Previously onWhy Women Kill...
-Marry me. -You'd be raising another man's baby.
With the woman I love.
You know Rita Castillo?
-Is she ill? -No, but she has a husband.
He's in so much pain.
You really want me to kill Carlo Castillo?
And if the police did do an autopsy,
would they find the drug that you used?
They'd have to be looking for it,
and they wouldn't be unless they suspected foul play.
I need you to screw her tonight.
Carlo is starting to communicate.
Once we have the photo, Catherine will go back home.
I won't be too late.
I'll tuck you in when I come home.
She's going to have sex tonight.
If you hadn't threatened to disinherit her,
I wouldn't have anything to blackmail her with.
We can kill him.
Gotten away with it before.
Elysian Park is not Galveston.
I won't go inside. I'll stay in the car.
Keep watch, just in case.
And I'm here to relieve you of your suffering.
I overheard his wife Rita saying things
about the money that she expected to inherit
"any day now."
It's a good thing you called.
The widow Castillo sat on her sofa that morning
thinking about her dreams and how they'd all come true.
Her brute of a husband was dead.
And she was now insanely rich.
Yes.
Rita had the feeling
she'd be happy for the rest of her life.
She was wrong.
What?
Wait. What, what are you doing?
Excuse me. Hello?
Excuse me!
Where are they going?
Ma'am, we have a search warrant.
Why do you need to search my house?
I asked them to solve the mystery of Papa's death.
Mystery? He had a heart attack.
That's what we thought until we performed an autopsy.
And who asked you to do that?
I did.
It was my last gift to Papa.
That's what you call a gift?
An autopsy?
Well, now I know what I'm getting you for Christmas.
Isabel, get me another drink.
Mrs. Castillo, we have evidence your husband was poisoned.
Poisoned?
That's impossible.
We also know you were the only one upstairs with him.
And you stand to inherit half his estate.
She gets the other half, and she was here, too.
I was downstairs, on that sofa with a friend.
We talked all night long.
Talked. Yeah, right.
I didn't go upstairs until 6:00.
And the coroner said Papa died before 1:00.
This is ludicrous.
My husband was old and sick.
All I had to do was wait for him to die.
And I am a very patient woman.
Where the hell is my drink?
She was cheating on Papa,
but I think he found out.
I think he was planning to divorce her.
That would be motive.
I refuse to listen to another word.
Going somewhere, Mrs. Castillo?
Yes, to my lawyer.
I'm going to sue all of you for libel.
What's in the purse?
-Why? -You just seem in kind of a hurry
to get it out of the house.
You are ridiculous, you know that?
There.
Satisfied?
As she arrived at the police station,
Rita wondered how her new happiness
could have vanished so quickly.
Hey, Rita, over here.
She had no idea the answer...
was staring her in the face.
The arrest of her archnemesis
had left Alma Fillcot in the best possible mood.
Her scheming had yielded the results she'd hoped for.
And she was as happy
as she'd ever been.
Sadly...
the same could not be said for her husband.
Have you spoken to Rita?
Why?
Well, it's been four days since we killed Carlo.
I'm just worried about her.
I keep wondering how she's feeling, if she's happier now.
Well, I've left messages, but she hasn't called me back.
Perhaps you can pop by and visit her.
See how she's doing.
You're sweet to be concerned,
but I'm sure Rita is just fine.
-Thank you. -Hmm. Morning, Dee.
Would you like some breakfast?
-Oh, I can't stay. I got a job interview. -Oh.
But I did want to know
if you two had plans for dinner tonight.
I don't think so. Why?
There's someone I want you to meet.
Oh, who?
This fella I know.
Actually, he's my fella.
I have a fella.
This, uh, this the young man who...?
No, no. It's not Scooter.
Who's Scooter?
So, this is a new boyfriend?
Was there an old boyfriend?
I met Vern last month.
He's smart and he's kind.
And I love him.
Darling.
-Does he love you back? -Oh, yes.
In fact...
he proposed.
You're engaged?
-Oh!
-Oh, my God. -Oh!
I'm so happy.
Bertram! Oh, it's happened.
-I told you not to lose faith. -Yes.
You said what now?
Oh. I've just been so concerned about your love life.
I started praying to St. Jude to send you a man to marry.
And he finally came through!
Oh. Oh. Oh.
Isn't he the patron saint of lost causes?
Oh, don't be insulted.
Besides, you can't argue with results.
-My goodness. -Oh. Ah.
It's about time you showed up.
May I offer my condolences on the death of your husband?
Yes. It's very sad.
When can you post bail and get me out of here?
Well, this is only a courtesy visit.
I came to tell you I can't serve as your attorney in this matter.
It would be a conflict of interest.
But you're my family lawyer.
I was your late husband's lawyer,
and you're not the only member of his family.
His daughter engaged my services a week ago.
And since your interests and hers don't quite align,
I can't represent you both.
Then who is going to bail me out?
Yes, about that, the judge denied bail.
What?
Catherine told him if you were set free,
you'd pose a danger to her.
And he believed her?
The judge was a personal friend of Mr. Castillo's.
He wishes to spare
his now orphaned daughter any further distress.
Orphaned? She's 50.
What about my distress?
I'm the fucking widow.
A circumstance you might have avoided
with a little more patience and a little less poison.
Wait!
Ah. Hello, ladies. Lovely to see you today.
Doctor, have you heard the news?
News? What news?
It was just on the radio.
Rita Castillo has been arrested.
Arrested?
Yes. They're saying she killed her husband.
Isn't it just terrible?
Please.
Doctor? -Hmm?
Are you okay?
No, I-I don't think I am.
Hello?
Oh, thank God you picked up.
Rita, are you still in jail?
Yes, I am. Thanks to Catherine.
Now listen. I need you to do something.
Anything you need, Rita.
Get the cash in my desk.
Then go to Vern Loomis and pay for the photos
he took of Catherine last night.
The photos of Catherine having sex?
Yes.
Go through all the photos,
and pick the one where Catherine looks as indecent
as possible.
-Then what? -Show it to her.
Tell her everyone she knows
is gonna get a copy of that photo,
if she doesn't tell the judge
to give me bail.
And then tell Vern I need to see him today.
Sorry. I got to go.
Oh. Bertie.
What are you doing home?
Rita Castillo has been arrested.
Oh. I know. I heard.
-Oh, it's shocking. -Shocking?
Confounding, more like.
How did they find out that Carlo was poisoned?
Well, I don't know.
The drug you used can't be detected. Right?
Not unless you test for it.
No one ever has, not once.
Careful. -What?
People are watching.
Alma.
Your friend is in jail.
It's our fault.
Why aren't you upset?
Well, I am.
Haven't you ever heard of putting on a brave face?
Perhaps we should call the police.
Tell them they've made a mistake.
And when they ask how we know that, what will we tell them?
I'm not sure, but we can't just let her rot in jail.
Oh, Bertram, relax.
The police can't prove Rita did something she didn't do.
Let's hope you're right.
Don't worry.
I'm sure everything will work out
exactly as it should.
Where are you off to?
Oh, I have some unfinished business to attend to.
Downtown. Put those in the good vase.
I'll be back soon to make a nice dinner.
And don't forget,
tonight we're meeting our future son-in-law.
All things considered,
it's a happy day.
Well?
How'd it go?
My parents can't wait to meet you,
and dinner will be served at 7:30.
And you told them everything?
About the engagement and the baby?
I told them we're engaged.
That was enough happiness for one morning.
Look, I just want them to know how much I love you.
And I don't mind that you're carrying another man's child.
Oh. You think that'll make 'em see what a good guy you are?
Maybe a little.
And you'll look noble.
Well, yeah.
Question.
Once I admit I got knocked up by a completely different guy,
how will I look?
Yeah, okay.
What's the plan?
We don't speak a word of Junior
until we're being pelted with rice.
Yeah, but what if you're showing before the wedding?
Don't you think people will have questions?
It's the one upside to being a big girl.
No one ever dares ask if you're pregnant.
-Miss Catherine...
I'm going to run some errands.
Do you need anything?
Isabel.
I work for Rita Castillo.
My condolences.
She called from jail, asked me to get the photos you took.
I figured as much.
Here you go, 33 photos and the negatives to boot.
Thanks.
There's something else.
Always is with that dame.
Mrs. Castillo needs you to come see her in jail.
Today.
Still demanding, even behind bars.
She expects you there by 4:00.
And for the record, Mr. Loomis,
Rita Castillo is not a dame.
She's a fucking lady.
I am sure it's all just a horrible misunderstanding.
I mean, Rita's no angel, but...
she's no killer either.
She did tell us Carlo is a brute.
But when your husband is that old, you don't kill him,
you just wait.
But look who I'm telling.
What are you implying?
I adored my Edgar.
And I miss him every day.
Excuse me just a moment.
-Oh. Excuse me. -Thank you.
-Alma.
-Ah, hello. -Oh, Mavis.
I love your hat.
So chic.
-Oh. Thank you. -Hmm.
How are you doing?
Oh. I'm fine.
Certainly better than Rita.
I'm sure you've heard the news.
What about Rita?
You haven't seen the papers? Rita's been arrested.
For what?
Drunk driving?
For murder.
They're saying she poisoned Carlo.
Oh.
She actually went through with it.
What?
Oh, I...
I shouldn't have said that.
Excuse me.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
What have you heard?
Well...
You know when you all came over,
she and I spoke for quite some time in the kitchen.
Oh, I remember.
We were in the other room saying, "What is that about?"
She confided in me that she was having an affair
and that Carlo was on to her.
-She was worried that he might divorce her
and-and leave her without a dime.
But then she said that she had a plan to stop him.
I didn't take it seriously because she was so...
drunk, but now I...
-Oh. -Divorce.
-That would explain a lot. -Yes.
Please don't repeat this.
I would hate for word to get out.
Everyone in town would think that Rita is guilty.
And who knows? I...
Maybe I'm wrong.
I will take it to my grave.
Thank you.
It's so lovely to see you, Alma.
You as well.
Oh, have a wonderful day.
-Yes, bye. -Bye now.
I just saw Alma Fillcot in the restroom.
Are you ladies ready for the bill?
Oh, no thank you, Joe.
We have lots more to discuss.
...and he was going to divorce her.
I know what you think of me,
but I did not kill Carlo!
Relax.
I believe you.
You do?
But don't get me wrong,
I think you're capable of murder.
But you'd hire some goon to do it
while you were on vacation.
You wouldn't be upstairs taking a nap.
See.
I know you, Rita.
You may be evil,
but you're not stupid.
I'm sure there was a compliment in there somewhere.
So you'll help me?
Maybe.
I got to get permission first.
From who?
My girlfriend.
What's she got to do with it?
Long story.
I'll tell you sometime.
You might even laugh about it.
But probably not.
I spoke to Rita today.
What did she have to say?
She wants you to call the judge
and tell him to give her bail, or else.
She's threatening me? With what?
-This.
I assume your photographer took several of these.
Did he get any from a better angle?
My breasts are much more impressive than that.
This is no bluff.
We'll send copies to everyone in Texas.
You won't be able to show your face there again.
That would be awkward.
Luckily, I have no intention of going back.
What?
I prefer it here.
You know, I have a bigger house, nicer weather, a lover.
I had a picture of him somewhere.
Oh, right.
Here it is.
The only thing I didn't like about California was Rita.
But now that she has different accommodations...
But-but you love Texas.
You lived there your whole life.
I'm not as sentimental about the past as some.
Take you, for instance.
Holding on to all these old letters
that Rita wrote you years ago.
How did you get those?
"Relax, Isabel.
"No one's found Harry's body yet,
and we're never going back to Galveston."
I don't know
which Harry from Galveston this is,
but I intend to find out.
So, in answer to your question,
no, I won't get Rita out of jail.
And if you continue talking to Rita,
I will put you in there with her.
You're an evil bitch. You know that?
Well, you can't blackmail me.
Because I quit.
Isabel, before you go...
One more cup?
For old times' sake?
Scooter, I don't know what I'm doing here.
I did not kill Carlo.
I know.
Someone must have framed you!
No, I wasn't just saying that for the guards.
I really am innocent.
Then what was that poison doing in your purse?
What?
How did you know about that?
It wasn't in the papers.
Catherine told me.
She's still speaking to you?
Why wouldn't she be?
Well, I told you to stop kissing her
once Vern got the photo.
Most women would be offended
by a man pulling away mid-tryst.
Well... that was the plan.
But, well...
-once we got going... -Wait.
You actually...
fucked her?
Well, at least I kept her distracted
while you were doing... whatever.
I did not murder Carlo!
Of course you didn't!
I am very angry with you right now.
Well, then maybe I should lay low for a while.
You know, some folks might consider me a motive.
Are you dumping me?
I-I'm just saying no more visits in jail.
It makes you look guilty.
And...
maybe me, too.
Maybe.
-Guard. -Wait.
Scooter.
Please don't go.
I'm sorry.
Bye, Aunt Rita.
I know I said 7:30.
Maybe the traffic's bad.
Etiquette experts say
that you shouldn't be right on time for dinner.
The hostess might be running behind.
It's polite to be a bit late.
He's not usually this polite.
Oh, thank God. I was getting worried.
Sorry.
I was working on a new case.
Mom, Dad, this is Vern.
-Hello. -It's nice to meet you both.
Bertram Fillcot. How are you?
Dee said you liked flowers.
Oh, what lovely blooms.
-Not as pretty as your garden. -Oh, well...
Flattery will get you everywhere.
Please, come in, sit down.
Now, I heard you mention to Dee something about a new case.
What exactly do you do for a living?
He's a detective.
Oh.
Mom, are you all right?
Yes.
Yes. It's just a little thorn.
Are you with the police?
I used to be, before the war.
Now I'm a private detective.
Oh, a private detective.
Oh, that's much better.
I mean, it's so much more exciting.
Not too exciting.
Mostly I work missing persons cases, divorces.
It's how me met.
Vern came into the diner 'cause he was tailing a guy.
Next thing I knew, I was tailing your daughter.
That sounded creepy, huh?
Yes, a little bit.
I'm going to put these in water.
Bertram, will you help me in the kitchen?
Yes.
So far, so good.
Hey. What's this new case?
About that...
if I decide to take it, the fee could buy us a house.
A house?
My God, who's the client?
Well...
Dinner is served!
Thank God. I am starved.
Why aren't you telling me who the client is?
It's a long story. I'll tell you later.
You might even laugh about it.
But probably not.
We need more rolls.
Just taking a batch out of the oven.
Put the basket right here.
So? What do you think about Vern?
I like him.
Such lovely manners.
And the blooms he brought were well chosen.
Most men haven't a clue.
So, you really like him?
You're not just saying that?
I really like him.
And I hope you'll have a nice, long engagement.
It'll give your father and I a chance to get to know him.
Actually...
we wanted to get married as soon as possible.
This is marriage, Dee.
It's not something you just jump into.
Yeah, but...
Dee.
He's not going anywhere.
What's the rush?
So, you met Dee at the diner.
Do you, do you live near there?
I have a little place downtown.
But he just got a case so big, it could buy us a house.
Oh, wonderful.
Who's the client?
-It's too soon to talk about it. -Oh.
Sounds top secret.
I'll bet it's a movie star.
No.
No, but you'd earn enough money to buy a house?
Rich people pay a lot to get out of jams.
Oh, so it's a rich person in a jam...
That sounds like a little bit of a clue, doesn't it?
Hmm.
Is it Rita Castillo?
Uh...
Oh, my God.
It is Rita, isn't it?
Can we talk about this tomorrow?
Why would you work for her again?
Again?
You've worked for Rita before?
I'm sorry, Mrs. Fillcot.
I know you hate Rita's guts.
What?
Vern...
Why would you say such a thing?
Well, Dee told me about your history with Rita.
How she blackballed you from her Garden Club.
She blackballed you?
And she got me fired from my job.
I don't care for her either.
But she swears she didn't kill her husband.
She said she was framed.
I-I-I'm sorry.
What do you mean framed?
The drug that killed her husband?
They found a syringe full of it in her purse.
Huh.
Such morbid talk for the dinner table.
I hope that when I come back with dessert,
we can change the subject.
She found my letters?
How?
How do you think?
Catherine broke into my room.
I told you to destroy those years ago.
Why did you keep them?
You know, for the memories.
You kept them for insurance.
You were scared I wouldn't give you the money
I promised when Carlo died.
You didn't trust me.
How could I?
You lie all the time.
To your husband, your lovers,
to everyone.
If Catherine has the letters,
how long before she finds out what we did in Galveston?
You, you have ruined us.
Us?
You're the one with poison in her purse.
How many times do I have to tell you I was framed?
Any theories on who would have done something like that?
So that's your next move.
You're going to try to pin this on me?
All I know is I didn't do it.
Well, neither did I.
And you know what?
I ain't sticking around to find out who did.
Meaning what?
Tomorrow I'm buying a bus ticket for parts unknown.
What, you're just going to leave me here to rot?
Catherine's on to us.
I got to get the hell out of Dodge.
The ingratitude.
I gave you a home, a job.
A job as a maid.
We're blood.
And somewhere along the way, you forgot that.
Well, I quit.
This is one mess you're going to have to clean up yourself.
You said that Rita was your friend.
That she wanted you in the club.
That's what she said, but she lied.
Is this why you asked me to kill Carlo?
Now is not the time.
Alma, did you put that syringe in her purse?
What I did or didn't do doesn't matter at this point.
What matters is that Dee is engaged to a man
who wants to prove Rita is innocent.
But she is innocent.
And we are not.
See the problem?
You deceived me.
You used me as a murder weapon.
Stop whining.
-Get the ice cream.
How can you work for Rita after all she's done to this family?
Well, helping us buy a house is a nice way to apologize.
God, this night is a disaster.
I know, it's awkward.
But we have to think about our future
and the home we want to make for the baby.
Baby?
Oh, boy.
Dee, do you mean to say that...?
Yeah.
I'm pregnant.
-What?
It's not mine.
Yeah.
That made it less awkward.
Thank you, Vern.
Just put those on the counter, please.
For what it's worth,
I'm sorry you had to find out about the baby like that.
We should've told you sooner.
And you don't have to worry.
I plan to take good care of Dee and the baby.
But I do worry.
Mostly about your job.
My job?
Well, you're a private detective.
That's dangerous work.
Dee could end up a widow before her first anniversary.
Oh, no.
It's not what it seems like in the movies.
Don't you investigate people's secrets?
Expose things they're desperate to keep hidden?
I guess.
And I assume you carry a gun.
When it's necessary.
So you admit it?
There's risk.
I am not going to get myself killed.
That's what they all say.
Mrs. Fillcot, being a P.I. is, is how I make my living.
Why not drive a taxi?
Or work in a factory?
There are safer ways to bring home a paycheck.
Are you asking me to quit my job?
Oh, Vern.
You're asking me
to bless this hasty union with my daughter.
And she's pregnant with another man's child?
A little compromise makes for happier families.
Don't you agree?
Thank you for coming by.
-You sounded upset on the phone. -I am.
Something unpleasant came to my attention.
It involves Rita and me...
and you as well.
Me?
The night Papa died,
when we came back here and... you know.
What about it?
It appears there were photographs taken.
Of us.
Undressed.
Listen, uh, about those photos...
You knew about them?
Well, yeah.
When Rita came to me, I...
She tried to blackmail you, too?
She sure did.
I'm so sorry.
I didn't know she had us followed.
She's sneaky, that one.
No, she's hateful.
You know, one thing is to attack me,
but to drag an innocent young man into her vendetta...
Eh.
What ya gonna do?
So, do you really think she killed Carlo?
Well, if not her, then who?
That's what I keep wondering.
So... you're not angry at me?
At you?
No. We're golden.
Oh.
I'm so glad.
You know, our maid quit today.
And with Papa gone and Rita in jail...
I'm going to be all by myself in this cold,
empty house.
And I wouldn't mind it so much
if you were here
to keep me company.
Are you asking me to move in?
Here?
I need a reason to get up in the mornings.
And it would be very nice to have someone to take care of.
Well...
I sure wouldn't want you to be lonely.
Oh.
Thank you, my darling boy.
Hey, you're cold.
Let me start you a fire.
Oh, Scooter.
You already have.
Thanks, Mom. Thank you. -Night.
-Of course. Drive safely. -Take care.
Saw you talking to my mom in the kitchen.
What was that all about?
She wants me to stop being a detective.
What?
She's worried I'll get shot by a crook,
and you'll be a widow.
Oh, geez.
So, what does she think you'll do for a living?
-She suggested I drive a taxi. -Hmm.
I'd rather sleep with a private detective.
Well...
that settles that.
You know, it... it's funny.
Your mom didn't seem to mind my job at first.
Yeah.
She only got weird when you said you might help Rita.
Considering what Rita did to you and your mom,
maybe I shouldn't take the case.
Do you think Rita is innocent?
I do.
Then take the job.
Are you sure?
We got a baby on the way.
And if Rita's willing to pay top dollar...
But what about your mom?
I want her to like me.
Honey.
She's going to be your mother-in-law.
She will never like you.
This evening was certainly full of surprises.
Don't you think?
Are you going to sulk all night?
You trick me into killing Rita's husband.
Then you have the nerve to complain that I'm sulking?
Why, Alma?
Why did you do it?
I told you.
Rita was cruel to me.
There's got to be more to it than that.
When you're able to explain your shocking conduct,
come down to the sofa.
Explain it to me there.
That's where I'll be sleeping tonight.
Mr. Loomis?
It's 6:00 in the morning.
What are you doing here so early?
I owe you one, Frank.
-You got five minutes. -That's all I need.
I'm going to take your case.
Wonderful.
I didn't think you would.
I know you don't think much of me.
I don't got to like you to think you're innocent.
Thank you.
So...
I'm going to need a list of all your enemies.
All of 'em?
Oh, honey.
You're going to need more than five minutes.
Hi. Oh, I hope it's not too early.
Not at all.
May I come in?
Oh, uh...
-My house is a mess. -Oh.
-Let's, let's talk out here. -Oh, all right.
-Oh, Alma.
I just...
I wanted you to know the whole club feels terribly
about the way Rita treated you.
Promising you a spot and then stabbing you in the back.
I'm sure she had her reasons.
Be that as it may,
there may be room for a new member soon.
Oh?
Now, Rita is innocent until proven guilty.
But...
this whole scandal is just so salacious
that some of the ladies want her out right now.
Oh.
Oh, poor Rita.
That is so like you, Alma.
Defending her, even now.
Well...
Well, if she is removed,
I plan to nominate you again.
And this time I won't fail to get those votes.
That is...
if you'd still want to be a part of our silly club.
I do.
I really do.
Oh, good.
Well, I'll let you know
as soon as we make a decision about Rita.
You're so kind to think of me, Grace.
Well, someone has to think of you, Alma.
You never think of yourself.
Well...
Oh.
You're up.
That was Grace.
-She told me... -I heard.
You don't seem very happy for me.
That was the plan all along, wasn't it?
Why a man is dead
and his wife is in jail for murder.
All so you could get into a garden club?
I don't pretend to be perfect.
Jesus, Alma.
Bertie... remind me.
Why did you kill all those people?
I have told you a hundred times,
they were suffering from disease.
And because you couldn't cure the disease,
you killed the patient.
In order to protect them.
What if you had the cure?
What if you could have kept the patient alive?
What are you talking about?
Rita was my disease.
She was a tumor,
causing me no end of pain,
agony.
So I had her removed.
It's not the same thing.
There's so much suffering in the world.
Because of cruelty and unkindness.
Rich, beautiful people with power,
humiliating weak nobodies who displease them.
Rita thought I was weak.
And so did I.
But you...
...you taught me that we all have power.
If only we're brave enough to use it.
Alma, you framed an innocent woman
for a murder she didn't commit.
I prevented suffering.
That's how you justify your crimes.
I can justify mine in exactly the same way.
You've lost your mind.
We're about to be grandparents.
Let's just put all this unpleasantness behind us
and enjoy this happy time.
Hmm?
Here you go.
How many days are you with us?
Just the night.
I'm taking the noon bus out of town.
Okay. Well, I'll get the towels.
Oh.
Here's your towels.
I may need a few more.
I just decided to stay in town a couple more days.
Oh? What changed your mind?
A promising business opportunity has just presented itself.