Murder, She Wrote s07e05 Episode Script

- Three more days? - Just you and me, baby.
Tonight on "Murder she wrote " I saw Sheila Finley steal that necklace.
You're way off base, She, in her own right, is probably worth 40 million dollars.
That is the woman.
And that is the necklace.
The staff might see us.
Unless they're totally stupid, they've known about us for months.
If I do have any more questions, I'm sure they can keep until later.
No matter what she's done, I adore my wife.
Do you expect to use this verdict in your campaign? Do you think sending Roger Ripken to prison will cost you any votes? Well, it's possible there may be some who believe Mr.
Borden has much respect for all Mr.
Ripken has done for this city.
Sid, I don't think that's what Hospitals, museums, its charities and he will be recommending a minimum sentence.
Excuse me, I That's all the time Mr.
Borden has to answer your questions right now.
Thanks.
Just what in the hell do you think you're doing? It's called saving your buns.
Get off my back, Sid.
What I need managed is my campaign, not my life.
Messages, Olivia? Brooks had to cancel your 4:30.
He'll reschedule.
Stromberg said the De Fazio briefs will be ready the day after tomorrow.
Mrs.
Fletcher called to say she can make it, but asks how formal it is.
Tell her very.
And get me Stromberg.
Ripkin stole $200 million dollars through insider trading, hurting countless people.
I would give him 200 years hard time.
Good.
Go public with that and you can kiss your D.
A.
's job goodbye.
I told you I won't lie to get elected.
Then you'll have a long career as second banana.
You hired me because I won 16 straight I have Mr.
Stromberg on line three.
This is not a game for bluestockings, Drew.
Let me do my number, okay? Fine, just make sure the number you're doing isn't on me.
I would like to have it back before I return home.
I admit being a slave to time, I'm absolutely lost without it.
Like most of us.
I doubt this will be a problem.
- Let me check.
- Thank you.
Charlie, these are God-awful.
What are you trying to do get even with me because the Knicks beat the Celtics last night? Yeah, team! - You found me out.
- Yes, I did.
I suppose they can take the boy out of Boston Yeah, yeah.
Here is one of our most beautiful pieces, and even lovelier on you.
Come on! All I need is one of those circle pins and I can double for one of those dried-up, Ivy League girls at the country club.
Except not as flashy.
Excuse me.
- I'm going to pass for today.
- All right.
I didn't see one thing that came close to grabbing me.
- I'm sorry.
- I'm sorry, too.
- Maybe next time.
- Next time when then Celtics win.
- Soon.
- Soon.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Mrs.
Fletcher, We'll have your watch ready for you at 10 a.
m.
tomorrow.
Thank you, yes.
Pardon me, Mr - Charles Lockner.
May I help you? - Mr.
Lockner, this is awkward, but I feel that you should know that woman, the one - you were waiting on - Yes? When you looked away, I saw her steal one of your necklaces.
She just left the store with it.
It was a diamond and ruby necklace.
I'm afraid you're mistaken.
I know what I saw.
I'm familiar with our stock, I can assure you there was no diamond and ruby necklace, nor are any of our other pieces missing.
George, Yes, I know, You'll have it right after the first.
I told you, my wife's trust officer must countersign all of our checks.
Get in here, you gorgeous thing.
The staff will catch us.
The staff.
Unless they're totally stupid, they've known for months.
Thank you for your patience.
Sorry I was delayed, Jess.
I fear I was not cut out for politics.
- It's alright.
- No, it isn't.
It's making me cranky.
Meetings, hassles, the people you have to deal with.
There's never enough money, though tonight may take care of that problem.
End of grousing.
That's too bad.
I was beginning to enjoy it.
My secretary says you phoned again this afternoon.
You had something you were anxious to tell me about? I didn't know who else to call.
Something happened at Beaumont's Jewelry Story.
It was quite bizarre.
Really? And what made it stranger was the manager's absolute insistence that they had no such necklace.
Beaumont and Company? Couldn't it be her necklace she put in her purse? No, it was very distinctive.
And it was the only one with rubies.
I'm not imagining this.
I believe you.
Still, if no one's reported it stolen I know.
There's not a great deal anyone can do.
Let's forget about it.
Where are we going tonight? Who are these people who will help solve your campaign problems? My secretary didn't tell you? We're going to a posh soiree at the home of Mr.
and Mrs.
Porter Finley III.
Sounds very impressive.
Porter's an old and dear friend.
The guest list, or so I'm told, includes most of New York's crowned heads.
Which usually means some that ought to be crowned.
Exactly.
Forgive my lack of familiarity with your books, I've made it a life-long policy to read nothing written since my birth.
Don't listen to him.
He's been using that line since college.
I confess.
It was a shameless ploy to get girls.
- I see.
- If one mentioned Shakespeare, he'd say he hadn't read anything written before he was born.
All true.
It was actually rather effective.
The little darlings dedicated themselves to improving my mind.
Stop busting my chops, already.
How many times do I have to tell you she means nothing to me.
- It's part of the job, honey.
- It's not how it looked.
Garage.
Yeah.
I want you to get your tail back over to the kitchen.
It's you I'm going away with, not her.
Three more days? Just you and me baby, under all those beautiful palm trees.
Bye.
Drew that woman What? I'm positive, that is the woman! And that is the necklace.
You're way off base.
It is our hostess, Mrs.
Finley.
And she is probably worth $40 million.
Well, maybe so, but that's the woman I saw I'd like you to meet some people.
My wife, Sheila, and our dear friend D.
L.
Beaumont.
- You old fox.
- Sheila.
You finally grabbed one who can walk and chew gum at the same time.
Jessica, darling, welcome to Lifestyles of the Rich and Boring.
It's lovely to meet you.
Mr.
Beaumont, it's a very small world.
I was in your shop this afternoon.
That's it.
I knew I'd seen you somewhere before.
You be nice to D.
L.
here, because he's one of your biggest fans.
Thank you, sir.
You better ante up with a bundle for my pal's campaign, or you'll have to answer to me personally.
Okay, come on, let's mingle.
- Excuse me.
- Sure.
Tell me, do you hate these parties as much as I do? Well, they're not exactly my favorite, no.
Although, this does seem to be a huge success.
I'm glad you think so.
Barbara, I love those earrings.
I have a pair just like them.
Darling, that simply is impossible.
These are one of a kind.
But thank you for the compliment.
Excuse me for a minute.
Sheila's such a trip, isn't she? She's certainly very interesting.
Marrying her has to be the smartest move Porter ever made.
She may be rough around the edges, but as much of a dear Porter is, I believe she could have landed someone a little more lively, if you know what I mean.
The chauffeur? Jessica.
But he was in the jewelry store with her.
I know I sound like the most awful gossip, but that business with that necklace is so bizarre.
Alright, people, listen up.
Max, could you take your hand off your wife's knee for a minute, and look up here? Pay attention, okay? I've been told that some of you haven't coughed up your contributions for Drew Borden's campaign for New York district Attorney.
Let's hear it for Drew! Sheila, please.
I know who you are.
I don't want to make a scene, but I'm afraid we have a problem.
I'm warning you now, in a few minutes I'll come around with a big paper bag so get out your pens and remember, no disappearing ink.
Thank you very much.
Have a good time.
What's going on? Porter, what is it? - The last of the guests are leaving.
- Good.
Thank you for staying with me.
- You've still got a little smudge.
- Really? - Here.
- Thanks.
Has anyone ever told you you have a way of making people comfortable? No.
I often have the opposite effect.
Really? Do I look like I'm ready for the third degree, or whatever? I'd say that you were equal to almost anything.
Good.
What is it? That little pin of yours, it's just like one that my mother had.
Of course, hers was made of rhinestones.
I kept it for years, then one day it vanished.
I couldn't find it again.
Well, there, keep it.
- No.
I couldn't.
- I want you to have it.
Come on.
Jewelry is supposed to be fun.
I couldn't possibly.
It's very kind of you, but I can't.
There's something else, isn't there? Something you're not telling me.
Look, I can't get past page 30 of War and Peace, but people I read like a Dick and Jane book.
Yes.
I find myself in a rather awkward position.
If the police ask me, I have to tell them that I saw you leave the party with Mr.
Pastolino just before he was killed.
Sure.
I understand.
Tell them what you have to.
Are you kidding me, sir? I know all your cases.
Let's see The East Ninth Street Massacre, that real estate scam you blew open, There was Antonio's Clam House.
I didn't think you'd indict him on that, let alone get 25 years to life.
Lieutenant, that's very flattering, but You're there, where it's happening, right there, in the thick of the jungle.
Lieutenant Stuyvesant, my wife and Mrs.
Fletcher.
- How do you do? - Hi.
Mrs.
Finley, I'm sorry to have to disturb you like this, - so I'll be brief.
- Thank you.
The deceased, Mr.
Pastolino he was your employee, Mrs.
Finley, for about a year? I already told you that.
That's right, you did, sir.
Do you know of any enemies he had? I don't mean to imply anything.
No, I don't know any enemies he might have had.
Okay.
According to several guests, you left the party with Mr.
Pastolino shortly before the crime was perpetrated.
Of course, they could be mistaken We both know how much we can trust eye-witness accounts, right? No, they were not mistaken.
I went with Rocky, Mr.
Pastolino to the pantry We had a problem with party supplies, but I didn't Please, believe me, that goes without saying.
Well, thank you for your cooperation and if I have more questions they can definitely keep till later.
Mr.
Borden, if it's okay, I'd like to give you a call sometime and maybe have lunch.
- Certainly.
- Great! Because I'm thinking of making a career move, down to the city.
You have no idea what it's like up here, listening to the grass grow.
Knowing that the real battles are raging just a few miles south.
Down there in the trenches.
That's very interesting.
The Sheriff in my home town left New York for that same reason.
You know what they say.
When the going gets tough - Sir.
- Thank you, lieutenant.
Even if everything you said about that necklace is true what's the connection between it and the murder? Mr.
Pastolino was present in the jewelry store.
For all we know, he saw what I saw.
- Or he could have been a party to - Okay.
Look, tomorrow, I'll look under some rocks, how's that? You be sure and tell me how it turns out.
Even if I have to install a hot-line to Cabot Cove.
I'm delighted we could take care of this before you left town.
Not as delighted as I am.
Last night I happened to attend a party at the home of the woman who took that necklace, Mrs.
Finley.
I'd suggest you take this up with Mr.
Beaumont.
Here he is.
- Mrs.
Fletcher, good morning.
- Mr.
Beaumont.
What an unfortunate evening for the Finley's, and for us as well.
And in particular for Mr.
Pastolino.
There's a matter I was trying to discuss with Mr.
Lockner.
Yes, the diamond and ruby necklace Mrs.
Finley wore last night.
Charles told me about the incident you think you witnessed.
I saw Mrs.
Finley steal that necklace.
We're all human.
Occasionally our eyes can deceive us.
Yes, they can.
Mine and Mr.
Lockner's.
Charles Lockner grew up in the retail jewelry business, he's versed with every variety of customer scam.
If he says there was no theft, I have no choice but to go along with him on that.
I see.
And the necklace? Are you certain that you have nothing like that in your stock? On the contrary, I'm quite familiar with it.
I designed it myself.
And I can assure you it was not stolen.
Mr.
Beaumont.
You will excuse me.
Excuse me Miss Gable, I didn't mean to startle you but I do have a few more questions for you.
I told you everything I know last night.
I don't think so.
We found these in the victim's room.
Airline tickets to Rio, one way, for the day after tomorrow.
So? They're in the name of Mr.
and Mrs.
Rocco Pastolino.
But as far as I know he's not married.
- I wouldn't know anything about that.
- No? Maybe you can tell me why you got your passport renewed just last week.
And the beauty part is, it's all on the record.
Your opponent cannot weasel himself out of this one.
Is this an approach or what? Rossiter will be lucky if his own mother votes for him.
Check this TV stuff.
Over here You're fired.
What are you saying? You heard me you're fire.
Get out.
Take this garbage with you.
You're not serious.
What I am not, is that kind of man who will be associated with this kind of sleazy, below the belt, negative campaign.
Where have you been for the past 10, This is the only way campaigns are run anymore.
Not by me they're not.
Now get out.
Get out! You know something, pal.
It's a dirty world out there.
You should ask yourself if you want to do what's needed to win or not.
Pardon me.
Mrs.
Fletcher is on line two.
Thank you.
Jessica.
No, fine.
Actually I was trying to reach you.
Yes, I found something very interesting, if I can locate it.
There is something odd happening with that diamond and ruby necklace.
I spoke to Mr.
Beaumont a short time ago.
That is, I listened to his carefully rehearsed explanation.
Really? Now you'll think I'm crazy but I'm concerned than ever that he's lying along with this employee or what's more likely that somebody actually did pay for it.
Which strikes me as a strange way to purchase jewelry.
I don't think you're going crazy at all.
I'm looking at a 10-year-old copy of an arrest report.
It seems, one Sheila Kowalski her maiden name before she married Porter, was arrested for grand theft in Palm Beach.
Let me guess.
Jewelry.
A 20,000 dollar diamond necklace.
She was released the next day.
I wonder how many times she wasn't caught.
I hope she and Porter aren't in some sort of serious trouble.
Thank you.
And best of luck with your campaign.
I know that you'll come out on top.
Bye.
his personal finances will be forthcoming within 24 hours.
Counselor Reed said this will silence his critics for once and all.
And this just in, Westchester County police have just announced the arrest of Society Matron Sheila Finley for the murder of her chauffeur during a party last night at the Finley's lavish Westchester County estate.
Really, Porter, I can't.
I just want to return something to Sheila.
Please, I insist.
I'll see to it you get to the airport on time, even if I have to drive you there myself.
- Well, all right.
Thanks.
- Wonderful.
Sheila should be home any minute.
Our attorney has posted bail and I've already sent a car for her.
You must tell me what you're being so mysterious about.
This is very difficult for me, but I find myself with a piece of knowledge which is bound to come out that might somehow have a bearing on the murder.
My god, Jessica, tell me! It's about Sheila's shoplifting.
There, bought and paid for yesterday.
One diamond and ruby necklace.
$78,000 plus tax.
Believe me, I didn't mean to insult you.
Well you have.
And as far as that old Palm Beach business, dredged up by Drew Borden, it was nothing more than another opportunistic shopkeeper who wanted to take advantage of Sheila's wealth.
Another? How many others were there? I didn't mean that.
Excuse me.
Hello.
No, and I do not have any comment.
Damn press.
They've been calling all day.
With Sheila already under suspicion of murder, anything damaging the police find out by themselves could hurt her defense.
You must understand.
No matter what she's done, I adore my wife.
I only want to protect her.
I sense you've been protecting her for quite a long time.
Perhaps what she needs now is honesty.
I've had a long standing arrangement with Beaumont and his people Sheila steals an item of jewelry and they simply look the other way.
And send a bill.
That her trust officer pays.
But what could this have to do with Rocco Pastolino's murder? I'm not sure, maybe nothing.
Tell me, what do you think made the police decide to arrest Sheila in the first place? A guest left the party early.
When the police questioned her she admitted seeing Sheila and Rocco enter the garage together just before he was killed.
What do they think her motive might have been? Jealousy.
They think she was upset that Rocco was about to run off with one of the servants, Margaret Gable.
Sheila and Rocco were involved.
She has no alibi.
I just hope she didn't kill him.
Not that I believe she's capable of it.
Sweet of you to say so, darling.
I didn't do it.
Are you all right? Were you treated well? Are you kidding? Lieutenant Stuyvesant was a doll.
He wouldn't even let them put me in a cell.
He insisted that I stay in his office on his sofa.
Jessica, I'm glad you're here.
One of the reasons I'm here is you slipped this into my bag last night.
It's the only way I could get you to take it.
Thank you, but I can't.
Okay.
So, Porter says there are things you want to discuss.
I'm like your husband.
I don't think you killed anyone.
Thanks.
He also told me about you and Mr.
Pastolino.
Perhaps we could begin right there? Yeah.
It's safe to say that Porter and I were never your typical suburban couple.
I love him dearly, and I'd never leave him.
But Rocky Rocky and I were the item back in high school.
I'd just never gotten over him.
He was the fullback on our school team.
The Gibbsville Panthers, and he was beautiful.
I was the drum majorette and for three years we were the dream couple.
When he wasn't cheating on me with Gloria Lesko or Francine O'Hara.
Then one day, my father, the scrap metal dealer he hits the jackpot with a bunch of government contracts.
We're talking serious money.
So, suddenly it was good bye Gibbsville, hello Bar Harbor.
And he sends me, little Sheila Kowalski when I'm not at the bowling alley, I'm wearing little white boots, twirling flaming batons, four at a time.
My pop wants to send me to finishing school in Switzerland.
Which probably didn't help your romance with Rocky.
Tell me.
We try to stay in touch, but the money put more distance between us than the miles.
So anyway, I decided to grow some roots and I married Porter.
He had all the breeding and stuff that dad always wanted.
Except no bucks.
I've got enough money to live four lifetimes.
Porter was the problem.
He didn't have a lot of drive, for sex or for anything else.
The "anything else" part didn't matter that much, but Dear sweet Porter.
Without even letting on, he went and tracked Rocky down He sort of presented him to me for my birthday.
When did you find out that Rocky was going away with Miss Gable? When the police told me.
I was in total shock.
If I had known I might have taken that tire iron to Margaret myself.
But never Rocky, never.
I loved him too much.
Besides, like I told you, he was always fooling around with women.
He'd been doing that since we were kids.
There's something else.
The jewelry thefts, it needs to be aired out.
I guess it's just a left-over from when I was growing up on the wrong side of the coal mines, when I used to snitch candy-bars and stuff.
I don't know.
Sometimes I get these moods that I've got to steal something or I'll just burst.
So it doesn't do anybody any harm.
Except maybe Mr.
Pastolino.
Lieutenant Stuyvesant I'm so sorry.
Are you all right? It's okay, I'll grow back.
How's Mrs.
Finley doing? Very well, thanks to your kindness.
- Lieutenant, I - I told you.
I would really appreciate it if you'd pass that along to Mr.
Borden.
Without making a big deal out of it.
- Of course, when you - Can I ask your advice? I faxed my resume to him this morning.
Do you think it's too early for a follow up call? Sorry, I'm not an authority on that sort of thing.
When you were going through Mr.
Pastolino's belongings Could you determine whether or not he had any assets? Aside from the $18, 000 cash we found in his room, no.
He didn't own anything except his underwear.
No bank accounts, no stocks, no real estate? He didn't even have a safe deposit box.
It makes you wonder what he planned to live on in Rio.
How knows how his mind works, you know, no roots, all that kind of stuff.
I can appreciate how you'd want to help your friend Mrs.
Finley off the hook, but this guy Hello.
Looks like it came off some lady's outfit.
Have you seen that before? If Stuyvesant wants to ask me about the bow why doesn't he ask me? I think he wanted me to run interference for him.
Something about "the rest of his career.
" Okay.
I did follow Rocky to the garage.
He's been cool toward me for days.
I was trying to get him to talk about it.
He has a temper, he lost it.
That's when he pushed me up against the car.
I guess that's when the bow fell off my shoe.
That's how you got the bruise on your ankle? He was still alive when I went back to the party.
I'm in real trouble, aren't I? I think so.
I know you’re supposed to go home, but would you stay over tonight? For me, please? I need your help.
- Margaret? - Mrs.
Fletcher.
Do you have a minute, I'd like to talk.
- No, sorry, I really have to - Wait, please.
I think that you and I both want the same thing, to see that Mr.
Pastolino's killer is punished.
That's all ready in the works.
Unless Mrs.
Finley's money gets her off.
But you don't really think that Sheila killed him? Mr.
Finley said that you'd given your notice? Yes.
Tomorrow I'm going back to Vermont.
And put this all behind me.
It was going to be so perfect in Rio.
Just Rocco and me.
We were going to get a little house.
Yes.
About that Rio is so very expensive.
I assume you and Rocky discussed what you would live on down there.
The reason I mention it is, it might have some bearing on his murder.
I didn't have the impression that Rocco was particularly wealthy.
He had some cash saved up.
And he was expecting a lot more before we left.
- Did he say where it was coming from? - No.
But he said we'd get some money every few months.
He had an investment program.
Where you get a regular income.
Sheila? Sheila.
Are you all right? You! Stop! Sheila, Sheila.
My god.
Lieutenant, my wife has been through hell the past couple of days, so if you have nothing further No.
I guess that's it.
If I have any more questions, I’LL let you know.
- Fine.
- I'll see myself out.
So much for our state of the art security system.
We should have saved our money and bought a few more cats.
Yes, this one's paste also.
All of them? Even the little pin that she gave me? But I've got to say, they're the best I've ever seen.
All except this collar.
Why should this be the only one that's real? Incredible.
A man as reputable as D.
L.
Beaumont, permitting Sheila to steal fakes, and collecting millions for them? If that burglar hadn't tried to steal them, we'd never have known.
There may be another explanation for this mystery.
I know that look.
Suppose this robbery attempt wasn't just a coincidence.
- May I use your phone? - Please, dial nine.
I need a name.
A guest that was at Sheila's and Porter's party.
Lieutenant, she's already agreed to cooperate.
Yes, I know I should have consulted you first but I knew she was leaving town.
Yes, of course is it your investigation, but Mr.
Borden's going to be very disappointed Why? Because this was his idea.
Well, isn't it nice of you to reconsider.
Thank you.
I know that Mr.
Borden will be very pleased.
Miss Gable, Rocco told you.
He was worried about my future.
- The man was all heart.
- Yes.
He left me what you might call a little insurance policy.
With your uncle's name, the name of the jewelry store in Boston, and all about how you’d pay him not to go to the police with your jewelry scam.
It's a shame Mrs.
Finley had to go and kill him before we could enjoy all that money.
I guess now I'll have to enjoy it by myself.
Did you bring it? Yes, I brought you exactly what I had for Rocco.
There's a gun under this table equipped with a silencer.
In this room, no one will ever hear it.
Very quietly, you're going to get up and walk with me to my car.
That's where you're wrong.
We'll take a nice little walk to my car.
Get him out of here.
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say Go home, Margaret Beaumont? All he know was that Mrs.
Finley had this little problem, and he'd get paid by the husband for each piece he let her steal.
Sheila would wear a piece once or twice, and then consign it to her drawer full of old jewelry.
The way most women treat inexpensive costume jewelry.
Then what? Rocco would take it and bring it to you? That squares.
We found a key in Pastolino's quarters that fits the drawer in Mrs.
Finley's jewelry box.
Then I'd send it up to my uncle in Boston.
Then he would make an exact copy which you would return to Mrs.
Finley's collection.
And then he would sell the original.
That's why Barbara Loring, the Boston Socialite was wearing one of a kind earrings exactly the same as the ones Sheila remember owning.
Incidentally, your uncle has admitted splitting the money with you.
Look, I had nothing to do with Rocco's death.
Why would I kill him? I needed him.
Sure.
But not enough to put up with his demand for a larger share.
Or his threat to tell the police the whole story once he was safe in Rio.
That's not true.
Rocco and I were friends.
Give it up.
We've got fibers that'll match your clothes.
We have paint on your gloves that'll turn out to be the tire iron you hit him with.
There's no way you can account for the time that night.
All right.
Rocco found out he wasn't our only supplier.
I'd been enlisting the employees of other wealthy women, paying them to steal their bosses's jewelry for us.
He demanded $100,000 in cash.
He said it was a one-time payment and he'd be out of our hair.
But I found out he was going to Rio, I knew I'd be shelling out black-mail payments forever.
I had to put a stop to it.
So, he wanted the money delivered the night of the party.
So, I crept onto the estate and Rocky, what is going on? You've been cold to me for days.
Can you talk to me abut it? Look at me, darling.
What's matter with you.
Kiss me.
Damn it, Sheila, I told you.
Nothing's bothering me.
Just chill out, okay? Okay.
Come on.
Sorry.
That's all right.
I love you.
- What? - You better get back to your party before your friends think you're fooling around with the chauffeur.
I am, and they'd be jealous.
Okay.
I love you.
He didn't leave me any option.
So, you decided to steal Mrs.
Finley's jewelry so no one else would figure out the truth.
Considering Rocco must have told you about the security system it was probably easy for you to break in last night.
If it hadn't been for that damn cat, no one would have been the wiser.
Let me put it another way.
If you don't vote for Drew Borden for District Attorney, the bad guys might get you.
Thank you.
Well What does everybody think? You were wonderful.
I'm proud of you.
Good luck to you.
I wish you the best.
- Thanks.
- Thanks.
I got the results of the latest poll.
You're ahead by 3 more points.
The one person who could win more votes than you is Sheila.
I'm relieved it's too late for her to file.
I know.
Jessica, darling.
Thank you so much.
This whole thing, it's just changed my life.
Not too much, I hope.
Not in any important ways.
Just no more Rockies.
Look, isn't that pretty?