[Jessica] Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.
He refused to die.
And that wimp of a director let him get away with it.
Nita Cochran was trying to kill her.
-I don't believe that. -Believe it.
I don't have the time for this right now.
I have an entire show to put together.
Well I'll be sure to tell Nita of your concerns.
I escaped in a laundry truck while the guard looked away.
Felix deserved to die.
Larry and I were warming the sheets four stories below in an apartment.
It's obvious why I didn't want to tell the police.
[cheerful orchestral music]
-Felix. -Mmm.
Another 15 minutes, hmm?
Uh-uh.
-Now. -Now.
How about if I just finish this page?
[chuckles]
[door creaks]
Who the devil are you?
No, oh, no, wait, wait, please, no, please,
what did I ever do to you?
Please! No!
[gunshot]
[groans]
Cut!
Will you stop the tape.
Give me some lights.
Martin, damn it.
You were shot in the stomach,
not the shoulder.
Now, you deliberately ruined the take.
-Why? -Hey, I told you.
I'm not playing the scene the way it's written, Gordon.
She's not killing off my character
like she did the others.
I happen to have a contract, remember?
All contracts come to an end
just as they did with the avenger's other victims.
Oh, right, the Pittsfield avenger,
lifted mercilessly
from one of your Hollywood potboilers.
To the network's delight.
You cannot kill off an entire cast, Joyce.
As the new producer and head writer,
I can do anything I want creatively.
Creatively,
so you're going to create a whole new show, is that it?
With a character that nobody, including yourself,
knows anything about?
Which gives me an option
to get rid of yet another burned-out actor when I decide.
Martin, may I say something?
Joyce, in daytime drama, changes like yours
should be woven in over several months.
Julian, please.
Julian, forget it.
You cannot dent the iron maiden with logic.
Joyce, I am calling my agent.
Joyce, could I talk to you for a minute?
Later, Nita.
I've got to rewrite the hospital room scene.
What's the matter?
Martin Grattop ruined the dress rehearsal taping.
He refused to die, and that wimp of a director,
Gordon LaMonica, let him get away with it.
Well, can't you edit the tape to make it look like he died?
Only if we want to be lazy about it.
So I've got another rewrite.
You'll have to adjust the hospital room stuff,
but I want you to keep the new running character,
the orderly.
That's a terrific introductory scene for him.
Thanks, I liked it myself.
But it doesn't work if Felix isn't dead.
Make it work. It shoots first thing tomorrow.
By the way, did I leave my keys here this morning?
I haven't seen 'em.
-Joyce-- -Don't start again, Todd.
I'm up to my ears.
Look, Joyce, I am not kidding.
I want off this show.
Now, my agent is getting offers I can't turn down.
Because of this show, and don't you forget it.
Todd, say the words, take the money, and count your blessings.
Look, I got a shot at a lead in a--
Joyce!
If it were up to me, Todd, I'd let you out.
Well, thanks, Carol.
I wish it were up to you. Be great for both of us.
Well, she has taken the show from nowhere to number two in the time slot.
Yeah, by killing off half the town of Pittsfield to do it.
I just wish I were on her death list or she was.
My character hasn't been on the show that long.
And what you've started between her and Todd's character--
Nita, I haven't decided
who the avenger is going to be when I unmask him.
Or her.
Having me play your maniac killer isn't the most reassuring feeling,
especially with my contract option coming due next month.
Here they are.
How in the world did they get here?
Joyce, please.
I want to continue with the show.
I need the work.
If you're looking for job security, you're in the wrong business.
Now, I'm sorry, Nita, I've got work to do.
Making my sweet little Nita the Pittsfield avenger
would be utter folly.
Well, from what you say, Agnes, I'd say folly
and a great big slice of dramatic license.
Yes, well, that dreadful woman
has motives of her own, mark me.
A piece of a successful television soap means big bucks.
Next to killing off Dr. Goodman - oh, heaven forbid -
her most ridiculous idea is to kill Felix.
-Felix? -Oh, Jessica, you know.
He's the one whose mother tried to poison him
so she could run away to India with the Maharaja.
You know, I really must start watching more.
Yes, oh.
Nita's so sweet and gentle.
Making her the multiple killer is--
I swear I'm gonna kill that woman!
Oh, Nita, don't tell me.
Talk about an entrance line, huh?
-Hi, grandma. -Hi.
-Hi, aunt Jess. -Hi, darling.
Sorry I couldn't meet your plane this morning.
Well, don't be.
Because I escaped from those publicity people
just an hour ago,
and this is the first free time I've had.
Child, she didn't make you the avenger?
Not yet, but it's right in the front of her small,
narrow mind.
Sure, I'm worried.
If my character does turn out to be the avenger,
then eventually I'll be written out of the show.
No more fat weekly paychecks.
Well, if it does come to that, you know I'd be happy to help.
I know, and thanks.
But this is my responsibility.
She's been mother and father to me for half my life.
Oh, Lord.
"A woman is nae a woman till time does line her face.
For 'tis time that gives her beauty, and charm and quiet grace."
Robert Burns. Herbert Upton.
Which means that your deathless lines were churned out by our very own
Hollywood hack-smith Joyce Holleran.
Did you see she cut my big seduction scene with Todd?
If that's not an omen, I don't know what is.
Bibi, Herbert, I want you to meet my aunt,
Jessica Fletcher.
Your aunt, how lovely. I'm so pleased to meet you.
-Thank you. -Jessica Fletcher, the writer?
-Mm-hmm. -Well, this is a surprise.
Well, it's my pleasure to meet you.
You know, the art of acting has always intrigued me.
Well, aren't you nice.
Oh, Larry, this is my aunt Jessica.
-Larry Holleran. -Holleran?
Joyce's husband.
Oh, I'm very pleased to meet you.
Mrs. Fletcher.
Um, Herb says that you write, Mrs. Fletcher.
And I've read every book you've had published.
Well, I'm very flattered to hear that.
Actually, I read all kinds of detective material.
It helps me get into my character as Inspector Holcomb.
-Oh. -Lends a touch of reality.
Talk about getting into his character.
When I shot a burglar in our apartment last year,
Herb wanted to handle the case for the robbery detail.
Well, I'm sure he could have.
Bibi, can I see you for a moment, please?
Sure.
-Mrs. Fletcher, a pleasure. -Thank you.
Excuse me, ladies.
We won't be using this gun anymore today, Herb.
Oh.
I better lock it up in the prop box.
Excuse us, Herbert.
I want to show my aunt some of the sets.
Yes. It was lovely meeting you.
Well, thank you.
There is no explaining some people's hormonal drives.
Come on, I don't want to be around if the dragon lady suddenly shows.
I assume you were saving yourself in the love scene run-through.
I do everything I can to save myself in all your scenes, Joyce.
Now, why don't you just let Carol write them her way?
And let her give my character something to do outside of the bedroom.
Oh, come on now, you two.
Don't let a long day and frazzled nerves
make you say things that you don't really mean.
-Julian, if you don't mind. -Anger
let stand only festers.
Now, come on. Kiss and make up.
Ohh.
Oh, Todd boy, let it pass.
Some of us will just have to work a little harder
to keep peace in the house.
Nita, the reason that I came is,
my publisher collected a windfall of foreign royalty checks.
I mean, money that I never expected.
I really want you to use it to help pay for Agnes's care.
No, aunt Jess.
It's good of you, but I don't want it. I want to do this myself.
Well, here's a charming couple.
Julian! This is my aunt Jessica.
This dear soul is Julian Tenley. He plays Dr. Goodman.
Oh, I'm delighted, Mr. Tenley.
No, no. You must call me Julian.
You see, Nita is my niece, and if you are her aunt,
then somehow or other, we are related.
[laughing]
Very well then, Julian.
And this young, wonderful lady is very special to me.
Oh, we'd all be lost without him.
I'd be lost without my family.
And I'm afraid that, uh...
Yes, I'll be no good in surgery tomorrow morning
unless I run on home and get some rest.
Jessica, I'd like to get to know you.
Well, I look forward to it.
Good night, children.
-Good night. -Good night.
Isn't he wonderful?
He's been the heart of the show for 30 years.
He'll never be cut from the cast.
-Lucky man. -The show is his life.
Talk about getting into character.
He can't tell where Julian Tenley ends and Dr. Eliot Goodman begins.
The only concession to his age has been the teleprompters.
And you'd never know he was reading his lines.
[typewriter clicks]
Hey, there. Tycoon!
Time to take a break.
Pour yourself another drink, Larry.
How about if I pour one for you?
I'm working.
Oh, come on.
I've been rattling around this barn by myself
since 4:30 this afternoon.
Poor darling is bored?
Why don't you give Bibi a call?
I'm sure she could break the monotony for you.
You're gonna start that again?
Look, look, you're my big lady.
I love you.
Come on, Larry.
We know what we both love.
Now leave me alone!
I want to finish this cast obituary for tomorrow.
[scoffs]
All right.
I guess I'll have to go to the Friar's club.
Do that.
All right.
-And, Larry. -Mm-hmm?
I may call you later, so be there.
'cause if you're not, I may be forced to cut your...
allowance off.
[typewriter keys clacking]
[door creaking]
Nita?
What are you doing in that ridiculous outfit?
How did you get in here?
My God, no.
[click]
No, Nita. Please!
[gunshot]
If you'll take those down to the lobby, I'll meet you at the desk.
Thank you.
Excuse me. Uh, are you Jessica Fletcher?
-Yes. -Name is Kaplan.
Sergeant, homicide division, 21 st precinct.
-Homicide? -Yes, ma'am.
Lookin' for your niece, Nita Cochran.
Oh, I was just on the phone trying to reach her.
Is something wrong?
If you don't mind, I'd like to check inside
and make sure she isn't hiding out in here.
Hiding out? Why would she be hiding out?
Sergeant, would you mind telling me what-what this is all about?
[sighs]
Got a warrant here for the arrest of one Nita Cochran
on suspicion of murder of a certain Joyce Holleran.
So far, attempts to locate said suspect--
-Murder? -Yeah.
At about 9:30 last night, you said you left your apartment
to go to the Friar's club. Why didn't you go?
Lieutenant, please, what difference does it make?
It might establish your whereabouts at the time of your wife's murder.
You know who killed her.
And you admitted you had words with her.
It was a spat. It was nothing more than that.
It was nothing.
Look, my not going to the club--
I wanted to give her something to think about
if she happened to call me there.
So you did some bar hopping.
-Where? -I don't remember.
I didn't even know I checked into a hotel until I woke up this morning.
Look, give me a break, will you?
I am hung-over and I'm sick.
And an hour ago, I went home to have an officer
at my apartment tell me my wife is dead.
Okay, okay, okay,
but be where I can reach you if I need, Mr. Holleran.
Of course, Lieutenant. Thank you.
Mary, Mary, that wouldn't be my autopsy report, would it?
Thank you.
Uh, Lieutenant Antonelli?
This is Jessica Fletcher. She's Nita Cochran's aunt.
Right this way.
Wait till you hear this, Lieutenant.
-She writes books. -Have a seat.
Detective mystery books.
Okay, Kaplan.
Lieutenant, a very serious mistake is being made here.
The mistake was the murder of Joyce Holleran.
And I assure you that it was not done by my niece.
Mrs. Fletcher, let me be frank.
Your kind of writing is not my kind of reading.
Well, Lieutenant, let me be even franker.
Anyone who is capable of imagining
that my niece can commit murder is being grossly overpaid
for taking up valuable space in this office.
[sighs]
This person was seen leaving by a couple entering the Holleran apartment building
last night about 9:45.
That person could be any member of the company
of Our Secret Lives. Several of whom may have felt
that they had very valid motives for murder.
According to Gordon LaMonica, the show's director,
your niece wore that wardrobe in several episodes.
Making it a rather stupid disguise, wouldn't you think?
Also, according to Mr. LaMonica,
her character was about to be written out of the show,
as were several others, I know.
I met with each of them this morning
and was given an account of their whereabouts
at the time of her murder.
Which gives added emphasis to the fact that, along with this new series bible
Joyce Holleran was writing at the time of her murder,
your niece has disappeared without a trace.
The real murderer could have lured her away,
possibly harming her, to cast suspicion on her.
Last night at 9:40, Gordon LaMonica received a telephone call
from a panicking, terrified Joyce Holleran who managed to gasp, in great pain,
that Nita Cochran was trying to kill her.
-I don't believe that. -Believe it. Believe it.
There was a short, gasping cry at which time the phone went dead.
Mr. LaMonica called here immediately,
and in less than ten minutes, my men were at the scene.
They found the telephone cord tangled in the dead woman's body,
torn from the wall, obviously by the fall.
Mrs. Fletcher, do you know where your niece is hiding?
No, I do not.
Mrs. Fletcher, if you hear from her, you will cooperate and tell me.
-You know what? -What?
We're gonna have to stop production on the day of the funeral.
Oh, well, you're not gonna be able to
count on too many of the cast members showing up.
Well, as new producer and new head writer,
we will just represent the entire show, that's all.
Ah, I suppose it's a bit early for me to discuss some ideas I have.
In a day or two, all right?
I gotta warn you,
the network wants me to continue with what Joyce started.
What?
Well, with your touches added, naturally.
[chuckles]
The ever-loving ratings system says she was dead on track.
No pun intended.
Out with the old and on with the new.
With the exception of dear old Julian and Todd, of course.
What are you gonna do about that?
I don't know.
We could put him in the hospital for a while,
get a little mileage on him teetering on the brink,
and we'll have Sybil sleep with the entire hospital staff.
[chuckles]
Martin is gonna go to Hollywood.
He's up for a lead in a new series.
You know what?
We could edit out, uh, where Felix gets hit
and then get a close angle on the avenger's gun firing.
And then have Sybil dally with the homicide squad
while they investigate the killing.
Then it's "bye-bye, Martin."
And "bye-bye, Nita, wherever you are."
Now, obviously, that Gordon LaMonica was lying about Joyce calling him.
Now, the question is, why?
To cover up his own guilt?
Lieutenant Antonelli said a squad car
arrived at Gordon's apartment halfway across town
just about the same time as one arrived at the Hollerans.
Now, the killer was seen at 9:35.
The police got to both places less than ten minutes later.
Well, I don't care. Nita didn't do it.
She didn't do it!
Not even if all the evidence says she did.
[phone ringing]
Hello.
Nita? Where are you? Are you all right?
Stay right there. I'll be right over.
Yes, I'm on my way.
I'm gonna put you on to your grandmother.
Now, don't let her panic.
And you keep calm too, all right?
Nita, how'd you get yourself in this mess?
-Nita! -Aunt Jess!
Nita!
Guess you forgot to call.
Well, frankly, I didn't think of anything
except getting to my niece as quickly as possible.
Figured that might happen,
so we ordered up a few phone taps.
-You'll excuse me. -Look, Lieutenant.
We're both looking for the same thing.
I mean, cooperation is the only way.
I've stopped looking.
What are you doing?
I'm riding with you to headquarters.
-Mrs. Fletcher-- -Look, you may have stopped looking,
-but I haven't. -Mrs. Fletcher--
You will arrange for me to see my niece as quickly as possible, won't you?
Do I have any choice?
I'm sorry, Nita, but disappearing like that
just wasn't very smart.
I know. What am I gonna do?
Well, start by telling me how you got into this mess.
It was the delivery of those pages.
What pages?
Joyce had new script pages messengered for this morning's taping.
The way they read, I knew I was gonna end up
being the avenger.
She knew what the part meant to me.
She knew about Gram.
I went to have it out with her.
I was so furious,
I stood in front of her apartment building trying to get control of myself.
What time was that?
I don't know, a little before 9:30.
Go on.
I guess it was only a couple of minutes,
when I saw somebody come out of the apartment building
wearing my wardrobe, the avenger wardrobe.
He almost knocked two people down.
I don't know why, but I felt an awful premonition.
-And what did you do then? -I started to go inside.
I got as far as the elevator before I chickened out.
So I decided to call Joyce's apartment.
I looked for a phone along the street.
Then I heard the siren.
-You saw the police arrive? -And the ambulance.
I knew then something awful had happened.
I ran. I went back to my apartment.
The police were waiting for me!
I drove away.
I-I-I drove around half the night.
Why didn't you come to my hotel?
I was frightened they'd be watching there too.
[sighs]
I panicked.
Oh, Mrs. Fletcher, we heard about Nita's arrest.
How is she?
As you'd expect, she's very frightened.
Uh, and I understand that Joyce sent her some new script pages last night.
Uh, did she happen to mention what those changes were?
You mean the elimination of one or more characters.
Well, now, that makes us seem awfully--
Yes, Mrs. Fletcher, that's what we mean.
She didn't say. Excuse me.
Did she happen to say if Joyce was working on the series bible?
She had no way of knowing, miss Hartman.
She was nowhere near the apartment.
Oh?
Gordon said that Joyce accused Nita with her dying breath.
-I assumed-- -You assumed incorrectly.
Someone else, wearing her costume, killed Joyce Holleran.
If you're suggesting that I had anything--
I'm not suggesting. I'm stating it as clearly as I know how.
Lucky for me, I was directing that little theater group
in the village last night... when it happened.
And I was driving alone... to the island to visit my sister.
As it happened, she wasn't there when I got there.
But I can't prove it, of course.
Well, that's something you'll have to take up
with Lieutenant Antonelli.
Mrs. Fletcher,
believe what you wish, but I like Nita very much.
We all do.
Believe this as well.
There's not one of us that's sorry Joyce Holleran is dead.
Whoever killed her did us all one great big favor.
Oh, Gordon, can I see you?
-Good morning, Julian. -Good morning.
Uh, I wanted to talk to you about my scene with Nita
where she confesses that she's the avenger.
We're going to be pushing
that whole story line ahead indefinitely Julian.
Carol will have some new pages for you.
Now, Gordon, I seldom ask your indulgence.
Julian, please.
I'm sorry. I can't take the time right now, all right?
All right. Yeah. W-we-we will talk later.
-Right. -Fine.
Oh, hello, Martin.
-Oh, Julian. Well, I'm back. -You're back?
Yeah, that Hollywood series I was supposed to do
fell through before I even got my bags packed.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Yeah, have you seen Gordon around?
I gotta talk to him about something.
He's right around there.
I've got a great idea how to keep Felix alive.
I'm gonna tell him about it.
Well, I wish you well. I really do.
Sad to say, Joyce's influence seems to hang over things like a shroud.
[sighs]
-Oh, Mr. Holleran. -Yes?
Uh, we met at the studio. Uh, my name is Jessica Fletcher.
I'm Nita Cochran's aunt.
-Oh, yes. -Uh, could we talk?
I was hoping you might be able to clear up a little matter
that has me a bit confused.
I'm sorry. I'm on my way to my lawyer's.
It's about you telling the police that you left your apartment building
at 9:30 last night, which I'm afraid you didn't,
not unless you were dressed as the avenger.
May I drop you?
We could talk on the way.
I suppose you can prove that preposterous accusation.
If I have to.
I have uncovered a witness
who was outside the apartment house,
a witness who saw the avenger leave,
and, a few minutes later, the police arrive,
but who never saw you exit the building.
I was with Bibi Hartman until 3:00 this morning.
A friend of mine has an apartment in our building.
He travels a lot. He lets me use it. whenever Bibi and I want to be together.
It's obvious why I didn't want to tell the police.
She'll verify that?
If I ask her to.
Giving you both an alibi.
An alibi?
You think I killed Joyce? Why?
She was my meal ticket.
I never had it so good.
I had no reason.
Not even her ownership of Our Secret Lives?
I understand it's worth several million dollars.
Good point, but the killer took the bible.
If I'd killed her, I'd have left it behind
and protected those several millions in royalties.
Unless it was to divert suspicion.
She must have told you that she discussed ideas
in detail with the network,
with Gordon LaMonica and Carol Needom.
Oh, yes, okay.
So she mentioned she'd had a few conferences.
Look, those so-called millions in profits, those are a long way down the road.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Fletcher, you're a fascinating lady,
but you got the wrong guy.
I'll tell you one thing, though.
I was a damned fool for not telling the police the truth
about Bibi and me.
It's a mistake I plan to rectify before you get the chance.
Cabbie, Manhattan police precinct, please.
Come on, Carol.
You are the one person in this lousy company
I thought I could count on,
and now you're telling me there's nothing you can do?
I'm sorry, Todd, but Gordon's giving the orders now,
and he says you and Julian stay on the show
just like Joyce planned.
Oh, I see.
Yeah, first that broad, and now Gordon, huh?
Well, let me tell you something.
I don't know how,
but I am gonna get off this damn program.
I really thought you were on my side, Carol.
I am so sorry.
Did I interrupt something personal?
I only wish.
I gather from Mr. Worthy's expression his freedom won't be forthcoming.
That's one way of putting it. What a bizarre situation.
Those who want to leave can't,
and those who want to stay are being dropped.
Oh, by the way, my name is--
I think I know who you are, Mrs. Fletcher.
And I can guess why you're here.
You're looking for someone to give to the police
in exchange for your niece.
Well, not just anyone.
Look-- Okay, Joyce is dead, and all of a sudden
I'm head writer with a big office and an even bigger salary.
If that's a motive, I plead guilty, but I didn't kill her.
Success isn't all that great that I'm gonna climb over
somebody else's bones to get there.
Well, I just wanted to ask you one simple question, miss Needom.
Did Mrs. Holleran discuss with you any changes that she intended making?
With me? You must be kidding.
The network then?
Oh, she never consulted with them.
Then it must have been Gordon LaMonica.
What?
Mrs. Fletcher, as far as I'm concerned, the police have Joyce's killer in custody.
Well, as far as I'm concerned, there are several other possibilities.
Yes, I know.
Carol just called me, said you mentioned my name.
Because I believe that Joyce Holleran
discussed with you the changes she had in mind for the program.
That's right. Look, I--
I'd like to discuss those with you in detail.
Mrs. Fletcher, please.
I don't have the time for this right now.
I have an entire show to put together.
Well, I'll be sure to tell Nita of your concern.
[sighs] All right. All right.
Look, uh, it's gonna be a long day, so suppose we meet tonight,
8:00 at, uh, Barney's on 49th street.
It's one of our hangouts. I'll fill you in then.
I'll be there. I'll find it.
You believe this note we got?
"Nita Cochran didn't kill Joyce Holleran.
I did. And it had nothing to do with the show.
Catch me if you can."
Take this and the envelope it came in over to forensic.
See what they can pull.
You think it's anything?
Yeah, I think it's something, right out of a soap opera
or a two-bit detective novel.
Get goin'.
[bluesy piano music]
[claps]
Author, author, author.
Oh, good evening, Bibi.
"Good evening, Bibi." That's nice.
You know where I've been for half the afternoon?
No, I'm afraid I don't.
Chatting, I've been chatting
with that absolutely delightful Lieutenant Antonelli.
I've been trying to persuade him, with some degree of success I might add,
that while Larry's late, unlamented wife was being terminated by your niece,
Larry and I were warming the sheets four stories below in an apartment,
specifically from 9:30 to around 3:00 a.m.
I swore to it.
As a matter of fact, we're playing an encore this evening,
if he ever shows up.
I suppose you're very relieved that your relationship
-no longer has to be kept under wraps. -Mm-hmm.
I don't suppose you happened to see Gordon LaMonica.
Gordy?
Yeah, we just had a couple of drinks together.
-Why? You don't think he and I were-- -Uh, he said he'd meet me here at 8:00.
Oh.
Well, you're out of luck, author.
Got a phone call from the studio a little while ago,
something about more actor trouble.
You and Gordy, huh?
Well, I guess you have a way about you.
Todd?
Where are you?
[Todd over speaker] Don't tell me he's following the network's orders.
[Herbert over speaker] Absolutely. He could do something if he wanted.
[Julian over speakers] I can't believe that Gordon
would turn his back on us.
[Herbert's voice] Julian, he's not the friend
you want him to be. He's looking out for number one.
[Bibi over speaker] Let's just face it. We're doomed to extinction.
[Martin] Exactly the same for us as if nothing happened to Joyce.
[Todd] I say if he doesn't come around, we somehow find a way to get rid of him.
-[Herbert] What do you mean? -[Todd] You heard me. Get rid of him.
It's our only choice. Now, we can do it.
[Bibi] Well, it's a cinch the network will never do anything.
[Todd] I'm not talking about the network. You know what I mean, Bibi. You all do.
Oh, sorry, ma'am, nobody's allowed in
-without proper authorization. -Yes, I understand.
Just tell me, have you seen Mr. LaMonica?
Ma'am, I haven't seen anybody. Everybody's gone home.
The place is empty except for you and I.
[gun cocks]
[gunshot]
[groaning]
Yeah, well, I know I said something
about wanting to get rid of him, but I didn't mean murder.
-Gordon, you know that. -Yeah, right.
All I know is, I got a message from my service
saying that you wouldn't show up for tomorrow's taping
unless I met you at the studio.
I didn't make that call. I told you!
Now, look, Lieutenant, I was at my apartment from before 7:00
until your people got there at 9:15.
Now, I was out of breath when they arrived because,
-you know-- -I know, I know.
Because you were exercising for over half an hour.
And you were home alone, because you felt like being alone.
And you didn't make that call to LaMonica's answering service.
And you didn't try to kill him, even though you did say
you somehow had to get rid of him.
Lieutenant, don't you think if he'd wanted to kill Mr. LaMonica,
he'd have done it?
Mrs. Fletcher, the man had a bullet slug in his shoulder.
In his shoulder.
As I understand it, the attacker was so close
that he couldn't have missed if he'd wanted to kill.
I mean, he had ample time
for a second or even a third shot.
Yeah, maybe.
It could have been a warning
to Mr. LaMonica not to tamper with the show.
I mean, supposing someone had secretly taped
that actors bull session.
And then, with Todd making what sounded like a threat,
used his name to lure Mr. LaMonica back to the studio.
[phone ringing]
That makes about as much sense as that ridiculous confession note I got.
Yes? Yeah, hold on. Lieutenant.
Thanks.
Antonelli.
Yeah, Kaplan.
Thank you.
That .38 slug they took from your shoulder,
it matches the one that killed Joyce Holleran.
Joyce Holleran was killed with a .38?
But I thought--
In that publicity still, the avenger held a .45 automatic.
I know.
But the killer was dressed as the avenger, so I assumed that he used a.45.
Sorry about that. It was a .38 police special.
Oh, my goodness.
Well, that changes--
[sighs]
Lieutenant, uh, would you come back with me to the studio?
The avenger's .45. Cleaned and oiled, and its clip of blanks.
Where's the gun that belongs in this holster?
Oh, I don't know. It should be right there.
When was this gun cleaned last?
Uh, right after the avenger-Felix sequence,
where Martin Grattop got so angry because his character's being killed off.
Well, someone's used it since then.
Oh, no. No way.
None of them guns get taken unless I give them.
Excuse me.
This is a seven-shot clip.
There are only six shots in this.
That gun that, uh, Herbert Upton uses as Inspector Holcomb, what kind is that?
A .38 police special.
I sure don't understand how it got taken without my knowledge.
You think Upton's pistol is the murder weapon?
Or it might've been taken to make it seem so.
Collaborate with Jessica Fletcher?
I'd love it.
How long will it take to cue our dialogue into the teleprompter?
-No time at all. -Well, let's get to work.
[thunderclap]
Come on, Sybil.
Felix hasn't been dead two days, and you want to--
I wanted you from the first day I saw you.
And you want me.
Camera three, move back.
A little to your left. That's it.
After all the real women you've had, what can that simpering child offer you?
It's all the "real women" I've known that make her all the more dear to me.
Gil, don't say that, not after what we've had.
-What we had was wrong. -Door's going to be opening.
Julian's going to be walking in.
Because of Felix, it was wrong.
I was weak.
But now with Courtney to give me strength, I'm not gonna do--
Dr. Goodman.
Well, Gil--
And Sybil, my dear.
Why, it really is heartwarming to see Felix's friends
rallying to the support of his loving wife.
You poor dear.
You really shouldn't be out on a night like this.
Well, Felix was very special to me.
Where else to be but with his grieving widow?
Dear, dear, Dr. Goodman, so giving to us all.
[thunderclap]
Courtney!
Pull back camera one, slow.
Oh, Courtney. Come in, dear.
The police let you go.
Thank God! I'm glad.
They didn't let me go.
I escaped in a laundry truck while the guard looked away.
Dr. Goodman, I didn't kill Felix.
I didn't!
I don't know where to turn. Please help me.
We will help you. Don't worry.
And we all know that you didn't kill him.
They're going to put me in prison for the rest of my life.
No, my dear, no.
I won't allow that.
I give you my word. I won't allow that.
Felix deserved to die.
What he did to your career,
and to the careers of so many of my friends.
Joyce had to be stopped!
And how better to stop her than with the avenger?
Nobody knows who he is, not even Joyce herself.
It was a perfect cover for killing her.
She was destroying my family.
And that's why I killed Joyce, Courtney.
I had to.
And that's why I took the bible she had written.
I had to!
But she'll bring no more pain to any of you.
Okay, folks. That's a cut.
[buzzing]
Was that all right, Gordon? I could do it better.
No, it was, uh-- it was fine, Julian, just fine.
-Good. -Hello, Julian.
Hello, Mrs. Fletcher. It's nice to see you.
Julian, I think there's something that we'd all like to know.
How did you get into Mrs. Holleran's apartment?
Uh--
I mean, the front door and the penthouse door
were always kept locked.
Oh, oh, uh, I had keys.
You see, I took Joyce's keys
in the morning and slipped out and had some duplicates made.
And then I put them on her desk
before she ever knew they were gone.
Is this the gun that you shot her with?
Yes, yes, this is it.
This-this is the avenger's gun, isn't it?
Yes, yes. That's it.
But this isn't the gun that killed her.
Oh, dear lady, you're wrong.
You didn't kill Mrs. Holleran.
This gun was filled with blanks.
Joyce was killed with a .38 police special,
the kind Inspector Holcomb uses,
a gun which incidentally is missing from the prop box.
Now, just a moment.
I was in Greenwich Village, watching a rehearsal of a play.
I know where you were, Mr. Upton,
but your gun was taken to cloud the issue.
While you were watching the rehearsals of the play,
Joyce Holleran's murderer was watching
from some kind of cover as Julian got off the penthouse elevator
to unlock the penthouse door and move inside.
That person followed him and watched.
Nita, no, please!
[gunshot]
Is that pretty much the way it happened, Mr. Holleran?
Wait a minute.
I didn't kill Joyce.
Didn't you?
I don't know the exact series of events, but I think, with your wife stunned,
you got your gun, the one you kept in the house
for protection against intruders.
Your wife revived enough to call Mr. LaMonica.
Nita is trying to kill me.
You pulled the telephone cord from the wall
at the time she mentioned Nita's name.
Larry, no!
And you shot her.
[gunshot]
Wrapping the cord around the body
to make it look like it was pulled from the wall
when she fell.
Oh, come on.
Why would I kill Joyce?
She was a gold mine to me alive.
Well, she might have been in some future time,
but you weren't prepared to wait that long.
She knew about Bibi,
and you knew it was only a matter of time
before things blew up in your face.
I think you decided to get what you could and Bibi
while you had the chance.
[scoffs]
Will you listen to this?
I have to tell you,
you've got some case of something, milady,
but what you don't have is proof.
I'm sure that there is proof, Mr. Holleran.
It will come when the police compare the slugs
taken from your wife's body, Gordon LaMonica's shoulder,
and the burglar you shot in your apartment last year.
If they all came from the same gun,
would that be proof enough for you?
-Pretty slick. -Thank you.
So how'd you know he used the same gun
on that burglar a year ago?
-Well, actually, I didn't. -You're kidding.
But as soon as you make the comparisons, we'll find out.
Uh, I-I mean, I-I'm pretty sure.
I don't know how to break this to you, Mrs. Fletcher,
but that burglary slug would have been tossed out months ago.
[inhales]
-Well, in that case, Lieutenant... -Yes?
Uh, since Mr. Holleran doesn't know that,
if I were you, I'd get him to confess
as loudly and as quickly as possible.