The Norliss Tapes Page #3

Mr. Norliss,

now are you saying

There's some connection

between that dead girl

and mrs. Cort's ghost?

I'm not saying anything,

I'm just asking questions.

That's what

I get paid for.

And I'll handle it,

if it's all right

with you, mr. Norliss.

Sure, sheriff,

it's all right with me.

It just seems that

there are a lot of

nervous people in town.

I think they saw

a lot more than they're

willing to talk about.

Like I said...

That's police business.

Okay. Thanks for

the information.

Think maybe

he's on to something?

On to what?

Now, there's

a very simple explanation

to this whole thing.

All we've gotta do

is find it.

I hope so, tom.

I sure hope so.

Oh.

As I headed

for the cort estate

along the 17-mile drive,

Acres of lush cypress

and tall pine loomed over me.

The ocean below

bellowed and roared,

Smashing into

the coastline,

Spilling white foam

along the sand.

There's no doubt

this rugged peninsula country

Could give

the french riviera

tough competition.

But on this afternoon,

my mind really wasn't

on the scenery.

I kept thinking

about the girl

Who had been murdered

the night before,

Trying to tie

what I knew about her

Into the story

ellen had told me.

I had a gut hunch

the two were connected.

How, I didn't know,

But I was going

to have to try and find out.

Hello, mrs. Cort.

I really do

appreciate your coming.

It's really

a beautiful place.

It was,

but it isn't anymore.

Not for me.

I let the servants go

after jim's death.

Now I'm trying

to sell the estate.

Would you

like some coffee?

Sure.

You mean to tell me

you're out here

all alone?

I had mrs. Harrison

with me until today.

She'd been with

the family for years,

So I kept her on

to look after the place,

But that girl's murder

frightened her.

She turned in

her notice this morning.

Said she wouldn't stay

this far out of town

after dark.

Well, she makes sense.

I think it'd be

a good idea

If you went back

into town with me tonight

And stayed at the inn.

Well, I guess

maybe you're right.

I didn't sleep

a wink last night.

Every time

the house creaked,

my skin scrawled.

I kept imagining

I heard noises

from the woods.

Think we could take a look

at your husband's studio?

Sure. I'll get the keys.

You say the dog led you

in this direction?

Yes, I practically

had to run to

keep up with him.

What time did he

wake you up?

Just after midnight.

There it is, over there.

Jim loved this place.

Used to be a barn before

he converted it into a studio.

From what the people

in town tell me,

Your husband was

something of a recluse.

Well, I suppose that's true,

but he liked being alone.

After we were married,

I had a studio set up

in the main house,

But he never used it.

He'd always

come out here to work.

Called it

his personal hideaway.

Is this from the dog?

Yes. All of it.

He killed rollie

as easily as

you'd smash a fly,

And he was

a german shepherd,

A very powerful animal.

And you say you had to

unlock the door to get in.

That's right.

The only question is

how did he get inside?

Is this the corner

he came from?

Yes.

He was standing

right here.

I'll never

forget his eyes.

They were horrible,

wild, and staring at me.

How long has it been

since you've been out here?

I haven't been here

since jim died.

Now you don't

believe me, do you?

What do you believe?

I don't know.

but I'm still

confused about the ring.

It must be worth

a great deal of money.

why do you say that?

Because charles langdon

phoned me yesterday

regarding the purchase

Of all

the studio sculptures.

When he

mentioned the ring,

I told him

it wasn't for sale.

Well, what did he say?

He became quite upset.

And that's

when I hung up.

Maybe I should

have a talk with langdon.

Look, while

I'm in san francisco,

do me a favor.

Find out all you can

about that murder

the other night.

There's something

about that girl's death

they're trying to hide.

Well, then you think

there's a connection

Between what

happened to me

and the parks girl?

I don't know.

That's what

I'm gonna find out.

I'll call you tonight.

Hello.

May I be of

some assistance?

Yes, you might.

You tell mr. Langdon

that david norliss

is here to see him.

If you'll be so kind

as to follow me.

Mr. Langdon,

a mr. Norliss to see you.

May I help you?

Uh, david norliss.

Oh, I know you.

I enjoyed one of

your books very much.

Really? Which one?

I have a terrible

memory for titles.

It dealt

with undersea life,

And I believe it was

off the coast

of yugoslavia?

The man below.

I'm glad you liked it.

I did.

You're the only one

who read it.

Come, may I show you

something here?

No, thank you.

I would like to

ask you some questions.

Regarding your association

with james raymond cort.

Oh?

You see, I'm looking into

his death.

Looking into?

In what capacity?

As a private investigator

working for mrs. Cort.

Well, I'd be glad

to help ellen,

But, I mean,

it seems a little bit

on the bizarre side.

There was nothing

of a mysterious nature

about james' death.

Well, then you won't mind

answering a few questions,

will you?

Fire ahead.

How well

did you know him?

Oh, we were

closely associated.

You see, our gallery

is the main outlet

For james' work here

in san francisco for

the past several years.

I've placed a great number

of his works with collectors,

And I've arranged for

a few special commissions,

things of that sort.

Hmm? How much

do you know about

the occult, mr. Langdon?

Very little, actually.

Doesn't interest me at all.

Hmm. That's interesting

because mrs. Cort

was saying-

Uh, could we

talk upstairs?

Sure.

Please.

You see, I somehow

got the impression

That you were responsible

for mr. Cort's fascination

with the supernatural.

No, it was simply

a manifestation

of his disease.

You do know

madame jeckiel, don't you?

In a business sense.

I frequently

send people to her shop.

She has excellent tastes.

Accepts some

really splendid items

from time to time.

Hmm. See, I was told

that he met her here

in your gallery.

Yes, we had james'

last exhibition.

I introduced them,

as a matter of fact,

Though, frankly,

I wish I hadn't.

His obsession

with the supernatural

began with madame jeckiel.

What about that ring

he got from her?

You know anything

about that?

Apparently, it's from egypt.

It's very ancient.

Known to collectors

of antique jewelry

as the osiris scarab.

Valuable.

It's true value

is difficult to determine.

The beetle, as you know,

is the symbol of immortality.

There are rumors that

the osiris scarab

is a life ring,

Capable of granting

restorative powers

to its wearer.

You believe that?

Hardly. Myth and nonsense.

Why do you want

the ring so badly?

Apparently, ellen

told you of my interest.

Obviously.

I deal in antique art

and objects, mr. Norliss.

This ring is such an object.

It has a fascination

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