The story started out as one of those absent husband that returns years later but finishes in a rather macabre fashion. With some good acting this episode turns out to be a good watch for Perry viewers.
In this episode Matilda Shore's (Louise Latham) husband, Franklin, ran away some ten years ago to be with another women. And you can tell from her actions that she still feels hatred for the man. Since it has been years since anyone has heard or seen from him, some of the family, Gerald Shore the brother-in-law (Lloyd Corrigan)and Helen Kendall the niece (Julie Sommars) has been talking to Matilda about getting him declared dead.
Then Helen get a phone call from someone claiming to be Uncle Franklin saying that he is alive and wants to see her. Her Uncle Gerald fears for the meeting and gets Perry to go along with her to meet Uncle Franklin.
When they finally meet at a parking lot, Helen goes up to the car to find a man shot in the head. However it is not Uncle Franklin but a former neighbor of the Shore's named Henry Leach. Seems like Mr Leach has been blackmailing someone. But that nugget will not be revealed to the end of the show.
Perry has a lot on his plate in this episode. Here are some- Matilda is rushed to the hospital after being poisoned- Lt Anderson is none too happy with Perry- Hamilton Burger comes to the office to give Perry some advise- the boyfriend of Helen is shot- Uncle Franklin visits the former gardener- Gerald forges a check-and a cat named Monkey leads Perry to a .38 revolver used in a crime. There is much going on and Perry weaves his way through the action to find facts concerning all the listed events.
The episode ends, not in the courtroom, but in the Shore's study. Perry leads everyone through how all the events happened. When he finally ends his talk in front of the entire cast, including Mr Burger and Lt Anderson, two people will be making their way downtown with the police. But not before one person, who does a great job in acting the scene, provides us with a chilling tale. (You will have to watch)
There was some good acting in this episode Louise Latham does a good job of playing the hurt wife- Lloyd Corrigan, as always, plays his part to perfection- Allan Melvin (Barney Hefner from All in the Family and many bit parts) shows he has some good talent.
This episode is one of those good shows that could have past for a movie. A good watch for any mystery viewer.