The Brasher Doubloon Page #5

Oh, I don't think I need one.

I do.

Ready to start talking now?

Talking?

Want me to ask some questions?

OK...

You were in old man Murdock's office,

the day he fell out of the window?

Yes. We were all there

watching the parade.

Mrs Murdock stepped out

for a drink of water, and...

And he made a pass at you?

He was always finding excuses

to touch me.

I hated him.

I never stayed in his office

any longer than I could help it.

I pretended I was

watching the parade.

The only thing I could think of

was that he was standing there next to me.

Then he grabbed me...

I can't talk about it...

OK, OK... we'll skip it for now.

Who's idea was it to

hand me that story

about Leslie getting back

the doubloon?

I don't know.

He and his mother were

in their office all afternoon.

Then she told me to

send you the telegram.

You didn't ask any questions?

I'm paid to do what I'm told.

I didn't think it was

any of my business.

You weren't involved in any way...

It was just something between

your employer and her son?

That's right.

Then why did you tell me

it was so important to YOU?

Well I knew Mrs Murdock suspected me

of taking the doubloon.

Well, the only way

I could prove I didn't

would be if you

found out who did.

You were afraid

you'd lose your job?

Maybe even be arrested.

Yes.

And that's all there is to it?

There's no connection between

the doubloon and Mr Murdock's death?

How could there be?

Look, if you give me the coin,

I'm sure Mrs Murdock

will send you another cheque.

I like the first offer better.

I've always favoured the broad

definition of the truth.

The one that mentions

"the whole truth".

I don't know what else to tell you.

Well for a start,

where does Rudolph Vannier

fit into this business?

Who told you about him?

He did.

But it wasn't enough

to satisfy my curiosity.

Well?

It looks like I'm a round

ahead of you.

Mind if I get a refill?

You might as well

make up your mind,

there's only one way to get

what you want.

I have made up my mind,

Mr Marlowe...

Please give me the doubloon.

I knew I should have got a lock

for that dresser drawer.

That's my gun isn't it?

Give me the doubloon!

You realise this will have to

put a strain

on our personal relations

don't you?

I was beginning to think

you were fond of me.

I am... I meant it when I said

I loved you very much.

But that wouldn't stop me

from shooting you.

I want that coin desperately.

I'm beginning to gather that.

Unfortunately I haven't got it.

I don't believe you.

Look out!

Don't force me to shoot you,

I really don't want to.

That's one thing we see

eye to eye about.

Just empty your pockets

and put everything over there

on the coffee table.

I've told you

I haven't got it.

Now stand over there.

And turn your back to me.

I wouldn't carry it around

with me.

You did earlier.

I'm afraid I'll have to ask you

to take your clothes off.

Miss Davis!

Keep your back turned!

I asked you to start undressing,

Mr Marlowe.

What about your back?

Drop it over there.

I should warn you... I don't wear

an undershirt in the summer.

I can't go through with it.

Don't move!

You haven't even bothered to check

and see if the gun is loaded!

I haven't used that gun

in years!

I don't even know if I've got

the right cartridges for it.

You've just been playing

a game with me?

Oh, honey... honey I'm sorry

I hurt your feelings.

I guess it's my office gun

that's not loaded!

I hate you!

You're contradicting yourself again.

You don't really hate me...

you hate yourself.

That's what always happens

when somebody succeeds

in pulling a trick on you.

But you really shouldn't feel

too badly about it.

After all, I've been involved

in this sort of thing

a lot longer than you have.

Now that we've eliminated

the other possibilities...

What about trusting me?

I'll have to revise my whole course.

I never got progress like that

with orthodox methods.

Will you really help me?

If I can.

But that's the point I've been

trying to make all day.

And let's face the facts...

this is a pretty serious business.

There's a murderer to find.

Maybe two.

I'm a murderer.

If you're talking about

old man Murdock, forget it.

You'll never really get well

until you do.

I just can't... Mrs Murdock

is always telling me to.

She talks to me by the hour,

just trying to get me to forget.

She ought to keep

her fat mouth shut!

Please don't talk about her

that way... You really shouldn't.

Alright, let's forget about it, too.

Now... why do you want

the doubloon so much?

Who do you want to give it to?

Mr Vannier.

Vannier, eh... How long

have you known him?

Five years.

I haven't known him very well.

I was always afraid of him.

But he never harmed you,

did he?

Only because Mrs Murdock

paid him all that money.

That's why I say you shouldn't

talk that way about her.

How much has she paid him?

$500 every month for 5 years.

Ever since the day of the

Rose Tournament Parade

And Mr Vannier has

the pictures of it?

But I think he'd exchange them

for the doubloon.

He wants that

more than anything.

Yeah, I kind of sensed as much

with my session with him.

I'd better take you home.

I don't want to go back there...

I'm afraid.

Please let me stay here.

OK... I'll go over to my office

and sleep on a couch.

Oh, I don't want to be left alone.

I'd really much rather

you stayed here too.

No sweetheart...

You'll find some pyjamas

in the dresser drawer

Why should I be telling you?

You already know where

everything is around here.

Why do you insist on going?

Look... we're still on

the second lesson, baby.

Let's not rush things.

Is that the only reason?

No... I'm not forgetting that

whoever killed those two men today

is probably after me now.

So?

You're still on the list

of suspects.

I felt better than I had all day...

I was finally getting a few facts.

I should have realised just how close

I really was.

- Blair in his office?

- Yeah.

Send Figaro in.

Figaro!

Here he is, Boss.

Change your mind about

comin' to see me, eh?

You boys play kinda rough!

- Did you find it?

- Nope.

I frisked him.

Smart, aren't ya?

Now I don't feel so smart.

Don't say that...

You're smart.

Smart enough to give me

that coin

without the boys having

to bounce you.

They can't bounce me hard

enough to get it from me

because I haven't got it.

He's lying... he had it this evening.

Hi, stupid!

You gonna tell us where it is?

Marlowe...

I'm gonna give you a break.

Gee, thanks!

It may pay you

to play ball with me.

Yeah?

How much might it pay me?

It may pay you in time

and in health.

I seem to have heard this record

somewhere before.

But I just can't

put a name to it.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Close the door, Figaro.

Hold it!

Where's the doubloon, Marlowe?

I told you I haven't got it.

Ask him who has.

Who's got it, Marlowe?

Why don't you try Vannier?

How did he find out

about Vannier?

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