-That's quite a battle. -No, it's war, Mrs. Fletcher.
[Jessica] Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.
Oh, I don't intend to let Kreuger move this franchise.
That wimp of a commissioner is not gonna tell me
how to run my business.
Hey lady, you can't be in here.
Oh, that's all right. I'm one of the owners.
Kreuger's behind this. I know it.
Phil died in testing.
I never knew that about Phil.
You, uh, left the party kind of early yourself, Commissioner.
Mr. Mason!
I didn't expect to see you in a shower room.
Football is a very dangerous game.
And, sometimes, people get hurt.
[lively instrumental music playing]
[soft organ music]
[Brad] Mrs. Fletcher.
[car door closes] [engine starts]
Hello. I'm Bradford Lockwood.
Please let me express my condolences.
Your uncle Cyrus spoke of you so very often.
[Jessica] That's very kind, Mr. Lockwood.
We were very close...
when I was a good deal younger.
But, well, the last few years, I...
I just felt that somebody from the family ought to be here.
-Are you his friend? -Uh, yes, and his attorney.
I drafted his will.
Really? I had no idea he left an estate.
Well, I'd hardly call it that.
He, uh, he didn't tell you, then?
Tell me what?
You're the sole beneficiary, Mrs. Fletcher.
I am?
Of course, he didn't leave much.
Only a few shares of a jackdaw corporation.
Uncle Cyrus investing in stocks.
Usually his blue chips were in a poker pot.
Well, I'm afraid that this is a company
that has not paid a dividend in many years.
It's not publicly traded.
But I'm sure there's more than enough
to cover his funeral expenses.
If, uh, you would be good enough to sign this power of attorney,
I could dispose of that stock for you.
And then send you a check to Cabot Cove.
Uh, excuse me, Mr. Lockwood,
but what exactly is the jackdaw corporation?
It's a holding company. [Jessica] And what does it hold?
Its only asset is the Leopard football team.
Now I remember.
Uncle Cyrus used to work for some team or other.
Oh, but that was years ago.
I hate to trouble you with details at a time like this,
but I will need your signature on those proxies
before you leave for Cabot Cove.
Oh, I couldn't sign anything
without reading it very carefully.
Well, I'd be glad to handle all that paperwork for you,
Mrs. Fletcher. Uh, as a favor, of course.
I'm sure you would, Mr. Lockwood.
But there's no hurry.
I've decided to stay over a couple of days.
Oh, I see.
Well, in that case, can I give you a lift
-back to your hotel? -Oh, no. No, thanks.
I have a taxi waiting.
A football team?
Wow. You know, that's very exciting, Mr. Lockwood.
I think I'll just take a look.
[lively music playing]
[whistle blows] Three! Hut!
[whistle blows]
[coach] I've seen better hitting
at a camp fire girls pillow fight!
[all grunting]
[whistle blows] [coach] Come on!
[coach] I know we got a lot on our minds.
[coach] There's an important game on Sunday.
[coach] Well, come on! I want to see some hitting!
[whistle blows]
[man] On one. Set. Hut. [whistle blows]
[Zak] Are you all right? Yes, I'm fine.
But I may dream tonight about being swallowed up
by an enormous hat.
[Jessica laughs] [Zak] I'm really sorry.
[Jessica] No, no, no, no, really. It was my fault.
[chuckles] I had no business
standing in the middle of the street gawking.
I'm Jessica Fletcher.
-Hi. Zak Farrell. -Hello.
And, uh, this is my daughter Jill.
Well, my goodness, Jill, you're rather young
to be riding around in a big hat.
[no audible dialogue]
Uh, "helmet." She reads lips very well.
Helmet. Oh, yes, of course. How silly of me.
You know, Jill, you're way ahead of me.
[Jessica] I never learned to drive.
[Jessica] You should be very proud of yourself.
[no audible dialogue]
[Kathy] That means, "you're very nice."
Well, you're very nice too.
This is my wife, Kathy. Jessica Fletcher.
-Hello, Kathy. -It's very nice to meet you.
I see you two are friends already.
Yes. We hit it off right away.
Come on. Let's go home.
[whistle blows]
Jill, would you teach me some words in sign
in case I get laryngitis?
[whistle blows]
[men shouting]
[whistle blows]
[Phil] Where are the proxies, Lockwood?
Well, it was a little awkward right there at the funeral.
But I can promise you that they'll be definitely handled
by tomorrow morning, Phil.
Well, it better be, because otherwise,
that fat retainer of yours
is gonna be terminated tomorrow afternoon.
And you. You, Pattillo,
you're supposed to be the coach of this bumbling band of idiots.
[Phil] What in the hell do I have to do to get some offense?
[coach] Oh, come on, Phil. You know we have five starters
on the injured reserve.
[Phil] I don't want to hear about injuries.
I pay these clowns to play, not collect Medicare.
We'll have it together for Sunday.
You can count on it.
I'm gonna put somethin' right up front to you too, Patillo.
One more loss, and you are out.
[Dillon] Morale is pretty low on this team.
Listen, you just take care of the equipment, okay, Dillon?
I will worry about morale.
[Tank] Mr. Kreuger, as defensive captain,
I've gotta speak for the guys.
There's a lot of talk about the team leaving town.
I pay you to make sure the opposition
doesn't put points on the scoreboard,
which you don't seem able to do.
[Phil] So, where this team plays is none of your business.
Well, the commissioner says the team's staying here.
[Phil] The commissioner... That wimp of a commissioner
is not gonna tell me how to run my business!
And if he doesn't stay out of my way,
he's gonna have cleat marks all over his face.
[Jessica] Excuse me. Is there a Mr. Kreuger here?
This is a private meeting, lady.
[Brad] Mrs. Fletcher.
Jessica Fletcher, Cyrus's niece.
Oh, oh. I'm sorry.
Mrs. Fletcher. I'm Phil Kreuger.
-How do you do? -Nice to meet you.
I think you already know Mr. Lockwood.
-Yes, indeed. -This is Mr. Pattillo,
-our coach. -How do you do?
Grover Dillon and Tank Mason, our defensive captain.
-Nice to meet you. -I think this concludes
the, uh, meeting, gentlemen.
[whistle blows]
very nice of you to show me around, Mr. Kreuger.
Call me Phil.
Hey, listen, Web McCord's going to be throwing a party
for the team tonight. Why don't you come as my guest?
-Have I met Mr. McCord? -Not yet. No.
He's a real estate developer. Big fan.
Likes to hang around with the players.
[chuckles]
It should be a great bash and give you a chance to meet
some of the guys.
-Ah, I'd be delighted. -Good.
Listen, Mrs. Fletcher,
I don't want to play games with you. I want to buy you out.
Really? Well, I have no idea what my shares are worth.
Well, the last time any of your stock traded
it was six dollars a pop.
You got 4,000 shares. That's 24 grand.
I'll give you 30.
That's very generous.
Well, I'll think it over. Oh.
[Jessica] There's my taxi.
-Thank you, Mr. Kreuger. -Phil.
[Phil] Uh, why don't you give me your answer tonight?
I'll pick you up at 7:30.
Bye. Thanks.
[whistle blows]
[man] No, Mrs. Farrell, this isn't a threat,
just some friendly advice.
Tell your husband to quit the team
before it comes out about your little girl.
Who are you?
You have no right to interfere in our lives.
If you don't stop phoning, I'm going to contact the police.
[footsteps approaching]
[sighs]
We just want to know when, uh, dinner's gonna be ready.
[sighs]
It's going to be a while. Have an apple, sweetheart.
You shouldn't carry her, Zak. Your shoulder's not healed yet.
Ah, what difference does it make?
My passing career's finished anyway.
Darling, it is not the end of the world.
Right.
Who called?
Wrong number.
It was another one of those anonymous phone calls,
-wasn't it? -No, Zak.
Kreuger's behind this. I know it!
We don't know that. Not for sure.
[Zak] Well, I know it, and I'm gonna put an end to it.
Zak, please.
Don't do anything foolish.
[phone rings]
Room 317, please. Fletcher.
Oh, Mrs. Fletcher.
Oh, Mr. Pattillo. Or should I say coach Patillo?
-May I talk to you? -Of course.
Uh, uh, are we hiding from someone?
Uh, look, ma'am. I want to buy your stock.
I talked to the bank today,
and they're gonna give me a second mortgage.
It's gonna be a stretch, but I can give you 60,000.
How interesting.
Twice as much as I was just offered.
Tell me, Mr. Pattillo,
why is everyone so anxious to buy me out?
Well, that's no big secret.
Kreuger owns 48%,
and a rival group of investors owns 48%.
Your uncle Cyrus owns the other four percent.
Apparently he wouldn't sell. [coach] Right.
Except that Lockwood had the old man's voting proxies...
and threw the balance of power to Kreuger.
That's quite a battle. [coach] No.
It's war, Mrs. Fletcher.
[coach] You see, Kreuger wants to move the franchise
to a bigger city.
And you're for keeping the team right here.
I love this town. It's my home.
I want the Leopards here.
[light music playing]
[Phil] All right, look.
This club actually lost money last year,
but if I've got majority ownership,
I'm willing to put some big bucks into this table.
This club could go places.
Like a bigger city?
Forty thousand.
I've already been offered more than that.
All right, lady. From here on I take the gloves off.
Hundred and fifty thousand, and that's my final offer.
Mr. Kreuger, my uncle Cyrus entrusted those shares to me
rather than sell them to you.
I intend to find out the reason.
The reason?
Lady, the last few years,
your uncle's elevator didn't go all the way to the top.
Besides which, he didn't like me.
Well, I'm sorry, but I haven't made any decision yet.
I hope you understand.
I hope you understand something, Mrs. Fletcher.
Football's a very dangerous game,
and sometimes people get hurt.
[unsettling music playing]
Shall we join the party?
[soft jazz music playing] [indistinct chattering]
oh, Web. This is Jessica Fletcher.
This is Web McCord, my associate.
He's the one that collects Leopards.
Oh, not the wild variety, I hope.
[Web] No, but, uh, some of these animals belong in cages.
[Web] Mrs. Fletcher, I'm very glad you could come.
[Jessica] Thank you so much.
-Hello, Mr. Mason. -Oh, hi, Mrs. Fletcher.
Thought I'd better get some pictures
before everybody's face gets blurred.
-Oh, excuse me. There's... -Mm-hmm.
You're leaving?
Yes, I'm gonna go home and make some phone calls.
Talmadge won't stay very long.
All this drinking makes him nervous.
-He's the commissioner. -Oh.
Do me a favor, will ya? Slip him a Mickey Finn.
He'll be back. He only lives a block away.
I think it's time to get you a drink.
You know, I've never been to a team party before.
Well, the important thing is, uh, not to let
any of these guys fall on ya.
Baxter.
[lively music playing] [cheering]
[yelps]
[cheering, yelling]
Kreuger.
Where's Kreuger?
Oh, he went to his place.
He'll be back. Have a drink, Zak.
Excuse me.
Kreuger. Yeah, I want to talk to you now.
You know what it's about.
I'm gonna settle this thing tonight.
Hey, that's fine with me. I'll be there at 9:00.
Take it easy, Zak. This is supposed to be a party.
[Harris] I'm Harris Talmadge, commissioner of football.
How nice to meet you.
I understand you now have an ownership position.
I'm afraid if you want to buy my shares,
you'll have to get in line.
My responsibilities don't permit ownership.
But I'd just like you to know
I don't intend to let Kreuger move this franchise.
Well, I was under the impression
-that his mind was made up. -And so is mine.
I'll fight him all the way to the supreme court,
if necessary.
Well, if you'll excuse me, I want--
Mrs. Fletcher, we really should have a little talk sometime.
Uh, excuse me, Mr. Baxter.
Did you happen to see Zak Farrell?
[Baxter] Well, he left, ma'am. A few moments ago.
Oh.
[suspenseful music playing]
[disco music playing]
Mason. Mason. Can I cut in, please?
-Having a good time? -Oh, I'm just having
a wonderful time. It's a great party.
-Ohhh! -Here we are.
[gasps]
Great party, McCord. Hey, uh, where's Kreuger?
[Tank] He's missing a great party.
I'm gonna go over and get him.
Well, you wait. I'll go with you.
Mrs. Fletcher, will you please excuse me?
Oh, yes. Yes. Of course.
Oh, where are you going, Mr. Dillon?
Oh, I, uh, got work to do in the morning.
Oh, it's a wonderful party.
Yeah.
[water running]
[sinister music playing]
[Clyde] Uh, yeah, Barney.
Somebody got Phil Kreuger for keeps.
Drowned. I'd say sometime last evening.
[Clyde] No, I haven't got any suspects yet.
Barney, I know this is gonna change the line on the Leopards.
Whatever it is, give me 500 against.
Where's that security guard?
What time did Kreuger come in here last night?
[security] I never saw him come in.
He's got his own private entrance in the back,
his own key. I'm out in front.
Well, did ya hear anything? A fight?
I heard Zak Farrell yelling.
Zak?
Was he here?
I really hate to have to tell you this, lieutenant,
but Zak came in last night smokin'.
[security] I mean, he really had a head of steam up.
He was callin' for Kreuger.
[Clyde] What time was that? 9:00.
I made a note in the register.
A few minutes later, he blew back out past me again.
And he looked like 10 miles of bad road.
[Clyde] But you never saw Kreuger?
[security] No, I never come back here.
[security] I'm not supposed to leave the desk.
All right. Stick around.
-Sure. -Uh, lieutenant.
Hey, lady, you can't be in here.
Oh, that's all right. I'm Jessica Fletcher.
I'm one of the owners.
Oh. Lieutenant Clyde Pace.
Pleased to meet you, ma'am. Uh, what can I do for ya?
Well, I was wondering if you noticed
there's something in the bottom of the tank.
-Hmm. Hold this. -Ah.
Damn.
Well... lookee here. A watch.
Smashed crystal, reads 9:04.
[Clyde] Wait a minute. Engraved on the back,
"All-American, 1973."
Zak Farrell.
[Jessica] That nice man with the adorable child?
Oh, that's not possible.
Well, everybody loves him, but facts are facts, ma'am.
Please.
Pick him up. Suspicion murder one.
[Clyde] Zak, why don't you just admit it. If you two
had a fight, we might be able to negotiate it down
to second degree murder.
Clyde, I didn't kill Kreuger.
I figure it'll be okay for Mrs. Fletcher
to talk to you since she's one of the owners.
She seems to think you didn't do it.
Thank you, Mrs. Fletcher.
Zak, what happened after you left the party?
I went over to Kreuger's house.
There was nobody home.
He leaves me a typed note on the door,
says to meet him at the stadium.
A typed note.
Yeah, we found it on the steps.
[Zak] I figured it was another stall.
But I was determined to have it out with him.
So I went over to the stadium. [Clyde] About 9:00?
Right. He wasn't there.
I called for him.
He didn't answer.
I left. Went home and got drunk.
So how did your watch wind up in the whirlpool?
I don't know.
Last time I saw it was in my locker.
Zak, what exactly were you going to "have out" with Kreuger?
Well, everybody knows that one.
Zak bummed up his shoulder, can't play anymore.
But he's got a four-year no-cut contract.
Kreuger's trying to negotiate him out.
Is that right, Zak?
No.
[melancholic music playing]
It's something personal.
[Zak] But it's lucky Kreuger wasn't there,
or I might've killed him.
[light music playing]
[Mavis] Is it true?
[Lockwood on phone] Murdered by Zak Farrell.
Where does that leave me?
Possibly a very wealthy woman.
Phil died intestate.
How awful. I never knew that about Phil.
Mavis. That means he didn't leave a will.
-Oh. -Now listen to me carefully.
You've only been in residence 20 days in Las Vegas.
That means the divorce isn't final yet.
-What should I do? -Catch the first plane.
Start making like a grieving widow.
You mean I get Phil's share of the club?
I'll have the papers ready for you to sign.
[sensual music playing]
How would you like to be a football star, honey?
[phone rings]
-Kathy. -Mrs. Fletcher.
Zak told me he went to see you.
That you think he's innocent.
-And what do you think? -Well, I, I know Zak.
He has a temper, but he couldn't kill anybody. He's too gentle.
Well, they've got an awfully strong case against him.
Mrs. Fletcher, I've read about you. I know you can help people.
Well, a couple of times I've been able to sort of
sort things out, you know, help the police.
But I'm not sure what I could do for Zak.
This whole football thing is a riddle to me.
Please help him.
It would destroy Jill if Zak went to prison...
for something he didn't do.
Yes, I'm sure it would be very, very difficult for... for Jill.
Hut! [all grunting]
[whistle blows] [grunting]
I've seen better hitting
at a camp fire girls pillow fight!
Come on! I know we've got a lot on our minds.
There's an important game on Sunday.
Now come on! I want to see some hitting!
On three.
Set.
Hut, hut, hut.
[silly music playing] Hi, Mrs. Fletcher.
[grunting]
[whistle blowing] [grunting]
[lively music playing]
Gee, what...
[whistle blowing] Stop!
-All right. Knock it off! -Please. Oh.
I feel as if I've been responsible for all this.
Uh, Mrs. Fletcher,
I think you just put my defensive captain
on the injured reserve.
Does that mean he's not dead?
Not quite. Uh, are you here to see me?
Have you decided to sell me your stock?
No, I'm still thinking it over,
but I did want to ask you a question.
Now, someone said that Zak Farrell had a no-cut contract.
Now what exactly does "no-cut" mean?
Well, it means that even though Zak can't play
he still gets paid.
All he has to do is stay with the team and just show up.
Ah. Then he's in breach of contract.
Yes. You see, if he's doing 20-to-life for murder,
the club can get out from under his deal.
I thought it might be something like that.
All right, you dumb clods! Get over here!
What the hell is wrong with you? [muttering]
Oh, Mr. Dillon.
Didn't I see you at uncle Cyrus's funeral?
Oh, yeah. Cyrus and me went back a long way together.
Hey, but you're not supposed to be in here, lady.
Oh, that's all right, Mr. Dillon.
I'm one of the owners now.
Okay. Well, then, suit yourself.
[sighs]
Cyrus and me first worked for the Leopards
way back when they first got a franchise.
-Ah. -He was equipment manager.
I was a player.
When I was a little girl, I remember uncle Cyrus
throwing the ball back and forth with me.
Things were pretty lean then.
Sometimes they didn't make enough to pay us.
They gave us stock instead.
-Oh, you, you own stock? -Not anymore I don't.
Kreuger bought me out 10 years ago for $500.
Cyrus, Cyrus was too ornery to sell.
Tell me, Mr. Dillon.
Do you have the combinations for all these lockers?
Sure. Why?
Well, Zak Farrell said that his wristwatch
was taken from his locker.
In 20 years, nobody has ever accused me of theft.
Any fool could open one of these things
with a coat hanger.
[Jessica] Mr. Mason.
I'm so glad you're feeling better.
Uh, they don't call me Tank for nothin'.
You're sure you're feeling all right?
You've got a strange expression on your face.
Well, it's just that, well, uh,
I, I didn't expect to see you here...
in the shower room... now.
Oh. Uh, yes. Uhm... Oh, would you look at the time?
Uhm, I'll have to be running along.
Do you know why you ever bet against me?
Well, five says you miss.
You know I can't wager, Web.
-Pull. -Lieutenant Pace.
Pardon me, Lieutenant. I'm sorry to interrupt you.
Still trying to clear Zak Farrell, ma'am?
Well, if I can.
Lieutenant, about that medical report.
Did they fix the time of death?
Well, doc puts it right around 9:00.
Says it was small bruise on the forehead.
Might have been a struggle, but cause of death
was definitely drowning.
Hmm. Now that's what I was afraid of.
Thanks to McCord here, Zak made bail this afternoon.
Oh, that was very kind of you, Mr. McCord.
He's a good man. Innocent until proven otherwise.
[Harris] Mrs. Farrell, may I ask
why you're so interested in Zak Farrell?
Look on it as concerned management.
Mrs. Fletcher is something of an amateur detective.
No, I'm just trying to help out a friend.
Is there any doubt that it was Zak who killed him?
Well, he's certainly not the only one with a motive.
If Clyde arrested everybody who's glad Kreuger is dead,
he'd have to build a bigger jail.
But supposing somebody else had gotten in and killed Kreuger.
[Jessica] I mean, no one actually saw Zak Farrell do it.
No, no, no. I checked with the locksmith.
He only made one key to the back entrance.
And we found it in Kreuger's pocket.
Maybe there is another way in?
[Harris] Mrs. Fletcher, we all like Zak a lot.
But with his temper, we'll have to accept the fact
that he murdered Phil Kreuger.
Well, you may accept it, but I don't.
Baxter, would you be kind enough to take me back?
-Yes, Mrs. Fletcher. -Thank you.
Web, I, uh, think I deserve another shot.
Hey, come to think of it, you, uh...
left the party kind of early yourself, commissioner.
[unsettling music playing]
Pull.
[suspenseful music playing]
[banging in distance]
Hello.
Is someone there?
[sinister music playing]
[Jessica] Open the door! [banging on door]
[Jessica] Is anybody there?
[hissing] [suspenseful music playing]
Hello. Open the door.
Is anybody here?
Let me out. Is anybody there?
Oh, thank you. The door stuck. I...
Oh, I couldn't breathe.
That door wasn't stuck, Mrs. Fletcher.
Somebody was tryin' to cook your goose.
[Dillon] Mrs. Fletcher, be careful.
People get hurt in football. And not always on the field.
I think someone was just trying to scare me off.
Looks like you don't scare easily.
Oh, I scare, all right.
But at least it proves that I'm on the right track.
[Jessica] Mr. Dillon, excuse me for asking,
but I noticed your leg gives you trouble.
Is that an old football injury?
Well, that's how it started.
Years ago, Kreuger was coach of the team,
and he put me back in before it was healed.
I'm lucky I can walk.
Then you didn't like Mr. Kreuger very much, did you?
I hated his guts, but I didn't kill him.
Zak Farrell's injury has jeopardized his career too.
It's depressing.
Yeah.
Of course, that makes your stock worth more.
Well, how can that be?
-I understood he's very good. -He was.
But he's also the highest paid man on the team.
Right now he's dead weight. It's a matter of pure economics.
[car hooter honks]
[whistle blows]
What, are you training up for the team, Mrs. Fletcher?
Oh, I'm just getting my daily exercise.
You know, I've been watching you.
And, uh, you've got pretty good wind for an old broad.
Ah, I'm sorry. I meant you're very well preserved.
Ah! Ooh, uh...
No, no. What I mean is,
-is that you-- -I know what you mean, Tank,
and thanks for the compliment.
Too bad about Zak.
Yeah, I can hardly believe it.
I understand you two are friends.
Ah, on the road. You know, we room together.
He's really been down lately.
Discouraged about his career?
He won't talk about it.
But I think there's something going on at home...
about the kid.
Yeah. Well, I think I've done enough
self-preserving for one day.
-Yeah. Bye-bye. -Goodbye.
[inaudible speech]
I... love... Horses...
too.
You're going to play now?
I'm learning.
Oh, what a lovely child.
She's very lucky to have you two as parents.
Maybe now that Kreuger's dead, this nightmare will stop.
Kathy.
I'm sorry, but that's how I feel.
Look, I know this is none of my business, but...
Was there more going on with Mr. Kreuger
than just the football contract?
I guess you have the right to know, Jessica.
Jill is adopted.
We wanted a child so badly
that when the chance came along we jumped at it.
It was a private adoption, arranged by an attorney.
We had to pay the natural mother a lot of money.
It was a shortcut. But we didn't care.
[Zak] It also may not have been exactly legal.
Anyway, Kathy's been getting these anonymous phone calls.
Threatening to take Jill away from you.
Now I can't prove it, but I'm convinced
Kreuger found out about Jill
and was gonna use it to force me off the team.
That's why I went to see him.
You mentioned that an attorney arranged the adoption.
Was that, by any chance, Brad Lockwood?
Yes. How did you know that?
[hooters honking]
[Jessica] Oh, Amos, thanks so much for checking.
[Jessica] I was so afraid I'd left the back door unlocked.
[water running]
Is that right?
Well, I don't care what Jonathan's paper says.
Uh-uh. Zak Farrell did not kill Mr. Kreuger.
Well, I could be home Saturday, maybe Sunday. It depends.
Ooh, the tub. Amos, I've got to run.
No, I'll see you when I get home.
Oh! I wondered what had happened to that earring.
[groans]
[knocking on door] I'm coming.
[knocking on door]
I hope I haven't come at an inconvenient time.
-Uh, well, as a matter-- -I tried to call,
-but the line was busy. -Oh, yeah. I was calling home.
Uh, please come inside.
Yeah. Forgive me for dropping by unannounced, but I'm flying
to New York tomorrow and I, I wanted to talk.
You see, as commissioner, it's part of my job
-to get to know the owners. -Oh yeah. Keep out the riffraff?
Well, professional sports
sometimes attracts the wrong element.
[Jessica] Oh, so I've noticed.
Mrs. Fletcher... [clears throat]
I've heard that you might be willing to sell your stock.
I must have a sign on my back.
[Harris] There's an investor who's very interested
in the club and who'd keep the franchise here.
Would his name be Web McCord?
I'm not so sure he'd want me to say.
Well, let's say you didn't say.
I suppose anything would be an improvement over Phil Kreuger.
Kreuger was a bore and a liar.
[Harris] He seemed to take a perverse pleasure
in publicly humiliating me.
Well, you won't have that problem anymore.
Well, I didn't kill him, if that's what you mean.
Remember, I was at McCord's party.
It's 45 minutes from McCord's house
to the stadium and back.
And no one at that party could have killed Kreuger
except Farrell,
Because he left early.
But as I remember, didn't you also leave early, Commissioner?
Well, if you'll excuse me,
I'd like to take my bath. Will you, um...
Ah, of course.
You know, it's strange.
I mean, first one woman owner, then two in less than a week.
-Two? -Mrs. Kreuger.
I assume she'll inherit.
I didn't know there was a Mrs. Kreuger.
-Thanks for stopping by. -Sure.
[Jessica] Hello.
[bright music playing]
Anyone here?
Hello?
Uh, the doorbell doesn't seem to be working.
It's wet.
Of course.
Hold it right there, honey.
Don't move an eyelash.
You must be Mrs. Kreuger.
We haven't met.
I'm Jessica Fletcher.
I told you not to move.
-How did you get in here? -The door was ajar.
I called, uh, but you didn't answer.
You weren't, by any chance, taking a bath, were you?
Bath?
I just got in from Las Vegas two minutes ago.
[Mavis] Look, I don't know who you are, honey,
but I don't like finding you in my bathroom.
I'm gonna call the police.
Good idea. I was gonna call them myself.
Ask for Lieutenant Pace.
Yeah. It's wet all right.
You need a plumber, not a police officer.
Would somebody tell me what is going on here?
Lieutenant, this is only a theory, but...
what if Phil Kreuger wasn't drowned in the training room?
What if he was drowned right here in his own tub?
Phil drowned in this room?
Yeah, but they found his body in the whirlpool.
The party was only half a block from here.
Anybody could have slipped out, come over here,
hit Kreuger over the head and held him under the water.
I was in Las Vegas. I can prove it.
[Jessica] Whoever it was
wouldn't be missed for a few minutes.
They could've come back here after the party
and moved the body.
-I'm getting out of here. -Where you going?
Phil was murdered in this room.
It gives me the creeps. I'm checking into a motel.
[Clyde sighs]
Interesting theory, Mrs. Fletcher.
It opens up the field.
So, who did it?
Well, that part may be very difficult to prove.
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Can the tragedy-struck Leopards
overcome the odds and break their four-game losing streak?
Smart money says no.
Stay tuned for the pregame show
right after these commercial messages.
All right, you guys. [melancholic music playing]
Listen up.
I'm gonna make this short.
You all know what happened this week,
but that doesn't mean a damn thing
once we get on that field.
[coughs]
Everybody's figurin' us for a bunch of losers.
Maybe we are. [coughs]
You guys are gonna have to decide that for yourselves.
That's all I got to say.
[dramatic music playing]
[mumbled speech]
Barney.
Clyde pace.
What's my limit?
I'd give my left arm to be out there with the guys.
Oh, I think coach Patillo was using reverse psychology.
I just hope it isn't a laugher.
-Oh, good luck. -Don't you worry, Mrs. Fletcher.
We're gonna win this one for you.
[intriguing music playing]
[announcer] The leopards needed a first down
almost as much as they needed Zak Farrell.
They're having one of those days when nothing seems to go right.
Now that they've got the ball,
let's see what they can do with it.
So far they've fumbled it twice,
lost it to interception and missed a field goal.
[phone rings]
[announcer] It's airborne!
And the pass is complete.
-Telephone for you, Mr. McCord. -I'm watching the game here.
They said it was an emergency. [announcer] Hacklemer
is on his way. He goes out of bounds
on the 20-yard line.
This better be good.
McCord. [woman] Mr. McCord,
this is Sylvia down at the cleaners.
-Who? -The cleaners.
The boss won't let me go home until I tell you.
-Tell me what? -That jacket you brought in
-has one brass button missing. -What?
The boss was very insistent that I tell you it was missing
when you brought it in.
So's you won't think that we lost it.
I understand. Thank you for the call.
You're welcome.
[announcer] And it's sack time.
We'll never know what Rhodes intended to do with the ball.
It looked like he couldn't make up his mind
and simply held onto it.
[nasally voice] Looking for this?
The lady from the cleaners.
I had a chat with your butler.
With a little encouragement,
he told me he'd taken your blazer to the cleaners.
And the cleaners told you a button was missing?
Actually, no.
This one belongs to me.
You never lost one at all.
That part I made up.
To see if I'd take the bait?
Only one place you'd come looking for it.
Where you murdered Mr. Kreuger.
I am very impressed, Mrs. Fletcher.
[Jessica] Oh, don't be.
This really wasn't an original idea.
When I was in Los Angeles,
a button actually did trip up a killer.
I thought it might work again.
Well, it seems I've underestimated your tenacity.
It takes more than locking me in a steam room to scare me off.
I'll remember that in the future.
Still want to buy my shares?
So I wanted a football team.
Every man should have a hobby.
I had managed quietly to buy up the other 48%,
but Kreuger wouldn't sell.
Fundamental. Eliminate the competition.
That was very clever getting rid of Zak Farrell's contract
in the same stroke.
Well, Lockwood told me about the pressure
Kreuger was putting on Zak about the kid.
So I knew he'd start a fight at the party.
I already had the watch.
I was going to do it after the party.
But the game plan changed when Kreuger went home.
You have to take advantage of the turnovers.
Left me with a tighter alibi.
Kreuger was already dead when you typed that note
and left it on the door for Zak.
I had to type it twice. The first one got wet.
I'm curious about one thing.
How did you figure it out?
Partly luck, partly deduction.
I realized you couldn't drown a man like Kreuger
without getting wet...
even if he were unconscious.
Suddenly it came to me.
You changed your blazer.
I didn't think it would be that noticeable.
Blame it on Tank Mason's camera.
]He tacked these up on the bulletin board.
[Jessica] You were wearing a single-breasted blazer
when I arrived...
And a double-breasted blazer later on in the party.
Conclusion: you got the first one wet.
I suppose you waited until after the party to move the body.
The key to his private entrance was in his pocket.
We made quite a mess here.
Had a devil of a time cleaning it up.
-Yes. The carpet is wet. -No plan is perfect.
One has to keep improvising.
Are you planning to drown me too?
No. I think they'll find you in the ashes
when this house burns down.
Well, time does fly, and I want to get back
-to the game. -Hold it right there, McCord.
I have nothing to say till I've seen my attorney.
Seems like you already said it all.
]Book him. Murder one.
[handcuffs clicking]
I think the price of my stock just hit bottom.
Mrs. Fletcher, did you have to stand there and keep talkin'?
We've missed most of the second half.
Now there's no time to get back there now.
[announcer] You'll never see another ending like that, fans.
With the Leopards down 21-7,
a minute and 30 seconds left on the clock,
the Leopards score on a 72-yard bomb.
-On the kickoff Tank Mason -They won!
knocks the ball loose...
-That's wonderful. -Yeah.
[announcer] Then the leopards recover their own onside kickoff
-and score a field goal... -Yeah, it's just wonderful.
[bright music playing]
Take it easy.
-She drives just like you. -Naturally.
If she's gonna be the first female quarterback,
she's gonna have to be fast.
Well, that was a very exciting ride.
Zak, I understand you're gonna try your hand at management.
Well, I've decided to throw in with Patillo and some others
and buy Mavis's stock.
It isn't gonna be like playing, but I'm still in the game.
Uh, we're gonna be sort of partners, Jessica.
I'm afraid not, Zak.
I really have to concentrate on my writing in Cabot Cove.
And, you know, I don't think I'll ever understand
the finer points of football.
You're not selling your stock. [Jessica] Oh, no, no, no, no.
No. I've arranged to put my stock in trust...
for Jill.
-Oh. -I, I don't know what to say.
How can we thank you?
Well, there's no time for that,
and I have to catch my plane.
Now you and your father are going to be partners,
so will you write to me and tell me how he's doing?