Murder, She Wrote (season 6)

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Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996) is an American television show, airing on CBS, about mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher.

The Error of Her Ways [6.4]

Pauline Byrne: [after Jessica accuses her of committing the murders] You know, I really thought I was gonna get away with it. For the first time in my life, I thought, "This time, I come out on top."

Lt. J. T. Hanna: Why don't you tell us what happened?

Pauline Byrne: Before I got there? That, I can only guess at. I was driving towards Clark's house around 5:30. I was stopped at a stop sign when Kay Weber came by. She never saw me. I knew she'd just come from Clark's. The car I'd rented for our drive to LA was parked out on the street. I thought Clark would be alone, so I was surprised to hear Marian's voice. Clark told Marian he was leaving her for another woman. She demanded to know who the other woman was, but Clark said he was going to pack. He had a plane to catch that night. Suddenly, Marian picked up his briefcase. She asked him if he was taking his work with him. He turned in a rage and grabbed the case away from her. When he started into the other room, she reached into a cabinet, pulled out a gun and shot him in the back. Then she fainted. I couldn't believe what I'd seen. I raced around to the kitchen door and let myself in. Clark was lying very still. I thought he was dead. That's when I saw the money coming out of the case. Just then, Clark moved. He told me to call a doctor, fast. I asked him where all the cash came from. Clark said he took it from Golden Palms, said he was getting out ahead. He said it was ours, his and mine. Funny, all the plans we'd made, it was the first time he mentioned he just happened to steal three million dollars. Considering Clark's track record, I knew he'd leave me for someone else. If I called a doctor, it would mean the police, questions about the money. So I didn't phone a doctor. I may have been broke most of my life, but I was never stupid. There was a pillow nearby. I picked it up. He didn't have the strength to fight me off. Meanwhile, there was Marian on the floor, having passed out thinking she'd shot and killed her husband. I made up my mind not to do or say anything to discourage that opinion.

Jessica: So you took the cash and left?

Pauline Byrne: You bet.

Jessica: But you didn't take his watch or the money from his wallet.

Pauline Byrne: No, what for?

Lt. J. T. Hanna: Wait a second. If you didn't take them, Miss Byrne, who did?

Jessica: Marian Randall.

Lt. J. T. Hanna: What?

Jessica: Think about it, Lieutenant. Marian wakes up. She finds Clark dead. She knows she shot him, assumes she's killed him. She's in a panic. How can she explain it? What story can she concoct?

Lt. J. T. Hanna: A break-in.

Jessica: Exactly. She takes the watch. She leaves the watch where someone would find it, the kind of person who'd pawn it.

Lt. J. T. Hanna: Then she made a big show about hiring a detective to find the stolen watch and prove she was innocent.

Jessica: But you couldn't let that happen, could you, Miss Byrne? Because you'd overlooked something. The briefcase. When the embezzlement came out, Marian might add things up. She might remember the briefcase. Missing money. Who took it? You had to silence her. And why not? If she committed suicide, it would only make her seem more guilty. And once she was dead, the case would be closed.

Pauline Byrne: I visited Marian on the pretext of knowing something about Clark and the money. I put the Nardane capsules in her drink to make her drowsy. Pills hit her hard. She was practically out on her feet before I got her into her car. When I left her in that car, I thought I was home free. Funny how things work out. I never did have much luck. Men, money, it's all the same. Always has been.

Night of the Tarantula [6.7]

Olivia Waverly: [after Jessica picks the lock to Harry's room] Where on earth did you learn that?

Jessica: I think it was The Thin Man Returns. Or maybe it was Charlie Chan in Hong Kong?

Always a Thief [6.19]

Jessica: In case you couldn't guess, my old friend Dennis Stanton hates writing letters. On the other hand, loves the sound of his own voice. Actually, this seems like a marvelous way to keep in touch. Many of you will remember Dennis from the first time I met him. His occupation was a little different then. Jewel thief, second-story man, con artist. I'm happy to say events conspired to turn him into a very respectable member of the community. His work habits haven't changed much, but at least now he's working on the right side of the law. What's the old bromide? Set a thief to catch a thief. Dennis doesn't have to bilk the insurance companies anymore. In fact, they pay him handsomely to outwit other thieves. In fact, is such a dashing and unorthodox figure, I'm half tempted to base one of my stories on him. I confess that's actually not my idea, but then, modesty was never one of Dennis' attributes.

Shear Madness [6.20]

Rosemary Taylor: [after Jessica accuses her of committing the murder] Bill took one look at me thirty years ago, and knew exactly how I felt about him. Not that he cared much after our first few dates. And then, when he left town and I found out I was pregnant, I tricked Jody Taylor into thinking Meg was his, and married him so she'd have a name. Deep down, I always hoped he'd come back. And after thirty years, he did. But it wasn't for me. He'd forgotten all about me. When I told him everything I'd endured for him, you know what he called it? A regrettable mistake. He made a mistake, all right, and I made sure it was his last.