Murder, She Wrote s07e01 Episode Script

That's a pretty lousy suggestion, Mrs.
Fletcher.
Murder is lousy too.
Tonight on "Murder she wrote " Are you saying that anyone can file a law suit legally, against anyone they please any time they please? It's not that quite that simple, first you have to hire a lawyer.
Stop moving your head.
You have a pinched vertebrae.
My father is dead because of you.
- Step forward number 2.
- Me? Yes Number 2, Step forward.
You drive carefully now.
Yeah right.
Hold it! - What the hell are you doing? - Don't you hear the sirens? They know you're out.
We gotta get out of here.
- And ditch this van.
- You dummy.
This is the State police.
Pull over to the side of the road.
Driver of the van, pull over now.
I can't outrun that chopper.
Keep going or I'll blow your head off.
Eddie.
Get the paramedics.
Tell 'em to move it.
More tea, Mrs.
Fletcher? No, no more.
Thank you Fred.
Ma'am there's a very nice lady standing over there carrying one of your books, and she'd like an autograph.
I'd be delighted.
This is very nice of you.
She reminds me of my grandmother.
Mrs.
Fletcher, this is a thrill.
Really.
- Thank you.
- I read every one of your books - Loved 'em all.
- What is your name? - Hester.
- Hester.
"To Hester", would be fine.
My mother is gonna be so excited.
And I wouldn't dream of moving.
Yes how did you know? It's typed right on the summons.
- Summons? - Thanks again Jessica.
I knew you’d be just as nice as your picture.
What did I tell you? Isn't she the sweetest thing? Fred, get yourself a new grandmother.
My, my, my.
Dear.
- Surely they can't be serious.
- They're serious Mrs.
Fletcher.
Whether they have a case is a different matter.
I'm a reasonably intelligent woman, but when it comes to legal summons or fine print in my insurance policy with you I'm a little confused as to where I stand.
Let me explain to you.
the authorities in a murder investigation which led to the arrest and conviction of a man named - Edward Stone.
- Yes, I remember the case.
Well Stone died in an attempted prison break last month and now his daughter Geraldine Stone has filed a 50 million dollar wrongful death suit against you.
She claims that your participation in the investigation was instrumental in her father's conviction and that his death was the result of wrongful imprisonment based upon erroneous evidence.
But that is ridiculous.
Of course it is.
We We have 30 days in which to answer.
- Answer what? - The complaint.
There is nothing to answer.
This is pure fabrication.
Of course it is.
But we still have to answer it.
Are you saying anyone can file a lawsuit willy nilly, against anyone they please anytime they please? It's not quite that simple, first you have to hire a lawyer.
Although I suspect this one is working on a contingency basis.
Charlie Cosmo has even given shysters a bad name.
I'm sorry, Mr.
Dandridge, but I refuse to dignify this travesty.
I'll have to leave it in your hands.
I'm sure this will never even come to trial.
Charlie would rather settle than fight any day.
So if his figure's low enough I'll just give him something to go away.
Settle? That would be admitting that he was right.
- Absolutely not.
- I know how you feel I don't think you do.
Ultimately it comes down to dollars and cents.
None of us wants the expense or the inconvenience of a long drawn out trial, so suppose I talk to Charlie - see where he's coming from.
- You do that Mr.
Dandridge.
Meantime I'm gonna have a chat with Miss Stone and find out where she's coming from.
Mrs.
Fletcher, I don't think that is such a good idea.
On the contrary Mr.
Dandridge.
It's the best idea I've had all morning.
Come on Mr.
Kleinschmidt, the appropriation was killed in committee on your recommendation and you know it.
Sir, nobody is trying to nail anybody.
I just want a straight answer.
If I wanted to talk to your PR guy I would have called your PR guy.
Alright.
Fine.
Excuse me for bothering you.
"Earth Now" will be on the stands next Tuesday.
You can read all about it.
- Pardon me Miss Stone? - Yeah, that's me.
I'm Jessica Fletcher.
- Mrs.
Fletcher, I'm busy right now.
- Yes I can see that.
Miss Stone, I'd like to know why on Earth you're filing - this law suit against me.
- I think it speaks for itself.
No.
I'm afraid it doesn't.
I'm sorry your father is dead, but he was sent to prison for killing a man.
On trumped up evidence created by you.
No, that's not true.
Mrs.
Fletcher, I don't think we should be talking about this.
This is a matter for the courts to decide.
Yes, just as they decided to send your father to prison.
Not me.
Mrs.
Fletcher, I'm very, very busy right now, so would you please leave or I'll have to ask someone to make you.
That won't be necessary.
- Stone.
- Gerry Hi.
- Did I catch you at a bad time? - Yeah, very.
- Justin, she was here.
- Who? Mrs.
Fletcher.
I didn't know what to say to her.
You don't have to say anything.
That's why you pay your lawyer.
- I feel so sleazy - For what? It's not gonna cost her anything just her insurance company.
I know, but it's just - It's just that - This is not time to lose nerve.
Believe me the night we open "Justin's Restaurant" we'll forget all about this.
Gotta run.
Here comes the Grand Dragon.
See you tonight.
I'll bring home some cheese cake.
I trust, Mr.
Fields, that your duties here are not interfering with your personal life.
I'm sorry, Mr.
Von Steuben.
A personal emergency.
Involving your banker? - Sir? - I'm a tolerant man Fields.
Even forbearing, but I'm not amused by pastry chefs with delusions of grandeur.
- Sorry, you've lost me.
- Just the thing I hope to avoid.
I am not amused by your heretofore vain attempts to raise the capital to fund your won restaurant.
- Sir, I assure you - And I assure you I will enforce your contract with every means available to me.
I do not relish seeing my clientele spirited away be some ambitious employee.
You are a competent chef, Fields.
But a hopeless business man as your two previous bankruptcies attest to.
Do I smell something burning? Stay very calm Patricia.
And answer my questions slowly and quietly.
If you can manage a little catch in your throat that's great, but don't overdo it.
And stop moving your neck.
You have a pinched vertebrae.
Excuse me a minute.
Well! What do you say? How you doing Ray? Charlie, it's that a little much even for you? Nurse, orderly, wheel chair I tried to get a doctor too, only all of my really good guys are out of time, testifying.
What brings you here? As if I couldn't guess That complaint against J.
B.
Fletcher is packed with chicken feathers and you know it.
I don't think a jury will see it that way.
Have you met the lady? I hear she's a real busybody - We're not gonna settle.
- Who's talking about settling? We're talking 50 million dollars.
So it takes 3 or 4 years to get on the docket? So what? For numbers like that I've got the patience of Job.
So do we.
I'm on my way right now to see the detective on the case, Lt.
Lewis.
You've got yourself a long trip.
Lewis died last year, heart attack.
You really ought to talk to the State's chief witness, Angelo Vitello.
Only I'm not gonna let you do that.
Not just yet.
- What are you talking about? - It's all here Ray.
I took his deposition last week at his home.
You and Mrs.
Fletcher might want to look that over and then we'll have a talk.
Nice seeing you.
- Mrs.
Fletcher? - Yes.
Hi, Sgt.
Paulsen.
You probably don't remember me.
I worked with Lt.
Lewis - on the Eddie Stone case.
- Yes, of course.
- Nice to see you again.
- I don't blame you for not remembering.
I was a size 36 back then.
That was right before my wife left me and I was passed over for Sergeant 3 straight times.
It kind of went to my waste line.
- Yes, yes.
Of course.
Well - I guess they told you about the Lieutenant dieing last year.
Yes, I was so sorry to hear that.
Me too.
He was my Rabbi.
My guardian angel.
I kind of miss the guy.
Anyway, what can I do for you? I'm not really quite sure.
I wanted to review the case with him.
The fact is Sergeant, I am being sued.
No kidding? What for? Edward Stone's daughter claims that my involvement in the case led to her father's conviction.
She got that right.
We couldn't have done it without you.
That isn't exactly what I wanted to hear.
Lewis didn't have a clue until you put him on the right track.
- Gummy bear? - No thank you.
- Mrs.
Fletcher.
- Mr.
Dandridge.
We need to talk, now.
Sergeant this is my attorney, Raymond Dandridge.
- How do you do.
- Sgt.
Paulsen.
Sergeant, would you excuse us for just a moment? Sure, it's time for my lunch break anyway.
If you need to see those files just say the word.
Thank you.
Mrs.
Fletcher we have trouble, serious trouble.
Do you remember a man named Angelo Vitello? Of course, he was the cab driver who picked up Edward Stone late that night, just a block from the murder scene.
A pretty important witness would you say? Oh yes.
He was the key to the case.
I was afraid you were going to say something like that.
You see, Mr.
Vitello has suddenly had a change of heart.
He says the only reason that he identified Stone was because you talked him into it.
And he says that you paid him under oath.
Frankly Mrs.
Fletcher, this is a terrible idea.
So you keep telling me.
Would you please wait? I want you to know I don't believe this man's accusation - not for a minute.
- Thank you.
But his statement is very specific - unless he's an out and out liar - He is.
You also said he was a very charming gentleman.
Open, cheerful, - very likeable.
- Yes.
That's what troubles me.
How could he make this accusation when he knows it's false? Rosa.
Carlos.
Shut up.
- This is it.
- Get outside.
Now and quickly.
I don't want to clean up.
- Get out.
- Yes Mom.
I want ice-cream.
I want ice-cream.
- Yes? - Mrs.
Vitello? I'm Mrs.
Vitello.
My name is Jessica Fletcher.
This is Mr.
Dandridge.
I've come to see your husband.
He's busy right now.
Please, I've come such a long way.
Would you at least tell him I'm here? It's very important.
Wait here.
We have another sentence.
Place that comma.
Susie you're the first.
Place the comma after lobsters and before gumbo.
I'm sorry, Angelo can't see you right now.
He's taking a nap.
He hasn't been feeling well lately.
Next time call first, ok? I'm sorry.
Excuse me.
Phrases that are often sentence interrupters.
Italian Ice.
She was telling the truth about one thing He's not well.
He's at least I remember him.
And they've got him on oxygen.
Mrs.
Fletcher, Jessica I know how upset you are but will you leave this to me? I'm sorry, I can't do that.
But would you mind giving me a lift to the police station? I'd like to go through the files.
- Here you go, Mrs.
Fletcher.
- Thank you.
Mrs.
Fletcher, I don't know if you remember me.
Of course I do Miss Stephenson.
How nice to see you again.
Thank you.
Technically you shouldn't be reviewing those files, not without a court order.
On the other hand, I shouldn't be accused of suborning perjury either.
I presume you talked to Sgt.
Paulsen I asked him to call you.
For the record, I don't believe Vitello's accusation.
Well thank you.
On the other hand it's a serious charge.
I can't just ignore it.
It's not just a civil suit.
It involves a criminal offense.
I know that.
When I prosecuted Edward Stone, my case, quite frankly, rested on 2 things the circumstantial evidence and Angelo Vitello's uncorroborated testimony.
If it turns out that he was lying, for whatever reason, my entire case based on your theory just won't hold up.
He was not Lying, not then.
I don't think so either, but I'm in a difficult position.
See, I've been asked to run for district attorney next year.
- I see.
- Something like this could really destroy my chances for the nomination.
I just hope you decide not to settle this civil suit out of court.
My insurance company seems more than willing to negotiate, - but I wouldn't think of it.
- Good for you.
It's one thing to lie in a sworn deposition.
It's quite another to make it stick in an open court under cross examination.
You didn't let me down 6 years ago and you're not going to let me down now.
- We'll be in touch.
- You bet.
Taxi! - Mrs.
Fletcher? - Yes.
Just the lady I came to see.
Charles Emmett Cosmo, attorney at law.
- Oh yes, Mr.
Cosmo.
- I represent Yes I know who you represent.
I'm really surprised that you actually came here to this police station.
- Excuse me, you want the cab? - Yes.
- Why don't you get on with it.
- Wait please.
I gave you a lot more credit, Mrs.
Fletcher.
A lady of your experience and intelligence, - especially around a court room.
- Excuse me? My client and I we're talking civil action.
Just a quiet little suit with a quiet little settlement.
Something that could be handled in an hour over coffee.
Now you see you've brought the law into it.
Mr.
Cosmo, hard as it may be for you to grasp the concept, I was not involved in subornation - of perjury.
- Lady.
- Go.
- Stay.
Go, stay Tourists.
Mrs.
Fletcher, don't misunderstand me.
I just don't want to see you in any more trouble.
Now I've lost my cab.
So what are you telling me? That you'll let this thing drag on for 3 or 4 years? - If that's what it take - Then what? You'll get crucified.
- I seriously doubt it.
Taxi! - Why? Because you're innocent? Lady, that doesn't have a lot to do with it.
The judges and the DA's will bend over backwards to avoid the impression that they're kowtowing to a celebrity? The trial gets twice as tough.
In the mornings at the courthouse they'll be lawyers swarming all over you, and at night the phone will ring off the hook.
Do you seriously want to put yourself through that? Mr.
Cosmo, I'm still naive enough to believe that in a court of law truth will prevail.
Go through it? I look forward to it.
Excuse me.
This is just great.
Give the maître di your name and off he goes.
"One moment", he says.
It's been longer Jessica.
Have you recently given up smoking? You're very edgy.
I'm not edgy.
I just hate paying and then have to suffer rudeness in the bargain.
Maybe now you can tell me what this good reason is you had for coming here? It surely can't be the food.
I've heard interesting things about their pastry.
Mrs.
Fletcher.
How delightful to meet you at last.
Elliot Von Steuben, a devoted admirer.
Thanks you.
My friend, Raymond Dandridge.
- Mr.
Dandridge.
- Oh please.
I've reserved a very special table for you I've also ordered up an excellent '78 Cabernet, I'm sure you'll enjoy.
- Oh that sounds delicious.
- And if there's something special you'd like, anything at all, just ask your waiter, no request will be too difficult.
I just don't what to say, Mr.
Von Steuben.
Say? You need say nothing.
What you have written speaks volumes.
I am a shameless aficionado of the well crafted mystery.
Christy, James, Fletcher My library is small but select.
"Bon appetit".
And if you need anything, - I am at your service.
- Thank you.
It's incredible, that man oozes snake oil.
We'll wait a few minutes before ordering.
Certainly.
Jessica, what's this about pastry? I did some research on Geraldine Stone.
She's involved with the pastry chef here named Justin Fields.
He's been trying for months unsuccessfully to raise enough money to open his own place.
This is a high risk business.
Oh yes and Mr.
Fields has - What's your point? - This sudden law suit totally without merit popping up at the time her boyfriend needs to raise about half a million dollars.
You tell me.
She's suing you for 50 million.
Which she couldn't possibly hope to collect for 3 or 4 years.
The question is, what might you and the insurance company settle for now to avoid the nuisance of the law suit? I see.
That would explain a lot of things.
Raymond, it's Geraldine Stone.
Something's making her unhappy.
The pastry chef is about to hear about it.
Maybe the idea of confronting her wasn't such a bad idea after all.
Excuse me Mrs.
Fletcher, A call for you.
Thank you.
Hello? Mrs.
Fletcher, Sgt.
Paulsen.
Your hotel told me where I could find you.
What's the matter Sergeant? The paramedics just responded to a 911 in Vitello's apartment They're taking him to Bellevue now.
- What happened? - I don't know, but if you want to talk this guy, you better hurry up.
I don't think he'll make it until morning.
Sergeant, how is he? Breathing, that's about it.
They've got him in ICU.
- Did you talk to him? - He hasn't regain consciousness.
What happened? The doc thinks he went into a diabetic coma.
They're running some tests.
His wife's in the waiting room She's holding up pretty good.
- Ray, would you excuse me? - Yeah.
I'll find the doctor.
I'll see what I can find out.
There, there Mrs.
Vitello.
I'll say a prayer for him at tonight's mass.
Excuse me, Mrs.
Vitello? Mrs.
Fletcher.
I'm so very sorry.
I hope that your husband's going to be alright.
Thank you.
I want to apologize for my rudeness this afternoon.
Oh please I get very protective.
On his bad days, Angelo tires easily and company upsets him.
He hasn't been out of his house for the past 8 weeks.
- How long has he been sick? - A couple of years.
The diabetes has always been with him, but they found the cancer in his lung.
They took out what they could, but we knew it wasn't enough.
Look, I know you want to talk to him about that murder case.
Listen, the important thing is to get him through this crisis.
He's not getting through it.
Not this time.
I've been with him all day, all night watching him die, hour after hour.
All except tonight.
Tonight I go down the street to a neighbor's to watch her kids for a couple of hours so she and her husband can go out.
It's they're anniversary.
When I come home After they laid him off when he was too sick to work he gave up.
I could see it in his face.
Never late, never an excuse.
Just like that, they fired him.
No benefits, no nothing.
Even his life insurance.
It was just like he'd never ever been there.
Jessica.
Excuse me.
Jessica, Vitello didn't make it.
He died 5 minutes ago, I talked to one of the nurses.
Oh that poor woman.
She said she was resigned to it, but I don't know - It'll hit her hard.
- Real hard, Mrs.
Fletcher.
- We got a sicko running around.
- Explain that Sergeant.
Vitello's back door.
Somebody punched in the glass next to the door handle.
- An intruder? - That's just for openers.
The lab just double checked the blood tests.
It came out the same way both times.
Vitello's blood stream was loaded with sugar and we found a syringe tossed away in the backyard with traces on it.
- Traces of what? - Pure dextrose.
Someone broke in and injected the guy to bring on his attack.
What we're talking here is murder.
I'm sorry sir, but Mr.
Cosmo is in with a client.
Miss I phoned him early this morning and told him I would be here at 10.
I'm sorry but he left specific instructions not to be disturbed.
Don't worry about a thing, Miss Stone, Mr.
Vitello's death doesn't change anything.
I intend to pursue this law suit.
Ok, because I'm more determined than ever to see it through.
- Thanks, Mr.
Cosmo.
- I'll be in touch.
Ray, sorry to keep you waiting.
Tell me something is your client theatrically trained or was that performance last minute coaching? - You know me better than that.
- Absolutely.
Face it Ray.
It doesn't matter whether Angelo Vitello is dead or alive.
I've got your client dead bang.
His deposition was sworn and notarized.
No jury is gonna buy a piece of paper.
From a dieing man, anxious to cleanse his soul? Come on Ray.
Let's stop screwing around and settle on a figure.
No deal.
A few years down the road this is gonna cost you a lot of zeros.
And your boss isn't gonna be too happy when he finds out you could have settled today for a box of crackerjacks.
What are crackerjacks going for these days? A little less than a million.
Not even for a dollar.
Mrs.
Fletcher says it's a lie and I believe her.
Yeah? When did you get to be so righteous? Maybe since somebody murdered Angelo Vitello to make sure he never testified.
- It wasn't my client.
- Did I mention names? Charlie, there's a point at which even I won't do business.
You have a nice day.
Ray.
When it comes to people with a motive to keep Vitello off the stand you know who is number 1, don't you? - Your client.
- That's a stretch even for you.
Maybe so.
But I know the police have a witness who saw a woman leave the Vitello brownstone around 7:30.
Judging by the description, it could easily be Mrs.
Fletcher.
Sergeant.
Mrs.
Fletcher.
They told me at the station that you'd be here.
- Where's Mrs.
Vitello? - She's at the church - making arrangements.
- Did you find anything? Aside from the broken pane in the kitchen door, not much.
I understand that a woman was seen leaving the building last night around 7.
30.
- Who told you that? - Mr.
Dandridge.
- He heard it from Mr.
Cosmo.
- I wonder where he got that? From the bulletin board at headquarters? Incidentally for the record, I was in my room at the hotel between 7 and 8 o'clock last night changing for dinner.
Then I took a cab to the restaurant where I met Mr.
Dandridge.
- Did I ask? - Not yet.
They have quite a formidable security system.
Too bad it wasn't operating last night.
Whenever Mrs.
Vitello would leave the apartment her husband would never us the slide bolts in case he passed out or something, she'd be able to get back in.
So anyone with a credit card could open the door latch.
Or the victim could have let someone in.
That too.
Mrs.
Vitello left at 6:15 and came back around 8:30.
She found her husband comatose on the floor, so she called 911.
The ambulance came within 10 minutes and rushed him to the hospital.
- Then the women seen leaving - Was not Mrs.
Vitello.
She was with the neighbor's children the entire time.
The other woman was of indeterminate middle age, blond hair under a hat and dark glasses.
She left from the front of the building.
Dark glasses at night? It sounds as if she didn't want to be recognized.
My thoughts exactly.
Sergeant, excuse me, you mentioned that a syringe was found in the rear yard.
Yes, about 10 yards from the kitchen door.
But doesn't that seem rather odd? If the woman was involved in Mr.
Vitello's death and left by the front door, why was the syringe found at the back door? It seems to me, the killer must have dropped or tossed the syringe away as he left by the back.
Listen Mrs.
Fletcher I happen to think you're a really terrific lady.
And I am absolutely sure you had nothing to do with this.
On the other hand, I have a captain who really doesn't know you quite as well as I do.
And he made a suggestion that It really wasn't a suggestion, is was a Being that there is a witness, and you really don't have a terrific alibi Well let me put it to you this way.
Alright ladies line up under your assigned numbers.
Face front.
Hands down at your sides.
Thank you.
Well, Mrs.
Torgeson? I don't know.
It was dark I wasn't that close.
I only really got a sideways glance as she was hurrying away.
Alright ladies, turn to your right.
No, the other way.
Now to your left.
How about now? Could be, maybe Maybe number 2? But I saw her moving.
You know what I mean? Face forward ladies.
Number 2, please step forward.
- Me? - Yes you.
Number 2.
Step forward.
Now walk briskly to your left.
- Now just a minute, Sergeant.
- Briskly to the left number 2.
No, I don't think so.
- But you're not sure.
- I'm an old lady with bad eyes.
What do you want from me? Pictures? - Mrs.
Fletcher.
- Mrs.
Fletcher thanks so much for your cooperation.
I guess you're off the hook, for the time being at least.
- For the time being? - The eyewitness really turned out to be of no use to us.
With the darkness and the obvious disguise the woman wore she really couldn't make a positive ID.
I'm sorry to hear that Miss Stephenson.
Because I was going to volunteer to go through again on one condition that you join the line up.
Me? I suppose that would be amusing.
My goodness.
It's almost 2:30 and I haven't eaten lunch.
Would you care to join me? I think you and I have a lot to talk about.
Alright, how did you know I was the one at the apartment? Well, I didn't For sure.
But you had as much to lose by Mr.
Vitello's testimony as anyone.
I simply put the blond hair together with the disguise.
It made sense.
I didn't kill the man, Mrs.
Fletcher.
I went there to talk to him privately, that's all.
And the disguise was necessary.
How would it look for the next district attorney to be seen meeting with a man who claims to have been bribed to commit perjury in a case - I won 6 years ago? - Did you discuss that case? I knocked several times but there was no answer.
I could the TV set, so I knew he was there, but - he wouldn't answer.
- Or couldn't.
When was that? Was it around 7:30? Yes.
Look, I know it was stupid, but that deposition of his was just a total lie and it had to be.
I just wanted to get to the bottom of it.
- Face to face.
- You say you heard the TV, did you hear him moving around in the apartment? - No.
- Welcome, Mrs.
Fletcher.
- Welcome again.
- Thank you.
This is Miss Ann Stephenson.
Delighted.
I've seen you often on the news.
The camera does not do you justice.
Won't you join us? I would be delighted, however Actually Miss Stephenson would like to ask you a couple of questions about last night.
But of course.
How may I help you? - Well I - Miss Stephenson would like to have a chat with your pastry chef, Justin Fields.
Yes.
- I can give you his home address.
- You mean, he's not here? No, nor will he be.
I let him go last evening.
A most disagreeable, and undependable gentleman despite his considerable skill with a baking pan.
That's excellent.
Saucy but not impudent.
- Undependable? - Last evening, he sneaked out the back door and left the "petits fours" to his assistant.
- Unconscionable.
- About what time was that? - Shortly before 7.
- And when did he return? - He didn't.
- But I saw Geraldine Stone here last night and I just assumed she'd come for him.
She did and was only slightly less disappointed than I he was missing.
I called him this morning to notify him of his termination.
He found it amusing.
He said he'd worked his last shift as a pastry chef.
Dear fellow, I wonder what he knows that I don't? Mrs.
Fletcher.
What are you doing here? I came to see you, Miss Stone.
Your office told me you'd taken a couple of days sick leave.
You must be Mr.
Fields.
How do you do? - Hi.
- I'm sorry I missed you at the restaurant last night.
I hear you make a wonderful cheese cake.
You didn't come here to discuss cheese cakes.
No, I didn't.
My! This is quite a lovely place.
Or will be when you get it all fixed up.
I talked to the owner this morning.
He told me you took a lease on the place last month.
- Not that it's any of your business.
- I'm it is very much my business.
The law suit saw to that.
But actually, what's far more important than that is who killed that poor sick old man in the wheel chair.
Well it wasn't me.
I wanted him alive to testify at your trial.
Did you? I wonder.
Your lawyer seems to think he he'd have just as good a case even with Mr.
Vitello dead, perhaps even stronger.
You can't cross examine a corpse.
That's a pretty lousy suggestion, Mrs.
Fletcher.
Murder's lousy to, so it that absurd accusation against me.
But I can guess why you made it to pressure my insurance company into making an out of court settlement.
How much do you need to open this place, a half a million? - My father died because of you.
- The owner of this building says you gave him a Though according to the bank check you paid with the money came from Miss Stone's savings account.
What else did you pay from that account Miss Stone? - What are you talking about? - Suppose I told you that Sgt.
Paulsen is at the Courthouse at this moment getting an order to open up your financial records for the past 3 months.
- You're Lying.
- No.
I just used the word "suppose", but judging by your reaction, I think it's a wonderful idea.
Excuse me.
Wait a minute.
Mrs.
Fletcher wait.
Gerry, don't be stupid.
I really didn't want to do this.
It just seemed like an easy way to make some quick money without anybody getting hurt.
Except the insurance company and my reputation.
Gerry, shut up or you could end up in jail.
Maybe I don't care anymore, Justin.
I never should have let you talk me into this.
If you want to walk, go ahead and walk.
That's exactly what I'm going to do.
Thanks for nothing.
If you felt like shedding a tear, I wouldn't.
I honestly don't think he's worth it.
That doesn't exactly come as a hot news flash.
Alright Mrs.
Fletcher, what do you need to know? You paid Vitello - to lie? - No, I didn't pay him personally.
That was handled by my attorney, Mr.
Cosmo.
No kidding? Charlie Cosmo bribing a witness? This is my lucky day.
And he paid the money directly to Mr.
Vitello? Yeah, in his living room.
It was 3 weeks ago.
Vitello was too sick to leave the house.
But if he was too sick to leave the house Sergeant, are you thinking what I'm thinking? Yes Ma'am.
- You jerk.
What's the rush? - Come on.
Move it.
This is insane, you've got no right to do this.
Ma'am I showed you the search warrant.
We have every right.
But there's no money hidden here.
had a visitor.
Charles Cosmo, an attorney.
Yes, he came to discuss the case, - but no money changed hands.
- Are you sure of that? Were you with them every single moment? Well of course not.
Sergeant, we got it.
- Where'd you find it? - In the ceiling of the bedroom.
I noticed one of the panels seemed cockeyed so I pushed it.
- What do you know about this? - Nothing.
This is crazy.
I never saw that before.
Are you quite sure about that Mrs.
Vitello? Yes of course I'm sure.
Officer, is there a step ladder anywhere in the house? In the hall closet ma'am.
It's one of those rickety ones.
I get it.
Cosmo gave your 25 Gs while you were out of the room, he hid the cash in the ceiling so somebody else could find it.
It's possible but not likely Sergeant.
His legs were very weak He could barely walk.
I doubt very much he could have stood on a short, unstable ladder, to hide the money in the ceiling.
- You think I put it there? - Did you? Sure, that makes sense.
Your husband tells you about the money.
You can't put it in the safe deposit box because in your husband's condition he could die at any moment.
and then when they open the box, how would you explain the cash? - No.
- Someone knew the money was in the house, whether it was Cosmo - or the woman or her boyfriend.
- No, Sergeant.
- I don't think - They broke in the back door, killed him with a sugar injection and started searching for the money.
I don't think that's what happened, is it Mrs.
Vitello? - Why are you asking me? - You arrived home at what? You phoned 911 and 10 minutes later the medics arrived.
But what did you do during those 10 minutes? Do? - I don't know what - I know what most people would have done, they'd have called a neighbor, or a friend, perhaps even a priest.
Your husband was obviously in bad shape.
I think you did something else.
I think when you walked in you found the money and hid it.
I think you also found something else.
Mrs.
Fletcher, what are you talking about? He left you a note, didn't he Beatrice? Do you still have it? "My dearest wife, may God forgive me for what I'd about to do.
I can't go on like this, Lying, hurting people.
Suffering myself and watching you suffer.
The doctors have taken everything.
The medical benefits are gone.
I have no insurance.
All I can leave you is what is in the envelope.
It's not enough, but it'll have to do.
But at least you'll be spared any further pain or hardship.
Remember always that I loved you.
Angelo.
" When I came in, he was slumped over in the chair.
The note and envelope were on the table.
The syringe was on the floor there.
As soon as I read the note I knew what he'd done.
He lied about you, Mrs.
Fletcher, but he couldn't live with it.
That's why he did what he did.
He felt so sick and ashamed So frightened for his soul.
Is that why you took the note and hid the money.
Suicide is a mortal sin.
The priest would never have held a mass.
He could never have been buried in consecrated ground.
In almost 60 years he lived a Christian life, I couldn't let it end like that.
I only wanted Angelo to be buried the way he lived.
In a state of grace.
The nightmare is over.
Thank God.
Oh yes.
I wasn't looking forward to spending the next 5 years of my life in and out - of court rooms.
- That's the legal system for you.
Even the innocent don't get off lightly.
Have you talked to Anne Stephenson? And what's gonna happen to Beatriz Vitello? Probation, Community service a stern lecture from the judge.
- At that, she's a lucky lady.
- Oh yes.
But not so our friend Charlie Cosmo who's staring disbarment dead in the eye.
His peers have been waiting a long time to get their teeth in him.
Thank you Mr.
Dandridge.
It's been a delight meeting you.
But I have to say, I hope we never find ourselves in this situation again.
- We won't.
- I admire your optimism.
It's not optimism, Jessica.
I'm resigning from the company.
Remember when you first came to see me? I suggested we might - settle rather than go to trial? - Oh yes, I remember.
I realized I was measuring everything in terms of money.
Bottom line.
I lost track of what I was supposed to be, so I think I'm gonna settle down somewhere far away from big cities and big corporations, maybe a little town where I can hang a "Gone fishing" sign on the door, when things get slow.
Sounds wonderful.
I know a place like that if you don't mind snow.
Quiet and friendly and the striped bass are running I'll give you a call.
I'll be waiting.