he gave her Well, she must've used it in the phone.
There's no phone book there.
So she couldn't have looked up the taxi number in it, and being a stranger in town it's unlikely she would have known it.
Yeah, of course she could've dialed the operator and told her it was an emergency.
And then the operator would've put the call through for nothin'.
Ah, but she didn't make a free call.
She spent the 20 cents.
Mmm.
Amos, you know, there might be one or two fingerprints of hers left on that phone.
Good thinking.
Or it would be, except the jogger used the phone to call my deputy, and my deputy used it to call me at home, and I called Doc Hazlett- but now wait.
Didn't you say that she was at your house earlier? Yes.
Well, that's the answer then.
She copied down your phone number.
But she didn't call.
The phone didn't ring.
Well, maybe you were asleep, and somebody else answered the phone.
I wasn't asleep.
I was working on my book.
And there's no phone in my guest room, Amos.
Mrs.
Fletcher.
I'm sorry, Amos.
- Would you drive me home? - Yes, ma'am.
David? David, are you here? - Hello, Jessie.
- David, what is this? That's a.
38 special.
Not as effective as a.
45, but easier to carry.
I'm surprised, as a mystery writer, you don't know that.
Why do you carry it? Why does anyone carry those nasty little things? For protection.
I can see that you don't like guns either.
I'll just stow this someplace out of sight.
I noticed that you drove off with the sheriff.
- Does he have any leads on Alex's killer? - No.
No.
It's too bad.
Such a lovely young lady and a good friend.
- And a partner? - And a partner.
Well, I'll put this in the car.
[Jessica.]
She phoned somebody, Seth, I know it.
But who? How about this, Jess? Alexandra didn't phone anyone in town.
She called the boat.
The boat? Yes, it can be done.
And she would've known the number.
Yeah, but who was on the boat? Larry.
Larry? That bogus nephew that took it so conveniently on the lam.
Well, first of all, I'm-I'm not certain that a call to the boat would have cost 20 cents.
And Larry was the one person who did not have a motive.
He was not one of Alexandra's partners and apparently had-had enough money that he didn't have to worry at all about money.
All right, all right.
I'll tell you what.
Could we sit down just for a minute? Well, I was hoping that the fresh air might stimulate your brain cells.
Oh, the fresh air is just fine.
The trouble is I don't enjoy walking when I'm not going somewhere.
All right, all right, we'll forget Larry.
Now I suppose we'll have to forget David too, won't we? After all, he was in your guest bedroom all night.
You know, you sound almost disappointed.
He would have made a dandy suspect.
Oh, Seth.
Don't "Oh, Seth" me, woman.
He was, he is, one of the partners.
Could be there's a whole packet of money involved here.
I don't believe that you're suggesting- Jess.
I want you to get a real perspective on this thing.
Now we are talking about a man who has spent his entire adult life traipsing all over the globe looking for the pot of gold.
He was obsessed with it.
Seth, you don't know the first thing about him.
You are thinking with your funny bone and not with your head.
This old friend of yours could turn out to be a cold-blooded killer.
Seth, I have known David Everett for the past 35 years.
Correction.
You knew him 35 years ago.
There is a difference, Jess.
Oh, come on.
Well, what is this, the Boston Marathon? Wait! David! Oh, you're home.
I looked into that library you told me about, and I came across this fascinating volume.
This is a history of Cabot Cove.
This is not supposed to be taken out.
Well, it wasn't officially.
It just sort of went for a walk with me and it ended up here.
Now Jessie, would you do me a favor? Could you return that for me? David, I want some straight answers.
For you, Jess, anything.
Don't patronize me.
I have been acting like a fool, and I don't like it.
L-I don't like it.
The fact that because I may have felt something for you a long time ago I'm afraid to ask you the hard questions that I have to ask.
Well, if you think there is something, uh- Where did you go when you left this house the night Alex was murdered? Please don't try to deny it, David.
I heard you leave.
I went to see some people.
In the middle of the night? Armed with a gun? The time and place was picked by them.
And the gun was for protection, in case they didn't see my point of view.
And who are these people? One is a loan shark, and the other was his muscleman.
When times were slow, I piled up a considerable debt.
But I didn't really need to use the gun.
Because I had talked them into another deal, half of my share of the treasure against what I owed them.
And then the next day, poor Alex was killed, and Coby was in jail, and the operation stalled.
And my new partners wouldn't come up with another nickel for expenses.
So you had to raise $10,000 very quickly.
Jessica, that 10,000 that you lent me has saved my neck, not to mention various other parts of my anatomy.
- You were desperate.
- For me, that's hardly unusual.
- It's a motive.
- What, to harm Bill and kill Alex? I may be a trifle threadbare, Jessica, but I'm not homicidal.
No, I don't believe that you are.
But with all that's happened, I do think that you should talk to SheriffTupper.
No, no, no.
Not possible.
I have a meeting with my new partners tonight on the boat, and I wish to get there first, so I can set out the ice bucket and the champagne and the caviar.
- David! - Jessica, I'm saying good-bye.
And thank you for your hospitality.
Good-bye? You can't just duck out in the middle of a murder investigation.
Haven't you got me figured out yet? I've been ducking out all my life.
Isn't that why you all voted me in high school so many years ago as the man most likely to flee the scene when the going got tough? You know, Jessica, I've often lain awake, thinking about, uh, the road not taken and the word not spoken.
Things might have been different for us.
But then, they didn't turn out that way, did they? But believe me, with Frank, you got by far the best of it.
Oh, I scribbled a few words of farewell on the bookmark.
Good-bye, Jessie MacGill.
"DearJessie- It scares me to think I could learn to like a featherbed.
Here's your house key.
With my undying gratitude, David.
" Here's your belongings.
Just sign the form and you're free to go, Mr.
Russell.
Oh, Coby, you're being released.
The sheriff couldn't hold me any longer.
Uh, you were right, Mrs.
Fletcher.
Case against him doesn't hold water.
But somebody belongs in that cell.
Can I help you, Mrs.
Fletcher? Amos, I'd like to see Alexandra's purse if I may.
Don't see why not.
Won't do you any good.
Already went through it.
There isn't a single scrap of paper that has a Cabot Cove telephone number on it.
I'm not looking for a scrap of paper.
The number is on Alexandra's room key tag.
Hill House.
That's where you were staying, wasn't it, son? [Bill.]
Coby didn't kill Alex! No, but somebody went to a great deal of trouble to make it look that way.
The same person, I'm afraid, who nearly ended your life, Bill.
- You know who's responsible? - I'm fairly sure.
Well, come on.
Let's hear it.
None of the divers or David could havejammed that regulator, because nobody was left alone on deck with the equipment.
One person was alone on deck a great deal of the time, mostly passing the time with self-grooming.
- That's insane! - What, Susie? - You're way offbase, lady.
- I love my husband.
Why would I try to kill him? You didn't.
But you had every reason to believe that Bill would be with Larry when the trouble began.
You couldn't know Bill would wander off, and Larry would surface without him.
It wasn't meant to be an attempt on Bill's life, only to look like one.
You were setting the stage for the real murder, and you wanted to remove suspicion from your husband.
You must have been frantic when the other three divers came aboard and left Bill in the water.
No wonder you didn't accept their reassurance that he had plenty of oxygen left.
That's preposterous.
How could I have known hours in advance that Coby would leave Alex stranded on a dark, deserted road late at night? Because that was not the murder that you were planning, at least not yet.
When Alex found the Hill House phone number and called you, you simply took advantage of an opportunity.
Oh, come on.
Alex must have called Coby.
She couldn't have.
He told the desk not to put any calls through.
Her call had to be you.
Honey? Come on, this is crazy.
Tell her! Tell her what? Bill, I'm sorry.
She did call me.
Crazy Alex.
Drunk, scared and angry.
Me, who she was always putting down.
[Susan.]
Well, I had no trouble finding her.
And I was ready for her.
And she was glad to see me.
I couldn'tjust run her down.
Suppose she lived through that? I had to be sure.
It wasn't enough to kill Alex.
You tried to fix the blame on Coby.
You knew if he was found guilty of killing Alex, he couldn't share in the treasure.
You think that was it? You think the money was it? Well, let me tell you something.
I was sick and tired of being the outsider.
Bill was a diver, so they would accept Bill, no problem.
But Alex kept harping on how the only thing I paid attention to was my looks.
Well, my looks are the only thing that I have.
I was never smart enough for them.
And they kept throwing it back in my face.
- Honey, that's just not true.
- It is true, Bill.
You just never paid any attention to it.
To them, I was your airhead wife.
Anyway, I went back to Hill House, and I located Coby's rental car.
And then I made sure I was alone.
And I took off myjacket, and I wrapped it around the tire iron to muffle the sound.
And then I smashed the grill and the headlight.
And then very carefully picked up every piece of glass, and I took it back with me to that dark, deserted road.
Bill? Bill, I didn't do it for me.
I did it for us, baby.
It was all right there for the taking, everything we ever wanted.
Bill? [Gregory.]
Good riddance, I say, sir.
You know, in a way, I almost felt sorry for Mr.
Everett.
He had a certain way about him.
Uh, too bad.
Too bad he had to get in over his head.
David? David? Jessica! What a pleasant surprise.
You've come down to see me off.
What a relief.
Those two men- I thought for a moment.
You thought what? That- Oh, Jessica, no.
I may have been on the ropes, but you must give me some credit for resourcefulness.
I was going to send this to SheriffTupper from Sri Lanka.
Perhaps you can save me the postage.
A cassette tape? Yes, of Barber and Small, uh, extorting from me my remaining half share of the treasure for a mere $100,000.
Oh, and I was going to send you a cashier's check, but since you're here- $10,000 with interest and with thanks.
Oh, things are becoming clearer to me.
That passage you marked in the Cabot Cove history.
Your treasure ship didn't sink in the harbor.
It was badly damaged, and it limped out to sea and was lost in a storm.
Great Scott.
And to think that I neglected to tell Barber and Small about that.
One more question.
Anything.
Did your wives really marry you for your money, or was it, uh, possibly the other way around? Seems to me I've always been falling in love with women who are rich.
Maybe it's the way they do their hair.
Jessie MacGill, good-bye.
Perhaps I'll drop you a postcard from time to time.
Seems you're always sailing away.
I never said I was smart.
Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.
Call the medics! Tell 'em to meet us at the dock! Somebody get some oxygen! - Let go of the wheel! - [Tires Screeching.]
Alex, let go! - People are getting killed.
I don't need that.
- But we're that close to the treasure.
Somebody belongs in that cell.
- Tell her what happens if something happens to all the partners.
- Survivor takes all.
This old friend of yours could turn out to be a cold-blooded killer.
Haven't you got me figured out yet? [Footsteps.]
Hello, mate.
Well, well, well.
Gregory Small.
- Oh, you have given us a merry chase, Davey.
- Really? - Well, I wasn't aware of that.
- House in Key West sold.
Nine different motels in two weeks.
And a ticket on the morning flight to Portland, Maine.
Now, what would you call it? Gregory, you are mussing Mr.
Everett's blazer.
Now do be careful.
Nice piece of cloth.
A man wouldn't mind being buried in that.
As always, Small, a master of subtlety.
Hmm, you have impeccable taste, David.
This-This is the sort of yacht I would buy if I had the money.
Ross, I'm sorry.
I've neglected to tell you.
I'm about to come into a fortune.
Indeed? Well, then, I shan't have to worry about your repaying the $50,000 you borrowed from me, will I? - How reassuring.
- Mr.
Barber's been a bit worried about that, mate.
Keeps havin'these recurring visions of you lying in some dark alley, a bit o' blood here and there- Oh, now, now Gregory, enough of that kind of talk.
Well, now, then, David, tell me-There's something in the wind, is there? Something big? Treasure.
No, no, no.
This is not idle speculation.
This is a sure thing.
It needs only to be hauled up.
You feel great, like a slippery sea lion.
Oh, you could've said mermaid.
I always think of mermaids as scaly.
- Did you see anything down there? - Nope.
It's the same feeling I had in Jamaica though.
[Alex.]
All right.
Hey, hey, treasure hunters! Guys, you interested in this? Is it gold? What is it? I don't know, but it's old and it's heavy.
Susan, look what your husband found while you were redoing your nails.
- Hey, Bill, what have you got? - Looks like junk to me.
What do you think, Coby? Is it gold? Brass.
A ship's fitting, probably held a lantern.
Junk.
Uncle David isn't going to be happy.
Oh, but I think he will be.
This is 18th-century, guys.
Which means there's a ship down here somewhere.
Our ship.
We're close, babe.
Really close.
Well, maybe this whole treasure thing wasn't so dumb.
[Chuckles.]
Dumb? Well, I imagine they're keeping you pretty busy up at the hospital, Dr.
Graham.
Only as busy as I want to be.
And, please, call me Wylie.
For the past 30 years, it's either been Doc or Commander, or a whole lot worse.
Wylie then.
Believe me, Jess.
The navy's loss is Cabot Cove's gain.
I've known this old pirate for years, and medically speaking, there's no one better.
You don't need to butter me up, Seth.
I'm not coming after your patients.
When I'm not at the hospital, you'll find me out on the blue, three sheets to the wind.
At least.
As a matter of fact, there's a breeze coming up.
Might as well make use of it.
Jessica, bye.
I expect we'll be seeing a lot of each other.
I'm sure we will.
Wylie.
Seth.
Amos, that piece of paper you're puttin' under my windshield wiper better be an invitation to a clambake.
No, it's a parking ticket.
And that is an M.
D.
License plate.
And that is a fire hydrant.
The law is the law.
Wait until your sciatica starts acting up again.
Jessie? Yes.
- Jessie MacGill? - Yes.
David? David Everett? Yes.
I can't believe it.
[Chuckling.]
[Jessica.]
David, what in the world are you doing back in Cabot Cove? Why, I came to see you, of course.
I don't believe that for a minute.
You know, the last time I saw you was about, about 35 years ago, and you were about to set sail to seek your fortune.
Mmm.
I thought maybe I'd get a letter or a postcard.
Oh, I couldn't, you know.
Shipwrecked on a desert island, surrounded by great white sharks.
- Yeah, well, I gather you were rescued.
- Yes, yes.
By a fascinating old Malayan pearl trader.
His cook had just died, some social disease, you understand.
So during the next six months, I learned to make the best boiled rice this side of Kuala Lumpur.
And you, who couldn't even boil water.
Ah, Jessica, you'd be surprised at the skills I have mastered.
Chief among which is the art of survival.
Yes, you certainly seem to be in one piece.
Mm-hmm.
In spite of hurricanes, and headhunters, wild animals, and- And four wives.
You have been reading the scandal sheets.
Well, I do sneak a peek when I see your name mentioned.
Quite a quartet, those ladies.
Well, this is- This is a solid home.
I'd say you had a good life with Frank.
Wonderful.
Good man.
I've been thinking about settling down lately.
You know, stop chasing rainbows.
Planting my feet solidly on the ground.
David, what are you really doing here in Cabot Cove? I have four young people out in the harbor diving off a ship, looking for a sunken treasure.
Treasure? Here? A fortune in gold.
It went down on a British ship, merchant ship, in 1777.
That's odd.
I don't remember anything about that.
Well, it's a little-known episode.
But two months ago, just off the Keys, my young partners found this chart.
It showed the exact location.
Of course, they needed a partner to finance the expedition.
So I became the partner.
- I see.
But, David- - Ow, partner.
Jessica, why don't you come and meet the kids? I'm sure you'd love them.
Oh, David, I can't.
I have got to stay chained to my typewriter today.
But what about dinner tonight? Here.
And, uh, you and your kids.
Well, good.
Thank you.
That would be fun.
This way here? Sure, right out here.
Jessica, I can't tell you how marvelous it is to see you.
You know, I hadn't realized how much I'd missed you.
Well.
David! - What is it, Alex? - Here.
- Did you find anything valuable? - Relax, Susan, it's nothing you can wear.
- It looks like another ship's fitting.
- More junk.
- Where's Bill? Larry, he was diving with you.
- I swam behind some rocks.
I lost sight of him.
Then I saw Alex, and she signaled to come up.
- You mean, you left him down there alone? - I'm sure he's all right.
We all had plenty of air.
He could be caught on some rocks, anything.
David! We'd better play it safe.
Coby, go back down and look for him.
[Gregory.]
One of the divers is submerging back into the water.
Yes, yes.
Our Davey looks a bit anxious.
Something has gone wrong.
I knew it.
I knew it.
Oh, Gregory, when will I ever learn? Never put your trust in a sure thing.
- Bill! - Call the medics! Tell 'em to meet us at the dock! Somebody get some oxygen! Alex, it was an accident.
Sure, blame it on the equipment.
Not that equipment.
It was primo.
Absolutely perfecto.
Unless somebody did something to it.
You're crazy, Alex.
I checked it all out this morning.
The tank must have been dropped.
Maybe the regulator jammed.
Did you think about that? Sure.
I just spoke to Dr.
Graham back at the hospital.
He said your friend's vital signs are good, and he's going to be fine.
- Oh, good.
- Great.
Is Susan still at the hospital? No.
Wylie sent her back to her room at the Hill House to get some rest.
Good.
There's nothing that airhead could do anyway.
Champagne for everyone.
To celebrate Bill's recovery and the finding of the treasure.
Champagne! Yes, l-I found it in one of your cupboards.
I hope you don't mind.
[Phone Ringing.]
Of course not.
Just seemed a little early to celebrate.
Hello? Yes, it is.
No, he's right here.
David, it's a Mr.
Barber.
Oh, yes.
Business.
- I'll take it in the kitchen.
Larry, will you open that, please? - Affirmative, Uncle David.
So my uncle says you're some kind of writer.
I've seen your typewriter.
It's prehistoric.
We work at the same speed.
I can get you a state-of-the-art computer, complete with word processing at the factory price.
And with a new piece of software called Novelrite.
Novelrite? Yeah.
Five hundred and five best-selling plots, from Shakespeare to Sidney Sheldon.
Takes the work out of being creative.
[Laughs.]
Okay, who wants bubbly? I do.
Why stop now? Of course I'm glad to hear from you, Ross.
A meeting? Is that necessary? Well, yes, of course.
I understand your concern.
Well, I'll- I have to go now.
Uh, give my regards to Gregory.
- No bad news, I hope.
- No, no, no.
An annoying inconvenience.
My attorney from New York.
There's been a communications foul-up.
My bank in Hong Kong neglected to transfer some funds.
And now I'm short of cash, so- Well, surely you have credit cards.
I've cut them all off.
My ex-wives, you remember, Jessica.
Now, perhaps you could put in a good word for me at the hotel.
I can do better than that.
I've got a perfectly good guest room that hasn't been slept in for months.
Oh, no.
I would not think of imposing.
- Don't be silly.
- The neighbors are liable to start talking.
Do you really think so? Good.
They think I lead a very dull life, chained to my typewriter.
Well, maybe just for one night.
I'm sure my funds will arrive by tomorrow.
I was a damn fool to sign that partnership agreement.
We all were.
David, Billy, Coby and me.
Now that we are on the brink.
I mean, we're really close to finding something.
Greed is rearing its ugly head.
What do you think, Mrs.
Fletcher? I'm sorry.
I don't know what you're talking about.
It's real simple.
If something happens to one of the partners, then the other three split the shares.
I see.
Tell her, David.
Tell her what happens if something happens to all the partners except one.
Survivor takes all.
Here's looking at you, kid.
You're drunk.
So what? I'm taking you to the hotel before you get sick.
No! Don't touch me! You checked the diving equipment.
You said it was all right.
How do we know that? Don't touch me.
Right now.
Come on.
Sorry to spoil the party, folks.
Mrs.
Fletcher, thank you very much.
I don't wanna go to the hotel with you.
Let me out.
Here? Come on, Alex.
Stop the car and let me out! Get serious! - Stop the car! - Alex, Alex, let go! Are you nuts? Let go of the wheel! Alex, let go! Alex! Okay, you want out? Get out! Go on, get out! You don't like the way I drive, you call a taxi.
I'll walk.
I don't care how far it is.
Oh, yeah, I forgot.
No money, as usual.
Here's 20 cents for the phone call.
Get over here! Five bucks for the taxi.
Thanks for the good time, honey.
You're on your own.
I'll talk to you after you sober up.
I hate you, Coby! I hate you! [Floor Creaking.]
[Phone Rings.]
- Doc Hazlett.
- Seth, Wylie.
I didn't wake you, did I? No, of course not.
I'm always up at 6:00, well, 6:15.
I'm sorry.
I wanted to catch you before I got hung up with the rounds.
Seth, the man who's staying with Jessica Fletcher- David? What about him? He stopped by last night to ask about the boy.
He looked familiar.
I ran into him five, maybe six years ago in Florida.
He was involved in, uh, some kind of real estate scheme.
Scheme? You mean like a swindle? Hmm, I wouldn't say that exactly.
I just remember that he was pretty sharp.
I thought that Jessica ought to know.
Well, maybe so, maybe so.
But in this particular case, I get the feelin' I'd better mind my own business.
Thank you, Wylie.
[Jessica.]
Hmm, do I smell coffee? Good morning.
Good morning.
Yes, this is the best coffee this side of Marrakech.
I also have another treat for you.
Eggs à la Everett.
You had everything I needed except the yak's milk.
Well, it looks divine.
You're unbearably cheery this morning.
Yes, that's because I slept like a baby.
The instant my head hit the pillow.
There.
Your label was sticking out.
So now you're properly dressed and charmingly so, if I may say.
Thank you.
[Clears Throat.]
Oh, Amos.
You're up and about early.
Come on in.
Thank you, ma'am.
- Sheriff, could I get you some eggs? - Oh, well-well, no, sir.
Thank you, but not right now.
As a matter of fact, it's you I've come to see.
Understand you're involved with those young folks divin' off the coast.
That's right.
What's wrong, Amos? I'm afraid I have some bad news for you, sir.
Miss Bell? She was found dead on Cabot Cove Road just after sunrise.
I'll need you to identify the body.
Oh, my God.
Well, Doc says your friend identified the body.
He's on his way to break the news to the others.
Did Seth say how long she'd been dead? Yeah, since before midnight.
Body was found by an early morning jogger.
Clear case of hit-and-run.
Amos, this doesn't make any sense.
Alexandra and her friend Coby left my house last night to drive to the Hill House.
Now why was she walking all by herself down a dark road in the middle of the night? Now, Mrs.
Fletcher, I hope you're not trying to make something out of this that isn't.
It's very odd.
She was on the very edge of the road.
Now I mean anyone could have swerved well around and missed her.
Well, maybe so.
Unless, of course, she was struck closer to the center of the road and then thrown to the edge with the force of the impact.
Oh, no, ma'am, no.
The car ran right over her.
[Sighs.]
You see something? It's what I don't see.
Skid marks.
I mean, if the driver had seen her at the last minute, he didn't slam on his brakes.
Skid marks? Broken glass.
Oh, well.
No matter how many signs we put up, folks won't stop throwing empty bottles out of their cars.
That's not bottle glass.
It appears to be a piece of a broken headlight.
[Coby.]
It's my fault.
I left her there alone, on that road.
It was dark.
She was all alone.
And l-I just drove off.
Take it easy.
I won't take it easy.
I came back to the hotel.
I left a message at the desk that I didn't want to be disturbed, no phone calls.
Then I piled back into bed, and I went to sleep.
Coby, now whoever did it, they'll get them, believe me.
[Coby's Voice.]
Yes, that's my car outside.
I rented it in Portland.
And you drove the car back from Mrs.
Fletcher's house last night? Yes.
Ease off, Sheriff.
He's already admitted to us that he left Alex off on the road.
Good, now he can admit it to me after I read him his rights.
[Jessica.]
Thank you.
Oh, that is very welcome.
I remember that expression.
Jessie MacGill in her reverie.
What is it, Jessie? A problem? I was just recalling how envious you were of me and my brothers and sisters because you were an only child.
Last night, Larry Gaynes called you "Uncle.
" It is a harmless deception.
Believe me.
Larry's a rich kid.
And he's into scuba diving and excitement.
And his father offered me a couple of thousand dollars if I'd bring him on the expedition.
Now of course, I make it a policy never to turn down money.
But I wondered how the others, uh, what they would feel with a neophyte aboard.
I thought that a nephew would be more acceptable.
A rich kid who knows a lot about computers.
His father, uh, owns a company that manufactures them.
But you see, the mystery disappears when you know the facts.
- You don't believe Coby killed Alex.
- Do you? No, no.
But I have no other suspects in mind.
Maybe you do.
What I have is an appointment with a doctor.
Thanks for the coffee.
Let me drive you.
Oh, thanks, but it's not far, and I'd rather walk.
It, uh, helps me to think.
Oh, Jessie.
Be careful.
The dock is a little slippery.
One thing's sure- Being hit by that car is not what killed her.
Now hold on, Doc.
You told me she was run over.
She was, after she was killed.
By a blow to the left temple, I'd say about here.
Sure.
The impact broke the headlight and smashed the grill.
No.
In order for a car to have made that sort of contact, she'd have had to have been crouched on all fours, and then she would have been hit by the bumper, not the grill or the headlight.
And finally, I did not find any glass in the wound.
- Then what did strike her, Seth? - Some sort of blunt instrument, I expect.
Yeah, but that Coby fella, he still could've struck her down and then tried to make it look like it was a hit-and-run.
By smashing his own headlight and pointing suspicion at himself? Jessica, don't confuse Amos by bringing logic to bear.
Coby is my only suspect, and I'm holding on to him at least till I get to see that autopsy report.
Well, it's about time you showed up.
You're in the wrong duds, kiddo.
Get changed and grab a mop.
I'm splitting from the project.
- What, you can't do that.
- Sorry, old-timer.
This gig is history.
- We've got a contract, Larry.
- Void because of the safety factor.
- People are getting killed.
I don't need that.
- But we're that close to the treasure.
What treasure? You ask me, you're chasin' smoke, just like you always have.
Damn it! You can't do that.
You begged to come on this expedition.
And I paid for the privilege.
Well, I'm through paying.
This bank is closed.
How am I supposed to get this boat out of here? That's your problem.
Ciao, baby.
A real shame, mate.
Your money man took to his heels and left you with your tail in the wringer.
Mr.
Barber is going to be very unhappy.
Wait.
Wait.
You know if, uh, if Barber could come up with some of the operating expenses.
- Not a chance, mate.
- It'll just take 10,000 to get started again.
Then I'd say you better come up with 10,000, right, Davey? [Jessica.]
So Larry is gone.
Yes, he was scared off.
I suppose that means now I'm gonna have to give his father back a refund.
Oh, I doubt that.
Our Cabot Cove library isn't very big, but they do have a copy of Allenby's, uh, Leaders of Industry.
Larry Gaynes owns the computer company, not his father.
But, Jessica, I'm flabbergasted.
Why? Because I checked up on your story? Larry didn't strike me as the kind of young man who would've had to depend on his father's checkbook for excitement.
Jessie, I would have told you if I could.
It's just that I assured Larry I'd keep his participation confidential.
What are you going to do now? I don't know.
I don't want to give up.
It wouldn't be fair to Bill or Coby.
I'll just have to find someway to keep on going.
Someway.
How much do you need? Well, l- Oh, no, no, no, Jessica.
No, don't even think about it.
How much, David? All right.
I'll need some experienced divers, additional equipment.
Possibly $10,000.
Yes, I'd say that.
That'd be about it.
$ 10,000.
Good morning, Doctor.
Morning.
Would you like some orange juice? No, thank you.
Jess up? I believe she's taking a shower.
- Would you like me to get her? - No, no, no.
There's no, no special rush.
Well- [Clears Throat.]
How do you like your, uh, your accommodations? Just great.
[Sighs.]
Sleeping well? Well, as best I can.
Those, uh, featherbeds require some getting used to.
[Chuckles.]
Nice jammies.
- Seth.
- Morning, Jessica.
Isn't it a little early for you to be up and about? Brisk morning air starts a man's brain cells, gets them thinking, specially if he has something to think about.
Uh, I assume you had a reason for coming over.
Yes, woman, I certainly do.
Bill Ainsley.
You did ask me to tell you when he could have visitors.
Wylie says it's perfectly all right, starting today.
[Wylie.]
All things considered, you're comin'along pretty nicely.
I'll check on you later.
Thanks a lot, Doc.
So how's David? We haven't seen much of him in the past day or two.
- Busy, keeping the ship afloat.
- He's a great guy.
- Did he tell you that he signed for all my hospital bills? - That's David.
It's crazy about Alex.
I mean, with Coby in jail.
- I've got to get back to the job.
- You will be back on the job, really.
Just take it easy, okay? [Coughing.]
Look, Susan, my-my throat's kind of dry.
- Would you mind maybe scrounging some juice up or something? - Oh sure.
Listen, Mrs.
Fletcher.
What happened to me, it was no accident.
If Coby hadn't have pulled me out, I'd be as dead as Alex.
- What do you think happened? - I just keep wondering where the hell Larry was when I blacked out.
- Larry? But why would he- - You've seen my wife.
But you haven't seen her in her bikini.
Larry looked at her like she was some kind of an Italian sports car, - and he was ready to take her for a test drive.
- And his reason to kill Alex? That I can't answer.
[Coby.]
Mrs.
Fletcher, I told you everything I remember.
I gave Alex 20 cents for a phone call.
Five dollars for a taxi.
She never carried any money.
Not even any change.
- So you were sure she would call a cab and come back to the hotel.
- Yes.
Coby, where was the telephone? Uh, at a gas station back a little ways.
It was closed, but there was an outside phone booth.
Ed Potts never went fishing a day in his life.
More likely he went to visit his lady friend in Augusta.
But he couldn't put that in the window.
Amos.
Yes, ma'am? Amos, when you looked in Alexandra's purse for her identification, did you notice any money? Yep.
Five dollar bill.
How much change? Not a penny.
Coby said that he gave her Well, she must've used it in the phone.
There's no phone book there.
So she couldn't have looked up the taxi number in it, and being a stranger in town it's unlikely she would have known it.
Yeah, of course she could've dialed the operator and told her it was an emergency.
And then the operator would've put the call through for nothin'.
Ah, but she didn't make a free call.
She spent the 20 cents.
Mmm.
Amos, you know, there might be one or two fingerprints of hers left on that phone.
Good thinking.
Or it would be, except the jogger used the phone to call my deputy, and my deputy used it to call me at home, and I called Doc Hazlett- but now wait.
Didn't you say that she was at your house earlier? Yes.
Well, that's the answer then.
She copied down your phone number.
But she didn't call.
The phone didn't ring.
Well, maybe you were asleep, and somebody else answered the phone.
I wasn't asleep.
I was working on my book.
And there's no phone in my guest room, Amos.
Mrs.
Fletcher.
I'm sorry, Amos.
- Would you drive me home? - Yes, ma'am.
David? David, are you here? - Hello, Jessie.
- David, what is this? That's a.
38 special.
Not as effective as a.
45, but easier to carry.
I'm surprised, as a mystery writer, you don't know that.
Why do you carry it? Why does anyone carry those nasty little things? For protection.
I can see that you don't like guns either.
I'll just stow this someplace out of sight.
I noticed that you drove off with the sheriff.
- Does he have any leads on Alex's killer? - No.
No.
It's too bad.
Such a lovely young lady and a good friend.
- And a partner? - And a partner.
Well, I'll put this in the car.
[Jessica.]
She phoned somebody, Seth, I know it.
But who? How about this, Jess? Alexandra didn't phone anyone in town.
She called the boat.
The boat? Yes, it can be done.
And she would've known the number.
Yeah, but who was on the boat? Larry.
Larry? That bogus nephew that took it so conveniently on the lam.
Well, first of all, I'm-I'm not certain that a call to the boat would have cost 20 cents.
And Larry was the one person who did not have a motive.
He was not one of Alexandra's partners and apparently had-had enough money that he didn't have to worry at all about money.
All right, all right.
I'll tell you what.
Could we sit down just for a minute? Well, I was hoping that the fresh air might stimulate your brain cells.
Oh, the fresh air is just fine.
The trouble is I don't enjoy walking when I'm not going somewhere.
All right, all right, we'll forget Larry.
Now I suppose we'll have to forget David too, won't we? After all, he was in your guest bedroom all night.
You know, you sound almost disappointed.
He would have made a dandy suspect.
Oh, Seth.
Don't "Oh, Seth" me, woman.
He was, he is, one of the partners.
Could be there's a whole packet of money involved here.
I don't believe that you're suggesting- Jess.
I want you to get a real perspective on this thing.
Now we are talking about a man who has spent his entire adult life traipsing all over the globe looking for the pot of gold.
He was obsessed with it.
Seth, you don't know the first thing about him.
You are thinking with your funny bone and not with your head.
This old friend of yours could turn out to be a cold-blooded killer.
Seth, I have known David Everett for the past 35 years.
Correction.
You knew him 35 years ago.
There is a difference, Jess.
Oh, come on.
Well, what is this, the Boston Marathon? Wait! David! Oh, you're home.
I looked into that library you told me about, and I came across this fascinating volume.
This is a history of Cabot Cove.
This is not supposed to be taken out.
Well, it wasn't officially.
It just sort of went for a walk with me and it ended up here.
Now Jessie, would you do me a favor? Could you return that for me? David, I want some straight answers.
For you, Jess, anything.
Don't patronize me.
I have been acting like a fool, and I don't like it.
L-I don't like it.
The fact that because I may have felt something for you a long time ago I'm afraid to ask you the hard questions that I have to ask.
Well, if you think there is something, uh- Where did you go when you left this house the night Alex was murdered? Please don't try to deny it, David.
I heard you leave.
I went to see some people.
In the middle of the night? Armed with a gun? The time and place was picked by them.
And the gun was for protection, in case they didn't see my point of view.
And who are these people? One is a loan shark, and the other was his muscleman.
When times were slow, I piled up a considerable debt.
But I didn't really need to use the gun.
Because I had talked them into another deal, half of my share of the treasure against what I owed them.
And then the next day, poor Alex was killed, and Coby was in jail, and the operation stalled.
And my new partners wouldn't come up with another nickel for expenses.
So you had to raise $10,000 very quickly.
Jessica, that 10,000 that you lent me has saved my neck, not to mention various other parts of my anatomy.
- You were desperate.
- For me, that's hardly unusual.
- It's a motive.
- What, to harm Bill and kill Alex? I may be a trifle threadbare, Jessica, but I'm not homicidal.
No, I don't believe that you are.
But with all that's happened, I do think that you should talk to SheriffTupper.
No, no, no.
Not possible.
I have a meeting with my new partners tonight on the boat, and I wish to get there first, so I can set out the ice bucket and the champagne and the caviar.
- David! - Jessica, I'm saying good-bye.
And thank you for your hospitality.
Good-bye? You can't just duck out in the middle of a murder investigation.
Haven't you got me figured out yet? I've been ducking out all my life.
Isn't that why you all voted me in high school so many years ago as the man most likely to flee the scene when the going got tough? You know, Jessica, I've often lain awake, thinking about, uh, the road not taken and the word not spoken.
Things might have been different for us.
But then, they didn't turn out that way, did they? But believe me, with Frank, you got by far the best of it.
Oh, I scribbled a few words of farewell on the bookmark.
Good-bye, Jessie MacGill.
"DearJessie- It scares me to think I could learn to like a featherbed.
Here's your house key.
With my undying gratitude, David.
" Here's your belongings.
Just sign the form and you're free to go, Mr.
Russell.
Oh, Coby, you're being released.
The sheriff couldn't hold me any longer.
Uh, you were right, Mrs.
Fletcher.
Case against him doesn't hold water.
But somebody belongs in that cell.
Can I help you, Mrs.
Fletcher? Amos, I'd like to see Alexandra's purse if I may.
Don't see why not.
Won't do you any good.
Already went through it.
There isn't a single scrap of paper that has a Cabot Cove telephone number on it.
I'm not looking for a scrap of paper.
The number is on Alexandra's room key tag.
Hill House.
That's where you were staying, wasn't it, son? [Bill.]
Coby didn't kill Alex! No, but somebody went to a great deal of trouble to make it look that way.
The same person, I'm afraid, who nearly ended your life, Bill.
- You know who's responsible? - I'm fairly sure.
Well, come on.
Let's hear it.
None of the divers or David could havejammed that regulator, because nobody was left alone on deck with the equipment.
One person was alone on deck a great deal of the time, mostly passing the time with self-grooming.
- That's insane! - What, Susie? - You're way offbase, lady.
- I love my husband.
Why would I try to kill him? You didn't.
But you had every reason to believe that Bill would be with Larry when the trouble began.
You couldn't know Bill would wander off, and Larry would surface without him.
It wasn't meant to be an attempt on Bill's life, only to look like one.
You were setting the stage for the real murder, and you wanted to remove suspicion from your husband.
You must have been frantic when the other three divers came aboard and left Bill in the water.
No wonder you didn't accept their reassurance that he had plenty of oxygen left.
That's preposterous.
How could I have known hours in advance that Coby would leave Alex stranded on a dark, deserted road late at night? Because that was not the murder that you were planning, at least not yet.
When Alex found the Hill House phone number and called you, you simply took advantage of an opportunity.
Oh, come on.
Alex must have called Coby.
She couldn't have.
He told the desk not to put any calls through.
Her call had to be you.
Honey? Come on, this is crazy.
Tell her! Tell her what? Bill, I'm sorry.
She did call me.
Crazy Alex.
Drunk, scared and angry.
Me, who she was always putting down.
[Susan.]
Well, I had no trouble finding her.
And I was ready for her.
And she was glad to see me.
I couldn'tjust run her down.
Suppose she lived through that? I had to be sure.
It wasn't enough to kill Alex.
You tried to fix the blame on Coby.
You knew if he was found guilty of killing Alex, he couldn't share in the treasure.
You think that was it? You think the money was it? Well, let me tell you something.
I was sick and tired of being the outsider.
Bill was a diver, so they would accept Bill, no problem.
But Alex kept harping on how the only thing I paid attention to was my looks.
Well, my looks are the only thing that I have.
I was never smart enough for them.
And they kept throwing it back in my face.
- Honey, that's just not true.
- It is true, Bill.
You just never paid any attention to it.
To them, I was your airhead wife.
Anyway, I went back to Hill House, and I located Coby's rental car.
And then I made sure I was alone.
And I took off myjacket, and I wrapped it around the tire iron to muffle the sound.
And then I smashed the grill and the headlight.
And then very carefully picked up every piece of glass, and I took it back with me to that dark, deserted road.
Bill? Bill, I didn't do it for me.
I did it for us, baby.
It was all right there for the taking, everything we ever wanted.
Bill? [Gregory.]
Good riddance, I say, sir.
You know, in a way, I almost felt sorry for Mr.
Everett.
He had a certain way about him.
Uh, too bad.
Too bad he had to get in over his head.
David? David? Jessica! What a pleasant surprise.
You've come down to see me off.
What a relief.
Those two men- I thought for a moment.
You thought what? That- Oh, Jessica, no.
I may have been on the ropes, but you must give me some credit for resourcefulness.
I was going to send this to SheriffTupper from Sri Lanka.
Perhaps you can save me the postage.
A cassette tape? Yes, of Barber and Small, uh, extorting from me my remaining half share of the treasure for a mere $100,000.
Oh, and I was going to send you a cashier's check, but since you're here- $10,000 with interest and with thanks.
Oh, things are becoming clearer to me.
That passage you marked in the Cabot Cove history.
Your treasure ship didn't sink in the harbor.
It was badly damaged, and it limped out to sea and was lost in a storm.
Great Scott.
And to think that I neglected to tell Barber and Small about that.
One more question.
Anything.
Did your wives really marry you for your money, or was it, uh, possibly the other way around? Seems to me I've always been falling in love with women who are rich.
Maybe it's the way they do their hair.
Jessie MacGill, good-bye.
Perhaps I'll drop you a postcard from time to time.
Seems you're always sailing away.
I never said I was smart.