Murder, She Wrote s07e13 Episode Script

He said that this time she was going to kill her.
Tonight on "Murder She Wrote " If you don't smart up, Sheriff, you're gonna get so much heat.
What can I do? You're not caving in for political pressure, are you? You should rot in here.
That would look great in the front page of The Washington Post.
This is the way they play in the big leagues.
You murdered the prisoner.
Someone should've killed that guy a long time ago.
It's really a shame that the sheriff did not drop the charges.
I thought you had more fight in you.
Stand up to them.
Good morning Len, Mrs.
Costner, Janet.
It's a lovely day.
- We need rain.
- Yes, it's been quite dry lately.
But you know what they say: "Sunshine brings the tourists.
" Tourists.
The reason I retired to Cabot Cove four years ago was to get away from those people, mayor.
That's why the good people of Cabot Cove elected me mayor.
To make sure that nothing spoils our fair, little community.
You look very lovely today, Janet.
You've been around the register, yet? Why vote? It only encourages them.
Any news, Floyd? There was a call from Shorty in the garage.
Says your Cadillac will be ready at around five.
If everything is so quiet maybe I'll go to hit a couple of balls.
- That's ok.
- Listen, Floyd, I forgot to tell you.
Mrs.
Fletcher is stopping by to look at some files.
You give her all the help she needs.
Roger.
10-4.
- Seems to be a problem, officer? - You just missed a Stop sign.
- I haven't seen any stop sign.
- Maybe because you were going so fast.
May I see your driver's license and registration please? Come on, give me a break.
No harm no foul.
Driver's license and auto registration.
Oh, gees.
Here's the registration.
I think I forgot my license at home.
- It's pretty dumb, isn't it? - Have you some kind of identification? Sure.
I think I have something right here.
You can keep it.
I have another one at home.
Would you step out of the car? Look, my friend, what's the lousiest stop sign goes for in this bird? - Two hundred? - Get out! What are you doing? What I'm doing, sonny, is taking you to jail.
Have you found what you were looking for? It was in a sticky place in my book.
I had to have my mind straight for the medical report.
And then I remember something that happened some years ago when Amos Tupper was the sheriff.
If that's was sheriff Metzger, coming back, I should leave his desk.
He must've forgotten his golf clubs.
- You're making a big mistake.
- Yeah, right.
Can't we talk about this? Be reasonable.
I see you are busy, sheriff.
I'll come back later.
Floyd, put that guy.
He was drunk and driving, speeding, without his driver license.
He tried to bribe a police officer.
Bribe? You must be kidding! AII I did was ask him for change to make a phone call.
And I want to make that phone call now.
You make a phone call when I say you can make a phone call.
Floyd, count this.
It must be 20 or 25 grand.
Mrs.
Fletcher, would you be so kind to check it and sign as a witness? And this one? Put it in a special envelope.
Do you know who I am? Hellman Bradley, with to Ls.
Do you know who my old man is? He's ambassador Hellman.
Maybe you've heard of him.
Even in this hick town.
Ambassador Chandler Hellman from New York? This is false arrest.
He's gonna have your butt with knife and fork.
Sit down and shut up until I ask you a question.
You got that? I don't care if your dad is the King of England, you are going to do time for this.
You have my personal guarantee.
And if you're thinking of even making bail, forget it.
Chandler Hellman, the biggest Washington clown that money can buy! But his real power base is right here in New York.
And if you're thinking of putting him in one of your books, forget it.
His lawyers will have you in court before the dirt gets on the page.
A Woodward-Bernstein slashing exposé is not my forte, Haskell.
There is not much to know about Chandler.
The man is as deep as plastic food wrap and just as transparent.
He made a fortune with his defense contracts.
He lay out some heavy bucks in political contributions and he got rewarded him with a minor of ambassadorial gigs.
So he and his new wife are buying their way into the power elite circles.
- I understand there's a son.
- Yes, him A silly little waste, as I remember.
He nearly got himself into the big dumper, a few years ago.
Yes, everything got swelled under the rug.
They say that he got drunk one night, he smashed the new car that his daddy bought him, and wiped out four people.
An off duty policeman, his wife and kids - How awful! - Like I said: Daddy managed to hide things up.
- I don't think anything came to it.
- An off duty policeman? Yes.
That might explain it.
- Explains what? - Probably nothing.
Thanks, Haskell.
I'll call you if I need anything more.
We seem to be having a communication problem, officer.
I am representing ambassador Hellman's son.
He has the right of legal representation.
Yes, we've heard about that even here, in Cabot Cove.
Then let's make it simple.
Reduce the charges to misdemeanor driving, without a license, and we'll pay a fine.
You get your paperwork done and by lunchtime we'll go back to New York.
No deal.
I charge him for driving drunk and trying to bribe an officer.
Legally speaking, you've got nothing.
Brad tell me that you failed to advise him of his right to refuse a breathalyzer test.
We'll make that claim in court.
- He tried to bribe me.
- Yes? Seems you don't have any witnesses.
That will be difficult to prove.
Face it, sheriff If you press those charges you're only gonna embarrass yourself in court.
Watch me.
I don't embarrass easily.
I want my client out on bail.
Why don't you call the Bale Commission here in Augusta.
I already did, there's not the paperwork yet.
Maybe it got lost.
I'll run a trace for you.
So that's the way it's going to be? That's the way it's gonna be, counselor.
If you don't smart up sheriff, you will get some much heat that they're gonna be able to fry eggs on your backside.
Yes, mister congressman, I'm on looking on it personally.
Yes, sir.
I'll call you as soon as I get thing sorted out.
Good-bye.
Sam, I came as soon as I got your message.
Mable told me it was a matter of life and death.
- It is, Jessica.
- There's Mr.
Gruidled from the government office, on line two.
Tell him I'm calling.
That I'm in a meeting.
Hold all my calls.
Sam, what's the matter? - You have to talk to him, Jessica.
- With who? With sheriff Metzger, there are very important people upset with him.
- The phone's been ringing all morning.
- Let me guess - Brad Hellman.
- I feel like I've run over a bee's nest.
Metzger won't listen to me, I went over there, and he told me he was very rude.
You will not caving in to political pressure, are you? - Of course not.
- You do plan to stand firmly behind our sheriff, don't you? Absolutely, Jessica.
- Excuse, Mayor.
- I said no calls.
- There's someone here to see you.
- Mayor Booth? I'm ambassador Chandler Hellman.
This is Mrs.
Hellman.
And I do not deny telling you that I am very upset.
Of course, sir, yes, I am very concerned myself.
What kind of place is this where a boy can be terrorized and thrown into jail for a simple traffic violation? I'm looking at the matter personally, Mr.
ambassador.
I was just over the sheriff's office where I demanded an explanation.
Sam.
May I introduce you Jessica Fletcher, the famous author.
Mr.
and Mrs Ambassador Hellman.
How do you do? - Mrs.
Fletcher? - J.
B.
Fletcher? Of course.
I knew you lived in Maine but I had no idea you were here.
Mrs.
Fletcher is quite a celebrity.
What can I do to help you, Mr.
Ambassador? You can remove that sheriff from office and replace him with someone a little bit less corrupt.
I beg your pardon, did you say corrupt? Mr.
Farrell, our family attorney, informs me that this local police authority holds my son under a false charge and trying to extort money from him.
I'm sorry, but I can't believe that for a moment.
Chandler, dear Perhaps we better talk to the sheriff before we get too excited about it.
Maybe we can settle this without too much fuss.
What do you think, Mrs.
Fletcher? Well I certainly don't approve the use of pressure tactics.
No, absolutely not.
Chandler, dear.
Calm down.
We haven't even talked to Brad, yet.
Bradley, what is it gonna take to straight you up? They have a thing for strangers here.
They make it sound worse than it was, dad.
Bradley, you forget that I know you.
Maybe I should let you rot here, that will finally make a man out of you.
Sure.
They should send me to jail for a couple of years.
That would look great in the front page of The Washington Post.
I guess my husband is giving Brad a good talking-to.
.
Poor boy, things haven't been easy for him.
Sheriff, do you mind if I help myself for some of this coffee? Let me get that for you.
- Cream? Sugar? - Black, thank you.
Do you have any children, mayor? - No, I don't.
- They can be such a trial Mrs.
Hellman, you seem very young to be Brad's mother.
Brad's mother was Chandler's first wife.
I'm afraid he was rather neglected.
Chandler was so busy and away and even when here was there, I suspect he was rather stern with him.
Poor boy.
It would be a shame if his whole life would be ruined for such a little misunderstanding.
What about Frank Casey's life? And his wife and two kids? I don't believe we know any Frank Casey.
But we meet so many people.
Damn it, mayor, I will not stand for this! I want the bail posted immediately! And I am giving you notice that I am intending to file charges of police brutality.
Now, just a moment.
There has never been any question of brutality.
No? That's not what it looks to me.
Who did this to you? He did it.
What can I do? For openers, you can show some backbone, Sam.
Metzger has done a wonderful job since he came from New York.
Maybe so, but he's got it in for this boy and we can't have it! Maybe he was a bit stern with Brad Hellman.
But he has gone by the book.
Stern? We can't have him beating people in our jail, expressly the sons of people from Washington! Nonsense.
I don't believe for a moment that Metzger struck that young man.
Floyd told me that there wasn't a mark on him until his father went in to see him.
Now, if you ask me, ambassador Hellman hit him.
Maybe so, but that's not what the boy says.
They're sending an official from the state capital to investigate.
- There's nothing more I can do.
- Well somebody has to do something.
- What are you doing here, Len? - I am bringing your prisoner's lunch.
You're working at the dining now? I thought you were retired.
I'm not working any place.
Trudy was busy and I offered to help out.
Leave it in the counter.
I will take it when I finish with this.
Trudy said to be sure it does not get cold.
All take it to him.
Why don't you pick up the breakfast tray when you're back? Care for lunch? You have made my day.
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and carrots.
Terrific! I don't believe this.
Are you going stand there and watch me eat? Do you think I'll steal your silverware? - Mrs.
Hellman.
- I hope I'm not disturbing.
No, not at all.
Would you like a cup of coffee? I was going for a refill.
No, thank you, I'm already on edge.
I've just been to see Brad, bring him some fresh clothes from the hotel.
Poor boy, he looks so depressed.
Well, yes, I suppose he would be.
Would you like to sit down? Thank you.
Jessica, I need your help to diffuse this situation before it gets out of hands.
I know you have many influences in this little community.
Mrs.
Hellman, if you are asking me to use my influences to persuade sheriff Metzger to drop charges against your stepson, I can't do that.
But all the accusations against Brad are so helplessly muddled! Nothing can be proved, so why stir up an ugly mess? I believe that's for the court to decide.
Of course.
Jessica, my husband has been under a great deal of pressure lately.
He's up for a very important post and such an incident like this, even though if nothing can be proved well, you know the media.
- We would have a field day.
- The press was effectively muzzled when that family was killed in the drunk driving accident I don't know what you heard about that, but Brad was absolved of any wrong doing.
Yes, I understand that the authorities were persuaded to drop the charges against your stepson, but I'm afraid that won't work in Cabot Cove.
Mrs.
Fletcher, my husband is a very powerful man.
- Yes, I'm sure.
- He is also very determined.
Unless your sheriff Metzger can wake up and smell the coffee, he could find himself in a lot of trouble.
I don't think sheriff Metzger is intimidated by threats.
I can assure you I'm not.
This is not a threat, Jessica.
It's the way they play in the big leagues.
It's a fact of life.
Thank you, I will not keep you any longer.
If that sheriff is really a friend of yours, do him a favor.
Advise him to back off.
Good night.
Is it a private party or is there room for a friend? Hi, Jessica.
I'm afraid I'm not very good company.
Me either.
Care to compare notes? You go first.
I'm a little discouraged by the way some people seem to be able to bend the rules because they are powerful and privileged.
It's not gonna be my problem any more.
I'm hanging them up.
You're quitting? I thought you had more fight in you than that.
One of the reasons I left NYPD was because I couldn't handle politics and police work.
What exactly happened in New York? Who was Frank Casey? Was he a friend of yours? Frank Casey was a good cop.
He wasn't my best buddy, we used to bowl together and I knew his family.
One night Frank and Doris and the two kids were driving home from a movie when a drunk driver runs a red light in broad sight All of them gone But the drunk driver did not get a scratch.
Brad Hellman.
I did not see it with my own eyes, but there were people who knew.
There was a guy saw the whole thing happen.
The medics who had to clean up the mess The guys at the police station knew the score.
But Brad Hellman's old man put it in a fix.
They couldn't pretend that nothing happened.
4 people were dead! They let it slip away.
The guy went south.
The official reports were changed or got lost.
The kid claimed someone else was driving the car.
Anyway Brad Hellman got off with a revoked driver's license, but Casey's family had a ride to the cemetery.
I'm sorry.
Stand up to them.
We'll back you.
Too late.
Hellman got bail about an hour ago.
He will do it again and if they have to smear me to make it happen I don't count for them that much.
Not if we don't let them smear you.
Not if we all fight this thing together.
We'll see.
But anyway thank you, Jessica.
- Come on Billy, quit it.
- Wait, Mickey, I'm thirsty.
We haven't gone a mile yet and you have already drank all the water.
- Mickey? - What? Look over there.
Yes, I'm on top of the situation, why shouldn't I be? We sent the body over to the morgue.
As far as I can make out it happened some time late last night.
No, I haven't had time to warn the next of kin yet, I've been kind busy! I was about to go out to see you, folks.
I'm afraid I have some bad news for you.
I've already got the news.
Someone from the forensic office called 5 minutes ago at the hotel.
- I'm sorry.
- Not as sorry as you gonna be, pal.
What are you talking about? Even if it's the last thing that I do, I am going to see you charged for the murder of my son.
- Did you want to see me? - Yes, sheriff.
That is to say no, I mean, not me but lieutenant Powell.
State Police, Criminal Investigation Division.
I did not request anything.
Someone from the state capital thought that our situation needed some oversight.
I will be conducting the investigation.
You'll find my authorities expressed in this letter for the state attorney office.
Thanks for the offer.
But I'll be investigating Brad Hellman's murder myself.
Maybe I did not make myself clear.
I'm here to investigate you.
Everyone here at Cabot Cove thinks that sheriff Metzger has done a wonderful job.
At least until now.
You are suspended from all official duties for all the pending charges.
Charges? What charges? It's been alleged that you tried to bribe one prisoner called Brad Hellman.
You got that one backwards, pal.
And while the prisoner was in your custody you beat him.
Trying to store 25 thousand dollars he was carrying, which are still missing.
I don't believe this.
It's further alleged that you murdered the prisoner either in his cell, or after you released him in order to prevent him from pressing charges.
What's going on here? I know his old man has juice but this is absolutely ridiculous.
I'll need your service revolver as possible evidence.
Hand it over.
That's great.
You think I snuffed the kid and that I am dumb enough as to use my service revolver.
Maybe not, but under suspension, you have no authority to carry it.
It's probably temporary, sheriff.
If you are cleared I'm sure they'll give it back to you.
Go to hell.
I quit.
You can't quit.
Nobody in Cabot Cove wants you to quit.
What am I supposed to do? Do I have to sign on my chest "Welcome, wipe your feet here?" - Those charges are ridiculous.
- Yes, but that's not the point.
The point is that those charges may be ridiculous but they are serious.
Come on, Mrs.
Fletcher that desk-jockey they sent from Augusta has nothing.
Someone murdered Brad Hellman and you have to find out who.
All right? For openers, why was Brad Hellman in Cabot Cove? I don't know.
He said he was passing through.
But Mrs.
Hellman said she picked up some clean clothes for him from the hotel.
If he was staying at the Navarro Inn he certainly wasn't passing though.
And what about his car? Didn't he say it belonged to somebody else? That's true.
New York plates.
Registered to a Morgan Phillips, East 54th Street.
Do you have still have some friends at the New York Force that can help you? My partner, Vinnie.
He still has my bowling shoes.
But surely there must be some morgue files or something.
There really wasn't much that got to the papers, Jessica.
And what about his background? I thought New York newspaper men always had the scoop for everything.
Maybe I heard some rumors.
One story I heard was that Bradley Hellman claimed he wasn't driving the car.
Well believe it or not, that was known here in Cabot Cove.
Oh really? Well how about this one.
Some reporter told me he read a report from some policeman's desk that there was an anonymous call from a hysterical young woman reporting an accident, and requesting an ambulance.
Maybe the girl who was with Brad Hellman? Well I'm sure that someone in the vicinity, Jessica.
But if she was sober and responsible enough to call an ambulance, maybe she wasn't the one who was driving.
I'm sorry, I don't have a name and an address.
I can't be sure, but I might have it.
The car that he was driving here in Cabot Cove was registered to a Morgan Phillips of New York City, who sheriff Metzger checked out and turns out to be a 24 year old of the female persuasion.
Mayor Booth explained your special qualifications, Mrs.
Fletcher.
But the car accident that happened has no bearing on my investigation of the murder Bradley Hellman.
Yes, but I suspect that it does.
New York is out of my jurisdiction.
- But - I have everything well in hand.
As a matter of fact we have made a breakthrough, we found our murder weapon.
It's surely not sheriff Metzger's revolver.
No, different caliber.
Some joggers found it on the beach where the body was discovered.
The perpetrator must have thought he was throwing it to the ocean but fell short.
Three cartridges have been fired.
- Any fingerprints on the gun? - As a matter of fact there are but I'm not releasing any information.
I suppose you checked the registration number on the gun.
I faxed the registration number to Augusta an hour ago.
- Now, if you excuse me - Of course.
I'm lieutenant Avery Powell, I'm calling from Cabot Cove.
Can you put me with Records and Registration? That's it.
That's the number on the piece.
Vinnie, take that gum out of your mouth and give me the last part again.
Thanks, you are prince among men.
What do I owe you? You still owe me ten bucks from the last world series.
Love, good bye, thanks pal.
- The gun is registered in New York? - Better than that.
It's registered to the same Morgan Phillips, who owns the car.
I think that we are starting to connect some of the dots.
Excuse me, forgive me for intruding.
- I wanted to offer my sympathy.
- How thoughtful of you, Mrs.
Fletcher.
Of course, we are all in a state of shock.
When I think of that sheriff shooting our boy not once but three times, breaks my heart.
This is Brad's fiançé.
She flew up this morning to be with us.
Yes, Mrs.
Phillips, isn't it? That's right.
It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs.
Fletcher.
You must be devastated by all this.
Did you say that you just arrived? Yes, she flew up in the family jet this morning.
I know this is a very sad time for you, but I was hoping to have a little talk with Mrs.
Phillips? I'm sorry, but we are very late for an important appointment.
- Please excuse us.
- Sure, some other time.
Arnold, do you remember that man that was murdered, Bradley Hellman? Yes, the family is staying here.
- It has been a terrible thing.
- Oh yes, a tragedy.
Was he staying here before he was arrested? - Exactly.
- Was he alone or was someone with him? Well, he was registered as a single.
Of course, but that does not mean he was alone.
The guests at the Navarro Inn are entitled to their privacy.
Yes, of course.
Ambassador Hellman is very open handed man.
- Generous to the top.
- I see.
Good tipper? We had a private word, if you take my meaning.
Arnold, I would not dream of asking you to betray any confidences.
- Well.
- Specially if they've been paid for.
But if that very attractive young woman who was having lunch with ambassador and Mrs.
Hellman was here with Brad Hellman before, could you I don't know let's say scratch your ear? So she was with him before he was arrested and before he was murdered? But you didn't hear it from me, Jessica.
It's very reassuring to know that there are still people that can keep a secret.
- Lieutenant Powell.
- I'm sorry, but I don't have any time.
What have you learned about the gun registration? The people from Augusta haven't got back to me yet.
Because it was registered in New York to the same young woman who owned the car he was driving.
- How do you know that? - And not only that young woman is here in Cabot Cove, but she was here before Brad Hellman was murdered.
And she's lying about it.
What about the fingerprints? They are not Metzger's, and they're not at the files of the FBI.
Perhaps they are from young woman who owns the gun, Mrs.
Morgan Phillips.
We know that this is your revolver and we have a ballistic's report confirming it's the murder weapon.
And there are fingerprints.
Mrs.
Phillips, why did you say you had just arrived, when in fact you had been here before Brad was murdered? I have enough evidence to book you up on suspicion and take your fingerprints.
Lieutenant, if she owns the gun, the fingerprints on it might easily be explained.
Why don't you tell us what happened? Brad and I got engaged last spring.
My parents thought he was a real catch.
But he had problems.
His drinking? Yes, but there was much more than that.
He was very angry and frightened.
His driver's license was suspended and needed me to drive him up here because he said he had something here to do.
- So you gave him your gun? - No! He brought it.
I didn't even know he had it until we came here.
What was it that Brad had to do here in Cabot Cove? He wouldn't tell me.
It was something that was hanging over his head.
But that he could take care of it.
He said that then everything would be better and we'll be able to get married.
But it wasn't until we got up here that I really knew what was he going to do.
He was drinking and he told me about this accident that happened 4 years ago in New York, that there had been a girl with him who slipped away after the accident.
Brad said that she could testify against him that he was drunk and driving.
And that she has been blackmailing him ever since.
He was sick of it.
He said He said that this time he was going to kill her to shut her up forever.
I was so terrified, Mrs.
Fletcher.
He actually told you that he intended to kill this girl.
Yes, that's what he said.
I tried to stop him, I even hid my revolver When I arranging my suitcase, I slipped it into his.
And he didn't think to look there.
He was so angry and frustrated that he just left.
Did Brad tell you who this girl is, the one who was blackmailing him? No.
If I'd known, I would've warned her.
This story is pretty far-fetched.
We only have your word that this girl exists.
If she really exists, then someone knows who she is.
Excuse me, Mr.
Farrell.
There's a message for you.
Thank you.
She Costner's girl.
It fits.
They moved to Cabot Cave four years ago.
Len seem to have settled well with his early retirement.
What do I do now? Do I go in there and arrest Farell? They'll know that my note was a setup.
They'll probably deny everything.
Why don't you go home and let me handle this? - Hello, Janet.
- Hello, Mrs.
Fletcher.
When I was your age, I used to come to this park to read.
There's not much to do.
I guess Cabot Cove is not as exciting as New York.
You seem a bit upset.
Is it because of Brad Hellman's death? I don't know any Brad Hellman.
I suppose you did not know him very well.
I mean you probably only spent one evening with him in New York, And it ended so tragically.
- How do you know about that? - Let's say I just know it.
And I'm afraid the police knows too.
Or they soon will.
I'm not sorry that he's dead, if that's what you mean.
Someone should've killed him a long time ago.
Would you like to talk about this? There isn't much to tell.
I met him in a bar.
He offered me a ride home.
He had a really nice car, but I should've realized how drunk he was.
I guess you know what happened.
Yes, a family was killed.
It was awful.
- Is that how you hurt your leg? - I had a broken ankle but I managed to walk to a payphone and call an ambulance.
And then my parents.
Didn't you call the police? My parents didn't want me to get involved.
But then I had complications with my ankle.
Dad found out that Brad was the ambassador's son.
I wanted to get him to jail.
But mum and dad they had to pay for what happened to me.
And they've been paying ever since.
It was only right.
After what he did to our little girl.
It would've done nothing to put him in jail.
It was only fair to pay.
II can't condemn what you did but I think I can understand it.
They have lots of money.
Someone told me that Brad came to Cabot Cove to settle something.
To put an end to the hole you had over him.
- Did you see him that night? - He never came here.
We have nothing to do with his murder.
We were here watching television, all of us.
All night, and we'll swear to it.
- You're not going to do anything? - There's nothing I can do.
I checked out what you told me.
The Costners denied it, all of it.
So as that lawyer, Farrell.
There isn't evidence.
I think it's a side show, anyway.
Don't forget it's Metzger I'm here to investigate.
But you have real evidence against sheriff Metzger.
Not even his fingerprints on the murder weapon.
So, he wore gloves.
The details of my investigation are confidential, Mrs.
Fletcher.
That is a medical examiner's report.
And unless my eyes are bad, it says that Brad was shot twice.
Do you see any significance in that? Three bullets were fired from the murder weapon.
Nothing unusual there.
It was dark in a deserted place, so Metzger missed with one shot.
Maybe he was nervous.
Yes, perhaps that explains it, and the gloves.
If you are really interested into solving Brad Hellman's murder, perhaps you want to come along in my little experiment.
I think our community will get a bad eye with this.
I didn't want you to let you leave before I told you how very sorry I am about everything.
That's very sweet, Mrs.
Fletcher.
It's really a shame the sheriff didn't drop the charges.
- If he had - Yes.
I'm afraid things don't look too good for our sheriff Metzger.
Lieutenant Powell thinks he has and open and shut case.
Except for one small thing, his fingerprints weren't on the murder weapon.
Obviously he wore gloves.
The Lieutenant thought about that too that's why he's having sheriff's gloves tested for traces of nitrate.
- Nitrate? - Tiny pieces of nitrate.
Gunpowder would be on the gloves, if he had fired the shots.
It's amazing what they can learn these days with scientific tests.
Yes, I'm sure he will get whatever he deserves.
I have to finish packing.
It was very nice to have met you.
I'm sure we'll meet again soon.
I guess that removes any doubt, Mrs.
Hellman.
What the hell are you doing here? Watching you burn a pair of gloves.
If you hadn't been in such a hurry, you would have noticed that you burned the wrong pair.
I found these in your suitcase, with a faint odor of nitrate.
The pair you burned was similar to the one I put here.
It was a test.
How dare you go through my belongings without any authority? I have a search warrant.
It was all Mrs.
Fletcher's idea.
Come in.
This is outrageous.
What's going on in here? Mrs.
Hellman, remember? You told me you got Brad fresh clothes when he was in jail.
You must have gotten it from his suitcase, where Morgan said she had hidden the revolver.
Are you suggesting I had anything I'm sorry, but you gave yourself away When I think of that sheriff shooting our boy not once, but three times, it breaks my heart.
Three bullets? Yes, the doctor said there were three bullets in the body.
Well I'm afraid that's another lie.
Only two bullets were found in Brad's body according to the medical examiner's report.
You thought there were three shots because you fired three shots Apparently one of your shots missed.
But it was dark, and you were probably nervous.
The fact that you are trying to destroy the gloves confirms it.
I didn't marry Chandler Herman to watch his screwed-up son ruin our career That little brat was dangerous liability.
One scandalous episode after the other.
And then I realized fate had handled me a wonderful opportunity to put an end to the problem, permanently.
When he was released on bail I took him for a drive to talk some sense into him, or so he thought.
He had no shame for all the trouble he had caused everyone.
He had no idea how much I despised him.
Neither did he imagine the solution I had in mind.
He fell backwards into a ditch.
I drove back to the hotel, had a hot bath, and a double martini.
Chandler, as usual, had no idea that once again I had saved his career.
A drink? That is one cold and calculating lady.
Yes.
The longer I was around her the more she remembered me about Lady Macbeth.
Now thinking of it, there's something I've been saving for you, sheriff.
Are you sure that's what you want, mayor? - Absolutely, sheriff.
- You are certain, Sam? I'm not sure that Mort would want to continue unless he enjoys your total confidence.
Jessica! How can you even suggest such a thing! I have never had the slightest doubt about sheriff Metzger.
Never for a moment.
Through all this unpleasantness, I was right there behind you.
- Oh, yeah! - Way behind!