Murder, She Wrote s07e08 Episode Script
66314 - The Great Twain Robbery
You expect me to go in there and seduce Dennis Stanton? I expect Lindsey to go and seduce him.
- Something to do with adultery? - Beg you pardon? Fire! Somebody get a fire extinguisher.
I'm sure you have an alibi for when the fire started.
And which will disappoint you more? If I do or if I don't? But he couldn't forge the paper.
Miss Barlow, are you flirting with me? Would you upset if I were? It would lead me to wonder how soon you expect your mother home.
Could you please inscribe this to Nadine? I just love this new character you've invented.
- Why, thank you.
- No, really.
Damian Sinclair is a wonderful addition to the gentlemen thieves.
Arsene Lupin, Raffles, The Saint Praise is a giddy wine, dear heart don't let it turn your head.
- Dennis! - Jessica.
Yes, your new character is amusing perhaps, but a pale imitation of the real thing and I, of all people, should know.
I've booked at a fantastic restaurant in Carmel.
- They won't hold the table.
- I can't.
I've these books to sign.
Not anymore you don't.
It's past 6, manager's at the door, key in hand.
Time to get on with civilized pursuits.
Thank you, Nadine.
I hope you enjoy the book.
- Thank you.
Pleasure.
- Nice to meet you to be sure.
Well, book tours agree with you.
You're as lovely as ever.
When you flirt, it usually means that you have an outrageous story to tell me.
And what makes this one interesting is that you could never transmute the hero of it, me, into that grotesque alter ego, Damian Sinclair.
- Why not? - I let the miscreants get away.
Your Damian Sinclair could never do anything so unheroic.
It did my larcenous heart good.
You mean, your "formerly" larcenous heart.
- I hope you meant.
- Here we are! Oh yes.
The recently discovered Mark Twain.
- But I've heard - It's been denounced as a forgery? - It was I who denounced it.
- Oh, now I remember An insurance policy was involved and the original manuscript was destroyed.
Whose story is this anyway? Come on, I'll tell you all about it over a Caesar salad.
as a kind of white-haired patriarch.
But it's important to remember as well in his youth he was a real ladies' man and he wrote the "Wild and Wicked Wench" had it bound as a kind of a private amusement for his mistress.
She passed the book down to Mrs.
Barlow's grandmother, who some people think was Twain's illegitimate daughter.
And from there it's come down to us and the present day.
I finally persuaded Mrs.
Barlow to reveal its existence.
Why now Mr.
Ehrlich? San Francisco next week plays host to the largest collection of Twain experts and enthusiasts.
Finally, Mrs.
Barlow has suffered some unfortunate financial reverses and I've offered to help her realize what's due her as custodian of this important national literary treasure.
Has anybody checked out this book to make sure it's not a forgery? No offense but obviously literature and rare books are not your beat.
Otherwise, I'm sure you'd recognize Prof.
Chandler Fitzpatrick.
He's the country's leading expert on 19th and 20th century literature.
I'm sure he would be able to answer any questions that you'll have about the books authenticity or providence.
- Professor.
- Please.
The Pachelbel "Canon".
In appreciation for your help with Eastman case.
Thank you.
But how are we going to hear it without your CD player? - What's happened to my CD player? - "Verboten".
"Der Führer", Herr Butler, likes to make his own noise.
He's screaming for you all morning.
What is he up to now? They're authenticating some old book.
Somebody wants to insure it for 5 million dollars.
Good morning, Robert.
It would be if you weren't over It was such a pleasant day I strolled, I window shopped.
I got some wonderful music.
Mozart "Flute sonatas" for me and Spike Jones for you.
But somehow I seem to have mislaid my sound system.
You will find it down at the reception desk wrapped and ready to go home.
We are running an office here, not philharmonic hall.
I want to have a conversation with you about that damaged Limoge.
I wrapped up that matter at 2:30 this morning.
This wouldn't be the new Mark Twain book I've heard so much about? Magnificent, isn't it? In moments like this I sense the presence of genius.
Yes, I feel the same way often in Robert's company.
He means the book.
Insurance applied for by one Lawrence Ehrlich? The agent for the owner.
If you don't mind, I have to get this done.
If you have nothing better to do you can catch up on those reports - that you've promised me all week.
- Certainly.
If I may offer one small word of advice, examine that manuscript with special diligence.
Why? Do you know something I don't know? All I'm saying is 5 million is a great deal of money for a book.
That is what one Japanese collector has already offered.
Besides, I've already had it authenticated by Prof.
Fitzpatrick.
You didn't tell me Fitzpatrick had already certified this.
Robert, I know you've explained the forms to be dozens of time, but this one subsection B 72 is that the estimated value of the claim or the adjusted value? No! You do not use a 72 form.
You need 50 Fire! Fire! Fire! Listen up quick.
Somebody get a fire extinguisher.
Shut that alarm off! Someone get a fire extinguisher.
Let's have the book facing this direction.
Check the seal on this.
Have it back in 45 minutes.
I'll be right with you.
My God Dennis Stanton, it must be what, 20 years? Nearly 25 actually.
How are you? Couldn't be better.
Are you still up to your old tricks? More to the point, are you?.
I work for Consolidated Casualty Insurance Company.
I suppose it was to much to hope you were merely a Mark Twain fan.
You're not here for a shakedown are you? - That was never your style.
- What could I tell anyone? That you were absolutely the best forger I'd ever met and second only to me as a conman? No, I was better.
But all that's in the past.
- I've been legitimate for a decade.
- Have you? I know.
It's incredible, but it's true.
All those years practicing my craft gave me entrée to the best houses of experts.
I finally realized I knew as much as they did, more.
It dawned on me that I could make just as much money with much less risk, by simply jumping the fence.
I'm having almost as much fun now as when I was a crook.
You don't believe a word I'm saying, do you? As you said, you're almost as good a conman as I am.
No, I said better.
You have to know, I will not let you defraud my company.
For the sake of our old acquaintance, I've said nothing about your past.
What past? I was never indicted, never arrested.
You know, I've worked very hard to get to where I am.
If I heard the slightest public inference that I was less than honest, I'd sure you for every penny you've got.
Then I take it you won't withdraw the manuscript from Consolidated? Take that manuscript to any expert in the country, the best.
I know, because I have, they'll say the same, it's the genuine article.
It's enough to make a man believe in providence.
I've got to get back to the display.
Mr.
Butler promised to have the manuscript back to me in an hour.
You of all people should believe someone can turn over a new leaf.
I mean, look at you.
Yes I'll be there in half an hour.
I really appreciate the time.
Mr.
Stanton? - Prof.
Fitzpatrick, it's an honor.
- Lawrence Ehrlich tells me you doubt of the authenticity of "The wild and wicked wench".
I've staked my reputation on this book.
What qualifications could you have to question my judgment? Please understand my position as a representative of the company Don't take refuge in petty bureaucracy.
You'll either furnish some smidgen of evidence or else you will cease you're smarmy insinuations at once.
Do I make myself clear? And you obtained this specimen? Some fool lit a fire in his waste basket, I snatch this page to safety.
As the book will be displayed under glass, it won't be noticed for days.
Dennis, I owe you a great deal, but I'm an old man discredited in the profession.
- Through no fault of your own.
- True it was an honest mistake.
But one does not challenge Fitzpatrick without being sure there's no mistake.
He ruined me.
But I've come to be content here in my library.
I'm sorry.
I'm a man whose judgment can no longer be trusted.
Constantine, old friend, it can by me.
What if I were to tell you that Fitzpatrick provided the authentification for this book? And it was discovered by a man known to be a forger? - The best I've ever met.
- Well, well, well What an appetizing prospect.
Is he going to give us any trouble? I don't think so.
Let me do a little checking.
- I'll see you at the costume ball.
- Lawrence - Mother! - Lindsey, what are you doing here? You're not here with that ancient rock and roll singer.
No, Roger is still in England.
At his age they're called legends.
Don't say I told you so, but he threw me out.
- I'm sorry.
Are you ok? - Yes.
I'm fine.
I discovered with legends there are always plenty of young women around.
Come on, let me buy you a cup of coffee.
Wait, before we go I'd love to take a look at this wonder book I've been reading about before you auction it off.
Is that why you've come back.
You think I'm coming into money.
How can you be so suspicious? Especially since I can't understand why this precious family heirloom passed from mother to daughter I've never heard of it before.
Keep that to yourself.
This isn't a game.
I'm sure it isn't.
We better talk.
There I was Beth, after all these years, face to face with Lawrence Ehrlich again.
I brought back so many memories All I could think of the entire time was how much you loved books.
Remember how angry you got when I dog-eared a page to mark my place? There I was, tearing out what might be a priceless manuscript.
Well, if I'm right it won't make any difference.
And if I'm wrong, I may be a bit rusty back to the old profession.
I'm sure there are plenty of jobs for a man of my qualifications.
Though at the moment I can't think of any.
The mayor insists the investigation will continue.
Earlier tonight a blaze swept through the convention room of the Fairmont hotel.
Damage to the hotel was minimal, but the newly discovered manuscript of Mark Twain's long lost book, "The Wild and Wicked Wench", was completely destroyed.
Lawrence, you can't really expect to get away with this.
Can you? Detective Oliver? Dennis Stanton, Consolidated Casualties.
You're in charge of the investigation? - You carry the hotel's policy? - Only some of the contents.
I understand the fire was electrical in origin.
Sure what it looks like.
One question I have, is why it spread so fast.
You mean it may have been arson? I sure hope so.
I haven't had a decent arson in months.
Nice to meet a man who enjoys his work.
- May I look? - Go ahead.
Be my guest.
That's a damn shame.
That was a beautiful manuscript.
- I'm very disappointed in you.
- Dennis, you don't think I'd pull something like this on you? How stupid do you think I am? I'm sure you have an alibi for when the fire started.
Which will disappoint more?, If I do, or if I don't? I was the costume ball, wearing little more than an oversized fig leaf in the whole view of the assemblage.
As Adam.
Adam? If you don't believe me, I'll be glad to show you the outfit.
Not before breakfast, thank you.
I'm going to get you.
Yes, I'm sure you'll try.
- Robert not in yet? - Are you kidding? He's upstairs, they've had him on the carpet since 8 this morning.
You insure something for 5 million and 6 hours later it's up in flames.
Someone's liable to notice.
Robert.
Are you alright? I should have listened to you.
I never should have touched that damned manuscript.
Keating is holding me personally responsible.
When an ungenerous attitude.
I'm not saying it's possible, but if someone could prove the manuscript were a forgery getting you and the company off the hook, what might they get expect? A bonus? That's what you're looking for, some kind of reward? In a manner of speaking, not money.
Nothing so mundane.
But to be honest, I do miss the strains of Mozart in these halls.
Don't you? Constantine, old friend, it is frustrating watching you do nothing.
I'm hardly doing nothing.
I'm eating, drinking, I'm reading - and awaiting.
- Awaiting what? If I knew I wouldn't be waiting.
While you do Lawrence Ehrlich gets away with 5 million dollar fraud.
This Mr.
Ehrlich There's something between you in your past.
You would talk freely about anything, except your feelings and your dear, sadly missed Elizabeth.
What has Mr.
Ehrlich to do with the memory of your poor dead wife? We went through a difficult time, all marriages do I suppose.
I blame myself entirely for this one And he took advantage.
It's now coming back to you.
I don't believe anything happened between them, and I never asked.
But yes this may be something more than professional zeal.
Nonetheless I feel it.
There's something all wrong.
If it comforts you, for me it also feels wrong.
But I can't put my finger on exactly why.
I'm quite sure the binding dates back to the turn of the century.
I also tested the ink it's fully consistent with the ink used in San Francisco 100 years ago.
You also said it was a common ink that might be artificially aged.
But there's more.
I've been rereading my Twain.
The writing style is consistent with his San Francisco period.
To the trained eye, the handwriting is either Twain - or a superb forgery.
- Lawrence is a superb forger.
But he couldn't forge the paper.
The paper is as old as it purports to be.
So you're saying what? The manuscript is the genuine article? I'm saying no such thing.
A warning bell is rung in my mind, faint bell, but a bell.
Until I can deduce what that bell means, I can't help you.
- Hi.
- Miss Barlow? You must be Mr.
Stanton.
I'm afraid my mother's not home yet, but maybe you'd like to come in.
Thank you.
- Very nice.
- Mr.
Ehrlich found it for us.
When I spoke to you on the phone, I wasn't expecting someone so Venerable? I like that word.
May I take your coat? Thank you.
Then, perhaps you'll assist me across the room.
Don't be touchy.
I adore older men.
I find them fascinating, They've had experience.
Miss Barlow, are you flirting with me? - Would it upset you if I were? - On the contrary.
But it would lead me to ask how soon you expect your mother back home.
My mother and Mr.
Ehrlich are at her publisher going over the transcript.
- The manuscript was transcribed.
- Yes.
Mr.
Ehrlich insisted on it.
He'd like to foster a bidding war for the publishing rights.
Mr.
Ehrlich thinks of everything.
Can I offer you something? Coffee perhaps? Drink? Or maybe you'd like to have dinner with me tonight? You're a beautiful young lady, but I don't know why I'm put in mind of a runaway train.
Mother! We were just talking about you.
Mr.
Stanton, from the insurance company.
Mrs.
Barlow.
A pleasure to meet you.
I doubt that.
Lawrence has told me about you.
I see where your daughter gets her forthrightness and beauty.
- If you'll make trouble about the - Quite the contrary.
My company is completely prepared to pay.
Unfortunately there is one small technicality.
Insurance companies are forbidden from dispersing benefits in the cases of possible arson until the police are reasonably - sure the crime - I'm sure he means the alleged crime.
Exactly.
The alleged crime was not committed for the purposes of fraud.
So far there is not a shred of evidence connecting you to the fire.
That's reassuring.
With luck, you'll receive your check by the end of the week.
I hope that won't inconvenience you.
- Not at all.
- I'll leave you these forms instructing us how and where you prefer payment to be made.
Thank you.
I don't with to appear rude I understand.
I can show myself out.
Again, a pleasure to meet you.
How about Otto's Grotto, 8:30? Seafood.
My favorite.
I'd be delighted.
Good.
I'll meet you there.
And since you haven't come through with the check yet, you pay.
I wouldn't have it any other way.
Care to join us, Mrs.
Barlow? No.
I have other plans this evening.
Until this evening.
Business.
I'm sorry, I'm not in right now.
Leave a message and I'll return the call when I get in.
Dennis, the bell finally rang, I'm filled with joy.
I found it! Forget the time, come over here the minute you get home.
Would you like another glass of wine Mr.
Stanton? No thank you Jean Pierre.
Looks as though I've been stood up.
Women, sometimes take forever to get ready.
Sorry we're late.
It took me all afternoon to convince her to join us.
And it took her forever to get ready.
I hope you don't mind.
I realized earlier that I was rude and wanted to apologize.
Totally unnecessary.
As for minding, my only possible regret would be that to gaze at one of you will mean looking away from the other.
Soon as I heard the victim was some old book expert I had this gut feeling you were involved.
When I got home I found his message on my machine.
I came directly here.
- He didn't say what he wanted? - It was a private matter.
Murder makes it pretty public Stanton.
I'll make it easy for you.
It was something to do with adultery? - I beg your pardon? - Adultery.
Another man's wife.
I figured that's what he's trying to tell us with the book.
The book? I haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about.
He was dead when you got here? Yeah.
We figure he was shot here at the desk then managed to crawl over here.
See the trail of blood.
And wrestle a copy of The Scarlet Letter out of the bottom shelf.
- The Scarlet Letter? - Yes.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester, what's her name.
Adultery, all that stuff.
The guy is dieing.
He's not going over there for reading.
He's trying to tell someone something.
Since you're the one he knows is coming - May I look at the book? - Yes, you'll need a handkerchief.
Nothing's been removed? Come on! This is a crime scene.
Of course not.
We checked the book, there's no notes no marks inside.
Nothing.
What do you think he's trying to tell us? It has to be something to do with adultery, right? I give my word I have no more idea what he was trying to say than you.
Why didn't you tell him about the page you took from the manuscript? I'd admit my folly if it would help catch Constantine's killer.
But so far there's nothing to link the two.
You asked me to find out about old publishing paper.
You want to hear it or do you want to wait until morning? Now.
Please.
First, there's more around than you'd think.
Some of it turns up every year.
In the last 10 years there have been a dozen finds.
The largest of which was from an old paper factory they were tearing down in London.
Even if you find the missing page, I don't know how you'll prove that that paper is this paper Dennis, are you listening to me? I'm sorry about your friend.
I'm sorry.
"The Scarlet Letter", I know thatÂs got you bugged.
There's a connection between that book and the missing page.
But what? Maybe Mark Twain wrote about The Scarlet Letter or about Nathaniel Hawthorne or The Scarlet Letter, The Scarlet Letter, The Scarlet Let The Scarlet Letter! Constantine, you beautiful devious genius.
You're looking in the wrong section.
Am I? You shouldn't have killed him.
I didn't.
I don't suppose it matters now but I didn't.
I've always hated you.
You must know that.
You and your precious Elizabeth.
There was someone I could have loved.
But she'd nothing to do with me.
She said she had the best.
Why should she settle for a pale imitation.
Look I knew weÂd get you sooner or later, Stanton.
You've not only violated your parole, but we got you for breaking and entering, obstructing justice, tampering with police seal.
I told you Lawrence Ehrlich had already broken the seal.
The longer you keep me here, the further away he gets.
Don't make me laugh.
You couldn't bother to tell me about Ehrlich and the missing page until we caught you red handed.
Because I didn't know then where the page was.
As far as I knew he'd already retrieved it.
- What makes you think he didn't? - Of course he didn't.
Otherwise why would he have come back? Now like a revelation, you know where the mythical page is? Exactly.
I finally realized Stavros didn't mean The Scarlet Letter, he meant the scarlet letter.
May I? This was the case that made Stavros' reputation.
Some dealer in Georgia claimed to have a letter from Margaret Mitchell describing how she created the character of Scarlet O'Hara.
Constantine proved it was a forgery.
He was trying to remind me of was the Scarlet letter.
Constantine Stavros was an indifferent scholar very slipshod in his methodology.
But he was an honest man and I was sorry to hear of his death.
The message on my machine said he'd found something on the page.
You say it wasn't the paper, wasn't the ink.
It wasn't the handwriting or the style.
I invite you to look at that page.
That's all there is, nothing else.
- Yes? - Police, I need Mr.
Stanton.
I thought you'd like to know we found Lawrence Ehrlich.
- Is he here in the hotel? - He was, but he stepped out.
- Dennis, I'm so sorry.
- It's alright.
I knew the risk.
But it's so unfair.
The book is a forgery.
Ehrlich's suicide proves its a forgery.
If it was a suicide He may have fallen or been pushed.
- That's no reason to fire you.
- Of course it is.
Until we can prove it's a forgery, "The Wild and Wicked Wench" must be taken as genuine.
If it ever got out that an employee of this insurance company - defaced a priceless manuscript - But it's not priceless.
That dear heat is what's known as circular logic.
It's sweet, it's emotional, but it wouldn't hold up in an undergraduate debate society let alone a court of law.
- Now they'll revoke your probation.
- Until I can get another job.
Not to worry.
Life is a toy chest of opportunities.
Ok Sondergard, this will be your desk.
If you don't like the decor, we'll have the painters in.
Stanton, - I thought you'd left.
- Without saying goodbye? Well goodbye.
Come on, I'll show you the cafeteria.
They do a superb salmon.
I highly recommend it.
Early in the week.
Dennis Take care, Rhoda.
This is not goodbye, it is "au revoir".
Soon as I'm settled elsewhere, I'll send for you.
I promise.
There's one thing life's taught me, travel light.
Paper, ink, handwriting, style.
Odd you never mentioned the dye.
The dye? What do you mean? Along the edge.
You can't see it on a single page, but when they're all bound together, - like this book, see.
- It's called a staining.
Staining.
I saw the manuscript before it was burned.
- There was staining along the edge.
- Nothing unusual about that.
Which is why I never gave it a second thought.
But then I found out about this cache of 150 year old paper with exactly the same mauve staining.
I got in touch with them in England.
To whom did the sell the paper? - Lawrence Ehrlich.
- Astonishing coincidence, no? So you still believe that book was a forgery.
You think Ehrlich was able to deceive me? I think nothing of the sort.
I think you were in it with him.
How dare you accuse me of that? I don't know.
I open my mouth and the oddest things come out.
I think an intensive comparison between the London paper and this will turn up some very embarrassing similarities.
What if it did? We can all make an honest mistake.
Like Constantine Stavros did? - Yes.
- Alright.
Let's say you were right.
I don't care about the manuscript, but I do care about the murder.
I see.
First you accuse me of fraud and now murder.
Quite the opposite.
I'm asking you to help me catch a murderer.
Or more precisely, a murderess.
Mrs.
Barlow? Ehrlich's gun was a 38.
The gun that killed Constantine was a 22.
A small gun, a woman's weapon, easily concealed in a purse.
Ehrlich and Mrs.
Barlow went together to retrieve the page.
Then came to dinner with me to establish an alibi.
Later, Ehrlich went back to search for the page.
But when he told her I'd caught him there, she panicked.
You think she pushed him out of the window? He was the only connection that could lead to her.
I also think that she still has the 22 pistol she killed Constantine with.
ALL I need to do is find it.
I need your help to make it possible to search her house.
Why should I help me? You owe Stavros, you owe Ehrlich.
Your authentification that got this whole thing started.
Yes.
Point well taken.
In return, I would see that no breath of scandal sullies your otherwise impeccable reputation.
I see.
The police can't search for the 22 without a warrant, but if Mrs.
Barlow were to be at my place for an intimate dinner and then to be caught attempting to steal the manuscript page while my back was turned, it would constitute probable cause.
You see where I'm headed? All of us are in danger of going to prison as long as that page exists.
One of us has to get it back and destroy it.
Lawrence never told me you were part of it.
- He told me we'd fooled you.
- You couldn't do it without me.
- Surely you realize - What I realize is you'd like a cut of the insurance money.
Unless you would prefer me to reexamine that page and express sudden new doubts.
Stanton keeps it in his apartment.
What are you suggesting? We hire a burglar to go in and steal it? And let another person in on our secret? I think not.
I was under the impression you were on extremely friendly terms with him.
- You expect me to seduce him? - No.
Of course not.
I expect Lindsey to go and seduce him.
- Don't be vulgar.
- Vulgar? Prison is vulgar.
He's right mother.
I'll do it.
Mrs.
Barlow.
Good evening, sir.
Detective Ishimini at your service.
Of course it occurred to me I may be wrong about Mrs.
Barlow.
I presume that's the gun you killed Constantine Stavros with and planned to plant on Mrs.
Barlow's body.
Drop it, professor.
I'll kill him.
Now don't move out of this room.
If I get a glimpse of even one of you, I'll shoot.
Are you alright, Stanton? The reports of my death, as Mr.
Twain once remarked, are greatly exaggerated.
Dennis, welcome back.
I got you a present.
Thank you Robert.
What a pleasant surprise.
"Mantavani plays the classics".
I asked the man at the store, he said you'd like it.
- Thanks.
That was a lovely though.
- Well, you're welcome.
I will need you to talk to the District Attorney.
I'm sorry, I'm still in the midst of my convalescence.
It may be a week or so before Thank you.
I can come back full time.
Take all the time you need.
Yes.
It's about the Barlow prosecution.
I'm afraid there's a serious problem with prosecuting the Barlows.
They had nothing to do with either murder.
Fitzpatrick killed poor Constantine and pushed Ehrlich out the window.
Without their cooperation, we could never had caught him.
What do you mean? They tried to defraud the company.
We have no physical proof of that.
No physical evidence? We have the forged manuscript page.
We don't have the forged manuscript page? No, Lindsey Barlow went to retrieve it, as far as I know she has it.
- If it still exists.
- You let her destroy it? I made a deal to trap a killer.
I intend to honor it.
Don't look glum.
District Attorneys do it all the time.
The Barlows have agreed to withdraw their claim for 5 million dollars.
So your record it still intact.
I'm late already.
Bye.
You were up there an awful long time.
Any problems? None.
Just re-explaining the terms of our arrangement to my superior, a man not given to grasping the obvious.
Lindsey, I didn't expect you as well.
Mother said you were going on a day trip to the wine country.
- I thought it sounded like fun.
- You're a loyal, concerned daughter, but don't you think it's time you let your mother out without a chaperone.
Yes.
I guess it is.
Have a good time.
We plan to.
Mother don't let him get too tipsy.
That wine can catch up on you.
Dennis, don't keep her out late.
I expect you back by midnight.
Midnight?
- Something to do with adultery? - Beg you pardon? Fire! Somebody get a fire extinguisher.
I'm sure you have an alibi for when the fire started.
And which will disappoint you more? If I do or if I don't? But he couldn't forge the paper.
Miss Barlow, are you flirting with me? Would you upset if I were? It would lead me to wonder how soon you expect your mother home.
Could you please inscribe this to Nadine? I just love this new character you've invented.
- Why, thank you.
- No, really.
Damian Sinclair is a wonderful addition to the gentlemen thieves.
Arsene Lupin, Raffles, The Saint Praise is a giddy wine, dear heart don't let it turn your head.
- Dennis! - Jessica.
Yes, your new character is amusing perhaps, but a pale imitation of the real thing and I, of all people, should know.
I've booked at a fantastic restaurant in Carmel.
- They won't hold the table.
- I can't.
I've these books to sign.
Not anymore you don't.
It's past 6, manager's at the door, key in hand.
Time to get on with civilized pursuits.
Thank you, Nadine.
I hope you enjoy the book.
- Thank you.
Pleasure.
- Nice to meet you to be sure.
Well, book tours agree with you.
You're as lovely as ever.
When you flirt, it usually means that you have an outrageous story to tell me.
And what makes this one interesting is that you could never transmute the hero of it, me, into that grotesque alter ego, Damian Sinclair.
- Why not? - I let the miscreants get away.
Your Damian Sinclair could never do anything so unheroic.
It did my larcenous heart good.
You mean, your "formerly" larcenous heart.
- I hope you meant.
- Here we are! Oh yes.
The recently discovered Mark Twain.
- But I've heard - It's been denounced as a forgery? - It was I who denounced it.
- Oh, now I remember An insurance policy was involved and the original manuscript was destroyed.
Whose story is this anyway? Come on, I'll tell you all about it over a Caesar salad.
as a kind of white-haired patriarch.
But it's important to remember as well in his youth he was a real ladies' man and he wrote the "Wild and Wicked Wench" had it bound as a kind of a private amusement for his mistress.
She passed the book down to Mrs.
Barlow's grandmother, who some people think was Twain's illegitimate daughter.
And from there it's come down to us and the present day.
I finally persuaded Mrs.
Barlow to reveal its existence.
Why now Mr.
Ehrlich? San Francisco next week plays host to the largest collection of Twain experts and enthusiasts.
Finally, Mrs.
Barlow has suffered some unfortunate financial reverses and I've offered to help her realize what's due her as custodian of this important national literary treasure.
Has anybody checked out this book to make sure it's not a forgery? No offense but obviously literature and rare books are not your beat.
Otherwise, I'm sure you'd recognize Prof.
Chandler Fitzpatrick.
He's the country's leading expert on 19th and 20th century literature.
I'm sure he would be able to answer any questions that you'll have about the books authenticity or providence.
- Professor.
- Please.
The Pachelbel "Canon".
In appreciation for your help with Eastman case.
Thank you.
But how are we going to hear it without your CD player? - What's happened to my CD player? - "Verboten".
"Der Führer", Herr Butler, likes to make his own noise.
He's screaming for you all morning.
What is he up to now? They're authenticating some old book.
Somebody wants to insure it for 5 million dollars.
Good morning, Robert.
It would be if you weren't over It was such a pleasant day I strolled, I window shopped.
I got some wonderful music.
Mozart "Flute sonatas" for me and Spike Jones for you.
But somehow I seem to have mislaid my sound system.
You will find it down at the reception desk wrapped and ready to go home.
We are running an office here, not philharmonic hall.
I want to have a conversation with you about that damaged Limoge.
I wrapped up that matter at 2:30 this morning.
This wouldn't be the new Mark Twain book I've heard so much about? Magnificent, isn't it? In moments like this I sense the presence of genius.
Yes, I feel the same way often in Robert's company.
He means the book.
Insurance applied for by one Lawrence Ehrlich? The agent for the owner.
If you don't mind, I have to get this done.
If you have nothing better to do you can catch up on those reports - that you've promised me all week.
- Certainly.
If I may offer one small word of advice, examine that manuscript with special diligence.
Why? Do you know something I don't know? All I'm saying is 5 million is a great deal of money for a book.
That is what one Japanese collector has already offered.
Besides, I've already had it authenticated by Prof.
Fitzpatrick.
You didn't tell me Fitzpatrick had already certified this.
Robert, I know you've explained the forms to be dozens of time, but this one subsection B 72 is that the estimated value of the claim or the adjusted value? No! You do not use a 72 form.
You need 50 Fire! Fire! Fire! Listen up quick.
Somebody get a fire extinguisher.
Shut that alarm off! Someone get a fire extinguisher.
Let's have the book facing this direction.
Check the seal on this.
Have it back in 45 minutes.
I'll be right with you.
My God Dennis Stanton, it must be what, 20 years? Nearly 25 actually.
How are you? Couldn't be better.
Are you still up to your old tricks? More to the point, are you?.
I work for Consolidated Casualty Insurance Company.
I suppose it was to much to hope you were merely a Mark Twain fan.
You're not here for a shakedown are you? - That was never your style.
- What could I tell anyone? That you were absolutely the best forger I'd ever met and second only to me as a conman? No, I was better.
But all that's in the past.
- I've been legitimate for a decade.
- Have you? I know.
It's incredible, but it's true.
All those years practicing my craft gave me entrée to the best houses of experts.
I finally realized I knew as much as they did, more.
It dawned on me that I could make just as much money with much less risk, by simply jumping the fence.
I'm having almost as much fun now as when I was a crook.
You don't believe a word I'm saying, do you? As you said, you're almost as good a conman as I am.
No, I said better.
You have to know, I will not let you defraud my company.
For the sake of our old acquaintance, I've said nothing about your past.
What past? I was never indicted, never arrested.
You know, I've worked very hard to get to where I am.
If I heard the slightest public inference that I was less than honest, I'd sure you for every penny you've got.
Then I take it you won't withdraw the manuscript from Consolidated? Take that manuscript to any expert in the country, the best.
I know, because I have, they'll say the same, it's the genuine article.
It's enough to make a man believe in providence.
I've got to get back to the display.
Mr.
Butler promised to have the manuscript back to me in an hour.
You of all people should believe someone can turn over a new leaf.
I mean, look at you.
Yes I'll be there in half an hour.
I really appreciate the time.
Mr.
Stanton? - Prof.
Fitzpatrick, it's an honor.
- Lawrence Ehrlich tells me you doubt of the authenticity of "The wild and wicked wench".
I've staked my reputation on this book.
What qualifications could you have to question my judgment? Please understand my position as a representative of the company Don't take refuge in petty bureaucracy.
You'll either furnish some smidgen of evidence or else you will cease you're smarmy insinuations at once.
Do I make myself clear? And you obtained this specimen? Some fool lit a fire in his waste basket, I snatch this page to safety.
As the book will be displayed under glass, it won't be noticed for days.
Dennis, I owe you a great deal, but I'm an old man discredited in the profession.
- Through no fault of your own.
- True it was an honest mistake.
But one does not challenge Fitzpatrick without being sure there's no mistake.
He ruined me.
But I've come to be content here in my library.
I'm sorry.
I'm a man whose judgment can no longer be trusted.
Constantine, old friend, it can by me.
What if I were to tell you that Fitzpatrick provided the authentification for this book? And it was discovered by a man known to be a forger? - The best I've ever met.
- Well, well, well What an appetizing prospect.
Is he going to give us any trouble? I don't think so.
Let me do a little checking.
- I'll see you at the costume ball.
- Lawrence - Mother! - Lindsey, what are you doing here? You're not here with that ancient rock and roll singer.
No, Roger is still in England.
At his age they're called legends.
Don't say I told you so, but he threw me out.
- I'm sorry.
Are you ok? - Yes.
I'm fine.
I discovered with legends there are always plenty of young women around.
Come on, let me buy you a cup of coffee.
Wait, before we go I'd love to take a look at this wonder book I've been reading about before you auction it off.
Is that why you've come back.
You think I'm coming into money.
How can you be so suspicious? Especially since I can't understand why this precious family heirloom passed from mother to daughter I've never heard of it before.
Keep that to yourself.
This isn't a game.
I'm sure it isn't.
We better talk.
There I was Beth, after all these years, face to face with Lawrence Ehrlich again.
I brought back so many memories All I could think of the entire time was how much you loved books.
Remember how angry you got when I dog-eared a page to mark my place? There I was, tearing out what might be a priceless manuscript.
Well, if I'm right it won't make any difference.
And if I'm wrong, I may be a bit rusty back to the old profession.
I'm sure there are plenty of jobs for a man of my qualifications.
Though at the moment I can't think of any.
The mayor insists the investigation will continue.
Earlier tonight a blaze swept through the convention room of the Fairmont hotel.
Damage to the hotel was minimal, but the newly discovered manuscript of Mark Twain's long lost book, "The Wild and Wicked Wench", was completely destroyed.
Lawrence, you can't really expect to get away with this.
Can you? Detective Oliver? Dennis Stanton, Consolidated Casualties.
You're in charge of the investigation? - You carry the hotel's policy? - Only some of the contents.
I understand the fire was electrical in origin.
Sure what it looks like.
One question I have, is why it spread so fast.
You mean it may have been arson? I sure hope so.
I haven't had a decent arson in months.
Nice to meet a man who enjoys his work.
- May I look? - Go ahead.
Be my guest.
That's a damn shame.
That was a beautiful manuscript.
- I'm very disappointed in you.
- Dennis, you don't think I'd pull something like this on you? How stupid do you think I am? I'm sure you have an alibi for when the fire started.
Which will disappoint more?, If I do, or if I don't? I was the costume ball, wearing little more than an oversized fig leaf in the whole view of the assemblage.
As Adam.
Adam? If you don't believe me, I'll be glad to show you the outfit.
Not before breakfast, thank you.
I'm going to get you.
Yes, I'm sure you'll try.
- Robert not in yet? - Are you kidding? He's upstairs, they've had him on the carpet since 8 this morning.
You insure something for 5 million and 6 hours later it's up in flames.
Someone's liable to notice.
Robert.
Are you alright? I should have listened to you.
I never should have touched that damned manuscript.
Keating is holding me personally responsible.
When an ungenerous attitude.
I'm not saying it's possible, but if someone could prove the manuscript were a forgery getting you and the company off the hook, what might they get expect? A bonus? That's what you're looking for, some kind of reward? In a manner of speaking, not money.
Nothing so mundane.
But to be honest, I do miss the strains of Mozart in these halls.
Don't you? Constantine, old friend, it is frustrating watching you do nothing.
I'm hardly doing nothing.
I'm eating, drinking, I'm reading - and awaiting.
- Awaiting what? If I knew I wouldn't be waiting.
While you do Lawrence Ehrlich gets away with 5 million dollar fraud.
This Mr.
Ehrlich There's something between you in your past.
You would talk freely about anything, except your feelings and your dear, sadly missed Elizabeth.
What has Mr.
Ehrlich to do with the memory of your poor dead wife? We went through a difficult time, all marriages do I suppose.
I blame myself entirely for this one And he took advantage.
It's now coming back to you.
I don't believe anything happened between them, and I never asked.
But yes this may be something more than professional zeal.
Nonetheless I feel it.
There's something all wrong.
If it comforts you, for me it also feels wrong.
But I can't put my finger on exactly why.
I'm quite sure the binding dates back to the turn of the century.
I also tested the ink it's fully consistent with the ink used in San Francisco 100 years ago.
You also said it was a common ink that might be artificially aged.
But there's more.
I've been rereading my Twain.
The writing style is consistent with his San Francisco period.
To the trained eye, the handwriting is either Twain - or a superb forgery.
- Lawrence is a superb forger.
But he couldn't forge the paper.
The paper is as old as it purports to be.
So you're saying what? The manuscript is the genuine article? I'm saying no such thing.
A warning bell is rung in my mind, faint bell, but a bell.
Until I can deduce what that bell means, I can't help you.
- Hi.
- Miss Barlow? You must be Mr.
Stanton.
I'm afraid my mother's not home yet, but maybe you'd like to come in.
Thank you.
- Very nice.
- Mr.
Ehrlich found it for us.
When I spoke to you on the phone, I wasn't expecting someone so Venerable? I like that word.
May I take your coat? Thank you.
Then, perhaps you'll assist me across the room.
Don't be touchy.
I adore older men.
I find them fascinating, They've had experience.
Miss Barlow, are you flirting with me? - Would it upset you if I were? - On the contrary.
But it would lead me to ask how soon you expect your mother back home.
My mother and Mr.
Ehrlich are at her publisher going over the transcript.
- The manuscript was transcribed.
- Yes.
Mr.
Ehrlich insisted on it.
He'd like to foster a bidding war for the publishing rights.
Mr.
Ehrlich thinks of everything.
Can I offer you something? Coffee perhaps? Drink? Or maybe you'd like to have dinner with me tonight? You're a beautiful young lady, but I don't know why I'm put in mind of a runaway train.
Mother! We were just talking about you.
Mr.
Stanton, from the insurance company.
Mrs.
Barlow.
A pleasure to meet you.
I doubt that.
Lawrence has told me about you.
I see where your daughter gets her forthrightness and beauty.
- If you'll make trouble about the - Quite the contrary.
My company is completely prepared to pay.
Unfortunately there is one small technicality.
Insurance companies are forbidden from dispersing benefits in the cases of possible arson until the police are reasonably - sure the crime - I'm sure he means the alleged crime.
Exactly.
The alleged crime was not committed for the purposes of fraud.
So far there is not a shred of evidence connecting you to the fire.
That's reassuring.
With luck, you'll receive your check by the end of the week.
I hope that won't inconvenience you.
- Not at all.
- I'll leave you these forms instructing us how and where you prefer payment to be made.
Thank you.
I don't with to appear rude I understand.
I can show myself out.
Again, a pleasure to meet you.
How about Otto's Grotto, 8:30? Seafood.
My favorite.
I'd be delighted.
Good.
I'll meet you there.
And since you haven't come through with the check yet, you pay.
I wouldn't have it any other way.
Care to join us, Mrs.
Barlow? No.
I have other plans this evening.
Until this evening.
Business.
I'm sorry, I'm not in right now.
Leave a message and I'll return the call when I get in.
Dennis, the bell finally rang, I'm filled with joy.
I found it! Forget the time, come over here the minute you get home.
Would you like another glass of wine Mr.
Stanton? No thank you Jean Pierre.
Looks as though I've been stood up.
Women, sometimes take forever to get ready.
Sorry we're late.
It took me all afternoon to convince her to join us.
And it took her forever to get ready.
I hope you don't mind.
I realized earlier that I was rude and wanted to apologize.
Totally unnecessary.
As for minding, my only possible regret would be that to gaze at one of you will mean looking away from the other.
Soon as I heard the victim was some old book expert I had this gut feeling you were involved.
When I got home I found his message on my machine.
I came directly here.
- He didn't say what he wanted? - It was a private matter.
Murder makes it pretty public Stanton.
I'll make it easy for you.
It was something to do with adultery? - I beg your pardon? - Adultery.
Another man's wife.
I figured that's what he's trying to tell us with the book.
The book? I haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about.
He was dead when you got here? Yeah.
We figure he was shot here at the desk then managed to crawl over here.
See the trail of blood.
And wrestle a copy of The Scarlet Letter out of the bottom shelf.
- The Scarlet Letter? - Yes.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester, what's her name.
Adultery, all that stuff.
The guy is dieing.
He's not going over there for reading.
He's trying to tell someone something.
Since you're the one he knows is coming - May I look at the book? - Yes, you'll need a handkerchief.
Nothing's been removed? Come on! This is a crime scene.
Of course not.
We checked the book, there's no notes no marks inside.
Nothing.
What do you think he's trying to tell us? It has to be something to do with adultery, right? I give my word I have no more idea what he was trying to say than you.
Why didn't you tell him about the page you took from the manuscript? I'd admit my folly if it would help catch Constantine's killer.
But so far there's nothing to link the two.
You asked me to find out about old publishing paper.
You want to hear it or do you want to wait until morning? Now.
Please.
First, there's more around than you'd think.
Some of it turns up every year.
In the last 10 years there have been a dozen finds.
The largest of which was from an old paper factory they were tearing down in London.
Even if you find the missing page, I don't know how you'll prove that that paper is this paper Dennis, are you listening to me? I'm sorry about your friend.
I'm sorry.
"The Scarlet Letter", I know thatÂs got you bugged.
There's a connection between that book and the missing page.
But what? Maybe Mark Twain wrote about The Scarlet Letter or about Nathaniel Hawthorne or The Scarlet Letter, The Scarlet Letter, The Scarlet Let The Scarlet Letter! Constantine, you beautiful devious genius.
You're looking in the wrong section.
Am I? You shouldn't have killed him.
I didn't.
I don't suppose it matters now but I didn't.
I've always hated you.
You must know that.
You and your precious Elizabeth.
There was someone I could have loved.
But she'd nothing to do with me.
She said she had the best.
Why should she settle for a pale imitation.
Look I knew weÂd get you sooner or later, Stanton.
You've not only violated your parole, but we got you for breaking and entering, obstructing justice, tampering with police seal.
I told you Lawrence Ehrlich had already broken the seal.
The longer you keep me here, the further away he gets.
Don't make me laugh.
You couldn't bother to tell me about Ehrlich and the missing page until we caught you red handed.
Because I didn't know then where the page was.
As far as I knew he'd already retrieved it.
- What makes you think he didn't? - Of course he didn't.
Otherwise why would he have come back? Now like a revelation, you know where the mythical page is? Exactly.
I finally realized Stavros didn't mean The Scarlet Letter, he meant the scarlet letter.
May I? This was the case that made Stavros' reputation.
Some dealer in Georgia claimed to have a letter from Margaret Mitchell describing how she created the character of Scarlet O'Hara.
Constantine proved it was a forgery.
He was trying to remind me of was the Scarlet letter.
Constantine Stavros was an indifferent scholar very slipshod in his methodology.
But he was an honest man and I was sorry to hear of his death.
The message on my machine said he'd found something on the page.
You say it wasn't the paper, wasn't the ink.
It wasn't the handwriting or the style.
I invite you to look at that page.
That's all there is, nothing else.
- Yes? - Police, I need Mr.
Stanton.
I thought you'd like to know we found Lawrence Ehrlich.
- Is he here in the hotel? - He was, but he stepped out.
- Dennis, I'm so sorry.
- It's alright.
I knew the risk.
But it's so unfair.
The book is a forgery.
Ehrlich's suicide proves its a forgery.
If it was a suicide He may have fallen or been pushed.
- That's no reason to fire you.
- Of course it is.
Until we can prove it's a forgery, "The Wild and Wicked Wench" must be taken as genuine.
If it ever got out that an employee of this insurance company - defaced a priceless manuscript - But it's not priceless.
That dear heat is what's known as circular logic.
It's sweet, it's emotional, but it wouldn't hold up in an undergraduate debate society let alone a court of law.
- Now they'll revoke your probation.
- Until I can get another job.
Not to worry.
Life is a toy chest of opportunities.
Ok Sondergard, this will be your desk.
If you don't like the decor, we'll have the painters in.
Stanton, - I thought you'd left.
- Without saying goodbye? Well goodbye.
Come on, I'll show you the cafeteria.
They do a superb salmon.
I highly recommend it.
Early in the week.
Dennis Take care, Rhoda.
This is not goodbye, it is "au revoir".
Soon as I'm settled elsewhere, I'll send for you.
I promise.
There's one thing life's taught me, travel light.
Paper, ink, handwriting, style.
Odd you never mentioned the dye.
The dye? What do you mean? Along the edge.
You can't see it on a single page, but when they're all bound together, - like this book, see.
- It's called a staining.
Staining.
I saw the manuscript before it was burned.
- There was staining along the edge.
- Nothing unusual about that.
Which is why I never gave it a second thought.
But then I found out about this cache of 150 year old paper with exactly the same mauve staining.
I got in touch with them in England.
To whom did the sell the paper? - Lawrence Ehrlich.
- Astonishing coincidence, no? So you still believe that book was a forgery.
You think Ehrlich was able to deceive me? I think nothing of the sort.
I think you were in it with him.
How dare you accuse me of that? I don't know.
I open my mouth and the oddest things come out.
I think an intensive comparison between the London paper and this will turn up some very embarrassing similarities.
What if it did? We can all make an honest mistake.
Like Constantine Stavros did? - Yes.
- Alright.
Let's say you were right.
I don't care about the manuscript, but I do care about the murder.
I see.
First you accuse me of fraud and now murder.
Quite the opposite.
I'm asking you to help me catch a murderer.
Or more precisely, a murderess.
Mrs.
Barlow? Ehrlich's gun was a 38.
The gun that killed Constantine was a 22.
A small gun, a woman's weapon, easily concealed in a purse.
Ehrlich and Mrs.
Barlow went together to retrieve the page.
Then came to dinner with me to establish an alibi.
Later, Ehrlich went back to search for the page.
But when he told her I'd caught him there, she panicked.
You think she pushed him out of the window? He was the only connection that could lead to her.
I also think that she still has the 22 pistol she killed Constantine with.
ALL I need to do is find it.
I need your help to make it possible to search her house.
Why should I help me? You owe Stavros, you owe Ehrlich.
Your authentification that got this whole thing started.
Yes.
Point well taken.
In return, I would see that no breath of scandal sullies your otherwise impeccable reputation.
I see.
The police can't search for the 22 without a warrant, but if Mrs.
Barlow were to be at my place for an intimate dinner and then to be caught attempting to steal the manuscript page while my back was turned, it would constitute probable cause.
You see where I'm headed? All of us are in danger of going to prison as long as that page exists.
One of us has to get it back and destroy it.
Lawrence never told me you were part of it.
- He told me we'd fooled you.
- You couldn't do it without me.
- Surely you realize - What I realize is you'd like a cut of the insurance money.
Unless you would prefer me to reexamine that page and express sudden new doubts.
Stanton keeps it in his apartment.
What are you suggesting? We hire a burglar to go in and steal it? And let another person in on our secret? I think not.
I was under the impression you were on extremely friendly terms with him.
- You expect me to seduce him? - No.
Of course not.
I expect Lindsey to go and seduce him.
- Don't be vulgar.
- Vulgar? Prison is vulgar.
He's right mother.
I'll do it.
Mrs.
Barlow.
Good evening, sir.
Detective Ishimini at your service.
Of course it occurred to me I may be wrong about Mrs.
Barlow.
I presume that's the gun you killed Constantine Stavros with and planned to plant on Mrs.
Barlow's body.
Drop it, professor.
I'll kill him.
Now don't move out of this room.
If I get a glimpse of even one of you, I'll shoot.
Are you alright, Stanton? The reports of my death, as Mr.
Twain once remarked, are greatly exaggerated.
Dennis, welcome back.
I got you a present.
Thank you Robert.
What a pleasant surprise.
"Mantavani plays the classics".
I asked the man at the store, he said you'd like it.
- Thanks.
That was a lovely though.
- Well, you're welcome.
I will need you to talk to the District Attorney.
I'm sorry, I'm still in the midst of my convalescence.
It may be a week or so before Thank you.
I can come back full time.
Take all the time you need.
Yes.
It's about the Barlow prosecution.
I'm afraid there's a serious problem with prosecuting the Barlows.
They had nothing to do with either murder.
Fitzpatrick killed poor Constantine and pushed Ehrlich out the window.
Without their cooperation, we could never had caught him.
What do you mean? They tried to defraud the company.
We have no physical proof of that.
No physical evidence? We have the forged manuscript page.
We don't have the forged manuscript page? No, Lindsey Barlow went to retrieve it, as far as I know she has it.
- If it still exists.
- You let her destroy it? I made a deal to trap a killer.
I intend to honor it.
Don't look glum.
District Attorneys do it all the time.
The Barlows have agreed to withdraw their claim for 5 million dollars.
So your record it still intact.
I'm late already.
Bye.
You were up there an awful long time.
Any problems? None.
Just re-explaining the terms of our arrangement to my superior, a man not given to grasping the obvious.
Lindsey, I didn't expect you as well.
Mother said you were going on a day trip to the wine country.
- I thought it sounded like fun.
- You're a loyal, concerned daughter, but don't you think it's time you let your mother out without a chaperone.
Yes.
I guess it is.
Have a good time.
We plan to.
Mother don't let him get too tipsy.
That wine can catch up on you.
Dennis, don't keep her out late.
I expect you back by midnight.
Midnight?