Playback Page #18

INT. ROYAL HOTEL - PENTHOUSE - LOBBY -- NIGHT

As elevator come up, Killaine exits elevator, crosses,

presses buzzer beside Brandon's door. Brandon opens it,

Killaine nods to him, passes him on the way in.

INT. ROYAL HOTEL - PENTHOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT

As Killaine enters, stops, looking around.

KILLAINE:

I'm sorry to have kept you waiting,

Mrs. West, Mr. Clarendon.

He turns to Betty.

KILLAINE:

Miss Mayfield. There's not much I

can do tonight. But there is one

thing.

He moves across to Clarendon, takes gun and handkerchief

out of his pocket and holds it so only Clarendon can see

it.

KILLAINE:

Mr. Clarendon, have you ever seen

this before?

CLARENDON:

(looking down)

I'm sorry, Inspector, I don't know

much about..

KILLAINE:

(sharply)

Recently, then.

CLARENDON:

(slowly)

No, Not recently. I'm sure of that.

KILLAINE:

Thank you.

He moves to Margo, holds gun in front of her.

KILLAINE:

Mr. West?

Margo's eyes go down very slowly. She stares at the gun

for a long moment before speaking.

MARGO:

(in a choked voice)

I never saw it before.

KILLAINE:

Positive?

Margo lifts her face to him and nods.

KILLAINE:

Thank you.

BRANDON:

Yes, I've seen it before.

Killaine reacts sharply. Killaine catches the reaction

with the corner of his eye, but appears not to pay any

attention. Brandon obviously does see the reaction.

Killaine turns back to Brandon.

KILLAINE:

Where?

BRANDON:

On Miss Mayfield's balcony.. beside

the chaise, I picked it up. Don't

ask me why. I ought to know better.

KILLAINE:

Quite sure you had no motive?

Killaine glances sidewise at Betty.

BRANDON:

Could be.

KILLAINE:

I rather thought so. And before

that, had you ever seen the gun?

BRANDON:

No.

Margo is seen to react with great relief which she tries

to conceal. Killaine gives another quick sidelong look.

Brandon has continued to watch her.

KILLAINE:

(to Brandon)

It was lying where on the balcony?

BRANDON:

Near his right hand. About a foot

away. Perhaps more. Good heavens,

one doesn't use a tape measure.

KILLAINE:

We do, when we get the chance.

Killaine turns so that he faces Margo and Clarendon.

KILLAINE:

I needn't keep you any longer, Mr.

Clarendon.

CLARENDON:

(standing up)

Thank you. It is rather late...

and I'm not young anymore. Good

night.

MARGO:

What about me?

KILLAINE:

Not quiet yet.

He crosses and opens door. Clarendon goes out. Killaine

shuts door, goes to Margo.

KILLAINE:

You knew Mitchell pretty well,

didn't you, Mrs. West?

MARGO:

I was in love with him... which

shows you the quality of my brains.

(bursting out--

looking at Betty)

Why don't you ask her about the

gun?

KILLAINE:

I shall. From your knowledge of

Mitchell, would you say he would

be likely to commit suicide?

MARGO:

Anybody could commit suicide, if

he felt low enough. I've felt it

myself.

KILLAINE:

Then why not give Miss Mayfield

the benefit of the doubt?

MARGO:

I'd be delighted to... anytime you

can show me the doubt. I'll wrap

it up in tissue paper and put a

Christmas seals on it for her.

KILLAINE:

Thank you very much, Mrs. West.

Margo flounces to door, jerks it open before anybody can

get there to hold it for her, and goes out, banging the

door after her.

BRANDON:

How about a cup of coffee?

KILLAINE:

No thanks. I had some. How would

you like to take a walk for, say,

half and hour?

Brandon glances at Betty, then back at Killaine, Shrugs.

BRANDON:

All right.

He crosses, gets hat and coat, goes to door and out.

Killaine turns to Betty.

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